Reason utterly escapes most of humanity, the rest of us choose to ignore it whenever it suits us.

Government is a living entity that devours resources and excretes injustice. I like the idea that government can bring people together, but alas it more often divides us against ourselves.

RBE, if you mean proselytizing by force then yes I would be intolerant of that one as well. Proselytizing through persuasion I have no problem with. The essence of Liberty is being able to stand for or against an idea without fear of violent repercussions. Waffler Your statements are self-contradiciting. "Being convicted about something or being totally sincere does not mean you are correct." This statement is absurd. According to who? The person who disagrees with you? Jihadists think they are correct and I say they are not. Who decides which is right. Correct and incorrect can only be judged on the basis of whether you have harmed one's health or property.

A short list of things that I am intolerant of, which is to say I denounce them and do not allow thier practice in my home: Naziism, Fascism, Communism, slavery, racism, zoophilia, jihad, pedophilia, burglary, adultery, Sharia Law, pantomime, cannibalism, polytheism, suicide bombing, crusading, ethnic clensing. Some I find morally reprehensible and some just annoying but I am intolerant of all.

Tolerance is not an antonym for bigotry. It is not simply a synonym for open-mindedness either. It implies allowing an action to occur even though you know it to be wrong. It is more synonymous with apathy.

Don't look at this statement in the context of a government. A government, if it must exist, must also be tolerant; for a government is by definition, without convictions. The individual need not like or speak well of anyone with an opposing worldview. They need only refrain from breaking that person's leg or picking their pocket.

The highest form of government is still a criminal enterprise.

True. But for most the growth of the individual’s character is easier accomplished in the absence of government. Government breeds ignorance and apathy.

Socialism also stifles innovation, retards social mobility (both upward and downward) and throws open the doors of government for a totalitarian dictatorship to walk in; what a deal!

Apparently social justice is not a new idea, just an old tyrrany in a new wrapper.

Slavery didn't end for agricultural workers until the mechanization of the 20th century. The causes of the civil war are many, but the effect has been the progressive centralization of government in the U.S.

Never underestimate America's ability to elect a polarizing leader when it needs one the least.

Brits should be careful when using the term burke. It sounds too similar to burqa and could cause some dangerous misunderstandings once Sharia Law is fully instituted in the U.K.

RBE, the only definitition for burke that I am aware of is to smother someone for the purpose of using the body for dissection, and is attributed to William Burke.

This quote assumes a degree of predestination, but that could be due to a lack of context. Mediocrity, in my opinion, is more a function of lack of effort than lack of natural ability.

Too true Mike

True, but they also need armies to wage wars against other governments for power, land, and natural resources.

They control the weak minds only.

The term policymaking is a euphemism for designing infringements on one person's liberty for the benefit of another person. It is in practice representing individuals instead of the people, eventually resulting in less liberty for all.

Waffler, Let it go. America has lost the last six presidential elections.

I believe he means liberty conferred by the State, and by State he means welfare state.

RBESRQ, Do socialists not believe that liberty and justice can only be achieved through a strong centralized government representing labor and production? And isn't that like saying a few drops of arsenic will kill you but a gallon of it will cure you? You are right to indict the lobbyists and their quarry, but you fail to recognize the socialist policies that empower them.

True both with blood and money.

The idea that society somehow NEEDS government is as common in America today as it is incorrect. Government can only hinder a free society.

Democracy is marginally workable among a small group of friends. It is completely useless to a mob of millions, giving the illusion of choice while ensuring a singular result: massive growth of the State into a social democracy. Republican democracy is better only in that it moves toward this end more slowly.