Demystifying the State

The State -- sounds impressive, doesn't it? After all, we know you don't mess with the IRS, and that the State is powerful, full of people who possess power, wisdom and presitige -- if you don't believe it, go to Washington D.C. and just at those buildings! Watch an Inauguration. Go to court. Watch the reverence given to Presidents and Senators. Participate in a war.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not quite an anarchist. I'm what's called a minarchist -- someone who believes in a minimal, limited government whose duties entail policing, protecting the nation from foreign invasion and providing courts to handle disputes. All of these are important functions, but the elevation of the State to God-like heights is not something the Founders intended to happen.

Americans have a large task ahead of them -- demystifying the big S State, so that it becomes the little s state, with government in its proper place of service to the people. This task is gargantuan and it will take a herculean effort, because the State has become Leviathan -- you will notice that gargantuan, herculean and Leviathan are old, mythical words. It's the 21st century and we no longer need human-gods or -cracys of any type to guide us.

Some days when I deal with a few idiots, I wonder how far we've progressed, but when I look around at all the signs of great progress and give it deeper thought, I realize we have what it takes to be human -- free, responsible humans. Are there still bad guys around? Yes. Is there still ignorance and superstition? Yes. But, the difference is that now we know the glorious, wise, compassionate State is no different -- it's made up of fallible human beings. And, in recent years, with the system broken and the process so corrupt, government is attracting some of the most fallible and corrupt among us. It no longer makes any sense to elevate people in government just because they won an election.

Both conservatives who love institutions and tradition and liberals who've recently grown to love a powerful State will see this demystification as problematic, but is it true we should show unusal respect and awe for our institutions and traditions? Do we need a powerful state? On the first question I say -- only if they deserve respect. On the second part of the question, I say -- no.

The state should be regarded with scepticism, judged by an open but critical mind. Our government is designed to provide services we all need in common, and beyond that government is dangerous. No undeserved respect is justified, and deification is downright folly. The private sphere should be the realm of action, progress, greatness, compassion, innovation and power, but not power over others, rather the power of freedom to act as long as the action doesn't violate the rights of others. Many of the responsibilities we've turned over to the State are responsibilities 21st century society should take back. Our adolescence is over -- living responsibly and free is an adult activity. We know by now the dangers of profligacy, fraud, violence, irresponsibility, racism, sexism, any type of bias, prejudice or bigotry. We know how to research and get scientific facts regarding the environment in order to act and protect the world in which we live.

We don't need childish and adolescent myths, except as they enhance the spirit in a poetic fashion -- we need grown-up  being, reason, understanding and action based on what we know about human nature and the world around us, finding creative ways to live well and prosper with one another and with all other living creatures under the sun.

This is the premise of a book I'm writing. I'll keep the progress posted.