Our Ship Of State

The “Public Interest” is a myth. There is no public. The public is a myth. There are only individuals. Similarly, the “Common Good” is a myth. It does not exist.

The preamble to our Constitution states, "We the People of the United States ... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

It doesn't state: " The Public of the United States do ordain..."

“Politics is the art of making your selfish desires seem like the national interest.” - Thomas Sowell

When government regulates for the “public good”, you can be pretty certain that some are paying for the good of others. Often this is done counter to their interests and against their will.

Which public are you? Are you the Republican public or the Democrat one? When the Republicans pass laws why do the Democrats object? When the Democrats pass laws why do the Republicans object? This objection shows that interests are not common. They often conflict. People tend to rationalize that their own values reflect the "public's interest" and are good. They tend to dismiss conflicting interests as selfish and bad. 

Some interests may be popularly held. Others are more esoteric. But very few – perhaps none - are universal or THE COMMON INTEREST. Not all individuals have the same values or interests. It would be dreary to live in such a world. Many interests and values exist. And that is desirable as well as real. We individuals, all of us, pursue our interests and values. Thus, we naturally value other interests less. Diversity is good. It ensures choice. It makes us human. It is inhuman to ascribe equal values and identical interests to humans. Is it politically dangerous to act on the basis of a public good - especially when such goods are imposed by law? As an individual you may decide that it is good to help some other individual. You might even volunteer to provide that help. Doing so would then give you satisfaction. But when you are forced to provide help that you would not want to provide voluntarily you tend to resent the fact that you must do it anyway.  Resentment is the opposite of satisfaction. It would be human to minimize resentment.

Legislation can only regulate your life and your property. That is no myth. Your caring and your effort can not be legislated. Those qualities can only be inspired – not required. And that makes all the difference. Doesn’t it?

When you have more choice you have more liberty. When you are left with less choice you are left with less liberty. When you have less liberty you tend to care less and apply less effort. That benefits you less and costs everyone else as well. That is no myth.

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