Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 7/1/84; site rlgvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!mcnc!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!rlgvax!plunkett From: plunkett@rlgvax.UUCP (S. Plunkett) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Libertarian position on certain 'laws' Message-ID: <26@rlgvax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 1-Aug-84 10:49:04 EDT Article-I.D.: rlgvax.26 Posted: Wed Aug 1 10:49:04 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 3-Aug-84 02:31:08 EDT References: <471@ccieng2.UUCP> Organization: CCI Office Systems Group, Reston, VA Lines: 52 [] A Libertarian taking his creed too seriously responds thusly to T.C. Wheeler's list of typical regulations and local ordinances that are pretty commonplace these days: (I condense to make the point) > >1. A regulation which prohibits the use of an unvented kerosene > > stove in an apartment or house. > > ..you could sue someone for operation of a kerosene stove.. > ..None of your business unless you can convice a court.. > > >4. A regulation which prohibits you from taking clams from designated > > waters. > > ..you can sue me.. > > >5. A rule which prohibts you from using your front or back yard > > to store junk automobiles. > > ..then [neighbors] have the right to sue you. > > >7. A law which prohibits door-to-door salesmen unless they have > > a license from the town. > > ..I can shoot him.. > > >9. A law that prohibits the use of fireworks. > > ..I could get a restraining order, sue, etc. > -- And so it goes. The Libertarian solution to permanent government regulation is: the court, or in the cases where a court cannot be accessed quickly, a gun. In the Libertarian Society everyone, therefore, will be a lawyer, (those unfortunate few failing the bar exam will take up gun dealerships), courts of law will be more common-place than post-boxes, and judgeships will be deemed the most boring job on earth ("Oh no! This is the fiftieth kerosene lamp case today! And it's only 10 A.M.!"). But I don't want to offend the Libertarian enthusiast: Your theories are interesting, and you are no doubt a great influence to counter the lunatics to the left. But that's all; don't ever think that a Libertarian Society would ever work in practice. It would be as big a failure as Bolshevism. -- Scott Plunkett, ..{umcp-cs,allegra,seismo}!rlgvax!plunkett