On the hundredth anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, here’s an essay I wrote on why private property rights are the foundation of individual liberty. Where private property rights are nullified, people live at the mercy of bureaucrats and politicians. This spinoff from my 1999 book Freedom in Chains, was published by the Freeman in 2000 […]
The latest hubbub over whether slavery was the sole cause of the Civil War reminded me of this article on how modern governments have connived to seize unlimited power over citizens. The Declaration of Independence was clear that Americans rights pre-existed the creation of government. But today’s Statists see government as the fount of all rights. What […]
From the Mises Institute – Torturer-in-Chief Turned Savior of Freedom? by James Bovard Former President George W. Bush gave a speech yesterday implicitly slamming President Donald Trump for dragging down democracy. Bush told political cronies and other attendees: “We are gathered in the cause of liberty this is a unique moment.” He assured listeners that […]
A decade ago, many Washington politicians and pundits pretended that torture was no peril to liberty. The Bush administration championed “enhanced interrogation” as a key to preserving public safety, and its apologists scoffed at anyone who objected to “getting tough” with suspected bad guys. When I gave a speech at the Foundation for Economic Education […]
USA Today, July 28, 2017 Trump’s Boy Scout speech may have set kids on the right path by James Bovard President Trump telling Boy Scouts that Washington is a “sewer” could actually be an antidote to much of what they are taught on following authority. Much of the media was shocked and horrified by President […]
Henry David Thoreau was born 200 years ago this week. His books and essays had a huge influence on my own life and writing. At its best, Thoreau’s writing is utterly captivating – series of vivid images and one thought after another driven home with a sledgehammer. In my late teens and early twenties, I used some […]
On Independence Day, I salute all those folks who have fought and are fighting for liberty and refusing to submit to oppression in their daily lives. I also salute everyone who makes the effort and often the sacrifices to secure their own personal independence. Government has become far more oppressive and intrusive in recent decades. […]
Jim Bovard
Thanks! I do try to make it warm for them.....
Ron Redrift
Not satisfied with the long list of government off
Jim Bovard
Thanks very much, Ron! Ping pong balls can provi
Ron Redrift
'[T]he American Federation of Government Empl
