Arthur Silber: Tireless Promoter of Opposition to the Warfare State
It’s with great dismay that I make another appeal on behalf of Arthur Silber, since he is once again in financial trouble. I wish that these chronic money problems of his were solved, since he deserves to live a much more expansive life than he does at present.
A sample of some of his latest writing is excerpted below:
Our mindless, comfortable lives proceed in their all too easily satisfied way. Look, an iPhone! The next war looms — let’s go see the new Bourne film! The government can now surveil you whenever it chooses — can we go to Hawaii next year, honey?
So it goes. The earth is moving beneath you in ways that may irrevocably alter the world. You don’t even notice. The colored lights blind you, just as the state and those who benefit from its voracious appetites intended. Have fun while you can.
I would say that you should remember that nothing, and no civilization regardless of its achievements, lasts forever. Of course, you don’t want to hear that, either. Too many good times to enjoy, too many fun things to do.
The End. As it were.
With the non-existent importance of our electoral process firmly in mind (as that process affects the ultimate purposes of modern statecraft, which is not at all), we can see the apparent paradox vanish. Certainly, you may do whatever you want, buy whatever you want, go where you will — so long as your activities do not impinge upon those areas most critical to the burgeoning state. And what is most critical to the state? Anything that gives meaning to your life in particular, or that brings you pleasure of special importance.
Your life may be profoundly enhanced by the exploration and incommunicable enjoyment of yourself as a sexual being, but it would hardly do to leave the possible consequences of that exploration up to you. So the state will constrict your choices, and thus constrict your freedom to experience pleasure.
Or you suffer from a terrible illness and seek relief from unbearable agony, and in that way you seek to preserve some sense of meaning in your life. Why, the state can’t let you decide such matters. Do you actually think your body is yours, even when it causes you unending pain? It is not, and the state will forcibly remind you of that fact.
He passionately speaks uncomfortable truths. I urge individuals to consider donating money towards his continued existence.
Natasha | LeftLibertarian.org, Personal
