Agorism
01-21-2011, 04:45 PM
Ron Paul Criticizes War From A Libertarian Angle
http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2011/01/21/ron-paul-criticizes-war-from-a-libertarian-angle/#comments
Anti-war activism in the United States comes mostly from a liberal perspective, but as war in Afghanistan drags on, anti-war perspectives have come to include libertarians as well. Among the libertarians speaking out against war is U.S. Representative Ron Paul, who, speaking before Congress this week made a particularly libertarian accusation against war: It makes for big government.
“War always leads to government growth and the sacrifice of civil liberties. In the past 10 years, this has been particularly costly to us, with the acceptance of military tribunals, torture, assassinations, abuse of habeas corpus, and PATRIOT Act-type legislation. Senseless war and senseless destruction and death should not be rationalized as providing a great service in protecting our freedoms, our Constitution, or maintaining peace. The only value that can come of this is to recognize that our policies are flawed and they need to be changed.”
War makes big government? As a matter of fact, it does, and not without discrimination. War expands those very parts of the government most hostile to liberty: The military and national intelligence networks.
In the Republicans’ new economic package, it’s not accidental that not one single spending cut hits wasteful Pentagon pork barrel projects like the Marine EFV, or the bloated Department of Homeland Security. Republicans get special kicks out of big government surveillance and corporate welfare to war profiteers.
Thanks to Ron Paul for speaking out against war, and against anti-Constitution legislation like the Patriot Act. It’s not too late for Americans to be rid of the Patriot Act – the worst aspects of the surveillance legislation are supposed to expire a month from now. Call your U.S. Representative at (202) 224-3121 and ask for a vote against any Patriot Act renewal.
http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2011/01/21/ron-paul-criticizes-war-from-a-libertarian-angle/#comments
Anti-war activism in the United States comes mostly from a liberal perspective, but as war in Afghanistan drags on, anti-war perspectives have come to include libertarians as well. Among the libertarians speaking out against war is U.S. Representative Ron Paul, who, speaking before Congress this week made a particularly libertarian accusation against war: It makes for big government.
“War always leads to government growth and the sacrifice of civil liberties. In the past 10 years, this has been particularly costly to us, with the acceptance of military tribunals, torture, assassinations, abuse of habeas corpus, and PATRIOT Act-type legislation. Senseless war and senseless destruction and death should not be rationalized as providing a great service in protecting our freedoms, our Constitution, or maintaining peace. The only value that can come of this is to recognize that our policies are flawed and they need to be changed.”
War makes big government? As a matter of fact, it does, and not without discrimination. War expands those very parts of the government most hostile to liberty: The military and national intelligence networks.
In the Republicans’ new economic package, it’s not accidental that not one single spending cut hits wasteful Pentagon pork barrel projects like the Marine EFV, or the bloated Department of Homeland Security. Republicans get special kicks out of big government surveillance and corporate welfare to war profiteers.
Thanks to Ron Paul for speaking out against war, and against anti-Constitution legislation like the Patriot Act. It’s not too late for Americans to be rid of the Patriot Act – the worst aspects of the surveillance legislation are supposed to expire a month from now. Call your U.S. Representative at (202) 224-3121 and ask for a vote against any Patriot Act renewal.