Liberty and Tyranny Chapters 1&2

In chapter 1 Levin is defining the "conservative" and the "statist" which is his term for what we might think of as the progressive liberal? Can anyone else describe the Statist better? (from the internet,"the belief that a government should control either economic or social policy, or both, to some degree" one article claims Obama is a statist not a socialist). Basically the Statist wants more and more control which the conservative feels infringes on the rights of the individual. It's between forced equality from the government or the liberty to make one's own way whether one succeeds or fails. Pg. 8 at the top is talking about how the statist finds more ways to "help" while the wealthy and successful are demonized for what they have, which leads to government intervention. I like what he says at the end of the paragraph, "in this way, the perpetrator and the victim are subordinated to the government's authority-the former by outright theft, the latter by a dependent existence. In truth, both are made victims by the real perpetrator, the Statist". 

In chapter 2 he explains that the Statist utopia can happen in many forms, monarchism, feudalism, fascism, communism, national socialism and economic socialism- all forms of tyranny. Thanks to Natalie, I understood all that! They want equality but not how the founding fathers saw equality. The founders saw equality to mean the natural right of every individual to live freely under self government, to acquire and retain the property he creates through his own labors and to be treated impartially before a just law. However since we are born unique we are inherently not equal in all things, like ability. The Statist, Levin thinks, rejects that idea and wants to level the playing field and have everyone the same regardless of their differences. This reminds me of the helicopter parent that is going to control their child's life. The child IS going to an Ivy league school no matter what the child actually wants to do in life. Not everyone wants to be a doctor, or even go to college for that matter. The idea of trying to make us all "equal" in this way seems to take away and/or not appreciate our uniqueness from one another.

1st Meeting Minutes

1. Mission Statement - we are trying to develop a mission statement. Lisa Call, who has still been in contact with the Kitchen Cabinet and those who helped with the Romney campaign, had been asked to represent our group in a conference call. She gave them our official title of "Stand Tall Ohio, A Conservative Women's Group focusing on Education and Preparedness." So now it's time to get to work. We talked about four purposes of our group; first, to educate ourselves, second to educate our children, third to prepare ourselves for whatever may come and lastly, to expand our group and affecting our communities. Ali Day is working on putting that into one concise mission statement, so if there is anything else you would like to add send her a quick note. That should be done shortly. Every time we meet we hope to be covering in some part each of these topics. Learning as we go.

2. Meetings- Meetings will need a few people's participation. We would like all to participate eventually as the group progresses. We decided the best way to learn something and be able to talk to others about it, is to get ready to teach it to others. Us! The meetings will consist of 1) A preparedness thought. 2-3 min. 2) A thought on how to teach principles we are learning and/or related to our group to children or a personal experience 2-3 minutes. 3) A learning point. A definition. An explanation. Just something that you learning recently while studying. Something you looked up because you were interested and what you found 2-3 min  4)Book and/or article to discuss 50 min. We are hoping meetings stay to no longer than 1 1/2 hours. Mostly will be held at night. Does not have to be held at your house if you are part of the 4 points. Anyone can host. Book discussions should still be held through the group email so we can talk as we read. First meeting discussing Liberty and Tyranny will be held end of January. Any volunteers for pts. 1-3 please contact me (those who are out of town could also email me something to share and we could read it at the meeting).

3. The google group doesn't seem to be satisfying our needs. Is there anyone who is techno savvy enough to create a blog spot for us? Or anyone else have any other ideas that would be better? Let me know. Maybe 2 people could even work together as a team.

4. Our constitution booklets are in. I will try to distribute them as I see you. Get your books "Liberty and Tyranny" at Bertram Branch Library on warrensville. There are many that are in. Get ready. It's not fluff reading!

Thanks gals. Any questions? Please ask.