Point 2: Again, you assume that people are philanthropists. It’s a proven fact that cruelty makes us feel as good, if not better than, charity. Suppose then, that one person’s free, willful decision is to do as much harm as possible. Are we to allow that person’s liberty, or imprison him for our own benefit? It is no longer a question of enslavement, but of survival. Certainly you cannot force goodwill, but eliminating danger, poverty, and other basic needs gives us less reason to harm and more reason to improve ourselves.

Point 3: Prosperity does not thrive in absolute freedom. Absolute freedoms offer no protection against the deception and thievery of wealth that capitalism practically encourages. Do you realize that for many of the goods used in the western world, other countries must suffer the consequences? India has a horrible pollution problem. South America is a cornucopia of drug production, volatile and unstable. Even in their own countries, corporations seek to poison their own citizens with cheaply made foods and drugs, all for the sake of profit. Sure, money lost is easily regained, but what of health? Peace of mind? Culture? The entire problem with capitalism and free market is designating money as the prime agent of happiness and prosperity. It’s NOT.

Point 4: Your definition of Liberty is only the culturally accepted one in this day and age. In the time when the Constitution was written, it was only meant for white men, and only landholders could vote. Racism was the norm, not the taboo. How can you say our rights were not man-made? It was only a few decades ago that racial equality was won. By saying these rights are natural, you insult the people who gave their lives fighting for what they believed in. As for life being fair, obviously yours is a sheltered and mollycoddled one. I certainly am in a favorable position, but I do not deceive myself in thinking this is in any way FAIR. I know people have worked hard and sacrificed to give me this life.

Point 5: If theft is theft no matter what channels, what do you say to capitalism, an entire system designed to rob from the poor to give to the rich? Those with capital retain capital- human nature. What will you say when nobody decides to help you when you need it? Theft will seem much more innocent when you need it to survive.

Point 6: Sure, your life is yours. You have every right to step off a cliff you don’t see. Will you appreciate someone who catches you before you do?

Point 7: I’m of the opinion that people don’t really want peace. Ever. It’s boring. Historically, prosperity only really comes after long periods of conflict. After you’ve consumed those resources, humans have to expand, encountering more conflict. Sure, we can learn to cooperate, but the conflict only changes form- competition, advancement, complexity. It’s still conflict.

Email me back if you’re interested.