Watching this, I am struck at how lucky we are to have Congressman Paul calling out the chairman of the Fed to his face. The empire may in the end destroy us, as the extremely pessimistic S.M. Olivia has predicted, but at the very least, before it does, at least one man has succeeded in confronting its chief priest and said, “I see you. I know what you are,” and, if only for the briefest time, that smug technocrat has to sit, and quietly listen.
I do not share Olivia’s pessimism. We have Ron Paul, Peter Schiff, Tom Woods, and Thomas DiLorenzo on TV, in the papers, and on the bookshelves. We have LewRockwell.com and Mises.org at the top of the polemical realm of the internet. What’s more, we have the truth during the time of the most spectacular failure of the global fascist state in history. Now is NOT the time for pessimism. We each need to do our part spread the truth: debate people on forums, live blog an Austro-libertarian book, volunteer for the Campaign for Liberty, educate your friends, family, co-workers, and fellow students about the failures of mainstream economics. It may seem pointless, but the truth can be contagious, and the butterfly effect can amplify your voice. Now, more than ever, we need to follow Mises’ maxim of tu ne cede malis, as it says on the masthead of this site: never give in to evil.
Yes, it is amazing that this parliamentary democratic ritual is still actually tolerated. And broadcasted!
Do “they” (BenB and interests behind him) maliciously sit through it indifferently because they know that the mass media won’t care enough of whatever logical defeat is proven there again and again? (I doubt it, because RP and some other strong critics are seen now and again in the TV, aren’t they?)
Or does Ben just sit through these lectures as a humiliation which he doesn’t really know about or care about?
Is he/they STUPID or are they EVIL?
Considering the amount of money involved, I’d rather guess the latter…
I agree whole heartedly. Now is the time to educate. Lack of understanding is one of the biggest problems. Take the federal reserve system even the name is confusing. The full motto of ludwig von mises “tu ne cede malis contra audentior ito” I believe is even better but for some reason the site only displays tu ne cede malis. in any case the last part is translated as but attack all the more boldly against it.
I agree that pessimism is unwarranted. But there is also the danger of rushing headlong into strategy without first addressing theory. Our strategy must be based on sound theories.
For example, many minarchists hold the reformist strategy of gradually cutting back government functions. Anarchists, on the other hand, are more likely to follow abolitionist strategies, like microsecession. My point is that depending on where we stand regarding anarchism/minarchism, our strategy changes drastically. Thus, while strategy is important, theory is even more important.
It actually is a lot of fun. Seeing as how soon I won’t have as much time to advance arguments in favor of misesianism, I would strongly encourage people to join. I’ve already sent atleast one or two symps to mises.org. There are certainly some people who can be won over. And by arguing with even those who can’t, you build up sympathy among those who can.