“... the smaller the domain where choices among alternatives are made collectively, the smaller will be the probability that any individual's preference gets overruled.”

The federal government is too far removed from the issues that affect you to correctly choose for you. They say "trust me to run your life", but freedom would be trusting you to run your life. Trusting you gives them less power over you.

A great point showing the need for states rights, representative (not proportional supreme council) government and separation of powers. It also makes a great point towards making States like California and Texas into smaller states; but at least there are counties. -- Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco Buday

Proportional representation is the only answer to this madness.

Historically accurate

Something collectivists seem to ignore -- that is until the group turns on them...

While true in a sense it is otherwise total bull crap. Of course in the domain of your own private room you are the king of your choices and alternatives but once you walk out into the broad daylight of the street your choices have a different set of realities to face. This quote is stupidity at its best.

While true to certain extent, I have to agree with Waffler's belief that when beliefs interact it is necessary that some overriding force must be installed to ensure that common laws of civility are maintained. It must also be acknowledged that "power", for lack of a better term, has a tendency to expand in the scope. The real challenge is assuring that power is distributed horizontally rather than vertically so as to assure that the government does its job which is to safeguard society rather than dictate it. We often allow government to cross its boundaries and interfere with our lives in a way that we did not create it for. Its a shame that the people of America do not realize that they are the source of power. Its all become very Orwellian in some respects if you will pardon how extreme it may seem to say so.