New York Times columnist David Brooks tries to reinvigorate an old idea long thought discredited by history.  It is the belief free-markets serving free people is a social condition contrary to human nature and inimical to modern progress. 

As evidence Mr. Brooks relies on studies in psychology that tend to prove the obvious: humans are social beings in a most fundamental way.  People need people and always will. 

But when the subject veers from psychology to politics a leap is made that this social being called Man is best served by concentrating power over our lives in an all-knowing, paternalistic government.  No reasoning is offered to support Brooks’ leap of logic.  His is a belief completely foreign to the founding principles of the United States.  It is the faith of forced collectivism of Karl Marx and Ted Kennedy.

  Humanity, in its nature, is best served by a free society where the powers of government are defined and limited.  This allows citizens to pursue their needs and their passions in the greatest scope possible.  Almost three hundred years into George Washington’s “Great Experiment” modern history does plainly teach that freedom is what the human condition yearns for.

Stephen Merrill, General Counsel, TIDEWATER LIBERTARIAN PARTY