The
Rational Argumentator
Issue CLXXVI
November 4-10, 2008
The Freecharter: A Constitution for a Society of Lasting Liberty:
G. Stolyarov II
November 5, 2008
Mr. Stolyarov offers a constitution that can be adopted by any burgeoning free society of the future. It includes all the protections for individual liberty and all limitations on government present in the United States Constitution, and many others as well. It also includes numerous structural innovations for preserving liberty, such as Investmentocracy, Rotating Veto Power by Lot, the Institute for Constitutional Revision, a tricameral legislature, and many others.
Investmentocracy: A System of Buying Votes:
G. Stolyarov II
November 6, 2008
Mr. Stolyarov proposes an alternative system of voting – a system where individuals and organizations are free to augment their relative voting power in proportion to their voluntary contributions to the government. This system shall hereafter be called investmentocracy – rule by investment in the government. Investmentocracy corrects numerous conventional democratic injustices and inefficiencies and eliminates the need for compulsory taxation.
Rotating Veto Power by Lot: A Check on Oppressive Government:
G. Stolyarov II
November 7, 2008
In facilitating a truly free society, one of the conventional democratic principles (CDPs) that needs to be challenged is the idea that all government functionaries must be either elected by “the people” or appointed by officials who are elected by “the people.” Democratic election of officials is often vulnerable to a perverse process of selecting persons based on qualities antithetical to facilitating liberty and limited government. While elections have a role in a free society and should not be eliminated, powerful checks on the power of elected officials should exist outside the electoral system. Here, one such check is proposed by Mr. Stolyarov: rotating veto power by lot, hereafter referred to as RVPL.
Arguments for Bills of Rights and Constitutional Clauses Restricting Government Power:
G. Stolyarov II
November 10, 2008
Mr. Stolyarov examines some historical arguments for and against bills of rights and concludes that not only are bills of rights absolutely necessary, but that a constitution designed to protect individual rights must go even further and include restrictive clauses that place explicit limitations on numerous exercises of government power.
Politics
An Open Letter to Barack Obama:
Cory Miller
November 4, 2008
Cory Miller, a self-made businessman in the water drilling profession, writes an open letter to Barack Obama critiquing the entitlement mentality and dependence on government. Mr. Miller built his own business through his own hard work, without ever receiving government assistance. He fears that the independence and self-reliance characteristic of many Americans throughout United States history might be undermined by an Obama administration.
The Moral Hazard of Regulation:
Ron Paul
November 4, 2008
Since the bailout bill passed, Rep. Ron Paul has been frequently disturbed to hear “experts” wrongly blaming the free market for our recent economic problems and calling for more regulation. In fact, further regulation can only make things worse.
A Wasted Vote:
Chuck Baldwin
November 4, 2008
When asked why they will not vote for a third-party candidate, many people will respond by saying something like, “He cannot win.” Or, “I don’t want to waste my vote.” It is true: America has not elected a third party candidate since 1860. Does that automatically mean, however, that every vote cast for one of the two major party candidates is not a wasted vote? Chuck Baldwin does not think so.
Sarah Palin's Answers: Very Troubling:
Chuck Baldwin
November 4, 2008
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin gave her first exclusive interview as John McCain’s Vice Presidential running mate to ABC’s Charles Gibson last week. Her answers were very troubling, especially to those of us who believe in constitutional government. On foreign policy, especially, Palin reveals herself to be just another neocon; one who would enthusiastically promote Bush’s preemptive war doctrine. Dr. Chuck Baldwin explains what he finds disturbing about Palin's views.
On Voting, Dissent, Violence, and the Path to Freedom:
G. Stolyarov II
November 9, 2008
Mr. Stolyarov argues that voting is not in itself a violent or coercive act, even if votes are cast in favor of candidates who support violent or coercive policies. Therefore, violence to prevent voting in certain ways is unjustified. Moreover, Mr. Stolyarov argues that sustainably stopping the growth of government power alone will trigger a cascade of events that will lead to a completely laissez-faire society.
Videos
Why I Voted for a Third-Party Candidate and Why You Should, Too - Video:
G. Stolyarov II
November 4, 2008
Mr. Stolyarov explains why he voted for Bob Barr in the 2008 Presidential Election and why you should vote for the third-party candidate whose principles most closely align with your own, even if he has little to no probability of winning. Voting for a third-party candidate has other benefits than that candidate's victory, whereas by voting for either Barack Obama or John McCain, you automatically lose.
"A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims."
~ Ayn Rand
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