"Let's Abolish Government" by Lysander Spooner

[Truth Warrior]

"Let's Abolish Government"
by Lysander Spooner

Lysander Spooner (1808-1887) is the American individualist anarchist and legal theorist, known mainly for setting up a commercial post office in competition with the government and thereby being shut down. But he was also the author of some of the most radical political and economic writings of the 19th century, and continues to have a huge influence on libertarian thinkers today. He was both a dedicated opponent of slavery in all its form, even going so far as to advocate guerrilla war to stop it, but also a dedicated opponent of the federal invasion of the South and its postwar reconstruction.

This collection was selected personally by Murray Rothbard as his best work. It includes "Trial by Jury," which argues for the idea of jury nullification, that is, the right of the jury to reject the law under which a defendant is tried. It also includes his "Letter to Grover Cleveland," which remains one of the most rigorous pieces of political argument ever penned. Finally, it includes his classic work "No Treason," which argues that the U.S. Constitution is not a social contract at all and that it cannot bind the current generation.

Spooner was obviously a great dissident -- and one of the most brilliant thinkers of the 19th century and an American original. His influence has been quiet but very long and pervasive.

The title here is of Rothbard's own choosing, but it sums up the theme of his best work.

419 pages, paperback, 2008
http://www.mises.org/store/Lets-Abolish-Government-P473.aspx

[Truth Warrior]

Bump!

[Truth Warrior]

Bump!

[heavenlyboy34]

I doubt many here will pay attention to this :(, but thanks for posting it. :)

[Truth Warrior]

I doubt many here will pay attention to this :(, but thanks for posting it. :) Sadly, your doubts seem to be correct AND you are welcome. ;)

[Truth Warrior]

.......

[heavenlyboy34]

~bump~ so more can read it. :)

[Truth Warrior]

~bump~ so more can read it. :)

Thanks! :)

[kathy88]

Thank for posting AND bumping :) I missed it.

[Truth Warrior]

Thank for posting AND bumping :) I missed it. You're welcome. ;) I'm glad you found it. :)

[heavenlyboy34]

Thank for posting AND bumping :) I missed it.

y/w for the bump! ~hug~ :)

[Unspun]

I have this book in my cart at the Misesorg store, along with about $300 worth of books. When I get my tax return I'll probably buy at least a few of those books.

[Truth Warrior]

I have this book in my cart at the Misesorg store, along with about $300 worth of books. When I get my tax return I'll probably buy at least a few of those books. :cool: Personally I use the free PDFs whenever possible. And just buy the books not otherwise available. More bang for the bucks that way. ;)

Thanks! :)

[Truth Warrior]

Bump!

[heavenlyboy34]

~bump~ for stragglers. ;):)

[Theocrat]

Move to Somalia, you spoon-fed crybabies of Spooner. :p

[heavenlyboy34]

Move to Somalia, you spoon-fed crybabies of Spooner. :p

pshhh! :rolleyes: No thanks. I'm fine where I am. Keep your government to yourself, and I'll be fine. :p

[Truth Warrior]

Move to Somalia, you spoon-fed crybabies of Spooner. :p Take your MINORITY of ~100 MILLION voters to Somalia and straighten THOSE folks out. The rest of us here would REALLY appreciate the needed rest, reprieve and getting on with our lives without ALL of you.

http://www.dailypaul.com/node/79836 (http://www.dailypaul.com/node/79836)

[heavenlyboy34]

Take your MINORITY of ~100 MILLION voters to Somalia and straighten THOSE folks out. The rest of us here would REALLY appreciate the needed rest, reprieve and getting on with our lives without ALL of you.

http://www.dailypaul.com/node/79836 (http://www.dailypaul.com/node/79836)

Another good idea. ;):D

[Theocrat]

Take your MINORITY of ~100 MILLION voters to Somalia and straighten THOSE folks out. The rest of us here would REALLY appreciate the needed rest, reprieve and getting on with our lives without ALL of you.

http://www.dailypaul.com/node/79836 (http://www.dailypaul.com/node/79836)

Constitutional republicans were here first before the cultic anarchists invaded our society. You're going to have to get used to the fact that we're always going to have civil government, and people like myself will continue to fight for its legitimacy, even if we have to give our lives, fortunes, and scared honor for it, as our Founders did.

If you want an anarchy, go live in a jungle.

[Truth Warrior]

Another good idea. ;):D

"The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire." ~ Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988)

[heavenlyboy34]

Constitutional republicans were here first before the cultic anarchists invaded our society. You're going to have to get used to the fact that we're always going to have civil government, and people like myself will continue to fight for its legitimacy, even if we have to give our lives, fortunes, and scared honor for it, as our Founders did.

If you want an anarchy, go live in a jungle.

You demonstrate such a poor understanding of anarchism that it's extremely difficult to take you seriously. What have you read on this subject, outside of RPF posts? :confused:

[Truth Warrior]

Constitutional republicans were here first before the cultic anarchists invaded our society. You're going to have to get used to the fact that we're always going to have civil government, and people like myself will continue to fight for its legitimacy, even if we have to give our lives, fortunes, and scared honor for it, as our Founders did.

If you want an anarchy, go live in a jungle.

Hmmmm, I just gotta say that's REALLY a cause to wonder what ELSE you tend to OFTEN misunderstand and don't quite "get". :p :(

Index to the Antifederalist Papers
http://www.wepin.com/articles/afp/index.htm (http://www.wepin.com/articles/afp/index.htm)

Perhaps you should have just voted for McCain. Since you obviously don't even come CLOSE to understanding Ron. :p :rolleyes:


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i304/Truth_Warrior/lewrock0305a.gif


"Visit LewRockwell.com, an outstanding and crucially important Web site I visit every day." -- Ron Paul.
"THE REVOLUTION, A MANIFESTO" ( page # 158 ), http://www.lewrockwell.com/ (http://www.lewrockwell.com/) ;)

http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul-arch.html (http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul-arch.html)

[Truth Warrior]

'Lysander Spooner once said that he believed "that by false interpretations, and naked usurpations, the government has been made in practice a very widely, and almost wholly, different thing from what the Constitution itself purports to authorize." At the same time, he could not exonerate the Constitution, for it "has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist." It is hard to argue with that.' -- Thomas E. Woods Jr

[LibertyEagle]

You should have just voted for McCain. Since you obviously don't even come CLOSE to understanding Ron. :p :rolleyes:


Ron is not an anarchist, in case you didn't notice. ;)

[Truth Warrior]

case

http://www.caseheritage.org/ (http://www.caseheritage.org/)

[Truth Warrior]

Ron Paul (http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul-arch.html)

[LibertyEagle]

+ Thread starters who are promoting their own material will be limited to two personal thread bumps.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=22

[mediahasyou]

Constitutional republicans were here first before the cultic anarchists invaded our society. You're going to have to get used to the fact that we're always going to have civil government, and people like myself will continue to fight for its legitimacy, even if we have to give our lives, fortunes, and scared honor for it, as our Founders did.

If you want an anarchy, go live in a jungle.

Please do not fight for the legitimacy of a state funded by theft.

Peace. :)

[Truth Warrior]

Thou Shalt Not STEAL, VIII ;) :D

[heavenlyboy34]

Please do not fight for the legitimacy of a state funded by theft.

Peace. :)

I second your sentiments. :)