Kerry Lutz's--Financial Survival Network

Dr. Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institue and Doug Casey of Casey Research joined me today for a lively discussion about the need for government and why it always turns out wrong. Amazingly, these two prominent advocates of personal freedom have never met before. They vehemently disagreed on the possibiliteis of an anarchical society; Doug believes it's the only sensible way for people to co-exist, and Yaron believes it's a sure pathway to tyranny. The discussion then turned to the state's monopoly on force, where Doug's belief is this inevitably leads to grave injustice, and Yaron insists force be taken away from the individual and put into the state's hands with tight controls.

There was clearly no winner or loser in this debate. And there is probably no correct answer to whether or not we can exist without some form of government. The controversy over governmental control and powers has been shifted to a whole new level. It is no longer a question of right versus left, or limited government over leviathan government. It is now an existential issue, should there be a governmental at all? If this question is answered in the affirmative, then it becomes a matter of what powers should government be imbibed with.

The debate will continue, and we hope to see Doug and Yaron face to face at Freedom Fest, Las Vegas for a more in depth view of what will become the issue of our time. 

Please send your questions/comments to KL@KerryLutz.com or call us at 347-460-Lutz.

We all know that every level of government is broke and that in a vicious effort at self-preservation, they will stop at nothing to keep the game going. New York State and New York City have been masters of this game for decades. Visit New York City, and you’ll be hit with the full force of the law, regardless how trivial your offense. Yesterday, one of Mayor Michael “Nanny” Bloomberg’s boys in blue hit me with a ticket for the egregious offense of holding a cellphone in my hand while driving. When the officer approached the car and asked what I was doing with the cellphone, I informed him, “I’m talking to Siri.” Alas this was no excuse, since merely holding any electronic device in one’s hand is now grounds to receive a $150 ticket and 3 points on your driving record. Intent to violate the law is no longer required.

There’s never been any finding that someone who merely holds a cellphone or other electronic device in their hand is any more likely to have an auto accident as someone who’s holding a cup of coffee or a lipstick. Increased risk and threat to public safety is merely a justification for ever more intrusive and burdensome laws. And of course there’s the revenue side of the ledger. Millions of dollars will flow to Albany and New York City’s coffers as a result.

So it’s the citizen be damned. Your purpose is merely that of a milk cow, being constantly squeezed to produce ever more revenue and sustenance for a government that knows no bounds. New York, in its glory days was once known as the Empire State. Now it has simply become an empire of corrupt, inefficient, exploitative, rapacious government. For some reason I don’t think that’s what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they created a constitution that gave the government limited powers and sought to insure individual rights.

Please send your questions/comments to KL@KerryLutz.com or call ur at 347-460-LUTZ.