> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu 
> [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of James Newtons Massmind
> Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 1:53 PM
> To: 'Microcontroller discussion list - Public.'
> Subject: RE: [OT] Physics denies official 9/11 report.
> 
> > > 
> > > The only thing that makes me content with the poor
> > political systems
> > > currently implemented is that I can not think of a 
> different system 
> > > that would have consistently better results.
> > 
> > Spend some time reading Murray Rothbard's works on economics and 
> > politics.  Almost all of it is available online at the Mises 
> > institute, www.mises.org
> > 
> 
> Very true from my perspective. But the one system I can 
> imagine that MIGHT be better is one where the common people 
> questions their leadership a bit more.

That is the "eternal vigilence" theory of keeping government in check.
Unfortunately Thomas Jefferson had it wrong, eternal vigilence doesn't
work.  I've been to testify in front of committees at the state
legislature.  It's small beans really, a handful of legislators debating
some proposal in committee before it goes before the full house.  Paid
lobbyists show up to explain how cities NEED to be able to condemn
property in order to revitalize.  The lobbyists, of course, are paid in
the end by the very property owners who's property is in jeopardy from
eminent domain.

Anyway, multiply that one committee experience by 30 or more committees,
meeting half a year every 2 years, by 50 states and you see why eternal
vigilence is doomed.  The rent seekers are paid to steer government
toward their own profit, the rest of us have to do it in our spare time.
That doesn't even address the federal level where ordinary people can't
testify in committee hearings.

Rothbard, Mises, Hoppe, and others lay out the case in compelling detail
that government is defective in principle and that we'd be better off
without it.  That's what I was getting at in response to Rolf's
statement that he couldn't think of a better system than what we have.

regards,
--steve


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