This and that – freedom or tyranny? Explaining ourselves

“The Price of Liberty” is a news and commentary website, a series of articles (we just call them all “commentaries”). These are posted on-line and often shared individually with people by electronic or hardcopy means. And sometimes in person. We believe that liberty and freedom are the birthright of every human, from conception to eternity. We seek to edify (educate) and encourage (exhort) lovers of liberty – and at the same time to teach those who do not love liberty (or don’t love it adequately) why they should change this condition.

This commentary, under the wonderful tutorage of Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) originally began as a series of short comments about news stories of the day and week. We depended on Rational News Daily Digest (and its rebranded Freedom Net Daily) for years, and continue to visit and read that publication frequently. Mama Liberty of course ranged far more widely in her commentaries, and after her death, Nathan and his family followed her example and continued to identify issues and actions. We seek to promote liberty but to constantly remind our readers and those we speak to (and ourselves) of the price of liberty.

More than just “eternal vigilance” (though that is important, of course) is required to pay for freedom, for liberty. Personal responsibility – accepting the consequences of our actions – is important. Accepting and tolerating other people and their actions – not endorsing them or encouraging them – is key. The price we pay is controlling our natural tendency to force someone to do something we know is right, or preventing them from doing something we know is wrong, as long as they do not harm others. And often, that price includes a refusal to live somewhere and do some work that would aid (or ensure) our own prosperity but cause us to reject or twist the principles of liberty.

Now, decades later, we and that heritage of Mama Liberty continues. We have a small but loyal readership, and a wonderful network of other lovers of liberties. We do constantly seek new readers and partners in our network, and urge you to share with others those things that you find of interest and useful.

Freedom, in our eyes, is a gift of God. Like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (including property) can be taken from us. Such actions are immoral, wrong, and evil. Hence we can label them as “unalienable:” they should not be taken from us. We strive both to believe in the Creator of heaven and earth, and to obey Him. We understand that is rejected by many who love liberty. But we see no way in which absolute, true liberty can exist outside of Him, for we believe He gave us these things when He created us. So we do not attempt to separate our faith from our actions, or put a wall between social and political matters on one hand and religious matters on the other. We reject atheism, but not atheists. Just as we reject Islam and Judaism, but not Muslims or Jews. We seek to live in peace – and liberty – with all people.

Many of us were once deeply involved in electoral politics as members of the Libertarian Party. In recent years, we have ended that involvement, as much for the complete lack of success in educating people and encouraging more liberty by the organized national and State parties as for the disgust at the antics of the party and too many people in it, or for a lack of time and money. At the same time, we have not been able to stomach joining other political parties, who advocate for (and participate in) aggression against others.

Like many others, we see a role for military force – but only in defense against those who would prey upon us. While some of us once believed that the American military forces primarily carried that burden and protected our liberties (those we have held on to) and our people and property, we have seen that role not just replaced by the idea of expanding power and tyranny at the expense of others both in our States and throughout the world. And we have seen the growing dysfunctional nature of the leadership that controls all elements of government, including the military.

Yet at best, we are small-mouthed pacifists, in Heinlein’s concept. We believe that force in defense of ourselves, our family, our community, and sometimes others is moral and in keeping with God’s will. Defense against direct force and threats of force. We believe that those who seek to follow God who reject any and all physical resistance against evil are as wrong as those who embrace atheism, Islam, or Judaism. We love them but do not let them dictate to us what they believe is right. And we will continue to try and teach them, we will pray for them, and if necessary, come to their physical defense against physical aggression.

If you have any questions, or comments, or ideas for us here at The Price of Liberty, we respectfully and lovingly request that you contact us.

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