Editorial: Libertarian vision: Crash go the chariots
Tuesday, April 29, 2003 | 8:59 a.m.
Nevada's record of making the top 10 on national lists of dubious achievements is legendary. Teen pregnancy, smoking, drinking, high school dropouts, cholesterol counts ... we're there. That's why we were surprised, although overjoyed, to learn that we didn't make a new list of dubious distinction. It's a list of 10 sparsely populated states being considered for takeover by the Free State Project, a movement started by a Yale student whose goal is to "secure liberty in our lifetime."
The "free-staters" -- numbering 3,373 at last count -- are looking at Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware and Vermont. Before the year is out, they hope to have chosen one as a destination for 20,000 devotees of limited government. Once settled in, according to their vision, they will unite at the ballot box and succeed in creating the laissez faire land of their dreams.
All we can envision is the crash scene at the end of "The Blues Brothers" movie. Figuratively, because the state would be chaotic. And literally, because traffic signs and signals would conflict with libertarian notions of "individual sovereignty." Civil rights? Restaurant inspections? Municipal water? Sewer bills? Electrical codes? Away with such government!
It would all end, of course, with sensible farmers using their tractors to pull down the statues of John Locke and Ayn Rand, and voting once again for statutes. Laws and regulations may irk individuals at times but as a libertarian state would quickly show, they do serve the best interests of a sane society.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- CityCenter unveils Crystals high-end retail district
- Sarah Palin wasn’t a disaster, but Obama is
- Fontainebleau lenders sue construction companies over liens
- CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental makes Vegas debut
- Limo drivers’ suit over wages gets class action status
- Kimbo Slice not enjoying cutting weight for first time
- AG says any Station Casinos trustee must be licensed by regulators
- Kruger may soon seek more disciplined shot selection
- As national jobless rate improves, LV sees signs of trouble
- Jim Gibbons vs. Harry Reid: Health care plan ignites dispute
Blogs
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Superintendents want state to immediately seek Race to Top funds
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The great Jennifer debate (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
From Eva Longoria Parker to a cluster of execs, crowd takes a shine to Crystals (2 Comments)
Elsewhere
Harry Reid's recipe for getting health-care deal done (9 Comments)
UNLV in at No. 11 in SI's college hoops power rankings (3 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 13: A few good chefs
Gray Matter
Fight weekend in Las Vegas and Thanksgiving (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 5 Sat
- 6 Sun
- 7 Mon
- 8 Tue
- 9 Wed
-
The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale at the Pearl
The Pearl at the Palms | 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Great Santa Run at Town Square
Town Square | 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-
Willie Nelson at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Cash'd Out at Aliante Station
Aliante Station Casino and Hotel | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Brooks & Dunn at the Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
-
Ron White performs at the Mirage
Terry Fator Theatre
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati











