The Libertarian Attack Against Liberty

Sound Bite

Inequality is ballooning in the land of equal opportunity. This is inevitable due to the false belief held by almost everyone: that American capitalism is democratic and freedom loving. This book aims to shed some light on that misconception and take some air out of the balloon.

From the early 20th century, fascism has infected the whole world, and the government of the United States has often supported it as an imagined bulwark against communism. Wherever economic, political, and religious power have been combined and paired with military and police power, totalitarian fascism has been the outcome. More and more, the United States itself has become increasingly fascist - especially when the Republican Party controls the government.

About the Book

Is the libertarian movement in fact corporatist, at heart? Author Joseph Burrell reviews the effects of libertarian sentiment on the Republican Party. These folks currently dominate the American political scene, and the Republican Party is subverting political democracy through the use of a system of economic tyranny disguised as "democratic capitalism."

Burrell goes on to describe the use of military and police power to create a one-world economic monolith (globalism) that is oblivious of the rights and needs of working people and consumers across the world. He warns of the near death of democracy and describes the destructive role the libertarian idea has played in trying to obliterate the revolutionary changes wrought by the New Deal that made the United States the leading social democratic state in the world.

The labels seem to be opposites: democracy and totalitarianism; capitalism, communism, fascism. But in practice, all the politico-economic systems we have on earth today have ended up looking disturbingly similar.

While there are important differences, the author claims that they all consist of "ruler-owners" and bosses at the top - money kings - and powerless workers and consumers at the bottom. He also contends that workers and consumers are the only necessary parts of a natural economic system and that corporations are an artificial and tyrannical imposition based on greed and dominance. He urges the defeat of the "corporate collective" with its tiered arrangement of work and wealth, with only the "fit" and "successful" at the top as supervisors and the rest of us beneath them as servants, wage slaves, or even chattel slaves.

In short, this book is radical and extreme in its view of all the world's systems as authoritarian despite their differing economic, political, and religious conglomerations.

As a foundation for the discussion, the book traces in broad outline the histories of work and belief. It denies that the Christian religion is Christian and shows that Jesus Christ was a pacifist and a liberal and that his words and nature are barely represented, if at all, in the dogmas and practices of those who call themselves Christians in today's America.

Attacking the dominant institutional belief systems regarding work and religion, this book spares no existing supervisory arrangement and suggests the peaceful unraveling of authority structures and a new form of egalitarian cooperation.

Since this book is extreme in its condemnation of existing supervisory arrangements and authority structures, it should be interesting - perhaps dismaying - to everyone who is dissatisfied with their own subservience to others whether at work, in church, or in any political party. Anyone who yearns for relief from entangling authority should find this book at least stirring, if not entirely convincing. It presents new ways of looking at the world and at all systems of control and belief. Those who like ideas and those who do not quite fit into the molds into which they have been placed will find the writing refreshing and stimulating.

The ideas in this book were influenced by Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Noam Chomsky's Power & Prosperity, Daniel Guerin's Anarchism, Michael Perelman's The Invention of Capitalism, F.A. Hayek's The Road to Serfdom, Karen Armstrong's A History of God, Hugh J. Schonfield's Those Incredible Christians, and by such television programs as Amy Goodman's Democracy Now and the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC.

The Libertarian belief system is at the heart of many of the contrary arguments presented in this book and its baleful influence can be seen in just about any of the writings, presentations, speeches, and gatherings of Republicans. It is the number one enemy of democracy in America today.

Introduction

A balloon of inequality exists as an inevitable part of a false belief held by almost everyone: that American capitalism is democratic and freedom loving. This book aims to puncture that balloon.My books and my ideas are certainly not orthodox. I hope my perceptions help others to focus their views as well. My aim is to advance the cause of democratic liberalism, a philosophy now in decline thanks to Republican hostility, a compliant media, and Democratic Party confusion and cowardice. I do not think that the prospects for a real, liberal democracy in this country or elsewhere are very good. Democratic government in the United States has already been pretty much destroyed and it is not likely to rise again. The false pretense of most Americans - that we have a system of "democratic capitalism" - is prevalent now. The system we have is, instead, fascist and totalitarian. The goals of the American and French revolutions have been entirely subverted and the corporations and their party - the Republican Party - has triumphed; they are in charge of nearly everything and everybody.The United States has become a thorough oligarchy, a military garrison, and a police state. The people themselves are helpless and deluded sheep blinded by a corrupt corporate media and a political system so diseased and sickened by Republican lies and manipulations that we have all arrived at a dead end from which there is no escape, short of a violent revolution - a course that I do not recommend. Will democracy rise again without bloodshed? Can it?

Table content

IntroductionPART ONE. FAKE PATRIOTSChapter 1. The Libertarian Attack Against LibertyChapter 2. Early TimesChapter 3. Political Democracy and Economic TyrannyChapter 4. American BeginningsChapter 5. Barack Obama and Franklin RooseveltChapter 6. Lug and Lud: A Capitalist and Christian FableChapter 7. Military and Police PowerChapter 8. The Republican ComplexPART TWO. FALSE GODSChapter 9. Work and ReligionChapter 10. The Road to DamascusChapter 11. Twin Magics: Capitalism and ChristianityChapter 12: The Founders and ReligionChapter 13. Godless SexChapter 14. God's Version of Sex, A Little MythChapter 15. Forced School PrayerChapter 16. Aspects of Religion and ScienceChapter 17. Atheism and SecularismChapter 18. Catholic Influences

Information

The Libertarian Attack Against Liberty: Fake Patriots and False Gods by Joseph W. Burrell is a provocative critique of modern libertarian ideology and its impact on the foundational principles of liberty. With incisive analysis and compelling arguments, Burrell examines how libertarian rhetoric often undermines the very freedoms it claims to defend, exposing contradictions that challenge the legitimacy of this political movement.

A Dissection of Libertarian Ideology: Burrell delves into the core tenets of libertarianism, dissecting its philosophical underpinnings and revealing inherent flaws. He questions the libertarian interpretation of liberty, individualism, and governance, showing how these ideas sometimes conflict with the practical realities of democratic society.

Exposing False Patriots: The author critiques those who position themselves as champions of freedom but prioritize economic elitism over genuine equality and justice. Burrell argues that such figures, whom he dubs "fake patriots," exploit libertarian ideals to serve corporate interests and perpetuate social inequality, betraying the public trust.

Challenging the Deification of the Market: Burrell critiques the libertarian worship of free markets as "false gods," examining how unregulated capitalism can lead to monopolies, environmental degradation, and the erosion of social cohesion. He advocates for a balanced approach that respects market efficiency while addressing systemic inequities and protecting public welfare.

Historical and Contemporary Perspectives: Drawing on historical examples and modern case studies, Burrell traces the evolution of libertarian thought and its influence on American politics. From its roots in classical liberalism to its role in shaping neoliberal policies, the book provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of libertarianism's trajectory and its broader implications.

A Call for Genuine Liberty: Burrell advocates for a reimagining of liberty that transcends partisan ideologies. He calls for a return to principles of community, equity, and accountability, urging readers to challenge dogma and engage in thoughtful, informed discourse about the future of democracy.

Timely and Thought-Provoking: In an era of political polarization and ideological extremism, The Libertarian Attack Against Liberty offers a refreshing perspective on the complexities of freedom. Burrell’s work serves as a wake-up call to those who value justice, equality, and true liberty.

The Libertarian Attack Against Liberty is an essential read for anyone interested in political philosophy, economics, or contemporary American politics. Whether you agree or disagree with Burrell’s conclusions, this book will challenge you to think critically about the values that shape society and the future of freedom in an increasingly divided world.