Re: 6 fucked-up countries

Michael Butler (mmb@best.com)
Fri, 22 Aug 1997 22:29:03 -0700 (PDT)


Quoth EvMick,

> Not that I'm expressing any value judgements...in fact I could argue that
> children are the property of their parents until "coming of age"...to be
> treated...disposed of ..or not as to the discrestion of the parent...in fact
> it could be argued that that would have to be the libertarian
> position...otherwise we're all slaves to the state.

Lots of things can be argued, but the notion that children, arbitrarily
defined, are either chattel of the parents or chattel of the state, and
that the former view "would have to be the libertarian position" is
seriously troubling to me.

I'd like to believe that some system could come into being where a person
of whatever age who demonstrates ability to self govern is invited to do
so... but demonstrates to whom? and when? and how? ...with what appeal?

The issue is one that I find very sticky.
And I am no great lover of the State.

It's a good thing you're not saying that. :)

MMB

>
> But I'm not saying that....now.