March 13,2006

Last week I challenged everyone to think about who actually owns their life now. When you understand that ownership means control, you can quickly be overwhelmed with the realization that we actually control very little about our lives today, even some of our most personal actions. We've gradually - over many years - allowed government to dictate what is "safe," and even what is moral - wrapped up in the lie that it is all for "the common good." We've allowed ourselves to believe whatever they tell us, especially through the popular press and other media. Far too few people ever consider that information critically or make any attempt to verify it from a non-government and truly independent source.

Far too many people are willing to let the government do their thinking and make all of their real decisions - while they content themselves with the fiction that they are living in a "free country." They demand that government provide them with whatever they think they need, and protect them from any responsibility. They are kept agitated and alarmed, ready to fight anyone who would threaten their "share" of what is stolen from whomever can be vilified as the "rich," even though most of it is actually stolen from THEM, one way or another.

So, if you are really interested in meeting this challenge, what can you do? Where do you start to find the truth and how do you begin taking back control of your life? The answer is quite simple, but actually putting it into practice in your life is probably the most difficult thing you will ever attempt - especially if you have a family that isn't prepared to make that practice a part of their lives too.

1. Integrity. Be completely honest with yourself and everyone else. This is the cornerstone of liberty. The only way self-ownership works is for each person to respect the right of every other person to the same self-ownership!

If you can see little or no problem with "some" government theft (taxes) - even if you think you pay too much - you are not ready to practice self-ownership. Remember that EVERYONE is supposed to own their own life and property, not just a special few. If you can willingly receive goods stolen from others (and we can't prevent that totally in today's society), you need to do some hard thinking about how that fits with self-ownership for everyone.

2. Find the truth. This isn't as difficult as it might seem. If you measure any news or communication by the integrity of the source and whether or not it promotes self-ownership or slavery, you can weed out most of the garbage fast. Do you trust people who preach about morality, yet live immoral lives themselves? Do you believe the words of people who have repeatedly lied to you - robbed you - insulted you? Don't assume that what you read on the internet is always the truth either!

There is no one best source for news or information, but if you look at what you do find with real integrity, you won't be fooled often.

3. Voluntary cooperation and the REAL free market are the other cornerstones of liberty. Understand what self-owners mean by "anarchy," and the different people who use that term. See "Anarchism: Two Kinds."

4. Decide what you want to do about it. Find out what it means to live free in an unfree world. Claire Wolfe has written a great deal about this and I couldn't begin to duplicate it. Read everything you can find, but I'd suggest you start with "Finding Your Own Freedom," at Backwoods Home. Then show this one to the wives and families who don't understand what it might mean for them.

5. Be realistic about your plans. Idealism and enthusiasm are wonderful, but if you are not really prepared to live on that little ranch in Wyoming, producing your own food and living simply, you could wind up in real trouble when winter comes. Take responsibility for your whole life and your actions/ decisions. Don't expect anyone to bail you out of difficulty or take care of you. Your neighbors may be happy to help you if you ask them, and demonstrate that you are willing to lend a hand yourself. Just don't mistake this for a free ride.

If you are really serious, buy some books and read them carefully before you start making plans. They could save you a lot of money and grief - or even your life in the long run. This is a very small list and the possibilities are almost endless. These will lead you to others.

101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution: Ideas and Resources for Self-Liberation, Monkey Wrenching and Preparedness
by Claire Wolfe

Don't Shoot the Bastards (Yet): 101 More Ways to Salvage Freedom
by Claire Wolfe, Boston T. Party

I Am Not a Number: Freeing America from the Id State
by Claire Wolfe

How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World: A Handbook for Personal Liberty
by Harry Browne

A long list of books available at "Backwoods Home."

These are "fiction," but illustrate clearly the world we may soon have around us - and what we might do about it.

Out of the Gray Zone
By Claire Wolfe and Aaron Zelman

"The Black Arrow,"
by Vin Suprynowicz (He has several good titles)

Links from the previous article:

Self ownership essay: http://www.mises.org/rothbard/ethics/eight.asp

The Ludwig von Mises Institute: http://www.mises.org/

What about the "poor?" - Reinventing America: http://www.mises.org/freemarket_detail.asp?control=289

Advocates for Self-government: http://www.self-gov.org/home.shtml

These will lead you to many others.

Archives

The Government War on People

Medication "Abuse" - By Government

Thanksgiving Day, 2004

The Poor Seniors - How Do We Care For Them?

"The Black Arrow" By Vin Suprynowicz
Fiction Or Prophesy?

Out of the Gray Zone Book Review

The Coming Storm

Something For Nothing

Who Owns Your Life?

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