Posted by 2004 Libertarian Party presidential candidate Michael Badnarik at Liberty for All:
I am often asked what people can do on an individual level to restore Liberty in this country. My recommendation doesn’t cost any money, however it is very difficult for some people to do. My advice is to start thinking for yourself. Stop asking the government for permission to do everything in your life.
We have been programmed all of our lives to be submissive to authority. As children we are “well behaved” when we do what our parents tell us to do. Often the only justification we are given is “because I’m the Mommy, that’s why!” When we’re old enough to attend school, we are instructed to sit quietly; ask for permission to visit the bathroom; and walk quietly down the hall in single file. When we’re old enough to drive we must follow the police officer’s instructions. We learn very quickly that questioning his or her authority always results in negative consequences. We graduate from college and begin our first real job. The department manager assumes vast control over our daytime lives, giving us tasks to accomplish, demanding reports on our progress, and evaluating our performance from time to time. Our financial status is directly related to how well we take orders from authority. We even have to grovel in order to take time off from work, especially if it is unexpected.
It is little wonder therefore, that our politicians and legislators automatically assume the authority to control our lives in countless ways. And it is little wonder that we automatically comply with their demands without question. We take it for granted that we have to get a drivers license, a marriage license, a concealed carry permit, or a building permit. To paraphrase a popular movie, “We don’t need no stinkin’ permits!”
Where did Hunnicutt run to?
I think he’s paraphrasing the newer version of that, from Blazing Saddles.
Mr. Michael Badnarik, you need to learn to respect authority. The correct line of Alfonso Bedoya (old Hat) is as follows:
“Badges? We ain’t got no badges! We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinking badges!”
Authority: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Treasure_of_the_Sierra_Madre_(film)
I was happy to see that Badnarik finally weighed in on the scam-artist we now know as Linda Hunnicutt, aka the Granny Warrior:
http://eco2.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/i-tried-warning-you-people-linda-hunnicutt-the-granny-warrior-is-a-scam-artist/
Terrific essay, Michael! This deserves to be reprinted in LP News or sent out as a “Monday Message”.
Libertarians tend to be pretty good at identifying authoritarianism in the *public policy* realm, but sometimes I think we don’t pay enough attention to authoritarian thinking, as it manifests in day-to-day life. For instance, most people *still* supposedly will believe the word of a government police officer over that of an average citizen (or so those who work with juries tell me), even though they may “know” that government as an institution is riddled with lies, corruption, and arrogance.
Your point relating this phenomenon to peer pressure is excellent as well. Too many people worry about what the neighbors think, indeed! Or what the public in general will think (e.g. letting one’s positions be determined by poll results).
Challenging authority is often a risky business, but it’s indispensable to the success of the freedom movement. We should honor those who stick their necks out for the cause as the heroes they are. Your refusal to carry a driver’s license was an example of this kind of heroism, and I’m delighted to see that having the higher profile of being a Libertarian presidential candidate hasn’t muddled your thinking on these types of issues. You make me proud to have been able to vote for you in 2004! Keep up the good work.