The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

The Swiss proved that
diverse peoples and
language groups can
live peacefully
together by surviving
the dark days of
1940-41.
Walter Lippmann
Chapter 39 • Vultures, Beggars, Con Men, and Kings
243
beholden to special interest groups who profi t
from the fi ghting. They would choose war
when the average person might choose peace.
Governments in the 20th century killed more
citizens (170 million) than in all of history before.
How many offi cials who decided to wage war,
died in those wars? Do heads of state deserve
more protection than the ordinary citizen?
Beggars: Who benefi ts from the political
donation – the giver or the beggar? Is the
head of the donating country giving away
his countryman’s hard earned money to buy
support for himself? Do donations make the
citizens of the donating country feel superior?
Do the citizens of the begging country feel
inferior? Are the people of these countries made
powerless by wealth that is given to the ruling
party? Is the donating country perpetuating
poverty by encouraging corrupt and oppressive
governments? Are the rulers of these begging
countries directly responsible for their subjects’
poor conditions?
Con men: As with con artists, offi cials
fl atter the voters with words carefully crafted
by their public relations professionals. As with
con artists, they even begin to believe what they
say. Could this be the reason why they strut so
arrogantly as masters instead of humbly as the
public’s servants?
Is there a perfect system? Could there be such
a place where people use force only to defend
themselves against aggressors? Could there
be a place where people respect each other’s
freedom?
What is the answer?
Remarks
The condor adult eats up to three pounds of meat
a day, so people and other animals are kept safer
with the removal of carcases. It amazes many
people that it is important for condors to keep