"I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is to not pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is "needed" before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' 'interests', I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause, I am doing the very best I can."

- Barry Goldwater -

" The only true role of Government is to protect the rights of the least among us."

- Ronald Reagan -

These are two of the many politicians I have looked to for philosophical guidance. These two men were libertarians before there were Libertarians. (Please note the upper and lower case words are different....libertarians are philosophical, Libertarians are political)

Less government and more responsibility go hand in hand, which is why libertarianism does not appeal to a large portion of the populace. It's like Tough Love. To be a proper citizen, you have to buck up and take care of your own self, not look to the government to take care of you.

Nanny State is a quick way to Big Brother. If we continue to allow all our emphasis to be placed on society, rather than the Individual, then you have given a clear path to the Controlers to run your life as they see fit.

Lest you think this is nonsense.....

Consider the election between the above quoted Barry Goldwater (at the time, perceived as cold and heartless) and Lyndon Johnson, author of the "Great Society" and the War on Poverty....

Johnson was a Controller, Goldwater was a Persuader. Did the controls of Johnson make our society great? Did his programs win the war on poverty?

A little personal philosophy....

"Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies within yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

- Tecumseh, Shawnee Chieftan circa 1800 -