I am currently taking an Early American History course with the most hardcore authoritarian teacher that claims that the U.S. was not even really a nation before Lincoln was “forced” to kill 600,000 people in order to reform the system to make America more centrally controlled.
Does anyone else wish they were ignorant to statism sometimes? Because I have to memorize this teacher’s reasoning and answer accordingly on quizzes and tests, it’s hard to go against my beliefs sometimes…
And also, I’m currently taking a Keynesian economic course (why the hell I need it for a computer science degree is beyond me).
My 4 year tenure in high school saw me go full circle politically speaking.
I was a conservative, a neocon, a fascist, and then a downright socialist senior year. Now, I’m an An-Cap go figure.
What I find is that most people are ignorant of the true meaning behind libertarianism. My English Professor thought that I took great pleasure in breaking laws and did so on purpose. I had ONE speeding ticket and that was because I was being tailgated.. I’ve never stole or even harmed a fly (that’s a lie, but you get my point)…
She was much more in tune with the “moderate” voice of the class. This particular individual was a socialist incognito, he claimed he was down the middle but favored the nationalization of various industries (or regulation to the point of suffocation, which would create a need for government to come into play).
He was always busy crying about how the Libertarians were unraveling the country.
This is quoted from my business ethics exam in connection with the renewal of my professional license:
"In that decade, social awareness movements raised expectations of businesses to use their massive financial and social influence to address social problems such as poverty, crime, environmental protection, equal rights, public health and improving education. An increasing number of people asserted that because businesses were making a profit from using our country’s resources, these businesses owed it to our country to work to improve society." (emphasis mine).
Need I say more?
"1) Attention to business ethics has substantially improved society. A matter of decades ago, children in our country worked 16-hour days. Workers’ limbs were torn off and disabled workers were condemned to poverty and often to starvation. Trusts controlled some markets to the extent that prices were fixed and small businesses choked out. Price fixing crippled normal market forces. Employees were terminated based on personalities. Influence was applied through intimidation and harassment. Then society reacted and demanded that businesses place high value on fairness and equal rights. Anti-trust laws were instituted. Government agencies were established. Unions were organized. Laws and regulations were established."
As far as knowledge of history goes your teacher sounds pretty much on the spot. This is pretty much the truth. That he approves of Lincoln is a minor point in comparison. Be happy that he is feeding you nonsense only in his valuations, but not in facts. I suspect there are far worse out there.
I am currently studying law, and everytime I am forced to parrot absurd arguments denying individual rights I become extremely frustrated. My only advice is: Use your frustration and anger (derived from your knowledge of libertarianism) to MOTIVATE yourself. Use it to inspire you to fight statism for the rest of your life.
I’ve saw you say you were a fascist before ,what did you believe in ,if you dont mind me asking ?
In answer to the OP, I wish I wasn’t aware of how much statism there is sometimes but then I think ignorance meant I was a slave.
Ignorance might mean you have less worries and burdens but it means your unaware of suffering.
My english language teacher at college made us watch a 10 minute speech of Obama’s to analysis. She said it was brilliant and well written.I disagreed.
After eatching the speech she then made some of us watch a music video about Obama.She just seems to worship him.She’s also expressed love of political correctness.When It came time to write my analysis I put in a few sly shots at Obama comparing adulation of him to a cult and mocking his “yes you can”. In state education you just have to be wary of what you learn and pay attention to.If it sounds statist or in any way dubious consult other sources.Just learn what you need to for the class but do extra reading so you have a better view of things that are either too politically incorrect to be mentioned or things don’t fit with the pro-statist line preached by the teacher.
RE the OP: Yes. While I’m fortunate enough to have pretty “real” Liberal (even Libertarian) friends I still feel I have to hold my politics pretty close. One or two knows I’m not a fan of Statism but with the others I keep my trap shut.
I’m pretty vocal about my economics though, which should actually belie a great deal of my political beliefs.