For Context: I live in the United States of America.

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42 points

Define constantly, define afraid.

If you continually maintain readiness for government violation of your rights, no problem. If your heart rate is elevated and you’re sweating in fear, that’s a pretty serious problem.

As Bruce Lee said, “Do not be tense, but ready”.

Yeah the government is a monster and it might come get you. That’s true. But the likelihood it’s coming to get you right now is very low and being in constant fear is no way to live. And the government isn’t the only monster.

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14 points

And the government isn’t the only monster.

Very important. Otherwise you become a Libertarian or a Theocrat.

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-4 points

Well I’m a libertarian because it takes into account all the other monsters. The goal of government is to maximize freedom. That doesnt’ mean anarchy, because people are less free under anarchy than they are under properly-operating government.

IMO a government should be just powerful enough to prevent other governments from forming. Like, the purpose of an army in a democracy is to prevent other armies from coming to install a dictatorship over the people.

Or to mirror the common saying about guns: “The only way to stop a bad government with an army, is with a good government with an army”.

But the other monsters are gangs, corporations, individuals. And a good government enforces rules that prevent those other monsters from taking away your freedom.

But yeah. Basic point is that libertarian => government’s purpose is to maximize freedom

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4 points

Libertarians are anarchists with suits. I hope you are a edgy 16 year old because I think you got a lot to learn about how the government works and how society works

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3 points

I get the sentiment, and agree with it in theory. But in practice, the libertarian party in America is going to give you corporate tyranny

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21 points

Buuuuut, if you think your houseplant is an undercover CIA agent or your entire family including your dog has been replaced with hyper realistic govt robots, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

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12 points

If they replaced your family they definitely replaced your psychiatrist too.

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0 points

Your lithium isn’t actually lithium anymore, it’s govt nanobots that are going to implant in your brain and emit and receive 5g waves.

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7 points

it’s not impossible that they even replaced you!

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