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View Full Version : Would You Push the Button? - Jeffrey Tucker




IanCioffi
06-17-2014, 02:23 PM
By Jeffrey Tucker – LibertyChat.com (http://www.libertychat.com/2014/06/push-button/)

I love “push-the-button” thought experiments regarding politics. If you could push a button to abolish the minimum wage, would you do it? How about the income tax? The U.S. military? Environmental regulations? The welfare state? Social Security?

These are the kinds of questions that are batted around in ideological circles. They are challenging and interesting. This is why this has already become a hot thread on the Liberty.me discussion boards.

Plus, it sounds so peaceful just to push the button. It is a technical solution, not a violent one. Nothing blows up, no one is hurt. The scenario seems only to address the speed of change. Not gradual; just instant.

In each of the cases above, I would indeed push that button. In the way I imagine things, the world would immediately become more peaceful, productive, and prosperous.

I also like imagining pushing such a button because I long ago lost complete interest in fantasies the glories of violent revolution that are we are indoctrinated with from the earliest age.

The whole American civic religion begins with ghastly tales of the glory of war, blood, and death. “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” “Give me liberty or give me death.” Dump that tea, fire those muskets, slaughter those oppressors! Only blood and guts can build a great nation!

It’s a heck of a lesson to teach youngsters. Blech. It’s also just wrong.

Realistically, what did the American Revolution give rise to? A destroyed currency, massive social and cultural upheaval, purges, social division, widespread death and torture, and for what? A few years later, it was clear who would be in charge of the great new government: bond dealers, war generals, munitions manufacturers, and various other elites who always take the reigns during war and rule after.

(continue reading here http://www.libertychat.com/2014/06/push-button (http://www.libertychat.com/2014/06/push-button/))