Walter's group begins to emerge:
----Original Message-----
---- Walter Block <walterblock@business.loyno.
>
>
> Dear Martha:
>
> Is it ok if I share you letter with Bob Wenzel? Publicize it?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Walter
>
> Walter E. Block, Ph.D.
> Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of
> Economics Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business Loyola University
> New Orleans
> 6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 15, Miller Hall 318 New Orleans, LA 70118
> tel: (504) 864-7934
> fac: (504)864-7970
> wblock@loyno.edu
> http://www.walterblock.com/
> http://www.walterblock.com/
> http://samesideentertainment.
> https://www.facebook.com/
> WalterBlock.com: https://
> https://twitter.com/
> Skype: Walter.Block4
>
> If it moves, privatize it; if it doesn't move, privatize it. Since everything either moves or doesn't move, privatize everything.
>
>
From: mbabson@windstream.net [mailto:mbabson@windstream.net
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:52 AM
To: Walter Block
Subject: RE: about "Libertarians for Trump"
I'd be honored.
Thanks.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Walter Block
> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:16 AM
> To: 'mbabson@windstream.net'
> Subject: RE: about "Libertarians for Trump"
>
>
> Thanks. You don't sound like a beginner to me
>
> Walter E. Block, Ph.D.
> Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of
> Economics Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business Loyola University
> New Orleans
> 6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 15, Miller Hall 318 New Orleans, LA 70118
> tel: (504) 864-7934
> fac: (504)864-7970
> wblock@loyno.edu
> http://www.walterblock.com/
> http://www.walterblock.com/
> http://samesideentertainment.
> https://www.facebook.com/
> WalterBlock.com: https://
> https://twitter.com/
> Skype: Walter.Block4
>
> If it moves, privatize it; if it doesn't move, privatize it. Since everything either moves or doesn't move, privatize everything.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mbabson@windstream.net [mailto:mbabson@windstream.net
> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 8:03 AM
> To: Walter Block
> Subject: about "Libertarians for Trump"
>
> Dear Dr. Block:
> I read your LRC article the other day, and wanted to sign up immediately!
> The reason(s) I hesitated is that I am a beginner...in that I only discovered the philosophy back in the days of Ron Paul (starting in 2008), along with Austrian Economics.
> Since then, I've been a fairly serious, but self-taught student of both.
> (I've taken a couple classes online at Mises, and I watch all their
> videos, plus YOURS...I've read some Rothbard, all of Paul, a couple of
> yours, DiLorenzo, Sennholz, Hazlett, Woods, Napolitano, " and I HAVE "Human Action"itself, but still only
> listen to the audio book ... you get the idea.) Still, I'd say I'm a
> 'no-account' for your cause because I won't be doing much to spread
> the ideas of libertarianism, or Austrian economic theory... I'm 68
> years old, retired, and close to being a hermit. I've read and tried
> to learn because I'm interested...that's all. (oh, sure...I'll be
> around after the 'collapse' to instruct the Remnant..right.)
>
> That being said, I want to sign up now, even as an Honorary member, because I am FED UP, as only an old lady can be, with these nit-picking twits who labor over libertarian minutiae, but miss the Point! (being the NAP).
>
> The post that took me over the edge is also from Wenzel and is below (and the comments are almost as bad...a few reasonable folks...) I'm certain you've already seen this:
> http://www.targetliberty.com/
>
>
> Wenzel's post incensed me! The words he used were 'loaded', and deceptive, and off target.
> In it, he's viewing Trump with the same lenses that the 'hate' crowd uses. He's not listening, fairly or even dispassionately... Trump is the ONLY candidate since Ron to bad mouth war! If I could write to EPJ, I'd list all of my reasons for disagreeing with him on this, but a person has to have an 'official' kind of website to post comments. A regular email address doesn't cut it. So I can't.
>
> Allow me to list them here, as briefly as I know how, but please consider the significant implications behind them, as I could go on for paragraphs about each.
> Abbreviated responses to Wenzel's points, in numerical order:
>
> 1) Protectionism... isn't that an economic issue, not libertarian? I want my Man to 'protect' me, and our house and kids, if he thinks the outside world is doing harm to us.
> At least until we figure out where the harm is coming from.
>
> 2)"expanding libel laws" are Wenzel's words. Trump never made mention
> of the word "libel", nor did he refer to smears on 'reputation'. Trump
> called for newspapers to be legally responsible to print the factual
> Truth. There'll always be 'slant' and 'loaded' words, but facts would
> be facts. . (Good luck with that.) Perhaps he'd like to see CNN
> legally held for showing "news" of the Gulf War from a studio set,
> with actor-announcers... Or, stop this:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?
>
> 3)"build up the military" have never been Trump's words! He says, carefully, that he wants to "make our military big, powerful, and strong". Trump then carefully explains how some equipment is made, at exorbitant cost, but doesn't work. (fill in 'fighter jets' here.) Trump has never threatened to USE it. He sees power as a deterrent, appropriately.
>
>
> 4)"provide additional support" for Police is a subtle distortion on words; Trump is calling for an "appreciation" of Police...the good ones, of course. But he pointedly never makes that distinction. It's a way to help heal what is an unfortunate perception growing in this country. After the attack on his person was thwarted, he used it to extol how great the police are...These are healing sentiments. NOT a call for more equipment.
>
> 5)deport illegal immigrants, yes...he's said those words.... Not what Wenzel says. He's NEVER phrased it as "unregistered foreign-born workers". (C'mon Bob. Words are important.) Plus, as a "deal-maker", you need to understand that's an opening offer. Here's a suggested 'negotiating position' later on, from someone who sees better than Wenzel:
> http://blog.dilbert.com/post/
> ion
>
> 6) "surrounding himself with belligerents".... Yeah? ..For belligerent purposes? Or a kind of protection, through their positions and connections? And who's the Team Captain of said belligerents?
>
> 7) What is Trump good on? Well, for starters, building things. .. and making all the deals that are the "unseen" behind getting it accomplished...in places where local government officials, permitting, zoning, financing, unions...whatever...are only trying to stop you.
> Stossel today thanked Trump for that NYC skating rink he was using. Check the Back Story on that rink...
>
> And the final kicker, in Wenzel's words:
> "For the most part, we have no idea what a Trump administration would look like."
> (True. It could be unbelievable. And I mean that in the happiest and profoundest way.) "There are signs, however, that it could go very bad, given the three mentioned above that circle him."
> (Yeah, they're sharks. Giuiliani was even 'in' on 9/11. Gives Trump protection, and cover, and connections at MANY levels.) "Further, Trump appears to have a strong authoritarian streak that could be provoked for any number of reasons."
> (Here's where I get to laugh at Wenzel, because he just doesn't get it. Just doesn't. Consider:
> Trump has, from Day One in his career/life, been all about creating his Brand. So, he decides at the pinnacle of his success to become President of the whole country. THEN, he's going to piss everyone off by becoming a 'dictator' serving his own personal interests? Poof. There goes his entire life's work; his Brand. Total collapse. I see 'authoritarian' in the sense of a self made businessman who knows how he wants 'his' product to turn out.) For a little humor, and better than I can say it, see Dilbert Guy again:
> http://blog.dilbert.com/post/
> e-explain-them-to
>
>
> That's all I wanted to say, really. I've been following Trump keenly since he started. I love him upsetting the Process, the neo-cons, the works...and delight in Lew's Political Theatre blog. I've watched the entire time with an eye to libertarian and Austrian perspectives, too. I understand the wrongness of Protectionism, and the theory of real Free Trade; but the more I read, the more I find out about all the lopsided regulations that ARE, in fact, disadvantaging the USA in much of her dealings. There's so much to learn... Still, above it all, the ultimate importance is NOT protectionism, as Wenzel lists first, it is War, and a deep reluctance to enter it.
>
>
>
>
> Oh... a final comment, Dr. Block: I'd also like you to know that I know Hayek's words in the Chapter 'Why The Worst Rise to the Top' (from an online course with DiLorenzo), but Trump does NOT fit that scenario, or that personality, in my opinion. He was weaned on Norman Vincent Peale, and has been living the power of positive thinking ever since. It energizes him. He sees America's problems as his challenge of a lifetime to 'fix'.
>
> Hey, he lives on steak and sleeps 3-4 hours a night! :) Not your run-of-the-mill demagogue.
>
> Trump is a Good Man, not a Perfect Man. And we don't want to let the perfect be the enemy of the good...
> Thanks for reading.
> I'm so glad to get this off my chest. Phew.
> Sincerely, Martha Babson
>
>
Sad that it's come to this, however I concur.
ReplyDeleteTrump isn't H.W.
Trump isn't Clinton the 1st.
Trump isn't G.W.
Trump isn't el bozo.
Trump isn't Clinton the 2nd.
Good enough for me.
ha ha ha ha ha oh this is going to end badly
DeleteAnarchists see the teams wrong. It's not anarchists vs statists, with the difference between Ron Paul and Trump being only of a degree.
ReplyDeleteIt's classical liberals vs authoritarians. With this endorsement, Walter Block has sold us out. Authoritarians pull toward tyranny Walter. Stop using your stupid percentage system.
Martha,
ReplyDelete"Protectionism... isn't that an economic issue, not libertarian?"
Ryan McMaken recently wrote an article for mises.org that RW put up on EPJ addressing this question:
https://mises.org/library/oppose-free-trade-embrace-violence
Do you, as a new convert to Trumpism understand and embrace the violence that comes along with his opposition to free trade? McMaken puts it this way:
"To oppose free trade, on the other hand, is to engage in the imposition of fines, prison terms, and other sanctions on people for engaging in non-violent exchange."
As well-
"...anyone who favors restrictions on free trade needs to go the next step and outline exactly what fines and jail sentences should be imposed on merchants and others who have committed the “crime” of purchasing goods from non-government-approved sources, or who have sold goods to non-government-approved recipients."
"...let’s then outline which taxpayer-funded government agencies shall be in charge of hunting down the lawbreakers, prosecuting them, and jailing or fining them. The (presumably well-paid and well-pensioned) government agents won’t work for free. What spy apparatus shall be employed to keep an eye on all the potential violators?"
"...without an immense legal team, most ordinary people will be caught up in the net of trade restrictions."
Thus, protectionism is a libertarian issue.
NAFTA and TPP are not free trade. What is it exactly that is being defended?
ReplyDeleteNo, you dont need a website to post here. Also,here is exactly what trump said: I'm gonna open up our libel laws, so when they write (pointing out at media) purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. We're gonna open up those libel laws.'
ReplyDeletehttp://libertyfight.com/2016/trump-libel-laws-clergy-endorse.html