The state of freedom

January 18, 2010 by Don Watkins

He increased government spending to historic highs. He poured vast amounts of money into a half-baked scheme to “stimulate” the economy. He bailed out failed companies. He expanded government control over medicine. He denounced “corporate greed” and saddled businessmen with crippling regulations and controls.

No, I’m not talking about President Obama. I’m talking about President Bush.

One year into the Obama administration, many Americans are rightfully alarmed by Washington’s increasing control over the economy. But it’s important to remember: this anti-freedom trend didn’t start with Obama and it isn’t a monopoly of the Democrats. It is a long-standing trend that is a product of certain philosophic ideas common to Bush, Obama, and a great many others.

Behind all their differences, contradictions, and confusions, today’s political mainstream shares essentially the same philosophy leading to essentially the same conclusion: that the government has the right to force us to sacrifice our freedom, interests, and desires for the sake of the “common good.”

To reverse today’s assault on liberty, that is the view Americans will have to challenge.

Image: flickr