The Military Draft and Individual Interests

Ayn Rand


Of all the statist violations of individual rights in a mixed economy, the military draft is the worst. [...] It negates man’s fundamental right—the right to life—and establishes the fundamental principle of statism: that a man’s life belongs to the state [...] Once that principle is accepted, the rest is only a matter of time.
Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal,
 
We have a voluntary Army because those that want to support the State's agenda are those that join the military. This is a noble endeavor. But, what is a noble endeavor, if one desires to voluntarily join the purposes of the State, can become abuses of power.
 
States all have various interests, and not all of those interests will be those that everyone agrees with/to. Those in power that are our elected officials are to serve the public interests and when they don't it is the people's responsibility to hold these "servants" accountable. Those in government are also to be whistle blowers if they see something that is illegal, or unethical.
 
The "ideal" is always to allow liberty to the individual and when abuses of power happen, the individual must hold accountable those that have abused their position of leadership! Unfortunately, those, like the CIA agent whose career was ruined and they ended up leaving public service and Washginton, do happen. So, the best advice is to take care to associate with those that do not have agendas that you do not agree with, unless you have joined the military and have no choice!

What America Might Consider as a Solution

America is great because we believe that NO ONE is "above the law". The law is the leveler of position, power and prestige. But, in practice, this is not reality.

While I don't believe that the government should control the market, because the market benefits society through competition and rewards, I do believe that money does undermine "equality under law", as to one's ability to afford good lawyers to defend the average guy's interests! Corporate money and the wealthy have not only connections that corrupt our "ideal system", they also have money to get the best and brightest to defend them against criminal, or unethical activity! Should Americans look the other way when justice isn't done, and just "sigh" and say to ourselves, that that is the way things are, and no one can change it?

Those in political office should not be serviced by undue exposure to power indefinately. These positions should have term limits. Otherwise, the empowered have the position and connections to undermine "equality under law". Power can be corrupting and give one a "god-like" feeling against "all odds" at beating the system. A "god-like" sense of being "above it all", is the beginning of a downfall, whether it is in one's personal or public life. Destruction is on the heels of such invinciblity! Invincibility is the feeling of teens when they do foolish things, because they think they will never get caught! Though this might not be the overt intent or goal of a particular individual, one must always be on guard to what can happen, if one is not careful and serving for the public's interest and not one's own.

Government was never intended to be the "patron saint" of mankind, but a overseer of proper behavior regarding others and their boundaries! We must never forget that the individual and his liberties are guruanteed only as long as the government (those that serve in these positions) are seeking to promote the interests of the nation. National security should be of concern and importance to those serving the American poeple!

Free Societies and Accountability

Free societies only remain free when the people hold leaders accountable. This is what the "tea party movement' is attempting to do.

American society can be restored by political activism and change of leadership. This past November demonstrated the "power of the people". It is only when leaders know that their power is only "entrusted" to them by the voters that they will maintain a stance of humility in the place of power. But, if political leaders ever get to the point where they do not fear the people, do not hear the people and their voice, and do not care to "serve" their nation's interests in the place of power, then the nation and its people will suffer.

Americans must remain diligent and awake as to their country's interests and attempt to make a difference in any way they can.

The Constitution must be upheld so that our country will be "ordered" by the "rule of law" and not people who vie for political power irregardless of proper procedure.

Ayn Rand and the Virtue of Selfishness

Ayn Rand


‎"Since there is no such entity as 'the public,' since the public is merely a number of individuals, any claimed or implied conflict of 'the public interest' with private interests means that the interests of some men are to be sacrificed to the interests and wishes of others."
“The Monument Builders,” The Virtue of Selfishness, 88.

 
This statement means that "public interest" is a negotiated contract with the individual in free societies. Public service as a vocation is an individual choice of value. The government should not make demands upon individuals without individual consent. Otherwise, special interests over-ride indvidual rights, and promote corrupting influence on government.

Leaders of a Wrong Order

No budget, at least that is accountable to public scrunity.

"Good ole boy" systems that cover for one another. Whistle blowers are shunned, and black-balled. One must tow the "party line".

Ethics are self-referential, they are not for the "common man". Leaders are above the law, because they make, and interpret the law.

Control of public information becomes necessary because the public can't be trusted to know what in their best interest. All the while, leaders are acting as self-interested parties.

Public office is not viewed as a public trust, but as public "control". Social control is affirmed where "self-governance" was the founding frame.

Public welfare is invested in public officials, because the public doesn't care anymore.

Public monies can be manipulated to promote personal promotion, through earmarks.

No longer can the public trust representative government when their representatives are self-invested in government's interests.

Ethics in the Public Square

I don't know about you, but it seems there is no end to ethical "questions" when it comes to how many is spent and how those in power can ignore what would send the "average Joe" to prison!

The old news of Merrill Lynch's CEO spending on extravagant furniture (over 30,000 for each piece) was baffling in light of the reason; it wouldn't "match" the style of some such reasoning...

Then to hear of tax evasions of the several Congressmen and presidental staff nominees...why would they ignore such things?

I told my husband tonight that I thought that it would be better not only to have term limits to Congressional positions, but also to ask the constiuents to vote as to whether their Congressman deserves a pay increase. Have they done their job and with the public's interest in mind? This would limit a lot of abuse of power.

But, I wonder if any of the average citizens would be able to rise to the level of political power without much money to campaign. Most are financially well "heeled" and would have an interest in "serving their own interests" in regards to Wall Street, etc...

But, would most of us be aware of what that would mean as far a informing ourselves..and would we care...