Zack Sorenson | The Libertarian Institute

Finding A Better Definition For The Political “Left” And “Right”

by Zack Sorenson | Apr 10, 2019 | Featured Articles, Op Eds

Lately I have been listening to and reading different takes on the question of how we define what we mean when we say "left-wing" or "right-wing". Tom Woods has concluded that while he once thought of these definitions as referring to a spectrum, he now believes that there is simply the left and the non-left. Sheldon Richman distinguishes between fascism and state socialism. I have been thinking about this question lately, as well, in the context of understanding the nature of the modern day "crazy left". For example, recently a chocolate "ugly duckling" was criticized because the dark...

The Decline Of The Family

by Zack Sorenson | Apr 10, 2019 | Blog

Families aren't in decline because some bars have opened "unisex" bathrooms, or because there are gay characters on tv now. Families don't work unless the household has some sort of anchor. I won't say it's the woman, I won't say which chores this anchor is or isn't responsible for. However, two full-time working, 40-60 hours per week, adults can't effectively raise a family unless they have a ton of money for day care or nannies. Even then, you still have emotionally neglected children growing into the next generation of adults (while I have no issue with women entering the workforce, I...

Horton’s Law Corollary And Tulsi Gabbard

by Zack Sorenson | Apr 7, 2019 | Blog

Horton's law says that whatever a politician is good on will never happen. Whatever they're bad on, you can bet on it being implemented. A corollary I'm proposing is that candidates who lead on their good issues can never win. Tulsi Gabbard has good and bad issues, but she leads on her anti-empire positions. Of course, this means that if she's elected she might violate Horton's law. Ergo, she won't be elected.

I’m Tired Of Hearing About The End of “Western Civilization”

by Zack Sorenson | Apr 5, 2019 | Blog, Uncategorized

Ann Coulter, Pat Buchanan: "It's the end of the West." Blah blah blah. I'm not even saying that the horribly racist aspects of their philosophy (and sorry to Buchanan for lumping him with Coulter) is necessarily a problem. Of course, Coulter's racism is horrible, but assuming that there's this "Western Civilization" to save, I don't know, if it's a really great thing then maybe horrible ideas might be worth considering to save it. However, to Pat, Ann, and the many many other commentators who worry about the West's collapse, I have news. Western Civilization died already, a long time...

Weird Idea: Why Can’t CA Illegals Be California, But Not US, Citizens?

by Zack Sorenson | Jan 10, 2019 | Blog

Gavin Newsom. Speak of it. What if CA Mexican citizens were granted residential recognition, and voting rights, in California, but not federal recognition? I'm sure there's some legal nuance. Still, I can imagine if CA Mexicans have full participation in California's politics, but are withheld from having rights over outcomes in DC. Most American commentators would be aghast, but I love the idea of some separation between state and federal matters. If CA wants to have a foot in both countries: US and Mexico - isn't that their prerogative as a "state"? Federal law doesn't let states mess...

A Liberal New Year’s Via Ralph Raico

by Zack Sorenson | Jan 10, 2019 | Uncategorized

It's a tough new year for me, with Trump and everything. He, and his opponents, have made me feel like I live in crazytown more than anything else in recent history. At least (per the recent "Vice" movie) Dick Cheney just seemed like a lying jerk. I was listening to Raico for some sanity, and I really appreciate his perspective. Liberals share a certain realist perspective along with the "paleoconservatives" that's a smidge more tolerant of fascism than the political left would like. Although the paleos somewhat endorse certain reactionary attitudes, they and the liberals don't endorse...

Bring Me Men: A Review Of “First Man”

by Zack Sorenson | Oct 15, 2018 | Featured Articles

I suppose the review to follow isn't all too apropos of Libertarianism, so to start I'll mention two ways in which it relates. First, of all the bad things The Empire has done, Neil Armstrong's footprint on The Moon represents probably the best thing it has done. Make no mistake, the effort was almost certainly a waste of money, and an incredibly unnecessary art project given the ultimate outcome. Regardless, the achievement transcends the cost-equivalent lost opportunity of funding welfare XX% over XX years. That's not to say the wealth wasn't wasted at the expense of poor and rich...

A Modest Proposal For National Discontent

by Zack Sorenson | Oct 9, 2018 | Blog

How about the South and Mountain West each become an independent nation "in free association" with the US? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Islands The deal is: you get to control immigration, taxes, trade (excepting ITAR - arms trade), but can have no military. Citizens of the two territories can elect to voluntarily submit income taxes to the IRS, and in return can become eligible for a US passport. I think the Empire will always be a stumbling block on the road to political diversity in American domestic politics. However, as the Empire - and the left - centralizes, why not give...