Libertarianism Is Not An Opinion
It seems that when most people—including candidates for office—discuss political and social issues they act as if their opinions are actually based on truth—even though they totally disregard Natural and Economic Law. In fact, they talk as if these don't exist. By blatantly disregarding these laws they can make any statements whatsoever—no matter how preposterous. Tragically their unfounded assertions become socially acceptable and eventually the law of the land.
Let's define opinion: According to Webster's dictionary an opinion is a judgment or belief: notion, persuasion, estimation. To sum it up: An opinion is a person's subjective belief about something.
Subjectivity
There is basically nothing wrong with opinions. It is obvious that you couldn't make any decisions in life if you weren't able to decide what you prefer to what you don't prefer. Deciding you like A more than B and B more than C is perfectly natural.
There is no objective yardstick to determine if one type of music is better than another. Enjoying your favorite song is entirely a personal and subjective experience. A person might enjoy Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" more than he does Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." Someone else will tell you they don't like either song—they prefer Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'." They are all correct about their personal preferences.
Natural and Economic Law
The problem arises when an individual's opinion is in violation of Natural and (or) Economic Law. Unfounded opinions cause most of the problems of the world. They also cause individuals much mischief in their personal affairs.
Natural Law states that an individual has a right to his life, liberty and property. He owns his life and the fruits of his labor. Any aggression committed against him is in violation of this law—and is criminal. The social systems of communism, socialism, Nazism, fascism and our big government interventionism violate Natural Law and therefore can be labeled as criminal. They prey on the natural rights of individuals. Because these social systems violate Natural Law—they have all failed miserably.
Economic Law is based on a priori principles. It is called Praxeology (the science of Human Action). It is a deductive system. Some of the a priori principles are time, change and causality. Can you imagine non-time, non-change and non-causality? I guess you might be able to perceive these in a state of deep meditation—but it's obvious they have no counterpart in reality.
Libertarianism and Objectivity
Libertarianism is an objective system based on Natural and Economic Law. It supports an individual's right to his life, liberty and property. It is in tune with Natural Law. No one is a slave to another. And no one has the right to expropriate the fruits of another man's labor. It is criminal to live at the expense of another. When governments institutionalize this "cannibalism" they become worse than common criminals.
Economic Law demonstrates that all forms of government intervention in the marketplace are destructive and self-defeating. They violate an individual's life, liberty and property. Contrary to what altruists, world-improvers and do-gooders claim—the liberty violations they advocate end up harming not only innocent victims—but also the very people they are supposed to help. These meddlers aren't enhancing life—they are destroying hopes, dreams and desires. They are practicing the philosophy of anti-life. I believe the current economic situation says it all.
All forms of socialism are in violation of Natural and Economic Law. Its anti-life philosophy of "taking from those who have and giving to those who need" is a serious violation of Natural Law.
Economic Law proves that when markets are abolished it is no longer possible to use economic calculation. This is the number one reason why communism collapsed. Also, when the free flow of information between individuals is restricted the system becomes severely hampered. The fact that a socialist government controls everything is enough to permanently cripple productivity and destroy well-being.
Libertarianism advocates unhampered capitalism which corresponds to the laws of economics (praxeology). It is in harmony with all the laws of reality and is an objective system. When a libertarian defends this system by using Natural and Economic Law—he is not spouting unfounded opinions. His statements correspond to reality.
When a supporter of socialism and government interventionism advocates and defends these systems he is violating Natural and Economic Law. He is spouting unfounded opinions. His assertions do not correspond to reality.
Conclusion
Libertarianism is not an opinion. It is an objective system based on Natural and Economic Law.
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