The Double Standard

     Most people are aware there are individuals known as
libertarians.   How many know what it means to be libertarian? 
What distinguishes libertarians from non libertarians?

     Most people don't believe it is right to threaten to hurt
their neighbor to get his money.  Murdering or even threatening
to murder a neighbor is even more unacceptable.  Most of us
frown upon private citizens threatening any peaceful person
simply to gain an advantage.  "Do it my way or I will hurt you"
isn't an acceptable way to get what you want from someone else.

     Most people accept the use of threats and force against
aggressors.  If your neighbor is bent on robbery, murder, rape or
arson, threatening to hurt him if he doesn't stop is generally
accepted by civilized people.  It is also acceptable to follow up
the threat with actual force when needed.

     The most basic laws of government are directed at these
same ends.  Few object to government using force against
robbers and other aggressors.  So far we haven't found a
distinction between libertarians and the rest of the crowd.

     Many people who abhor private threats do a complete flip
when it comes to government.  Government endlessly threatens
peaceful people with "Do it my way, or I will hurt you."

     Don't build your house too high.  Don't use marijuana. 
Don't sell raw milk.  Don't let your grass grow more than six
inches high.  Don't grow herbs instead of grass.  Go to jail if
you don't have grass in your lawn.  Don't arrange flowers
without a license.  Don't braid hair without a license.  This isn't
even a good start on the threats government makes against
peaceful people.

     Most people who reject the private use of threats against
peaceful people accept and encourage government's use of
threats and force against peaceful people.  We see substantial
disagreement over whom government should threaten.  Most
people don't support ending government's use of  "Do it my
way, or I will hurt you." against peaceful people.

     Anyone who says "there ought to be a law" is urging
government to say to someone "Do it my way, or I will hurt
you."  If that someone isn't an aggressor, the threat is against a
peaceful person.

     Most people oppose some threats by government. 
Usually they oppose the threats directed at them. 
Simultaneously they urge government to threaten others.  Many
find no problem with threatening the free speech of others while
demanding to be free from threats against their own speech.

     Our society is permeated with a double standard.  Most
people are only quibbling over when and why government
should threaten peaceful people.  These battles come down to
might makes right, or at least might makes possible.  The most
powerful prevail.  Constitutions are nothing more than speed
bumps on the road to domination.

     The few people who totally oppose government, or
anyone else, threatening peaceful people are called libertarians. 
Libertarians are often seen as anti government.  All the
libertarians oppose is government threatening peaceful people
with "Do it my way, or I will hurt you."   Libertarians appear to
be anti government only if government makes threats against
peaceful people.

     Government long ago enacted laws against most forms of
private aggression.  Thus, every new law is all but certain to be
either a threat against peaceful people, or redundant.

     Aggressive laws turn people against each other.  Each
special interest battles other special interests.  This breeds
animosity, strife, and violence.  The proliferation of laws doesn't
bring peace and prosperity.  Rather, it shreds the fabric of
civilization.  Our only hope is that many more people understand
and adopt the libertarian philosophy of refraining from initiating
force and violence against peaceful people, even disgusting
peaceful people.

     Everyone can still shun, refuse to associate with, or
cooperate with those with whom they disagree.   Of course, to
achieve this balance we must get rid of all the laws that threaten
to hurt individuals refusing to associate with others to whom the
government has granted special status.

aldmccallum@gmail.com
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Copyright 2013
Albert D. McCallum
18440 29-1/2 Mile Road
Springport, Michigan 49284