If you had to choose either liberty or equality for America, which would you choose?
Of course, that begs a more important question: Do we have to choose between them at all? Do we even have to compromise between them? I argue that this is simply another way of looking at the false choice between conservatism and liberalism.
Given the limits of knowledge about government in the 1780’s, it is amazing that the U.S. Constitution has provided so much liberty and equality for so long. But of course, those are only relative terms, and this world has seen precious little of either throughout its history. Is it beyond our ability to imagine a world with a whole lot more of both liberty and equality?
There is a common but false belief that liberty and equality are opposites.
In fact, this false choice lies at the very heart of the modern war between conservatives and liberals. And everybody knows that America is becoming more and more divided along those lines, even violently so. But I claim it is possible to defuse that war.
Conservatives generally believe that the use of government to impose equality seriously restricts liberty. And liberals generally believe that if liberty is not restricted by something, it will seriously restrict equality. Both conservatives and liberals are correct and they’re both also wrong. Liberty versus equality is a false choice based on false underlying assumptions.
Where did this problem begin? America’s founders made it clear that they designed our government to provide liberty for a people who are more or less on an equal footing with each other. But that condition was not true even in their day, and is totally absurd today. Now we live in a world that runs on crony capitalism, which is a severely warped version of what capitalism should be. And the alternatives offered almost always turn to time-worn failures like socialism. But I can show you that we have far better choices.
The problem with crony capitalism is not the “capitalism” part; it’s the “crony” part.
Can we accept that America’s founders failed to create a perfect system? Can we learn from their failings while holding onto their successes? I argue that even the founders began to see those failings after experiencing the workings of the government they created. In their writings they provided great insight into what worked and what didn’t work. But the volume of their writings is staggering. Some believe that Thomas Jefferson alone wrote between 40,000 and 50,000 letters! That’s about 3 letters a day every day for 40 years. Nearly 250 years later, a complete count of his letters has still never even been accomplished. And The Works of John Adams is a ten-volume set.
Everyone, except racists, agrees with equality of opportunity. But some insist on equality of outcome, though that is ridiculous since we do not have equality of talent, ambition, perseverance, or even desire. Likewise, everyone agrees we should be free to live our lives as we choose so long as we don’t deny our neighbors the same liberty. But we will never all agree about where to draw the line between your liberty and your neighbor’s liberty. That’s where the courts come in, but because of inequality some people can afford better lawyers than others.
The right and left each blame all our problems on the special interest groups in the opposite camp.
What a waste of time! Why don’t we pull the plug on all special interest groups?Will you give me a chance to show that this is possible? Can you believe that liberty versus equality is a false choice?
This site is for discussing how to improve our political system. It is NOT for discussing party politics or political figures. So if you have a non-partisan question or comment, feel free to leave it below.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Ask your question and I’ll try to answer.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
This text is priceless. How can I find out more?
Also visit my blog post :: vpn special coupon
This is the perfect web site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic.
You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want
to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that has been written about for ages.
Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
Here is my webpage: vpn coupon 2024
Wonderful site you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that
cover the same topics discussed here? I’d
really like to be a part of community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Many thanks!
Here is my page; vpn special coupon
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around
your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you
write again very soon!
Feel free to visit my website … vpn special code
Howdy I am so thrilled I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I
was looking on Google for something else, Anyways I am here now
and would just like to say many thanks for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all
at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also
added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
back to read more, Please do keep up the great work.
Feel free to surf to my blog: vpn special coupon code 2024
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site.
I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get
my own blog now 😉
Also visit my website – vpn special coupon
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills
and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it
yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today.
my website … eharmony special coupon code 2024
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
Check out my homepage … nordvpn special coupon code 2024
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
I like this web site it’s a master piece! Glad I discovered this ohttps://69v.topn google.Raise blog range
Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing,
great written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to see extra posts like this
.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with helpful info to work on. You’ve done an impressive activity and our
entire group might be grateful to you.
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks.
You made some really good points on your post. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. Also, visit my website QU6 for content about Cosmetics.
foto profil wa couple
I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been working with?
I’m having some minor security issues with my latest website and
I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?
mimpi dikasih uang kertas 100 ribu
What you published made a bunch of sense. But, think on this, what if you added a
little information? I ain’t saying your content is not solid, however what if you added a headline
that makes people want more? I mean II.2: Liberty or Equality – a False
Choice? – John L. Estes is a little plain. You should glance at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they
create post titles to grab viewers to click. You might add a related video or a pic or two to get people interested about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it
might bring your posts a little livelier.
danatoto danatoto danatoto danatoto
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?
If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance
is very much appreciated.
yandex. com
I blog often and I seriously appreciate your information. The article has truly peaked
my interest. I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week.
I subscribed to your Feed too.
data sdy
data sdy data sdy data sdy data sdy
Peculiar article, totally what I wanted to find.
alexis togel alexis togel alexis togel alexis togel alexis togel
Howdy! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up for
your great information you have here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your web site
for more soon.
nanastoto nanastoto nanastoto nanastoto nanastoto
I was able to find good information from your articles.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
texas88 texas88 texas88
Greetings! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to
give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading
your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics?
Thank you so much!
you can try these out https://k2gshima.com
viva138 viva138 viva138
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many
options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions?
Appreciate it!
use this link vvs finance crypto
Hey very interesting blog!
Incredible points. Solid arguments. Keep up the great effort.
Awesome! Its in fact remarkable piece of writing, I have got much clear idea regarding from this
paragraph.
Hello, the whole thing is going perfectly here and ofcourse every
one is sharing facts, that’s really fine, keep up writing.
This paragraph will help the internet visitors for building up new webpage or even a blog from start to end.
Thanks for finally talking about > II.2: Liberty or Equality – a False Choice?
– John L. Estes < Loved it!
How specifically would you define a new antitrust standard priligy in usa