Hiding Wrongs by Force of Law

I just read yet another story of people freaking out over what one of the Dr. Pauls (Ron this time, last time it was Rand) said about the Civil Rights Act. In case you're not familiar with it; both Congressman Ron Paul and Senator Rand Paul have come under fire for their thoughts on provisions in the Civil Rights Act. In both cases it has been over the provision which forces property owners to serve all races at businesses; the Pauls argue that the government should not force property owners to serve anyone. This has caused many to accuse them of being racist, or in the least supporting freedom that would cause racism to flourish. I can't speak for their personal views, I hope they aren't racist; but I have to agree with them. Some of you may think I'm racist, but I have come to this conclusion simply by adhering to my philosophy.

As I have mentioned before on this blog, my political philosophy is based entirely on property rights, and that all humans inherently have this right by the fact that own their own body; this same philosophy leads to the conclusion that no man can own another (although philosophically there is the oddity of one person selling them-self willingly to another), so there goes your idea that I support slavery. This philosophy leads me agree with the Pauls on this issue. But there is another social problem that I find in forcing businesses to operate this way, it's harder to tell which business owners ARE racist. Under current law, you may unwittingly be supporting racist business owners. I would much rather know that have the light of day shining on these things so that we as individuals and actors in the market can weed these people out and face the actual issues; and punish those business owners by not supporting their business.

Yes, it would have been a much longer and more painful civil rights movement if we as a society and individuals had faced the actual issues, and not just hid underground. But it happens all the time. Any argument with my father about gay marriage ends the same way, "well, if you let gays get married, then people will want to marry their horses". Never mind this preposterousness leap, but I answer him the same on this issue, "good, because I would much rather know which guys are having sex with their horses so I can stay the hell away from them."

When you hide bad ideas, they're still there. It's only when you confront them that they can be abolished. There were many good things to come out of the Civil Rights Act, there were many laws pertaining to public spaces that were absurd and against the Rights of Man (I would say human rights, but that has been co-opted and corrupted so much it doesn't mean the same thing anymore).

There are many nuances and such which I have not addressed, as this could easily turn into an entire book on the subject, but hopefully I have said enough to get my point across clearly. Perhaps I'll revisit this in more depth at another time, or perhaps not.

Twitter

I haven't been updating the blog as often as I'd like. If you want to hear from me more often you can follow me on Twitter @puremilkgenius

Scott Walker

I live in Wisconsin, have for most of my life. I vote regularly; however I abstained from voting for Governor in the last election; the choices were between the incumbent Democrat Jim Doyle, who was horrible, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, and a third party guy I can't remember. I knew I wasn't going to vote for Doyle, and the third party guy had some odd stances. The only valid choices were Walker or abstaining, I chose to abstain. I don't trust people from Milwaukee, that place is run horribly, and he used too much of the "I'm a regular guy who's going to change things" attitude, I didn't believe him, still not sure if I do. But the last week or so there has been a fight in the state over his new budget proposals, namely his initiative to reform public sector unions, making them contribute more to pensions and healthcare, changing their collective bargaining power, and making the first moves toward making Wisconsin a Right to Work state. I was surprised at how far he went, and I don't agree with his reasoning for why he's doing it, but I'm loving the fact that it's happening.

There are many teachers in the state protesting the proposal, abandoning their responsibilities at school and heading down to the capitol. But, since I heard about this, I have been considering taking up the profession myself. I had thought about it before, but I WILL NOT join a union. Not because I think they are the Devil or run by Socialists, but because I don't like other people making decisions for me. I work for me, not for others. If I'm doing a better job than someone else I want to be paid more, not the same.

The truth is, these union members are not protesting because they think unions help everyone, many have said themselves that they don't care if them keeping their benefits means others get laid off. This is about people not being confident that are the best at their jobs and can demand certain things based on their value to the employer. As a business owner (even though the business doesn't make much money) I know that a good employee can demand more than a bad one, if the person is good enough the employer will pony up to keep them around.