Thomas R Saving

Live Free and Prosper Thomas R Saving

The central theme of this manuscript is that the sanctity of the individual stands above all other aspects of life. From this simple idea flows the benefits of free exchange. Because free exchange generates benefits to both sides of the exchange a surplus is created. It is this surplus that is the great benefit to those in the exchange but a temptation to those outside the exchange. The existence of the free exchange surplus is part of the reason that individual freedom, while written about extensively, has historically been rare. Governments be they democracies or dictatorships covet the surpluses generated by free exchange. This great country is perhaps the longest lasting bastion of freedom that the world has known. But as we dilute of constitutional protection of the individual in favor of the village we are going down a path leading to the eventual elimination of individual freedom. In part one of this book I lay out the benefits of freedom of exchange and the forces that make its achievement so difficult. Then in part two I analyze the aspects of current economic issues whose solutions have been driven by political considerations. For each of these societal problems I suggest solutions that are freedom enhancing in contrast to the current government solution that solves problems by limiting individual freedom. Ultimately the future of freedom depends on finding a way to allow individual freedom within the necessity of a communal reaction to world events. Essentially representative democracy necessitates that we have agents acting on our behalf. The problem is finding ways to ensure that these agents act on our behalf.