A Book Review of Jerome L. Wright’s 'Equal Freedom'
Mark Davis
2012-01-05 00:00
Column by Mark Davis.
Exclusive to STR
“We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.” ~ Albert Einstein
A new book by Jerome L. Wright would have made Einstein proud. The book is Equal Freedom – The Principle of Equal Freedom and Noncoercive Government. It breaks new ground in the libertarian intellectual movement...
An Open Letter to Hank Williams, Jr.
Mark Davis
2011-10-16 23:00
Column by Mark Davis.
Exclusive to STR
Dear Mr. Williams,
You are the man! Standing up to the corporate media like you did was heroic. I know that heroic is a word that gets way overused these days, but I can’t remember the last time an entertainer stood their ground when assailed by the self-appointed politically correct Gestapo that polices the airwaves. ...
Fun and Gun
Mark Davis
2011-10-12 23:00
Column by Mark Davis.
Exclusive to STR
I’ve had enough of the emotional handwringing about the evil of guns and the chastising rhetoric about gun owners. Of course, inanimate objects like guns can’t be evil or good; they are just tools that can be used for good or evil. Further, gun owners are no more inherently wicked than people who own knives, hammers, shovels or...
For What It's Worth (Go Thoreau!)
Mark Davis
2011-07-07 23:00
Column by Mark Davis.
Exclusive to STR
There's somethin' happenin' here.
What it is ain't exactly clear.
There's a man with a gun over there
A-tellin' me I've got to beware.
I think it's time we stop.
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin' down. ~ Buffalo Springfield
What to do? When asked what to do about the predicament that I have described over the...
Debt Madness
Mark Davis
2011-02-22 03:00
Column by Mark Davis.
Exclusive to STR
Finalist #1 in the "Odious Debt" essay contest
It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning. ~ Henry Ford
Are you mad yet? Tired of all the odious bulldebt being dumped on your head out of...
On Social Contracts
Recommended
Mark Davis
2010-12-31 03:00
Column by Mark Davis.
Exclusive to STR
“The great political superstition of the past was the divine right of kings. The great political superstition of the present is the divine right of parliaments. The oil of anointing seems unawares to have dripped from the head of the one on to the heads of the many, and given sacredness to them also and to their decrees.” ~ Herbert Spencer...
The Myth of Public Goods
Recommended
Mark Davis
2010-06-25 02:00
By Mark Davis
Exclusive to STR
The myth of public goods is based on the belief that there are special things that everybody needs, but nobody will pay for. The priests perpetuating this myth include self-interested professors who spend a lifetime informing young, bright-eyed students about the magical qualities of these special goods that can only be provided by popular...
Between Barack and a Hard Place
Mark Davis
2010-06-14 02:00
Exclusive to STR
Socialism (noun)-
1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the...
Hail the Austrians! (Do the math)
Mark Davis
2009-07-20 15:00
Exclusive to STR
July 21, 2009
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." ~ Mark Twain
The current economic collapse and financial system breakdown were forecast and explained by only one "school" of economic theory: the Austrian. The irony is that the other two "major schools" - the Keynesian and...
The Grand Illusion
Mark Davis
2009-01-22 16:00
Exclusive to STR
January 23, 2009
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
From Don't Get Fooled Again by The Who
The coronation of the new Emperor...
Problem Solving 101
Mark Davis
2008-12-31 16:00
Exclusive to STR
January 1, 2009
"I can't wait to get to Washington DC , roll up my sleeves and get to work solving everybody's problems." ~ Alan Grayson, Representative-elect of Florida 's 8th District
The above statement seems to be the general theme of the Democrats, as they will now control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives. It was certainly the theme of Mr....
Creditism
Mark Davis
2008-09-16 15:00
Exclusive to STR
September 17, 2008
"I ain't never worked for a poor man." ~ George V. Davis
Capitalism is blamed whenever the economy inevitably contracts after an artificial boom caused by the creation of credit money. The boom and bust cycle is considered by most to be as natural as the tides. The ignorant media trumpet that irrational business people just go overboard for no...
The Anarchist Vote
Mark Davis
2008-01-13 16:00
Exclusive to STR
The beatings will continue until morale improves. ~ Unknown
The Ron Paul for President Campaign has been the cause of much discussion among anarchists as to whether we should all jump on the bandwagon. The exposure of ideas we all hold dear during his campaign pertaining to the elimination of state agencies and policies, especially central banks, has reached a larger audience...
Holy Wars
Mark Davis
2007-11-13 16:00
Exclusive to STR
November 14, 2007
In the beginning Man created God; and in the image of man created he him.
And Man gave unto God a multitude of names, that he might be Lord over all the earth when it was suited to Man.
And on the seven millionth day Man rested and did lean heavily on his God and saw that it was good.
And Man formed Aqualung of the dust of the ground, and a host of others...
Where's the Bottom, Dude?
Mark Davis
2007-09-12 15:00
Exclusive to STR
September 13, 2007
The phrase "We have hit bottom" will be used a lot over the next couple of years; especially by the paid cheerleaders in the financial and political media. The "Don't worry, everything is okay" crowd will become shriller as events occur that they truly never believed possible. But the sky is not falling, just another pyramid scheme...
Conspiracies, Plots and Agendas
Mark Davis
2007-06-03 15:00
Exclusive to STR
June 4, 2007
Conspiracies and plots typically refer to nefarious covert schemes that the good, common folk would consider evil. Agendas are more overt, but can be just as evil. Co-conspirators and plotters are largely denigrated while the organizers of agendas are believed to be less harmful because they operate "out in the open." One person's agenda for saving the...
Ron Quixote
Mark Davis
2007-03-05 16:00
Exclusive to STR
Ron Paul for President gives many people hope that the system can work. If only the right man could take the reins, then this beast would be controlled and used for good purposes. The long years of conditioning and indoctrination are difficult to get past. As a naïve young man, I voted for him because I thought that capital L Libertarianism could really work to reform the...
Conscience vs. Authority
Mark Davis
2007-02-21 16:00
Exclusive to STR
February 22, 2007
Subjugating conscience to authority leads to an unhealthy person and dysfunctional societies. The state requires the subjugation of conscience to central authority as a matter of course. Therefore, a dysfunctional society and unhealthy citizens must follow from state control. The more control a state asserts over a society, the more dysfunctional that society...
Slaves, Serfs and Taxpayers
Mark Davis
2006-10-30 16:00
Exclusive to STR
October 31, 2006
"The essence of all slavery consists in taking the produce of another's labor by force. It is immaterial whether this force be founded upon ownership of the slave or ownership of the money that he must get to live." ~ Leo Tolstoy
Slaves, serfs and taxpayers all refer to conditions of bondage. These conditions all restrict the use of your person and...
Bread and Circuses
Mark Davis
2006-08-24 15:00
Exclusive to STR
August 25, 2006
The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others. ~ Don Shula
Bread and circuses have gotten a bad name thanks to the state. Who or what else could possibly disparage the goodwill associated with eating and entertainment? Of course the source of the negative connotation is that bread and circuses are used by politicians to buy loyalty and provide...
Striking the Root
Mark Davis
2006-08-11 15:00
Exclusive to STR
"I heartily accept the motto, 'That government is best which governs least'; and I should like to see it acted upon more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe 'That government is best which governs not at all'; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have." ~ Henry David...
Independence Day
Mark Davis
2006-06-30 15:00
Exclusive to STR
It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from his government. ~ Thomas Paine
Independence Day is my favorite holiday because it celebrates the Natural Right to secede from political entities. It is also celebrated by getting together with friends to enjoy grilling a variety of meats and vegetables, boating and related water sports, playing with the kids in the pool...
Life Is Good (Voting Is Insane)
Mark Davis
2006-06-15 15:00
Exclusive to STR
"In Birmingham they love the governor (boo hoo hoo); now we all did what we could do.
Watergate does not bother me; does your conscience bother you? (Now tell the truth)."
~ From "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Questioning state authority is considered a sin by those who worship it. Negative comments about the state and its agents challenge the core...
Respect, Trust and Society
Mark Davis
2006-05-15 15:00
Exclusive to STR
"No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." ~ Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
The above premise is flat wrong. The state did not create arts, letters, or society. The state cannot eliminate fear, poverty, loneliness or violence: it institutionalizes...
Bankers, Bubbles and Fools
Mark Davis
2006-04-19 15:00
Exclusive to STR
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who pay interest and those who receive interest. ~ Darrell C. Simms
Central Bankers eventually make fools out of most investors, especially real estate investors. This is because they get to create capital (credit money) where none existed before (out of thin air). The infusion of credit money into an economy sends false signals...
Hope: From Russia With Love
Mark Davis
2006-04-02 15:00
Exclusive to STR
The greatest reason to be optimistic about the future of liberty is the growing awareness of the lack of credibility the state has. The full faith and credit of the United State are inextricably intertwined. When the credit (ability to borrow) of the United State Government is gone then the faith in the United State Government will also be gone. Many believe that the ability to...
Risk Management
Mark Davis
2006-03-17 03:00
Exclusive to STR
"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know....
War Planning
Mark Davis
2006-02-15 16:00
Exclusive to STR
"Warfare is the art of deceit. Therefore, when able, seem to be unable; when ready, seem unready; when near-by, seem far away; and when far-away, seem near. If the enemy seeks some advantage, entice him with it . . . Attack where he is not prepared: go by way of places where it would never occur to him you would go." (Sun Tzu - The Art of War - Chapter 1)
"In...
The War on Citizens
Mark Davis
2006-01-23 16:00
The phrase "Police State" stirs up emotional responses that differ among citizens depending on whether they support or oppose increased control over individuals by the state as a means of providing security. Knowledge that "trading" freedom for security diminishes both individual freedom and security goes back at least to the founding fathers, yet too many people today are...
License To Steal
Mark Davis
2006-01-04 16:00
The central banking system is the tap root of the modern Corporate-State: the main root that must be struck at for the state to collapse. If the income tax, all business regulations, wealth transfer schemes and the military/industrial complex were somehow miraculously ended tomorrow while central banking remained, then the state would still have the means to enslave you. The modern Corporate-...
Truth and Happiness
Mark Davis
2005-12-20 16:00
Truth and happiness are two of the highest ideals among people. Ideals are those intangible principles that we seek with passion. Some people hold no ideals, but they are barely alive, as they have no passion. These men and women do not seek truth or happiness and therefore rarely find either. However, conflicts will arise when people are passionate about different ideals and prioritize those...
Fascists-R-Us
Mark Davis
2005-11-02 16:00
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who believe they are free. The truth has been kept from the depth of their minds by masters who rule them with lies. They feed them on falsehoods till wrongs look like right in their eyes." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The United States of America is the premier modern Corporate State in the world today. This system of government we have...
Defining Anarchy
Mark Davis
2005-09-07 15:00
Anarchy is a functioning society free of government controls. That is individual persons operating together in harmony based on freely reached agreements concluded between individual members and groups of a society. Anarchy is simply a free society. Anarchy is not the result of a statist-government failure; that would be chaos. The chaos in New Orleans is not due to anarchy, it is an example of...
Gumption
Mark Davis
2005-08-25 15:00
"All you need in this life is a tremendous sex life and a great ego. Brains don't mean shit." ~ Captain Tony Tarracino
Gumption is what makes humans act. That is, take initiative to act decisively, purposely. Human motivation arises when first there is need followed by the desire to satisfy that need and finally the fear that this need will not be satisfied. This system is the basis of...
It's About Time
Mark Davis
2005-08-21 15:00
And God said, "Let their be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God...
Be Free
Mark Davis
2005-07-10 15:00
The state has grown too big and powerful and conversely the individual appears small and powerless. Libertarians of all stripes can debate endlessly on why this has come about and where we should ideally be instead. When the question of what to do about it comes up, there is typically a moment of silence and perhaps a chuckle or two coupled with some frustrated cynicism. After this moment of...
Suckers
Mark Davis
2005-05-26 15:00
"There's a sucker born every minute." ~ George Hull
No, it was not P.T. Barnum, though he was part of the story. It is truly amazing what people will believe. For instance, that voting is equivalent to liberty. The ritual of voting is a collective act of self-delusion. A grand illusion weaved into the societal fabric of freedom-loving people. This coping mechanism is obviously not...
The Reserve Bank of Oz (Part Two)
Mark Davis
2005-05-03 15:00
(Read Part One here.)
"We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Because, because, because, of the wonderful things he does." ~ People of Oz
"I can turn paper into gold," the Wizard said.
The Council and the Sheriff laughed, but some fools said: "How?" The Council and the Sheriff then looked at each other sideways and asked the Wizard to come before...
The Reserve Bank of Oz (Part One)
Mark Davis
2005-05-02 15:00
"We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Because, because, because, of the wonderful things he does." ~ People of Oz
When the Land of Oz was but a backwater kind of place, people worked their land and tended their family businesses. People and families were eventually able to produce enough corn, grain and animals in summer and fall to save for use in the winter and...
The Politicalization of Society
Mark Davis
2005-04-17 15:00
There appears to be a common tendency to confuse the concepts of power and freedom as well as disregard the differences between the economic and political means. These tendencies brought together result in the general acceptance of politics as morally defensible. When greed and envy are used to justify initiating the use of force, politics then becomes perceived as the arbiter of justice. The use...
What About the Bad Guys?
Mark Davis
2005-04-04 15:00
Security for you and your family's persons, property and liberty from intrusion by those not respecting them is a basic consideration of everyday life. Fear of thugs, thieves and shysters instinctively initiate social cooperation amongst those individuals who seek peaceful cooperation in a society. There has always been and always will be "bad guys" who just won't play by the rules of a...
Organizing Society
Mark Davis
2005-03-20 16:00
"My political opinions lean more and more to anarchy (philosophically understood, meaning abolition of control, not whiskered men with bombs)." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, in Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Anarchy is the natural order of human existence that arises from the desire to survive and associate as free individuals. Time is on the side of society, and we should be optimistic that the state...
Who Invaded Whom?
Mark Davis
2005-02-28 16:00
A recent blog discussion at Reason On-Line Hit and Run (link thanks to Karen De Coster on the lewrockwell.com blog) concerning the recent book The Politically Incorrect Guide To History by Thomas E. Woods, Jr. evolved primarily into a discussion of The War Between The States. The central point argued by many could be summed up in the following sentence from one of the posters: "The CSA's...
Question State Authority
Mark Davis
2005-02-10 16:00
It is often said that the state is a necessary evil and there is nothing that can be done about it. Why any type of evil would be considered necessary by so many people always puzzled me. Saying that nothing can be done about it challenged my spirit. As a kid, a popular bumper sticker was "Question Authority." This simple message inspired faith that there were others who had liberty in...
A False Dilemma
Mark Davis
2005-01-26 16:00
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--that principle is contempt prior to investigation." ~ Herbert Spencer
One of the most egregious fallacies used in the debating arsenal of statists is the false dilemma. The strawman argument and appeals to authority are probably...
The Stupid People
Mark Davis
2005-01-13 16:00
"Life is tough; it's tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
This morning on the way to work, listening to the radio I heard the reason why so-called conservatives are so supportive of growing state control over the personal decisions of individuals. For many years, most conservatives seemed interested only in having the state control foreign bogeymen, not citizens at home. This has...
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