The Politics of Freedom: Taking on the Left, the Right, and Threats to our Liberties

As Americans head into the 2008 presidential elections, pundits are coloring everything in “red” vs. “blue.” But according to David Boaz, the old labels of left and right don?t tell us much any more. What we are witnessing, he says, is little more than a contest of “Big Government Conservatives” vs. “Bigger Government Liberals.” Now, in “The Politics of Freedom: Taking on the Left, the Right, and Threats to our Liberties,” Boaz explains that whether we elect Democrats or Republicans this year, the result will be a larger, more intrusive, and more expensive government. Calling for all freedom-loving

Americans to reject both parties and unite under the libertarian banner, he offers fresh and often surprising views on a wide range of topics, including:

On Hillary Clinton — “After her first attempt at nationalizing and bureaucratizing American health care, she told the New York Times that her next project would be ‘redefining who we are as human beings in the post-modern age.’ I’d say 300 million Americans can do that for themselves.”

On President Bush — “Bush and the new Republican Party are turning their backs on Americans who want smaller government. They’re delivering big-government conservatism across the board. But we already have a big-government party.”

On the Drug War — “The drug war makes peace and prosperity virtually impossible in inner cities. Students of American history will someday ponder the question of how today’s elected officials could readily admit to the mistaken policy of alcohol prohibition in the 1920s but recklessly pursue a policy of drug prohibition.”

On School Choice — “Every argument against choice made by the education establishment reveals the contempt that establishment has for its own product. School boards, superintendents, and teachers unions are convinced that no one would attend public schools if they had the choice.”

On the Nanny State — “Critics of the welfare state are often charged with wanting ‘to tear down government programs and put nothing in their place.’ But what kind of political philosophy is it that looks at the vibrancy of America and sees ‘nothing’ except what the government does?”

On the Power of Communities — “We can empower communities only by giving them the power to run their own affairs. As long as they are private, voluntary communities — including schools, churches, clubs, associations, and condominium-style housing developments — the policy of the government should be hands-off.”

On Immigration — “If Hispanics were coming here under the rules that welcomed my Scottish and Irish ancestors, we?d still be a nation of legal immigrants.”

“Intelligent, cogent, and persuasive.”—P. J. O?Rourke

“David Boaz has been my guide to the history, economics, and politics of freedom for years.” —John Stossel, ABC News

“A great read for everyone who is perpetually disenchanted with politics as usual.” —Vernon L. Smith, Winner of The Nobel Prize in Economics

Tags: David Boaz, The Politics of Freedom