I am falling deeper and deeper into the realization that there can simply be no co-existence with many on the political left. Nor on some part of the political right, either.
I have tried my damnedest not to see those who think differently as evil. And Lord knows I've gotten tired of being called everything but a Son of God because I hold certain views.
But here we are.
Now, how am I supposed to compromise with people who see GOVT as an instrument of force that they wish to yield to force compliance? There is no middle ground. They either dominate me, or they are destroyed.
For what it’s worth, I would VASTLY prefer a nation/society where I didn’t have to cross my fingers on Election Day, hoping for results that will not have direct harm on me…that will not result in less individual freedom.
But here we are.
I have tried to convince people that the best society is one where we don’t have to fret *too* badly over who wins the regular revenge-porn contests we call elections---because no matter who wins, your personal freedoms would remain intact.
But here we are.
The past few years have revealed to me the limits of libertarianism. Very few people on the left or right are interested in “live and let live.” They want domination. They vote like their lives depend on it, because we have fashioned a society where it does. If I remain a bystander, I am going to be dominated by SOMEONE.
They create all-or-nothing scenarios where we cannot enjoy a peaceful co-existence on a complicated issue like abortion. No, it must be either, no-abortions-with-no-exemptions, or no-excuse-abortions-up-to-the-millisecond-before-birth. We cannot have laws targeting only drag shows where minors are exposed to sexual content. No, it must be “No Drag Shows Ever” or “Put the kiddos onstage with phallic symbols as playthings.” We cannot explore age-appropriate content in schools, so it must be either “no mention of naughty things at any age,” or “Demonstrate Dildo Use to Kindergartners and jail parents who object!”
Hyperbole? Yes…but not much.
And I fear that those who wish to use GOVT as a tool for domination have taken advantage of libertarians like me who see GOVT as a dangerous servant and a fearful master. They goad me into a binary choice where neither option involves less GOVT authority. Then they chide me for being a poor libertarian when I choose the Government-Empowering option that they don’t like.
2024 will be either Trump or Desantis versus Zombie Biden or his equivalent. None of these options promises a future where Government will do anything other than grow more and more powerful. The only option we’re being given is whether we want a left boot or a right boot on our metaphorical necks.
I feel like drinking heavily. Here we are.
Great page. I have enjoyed the two posts I've just read and will read more now that I've subscribed.
Substack is also great--here's my page: matterickson.substack.com.