Your views call roughly the same amount of government with just a bit more liberty than we currently have in the
United States today. Your views are probably best served by a nearly equal
mix of Democrats and Republicans in the legislatures, as long as you choose the correct
Democrats and Republicans.
Or, if you want to make sure government shrinks a bit, you could throw
a few Libertarians
into the mix.
But just a few. The Libertarian Party calls for
radical cuts in government far beyond what you want.
Think of a tub of cold bathwater. To get it warm enough to be comfortable,
you can add scalding hot water to bring the temperature up to ideal.
Approximately 10% of the takers of this quiz scored in this area, 36% for all within
the centrist circle.
Balanced Approaches to Smaller Government
Here are some sites that offer some creative ways to cut excess government
while protecting and even extending the values that big government currently
serves.
media.
Freedom, equality, morality, nature,...these are all good things. All to often,
political debate rages over which is more important. Synergies get
overlooked. There is a better way,
holistic politics.
By looking at multiple values at the same time, it is possible to come up
with creative solutions for the world's problems,
solutions that make
all the factions more happy.
The rich are
Paid
to BE Rich.
This strikes many as unfair, and they advocate bigger government
to do something about it.
What they don't realize is that the government is doing much
of the paying. The old money rich are subsidized.
So I started this blog to expose the hidden subsidies -- without
the unnecessary conspiracy theories that usually accompany such
exposes.
Political Parties and Related Organizations
Economics
Regardless of your political values, economics is worth knowing...
Think economics is just about predicting interest rates? Think again!
Marginal Revolution is a very
interesting economics blog written by professors at George Mason University.
Eat the Rich by P.J. O'Rourke. A very funny survey of various
economic ideas, from around the world. On-the-spot coverage of the
consequences of various economic ideas, where they were applied.
In this one, O'Rourke plays fair, with chapters such as "Good Capitalism," "Bad Capitalism,"
"Good Socialism," and "Bad Socialism."
Hidden Order by David Friedman. A fun introduction
to economics. Will have you understanding non-obvious results from the first chapter.
Covers many unusual topics such as the economics of marriage, elections, and
checkout lines.
Free to Choose by Milton and Rose Friedman. A serious but
light survey of economic ideas and proposals by a Nobel Prize winner.
Very utilitarian, looks at ways to solve many social problems using economic
principles.
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley.
Who are these rich people, and how did they get that way?
The facts may surprise you. Important implications for public policy and
personal finance.
Some Fun Reading Related to Government
Child of Fortune, by Norman Spinrad.
Hippies in space. It's practically mandatory to be one—for a while.
Beautifully written, with several languages blended into English.
Besides being a great story, it is an in depth meditation on how to do away
with wage slavery. Fascinating ideas on career choice and
the ultimate welfare system.
Parliament of Whores by P.J. O'Rourke. A hilarious but
informative look at the workings of U.S. government.
(Avoid if you find the occasional four-letter word to be objectionable.)
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert A. Heinlein. Good
fiction for freedom lovers. This one turned me into an anarchist for about a
decade.
Alastor, by Jack Vance.
A collection of three light science fiction novels connected by the same broad background.
The third, "Wyst," is by far the best, and the one that is relevant. "Wyst" is a comedy
that takes place in something much closer to the Marxist ideal than was ever achieved
during the 20th century. Takes a fair look, both sympathetic and skeptical, towards a
true "Egalistic" society. The amusing characters and dialog alone make this well worth
reading.
