Getting pissed again. Rant warning
Posted by IndependentName9@reddit | Libertarian | View on Reddit | 38 comments
I've sort of taken a break from politics for a while. Kind of gave up hope after the Ron Paul era and Gary Johnson disappointment. Back then I was single & no children. Just recently I started listening to some libertarian podcasts again on my long commute. It made me realize I had become tolerant with giving the government a large portion of my money. It took having kids to get pissed again. I started thinking today. These POS are not just stealing from me. These MF'ers are stealing from my children. They are taking food from my children's mouth. While they get fat and rich and kill innocent people overseas with the money they stole from us.
My wife's from the Ukraine, it took a while to explain to her why Im not very patriotic. Why I don't really celebrate July 4th, why you won't see the American flag in our home or anything I own. ( I don't judge anyone that does) But it just reminds me of our government. It reminds me of how terrible our government is and how unfree we are. I still love a lot of the people here and the land and our culture. But I hate our government. You can love your country, but hate your government. The flag represents our government to me. I feel nothing but pissed when seeing current flag blowing in the wind.
Rant over. Sorry if I broke any group rules posting this. Sorry for grammatical errors.
nonoohnoohno@reddit
Just a minor point, but maybe one that'll make a positive difference.
I absolutely hate the US federal government as well. But I love my country. I love my countrymen. And I love the flag... I instead look at it as a symbol of the Constitution and the ideals upon which this nation was formed.
I view it as aspirational.
I raise my sons to be patriotic, freedom loving, upstanding, contributing members of society. And in the middle of all of that is the American flag as a symbol of who we are and what we value.
random, related p.s.: Scouting is a great way, particularly for your kids, to experience patriotism and learn to value these things too.
Delicious-Act5233@reddit
This right here. Absolutely beautifully said and mentioned. I believe libertarians and independent thinking individuals from all countries definitely think similar or the same on this matter. You can criticize your government but still love your country, origin and your countrymen and their flags.
enkill76@reddit
Your anger is a result of what the socialists/communists have done to our country through the 2 approved parties of deception
SCB024@reddit
I agree 100%. You said it much more eloquently than I did in my post.
Antaresdescorpii@reddit
Best comment, as an immigrant I despise most of the federal government, but I freaking love America, people, culture, freedom, what it represents. The bill of rights is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, I love Thomas Jefferson and B Franklin, other fathers not so much xD
CoozyBoozy@reddit
As much as I agree with you, I’ve found after traveling extensively and living in third world countries, that even though things seem bad, it’s nowhere near as bad as some of the shit I’ve seen.
People without legs walking on a dirty street, bare stump. Cops extorting people openly, human traffic victims in public.
buchenrad@reddit
It's not wrong to want to improve your own situation just because others have it worse.
Hrimnir@reddit
Yep, people need perspective BIG TIME.
That doesn't mean you stop fighting, but having conniption fits doesn't help either.
Also, you can be patriotic without supporting the insane shit our government does. A nation is a nation of people, not of bureaucrats.
jergentehdutchman@reddit
Conversely it is a good idea to visit some places that do things very well to get an idea of things that can be done better. Seeing the Nordic infrastructure, Canadian nature or Asian tech can give some perspective in the opposite way. It’s always good to not remain complacent and strive for something better.
Snoop771@reddit
Not disagreeing with you about how bad things can be in third world countries, but should this really be the bar we measure ourselves against?
IndependentName9@reddit (OP)
It should not. There should be no comparing the US to third world countries because the history and EVERYTHING is different. Not sure why it was brought up? I have heard it many times even way back it grade school. " Hey , don't like it here? Trying living in Sudan" If anything those examples would be proving authoritarian regimes and war mongering is bad.
Commercial-Wrap8277@reddit
And also America is made up of flawed people just like everywhere else in the world
xrp10000@reddit
I’ve never liked the arguments that imply just because someone has it worse I should count my lucky stars and shut up, as if I can’t be thankful for what I do have while trying to improve my condition at the same time.
IndependentName9@reddit (OP)
This %,100. "Look at Africa. Shut up and pay your taxes and be happy."
Skolary@reddit
If you live in an area where you can go to/from the grocery story and not actively have to look out for being kidnapped or robbed in one way or another — it’s easy to forget that this is actually a luxury.
MilesJ392@reddit
I credit our culture, local and state governments for the relative domestic safety and security. Our federal government, though, undermines it by over taxing people, wasting that money overseas, allowing immense graft and corruption. I don't think OP hates his town council, local sheriff, or state legislature, just the federal government.
Anen-o-me@reddit
Then visit Tokyo and see a place better than the US.
WookieesGoneWild@reddit
I haven't beeeen there, but from what I understand it's great for visitors but not so great for people that live there. Horrible work-life balance, terrible sexism and racism, socially oppressive culture.
FieryTeaBeard@reddit
Tokyo: smaller living space per person, less expected amenities provided through society. The society frowns on expressing divergent opinions and society is still very community driven. I'm not sure I see your point.
Anen-o-me@reddit
I was comparing the metrics you used. High morality, cops won't extort you, streets far cleaner than the US, etc.
dankbuddha0420@reddit
This part. The usa aint great, but it sure as hell could be 100x times worse
IndependentName9@reddit (OP)
I agree with you both. But the US would be a hell of a lot better without government over reach. US is not more comfortable than third world countries because of the government and taxes. Third world countries are not worse because they are more "free". We can agree on the statements you just made and I just made and completely agree on everything.
SCB024@reddit
The flag represents all the libertarian and American ideals that make America currently great and could lead to it being much greater.
At least, that's what it represents to me.
CalligrapherOther510@reddit
I cringe at the country first stuff too the truth is you don’t choose where your born and to believe one country is the greatest in the world is saying apples are the best fruit ever, it’s childish and animalistic pack like behavior that just gets shoved down your throat.
IndependentName9@reddit (OP)
Yes! Exactly this. When I visit family in more rural towns , it's like expected to have the American flag on the house , car, and maybe even your skin. I care that our country is good and free. But I want this for all people of the world as well.
CalligrapherOther510@reddit
Ironically a lot of this American exceptionalism stuff has roots in the left because leftists are for communalization and the greater good before the individual like the pledge of allegiance was created by a Socialist and a lot the Military-Industrial welfare complex rose up because of FDR’s Socialist New Deal and his Keynesian militarism and the idea that wars create jobs, which Hitler also believed in.
The constitution is a beautiful document as is the Declaration of Independence the founding fathers weren’t American exceptionalists or nationalists, they were ideological philosophers putting theory to action not spouting blind loyalty to flags and figures. They were critical thinkers and intellectuals and that’s what truly made America a great country.
Commercial-Wrap8277@reddit
The American values and the government are two separate things
4510471ya2@reddit
Love your country, and hate your government. Pretty much all the symbols we have as a nation are special as the entirety of our history has been trailblazed by individuals working toward what they think to be a good cause. Idiots over the last century have really put us on the road to hell, but hating the government is the solution. If enough of us really hate how things are and we work in unison we can change the country for the better.
The left hates our country and loves our government their out group bias is so strong that they want the US to dissolve into a mess where no distinguishable culture is left and nothing sacred is left to tread upon.
The largely complicity right has some good actors but can't be fully entrusted with the weight of reforming our nation.
The future of this nation will be forged through long boring fights on the judicial and state levels with the federal level probably being the last thing we will have to fight. We will have to time our fights and choose our struggles as half our nation and most of the world would love to see our imperfect nation crumble. The world loves to rag about how shitty our country is, but the US is really the last nation where the citizens can fight back with a modicum of the force our rulers can exert upon us. Hong Kong fell like a sand castle to a small wave, and all the EU has become a hellscape of authoritarian tendencies. We are the only ones who can set the example. We can do it! We just need a bit more people to understand the evils they are being implicated in, we just need more people to shed their apathy and adorn pride in where we came from and where we can lead the world to. The revolutionary war sparked a trend toward liberty and the time will come soon where we have to shine that light on the world again.
IndependentName9@reddit (OP)
Well said. Thank you very much. Are we not too far f*cked? Rand Paul pleaded on the floor to cut spending when and not gaining much support from fellow Republicans when MANY people were supporting the DOGE efforts
4510471ya2@reddit
The first thing our representatives should have in their minds is their constituents. We are not too far gone to scare the ever living shit out of them, J6 was a good reminder that these people aren't untouchable they just have to remember that. One thing that smarter people don't realize that even if the contents are important marketing the issue is more important, that's why talking to people who will listen on these issues is probably the best effort.
I wouldn't say we are too fucked, if we were too fucked these idiots in power would at least have the decency to cover their shit, but they don't and people are pissed for it. Even Trump's trade war is a great example of how the consolidation of power to the executive branch is unsustainable and no matter the result divesting powers of the branches to their rightful places can only net a positive.
I think a very easy way of correcting the system for the mean time would be implementing an at will policy. This would probably be easier than setting term limits cause its more convoluted tbh. We would pretty much double the number of elections for the same positions in office. This would mean that it would be more effort to keep your candidate in power, and the number of elections would mean that advantages of longer extremely well funded campaigns would be some what nullified. The taxing effect of having to show up to vote every 4-6 months would also mean that only constituents who care enough to show up would actually show up. Shortened terms would make government work gain a reputation as unreliable so those who want to serve their country would be better incentivized.
Imagine on a local level you get a big report on how your rep has been taking bribes from big oil and you can vote them out the next day instead of waiting 2 years.
Being at the wrath of the people is what our current government needs to feel. Government employment should be stressful underpaid, and barely worth it. We need patriots leading not people looking for an easy life.
xrp10000@reddit
I would agree that the reps should be thinking more about their constituents. One thing I’ve grown tired of hearing is the phrase, “our leaders.” By definition a representative is not a leader. Too many reps think their job is to do what they think is best, not what their constituents think is best. Back when the Obamacare bill was about to be voted on I saw someone ask a dem NY rep, I think it was, if he would vote no on Obamacare if it was what his constituents wanted, and he said, “No, because I think this is what’s best for them.” Even if I was a NY dem who was in favor of Obamacare I would have been thinking that guy needs to go! Imagine an ambassador telling a president he would be willing to act against the president if he thought it was in the president’s best interests.
absolutebrightness@reddit
When you start thinking like that, ask yourself: Is there any place in the world, past or present, that has or is truly “libertarian” and is worth living in - where you have penultimate (negative and positive) freedom?
absolutebrightness@reddit
Is there any place in the world, past or present, that has or is truly “libertarian” and is worth living in - where you have penultimate (negative and positive) freedom?
Cooscoe@reddit
Too really be liberated, people need to free themselves from the framework and reliance on money as their driving goal. The whole libertarian right just never really lines up because capital requires a central gov entity, libertarian left is what really aligns better together.
IndependentName9@reddit (OP)
I agree with you philosophically. This is why I tuned out when I was single and only worried about myself. Then I was not reliant on money and tolerant of the Government taking 30% +. Unfortunately I am responsible for more people now. Money is food, money is shelter. & The Government is taking way too much without my approval. I do believe happiness should be the driving goal for life. But not relying on money as a driving goal doesn't permit government taking it. I do wish I could live comfortably with out it mainly so I wouldn't have to pay the government
in-a-microbus@reddit
How do you disappoint all libertarians with just one leppo?
WindBehindTheStars@reddit
You can't fool me; it's a type of peppercorn.
RJYoung69@reddit
To quote Bill Clinton (with apologies!), "I feel your pain." Hang in there, my friend!