New Hampshire license plates instruct you to "Live Free or Die."
You aren't allowed to do both things at once, however: It's illegal in the Granite State to inhale bus fumes with the intent to induce euphoria.
Showing posts with label liberty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liberty. Show all posts
quote unquote: John Stuart Mill on the limits of individualism
"That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, 
either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil, in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from which it is desired to deter him must be calculated to produce evil to someone else. The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." -- John Stuart Mill (On Liberty)
either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil, in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from which it is desired to deter him must be calculated to produce evil to someone else. The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." -- John Stuart Mill (On Liberty)
quote unquote: Mill on Liberty
"The only purpose for which
power can be rightfully exercised
over any member of a civilized community,
against his will,
is to prevent harm to others.
His own good, either physical or moral,
is not a sufficient warrant." - John Stuart Mill On Liberty.
quote unquote: Liberty and the Uses of Government
"For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; 
but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish the means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others." -- Thomas Paine
but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish the means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others." -- Thomas Paine
The Law: Are drunk driving regulations rational?
Push a bike on your own property - get 4 days in jail
At the expense of sounding like a Libertarian, it seems to me that we allow our freedoms to be eaten away in small ways as much as large, by ignorance and laziness as much as by fear and intimidation. Here's a thoughtful video by a gentleman whose run-in with a contemporary manifestation of prohibition admirably focused his attention on one example, out of far too many, of the ways in which we have acquiesced in having the boundaries of our liberty proscribed to save ourselves from dangers exaggerated and unexamined.
At the expense of sounding like a Libertarian, it seems to me that we allow our freedoms to be eaten away in small ways as much as large, by ignorance and laziness as much as by fear and intimidation. Here's a thoughtful video by a gentleman whose run-in with a contemporary manifestation of prohibition admirably focused his attention on one example, out of far too many, of the ways in which we have acquiesced in having the boundaries of our liberty proscribed to save ourselves from dangers exaggerated and unexamined.
quote unquote: James Madison On War
Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for
bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. -- James Madison, Political Observations, Apr. 20, 1795 [more]
bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. -- James Madison, Political Observations, Apr. 20, 1795 [more]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
