I like "the grandiose idea of mankind’s totalization" -- that really sums up the progressive-liberal mindset, as well as any theocratic view of the world. Mankind's totalization is what it's all about. Ah, utopia, perpetual war...

Very simply, is the 'service' one is performing of one's own free will? The difference between service and servitude is subtle -- the work being performed is the same. That difference is what separates the sovereign from the subject.

RBE, that is all well and good, but once again you miss the very premise of personal responsibility. Also, having rejected religious communities, you insist that the government provide charitable services as an obligation -- just like the church of olden days. And for the same reasons you reject the church's claims, your compulsory social services are just the god-less version of the same oppression.

I agree that we should be charitable with the poor and powerless, I consider that a personal responsibility, not the duty of someone paid with my own money. But legislating central planning is the primary cause of social ills -- unnatural and contrived and at the point of a gun ultimately. You are giving the good reasons for the theft, but it does not change the fact that it is theft and such actions have consequences -- perhaps not what you may think, but the pickpocket only sees pockets, and as a result misses everything else.

I doubt God is any more free than we are. Is he free from the consequences of his creations? Rulers are not free, they must defend against usurpers constantly. Possessed by his possessions, he cannot move from his throne. The quest for power binds all. ;-)

Trade and commerce are the lifeblood of civilization. The converting of labor into goods for storage or trade is done voluntarily and by agreement. Whether this trade occurs in the local market or in the global market, an honest exchange of goods and services is the engine of progress -- that's why there are always schemes for tapping the pipelines to pay for this or that. Taxing goods and services can take on many forms, but ultimately whatever is taken from the pipe, will have an impact on the end. Marxists justify stealing from others' for the common good -- however, they hire people to do that to reduce the risk to themselves -- there is little to no difference between Marxism and mafiosa, the same power structures manifest. Monarchies are merely very old mafiosa structures, dictatorships, too. The US government was designed to prevent the mafiosa structure from forming by distributing power across the counties, states, DC and 3 branches within each. Monopolies of power create these fiefdoms, and when these monopolies are supported by government they become powers in their own right. Banking, railroads, mining, oil, all these industries are global, and because of the enormous flow of money to these companies, government serves the power not the people. Banking and trade govern the world -- whoever governs banking and trade rules the world.

I've attended public schools, religious schools, and private schools, at different times, and in different states where attending school was compulsory for all. The UK and America were among those with the highest literacy rates in the world 75 years ago -- and education was not regulated by the federal government, nor attendance mandatory. Dare I say, the 'illiterate and innumerate' are only so in spite of the education system, not because of it. Wherever you find centralized control with armies of bureaucrats protecting their phony-baloney jobs, you will find ignorant people.

Education is a business - it has costs and revenues, people are paid for various roles in the process. A private school must make enough in revenue to cover their costs -- they usually do, quite well even. A government school does not have to generate revenue. The clients of government schools do not pay the school directly nor can they withhold payment until the job is done well. It is a compulsory service provided by the government (at the cost of taxpayers) -- you may choose to avoid such an education by paying for it somewhere else, but you're already paying for it with taxes.

Government-run education is about putting people on the government payroll. Guaranteed jobs for life and a pension -- some jobs you cannot be fired from, no matter the quality of service delivery. The curriculum is filled with the glory of government, and very purposefully 'dumbed-down' to keep the people in a dependency mind-set for the rest of their lives. Government worker unions of millions of people spend millions of dollars to get people elected that will pour more money into the schools because the education of the youth is so poor.

Right now in the US, govt workers are making 6 figure salaries, much higher than their private sector counterparts, for merely management and administration positions. Public education is a business like any other, except that it is not a service we can refuse. And the people getting paid for this work do all they can to support laws that will force people to not only pay for it, but to be 'taught' by them as well. A vicious circle. The worst is that the students are the ones suffering, getting a crappy education, and paying dearly for it. College is now a complete sham!

I'm afraid that the education of the masses has always been used to keep the power structures in place, funneling the fruits of labor to the ruling class who are the authorities of Church and State, often mixing the two creating a seat of power over which to play a game of thrones. ;-)

The ruling class are apologists for the dependency of their subjects, and the philosophy of honorable servitude is peppered throughout their educational texts. You are free because they say you are free -- if they say you are under arrest, you are under arrest. It is up to the 'authorities.' Conditioning children for 12 years to essentially obey and prepare them to be a good servants. With the right skills, you can work inside, wear nice clothes, and maybe have a window. Otherwise, it's gonna be hard labor in the fields. So the conditions of slavery have vastly improved, at least we can say that. ;-)

I get it, but for me, the world is other people. I may not be dependent upon it but your encouragement empowers me, and mine empowers others. What makes this a wonderful world is all that good stuff other people do because they want to -- and I want to bring something to the party, too. I suppose you could say that the 'good world' is dependent upon it -- does that make us slaves to keep up our end?

Mick, the American republican form of government is formed upon the unanimously declared 'rights of man.' The Crown rejected his subjects' claims to independence and sent ships and armies to bring the colonies back into line. The Americans won their Liberty -- which should be remembered what that was: they were no longer subjects to Crown or Priest (the European way for centuries).

Great study was put into creating a system of government in which the People were sovereign and the government SUBJECT to the will of the people. Unlike European ideology, a republican form of government starts with the individual in his sovereign capacity, responsible for the condition and quality of his life, noble in his pursuits and pleasures, respecting the same in everyone else. An American can own land without permit or tax from his servant government -- or at least that was the intention.

A sheriff and magistrate are elected in the county, and the rules of due process are based on the Common Law and trial by jury. The counties form 'the several states' each with their own Constitutions and branches of government. The STATES charter the federal government which is subject to the States, not the other way around. There was no income tax, only excise taxes of no more than 2% -- any more than that would cause rebellion. The People did not form government to provide for them. It was for their common defense out of their individual right to self-defense. Government is formed to protect their hard fought Liberty!

The adoption of European ideology has occurred over a couple hundred years. Central banking is the first corruption of American sovereignty. The Rothschild banking dynasty conquered the Crowns of Europe to which all became beholden -- the US Civil War was financed by them, and after the smoke cleared, another private central bank was established in the US with an income tax soon to follow as a guarantee to the bank. Volumes have been written on the fall of European monarchies to this system -- well connected to the Vatican and thus far-reaching world wide.

Once people don't use real money but trade in IOU's, property doesn't actually change hands, just the equitable interest. You may tax people using your land or using your car -- so if you are paying a tax on something you 'own' chances are you really don't own it but are simply liable for it. Just like in England when you drive on the King's highway through the King's land you might see some of the King's deer. It's ALL the King's, he just issues permits, licenses, titles -- all with obligations attached. The U.S. gradually re-adopted these practices -- usually as temporary measures in an emergency but then never rescinded. Banking and insurance businesses became de facto government and financed many trillions to private profit-making on the backs of the People.

Little by little, when everyone is obligated to their banker for survival, they become subservient, property-less, powerless even -- this is EXACTLY what results in and feeds a STATIST central government -- and that is what the de facto US government has become, but it is not the lawful, Constitutional government established by We The People.

Liberty must ALWAYS be defended, as history has shown there will always be a need to defend oneself from predators in many forms. Collective power is the engine of civilization. All the more reason for it to remain distributed in the hands of every person rather than funneled to the top of the pyramid to be ruled by whomever managed to connive their way to the throne.

What a great collection of comments!

Communist rhetoric, Mick. Arrogant, authoritarian, and divisive, without taking responsibility for oneself, or respecting others. You declare war on labor and its fruits, and demand a piece of the pie without contributing to its production.

Nobody is buying that BS any more -- especially since it doesn't empower people in any way.

Gunnar, I think the word you are looking for is 'responsibility.' Liberty requires taking responsibility. There are two modes of living in this life, as a passenger or as a driver. Do I expect to drive or to be driven? Duties and obligations are imposed from without, responsibilities are imposed through my declaration of who I am and why I am here. I stand, I choose, I direct, I listen, I express. ALL within a context of taking responsibility and respecting the rights and responsibilities of others in their sovereign capacity. Does this mindset exist in a monarchy? Gunnar, who is responsible for the condition and quality of your life?

As a student in Washington DC, I admired Lincoln immensely -- and all the founding fathers. The Lincoln Memorial is the biggest and faces the Washington Monument and the Capitol. It looks like a giant temple -- just like the ancient temples to Zeus and no less imposing. Lincoln freed the slaves and was assassinated for it -- everyone knows that.

My family moved to South Carolina, and I got a different view of the 'War Between The States.' Surprised was I to learn history from the Southern perspective, with plenty of their own monuments and forts. The War of Northern Aggression and the carpet-baggers put a new light on Lincoln.

Many years later while studying currencies, I learned of Lincoln's issuance of the Greenbacks and the banking families of Europe trying to break up the USA. Lincoln was indeed fighting for the Union, on several fronts.

If anything, Lincoln reminds me of the seat of power that the President occupies -- there is nothing like it in the world other than the thrones of empires still with their eye on America, it's people, and its land.

What we weren't taught was that Lincoln lost, and America lost with it, into the hands of the European bankers, now the world's central bankers, to which all are beholden.

I think Ayn Rand is saying that the collective altruistic motive realized ultimately embodies authoritarianism as the means to the end. Altruistic can also mean compassionate, idealistic, self-sacrificing, even humble.

But Altruism is the philosophy of the collective 'should.' We 'should' do this, we 'should' do that -- for the common good. But even if you could poll the common good, could you reach a consensus? Who decides what 'should' be for the common good? Any ruler can use this to his advantage. Anyone in positions of power and influence can commit whatever offensive act fully justified by their altruistic intentions.

What if we just let people do good themselves? Can we not trust in the process and let the fruits flourish and live in a fruitful world? That too is an ideal -- compassionate, giving (not sacrificing), humble, but that is not altruism, which always remains an unfulfilled dream (the 'shoulds' never end). Rand concludes that a moral compass guided by altruism resulted in the totalitarianism of Soviet Russia. I am inclined to agree and can certainly see similarities in the US.

'Cupidity, corruption, disappointed ambition and the inordinate thirst for power' are and ever shall be the enemy of the common people. Government office unchecked begets authoritarianism, which picks the form best suited to the times politically, economically, militarily. Pyramidal hierarchies, empires, power silos manifest as a result, with a handful of the wealthiest and most powerful ruling it all. Such structures cannot form within a people who temper their 'thirsts' and take responsibility. The battle is and ever will be for hearts and minds -- starting with oneself.

Interesting comments. It is a reflection of the varying consciousness of everyone who 'dreams' of a better future. The 'American dream' means liberty for some, power for others, war against tyranny for even others, etc.. Just about anything you could say about Americans is true. That's what happens in a 'free country.' I try to not spend too much time 'dreaming' and more time appreciating, honoring, and preserving as much of the 'dreams' already realized. It turns out 'getting there' is only the beginning -- keeping the boat on course, working with the winds, not fighting the sea, takes a bit of mastery. I prefer the phrase, "the American Way."

Robert, don't "await the awakening," wake up! The time is now. Awake, awake, awake! When we make the shift from passenger to driver, the world awakens with us. The shift in consciousness is contagious -- as long as you don't have too much invested in being dependent. That's the one opportunity of a crash -- you have nothing to lose now! End the Blame Game -- I AM RESPONSIBLE!

For me, making this declaration myself is the fundamental act of being a freeman. The Declaration is not a document -- it is personally spoken; it is the taking of a stand. With that declaration I answer the questions, 'who am I and why am I here?' self-evidently. It is a shift from riding to driving. It is the taking of responsibility. It is quintessentially American.

But people under collapsing authoritarian governments may be ready to face the music and make a declaration of independence of their own! Imagine the sleeping giant China waking up, or North Korea toppling their dictator. The global consciousness is awakening -- the 'fake news' is not new -- it has been standard practice around the globe to create fake 'needs.' Those that demand expensive drug and medical treatments as rights have been tricked out of taking responsibility for their health -- the treatment is worse than the disease. Same for fundamentalists in religion and politics -- get out of hell free cards, community chests, taxes and tribute, all for a 'promise' of salvation and security. Nature makes no promises.

Courage is to Independence as Responsibility is to Liberty.

Waffler, why should Independence matter at all, then? Why is independence even an issue? Frankly, it's because there are those that lay claim to other people's labors, land, and money.

Uneducated people are generally powerless and are easily tricked into servitude. The perpetually dependent class are the slave laborers that keep the rest in check.

To declare independence is to become an adult -- to make the shift from being dependent to self-sufficient. Governments that want to run people's lives promote dependence and scarcity and fear constantly.

COURAGE, knowledge, labors, and trading with others is the foundation of an independent people -- it's a recipe for success. However, there will always be predators, thieves, slavers, con men, and all manner of deception to defend against. Every other animal in nature must be watchful and wary of predators and interlopers. No different in the human world.

Hear, hear! It is the epitome of selfishness to demand the fruits of other people's labors as an entitlement.

Or a great statesman... where are the brilliant minds of Jefferson, Washington, Adams, Franklin today? Americans have no New Worlds to migrate to. Liberty will have to be restored from within -- that's a lot harder than colonizing new lands. It is possible, but great statesmen are hard to find/be.

In other words, we all have different abilities, resulting in various forms and levels of property. We are essentially 'unequal' in that regard. Adams' states that the protection of this 'diversity' is essential. Note that 'equality' is merely in reference to one's rights, which were defined as those possessed at birth, foremost life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ;-)

Can Americans remain free in a world full of ruled people in other lands? Unfortunately, all the US wars are NOT bringing liberty to those people -- where are those countries' declarations of independence? (Some have them.) The concept of Liberty and personal responsibility must take hold among the other nations.

The real transformation of America was when the American mind changed from a subject to a sovereign. That awakening must continue world wide. The US cannot 'free' any other country -- besides the fact that US wars are to protect US trade routes (oil & opium) for private business (energy & pharma).

How's the American mind today?

Mick, I do not think that the book 1984 was Orwell's dream for a socialist future. Is Big Brother, complete surveillance, and perpetual corruption of language itself the socialist ideal? Note that in Orwell's day, the common Brit was armed. Carrying arms has always been the responsibility of a freeman -- slaves were prohibited (and still are).

It is not about guns, Mick, it is about taking responsibility, whether by pen or sword. Bow to your Queen, if you prefer, but must we all?

You are right, Patrick Henry. And when those sovereign individuals form communities, they continue to be responsible and self-directing. The American republican form of government is based on the rights of man with each person first and foremost as responsible as a king over his own land -- and even harder, a king with no subjects, with fellow kings and queens stewards of their own lands and properties. The same rules apply between kingdoms as between neighbors. These communities form counties, then states, then federations -- but the individual is still the source of all power and authority.

Turn that around whereby the leader of a nation dictates to the states which governors dictate to the counties. Even worse, the national government ruling all the people directly.

Madison reminds us that the integrity of the federal system must be maintained.

Love it! It is my personal belief and experience that INTEGRITY is the foundation of the sovereign life. The integrity of a group is harder to manage, and the bigger it gets, the more 'corrupt' it becomes, even with a 'majority' with high integrity.

ALL of my own personal failures can be attributed to some lack of integrity on my part; I could blame (and did), but once I stopped lying to myself it all became so clear.

Hypocrisy is insidious in nature. The lies we tell ourselves bind us and bind others. Freeing myself from such delusion and from creating more is the real Liberation. ;-)