A Libertarian Christmas

Libertarians always seem to make the most sense. Why are liberals and conservatives so nonsensical? It must be the only way they can rationalize their interventionist government “solutions” to every ill in society. They believe they are smarter than the average person and can run their lives for them better than they can.

The Top Ten Things Santa Claus Forgot To Give Me

By: Doug Bandow

Santa Claus came and went. Truth be told, I’m a bit disappointed. He didn’t leave me even one of my ten favorite gifts. I guess I have to wait another year. Maybe after next year’s election Santa will be more forthcoming.

Top of my list is for Americans to stop confusing Uncle Sam with Santa Claus. The idea of some rich guy from far away showing up to fulfill one’s most devout desires is really quite attractive. When people expect the government to do the same things quickly get ugly—and quite expensive. No wonder economist Lawrence Kotlikoff figures that we face total debts and unfunded liabilities totaling some $211 trillion, 14 times America’s annual GDP. We’ve been racking up the red ink in the belief that someone else would pay the bill.

Next, I wish the people of the world would stop confusing Uncle Sam with Joan of Arc. It seems everyone everywhere expects America to show up and save them. The South Koreans desire to be defended from the North Koreans. The Japanese want protection from China. The Afghans in government want to keep the Taliban out of government. The Europeans expect Americans to buy the expensive weapons necessary to allow them to take credit for tossing out a North African dictator. The Israelis insist that the U.S. bomb their enemies. And so it goes.

More