Privilege of property

I fi nd the assertion made by Rand Paul and repeated by many in the "tea" movement that the only legitimate functions of government are protection of property, protection of borders and enforcing contracts. They seem to consider these so self evident that they do not justify why these, above all the other rights claimed over history. Some claim a Right such as a "Right to health care" is an obligation on someone else to provide you with this care and is a seizure of power over this person. The Right to own property is exactly the same. A Constablary is established to help you retain/ get back your property, a court system with punishments re-enforces this right. If we are truly responsible for ourselves, why so much support? Every one should be armed and know how to defend themselves. Wealthy people would have to act like they have throughout history and today in much of the world and hire security. I say only wimps need a Nanny State to protect property. I prefer guns and dogs. However health care seems like a reasonable right to have, at least to patch you up after fighting off intruders!

some rights are righty-er than others

I have been examining libertarian thought lately. I must admit that when I was young and living in New york city I flirted with Anarchism. Manhattan makes you an anarchist because everything good happens in opposition to City government. A big difference between self identified anarchists and self IDed libertarians is the attitude towards Corporations. Rightist libertarians have a blind spot for corporations. If they think about abuses they always come from business manipulating the over powerful governments ability to grant favors. Un fortunately this is not the only case of private tyranny we find throughout history. This present Gulf oil disaster leaves libertarians speechless because a solution to such a huge problem is not possible without the command and control of a government unburdened by fiduciary concerns. A mixed economy is not nearly as sexy as No Government or a Revolutionary government, but it does seem like really the best way. Our way leaves big holes that are being filled with crude everyday