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Revolution In America

Posted by straightlinelogic 9 years, 4 months ago to Government
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What would it take to overthrow the U.S. government? The question may seem academic, but all governments fail. The U.S. government will too, for the usual reasons: its ever increasing size, rapacity, and attempts to control all aspects of life; the corresponding shrinkage of its constituents’ liberty; imperial overreach; welfare-state bread and circuses; debt; spreading poverty; crony capitalism, rampant corruption; widening income disparities, and oligarchic arrogance. As clearly odious as the government is, shouldn’t we do all we can to move it towards its inevitable rendezvous with failure?

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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm no English teacher, but reading to get knowledge and understanding is for everyone. Our rational faculty is the basis for how we live (but not necessarily from the kinds of books English teachers like to assign).
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  • Posted by edweaver 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Personally I cannot disagree with you. There are others that still need to ponder. :)

    Don't know why you got dinged for the post but +1 from me.
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  • Posted by Zenphamy 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    ed; IMHO we are at such a point. The latest number I've read is something like 96 million dropped out of the work force plus however many still on unemployment. Yet the government continues to grow.

    Now with Paris, all we're hearing on the news is how much danger we're in--guess what comes with that. More war, more loss of rights, more control, more, more. At what costs??
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Not go out and attack Washington with a musket.

    "What Can One Do?"

    Then read, read, read. Then take it from there.
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It is fantastic. After that read Leonard Peikoff's comprehensive Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand. It goes into more detail and ties everything together systematically, answering a lot of questions that will occur to you and lot you wouldn't even think of for a while.
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Of course it is. The positive side is that having a rational philosophy to live by -- and Ayn Rand is much, much more than politics -- gives you an enormous advantage in your personal life regardless of the circumstances around you, no matter how good or bad.
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  • Posted by edweaver 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    There is no plot of a violent revolution in this post. It may very well turn violent but it will anyway. This post is about hastening the process if in fact we are at a point of no return. Are we? That is a question to ponder.
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    There has always been physical risk in wars defending freedom and always will be. At the time of the American Revolution the enemy was entrenched corruption as opposed to ideological collectivism and statism, and they weren't taking on a nuclear superpower with an NSA comprehensively spying everywhere. Today's battle is primarily philosophical. Keep reading and do _not_ become a martyr. You have one life; live it the best you can.
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  • Posted by MelissaA 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'll look for them! Did you read the virtue of selfishness? That was going to be my next read is it good?
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  • Posted by edweaver 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I sare your concern. Most young people have no clue what is about to happen to them. In fact 80% have no real clue what is coming. Glad to hear you are one of the younger generation and smart enough to be paying attention. Keep it up!
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    They were published in one of her newsletters in the early 1970s and are probably in one of the anthologies collecting her articles. She was addressing people who had exactly the same concerns you do now. Start by looking for them in the table of contents of the non-fiction anthologies. Maybe someone here knows or can quickly find it for you in the books or on the web. (I don't have access to my copies right now.)
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  • Posted by MelissaA 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Uh sure. I just joined today how do I do that lol? Usually people arnt interested in the political opinions of a teenager. Its so cool y'all are willing to help me
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That takes a lot more than 'shrugging'. Learn as much as you can, become a leader in your chosen career, and do what you can to be a positive influence.
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  • Posted by MelissaA 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I liked it. Rands non conformist attitude was a refreshing change from what I'm used to hearing.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You have no idea how times I have wished I read her books at your age... saves years of confusion and energy.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Many teachers are not as smart as you'd think teachers would be. Too many are more focused on the dangling carrot of a nice pension and benefits package after 20 years in the classroom. You've probably read more than most of them put together.
    Would you consider starting your own post. Tell us a little about yourself...what books you've read, you're opinions about them...whatever else you want to share. We don't get many young people in here and lots of think that your generation is key to getting things back on track in the freedom department. :)
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  • Posted by ewv 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You have a really good start (and a lot of time to reread and enjoy Atlas Shrugged many times).

    When you say you have read all of Ayn Rand's books does that include the non-fiction? One of her essays, directed explicitly to your question, is "What Can One Do?" Closely related and written around the same time is "Don't Let It Go". She was very well aware of the trend in the country and these exact questions of what to do.
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