Don't expect the government to be responsible.

Oddly, and by some strange practice that dates back to, hmmm, the beginning of time, rulers are not to be held responsible for actions that take place on their watch. So the government is not liable. It should be but it isn't. So putting government in charge is always a perfect storm for disaster without responsibility.

Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr., “Land Socialism: Playing With Fire” [October

Nationalism anyone?

From Nock's point of view, the Great Depression and the two world wars saddled America with a new faith in the state, and along with it came a shift in people's loyalties, from themselves, their families, and communities to the Grand National Project, whatever it may be. We see the same thing today on the right and left, when questioning any aspect of the war on terrorism gets you branded as a heretic to the national religion. Nock would have nothing to do with it.

— Jeffrey A. Tucker

Are we there yet?

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 The art of government is to make two-thirds of a nation pay all it possibly can pay for the benefit of the other third. Voltaire