Why Freedom Is Despised In The "Land Of The Free"

By Chris Rossini

In an earlier column, it was pointed out that libertarians are in an intellectual battle. Ideas rule the world, and if the ideas of non-aggression and peace are to ever dominate, then the strenuous task of convincing a critical mass of individuals is the only lasting road to success.

Such a road is filled with massive resistance. Waves and waves of people are waiting to shout down anyone that advocates non-aggression and peace. 

Think about the massive resistance that Ron Paul faced when he was standing on those presidential debate stages. The other candidates didn't like what he stood for. The moderators mocked and ignored him. The networks that broadcast the debates hated him:

The reporters lined up to smear him. The audience booed him.

It was Ron Paul and the ideas of liberty against them all. 

And yet, those powerful ideas carried the day. Millions and millions were awoken from the government fantasy, not just in America, but around the globe. The effects are very noticeable to this day. The ideas of liberty are percolating under the surface.

But why is there such massive resistance to liberty? Freedom is so far superior to the ideas of government control. Why is freedom so despised in the "land of the free"?

Well, ideas rule the world. Obviously the dominant thoughts that swirl through people's minds are latched onto believing in government control. This is nothing new. Mankind has suffered under every form of tyrannical government for all of recorded history. We're only 200+ years from when early Americans believed that some Europeans were "royalty". Those ideas still exist around the world today. Some people are still believed to be "royalty". Ironically, modern American presidents are treated and revered even more than royalty! They are believed to run the world!

Of course, presidents do no such thing. But that doesn't matter. The belief is there, and that's all that matters.

Why are the beliefs in government control there? It's not a natural occurrence. After all, we are all born free. No one exits the womb with a loyalty oath (or "allegiance") to anyone or anything. Belief in government control must come from outside of the newborn. It must trickle down from the government itself.

Long before this author and every reader was born, a "system" was put into place. The foundation for drilling in the ideas of government control was cemented with the formation of compulsory government schools. Forcing every child to attend a government building for "education" would create a bedrock for the massive resistance to liberty that we see today.

We all know from sports (and our hobbies) that "practice makes perfect". We all know that "repetition is the mother of learning". Government schools would make use of these truths. Almost every child would be forced into a government building and the very first act of the day would be the recitation of a "pledge of allegiance". This is done every single day. Not once a month and not once a week. Every single day for at least 18 years.

In these "schools", government tells you the history that it believes you should know. Oftentimes there's a picture of the president (and definitely flags) strewn throughout the building. You're told that government is there to "regulate" life, and no thought to the contrary is ever permissible. Conformity is paramount. Creativity and individuality are squashed.

By the time most kids leave after 18 years, the ideas of liberty have been completely overpowered. They were born free, and now freedom has taken on a totally different meaning. Now, the fact that Americans live under the U.S. government means that they are free. Each American even has an identification number as well. Like branded cattle, the Social Security number proves that each tagged citizen is a member of the exceptional taxpayers. 

This "system" does not end at government schools. Conformity and repetition aren't just for the kids. Where the "schools" leave off, the government's FCC licensed media picks up. Every major source of "the news" marches in lockstep with its licensed counterparts. The only variation is how government power should be exercised. Not if it should be exercised. Just how. 

And so, Americans are drilled 24 hrs. per day to look to government for the solutions of problems. The only question that is debated is what government should do.

The beliefs are strong, and they are re-enforced in recreational life as well. What happens whenever there is a sizable sporting event? You're guaranteed to see military jet flyovers, giant flags and troops singing the national anthem. Not just once every 10 games, or even every 2 games. This ritual is performed at every single game, and at every major sporting event.

Where else can you get 60,000 or 100,000 grown men to all stand up together, take off their hats, put their hands on their hearts, and sing a song about their government? 

The repetition from government schooling never left them. They know the drill, and obey without question when the stadium announcer tells them to stand.

Does it make sense now as to why there is so much massive resistance to liberty in the "land of the free"? 

It should.

If you're a libertarian, should you be surprised when people call you "fringe," or a "kook"? No, you should expect it. How could it be any other way under the aforementioned "system"?

Advocating peace, liberty and non-aggression is fringe (for now). It doesn't mean that the ideas are untrue. It just means that the ideas are swirling around the minds of the minority.

Should you be surprised that the media and its "reporters" will use every kilobyte of digital ink to try to discredit liberty? No. It would be weird if they didn't. It's their job, and they could be easily replaced by another "reporter" if they were to gain a conscience.

However, as massive as the resistance is, it does not change the task at hand. Ideas still rule the world, and the ideas that people embrace are never fixed or set in stone. If they were, we'd be in big trouble.

When a critical mass of individuals hold and believe the ideas of liberty, the rest of the population will follow, even if they don't necessary believe in liberty. The great mass of people always follow whatever the passionate few believe with conviction. That's just the way it is. It doesn't matter whether the ideas are in support of tyranny or liberty.

The passionate few who advocate liberty just need to reach a large enough number. What that number is, no one knows. The open minds are out there. They just need to be reached.

But the road to them is paved with massive resistance.

Expect it.