On July 4 I woke up in Pennsylvania, in a mansion which had served as a station on the Underground Railroad, that network of people and places which helped slaves escape their bondage before and during the Civil War. And I thought that, with the replacement of yesterday’s chattel slavery with today’s universal bondage, it may be time for a new Underground Railroad.
Instead of being owned by plantation owners in the South, people are now owned by governments, which claim total control over every aspect of everyone’s lives, especially control over how much of the product of their labor people must surrender up to their masters. There are no exceptions on this planet known to me, thus universal bondage.
And in many of these places, including the United States, government takes half or more of the product of each person’s labor for its own use. Many such people cannot even afford to eat without dispensation from their masters. Even many who can afford to eat get dispensation. And that dispensation is paid for by the labor taken from others.
Yet this system of universal bondage and redistribution of wealth by violent force is going to collapse, and America, at least, missed its last chance to turn the Titanic when it failed to elect Ron Paul as the Republican nominee to the presidency. The iceberg has been hit and the water is pouring in. All that is left to us now is to try to survive the wreck which will come.
The United States economy is on the verge of collapse, and while many things could be done now to stop it, those in power will not do any of them because they believe it would harm their political careers. With over half of Americans getting money from the government, this is true.
The current best available estimate of inflation of the U.S. dollar is 16%. Contrast that with the bait-and-switch, manipulated “Consumer Price Index” (which, even if accurately calculated, isn’t inflation, but a second-order effect) of 4.2%. Your wallet can tell you that that number isn’t even in the right ballpark. Your wallet is probably telling you that even 16% is on the low side.
And this double-digit rate of actual inflation of the money supply has been going on for several years.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government’s single biggest expense is not the Iraq war, but Social Security, with $416 billion paid out in fiscal year 2006, and that number increases every year. It’ll begin increasing even more sharply in 2011, when the Baby Boomers begin retiring, and by 2017 or earlier the Ponzi scheme will collapse and the money will simply run out. When that happens, Social Security “will have to be financed by raising taxes, borrowing from the public, or reducing benefits or other expenditures,” according to President Bill Clinton in 2000. Yes, they’ve known about these problems that long — even longer, actually — and done nothing.
The value of the U.S. dollar continues to fall, slower or faster, depending on how fast the Federal Reserve runs its printing presses, which it calls “injecting liquidity,” while actual money such as gold and silver continue to maintain their value relative to commodities, even food and gas. That’s right, they are very stable over the long term. A quarter ounce of silver will buy a gallon of gas today, just as it did decades ago. That means that it’s not so much that prices are high as that the dollar is losing its value, and fast enough for you to begin to notice.
Yet there are things people are doing now, today, to protect themselves both from the impending economic collapse, and from government’s tyranny and universal bondage in general.
A new freedom movement has arisen which holds that no one can hold the authority to force anyone to do anything, regardless of whether some so-called representative said in a Congress that it was okay. It is these people who, both now and after the collapse, will show us the way forward. Some are known as libertarians, some as anarcho-capitalists, some as voluntaryists. All share the conviction that coercive government is not an appropriate way to organize a society, and is certainly not a civilized way to relate to people.
Indeed, government has been responsible for more harm to society than any other social construct in human history.
I, however, think the most appropriate term for the people in this movement is that used by those who opposed chattel slavery: abolitionist. It is time to abolish government, that institution which holds us all in universal bondage and which creates all of our societal problems. Whether it is done piecemeal or all at once, humanity will finally be able to move forward to the next stage in civilization: that of interacting with each other peacefully and freely.
In the meantime, there is the government-caused economic collapse to consider. In addition to considering how you will survive the hard times to come, consider that government itself will be crippled by this collapse, and consider how this may be an opportunity to rebuild some of the free, voluntary associations we used to have here and which government usurped, and to build new ones to replace the failing and failed government systems.
The networks of people and voluntary institutions many of us are building now will serve as the new Underground Railroad to help people from all walks of life to escape from universal bondage and to find true freedom. I expect to be persecuted, just as the previous abolitionists were. I expect many of us will be fined, go to jail, or even be killed by our government masters. Yet I cannot be anything but an abolitionist, for it is right and just, and if I must suffer or die for doing what is right, then so be it. You may fine, jail or kill me, but you cannot kill the idea of freedom.
And that is why, ultimately, freedom will prevail.
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AspenFreePress
Jul 06, 2008
Michael Hampton’s commentary, beautiful! Only let’s not forget that the Father of our Country, George Washington, owned 200 slaves at the time of his death and the hub of slave trading was Boston Harbor. Yes, slavery flourished in both the Northeast and the South at the time of our war for independence.
Sterling Greenwood
Aspen Free Press
Anonymous
Jul 07, 2008
This is an exceptionally beautiful essay. As I am a new mover to NH (in August), I will be referring my current friends this article as assistance in introducing them to my motives and ideology. Thanks!
Bob
Jul 07, 2008
I enjoy this site! It’s full of interesting characters, including yourself Michael. There is life and individuality here. Sometimes I agree with the comments and sometimes I don’t but I’ve never been denied the opportunity to express my views. I really respect that, and appreciate how difficult it must be for you to walk the walk of free speech when you have absolute control of this site. I doff my feathered hat to you sir. (I think doff is a word. I hope it means what I want it to mean.)
I’ve got a few comments on this one.
First comment;
It is possible to legally beat the taxman and live quite well on this continent using a system of self imposed “poverty”. Incorporate yourself as a business, make sure that your business carries a debt(but no more than can be easily paid off with the sale of some of it’s assets), learn to provide most of your own services, barter with others for the things that you need(or tradeable goods)and earn as little legitimate money as possible. It works. I haven’t paid income taxes in years and yes, I have been audited.
Second;
This is something I’ve said before but I’ll say it again because when the light goes on with this one, you’ll never think the same way again.
Freedom and slavery are in your mind. You can’t make a slave out of a free man and you can’t make a free man out of a slave. (Women, please feel free to substitute your gender in there anywhere you want. I’m not trying to be a male whatchyahmucallit.)
Thirdly;
Ron Paul wouldn’t have been able to save us from collapse and his changes would have just brought the collapse on quicker. I’m glad he didn’t make much headway in the election because he would have taken all the blame in the end. He doesn’t deserve that.
One more;
Your last paragraph makes me think of General Patton. This might not be an exact quote but he said “Nobody ever won a war by dying for his country. The idea is to make the other guy die for his.” Stay one jump ahead of them, man.
-And finally for Sterling Greenwood. Yes, George Washington owned slaves. So did a lot of the founders of this country.
But they came up with a Constitution that laid down the rights of those slaves to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When the time came that those slaves had enough backbone to stand up for those rights, they were heard out and supported by our courts. That was the beauty of the American idea. At one time, our laws and Constitution rose above race, ethnicity, religion and human predjudices, and stood behind the idea that all of us are created equal. It was never perfect because imperfect people always run the show, but overall, it’s the best damn country that there has ever been. History will prove that someday.
Russell Kanning
Jul 07, 2008
I totally agree with you Michael.
Dale
Jul 07, 2008
Hallelujah!
John Galt
Jul 07, 2008
Michael…Splendid!
And now a very brief response to “Bob”.
First counter-point: You reference several questionable terms, “legal” “taxman” “incorporation” “legitimate” “income tax” “audited”…Consider WHO defines(and continually redefines) these terms, the fact that you are being manipulated by the LOOTERS, and the fact that…if everyone did as you suggest…then the LOOTERS would just “redefine” everything to get their loot and booty.
Second counter-point: While I agree with your original premise, no matter what you actually THINK…in your MIND…if you’re so monitored, regulated, and oppressed by external forces…that you’re a virtual slave…hiding your “free mind” behind your beaten and brutalized body forever…THERE ARE SOME THINGS WORSE THAN DEATH…Not to mention that your silence is your consent to these very same atrocities cast upon humanity.
Third counter-point: Ron Paul attempted to, and continues to try…to wake up the people…to release them from the matrix…witness his http://www.campaignforliberty.com... Realize that there does NOT NEED to be a “collapse” if the proper adjustments are made(granted, some adjustments will be “harder” than others)…Ron Paul will continue to educate the people to their own responsibility for themselves(and, to a great extent, what responsibility they themselves bear for what is done to others “in their name”).
Fourth counter-point: Individuals don’t die for “countries”…they die for ideas, thoughts, and mind-sets(however correct or incorrect)…Millions have murdered and been murdered based on false premises…”politics” and “religion” mostly…go figure.
Fifth counter-point: I agree that some previous inhabitants of this continent “manipulated” other human beings with “slavery” and I agree that the Constitution is flawed(and that WAS INTENTIONAL, do the research)… However, I disagree with the supposed “authority” that you seemingly give to some supposed “laws” and “constitution” to “lord over” and/or “rule with an iron fist”…and I sincerely doubt that “history”(who’s version are we using today?) will prove much besides the fact that there have always been looters and those who just want to be left alone(Ayn Rand called them the looters and producers)…
In conclusion let’s reaffirm the core of our philosophy, which is as follows(note to readers uncomfortable with the following…you may consider yourself a looter at this point):
Each and every human being is Individual and Sovereign.
Each and every Individual Sovereign Human Being has Basic Inherent Inalienable Irrevocable Human Rights(the most basic are the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to the whole product/property of their labors).
Each and every Individual Sovereign Human Being is tasked with being a Student and Advocate of the Philosophically Mature Non-Aggression Principle, and interacting with all others utilizing this philosophy and this philosophy alone.
You NEVER have a right to perpetrate aggression/force/fraud against another.
You should ALWAYS refuse to be a victim of the perpetual perpetration of aggression/force/fraud of the looters, bureaucrats, jackboots, and mercenaries.
Perpetrators should be repelled, destroyed, and eliminated.
After all, it’s for the children…right!?!
Why would you sentence your own prodigy to such victimization!?!
How could you sentence others to such atrocities!?!
While none are totally innocent, some are “more” guilty than others of past transgressions, and more alarming is the fact that many are still practicing such aggression/force/fraud.
Physician Heal Thyself…Indeed…
Again Michael…Splendid Rant!
Sincerely,
John Galt
Michael Hampton
Jul 07, 2008
Bob, I welcome comments and discussion from everyone, even and especially those who disagree. It’s through disagreement and debate that people can arrive at something approximating the truth.
Bob
Jul 07, 2008
John Galt.
1. I’m just telling you how ‘I’ live to evade the looters. I live quite well. If the rules change, I’ll find a way around them. I’m a free man. If everybody lived like me, there wouldn’t be looters. My problem has always been finding reasons to keep struggling. It’s become a matter of principle for me now, I guess and little else. That’s sad, but who cares? Maybe someday it will all be worth it.
2. Liberty or death, remember. There are things worse than death, and living as a slave is one of them. When you just won’t tolerate it, they have to kill you or die trying. There is no silent, broken, brutalized, shell stage for a body with a free mind.
3. We could argue this all day. I say we can’t avoid the collapse, you say we can. Tomayto-tomawto, potayto-potawto. If we don’t have one, you win.
4. ??? What are you trying to say? I was talking about winning or losing and staying alive. People have been killing each other forever and it isn’t going to stop. We have to live with that. No pun intended. The reasons behind agression don’t matter when you’re in a life or death struggle.
5. I just said that the original American system was the best overall system of government ever created by human beings. I stand by that. I didn’t say I liked or needed government, however most people do need government.
“Perpetrators should be repelled, destroyed and eliminated”? If you start hunting down perpetrators, doesn’t that make you one? It’s like not tolerating intolerance.
I love discussions.
John Galt
Jul 07, 2008
Looters, bureaucrats, jackboots, and mercenaries can voluntarily quit, cease, and desist in their perpetual perpetration of aggression/force/fraud against a peaceful and peace-loving people. Those who continue to loot, directly and indirectly, should be repelled, destroyed, and eliminated.
Your neighbor doesn’t just waltz into your house at midnight for one of those beers in your fridge because they’d probably get shot…and rightfully so.
Your neighbor also shouldn’t advocate or participate, directly or indirectly, in the aggression/force/fraud of some supposed “state”…if they do then all responsible should be repelled, destroyed, and eliminated…just the same as that car-jacker, burglar, rapist, robber, etc.
Who said anything about “hunting down”…
Looters, bureaucrats, jackboots, and mercenaries bring the aggression/force/fraud right to you and yours…right to your home, your work, and your church…
Then you say NO…
We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore…
We are Individual Sovereign Human Beings and you are violating our Basic Inherent Inalienable Irrevocable Human Rights and you will now be repelled, destroyed, and eliminated…
Mind your own pockets, your own business, and your own religion and you’ll do just fine…
Otherwise…
Well…
Enjoy!
Bob
Jul 08, 2008
I knew the “hunting down” part would get you going. I know what you are saying, I was just poking you with a stick.
I threw it in there because history shows that even the most well intentioned, violent defense will eventually turn into a well intentioned, violent offense. Defense is a frustrating and demoralizing way to fight something and eventually wears down resistance until the only way left to win is to strike first.
What do you do if the aggressors escape your home and your wrath? You know who they are, do you go looking for them?
What if they unwittingly involve somebody innocent in their effort to escape? Will you have time to ask who’s who when you confront them?
The world is a dirty place with lots of gray areas and poorly defined lines. Very few people are completely evil and even fewer are ever completely innocent. Mistakes can be made that suddenly put you on the wrong side of the fence. Do you offer yourself up for punishment or learn from your mistakes and try to move on? If someone wants to hold you accountable for mistakes you might have made during your struggle to do what was right, do you defend yourself? Nothing ever turns out the way you think it will and nothing is ever exactly as you perceive it to be.
Do what you have to do and if you have the luxury, do what you feel is right, but destroying and eliminating human beings is not something I look forward to. Everybody is somebody to someone and there are always consequences to taking that kind of action.
I know that sounds a little softer than some of my other posts, but I just want to make sure you understand the full magnitude of “eliminating and destroying”, even though I agree with you that it is often necessary.
I apologize if I’m wrong but I got the sense that you were a little more on the intellectual side than an actual blood and guts veteran.
The Revolution, Independence Day, slavery and it’s abolishment, the Civil War, the Indian wars…..they were all messy, dirty, ugly things that history has cleaned up and painted with black and white, in most cases. A lot of good came out of these events. But when things like that are happening in real time, nobody cares about good and bad. They just want to survive.
Good luck John Galt.
Michael Hampton
Jul 08, 2008
You guys really should click some of those links which I left in the post. Some of the things you’ll find are shocking, especially some of the stories of the Underground Railroad.
John Galt
Jul 08, 2008
thanks Michael
Jerry A. Pipes
Jul 08, 2008
Let the Second American Revolution begin. This is my modest attempt at a plan. It is admittedly sketchy in places. Perhaps some would like to comment, and help me flesh it out a bit?
Ray
Jul 09, 2008
The problem is that we have lost our independence. We demand that our nation pay for more and more of our life styles. Those who complain most about government taxes and government interference are the very ones who are insisting upon more of it for the benefit of their life styles.
It is time that we got back to actually having a militia. When we talk of a militia we talk of an army. An army of the people but an army. Generally today we also talk of this militia being a minority subset of society. The national guard is sometime referred to as the militia. But in the days when the second amendment the people were the militia and the spirit of the militia covered so much more.
In the days of our declaration of independence the militia was the men of the community. If you were in society and were a male of any reasonable age you were a member of the militia by default. There was no separate “militia” it was the community. Sure this militia protected the community militarily. They also protected it from Indians and Wild animals. We can recognize that some of the protection of the “protection from Indians” was not needed and a sin our nation committed. But this was not all that the militia did.
This same group with the same spirit not only kept a gun at the ready, they also kept a water bucket to fight fires. The old of the community were helped. Mostly it was expected that this was the job of the family, but if the family was not available or able to help the older members of the community; the community, with the militia spirit, did what was needed.
The community took care of much of the protection of the community from bad guys. I lived in such a community and as a 12 year old helped march a man who had broken into a home to town at shotgun point. When my father died unexpectedly the community helped and took care of the farm. We didn’t need a government for this.
We need to get back to this spirit of the community taking care of the community. Then we truly would have something to celebrate next 4th of July.
Russell Kanning
Jul 09, 2008
“We need to get back to this spirit of the community taking care of the community. Then we truly would have something to celebrate next 4th of July.”
You could start now and celebrate this date every year from now on.
Kevin Fields
Jul 10, 2008
Congratulations, America. President George W. Bush has just buried your privacy and barred you from taking it back, in the name of security. Indeed, the terrorists have now truly won. With friends like the President, who needs Osama bin Laden?
rawdawgbuffalo
Jul 13, 2008
thats why i say america is not we the people but rather we the corporation and dont forget that homeland security is Plum foolish
GlenGary
Jul 17, 2008
You don’t really think you’re going to get the Constitution back without a bloody gun fight do ya?
Ideas are nice to speak of, but for the love of God prepare for the mechanics of it all.
Kevin Fields
Jul 20, 2008
“You don’t really think you’re going to get the Constitution back without a bloody gun fight do ya?”
You mean, we’re still going to be allowed to have guns to fight with?
Bob
Jul 22, 2008
What do you say to that Glen?
“We would have had a revolution but we couldn’t get the firearms permits and Mom said we had to be home for supper.”
We need a Freedom 101 course.
Shawn-Earnest
Jul 22, 2008
Well, enough said bravo… I will get back to this one! Nice!
JonTheSavage
Aug 04, 2008
Hey now, I’m from the south, MS to be exact. It was the NORTH that first owned, and brought slaves here. Lincoln was a slave owner, and a tyrant. The south paid slaves, even during the civil war. My family paid them $250 a month just to cook for 4 people, and gave one family 100 acres! That was like getting $150,000 a year compared to today’s standards. What did Lincoln do? Passed a proclamation that further oppressed the blacks. If anyone were slave drivers, it was the north.
Michael Hampton
Aug 04, 2008
Now there’s some truth to that. People in the North largely wanted to ignore the problem of slavery and hope it would go away.
You certainly had a very unusual family, then. Your typical male slave who hired out would have been paid about $125 to $150 per year and would have had to remit most of that to his master. Paying $250 a year (I presume you mistyped when you posted “$250 a month”; that would be far over the top) depends on how many slaves were in that family. It was probably typical as well.
Remember, in those days an ounce of gold was $20, or $20 was an ounce of gold.
As for Lincoln, he didn’t care one bit about the slaves or whether they should be freed. He was obsessed with keeping stitched together his precious Union. This is why our great-grandparents lived through a decade of military occupation.
I don’t know if the South will rise again, but I am determined that freedom will rise again.
JonTheSavage
Aug 04, 2008
It was a mistype, sorry, it was $240 a year. I meant to say year, not month.
Sniplet:
He was a doctor, and fell in Corinth, MS. As my g,g,g,g grandfather wrote, he stated that “we are fighting for the same cause as our forefathers”. That is what the war was about, and why the man the killed Lincoln (rightfully so), said “Sic Simper Tyrannis” And thus(death), unto tyrants.
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