Happy Independence Day
Today, we celebrate the independence of the United States, the anniversary of its declaration that it was no longer a part of a tyrannical Crown. Sadly, many Americans don't know what real freedom is.
We have many stupid laws, but this one is particularly insulting to everything this country stands for. Several states are now requiring "American-made" flags to varying degrees, whether flags sold at "state stores" (presumably any old state-operated store like at a tourist center or state park?) or flags flown at schools.
Well, patriotism is the last refuse of protectionists as well as scoundrels. The "concern" of increasing numbers of foreign-made flags is a concern only of the domestic manufacturers, those goddamn hypocrites. Sandy Van Leiu is like any other protectionist, seeking to keep people enslaved to his company's higher prices: for if people start buying more and more Chinese-made flags, Annin & Co. will sell less and less until they go out of business. But when you form something noble-sounding like the "Flag Manufacturers Association of America," you can lobby government under the guise of patriotism and convince people you're the good guys. In the end, all you're
The "biggest honor" you can do for the flag is actually respect the country and its freedom that the flag represents, rather than put on some sanctimonious display of putting out the flag on every appropriate holiday. How do you respect freedom by denying people the freedom to buy from whomever they want?
I'm off to the airport very soon, and I'll be back Sunday night. I'm making it an annual Fourth of July tradition to go out to Utah for the long weekend and visit my oldest friends. Everybody be safe, and think about what freedom really is, and ask yourselves if you're really free.
We have many stupid laws, but this one is particularly insulting to everything this country stands for. Several states are now requiring "American-made" flags to varying degrees, whether flags sold at "state stores" (presumably any old state-operated store like at a tourist center or state park?) or flags flown at schools.
Well, patriotism is the last refuse of protectionists as well as scoundrels. The "concern" of increasing numbers of foreign-made flags is a concern only of the domestic manufacturers, those goddamn hypocrites. Sandy Van Leiu is like any other protectionist, seeking to keep people enslaved to his company's higher prices: for if people start buying more and more Chinese-made flags, Annin & Co. will sell less and less until they go out of business. But when you form something noble-sounding like the "Flag Manufacturers Association of America," you can lobby government under the guise of patriotism and convince people you're the good guys. In the end, all you're
The "biggest honor" you can do for the flag is actually respect the country and its freedom that the flag represents, rather than put on some sanctimonious display of putting out the flag on every appropriate holiday. How do you respect freedom by denying people the freedom to buy from whomever they want?
I'm off to the airport very soon, and I'll be back Sunday night. I'm making it an annual Fourth of July tradition to go out to Utah for the long weekend and visit my oldest friends. Everybody be safe, and think about what freedom really is, and ask yourselves if you're really free.
Labels: Protectionism
posted by Perry Eidelbus at
3:22 AM
1 Comments:
Oops, I meant to say that patriotism is a "refuge" of scoundrels, as the old saying goes. But "refuse" seems appropriate for their self-righteousness.
I'm posting this comment from Utah, still visiting my friends and having a wonderful time.
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