A Letter to Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,
It is nice to know you are studying government.  It is a subject every freedom-loving person should study in great detail.  I feel it is very important to know all about government because it effects a large part of our lives.

In order to understand governments and the actions of its agents you must know one important fact.  All governments, federal, state or local share this common trait: they are coercive monopolies.  In other words they use force or the threat of force to win obedience.  To study government in action is to study how force is used to control your life.

A lot of people believe it is necessary for government to impose rules and regulations to control people.  However, our government was not formed to rule our lives.  Its only mission is to protect our freedom, not take it from us.  Allowing government to take control of our lives is an act of self-enslavement.  Individual self-control is the only acceptable restraint freedom-loving people should support.  In other words, if you want to be free, control yourself.  Don't allow others to do it for you!

So, Jennifer, while you are studying government and its representatives in action always keep that in mind.  No matter what government subject they may discuss with you, ask these simple questions:
1. Who will be forced to pay for this, or
2. Who will be forced to do something, or
3. Who will be forcibly prevented from doing something

As an example think of your own public education.  The 3 levels of government all heavily regulate your education.  As a tax payer I am forced to pay for your education even though I do not have any children nor do I approve of some of  the things you are taught.  I believe your education should be totally unregulated.  Without government regulation the free market would supply a much greater variety of education.  Your parents would be free to choose the education that reflects their values.  I would not be forced to pay for your education, but, I would be free to support it if I chose.

The ideas I express here will not be taught at any level of your education.  Why is this so?  The answer is simple.  Government controls your education and will oppose any threat to its power.  If you are taught to think for yourself and learn self-control you will no longer have any need of government. The thinking person is a government's greatest enemy.  It is in government's greatest interest to keep you under control and not allow opposing views to be presented.

If you would like to know more about the other side of government,  I invite you to continue your correspondence with me.  If, however, you feel my point of view is wrong I invite you to prove it to me.

This brings me to my last point.  Since 50% of my income is taken from me to support countless unconstitutional government programs, I do not have any funds left to help with your school project.

Yours truly,
Ralph