Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Virginia (version unedited by editorial staff)

FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN HAMPTON ROADS
One of last week’s Pilot editorials celebrated the building of the Sandler Center for Performing Arts at city expense.  The opening of the $47m project was portrayed as an especially satisfying victory for government enthusiasts over those who fiercely oppose such public spending: a victory in the Pilot’s words over those who foolishly believe in 450,000 separate kingdoms in the city of Virginia Beach. 

The Sandler theatre is indeed a milestone for Hampton Roads.  A direct expenditure of this size for a  facility that is going to be a real benefit to only the wealthiest segment of people shows that a largely centrally planned economy has become the local philosophy of governing.  The Sandler theatre has nothing to do with compassion for the poor or public safety or even attracting new jobs to the city.  Plainly our betters on city council prefer to decide for all of us with tax money what your respective share of the pie is going to be.   That includes raining money on the wealthy when the council might be so inclined.  The hubris seeping from this particular extravaganza brings to mind the arrogance of emperors, kings and dictators building their castles across the centuries. 

But from the perspective of those of us living in “dank basements” and “stamping our feet“ at “every proposal that threatens to improve life”,  the Virginia citizenry is lucky we do what we do.  The feisty, informed few demanding freedom have achieved much in recent years.  

The 2-1 electoral defeat in 2002 of the road-building plan desired by the political class and by big money is a prime example (now achieved by Republicans without the problem of a second vote by the citizens to be taxed).   

The ending of eminent domain abuse in Virginia last year was a huge step backward along the Road to Socialism: something unheard of in modern America.  This also was a telling blow for the big government crowd.

In 2005 the candidacy for mayor in Virginia Beach of Robert Dean as a libertarian leader drew 43% of the vote among three candidates, including mayor for life Meyera Oberndorff: her closest race yet.

We are the force trying to keep the expansion of government at bay while hoping for a reversal of fortunes for all Virginians.

 

That is because, contrary to present political philosophy, the human being is an individual first and only then a citizen of the State.  As leaders in Virginia conceived so long ago, by far the best social condition for the human being to prosper is one with the powers of government limited to its necessary roles, a people that reject having their lives commanded by others.   The ideals of the American Revolution should remain the model for a greater society where liberty is relied on for everyone’s benefit always and forever.  Sadly, America has instead lost its way, at least for now and for far too long.


There are 450,000 kingdoms in the city of Virginia Beach whether city council chooses to realize it or not.  Let the grand sum of private effort spent voluntarily in freedom make Hampton Roads far greater than the mandates of government could ever hope to achieve.  Stephen Merrill, General Counsel, Tidewater Libertarian Party