Comments (25)

• magnus

  Great article.

  I have some brief experience dealing with that species of bureaucratic expert known as the "urban planner." You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

  I heard them promote everything you could possibly imagine, up to and including unreserved praise for Stalin and Mao. They are the quintessential scientific socialists from the late 18th and early 20th centuries -- the inheritors of the "progressive" ideology that produced Woodrow Wilson (aka, Philip Dru, the benevolent dictator, as envisioned by Edward House).

  People seem to forget, but the original Progressives were open promoters of eugenics. It was part of their belief in the scientific management of everything, from urban planning, to economic production, to biological reproduction. Brave New World was written to criticize these people. The Nazis were inspired by them, and merely put into practice the ideals of scientific socialism they got from American Progressives.

  In my later life, I have had the displeasure of being close to an area of the legal profession known as "land use." These are the lobbyists hired by developers to cozy up to the politicians and bureaucrats to buy special favors (or to pay the extortion money, depending on how you look at it.) Occasionally, one of them will go to prison for corruption, but my rough estimate is that there are about twenty to thirty thousand of these overt land-use-bribery crimes committed for every one that's discovered. And that's not even counting the sleazy behavior that OUGHT to be illegal.

  Published: September 19, 2008 9:20 AM

• Mark Glasgow

  It's odd that a self-admitted libertarian would defend his thirty two year career at the public feeding trough, while encouraging those few who'd sooner sell their soul to the devil than bed down at the expense of their fellow citizens, to become more active in opposing the evil of bigger government. It reminds me of those who advocate sinning so that they might know God's mercy. In both cases, I'm supplied with a good laugh and the knowledge that, in the defense of ignorance and featherbedding, there will likely never be a dearth of willing candidates. Perhaps, all that distinguishes one candidate from another is their justification for doing so. Thanks for the chuckle!

  Published: September 19, 2008 10:49 AM

• John Semmens

  While I appreciate Mr. Glasgow's determination to remain chaste in the battle for liberty, I think he over estimates the impact of a demonstration of purity.

  Freedom is something that we have to fight for. The men with Washington's army at Yorktown did some dastardly things--they shot other human beings. Dirty deeds were done for a worthy cause.

  This is the way the world is. We are confronted with less than ideal options. Did I draw a salary from public funds? Yes, but this salary would've been paid to someone. If all libertarians shun public employment, all the salaries will be paid to persons working to expand government power.

  It is better, in my opinion, for some libertarians to take on the dirty job of working behind enemy lines. At a minimum, they displace a statist. They will also become privy to information and opportunities wherein they can derail the train of bigger government. For example, due to knowledge I gained working for AzDOT, I was able to assist taxpayers in blocking an $8 billion light rail boondoggle in 1989. By dint of perseverance and lobbying, the rail advocates were ultimately able to get a $3 billion plan past voters by 2004. So, while we were not able to completely stop the waste, we did reduce and delay it. The 32 years of salary I drew with AzDOT was far less than the $5 billion net savings I helped achieve from my inside position on this one front of the battle.

  I don't begrudge Mr. Glasgow his right to pursue personal integrity. By living an untainted life he can assure that he never commits an unlibertarian act. But he should also recognize that a lot of the benefits of freedom he is able to enjoy are won by those who do taint themselves by waging the battle on his behalf.

  Published: September 19, 2008 11:58 AM

• Rob Harward

  It is true that there are whole agencies in our government are unnecessary. Each one has their part in government waste. However, there is merit in John Semmens approach. May I direct you to a speech given by Maurice P. McTigue on February 11, 2004 at Hillsdale College detailing his involvement in the drastic reduction of New Zealand's behemoth government? http://198.109.220.40/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=2004&month=04
  He did this from a position inside the government. Seeing his results makes me wonder if that could be the most effective approach, given the public supports it.

  Published: September 19, 2008 12:11 PM

• David Spellman

  A conniving person stands to gain $10,000,000 from a government program. He certainly would profit from hiring lobbyists; wining, dining, plying with prostitution and bribing government officials; donating to political campaigns; and advertising and lying to promote his cause.

  A million taxpayers stand to lose $10 each on that government program. It isn't worth their time to even think about it.

  It is wonderful that there are some noble people fighting for truth, justice, and the libertarian way, but we have to be realistic about why things don't change.

  Published: September 19, 2008 12:52 PM

• Mark Glasgow

  
  
  
  
  

  Published: September 19, 2008 1:21 PM

• Mark Glasgow

  We would do well to never underestimate the power of purity as the formidable force it is. If we are to lend credence to our Christian faith, it is the purity of one man, which offers salvation to many...better one moon than millions of stars. No doubt, like all, I benefit from the sacrifices made by others…on that there can be no disagreement. Had we the courage to bear arms to confront present evils, like those brave men you cite, perhaps our own words would carry more potency than they do./>

  A world with less than ideal options is one in which people have settled for less, capitulating to compromises, while bemoaning the fact that they've come up short in the end. One possessed of slightly better vision, will recognize that a world replete with compromise, does not an ideal society create. Yet, it is our tendency to become mired in the illusion that, even our highest ideals are worthy of sacrifice, in pursuance of those same said ideals. It doesn't require much insight to see that such sacrifice is unworthy of our cause and rather than bringing us closer to the desired goal, insures we miss the mark./>

  Like Mr. Semmens, I prefer to retain my insight that those who live at our expense must always submit themselves to the scrutiny they deserve. Those brave men, who laid down their lives at Yorktown, did so for noble cause, in opposition to the very notion that even blue-blooded aristocrats should live at our expense. The fact is the republic they so courageously helped found, has been so effectively subverted as to allow many King Georges, to now live off the largesse of the public trough./>

  I can’t but think that their sacrifices, are most appropriately acknowledged when we continue to fight for the very principles they so willingly died for, rather than the turncoat notion that somehow or other our best interest may have been better served had some patriots of Mr. Semmens’ ilk managed to reduce the tea tax to an acceptable level while consorting with the enemy. Perhaps I’m wrong but certainly it’s food for thought./>
  

  Published: September 19, 2008 5:29 PM

• John Semmens

  Okay, Mr. Glasgow, I'll bite.

  While I have been dirtying my hands these last 32 years in what you believe is the wrong approach to advance the cause of liberty, what have you been doing?

  I can't find hide nor hair of your exploits via Google. Wouldn't your demonstration of pure motives and clean hands be more effective if people at least knew about it? Where can I find an account of your achievements so that I might learn from your example of triumphant methodology?

  P.S. It wasn't the Americans killed at Yorktown who won liberty or America. It was the ones who killed the enemy and forced the British to surrender. Patton had it right. You don't win by dying for your country. You win by making the enemy die for his. We don't live in a world where lofty ideals inspire the enemies of liberty to yield. You enjoy the freedom to mock those who deign to lower themselves to disreputable means by virtue of the increment of liberty they have won for you.

  Published: September 19, 2008 11:03 PM

• newson

  ...mises, also, was a public servant for years.

  Published: September 20, 2008 6:15 AM

• fundamentalist

  To be a really pure libertarian one would have to refuse to drive on the state-subsidized roads, attend schools that receive state money, use electricity or drink water from state-created monopolies, use state-created fiat money, etc.

  Published: September 20, 2008 7:50 AM

• Peter

  italics be gone.

  Published: September 20, 2008 8:20 AM

• Peter

  (italics be gone)

  fundamentalist: what makes you think that?

  Published: September 20, 2008 8:21 AM

• Peter

  one more try with the italics...

  Published: September 20, 2008 8:23 AM

• Anonymous Coward

  Thanks, but I think there are multiple outstanding tags. Did this work?

  Published: September 20, 2008 8:28 AM

• Gaurav Ahuja

  The following is wrong since it implies that libertarians don't have a right to take back what is their stolen property.
  "To be a really pure libertarian one would have to refuse to drive on the state-subsidized roads, attend schools that receive state money, use electricity or drink water from state-created monopolies, use state-created fiat money, etc."

  Also, there were a lot of opportunities denied by the government(s) that would have created wealth since they exist(to the degree that they do). Grab as much money, services, etc. that was stolen from you as you like. However, when you work for the state helping it become a better government you are helping the murdering, robbing apparatus become better. I understand that there are exceptions to the rule. I just think that generally happens. What one needs to be a pure libertarian is to respect private property rights and abide by the non-aggression principle and anything that follows from those principles. You, fundamentalist, have misapplied libertarian theory.
  

  Published: September 20, 2008 2:42 PM

• Ian

  I agree with the author that it benefits all, for some people who do not want more government, to take a job behind enemy lines to effect change. I have done the same myself and am daily battling the monster to try and facilitate change.

  From a position on the inside you not only are able to try and make a difference in programs, reports, and future expenditures but also are in daily contact with others who might be willing to embrace true freedom and liberty.

  I had just such an experience last night when I went to a ballgame with a coworker. We spent the entire baseball game discussing the Federal Reserve, fractional reserve banking, inflation, and foreign policy designed by those who get rich from it. He asked questions for three hours straight and is very interested. If he becomes a believer in Austrian Theory then instead of just myself there will be two people on the inside. I am also close to converting my boss the exact same way.

  So I may be drawing a paycheck at the expense of the many. I am making a change for people on the inside who may be able to influence things now and in the future.

  Published: September 20, 2008 3:36 PM

• Vedran

  I'm with John Semmens 100%. There's nothing virtuous about locking yourself up in a room and refusing to engage the world especially when you know that you have the ability to make it fractionally better.

  Secondly, when someone takes a hard-core moral view of libertarianism and government participation I ask myself "Is this person a saint?" No we are all sinners and will continue to be so inside or outside government. No one's perfect. You can work outside of government and be a horrible person in your day to day life. Or you can work in the government and do good deeds for others and be a pleasant individual. Who is to say what is more noble? Working for the government does not damn anyone any more than the other sins.

  Published: September 20, 2008 4:55 PM

• newson

  the argument is similar to whether monks confined to silent meditation in the monastery do more to change the world than priests who work in the community.

  hayek was a public servant for at least part of his career. perhaps he and mises would be more credible had they run a coffee shop, rather than collaborate with the state.

  Published: September 20, 2008 9:31 PM

• John Delano

  I think working on the inside of the state can be beneficial to liberty if one is sabotaging state evil. Ask whether the sum of one's work is equaling less government or more.

  I don't like the idea of taking a state job, but I am not saying I would never consider it.

  This is an interesting article on this subject:

  http://www.lewrockwell.com/lora/m.lora50.html

  Published: September 21, 2008 12:43 AM

• sth_txs

  I work at a public univeristy maintaining lab equipment. Contrary to public belief, I don't necessarily have an infinite amount of $$$, so I salvage older computers if applicable and do a good bit of maintenance work myself on various things.

  Like any other large organization, some are better at their jobs than others. Most though are honest and the kind of people most employers would want to have.

  I did some work in engineering consulting. One company probably made at least 30% of its revenue from various government contracts. Another did mostly municipal work. People do not realize how much government purchasing/projects are possibly linked to their job.

  I'm for privatizing all public universities and public schools, but until people pull their head out of their you know whats, I might as well make the system work for me.

  Published: September 21, 2008 11:44 AM

• Mark Glasgow

  John, bite you did and hard. While you were busy saving us from the statists these past 32 years, apart from a voluntary stint serving Uncle Sam during the Vietnam Era, I’ve spent my entire working life in the private sector as an employee or business owner. I’m the son of a retired Army Officer, who himself served in both Korea and Vietnam and I can assure you, I’m unafraid to look an aggressor in the eye and send him to the grim reaper, if need be.

  I currently live in lovely state of Santa Catarina, Brazil with my even lovelier Brazilian wife. I teach English in my own private school, manage to save a healthy percentage of my income each month, own multiple properties and still manage to live quite comfortably. I don’t begrudge you the state salary you drew for 32 years, nor the retirement you now receive, although personally, I’d be happy to see far less government and far fewer entitlement programs of all types.

  I just had a chuckle knowing that you and others like you in government service have taken up the sovereign mission to save us from ourselves, along with the tomfoolery and boondoggles of misguided government. I realized long ago, I wasn’t one of you and that I’d best learn how to take care of myself, which is exactly what I’ve done. That you should feel somewhat defensive or perhaps even a bit sheepish, I also understand, considering your background. It explains the personal attack but seems to be politically correct in our era

  PS. The freedom I enjoy is the freedom I’ve taken for myself…your arrogance is the mistaken notion that you or anybody else need give me that!

  Published: September 21, 2008 7:23 PM

• Vedran

  Mark, you are completely correct. You have done a good job of creating freedom for yourself and have created a noble business. But John is asking whether you have done anything to enhance the freedom of others or have you just been enjoying the fruits of freedom created by those working inside the system.

  Published: September 21, 2008 7:30 PM

• Mark Glasgow

  Vedran, I suppose, one who lives his credo, expounds it, and is a professor, always has ample opportunity to help mold character in those he teaches. I'm not particularly political, nor do I posit much faith in politicians, although I can choose between the lesser of evils when required. We all enjoy the fruits of sacrifices made by those who preceded us but it is with what measure we maintain what they have fought for that assures our future freedom. In essence, those gains must be fought for each and every day or soon be lost. Once we have realized what our inalienable rights are, we will always conduct ourselves in a befitting manner. I work in the developing world and I can assure you that Misean economic theory and libertarian ideals need propagating here as well as in the USA.

  Published: September 21, 2008 8:03 PM

• Joe Stoutenburg

  Working for a large insurance company, I often reflect upon how much of my industry is in response to government edicts. In effect, we are employees of the state even if our salaries are not drawn directly from taxes.

  Obviously, a direct comparison to Mr. Semmens' situation would be a stretch. My primary point though is to illustrate that black and white answers are often elusive. If you probe far enough, you will discover places at which your line blurs.

  For my part, if I could fire every employee of AzDOT, I would do so immediately. Likewise, I would gladly end the artificial demand for people in my industry. Upon doing so, I would enthusiastically proceed with the work of developing a free market in insurance.

  Published: September 23, 2008 10:14 AM

• Richard Welling

  As a Phoenix area resident for over twenty years and having read John Semmens' numerous anti-bureaucratic articles over much of that time, I wish to vouch for his libertarian credentials. Indeed until recently I had somehow missed the fact that he was employed by the dark side, since I think his byline had billed him as something like a "transportation consultant." So cogent were his libertarian arguments that I recall wondering how he had managed to keep from getting roughed up by the local power elite; little did I know he was boldly working in the open as one of their agents.
  I would remind you libertarian purists that his continual and righteous trashing of Phoenix' Light Rail fiasco (alas, coming to fruition as we speak) in the face of monumental opposition from Arizona's incompetent political establishment, was nothing short of valiant, especially considering his working environment.

  Published: September 23, 2008 10:47 PM