tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20077444.post3666955095040907939..comments2024-03-26T04:21:43.535-05:00Comments on Free Association: Planned Parenthood, Social Peace, and the Libertarian ApproachSheldon Richmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672237234580563637noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20077444.post-9289724171941486152015-10-08T10:16:13.771-05:002015-10-08T10:16:13.771-05:00Exactly. Abortion as an example of taxation forci...Exactly. Abortion as an example of taxation forcing support for something those taxed find immoral is an oft-made point, and applies to war, mandatory schooling, ad infinitum. The points that could be made on the baby-parts issue from a libertarian perspective are that Republicans are attempting to violate the principle of equality under the law, and they are batshit for doing this so forcefully, over so little, at this particular time.Ssemanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09390695104112444152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20077444.post-60597531499509384072015-10-08T06:51:55.670-05:002015-10-08T06:51:55.670-05:00"Getting down to basics, no one's freedom..."Getting down to basics, no one's freedom is violated by lack of access to taxpayer money."<br /><br />This is a simplified view, Sheldon. If there *is* taxpayer money to be spent -- and there is -- then it makes sense to argue about where it gets spent. If they decide that it is going to be diverted from PP to, say, the war apparatus, then I have a real problem with that. <br /><br />The freedom part is moot. We already lost it when people decided that taxes are ok. As a libertarian, I think a better focus should be spent on ensuring that the money taken from us doesn't get wasted in corporate subsidy, the war machine, the incarceration culture, the schooling scam, or any of the other programs that put a marked strain on good people trying to live their lives. PP is one of the very few recipients, in my view, that is relatively benign and shockingly effective (for a government subsidized organization) in what it does. I'm surprised it wasn't defunded long ago just because it carries those two traits.MarkZnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20077444.post-34156880594660506572015-10-04T14:00:34.849-05:002015-10-04T14:00:34.849-05:00Yes, but not just medical services. Yes, but not just medical services. Sheldon Richmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15672237234580563637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20077444.post-69990020937129955472015-10-04T12:17:25.383-05:002015-10-04T12:17:25.383-05:00Isn't the proper libertarian position that Pla...Isn't the proper libertarian position that Planned Parenthood should be defunded to the exact same degree and extent that every other organization providing medical services with taxpayer money is defunded? No more, no less.Ssemanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09390695104112444152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20077444.post-78562608026834568962015-10-01T19:13:51.948-05:002015-10-01T19:13:51.948-05:00Great article.
This phrase "Compelling men a...Great article.<br /><br />This phrase "Compelling men and women to furnish contributions for the performance of services they deem immoral (whether or not they are) is worse" has made me wonder if you are willing to apply this argument to the topic of "mandated vaccinations", or if you will make an exception.<br /><br />I fear I'll see libertarians criticising Trump over this, and supporting any other fascist who do not question science.<br /><br />Even if the argument of "herd immunity" was true (and some experts claim that it shows logical and empirical flaws) we cannot ignore that it is an exception to the fundamentals of libertarianism.<br /><br />I would have more confidence in vaccines in general if there were no patents and revolving doors involved. Yet other people seem to have a soft spot with this topic, and are willing to let these things pass, for the greater good. These unlearned libertarians behave similarly with psychiatric drugs and forced hospitalization. Very few libertarians are willing to denounce the possibility of abuse. And thanks to Wikipedia, young people believe that "slippery slope" is always a fallacy.<br /><br />I miss the clarity and boldness of Thomas Szasz. He could have written five books with all the crazy things that have happened this year. It amazes me the naivety of libertarians who believe that governments can corrupt anything they touch, except science and medicine.<br /><br />Michaelnoreply@blogger.com