“If things are to change, one must realize the extent to which the foundation of tyranny lies in the vast networks of corrupted people with an interest in maintaining tyranny,” said Etienne de La Boetie. The government has long operated on the principle of “Your money or your life,” making it seem like there is no real choice between having money or a governing body. Without money, society would struggle to function.
Government's necessity has been instilled in us from a young age, often portrayed as vital for protection against evil. In my childhood during the late 1940s, government was equated with soldiers fighting abroad, funded by taxes from our parents. Schools encouraged us to admire these soldiers and their government.
Many from my generation did not read critical works about government, like War is a Racket and Anatomy of the State, until later in life, when they became accessible online. Despite war and theft being common traits of politicians, people often tolerate these injustices. Thomas Jefferson noted in the Declaration of Independence that people typically endure while they can, changing the government only when evils become unbearable.
Historically, government leaders have developed cunning methods to take our money. One significant method was withholding, introduced during WWII, which made it easier for the government to take money before we even saw it. Milton Friedman helped design this system.
Another more obscure method of theft is the corruption of money itself. John Maynard Keynes pointed out that very few people understand how this operates. The advent of the internet, driven by advancements like Moore's Law, has improved economic situations worldwide but has also created issues for central banks facing deflation.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) was once seen as essential for ensuring a stable currency, but it has created economic crises and inflated the money supply, often at the expense of the public. This inflationary policy favors those who receive the new money first, worsening conditions for later recipients.
In a recent speech, economist Thorsten Polleit discussed the role of intermediaries in the money market. He suggests that many people rely on banks and processors for handling their money rather than direct transactions. This need for intermediation raises questions about the nature of money and government oversight.
Polleit argues that we must choose between sound money and the current form of government, as they cannot coexist. Central bank counterfeiting supports government actions detrimental to the populace.
The need for change calls for an application of free market principles in governance. We engage freely in transactions in many aspects of life; therefore, there's no reason governance should be immune to the same approach. The current government poses a threat, and proactive changes should not be delayed. We need a system based on voluntary interactions and respect for property rights, as discussed in my book, The Fall of Tyranny, and my video, Do Not Consent: Think OUTSIDE the voting booth.
https://mises.org/mises-wire/sound-money-requires-voluntary-governance
No comments:
Post a Comment