When I hear the arguments given by some for drug laws, gun regulation, or taxation I simply have to ask them, "Do you believe that the state derives its just powers only from the consent of the governed?" Typically, the answer is a resounding yes. My next question is this: How does one delegate a power or right one doesn't have? If you're perplexed, don't feel bad-most are when I ask this. But it's very simple: How does a government, (that allegedly 'represents' the people) have the ability to commit acts that you or I would never commit ourselves, let alone consider the idea of electing others to do it on our behalf?Laws against peaceful, consensual activity always seem to be in the news. Dianne Feinstein takes a hardline stance against marijuana law reform. Raids on raw milk distributors are a regular occurrence. Every little while a story breaks about another “family values” politician soliciting a prostitute who turns out to be an undercover cop.
A sizable share of people in the criminal justice system is made up of those who ran afoul of some law commanding “Touch not, taste not, handle not.”
If you support such laws, there is no ground on which you can consistently do so without believing that other people are your property, or are your inferiors and subject to your command.
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Center for a Stateless Society
Drew Martin,
Blogger, THL
Articles
