Problems with Libertarian thinking

I  have considered myself a libertarian for many years now. Studying the founding of our country, and the principles the founders held sacred has influenced my thinking greatly. I have learned that democracy is not that great, and that protection of individual rights is essential in a moral society.

But I have come up against a few ideas that make me question pure libertarianism a bit.

1.) Here is one I hadn't heard before:

So, if taxes paid by all were responsible for protecting your rights and providing roads and educated workers, while you were producing goods and making a profit, then you owe some of your profit to......who? the government? other taxpayers?

I don't know what to make of this argument. Because weren't everyone's rights protected by police during this time? Didn't everyone benefit from good roads and free education? So this argument says that the people who make a big profit, and produce things that people want OWE part of the profit back to the community. More of a chunk than everyone else? Why?  It seems to penalize the people who make profits.

2.) OK. What else. What about the question asked of Ron Paul at the last debate - about whether we should just let uninsured sick people die. Paul mentions charity and social networks to help care for folks who can't take care of themselves. I see the logic in it, but it doesn't seem like it really happens. I don't see charities or families or churches ever doing enough to care for all the folks who need it.

But then again, it's not like government is doing the job well either. Folks suffer, fall through the government cracks and die all the time. But maybe not as much? I don't know....

3.) Then I think of clean air and water and I wonder how that can ever be accomplished without a national government. Air and water just flow around too much to be taken care of by property owners.

I hate when the principles I hold dear leave me in the lurch. And I'd like to figure these things out.

And just as a side note: I can't stand when people say that Christianity or Jesus says we should support liberal/progressive/welfare policies. Jesus NEVER forced anyone to do anything. He is (to my understanding) all about people freely choosing to love God and others. I can see that one who follows Jesus would/should help others. But being forced to pay taxes for many programs (only some of which are for welfare) is completely different.

Real Education

Over the years of homeschooling, I have tried to pursue a real education for my kids. I have researched curriculum that I thought was good. I have pursued opportunities for learning that were outside the box.  I have grown, adjusted and refined learning at home. But I have always struggled against "school" brainwashing.

What I mean is that inside my head there has always been a voice that tells me that my kids should learn a certain thing, a certain way because that is how it is done in school. Even when our homeschool has been the furthest away (philosophically and practically) from a brick and mortar school, the voice has always been there.

I have had to balance my kids' learning styles with my educational philosophy and my personality. (If mom ain't happy.....you know). Sometimes I really need those workbooks and math assignments. Let me tell you, it is exponentially easier for the teacher (me) to say, "Go do your school work!" than to generate excitement and make a lasting impression with creative learning activities day in, day out. About five years into homeschooling, I realized that we needed a flexible combination of workbooky assignments, hands on/mom involved activites and lots and lots of reading.

Even now, after 10 years of homeschooling, I doubt myself. I wonder did I make the right choices? Am I making the right choices? Mostly I am concerned about ARG and his high school.

See a year ago ARG told me he wanted to try to get into a top tier university. No problem! No pressure! So I've been researching and trying to figure out how to position him to be able to achieve that goal. After a year and a bit, I am starting to feel that he and I are on the wrong track - focused completely on getting all A's, scoring uber-high on subject tests, PSAT and SAT tests, and taking the toughest classes all 4 years of high school. All this in order to maybe be qualified for a school that we can't even afford. And I was told recently that top tier school don't like homeschoolers at all, even though they will never say so out loud.

So I wonder if we shouldn't just take a breath, realize that there are many, many college options and focus on "real education". Maybe he doesn't need 4 years of science and french (subjects he doesn't care for much). Maybe he can take more time to study the things he really loves: history, computer science and drama.  Maybe he doesn't have to take Calculus 2 his senior year. Perhaps he can have the time (now spent preparing for subject tests) to dive deep into his passions and learn things that he finds worthy.

It seems like we both have the pressure of this college thing on our shoulders - and honestly I don't know if it is worth it. Are we victims of school brainwashing? Are we trying to fit into the "system" that we have been opting out of for years? Is it a square peg in a round hole?

Does one's undergrad school really matter? I've heard it's where you go to grad school that counts (assuming he'll go to grad school).

Basically, trying to conform to the elite college system has got me down. And I can't figure out if it is foolish  to pursue "real education" or is it wise?

Birthday Ideas

It's coming up soon and Hubby keeps asking me what I want.

This year I'm pretty sure I don't want things. I want experiences.

First of all, I'd love to go for a hike or a long walk on the beach with the fam and the dog. And the kids are not allowed to complain or ask when we are going home. It would be great to sit somewhere and have a nice picnic brunch and watch MiniMe play.

Later, I'd like a massage. A long one. An hour and a half is great. Then, right after that, I want to get a chiropractic adjustment. Not the fifteen minute crick-crack and your out kind. I want her to check out and adjust the whole kit and kaboodle.

Then, I'd like to come home and take a steaming hot as I can take it bath, scented with lavender. It would be great if I was in the middle of an exciting book, so I can read it in the tub for hours. Preferably no seven year old MiniMe will barge into my steamy haven asking if she can come in too.

Next......perhaps a nap.

Are you getting the gist of my birthday wishes? Lazy pleasures. Pleasurable laziness.

Hubby asked about a party. I'm just not into parties in general. I'm not good at them. My mind doesn't produce small talk without Herculean effort.

Nah...I'd rather be in my comfy sweats at home, eating delicious food and watching a movie (my pick!) with the fam. 


Here are some birthday no-no's for me:
- no wearing tight jeans
- no presents that involve electronics (yes, I'd love some new Apple product, but we can't afford it)
- no chocolate with nuts in it
- no cheap chocolate
- no chocolate from anywhere but Leonidas (well, maybe a homemade flourless chocolate torte)
- no dishes, laundry or cleaning (and that doesn't mean that it gets put off until it's not my birthday anymore)
- no fighting or arguing

Upon reflection it kindof seems like my birthdays wishes are a bit selfish. Oh well, I guess we all get to be selfish one day out of the year.

It's that time again

Yep, the presidential election is starting up again.

Those who know me, know that I hold zero hope that I will approve of or vote for the candidate from either major party. Usually it is a time to be depressed about the trajectory of the country I love so much.

But there is one bright spot for me in all the ugliness that is presidential politics:
My Main Man (MMM) Ron Paul.

 I just love this guy. I can't help it. He is so sincere, honest, humble, principled....so unlike just about every other politician I've seen. The fact that he stands for just about every political principle I hold dear doesn't hurt him in my eyes either.

But it's not just his politics, it's the way he is. Smart without being arrogant. Persuasive without being aggressive. Firm in his views without getting personal. And he's just a cute old guy. I love him.

I realize his chances of winning the nomination are quite small. But he and his message are getting a lot more attention this time around. He is influencing the debate instead of being completely written off as a whacko. He is only partially written off as a whacko now.

But he predicted the financial problems we've had. And more people are willing to agree with his opposition to the endless wars around the globe and his calls to bring the troops home immediately.  Some say he is an isolationist, but that is a misnomer. He is all for travel and most of all robust trade with all nations -  he is against the US constantly getting entangled in foreign wars.

I followed MMM and the liberty movement that supported him during the 2008 election. It was interesting to see how the Tea Party grew out of the left-overs of his campaign. The Tea Party began as primarily an economics-driven movement. It has gone through a lot of changes, and appears to have been co-opted by the far-right evangelical movement. According to my son, the Tea Party is done. Personally, I'm not sure what to think.

All I know is that I loathe the Republican National Party establishment. Ditto for the Democratics. I never cared for Mr. Obama, though I am proud that our country showed it was able to elect a black president. I hate the way the two parties care only about power, and the influence they have on American politics.

MMM Ron Paul is a renegade, and definitely anti-establishment. It should be entertaining to watch how he is mocked during the Republican debates.

I'll always love you Ron Paul!

Work

I need a job.

I need to earn some money. Somehow I allowed my children to get involved in really expensive activities. And I mean prodigously expensive.

For some reason I don't seem to have the chutzpa to set limits or say no, especially if the fund-draining activity will look good on a college application (see previous post). And college is just around the corner - how are we going to pay for that?

So here I am pondering and praying about a job. But really, I am a spoiled, lazy person. It's all nice and dandy to fantasize about what job I'd like. But when I actually think about going to work, I'm like..."Ew...... I don't want to do that".


Some of the things I would want in a job are:
- part time
- can be done mostly at home
- involves organzing (people, ideas, events...I don't care)
- it would be nice to be helping others
- it would be fun if it involved history or education

I can't think of a job that has all those things, can you?

Sometimes I think I'll just get a job checking at Trader Joe's - my most favorite grocery store. It would be brainless, but would require being away from home quite a bit.

MiniMe is just 7, so I'm not quite ready to leave her for hours on end by herself. Yes, her sister and perhaps her brother would be home, but they just stay in their rooms most of the time.

Does anyone have teens who don't stay in their rooms most of the time? But I digress....

Maybe I should google "part time, at home, organizing jobs". Maybe I should look on craigslist. Maybe I should head over to Trader Joes.