An Inauguration Day Thought
20 January 2009
Editor, The New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
During the past few days, your paper, like many others across the country, has been filled with celebratory praise for America's tradition of transferring political power peacefully. I am among the celebrants.
But my celebration is tempered by the realization that ours would be an even more civilized and progressive society if we had much less political power to transfer - if we had finally cast off the ages-old superstition that human lives gain meaning only through subordination to a grand collective directed by Great Leaders. Not until more Americans replace their fascination with power and personality with a love of liberty will this country ascend to the highest possible stage of civilization.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, The New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
During the past few days, your paper, like many others across the country, has been filled with celebratory praise for America's tradition of transferring political power peacefully. I am among the celebrants.
But my celebration is tempered by the realization that ours would be an even more civilized and progressive society if we had much less political power to transfer - if we had finally cast off the ages-old superstition that human lives gain meaning only through subordination to a grand collective directed by Great Leaders. Not until more Americans replace their fascination with power and personality with a love of liberty will this country ascend to the highest possible stage of civilization.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Sunday June 21, 2009 at 6:02am