You Might Be a Statist If ...
by Daylan Darby
* your notion of justice forces victims to provide, in part, the criminal's room, food, and entertainment.
* you believe that those in government employ have never lied; or if they did it was for our own good.
* you confuse the proper role of society (provide needs) and government (enforce rights).
* you assume legislation can successfully and/or permanently change the laws of supply and demand.
* you loan your money (at 0%) to the government all year and happily anticipate a tax refund.
* you assert guns cause crime, foods cause obesity, schools cause education, or states create wealth.
* your answer to "love thy neighbor" is to force taxpayers to be the good Samaritan.
* you want to constrain the right of self-defense, expression, worship, or association.
* you believe a tax rate of X is acceptable, but a tax rate of 2X is somehow wrong or immoral.
* you feel more secure after standing in line for hours followed by groping and harassment by strangers.
* you want a government subsidy for arts, sports, farmers, corporations, foreign governments, etc.
* you wouldn't personally, but believe the government should, punish others for growing certain plants.
* you believe government has claim to our lives, liberties, and property – for the "common welfare."
* you have ever said, "it's for the children," "there ought to be a law," or "I work for the government."
* you're aghast by 10 seconds of broadcast indecency, but slight pictures of war-dead children.
* you place fascism and communism (rather than anarchy and tyranny) on opposite sides of the scale.
* you assume that the common man is a liar, yet believe the common politician tells the truth.
* you are scared of the idea of consenting adults engaging in free trade; especially if they are not taxed.
* you are willing to punish those who have done no harm to others or pardon those that have.
* you label people "wacko," "paranoid," or "conspiratorial" for considering or expressing "cui bono?"
* you say "democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on dinner," then vote for bond issues.
* you think people should be limited to doing business with state-approved individuals and companies.
* you believe that warfare is more effective than free markets in promoting democracy or goodwill.
* you advocate private property rights, unless the owner is "open for business."
* you believe that as long as we can vote (for the tyrants of our choice), that we are free.
* you engage in thousands of ruler-less acts a day, but believe anarchy is bad.
* you think "our" team are heroes, and their's are villains, regardless of the situation.
* you want government to solve social problems, economic inequalities, or foreign imbalances.
* you are not aware that most regulations are in place to protect existing companies from competition.
* you vote for the politician who promises to provide (steal from the taxpayers) the most.
* you swear fidelity to a made-made idol, or wrap yourself in it to show others your nationalism.
* you've been seduced to believe that central planning and central parties are essential.
* you firmly believe in "thou shalt not kill or steal," unless performed by a government representative.
* you could solve poverty, crime, or ignorance, by taking just a little bit more from the wealthy.
* you expect others to compromise their principles, so that we can all just get along.
* you defer or submit to the authority of others, simple because of their titles or riches.
* you equate those desiring less government with those longing for the past, isolation, or less technology.
* you don't comprehend that public schools, public roads, and public welfare are all forms of socialism.
* you claim separation of church and state, then vote a tax on others to enforce your beliefs and values.
* you affirm that rights come from government or that groups have more rights than individuals.
* you are unprepared to defend or provide for yourself; you expect government to solve your problems.
* you threaten those who express an opposing opinion; violence is your preemptive solution.
* you have never read any articles posted on LewRockwell.com.