Freedom Always Originates from Within

How refreshing—I just read an open letter that I actually liked! No, it isn’t one of those increasingly silly open letters over at RP Central.

Here’s a taste, so you can see for yourself how meaty this one is:

... I think that hoping to take an out-of-control, overgrown carnivore, “a terrifying master” as Thomas Jefferson called it, and attempt to domesticate it, transform it back into a dangerous servant and expect it to perform for us without becoming immediately hungry for our flesh again is unrealistic. It’s not a chance I’m willing to take. It’s certainly not one with which I’m willing to get on board, hoist a flag and set sail.

I don’t abstain from voting ... because I’m lazy, stupid, uniformed or pessimistic. I can only hope the other millions of non-voters are thinking people too. I don’t abstain from politics because I doubt the sincerity of those who embrace freedom or any other truly noble cause. My little heart simply won’t let me partake of the forbidden fruit because government is the downfall of mankind. It can never be its solution or its savior.

If that leaves you wanting more, head over to Strike the Root for I Will Not Compromise, by Retta Fontana.

Since I’m already on the subject, for those of you who’ve asked, here’s my take on this open letter—which, curiously, RP Herd Monkey Central modified before publishing, removing links to resources with content critical of the Herd Monkey Movement. I found the letter a curious muddle, and not the least bit persuasive. This is one of the oddest bits (all links in original):

... aren't you at least thankful that Paul's candidacy has inspired so many outstanding grassroots efforts, e.g., the 5th of November "Money Bomb", the Tea Party celebration, the Ron Paul Blimp, etc.?

No, I am not the least bit thankful for those efforts—in fact, I am very dismayed by them. While they appear to be genuine “grassroots efforts”, each and every one of them is a political fundraising campaign. Cheerleading for a man in the popularity contest. Were we not supposed to notice that? How are anarchists and principled nonvoters supposed to feel “thankful” watching all that money get thrown away?

I respect that others can do what they choose with their money (and bit my tongue hard when MAL told me he’d contributed to one of those efforts); nonetheless, I look at all the money going into the cheerleading and it sickens me. Those millions of dollars aren’t creating anything of value—hell, it isn’t even buying substantive educational opportunities for the freedom philosophy. I can’t help but wonder how much better many contributors’ lives might be if, instead of joining the herd monkey cheerleading, they’d taken whatever was contributed and instead put it toward something to help them achieve a greater measure of personal freedom ... like buying a gun or getting firearms training; learning some skill that can help support the person in case the shit hits the fan (and it’s getting closer to doing so); growing a garden and selling and/or preserving the excess; or even paying down debt. Each of those things would materially advance one’s real freedom. Or one could buy goods and services from pro-freedom individuals; there are many out there, offering a variety of things, from web services to books to jewelry to candy. (More on this soon.)

I did find some good in that letter, and would like to repeat it here (links in original; bold emphasis mine):

... you first need to find freedom in yourself. Consider the things that are "tying you down" or "holding you back" and take action to become free from them. Continue to educate yourself about the freedom philosophy, by reading and by thinking about what you read. Continue to take steps in your own life to minimize the impact of not only the power of the State, but of other presumed "authorities."

Absolutely. But how does voting, or donating to the popularity contest machinery, accomplish any of those things? The answer is that they don’t, of course, which is why the author tries but fails to move from that to a successful exhortation for those like me to join the herd.

All freedom originates from within. A person can decide at any time that he is tired of asking for permission to live—which is what we are doing when we cooperate with the state’s identification, enumeration, licensing, relationship-approving, and other permission-slipping crap—and start to live as a free person. No, it isn’t always easy, and one cannot accomplish everything a free person should be able to do without state interference (travel by just about any means above on foot being the most obvious, and most egregious example). It is an individualistic vision and pursuit. As such no amount of groupthink will free a person who does not want to be freer.

You truly want a free society? Then stop chirping and obsessing about the best leader—cuz there ain’t such a beast—and be your own leader. Identify your vision of liberty and start working toward it. Starve the state and support others who are doing likewise. When others notice and ask, answer their questions respectfully and simply, allowing them time to absorb and think. It isn’t glamorous, and it won’t get you mentioned in any mainstream press, but it is the real revolution.