Reason and Capitalism » Politics
Immigration Liberty — Open Immigration
This is a teaser of a forthcoming article that I’m about to have published in both The Articulate and The Rebirth of Freedom Foundation. This post is a more personal version of an article that I’m writing. I’ve been asked by many individuals why I support open immigration or “open borders” as some try to call it. We run this case in a high-school debate league in Texas — not the most immigrant friendly place on earth. This is my answer. I cannot overstate how strongly I feel about the topic of turning America into a land that accepts all people into her arms of freedom. I believe it to be of the most fundamental purpose of Government to protect the rights of all people that it comes across — government … Read entire article »
Filed under: Capitalism, Philosophy, Politics
A Short Case for Big Business
I’m an active member on a high-school debate forum[1], and the topic of big government was brought up. A fellow user, Caleb Winn, posted a quick summary of why big business isn’t wicked and evil, and in fact is essential and incredibly helpful for everyone, including the middle and poor class. I think he’s dead on. He based the following on the article “The Problem With Populists” by George Will: ——- “I have an idea, though. Let’s get rid of “Big Business” and see how we all like a world where food is much scarcer and more expensive, and where the kinds of life-saving medications and medical equipment that have saved the lives of millions of children were never developed.” “Big business may at times distribute wealth inequitably, but at least there is wealth … Read entire article »
Filed under: Capitalism
Mike Huckabee — Christian Hypocrisy
Mike Huckabee is currently waging one of the most sickening campaigns I’ve ever witnessed. He trumps his religion while violating its principles. He acts as though Romney is attacking him — he does this while responding with sarcasm and acting like a total jerk. Make no mistake — Huckabee’s campaign one-word slogan should be “Hypocrisy”. I don’t have a favorite GOP candidate. Though I’ll defend Romney here, I’ll defend him because he’s right in these controversies, not because I support him the most. I support at least two other candidates before supporting him. Still, Huckabee is currently shaming both his faith and his party. Considering this, I do know that I don’t want him to get the ticket. People who just play word games and name-calling without focusing on the issues … Read entire article »
Filed under: Politics
The Creator
I am a capitalist because I aim to profit from all of my actions. I am a creator because I achieve my status and future wealth on my own regards, not because I leeched off of others. This may seem, at first, simple and not nearly developed to be a philosophy of life. But it is. In The Fountainhead, passionate capitalist Ayn Rand argued for the non-destroyer — the person who sought to achieve his dreams no matter what the cost. The person who lived for himself and was not ashamed of this. The person who used reason to understand the world he lived in. She described a creator. A capitalist. A rational man who loved his life. This creator was Howard Roark, an architect. Howard Roark lived in a time where … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philosophy, Politics
For unto us a Savior is born
I was reading Will’s blog today, and discovered the following story, a story the the Wall Street Journal has published every Christmas since 1949. It’s simply fantastic. Enjoy. “When Saul of Tarsus set out on his journey to Damascus the whole of the known world lay in bondage. There was one state, and it was Rome. There was one master for it all, and he was Tiberius Caesar. Everywhere there was civil order, for the arm of the Roman law was long. Everywhere there was stability, in government and in society, for the centurions saw that it was so. But everywhere there was something else, too. There was oppression … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philosophy, Politics, Religion
Blogroll Link Exchange
If you are the webmaster of a blog, I’d love to swap blogroll links with you. Just add me to your blogroll, and I’ll return the favor. We’ll both get dozens of relevant links to our sites, increasing our Google ranking and search-engine results. There are six ways you can link to me for me to link to you: 1. Link to www.RebirthOfFreedom.org, with the anchor text of “Rebirth of Freedom” 2. Link to a specific article at Rebirth of Freedom, and anchor the text as the article’s name 3. Link to www.ShaunConnell.com, with the anchor text of “Reason and Capitalism” 4. Link to a specific article at Reason and Capitalism, and anchor the text as the article’s name 5. Link to www.ShaunConnell.com/make-money-online/, with the anchor text of “Make Money With a Website” (or any … Read entire article »
Filed under: Capitalism
Stop Legislating Morality
Make no mistake — I proudly claim the title of a follower of the Christ. My single purpose in life could be summarized as to “live as Christ did.” My belief in freedom is founded upon an attempt to live in the image of Christ, the Great Emancipator — the One who came to set the captives free. Christ is my rock and my foundation, and his teachings are the code of my life. My friends and family often hear me discuss “honor” — I believe that we must do the right thing no matter what the cost, no matter how hard of a decision it might be. Always do the right thing. However, this has led to strange discussions with fellow believers. I am an ardent supporter of peaceful persuasion … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philosophy, Politics, Religion
We’re the Lucky Ones
Every once and a while, I get a strange feeling. I wish I’d been born in another era. Sometimes I feel like what I’m saying is simply foreign to what everyone wants to hear. Sometimes saying that state action is unjustified isn’t the greatest way to gain respect. Sometimes saying that violence isn’t the answer makes you some “radical”. I can’t help but remember the words of Jeff Meyer’s in his speeches of encouragement. Remember the story of Esther and her conversations with Mordecai. “Who knows but for such a time as this you have been created.” How true. Right now, the libertarian point of view looks like the minority. It is. One side of the political spectrum wants to use the gun to force morality. They want to put homosexuals in cages, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philosophy, Politics
The Shortest Case Against Gun Control. Ever.
After researching gun control almost daily since 2003, I have become firmly convinced that anyone who supports gun control either honestly hasn’t looked into the topic, or dishonestly is deceiving themselves. The facts and statistics are clear. The UK, Australia, DC, Canada, Switzerland — more guns, less crime. The following will be short, but power-punching. I’ve yet to see any substantial response to the argument. The Brady Bunch generally just ignores the argument. After all, ignoring a problem makes it go away. Not a chance. This is a short summary of my latest post at the RoFF on Gun Control Crime. Gun control is about lowering crime — the goal is to end up with a net reduction in crime. If we want to see if guns stop more crimes than they … Read entire article »
Filed under: Politics