Liberty and Tyranny By Mark R. Levin
Mark R. Levin in Liberty and Tyranny has written one of the most important books of our time with the intriguing comparison of liberty and tyranny as his driving theme. Levin quotes Abraham Lincoln to start the thought process of his readers.
In 1864 Lincoln said: “We all declare for liberty but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different but incompatible things, called by the same name—-liberty. And it follows that each of the things is by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names—-liberty and tyranny.”
Levin in his book outlines in great detail the steps to tyranny being taken by the so called Liberal movement in America. He correctly points out that the modern liberal is does not fit the classic meaning of liberal which is the opposite of authoritarian. Levin maintains that the Modern Liberal more accurately can be characterized as a Statist.
The Statist believes in vesting economic control and economic planning in a centralized state government.
Levine unlike many talks how hosts describes the contest between Conservative thought and the efforts of the Statists with an academic research effort that is outstanding for detail and accuracy. The bombast of many of the combatants on the important issues of governance is not part of Levin’s Liberty and Tyranny.
The creation of the Constitution with the thoughts of Madison and the founders is included in understandable detail. The Statist assault led by Judges legislating from the bench is carefully outlined in a section that clearly describes the continuous assault on the foundation of our nation.
The failure of Federal spending to solve any recession is outlined with a recitation of the continued record unemployment figures throughout the 30’s despite the Roosevelt intercession of massive government programs, new agencies and control of many aspect of previously free market activity. The conclusions of expert analysis that the depression would have ended six years earlier without the government intercession is supported by some of the New Deal operatives of those programs and Levin provides the quotes.
A quote that strikes at the current administration economic policy was provided 70 years ago by
Roosevelt’s Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau. He provides a telling statement in his private diary. He states;” we have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work… We have never made good on our promises… I say after eight years of this Administration we have as much unemployment as when we started… and an enormous debt to boot.”
I wonder why Ted Geithner, Bernanki and Obama haven’t read the Levin book and the quotes of the Statists of a previous period. Either they haven’t done their homework or they are determined to ignore previous failures to continue their pursuit of power
I have thought for some time that in the Obama Administration a form of tyranny was to be a result of the programs being formulated. Levin points out that the tyranny has been structured in a gradual step by step process through decades of Statist activity. His thoughtful presentation has been very helpful in clarifying the real development of what have been my fears.
Adam Smith in 1776 wrote: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations This work is regarded as the foundation work that formed the base for modern economic theory. Smith makes an important point that government does not add value to the economy. I have noted this in previous blog posts and Levin makes the same point with the additional clarifying note that the Obama stimulus “removes value from the economy by imposing taxes on one citizen and providing cash to another.”
Edmunde Burke argued that “each individual is created as a unique spiritual being.” Burke made the case that there is one law that governs all law, the law of humanity, justice and equity—the law of nature and of nations.—Natural Law
At the heart of our nations founding was a belief and statement concerning Natural Law and that Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are unalienable rights of man.
Levin makes the point that: “the abandonment of Natural Law is the adoption of tyranny in one form or another, because there is no humane or benevolent alternative to Natural Law.”
Obama and his cronies are demonstrating their disdain for the founding principles of our nation. Dignity and value of the individual is considered to be subservient to the greater capability of the “State” and it’s organizers. Levin needs to be read. His summations proofs and quotes concerning the foundation of America have in concise form recalled for me many of our nation’s founding principles that I studied in my American history courses decades ago.
Levin with his example of accurate reporting has me now, more carefully, reviewing historic facts to support conclusions rather than just ranting about this administration. The administration deserves some rants in which I will still engage, but the Levin example of careful documentation will help any case against the Obama Statis agenda to steal our America.
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I am very familiar with Mark Levin and agree strongly with his position and thinking. I have not read his book but plan to.
My take.
There certainly are a lot of Americans out there who desire to be led by the nose. Many of these people are poor and uneducated and believe the only way to survive is through government intervention. Fair enough. Statist I.
Then there are those who are much better off but feel slighted because they are not moving ahead, enjoying America’s bounty like their parents did in the 50’s and 60’s. This is a growing class and a growing concern. It used to be people were proud to say ‘the harder I work, the luckier I get’. Not so much anymore. Middle class is falling further and further behind, and it’s getting to them. To the point they’re believing the only way to get ahead is through Uncle Sam hand-outs. And most of us know who the ‘usual suspects’ are that seem to be encouraging this. Statis II.
Finally, there are the elites. Intelligent people (presumably) who have a little bit more affluency than the middle class. Statist III. Many are activist who harbor negative feelings about wealth–no matter how fair said wealth is deserved.
Arguably, the above may represent between 30 and 40 percent of all voters. And this would include some Independents for good measure. That’s a lot of Statists. In my opinion, only the true Independents (assuming most Conservatives are non-Statists) can turn the tide provided enough of them see what’s happening in Obama Country. And they have to do it by example which would include at least some form of activism not unlike our elitist friends (i.e. blogs, letters to the editors, emails and phone calls to state and federal representives, grass roots participation in ‘tea party-like’ gatherings ect.).
The move to a State controlled existence is growing in this country. Only a call to arms (see above) can reverse it.
But bringing pride back to the American people can’t just be a slogan. Re-visit Statist I and II above. We could all use a little help and then some. Let’s just make sure it’s with each other and not Uncle Sam.