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To: forest
As was known by the founders and the philosophers who's writings formed their thinking, freedom and self government as a political system is a very difficult arrangement to maintain over time. The same human nature that makes free enterprise such a marvelous economic system, also makes self government difficult. Seeking ones immediate self-interest in purchasing and bartering works well for the benefit of all society. However, seeking ones immediate self-interest in making laws takes much more foresight.

To do it right, one should remember the example of two people dividing an apple, one should cut and the other should get the first choice of the results. If one person had both, the cutting and the first choice, it is more often than not to be unfair in that person's favor.

I think it was Eric Hoffer who said, (paraphrase) that those who can't handle freedom seek power. History verifies that. The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848, captured the imagination of those who didn't do well with freedom. Under the guise of championing the masses, the elite captured the reins of power. Unbelievable poverty, pain, and suffering by the masses followed. The elite, not having to compete, did well.

As a result, the elite who considered themselves intellectually and intrinsically superior, liked the system. They could hide behind the platitudes of moral superiority while exploiting the less gifted. However, they knew their pose was a lie and that freedom of speech would soon expose and overturn them. Therefore, there was no freedom of speech nor freedom of political choice. Like a stern parent, the leaders told the masses what to do and when questioned responded, "Because I said so!" and backed it up with terror, prison, and death.

The kings and emperors that the Communists replaced were the same. The masses just saw one charade replaced by another.

The 4 isms are just variations of the above theme.

8 posted on 10/31/2006 2:17:08 PM PST by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done, needs to be done by the government.)
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To: Mind-numbed Robot

Good observation.


9 posted on 11/01/2006 8:08:37 PM PST by forest
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