The Biggest Conflict of Interest

There must be thousands of discrete subjects of political conflict. For example, some people want the government to give some of their tax money to Israel, whereas others do not; some want the government to outlaw certain kinds of drug use, whereas others do not; some want the government to subsidize certain religious organizations, such as Catholic Charities, whereas others do not; some want the government to subsidize farmers, failing businesses, and allegedly promising high-tech industries, whereas others do not; and so forth ad infinitum. How many understand that every one of these political conflicts could be resolved once and for all simply by abolishing the state? No state, no struggle to control state policies and actions. It really is that simple. One of the state's fatal flaws is its enforcement of one-size-fits-all policies, notwithstanding the great diversity of wishes among the citizenry. Place all desirable state functions (if any exist) in the private sphere, and entrepreneurs will be happy to cater to a variety of consumer desires just as they already do where free markets are permitted to operate. Of course, if what you want from the state is armed aggression, extortion and robbery, or violent annihilation of those who disagree with your preferences, the market solution cannot help you. For genuine exploitation, oppression, and collective punishment (up to and including omnicide), you really do need the STATE. — Robert Higgs We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace. — William Gladstone (1809-1898)