tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573188106264061392.post7641078685190771297..comments2024-03-28T05:47:44.752-05:00Comments on RIFLES AT DAWN: Full-Time Madison City Council?Tim Morrisseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00457723301178870851noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573188106264061392.post-63646639986071806752010-11-06T12:48:51.309-05:002010-11-06T12:48:51.309-05:00Colonel,
When I read "Socialism" by Lud...Colonel,<br /><br />When I read "Socialism" by Ludwig von Mises, I ran into the most contra-libertarian statement I'd ever seen from that darling of the Austrian School of Economics set:<br /><br />"Democracry is not less democracy because leaders come forth from the masses to devote themselves entirely to politics. Like any other profession in the society dividing labour, politics demands the entire man; dilettante politicians are of no use."<br /><br />Libertarians are fond of the tale of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, the Roman farmer-general who gave up absolute power when the war was won against the Aequians, Sabinians and Volscians. George Washington after the Revoluationary War was compared to Cincinnatus.<br /><br />But those kinds of fellows are few and far between. Political power is seductive...and absolute power seduces absolutely. More common is the desire of someone like Lisa Murkowski in Alaska to maintain her position of power even though she was defeated in her primary.<br /><br />We have a strong tendency during election seasons to send back to the statehouse or to Congress the same gang. Even this last "historic" election returned to Congress over 80% of the members of the House.<br /><br />We will always have to keep an eye on whoever's in office. It seems to make sense that we have professional legislators...but we have to be mindful that human nature is intractable; and that someone in a position of power will most definitely <b><i>not</i></b> always have the public good (whatever that is) in mind.<br /><br />We'll have a continuous conga line of bums that we've thrown out of office for as long as our system of government exists.<br /><br />The Town Crank<br />NeenahSteve Erbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05065643506800242801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573188106264061392.post-4836465251030630102010-11-05T13:48:57.666-05:002010-11-05T13:48:57.666-05:00No reason that Madistan shouldn't be just like...No reason that Madistan shouldn't be just like Milwaukee, eh?Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.com