Economist Shirts, Sookie Stackhouse, and Cops Up

[anogete]

I'm so nerdtastic. My shirts from Mises.org arrived today, and I'm totally wearing one of them to work tomorrow.


Murray Rothbard was one of the major founders and was a huge influence on modern-day libertarianism. Among other things, he was an economist and a historian. I'm actually reading a book of his entitled For a New Liberty, which is fantastic. He was considered the State's greatest living enemy because his ideas on government are radical. And when I mean radical, I mean that he wants to reduce government to nearly nothing. My favorite quote of his is: "The great non sequitur committed by defenders of the State, including classical Aristotelian and Thomist philosophers, is to leap from the necessity of society to the necessity of the State."


Friedrich Hayek was also an economist and a political historian. The tagline on the shirt ("Collectivism is slavery.") was voted by the folks at the Mises Institute as being representative of his contribution to society. He was extremely critical of big government, socialism, communism, collectivism in general. I've yet to read any texts by him, but I've got a couple on my list which I'm looking forward to.

I put up a hummingbird feeder today. I've seen a little guy flying around the parking lot each morning when I go to work. I feel bad for him because I don't think anyone around here feeds the hummingbirds. So, I put the feeder outside this afternoon, and I filled it with a simple recipe of sugar water I found on the net. I hope I'll see him tomorrow morning at the feeder.

I started reading the first Sookie Stackhouse book this morning when I got bored at the office. I'm already 100 pages into it and totally in love.

And yet another song I love by Lyfe.

Comments

[subvers.livejournal.com]

*pets your hair*

You're such a geek.

;)

[myvacuumsucks.livejournal.com]

I think I'm a collectivist and a libertarian, but for different areas.

In regards to finances and society's basic needs, I'm a collectivist, since I couldn't do a lot of the functions the government does. Or I'd at least be in the debt of members of my co-operative, who would have better skills than I at many necessary functions. *Jacob can't tend a garden or sew his clothing*

However, I'm a social libertarian, because what I do with my life outside of the sphere of others is nobody's business.

To congeal these two viewpoints:

I like the idea of an elderly man with cancer who is being treated by the state in a government-run hospital, with all the care he could not give to himself. However, if he wants to smoke a joint to relieve the pain, or simply wishes to have his nurse kill him to end his suffering, I think nobody should stop him. Especially the government.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

*Jacob can't tend a garden or sew his clothing*

But that's the beauty of it. Everyone has some skill, or can learn a skill. You perform that skill for others, they pay you, and you can in turn pay others to provide you with things you can't do yourself. Libertarianism isn't that you're completely independent and separate of all others; it's that you're responsible for yourself. You don't expect money from a government entity just for existing. It's not about isolationism (although, many people mistakenly think that). It's about a community that works together, but in the end, everyone in responsible for him or herself. People do care for one another and help each other out, but charity is voluntary, not mandatory (like it is in today's political climate).

And to change your example at the end. I'd prefer to see that vision in a slightly skewed way. If the elderly man didn't have the money or health insurance for car, then he wouldn't be cared for by the government, but a charity organization run by donations and supplemented by a volunteer staff. I've been in Veterans' Hospitals (government run facilities), and they're frightening. I wouldn't wish that coldness on anyone, and I think a voluntary organization would be much warmer and capable with a bend toward the individual.

Basically, I believe that people want to do good. It's just difficult to give your time and money to causes in today's world because the government keeps you in place. They don't want you to move up or out of place. If I was free to do what I want without ridiculous government constraints and insane taxes, then you can bet I'd be more willing to donate money or time to help others.

[witchy-1.livejournal.com]

Charlaine Harris is a genius and Sookie Stackhouse books are my absolute favourite. I rate them above LKH, Mary Janice Davidson, the lot.

The character of Sookie rocks and never gets on my nerves, she's awesome.

I can't wait for the TV show!!! Anna Paquin as Sookie.....

[anogete.livejournal.com]

I know! I was browsing last night and saw that the TV show is still in the works. I guess they've filmed the pilot. I hope they release it soon. I wanna see!