One of the principles this article makes clear is that in the absence of government, people made laws that governed themselves and others. People made collective decisions and took actions for themselves. There was no need for government. Indeed, what these stories tell us is what conservatives have always said, the bigger the government, the less freedom for the individual.
Of course the other thing is that the streets of the Old West did not run with blood for the same reason that as "shall issue: concealed carry has advanced across American, modern streets do not run with blood. Most people are reluctant to shoot another human being. And back then more people at least paid lip service to Christian principles, even if the did not always follow those principles in the breech.
Americans have been misled about capitalism, Americans have been misled about the New Deal, and it’s become clear they’ve also been subject to many falsehoods about the Old West. History departments across America by and large have failed in providing their students with the right material to understand our country’s most cherished political practices. When institutions of higher learning drop the ball, it’s incumbent upon us to defend our history and culture by stepping up to ensure America has "an alert and knowledgeable citizenry" as President Eisenhower famously remarked. Learning the true story of the American Old West is one step in that direction.
Thanks for sharing our article :) You stated this perfectly: "... the bigger the government, the less freedom for the individual."
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Alex. Your article was timely and interesting.
ReplyDeleteWade