I have long thought the average US politician, especially at the national level, were the best embodiment of Milton's Satan around. I'd argue your discussion today about the economy and what the President can do for it implicitly use that comparision.
Again, I don't agree (especially in a world where everything is politicized). Democracy, OTOH, has a definite shelf life and has far more downsides than most people are willing to cop to.
I think that promises of individual political liberty were a trap: they separated people from their communities that were able to protect them, leaving them naked and defenseless against the Leviathan of the state.
"Liberté, égalité, fraternité"... the three heads of Cerberus
There is, in my view, a substantial difference between Rousseuean liberty and Lockean liberty, and between bith and consumerism. Your description applies well to consumerism, decently to Rousseuean liberty, and not veey well at all to Lockean (esp as initially instantiated in the US, see Toqueville).
I have long thought the average US politician, especially at the national level, were the best embodiment of Milton's Satan around. I'd argue your discussion today about the economy and what the President can do for it implicitly use that comparision.
Before reading...
Chocolate Covered Satan
Band name...called it
*dies laughing*
I feel a little self-conscious, considering how much I love chocolate.
But it is intriguing to imagine a world in which we all take responsibility for our own lives. I hear it used to be like that once.
At least in spots! It was a good place.
Freedom is overrated
I could't disagree more
Good.
Let's try it from a different angle, then: political liberty is overrated.
Again, I don't agree (especially in a world where everything is politicized). Democracy, OTOH, has a definite shelf life and has far more downsides than most people are willing to cop to.
I think that promises of individual political liberty were a trap: they separated people from their communities that were able to protect them, leaving them naked and defenseless against the Leviathan of the state.
"Liberté, égalité, fraternité"... the three heads of Cerberus
There is, in my view, a substantial difference between Rousseuean liberty and Lockean liberty, and between bith and consumerism. Your description applies well to consumerism, decently to Rousseuean liberty, and not veey well at all to Lockean (esp as initially instantiated in the US, see Toqueville).