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A Few Thoughts on Indiana and Coercion
Conservatives are allergic to government coercion. This allergy informs all of our positions on public policy. It informs out position on religious freedom. The reason liberals can’t tell the difference between the promotion of liberty and promotion of “hate” all comes down to our differing views of coercion. For conservatives, political coercion is the original sin of authoritarian governments. For liberals, it is the glue that binds their entire moral identity.
Consider two pillars of the progressive left: Social Security and Obamacare. Would either of these programs survive even a month if they weren’t compulsory? Would any liberal program survive? And if this kind of coercion represents a social good, then it would not seem at all unethical to force a business owner into an involuntary transaction. Once you cross that line, “hate” is the only logical explanation for opposing their policies.
(Incidentally, I used to allowed for the possibility that the charge of “hate” is just an attempt to shut down debate by casting conservatives as unreasonable, but I have talked to enough liberals to know that they actually believe this stuff).
This is how a group of people convinces themselves that a law that allows free choice on all sides is like Jim Crow, but a law that limits choice and compels involuntary transactions is the opposite of Jim Crow. What is consistent then and now, is that the same party is pushing the coercion.
Published in General, Law, Politics
I think it’s a trap to talk about our differing views on marriage when it comes to public policy. Do these debates ever end in agreement? That’s why I wanted to focus on the matter of coercion, and how much we are willing to tolerate. This is the nucleus of all debates about government action from the right.
Fred is correct to point out that labels confuse the discussion. The issue is statism, and you either support it to some degree or you don’t.
This is why I find the 13th amendment angle interesting. This will (or should) come down to an interpretation of the law, and not normative conceptions of marriage.
I know, and I didn’t start the tangent. I’m just saying I’m not wedded to it or depending on it for my argument.
I honestly think that in most Western societies it had more to do with preservation of capital.
Yeah. You’ve read the complete Plato. When do those manuscripts date from?
Ok. Besides, it would be illegal in 44 states for you to wed your argument.
(These are the jokes, people. They can’t all be golden.)
…. because of the realities of male/female sex. Otherwise, last wills and testaments aren’t a new invention, nor are options for desired titling and joint ownership of property.
I hear things are changing in Massachusetts though!
The Constitution does contain an “equal protection” clause which pretty clearly addresses discrimination. We can argue about exactly how to apply it, but to suggest that the Constitution has nothing to say about the subject is wrong.
When our current president indulges in his coercive impulses, do you really think that he (or the judges that love him) cares about the constitution?
Was that question to me? (No, would be my answer, BTW.)
I don’t know. I’ve never studied Plato textual criticism.
Fred, I’m trying to get informed, not argue. You compare alcohol and heroin use. Can there use really be closely analogized? Sure it can on the “destructive” side.
But is there really a significant portion of the population that uses heroin daily in moderation, with some suggested health benefits, as part of healthy social interactions?
I mean, it’s not precisely heroin, but from what I understand morphine and a bunch of other potent painkillers are heroin’s kissing cousins. Opiates, all of ’em.