Re-Energize!

[Andrew76]

Most all of you probably know that French writer/economist/thinker Frederic Bastiat's book, "The Law," is of formative importance to Dr. Ron Paul. I don't know why I waited so long to familiarize myself with the book.
If your looking for the fundamental philosophic foundation of what this movement is all about, "The Law," is about as close as you can get. Below is a link to the audio book for you to download, listen to, then pass on and on and on.
If you're feeling a bit bummed about the way things have turned out, give this a listen, or order it used from Amazon.com, and re-energize yourself. If nothing else, considering that this book was written in the 1850's, you realize that we are all engaged in a struggle that is centuries old. Think how close we've come! Think of what we have to lose! We can't afford to lose hope or focus.
I simply cannot recommend this book (or audio book) enough. Again, send this link to everyone you know, implore them to listen, buy multiple copies of the book and continually give them out as gifts. Truly astounding stuff.


Frederic Bastiat, "The Law." (http://www.freeaudio.org/fbastiat/thelaw.html)

[homah]

For those who would prefer to read the book, you can do so for free at http://jim.com/bastiat.htm, among other places.

[Andrew76]

Btw, I humbly request this not be moved. I realize many of you are likely familiar with this book, but as far as a "convincing" tool for people new to the campaign, it's simply invaluable. EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THIS.

[Andrew76]

bump!

[Chiznaddy]

"The Law", like the Constitution, is too short and simple for all the great thinkers and planners that know more about our lives than we do. ;)

[Andrew76]

Yeah, it's like, Bastiat has laid bare the truth behind all socialist thought: "We know better than you what to do with your money and your life. No really, I've thought about it a LOT, and my plan, among the billions of various socialist schemes, is the best. Trust me, I want you to prosper, but I want us ALL to prosper."

It's just so overwhelming though, I mean, it's EVERYWHERE. The supposed "ideals" of national or "free" healthcare, free housing, carbon taxes, trade agreements, subzidization and on and on is positively rampant in modern day U.S. Everyone, running around looking for a savior who can really "run things," when what we so desperately need is for government to get out of the way.

It's all I can do most times to stop from grabbing people and going "WAKE UP!!!! OBAMA IS NOT GOING TO SAVE YOU." And then to surf around the internet and see people shitting on the ideals of liberty in their various bulletin board or youtube comments. "Oh, you don't like taxes? Well f*ck you! You get to live in America, so rent is due! Grow up and join the big kids society!" Ehhhh, what can you do?

My point is, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the b.s. Thank Zeus that we have writers like Frederic Bastiat, and statesmen like Ron Paul to help us recharge the ole' batteries.

[Mahkato]

That right there is some top-quality political literature.

[Meatwasp]

total responsibilty is total freedom. Why can't people see that?

[Proemio]

... considering that this book was written in the 1850's,...

Also, consider this from Éttiene de la Boétie, 1552 or 1553
http://www.detaxcanada.org/servitude.htm
It's never too early and never too late...

* The only power tyrants have is the power relinquished to them by their victims.
* The tyrant is often a weak little man. He has no special qualities that set him apart from anyone else - yet the gullible idolize him.
* The victims bring about their own subjection - they "win their enslavement."
* If without violence the tyrant is simply not obeyed, he becomes "naked and undone and as nothing."
* Once you resolve to serve no more, you are free.
* We are all born free and naturally free.
* Grown-up adults should adopt reason as their guide and never become slaves of anybody.
* People can be enslaved through either force or deception.
* When people lose their freedom through deceit, it is because they mislead themselves.
* People born into slavery regard it as a natural condition.
* In general, people are shaped more by their environment than by their natural capacities - if they allow it.
* Habit and custom are powerful forces that keep people enslaved.
* There are always some people who cannot be tamed, subjected, or enslaved. Even if freedom were to be entirely extinguished, these people would re-invent it.
* Lovers of freedom tend to be ineffective because they are not known to one another.
* People who lose their freedom also lose their valor (strength of mind, bravery).
* Among free people there is competition to do good for humanity.
* People seem to be most gullible towards those who deliberately set out to fool them. It is as if people have a need to be deceived.
* Tyrants stupefy their victims with "pastimes and vain pleasures flashed before their eyes."
* Tyrants parade like "workers of magic."
* Tyrants can only give back part of what they first took from their victims.
* Tyrants attain their positions through: (a) Force; (b) Birth; or (c) Election.
* Tyrants create a power structure, consisting of a multi-layered hierarchy, staffed by a conspiracy of accomplices. Accomplices receive their positions as a favor from the tyrant.
* The worst dregs of society gather around the tyrant - they are people of weak character who trade servility for unearned wealth.
* Accomplices can profit greatly from their positions in the hierarchy.
* If people withdraw their support, the tyrant topples over from his own corrupted weight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simple remedy. True then, true now and always.

[Proemio]

... considering that this book was written in the 1850's,...

Also, consider this from Éttiene de la Boétie, 1552 or 1553
http://www.detaxcanada.org/servitude.htm
It's never too early and never too late...

* The only power tyrants have is the power relinquished to them by their victims.
* The tyrant is often a weak little man. He has no special qualities that set him apart from anyone else - yet the gullible idolize him.
* The victims bring about their own subjection - they "win their enslavement."
* If without violence the tyrant is simply not obeyed, he becomes "naked and undone and as nothing."
* Once you resolve to serve no more, you are free.
* We are all born free and naturally free.
* Grown-up adults should adopt reason as their guide and never become slaves of anybody.
* People can be enslaved through either force or deception.
* When people lose their freedom through deceit, it is because they mislead themselves.
* People born into slavery regard it as a natural condition.
* In general, people are shaped more by their environment than by their natural capacities - if they allow it.
* Habit and custom are powerful forces that keep people enslaved.
* There are always some people who cannot be tamed, subjected, or enslaved. Even if freedom were to be entirely extinguished, these people would re-invent it.
* Lovers of freedom tend to be ineffective because they are not known to one another.
* People who lose their freedom also lose their valor (strength of mind, bravery).
* Among free people there is competition to do good for humanity.
* People seem to be most gullible towards those who deliberately set out to fool them. It is as if people have a need to be deceived.
* Tyrants stupefy their victims with "pastimes and vain pleasures flashed before their eyes."
* Tyrants parade like "workers of magic."
* Tyrants can only give back part of what they first took from their victims.
* Tyrants attain their positions through: (a) Force; (b) Birth; or (c) Election.
* Tyrants create a power structure, consisting of a multi-layered hierarchy, staffed by a conspiracy of accomplices. Accomplices receive their positions as a favor from the tyrant.
* The worst dregs of society gather around the tyrant - they are people of weak character who trade servility for unearned wealth.
* Accomplices can profit greatly from their positions in the hierarchy.
* If people withdraw their support, the tyrant topples over from his own corrupted weight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simple remedy. True then, true now and always.