Recent comments

"I don't want to defend the crony-capitalist practices of today's drug companies, but if we want a continued flow of new life-saving drugs, then the huge effort it takes to bring a drug to market must be rewarded by some form of protection." There are many assumptions built into this statement which may not be warranted. First, do we want these drugs? Well, we really can't answer that question in the absence of a real market, where consumers willingly pay the full price for these drugs out of their own pockets. Second, do we actually already have a "flow of new life-saving drugs"? The evidence is that few new drugs are life-saving, most only suppress symptoms, and many have been shown to be harmful and lethal. Third, even if we were to concede the 1st 2 points, is it really true that "the huge effort it takes to bring a drug to market must be rewarded by some form of protection."? Maybe the huge effort and expense is actually just a form of protectionism, to keep less lucrative therapeutics off the market, since they cannot afford to run the FDA gauntlet. Maybe if we had a system of competing private firms certifying drugs and other therapeutics, it could be done much more quickly and efficiently, and would not require monopoly prices to underwrite such an effort. But, let us suppose, that even in an environment where competing private firms were operating that it might sometimes, if not often, be cost prohibitive to produce new drugs which are profitable absent patent protection. What should we make of this? Should we wring our hands or simply accept the verdict of the market, that such drugs have failed the market test and that our resources toward improving health or fighting disease should be allocated elsewhere?

As always, I appreciate your input and analysis, Sam.  :-)  Thank you.

Well done. I greatly regret not homeschooling my daughters.

Very nicely done, Paul.  Kudos.  :-)

Paul, I had forgotten about this one.  It's a great one.  Concise and accurate.

Hi misochu:   Skyler J. Collins is in Salt Lake City, he of http://everything-voluntary.com, and numerous Mises Institute-backed publications.

Cool, somewhere in Utah has got to make the list, obviously not SLC, but somewhere. Granted, they do love that drug/alcohol war.

"...tyrant thieves who have the tacit support of society..." And therein lies the heart of the matter. As long as this condition exists you and I will indeed have to scrap and fight (much of the combat taking place betwixt each of our very ears) in order to be and remain free. There is a huge and daunting demand for authoritarianism out there in the marketplace. And if there is anything those of us at STR understand it is the law of supply and demand. As long as individuals "register" and "vote" the apparent demand will remain strong. I long for the day they hold an election and nobody shows up. That's why it is important for you to continue to comment and write wherever you see the opportunity. And everyone else here and at the precious few other anarchist forums on the net. I'm not certain what it's going to take to make significant erosions in that demand. I'd like to see it in my lifetime. Yet, the growth of internet freedom and genuine free thinking engendered therein shows the way. It could be happening before my eyes, but I'm too prejudiced toward my own dogma to recognize it. As you've seen me write, I was probably more stimulated to investigate freedom once I became free of alcohol within AA (still perhaps the most libertarian organization in town), lo those many years ago. Sam

Thanks for this list, Alex. You *might* want to add Wyoming to this list. (I was one of the principals of "Free State Wyoming". Wyoming got 2nd place in the Free State Project state selection process.) I lived there for a few years. I used to open carry a handgun routinely, cops were nice (relatively speaking - they even waved as they drove by), and the small-town atmosphere meant that the ruling class was not too far removed from the peons, which tends to reduce their depredations. Probably the most heavily-armed state in the country, which keeps the crime low as a side benefit. Thousand-yard rifle ranges are everywhere there's BLM land. Almost no building code (just well and septic inspections) for homes outside city limits, and tax-free shopping in neighboring Montana. No income tax. Downside was heavy-handed drug prohibition, onerous hunting regulation, a growing free shit army and plenty of fascist-style business/govt corruption. Best towns are probably those in the NE corner of the state, where a lot of Free State Wyoming folks ended up (e.g. Newcastle, Sundance, Hulett), Thermopolis, Casper and maybe Cody. Avoid Cheyenne, Laramie, Sheridan and Evanston. There is a little town, Freedom, Wyoming, where Freedom Arms revolvers are manufactured.

"...it is impossible to be free when one has to constantly sidestep aggression or potential aggression at every twist and turn in life's pathways, starting with taxes..." So, does a truly free anarchist expect there will be no "free market robbers" once civil state meets its demise and organized state becomes history for each and all? I can't speak for "...every twist and turn in life's pathways...", but I suspect there will be ample supply of shysters and fraudsters and down-right burglars and robbers in a true state of anarchy. Of course if we all have to protect our own interests in order to circumvent those who will rob us, we will devise plans to do so. Free-market plans. (What was the old show, "Have Gun, Will Travel"???) As of now, you will be prosecuted even if you do attempt to protect yourself -- especially if you "...take-the-law-into-your-own-hands..." Neither you nor I know exactly how the world around us will shape up in total freedom. That's because none of us have ever been totally free. I like to think I've come about as close as most -- simply due to the recognition that "...if it's gonna be, it's up to me, not thee..." I've gotta be free if I expect to do much in the way of participation in your becoming free. I can write all the essays and programs and lesson plans to "teach" others how to become free and the evil aspects of statism. But if I'm still moaning and whining away about the white man, his "police", et al., my broadcasts will no doubt be of limited effect. Freedom begins betwixt my ears -- not yours (although I know you personally are processing liberty each time you wake up -- and I truly wish you and all Root-Strikers to be free). Once a critical mass become free betwixt their ears, there will be no market for the white man. I'm happy to see this marching forward and, like you, hope to see the end of state before I die. I'm 83. You'd better get skattin'!!! My total freedom depends upon you -- contrary to my seeming preachin' otherwise. I could go on endlessly about this. But for now I'll repeat: I can be free. Here. Today. Where I'm "at". So can you. Sam

Hello Alex! Since I no longer have internet at home (interfered with my biking and stayin' young :-|) I didn't watch the video. Have to bring earphones to hear videos, and never remember my ear buds. I've seen many confrontations with police and border psychopaths, some quite good. But it's fair to keep in mind those who "bravely-stand-their-ground-and-assert-their-freedoms" are the ones who plaintively wish the beast would just tame down. If "we" stand up for our "rights", we might see him become less oppressive. He ain't a-gonna. To this extent I fully agree with Mr. Davies. Organized state must end. And neither you nor I nor Jim are a-gonna end it. Except to exorcize the vestiges that linger betwixt our ears. On the other hand, I've ended it for the most part. I'm a free, sovereign state. In so being I must daily recognize the hazardous trip wires all over the place. They have to be sidestepped and circumnavigated in order for me to remain free. I find myself reviewing our old and late friend, Harry Brown's "...Freedom in an Unfree World" (I think a free text version can be clicked on this link). I can be free. Here. Today. Where I'm "at". So can you. Sam

Mark, here's another textbook example of how 99% of the population react when you attempt to explain Voluntaryism to them.  Nothing but denial and cognitive dissonance:   http://everything-voluntary.com/dreamers-parents-never-sinned    

Imagine the effect it would have, however, if everyone -- or even just *most* people -- spoke up to them this way and refused cooperation.  They can't shoot us all.  They can *try* -- but that's when people start shooting back.

Excellent quote.  But only because it is so sadly true.

This is right. People cannot handle the cognitive dissonance that arises when they acknowledge the truth about the power structure. The problem is mainly one of self-deception. We see this all the time with the refusal of so many people to see the reality of the government vaccine program. The truth is all around them, but they insist on ignoring or rejecting it.

JD in Georgia, Excellent insight JD. 

This is a very good article. One could debate this topic peacefully all day long. One could add at least a dozen more songs to this list. It would be a challenge to add any song that might be pertinent composed after 1998. The point is that music is still a definitive part of our culture. I think it was Joe Perry who said in an interview, "today's music is plugged into some business model algorithm." I cannot be sure of the exact quote but the sentiment is right on. The quest for gold supercedes genuine creativity. Pop music has become way too homogenized. Even in the early days of pop music in the late 50s and early 60s, the music sounded similar but one could at least distinguish one band from another. Of course, state educational systems putting arts and music on the outer margins of the budget are not helping nurture budding musicians either. LONG LIVE ROCK

Great article, Doug; very enjoyable. There is so much great music from that era. I remember listening to songs on the radio, but played albums at home on the turntable. Too many great ones to pick a true favorite, but Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, Exodus by Bob Marley and Aqualung by Jethro Tull probably got the most plays on both sides because every song was great on all three.

What a cool column, Doug!  :-)  I knew you were Air Force around that time in Texas, and that you saw Hendrix down there.  :-)  I had NO idea your roomies hailed from ZZ Top, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Ohio Express!  That's almost uncanny coincidence.   My dad was Air Force at that time too (1962-1975) -- would've been stationed here in the northeast by then, though.  And I guarantee he never saw Hendrix.  :-)    I agree the Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" is one of the enduring tunes of relevancy.  I'll also nominate Quicksilver Messenger Service with "What About Me?" ("Most of what I do believe is against most of your laws!")   I missed the 60s for the most part -- I only remember the 70s, as things were kind of winding down, but even then it was a fun time.  I do doubt we'll ever see anything like that confluence of people, things, talent, and good vibrations again.  

Oh -- one more thing. I also fervently hope that those of us "libertarians" will come to think rather than feel regarding slight disagreements pertaining to definitions, etc. I can see no reason, ever, for any of us to rag on others of us when the price of freedom is currently so high. There is no reason for STR participants to feel "chased away" by opinions or other dogma -- before their miracle happens. I still remember and often quote your "Be Free" article of many years back: "I suggest that if an individual really wants to be free then they should begin to act free themselves; that is, choose to be free..." Sam

You nailed it, Saul. I think there may be more feelers today posing as thinkers than actual thinkers.

Paul-   Only 8 ? C'mon! You can click onto YouTube and find some videos how to disassemble a plugged kitchen drain. You can take a photo of an item, and with an Ebay ap, put that item on Ebay. I know a couple guys who do that with books at the local thrift store.    Smartphones are only as wise as the ones using them. BUT, I rarely see a snowflake reading a book anymore.

Yet another fine piece, Paul. I don't know if you're familiar with TheAnarchistAlternative.info, but what you wrote here is very compatible with it.  I take part in the PBS News Hour forum online, whose whole unstated assumption is that the State rightfully exists; I have a lot of fun puncturing that absurd premise and often refer participants to it if they show signs of peeping over the edge of the statist box.   I'll watch for an opportunity to refer them to your "Funny Business." It introduces the absurdity of compulsion very well.

http://strike-the-root.com/government-force-of-nature Actually, the fugitive option is not all that bad. A lot of people don't pay any income taxes, and manage to get around or simply ignore many restrictions. One can be over-impressed with the reach of government. After all it is run by idiots who care for nothing but their pay and pensions. In the meantime, I just wait around for the economic collapse, and try to imagine how I and mine would live and survive then. For a little perspective, I advise reading this book. Humans got along for quite a while without the state, it turns out: https://www.amazon.com/Against-Grain-History-Earliest-States/dp/0300182910