LIBERTARIAN LOVE

AT AGE 47, I POSSESSED NEITHER A HOME AIR CONDITIONER NOR WAS I PRIVILEGED WITH ONE'S COOLING POWER AT WORK. A BIVOUAC OUTDOORS ON STEAMY, SUMMER NIGHTS SUFFICED FOR A NEEDED, DAILY REFRESHMENT. BUT AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, WHILE RESIDING IN THE COUNTRY NEAR "POSSUM HOLLER" ROAD, A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED COMMISSION HAS 'HELPED' THE POOR WITH LIMITED INCOMES BY PROVIDING ITEMS SUCH AS FOOD, "MUTUAL SELF-HELP HOUSING" AND HOME APPLIANCES. THIS SUMMER'S CRISIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. IT DID NOT ORIGINATE THIS YEAR; IT JUST EXTENDS THE LINE FOR HANDOUTS FROM HELP WITH HOME HEATING BILLS IN THE WINTER TO ASSISTANCE IN THE SUMMER. HOUSEHOLDS WITH A 'DOCUMENTED MEDICAL CONDITION", LIKE OBESITY, WHICH ARE 'INCOME ELIGIBLE', ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AIR CONDITIONER AND ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRIC BILL PAYMENTS TO RUN THE APPLIANCE.

THIS INTRUSION OF GOVERNMENT INTO ‘POOR’ PEOPLE’S LIVES, DEFIES COMMON SENSE WHICH SO APPEALINGLY CHARACTERIZES THE LIBERTARIAN PHILOSOPHY FOR SOCIETY. IT HOLDS THAT GOVERNMENT'S ONLY FUNCTION SHOULD BE TO PROTECT THE "LIVES, RIGHTS AND PROPERTY OF ITS CITIZENS." HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO THE 'SUMMER CRISIS?' WITHOUT INNUMERABLE WELFARE CAUSES SUCH AS THE SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM FOR NEEDY CHILDREN AND DISABLED ADULTS, H.E.A.P.(HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM), S.S.I (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INSURANCE), O.W.F. ( OHIO WORK FARE), FOOD STAMPS, MEDICAID, F.E.M.A. (FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION), TELEPHONE LIFELINE DISCOUNT AND C.A.C.(COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION), SUPPORTED BY MY TAX DOLLARS - AND THE BILLIONS OF OTHER HEALTHY, EMPLOYED CITIZENS' DOLLARS - I COULD HAVE CUT MY SWATH THROUGH LIFE - UNTIL NOW - WITH A LOT MORE CASH IN MY POCKET AND GREATER PEACE OF MIND TO TUCK ME INTO BED AT NIGHT.

WHAT IS THE IMPLIED CRISES IN THE SUMMER CRISIS PROGRAM? LACK OF AIR CONDITIONING? THE INABILITY TO BUDGET OR SAVE? AN ADMISSION BY GOVERNMENT THAT THE CITIZENS OF TH WEALTHIEST NATION ON EARTH CANNOT AFFORD A $50.00 AIR CONDITIONER OR KEEP IT RUNNING WITHOUT RUNNING OUT OF MONEY? THE TRUE CRISIS, MEANING TIME OF DANGER, I SUBMIT, IS THE CONTINUING AND EXPANDING GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS THAT USE TAX DOLLARS FOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS WHICH IN EFFECT ENCOURAGES AND PERPETUATES AN ATTITUDE OF VICTIMHOOD AND DEPENDENCY.

ANOTHER BELIEF OF A LIBERTARIAN IS THAT "ONLY ACTIONS THAT INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF OR DAMAGE THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS CAN PROPERLY BE CALLED CRIMES." WHEN OUR OVER-ACTIVE GOVERNMENT INFRINGES UPON AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO BE SELF-RELIANT, PERHAPS IT IS A CRIME. OR IS IT A SIN?

SOCIETY SOFTENS DAY BY DAY, YEAR BY YEAR. WE HEADING FOR A 'HEAP' OF TROUBLE IN THE FUTURE DOWN THE POSSUM HOLLER ROAD.