The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

588 THE FREEMAN Octobervoluntarily make choices and toorder his own life as he pleases,then he also must accept the consequencesof his personal conductand choice. He must be personallyaccountable for his use of the freedomwith which he is entrusted.This tenacious faith in freedomwas expressed in their determinationto create a constitutional republic- not a democracy - whichwould provide a maximum of freedomfor the individual and a minimurnof coercion in the hands ofthe government, only that amountneeded to prosecute the abusers offreedom. In this atmosphere of aminimum of force against men anda maximum of voluntary action, atremendous outburst of individualcreativity, ingenuity, and energyblessed America. The FoundingFathers adhered to the eternallaw that the blessings derivedfrom individual creativity andvoluntary association can never beharnessed by or replaced by governmentintervention.Freedom is for the individual.Freedom for government meansoppressive taxation and servitude.Freedom centers upon the individualand his inherent right topursue his own life without interferenceor coercion. If America isnot to deteriorate, we too mustplace the burden for constructivechange and harmony in our communitiesupon the freely-givenand.spontaneous love of the individual.Consider the followingmaxim: To the extent that wemake the State the mechanism forsocial and economic stability, wewill see a proportionate erosion ofthe political, economic, moral, andspiritual foundations of theUnited States.Coercive Reform MeasuresRather than Voluntary ActionRegrettably, the notion isspreading that government canalleviate social ills more effectivelythan can individuals workingspontaneously and voluntarily.Imagine the consternation at thefollowing proposition:Resolved: That the care of allAmerica's needy will be placed in thehands of private charity groups, thechurch, and the family - terminatingthe present governmental responsibilityand thus freeing the Americancitizen of a portion of his tax burdenpresently created by "welfare" programs.Such a proposal to abolish government-sponsoredwelfare wouldinvoke howls of righteous indignationand disbelief from thefaithless. Ask such a person if hewould willingly contribute to thesupport of his own parents in theirold age or contribute to a responsiblecharitable organization orhis church for the aid of those