A lady by the name of Jilletta Jarvis is running for Governor of NH and had a Letter to the Editor printed in the Concord Monitor (I do have to give credit to our local Pravda in doing so for a person completely antithetical to their political stances). In it I read no real surprises – I am quite familiar with most of the Libertarian philosophy and agree with a lot of it, mostly, and some not at all.
I’ve copied the full Letter after the jump if you are so inclined (go ahead, you know you want to!). What was surprising was not its content but with the vehemence those commenters I would place in the Statist / Democrat / Progressive / Socialist / Communitarian side of the aisle with which they ripped into her for absolutely no reason and no evidence with which to back up their vitriol. Consider them kneejerk reactions with spikes attached to their knees; how DARE anyone just want to be left alone and participate in “group” activities only when they wish to!
I’ve also included the comments fully after the Letter but I wanted to bring them center stage. These people have NO tolerance for anyone not of their own groupthink and have no problem in making that clear; an example from former ‘Grok commenter “Hunter Dan” (Dan Williams, a teacher, who I banned a while ago) showing right from the get-go how the Statist thinks. Tell me, how did he go from her Letter to what he expressed in his comment?
Dan Williams
Sorry Jilletta – NH doesn’t need or want your ignorant, greedy, selfish ideas and your cherry-picking from our founding documents to suit your personal agenda. YOU LOSE!
And current commenter, Bruce Currie, had this to say:
Bruce Currie
Paula Werme An “inconvenience”? That’s not what Dan said. Glibertarians put their own unique spin on readings of the Constitution, which despite their self-serving claims to the contrary, is hardly the transparent document they claim. It was not written to support the self-centered fetishizing of the individual at the expense of the common good that glibertarians espouse.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 2, 2017 4:11am
Ah, Dan could tell that Jilletta is ignorant, greedy, and selfish just from that Letter. Gosh, I’ve read that several times over and I can’t fathom how he gets from Point A to Point Pluto. Is it selfish to be able to make one’s own decisions? How does “greedy” play into not wanting Government make decisions instead of us for ourselves? What is wrong with the notion of being Free, of Freedom as a notion or in actuality?
What we are seeing here from both Dan and Bruce is that the common good trumps anything or anyone else – communitarianism on steroids. Put another way, the Individual MUST give way to the Group. Or put a better way, The State is more important than the Individual. How DARE anyone hold to anything different.
And these were just the first two comments. Both also make the unsupported statements that Libertarians “read into” the Constitution things that are not there – but do not substantiate their claims. I’d really like to know what the parts are and how Libertarians “pervert” it as in my readings, it turns out that I’ve had to readjust my thinking on the Constitution and what the Founders were trying to create.
And then a lady named Sandra Morrison (yes, from previous comments, she is quite the Lefty) really goes off the deep end with a smear and a slam:
Sandra Morrison
Sorry, I do not support the Free State Project. More radical than the left is. Geez, can we get some structure and balance in the picture!! No, I absolutely will not join you. N.H. is backwards enough already and sure does not need to slide further.
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 2, 2017 5:39am · Edited
Well, isn’t that just a dandy outlook on a State you live in? Nice to see we are “backwards” simply because we don’t wish to be part of the Progressive herd. I don’t know about you, but while I moved to NH simply for a job, I grew to love it because it ISN’T like any of the other States I’ve been to. Yet, Sandra et al wish to do exactly that – turn us into just yet another Socialist State. It is also clear she has assumptions about others that don’t think or believe as she does as this next exchange shows. Here, clearly shown, is Progressive projection – accusing others of a stereotype that she herself is showing:
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
I am not a member of the Free State Project.
Like · Reply · 8 · Nov 3, 2017 9:57am
Sandra Morrison
Jilletta Jarvis If you are a Libertarian you are a supporter of the free state movement because most of them are Libertarians.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 10:10am
And this is typical of most Progressives – they conflate the two and then disparage both. And look – a mandatory “shove” into a community (the FSP project). Again, they just can’t conceive that someone just wishes to stand alone.
And of course, Bruce piles in and agrees with Sandra, emulating what the Democrats used to with “TEA Party” back in the day – anyone that disagreed with them HAD to be an extremist TEA Partier – even those that had never been to a TEA Party event. It’s an easy way out of what must be a mind-numbing sensation of “what, they believe differently?”. And are immediately seen to be an existential threat to their Statist worldview.
I’m going to stop the mini-fisking here – you can read them for yourself. What I think, however, is the worst example is summed up by this line:
If one really looks into what libertarians believe, it can be summed up as: “I’ve got mine. I want more. Taxes are slavery. Screw the rest of you.”
Closed minds – and makes it clear that there can be NO common ground with Progressives. Frankly, I blame them for the ever-widening schism between us all.
************
The Letter (emphasis mine):
My Turn: What ‘Live Free or Die’ means to me
By JILLETTA JARVIS
For the MonitorThursday, November 02, 2017We live in the “Live Free or Die” state, and that means different things to different people.
I love my state. The people here are strong-willed, independent in spirit and mind, and not willing to take “guff” from anyone. Do we have our problems? Yes, everyone does. But we are willing to roll up our sleeves and deal with those problems. From writing letters to our representatives, to standing in the pouring rain to protest an injustice, to getting on a plane to help those in need, you will find New Hampshire there. We are competitive and hard-working. We don’t expect something for nothing. We are proud of our accomplishments. We are New Hampshire.
So, what does it mean to “Live Free or Die” to me specifically? It means that the people in my state should be allowed to make choices for themselves and their families. To have that freedom to decide where my money goes and who I support (businesses, charities, political figures, sports teams, celebrities, etc.). It means making the choices that affect my family without the government telling me what those choices must be. It means being able to walk down the street and say hello to random people I’ve never met before and having them say hello back to me because neither of us fear each other.
It means driving down the highway with my seatbelt on because I made the personal choice to do so, not because a government told me I had to. It means having a government that is run by the people, not by the upper 1 percent who don’t care what the average person wants. It means doing whatever I can to make sure that others have these same freedoms. It’s supporting my neighbors’ right to disagree with me, their right to shoot off fireworks on a Friday night.
With freedom comes responsibility.
We have lost many of our freedoms over time and more are being restricted. It is important for us all to respect one another’s rights instead of just wanting what benefits us individually. We must remember that every right we restrict is one step further away from our state and federal constitutions. We must also remember that our elected officials change each time we vote. You may trust the current administration to protect a right when they pass a law, but will you trust the next administration to uphold the same way? Each time a right is restricted in some manner with a law this is something you should think about before agreeing or disagreeing with it. I prefer not to pass laws that conflict with our constitutional rights, and here in New Hampshire I believe that I am not alone in this.
New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die mentality cries out for independent choice and thought. Most of New Hampshire still participates in town hall meeting forms of government – a wonderful tradition that allows us to participate in what happens in our communities.
New Hampshire is a wonderful state, and when our Founding Fathers first looked upon this area they knew this was a place for the independent family to grow unfettered by corruption and regulation of their every move. I would like to keep it that way. Will you join me?
(Jilletta Jarvis of Sandown is a Libertarian candidate for governor.)
Dan Williams
Sorry Jilletta – NH doesn’t need or want your ignorant, greedy, selfish ideas and your cherry-picking from our founding documents to suit your personal agenda. YOU LOSE!
Like · Reply · 2 · Nov 2, 2017 3:16am
Paula Werme · Aspiring vagrant at Self-Employed
And the truth comes out for one liberal? The Constitution is an inconvenience? We can move to straight up socialism if we just got rid of the pesky thing? I didn’t read anything in this column to support your attack.
Like · Reply · 8 · Nov 2, 2017 3:58am
Bruce Currie
Paula Werme An “inconvenience”? That’s not what Dan said. Glibertarians put their own unique spin on readings of the Constitution, which despite their self-serving claims to the contrary, is hardly the transparent document they claim. It was not written to support the self-centered fetishizing of the individual at the expense of the common good that glibertarians espouse.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 2, 2017 4:11am
Rick Notkin · Needham High School
Dan: “greedy”? I must have missed that. Making decisions that affect your life is greedy?
Like · Reply · 8 · Nov 2, 2017 5:25am
Linda Mongan
Bruce Currie
Dems do not have their own spin on the Constituition Bruce?
Like · Reply · 5 · Nov 2, 2017 6:09am
Dan Williams
Paula Werme READING COMPREHENSION! I never said that the Constitution is an unconvinced. My point was that Libertarian’s cherry-picking minutiae out of it to support their ideas while completely ignoring entire swaths of it is an all-to-frequent occurrence and very dangerous for our nation.
Like · Reply · Nov 2, 2017 1:01pm
Patricia Snyder
Paula Werme You obviously are not a follower of Trump. There is no one that cares less or knows less about the Constituion than he does. .
Like · Reply · 2 · Nov 2, 2017 5:09pm
Bruce Currie
WM Bunker “WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness….” Note the use of the word “among” in the Declaration of Independence.
Like · Reply · Nov 2, 2017 7:12pm
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
Dan Williams Thank you for your honest thoughts. I’m not sure what Libertarians you have spoken to and I’m sorry for your notions of “all libertarians”. I try not to judge all people based on their party because we all have crazy people who don’t represent our beliefs in our parties. What can you do? Anyway…I do believe in our State Constitution. We have an amazing document here in NH that clearly spells out the government’s roll. It is here to protect life, property, and the equal pursuit of happiness. I don’t believe that the government should be overreaching, overtaxing, or that it should not be held accountable for not upholding these basic guidelines. I am not re-interpretting the constitution in my write-up of what this state means to me. I am giving my honest feedback on the state motto.
Like · Reply · 9 · Nov 3, 2017 9:56am
Spencer Dias
Cherry picking, eh? Ignorant? Greedy? She wants people to make decisions for themselves instead of a government. Individuality is a concept that is under threat. It’s a concept that is near and dear to the hearts of Americans and Granite Staters alike. Greedy are those who use government to seek their beliefs be imposed onto others.
Like · Reply · 9 · Nov 3, 2017 10:41am
Dan Williams
Jilletta Jarvis OK, let’s try this again: Are you . . . 1) Pro-choice? 2) Pro-gay marriage? 3) Pro-environment? 4) Pro-union?
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 3, 2017 3:35pm
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
Dan Williams I believe that abortion is something that should be between the mother, father and medical professionals. I could not have one, but I don’t believe a politician should be making that choice for anyone.. I am pro-gay marriage. All people should be treated equally. I am pro-environment. I believe that protecting the environment is protecting the lives of the people who live on it. I have no issues with unions, I see their benefit in some industries. I do have some issues with some union leadership that take union dues but do not do anything for their members. I do not believe that taxpayers should foot the bill for anyone’s abortion. I don’t think that taxpayers should pay for anyone’s wedding. I don’t think that people should be forced to join a union (but as there is a federal law around how businesses deal with unions this one has to be addressed at the federal level).
Like · Reply · 7 · Nov 3, 2017 5:39pm
Loren Scott
Dan, you don’t speak for anyone but yourself…
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 11:17am
Loren Scott
Jilletta Jarvis Dan hasn’t spoken to any Libertarians…
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 6, 2017 11:18am
Edward Smith
Yes, yes, yes, you being able to be a candidate is one of the reasons I moved to NH as part of the Free State Project. You make so many good points, one of my favorites is that an elected official may change in the future and act differently under a law that was passed today. This is something the Left is learning about allowing Executive Orders to thrive..
Like · Reply · 13 · Nov 2, 2017 4:25am
Sandra Morrison
Sorry, I do not support the Free State Project. More radical than the left is. Geez, can we get some structure and balance in the picture!! No, I absolutely will not join you. N.H. is backwards enough already and sure does not need to slide further.
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 2, 2017 5:39am · Edited
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
I am not a member of the Free State Project.
Like · Reply · 8 · Nov 3, 2017 9:57am
Sandra Morrison
Jilletta Jarvis If you are a Libertarian you are a supporter of the free state movement because most of them are Libertarians.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 10:10am
Leslee Ann Bagdonas · Barista at Starbucks
That’s not how that works. Jilletta is a Libertarian, not a member of the Free State Project, you don’t have to support the FSP to be a Libertarian, they are far from inclusive to each other.
Like · Reply · 10 · Nov 3, 2017 10:29am
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
Sandra Morrison Actually many FSP members are Republicans and Democrats. There are currently around 40(?) sitting representatives in both of these parties taht are FSP members. Of the 3 sitting Libertarians, 0 are FSP members.
Like · Reply · 5 · Nov 3, 2017 10:31am
Spencer Dias
Sandra Morrison that’s not how it works. Free Staters are independent of the party and have different values. I know the state party and Jilletta, they are both for the people.
Like · Reply · 5 · Nov 3, 2017 10:42am
Jennifer Duquette · Works at Younique Independent Representative
Being a Libertarian doesn’t automatically mean you’re involved with the Free State Project. There are many Libertarians who aren’t a part of it.
Like · Reply · 7 · Nov 3, 2017 11:39am
Bruce Currie
Leslee Ann Bagdonas It’s a distinction without a difference.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 3, 2017 2:04pm
Sandra Morrison
Bruce Currie Exactly!!!
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 2:09pm
Bruce Currie
Leslee Ann Bagdonas It’s a distinction without a difference. Libertarianism is a kind of permanent adolescence, which this quote speaks to: “There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs”.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 2:10pm
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
Bruce Currie I do believe there is a distinction. I believe in the Libertarian Party because their platform states that all people are equal. It states that government should be here to protect life, property, and your equal opportunity to pursue happiness. It states that people have the right to have a voice in their government. I don’t judge every person by another other person in their party. I judge every candidate based on their own platform as no person is exact to their party’s platform. Even I have some differences from my own party platform. If you don’t like my stances on issue…See More
Like · Reply · 6 · Nov 3, 2017 5:48pm
Bruce Currie
Jilletta Jarvis For those in the FSP, affiliation with one of the major parties is strictly a “flag of convenience” issue, and frankly, an act of subterfuge.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 8:11pm
Linda Mongan
Bruce Currie
Disagree Bruce. Take Religion for example. Many do not practice all the tenets. Plenty of Christians are pro choice just as plenty of Muslims do not practice Sharia. Same with politics. Not all Dems are pro Big Government, are fiscally responsible and anti gun. Not all Reps are pro lifers or being the world police.
We had 8 years of both parties accusing groups of folks for the actions of a few. People are ususally in the center in my opinion, all want the same thing and are not as dumb as the pols who preach their BS to them think.
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 4, 2017 7:40am
Loren Scott
Bruce Currie false.
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 11:20am
William Politt
Just a small reminder, folks: Everybody lives downstream (downwind) from a libertarian. Extreme ‘property rights’ are an article of their faith, superseding our right to be free of the runoff or other emissions from their property.
If one really looks into what libertarians believe, it can be summed up as: “I’ve got mine. I want more. Taxes are slavery. Screw the rest of you.” Hell of a way to organize a civilization, I say.
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 2, 2017 5:48am
William Politt
WM Bunker, again peering into the wrong end of the telescope. I understand that under a government that reflects our best, most humane values I will end up paying more in taxes. Well entrenched in the 99%, I still consider myself well-off. I’ll only remind you that during the Eisenhower (no socialist, he) administration the top marginal tax rate was 90%, and the country did just fine. Our parents built the Interstate Highway system and had a sense of common values and common goals that continued pretty much until LBJ cracked the consensus with his Viet Nam policies, Nixon shatteered it wit…See More
Like · Reply · 2 · Nov 3, 2017 2:29pm · Edited
William Politt
WM Bunker, it’s time for you to go back to school. Seriously! NOBODY paid 90% of their total income – nobody! A reader who actually reads would have seen ‘marginal tax rate’. A reader who comprehends would know what it means.
Like · Reply · Nov 2, 2017 1:06pm
William Politt
WM Bunker, Yup, I read that entire article; and nowhere does it state that anybody will ever pay 90% of their income in tax. Quick, without looking in a dictionary or economics text: what does ‘marginal’ mean? Clearly you have no idea, even though marginalism has been a cornerstone of economics since 1890. Not a new concept, is it?
Like · Reply · Nov 2, 2017 4:39pm
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Linda Mongan
I actually thought this letter was pretty good in regards to choice, responsibility and the role govt should play in our lives be it state or federal.
When success is deemed as evil, when responsibility is deemed as being hateful or bigoted, we pretty much have lost the ability to fix anything. The left have made it very clear that they want Socialism. Never discuss what that will result in, by looking at countries that have gone that route. They also believe that the Dem Party looks out for them and will provide, is not corrupt and is honest with them. They ignore reality. The more power govt gains, the less freedoms you have. One by one that powerful govt will in fact dictate what rights you are allowed.
Dan, this letter was not greedy, selfish or ignorant because you disagree with her views. You disputed nothing she stated.
Like · Reply · 5 · Nov 2, 2017 5:55am
William Politt
Linda, one point will suffice, if you care to think about it. President Eisenhower was no liberal, and only the craziest of the crazies (John Birch Society) would ever claim that he thought success to be evil. Yet during his presidency the top marginal income tax rate was 90%. Successful people continued to be successful, and the country had the resources for such things as the Interstate Highway system. And the nation finally came face to face and began to deal with the ugliest aspects of its past – Brown v Board of Ed.
Like · Reply · 2 · Nov 2, 2017 6:31am
Loren Scott
William Politt and no where in that blather do you make a point on why the Government deserves more of the peoples pay than the people themselves…
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 11:24am
William Politt
Loren Scott, nowhere in my finely crafted prose do I claim that “the Government deserves more of the peoples pay than the people themselves…” If you see it anywhere, you’re looking in the wrong place.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 6, 2017 1:58pm
Walter Carlson · Concord, New Hampshire
Jilletta-did you know that th FSP is a Jason Sorens concept, funded by KOCH brothers??
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 2, 2017 2:12pm
Walter Carlson · Concord, New Hampshire
WM Bunker So what?? Last time I looked SPLC wasn’t in New Hampshire.
SO, if you are happy that the Kochs want their type of libertarianism practiced in NH, maybe you should find out more about it.
Like · Reply · Nov 2, 2017 6:46pm
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
I do know that Jason Sorens started the Free State Project. I do not know where they get their funding. I am not a member of the Free State Project. I have lived in New Hampshire since I was 6 years old.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 3, 2017 10:01am
Loren Scott
So you admit the Koch’s are your boogeymen…
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 11:26am
Patricia Snyder
Ah, selfishness. Must start in kindergarten, where they start early and teach the little ones not to share.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 2, 2017 5:06pm
Walter Carlson · Concord, New Hampshire
Good possibility. So don’t tell the Kochs about it.
Like · Reply · Nov 2, 2017 6:50pm
William Politt
Patricia, it starts earlier than that. When mom pulls the nipple out of Junior’s mouth and he screams, “Mine!” That’s the beginning.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 3:39am
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
Selfishness? Where in my article are you reading selfishness? I’d love to respond, but I’m just not sure.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 10:07am
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Leslee Ann Bagdonas · Barista at Starbucks
“You may trust the current administration to protect a right when they pass a law, but will you trust the next administration to uphold the same way?”
Too true Jilletta!
Like · Reply · 4 · Nov 3, 2017 10:35am
Jennifer Duquette · Works at Younique Independent Representative
Great article! It saddens me to see how much misinformation about libertarianism is in these comments-I’d encourage people to do some research before they comment.
Like · Reply · 5 · Nov 3, 2017 11:41am
Sandra Morrison
We know exactly what libertarianism is about. ME, MYSELF AND I. WILL DO WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT AND TO HELL WITH ANYONE ELSE. NO THANKS!!
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 2:13pm
Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
Sandra Morrison The basics behind Libertarianism is “Voluntaryism” which means that we should be out helping our communities and neighbors for no reason other than because we should. I hate that any libertarian you have met has called themselves a libertarian but has not acted out of kindness for anyone. I would never be this person. I would not be able to live with myself knowing that I COULD help someone and did not. There are selfish people in every party. I have met them. But I don’t ascribe it to the party. I ascribe it to the person. I hope that you would learn more about me before you pass judgement like this, but it’s your choice and I respect you for giving me the opportunity to comment.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 3, 2017 6:12pm
Walter Carlson · Concord, New Hampshire
Jilletta Jarvis You seem to ignore the basic tenets of ‘libertarianism’ as set forth by their party’s platform. For instance (I quote): “Libertarians advocate freedom in economic matters, so we’re in favor of lowering and eliminating taxes, slashing bureaucratic regulation of business…” So, lower and eliminating taxes? What pays for our infrastructure, police, schools and education? Slash regulation of business-so eliminate OSHA? Allow any product for sale? NO-our society has progressed far beyond accommodating these philosophies. Except to the Koch brothers, who spent millions funding colleges which taught their ideas, until they found Jason Sorens.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 6:41pm
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Robb Goodell · Sales & Leasing Consultant at Lee Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Westbrook
That someone runs for public office on the premise that the government should leave you alone should comfort you. That Jilletta believes you should be able to keep what you earn to do with as you please ought to be a breath of fresh air. That you would have less money forcibly taken from you so you can choose to give generously out of your good will ought to be a welcomed thought. I don’t see how libertarian thought should evoke such vitriol unless you benefit from force imposed upon your neighbors, your family members, and yourself – and if you do, do you really think that is a civilized society?
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 3, 2017 3:25pm
Bruce Currie
This is a fine example of the word salad that libertarians specialize in: “forcibly taken”, and “imposed upon” are typical libertarian argle-bargle philosophy. About all that was missing was the word “slavery”. Poor libertarians are oppressed by the fact that taxes are the price to be paid for civilized society, when they refuse to acknowledge the existence of such an entity. For libertarians, there is no such thing as ‘society” or the “common good” even though such notions are deeply rooted in the American experience. Society is merely a collection of “individuals”, each “self-owned” and therefore “responsible” for everything good (or bad) that happens to them. Whatever social safety net exists is voluntary, since charity is thought to encourage dependence and rewards “losers”.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 4:45pm
Robb Goodell · Sales & Leasing Consultant at Lee Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Westbrook
Bruce Currie I find it interesting that you believe that libertarians don’t believe in “society” or the “common good,” for it is the very libertarian idea that what is good should be held in common, more appropriately, that all people ought to share inherently their own rights equally (in common) – that what a person produces, he or she has the right to do with as he or she pleases, that he or she may be able to trade freely for things of equal or greater value, and most importantly of all, he or she should be able to keep and defend what he or she owns, either as a product of labor, of trade,…See More
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 5:00pm
Bruce Currie
Robb Goodell Thanks for proving my point, by managing to link “what is good is held in common” with its exact opposite: that “what a person ‘produces’, he or she has a right to do with as he or she pleases”. Except that no man (or woman) is an island, and very little, if anything, that one produces is done without assistance–via parenting, education, mentoring, birth status, inheritance. The “self-made man” is a double oxymoron–in both biology and lived existence.
From there, your post descends into sophomoric argle-bargle about “self-ownership”. Which the nether regions of libertarianism …See More
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 8:40pm · Edited
Loren Scott
Bruce Currie the only point Robb proves, is that you are baselessy attacking anyone who believes people should have personal Liberty and Freedom – founding tennets of this Nation.
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 11:35am
William Politt
Loren Scott, “…anyone who believes people should have personal Liberty and Freedom” Solipsists one and all.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 6, 2017 2:03pm
Linda Mongan
William Politt
More like Realists who do not ignore reality.
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 2:58pm
Robb Goodell · Sales & Leasing Consultant at Lee Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Westbrook
Bruce Currie No libertarian argues that slavery is justifiable, as it would be the complete denial of self ownership. If one owns himself he cannot be owned by anyone else – this is the only logical and moral basis for the rejection of slavery as an institution and a practice. On the other hand, you yourself have proven a logical hole from which you cannot return. If the State owns a portion of our labor for what you call the common good, then the State can own people, their time, and what they produce – it is by that logic you enable the ownership of a man or woman by any outside force or entity. If a man owns himself he is beholden to nobody else than what he voluntary cedes of himself through payment or contract. Besides that, you will find libertarians give more out of a desire to benefit mankind than statists do out of their obligation at gunpoint to pay their taxes. If you don’t believe that you don’t know libertarians.
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 3:17pm
Bruce Currie
Robb Goodell You put yourself into the “logical hole” with the claim of “self-ownership”. From whom did you purchase yourself? And when? Do you have a document showing purchase price and date? Treating yourself as a commodity to be “owned” implies the existence of such things, and also implies that, like any commodity, it can be “sold”. And your claim that libertarians are more charitable than others flies in the face of their oft-stated disgust for those who need “handouts”–the “takers” and not the “makers”. Libertarianism is simply Social Darwinism with a thin new coat of paint on it.
Like · Reply · Nov 8, 2017 5:02am
Chip Spangler
I find it amusing that some folks are blasting Jilletta’s statements for ostensibly being “selfish.”
You want to know what’s selfish?
Believing that you have a right to other people’s money. The idea that you have the right to use an intermediary – a government – to take the money of other people and use it for your own purposes.
Libertarianism is not about selfishness. In fact, it REQUIRES that one respect the rights and property of others. Libertarianism is about is recognizing that a society functions best when people are not attempting to coerce each other to obtain things (either directly through actions taken personally, or indirectly through government action). It recognizes that voluntary actions produce the best results for everyone.
As for taxes, a society can have successful people DESPITE having high taxes, but it certainly does not do so because of them.
Like · Reply · 6 · Nov 3, 2017 5:37pm · Edited
Nicholas Boyle · Route Delivery Manager at General Linen Service, LLC
Here here!
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 5:44pm
Walter Carlson · Concord, New Hampshire
Chip-‘Believing that you have a right to other people’s money’?? The only politicians I know that have that mindset would be Trump and his fellow billionaires.
Like · Reply · Nov 3, 2017 6:45pm
Chip Spangler
Walter – Plenty of people appear to think that they have a right to other people’s money. They demand that government take money from others (via taxation) and provide subsidies for education, or for health care, or housing, or food, or retirement, or unemployment benefits, or research, or numerous other things. Money raised by taxes is not taken voluntarily; it is taken under a threat that persons who do not pay their taxes will be punished, perhaps with the loss of liberty. This is in stark contrast to, for example, the money that is voluntarily donated by millions of people to the Red Cross…See More
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 3, 2017 7:31pm
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Jilletta Jarvis · Candidate for NH Governor 2018 at New Hampshire
I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to respond to your comments on this article. I value the willingness of you all to provide your feedback. It does seem that many people still fear parties outside of the establishment parties and that is completely understandable. Each candidate for each party needs to run on their own merits instead of their party’s as we all differ, regardless of the candidate and the party. If anyone would like to know more about myself, my platform, or my goals as governor please head out to my website https://jillettajarvis4nh.com or send me…See More
Like · Reply · 4 · Nov 4, 2017 9:04am
Jerry Kapetanakis · Works at FINANCIAL
I thought your article was fine. If anything, I think we think we need to be wary of those who took umbrage with your article. These folks seem to be engaged in divisive tactics & the politics of personal destruction. Putting yourself out there in the public is tough, kuddo’s to you. Don’t let the bully left posting on here intimidate you.
Like · Reply · 4 · Nov 5, 2017 11:24am
Loren Scott
^bingo.
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 11:47am
Edward Smith
I love how Jillietta Jarvis is handling the response to her opinion piece. When you look at the negative responses to the piece, it is hard to find any logic or reason to them, as the responses generally violate all of the rules of debate and are filled with misinformation, smears, etc. Yet Jilletta treats these as opportunities to further explain Libertarian positions while showing she does not pretend to represent all people that claim to be Libertarians and also works to show she is working for GRADUAL change, she is not a revolutionary. She demonstrates her ability to be a real leader in NH and I am thrilled to see her at work for us.
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 6, 2017 5:13am
Dan Williams
Today’s brand of libertarianism in a nutshell: “I wanna smoke dope and not go to jail for it.”
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 6, 2017 1:47pm
William Politt
Sorry, Dan, you missed the biggest, most important part, the one thing that binds all libertarians: “I don’t want to pay taxes.” But they are perfectly happy to take a free ride on what the rest of us poor ‘slaves’ are ‘coerced’ to pay for.
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 2:08pm
Dan Williams
William Politt You’re right. I should’ve said, “I got mine – screw everyone else. Oh and by the way, I wanna smoke dope and not go to jail for it.”
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 2:14pm
Linda Mongan
Most folks political beliefs like Religion pretty much are a mixed bag on what they adhere to. I am. Pro Choice and a Rep. But I also believe in safety nets that work and do not create lifestyles. Especially when dependence is handed down to generations. But I do believe that Govt is a very poor manager of taxes. And one of the things I think that Liberals fail to acknowledge is that some programs just do not work, and need to be reformed. The Reps have their issues also with social issues and allowing Big Business to get away with too many tax loopholes. The Dems believe for the most part tha…See More
Like · Reply · Nov 6, 2017 2:43pm
