The Geography May 1995 Vol. 8, No.5 $4.00 of Freedom CZiberty is always consistent with itself"-George Macdonald o The Cato Health Care Library A Comprehensive Case for Free-Market Health Policy Reform "Giving people choices in health care and instilling cost-consciousness is plain old common sense. In Medical Savings Accounts, Goodman and Musgrave have hit upon a bold concept that may revolu- tionize the way health care is delivered throughout America." -Sen. Phil Gramm The biggest problem in u.s. health care is that consumers pay only about 20 percent of the costs directly so they have little incentive to shop wisely and hold costs down. The "Patient Power" plan would create tax-free Medical Savings Accounts to give consumers more clout. 135 pp., $4.95 Or get the comprehensive version of Patient Power: 673 pp., $16.95. To order Patient Power or other Cato studies, Cato Institute call toll-free 1-800-767-1241 1000 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. (Monday-Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Eastern) Washington, D.C. 20001 May 1995 Inside Liberty Volume 8, Number 5 4 Letters Just what the name suggests. 7 Reflections Liberty's editors comment on the covenants of Clinton, Kemp, Christ, and other cats. Features 15 Mexican Hayride Robert Reich may not care for corporate welfare, but his boss just made a colossal payoff to Wall Street. R. W. Bradford reports. 17 A World Partly Free Heavens to Mercator! Bruce Ramsey remaps the geography of freedom. 23 Flowers for the Underclass Whatever the authors of The Bell Curve may intend, their book may become the bible of a new ruling class. David Ramsay Steele explains. 29 Vocational Ethics Robert Lee Mahon uncovers the latest pedagogical scam: "ethics education./I 31 Africa Unseen So far as the media are concerned, Africa is the in-the-dark continent. Martin Morse Wooster searches for exceptions to the rule. 33 Convincing the Unconvlnclble Val Lambson navigates the straits to laissez faire. 37 The Greening of Liberty Randal O'Toole builds bridges between the libertarian and environmental movements. 40 Bond Market Babylon A selection of commentaries by a poetess of the Net, Caroline Baum. Introduced by Victor Niederhoffer. 45 Straight Outta Brooklyn Chris Sciabarra defends the real New Yawk. 47 The Electoral Quagmire Wendy McElroy extricates herself. 50 "We the Living" How do Russian libertarians view the most famous Russian advocate of liberty? A translation of the introduction to the first Russian edition of Ayn Rand's We the Living. S1 Feed the Children Fiction by J. Orlin Grabbe. Sensitive readers beware. Reviews 55 Blunder on the Right Conservatives would have a better chance if they would stop giving away the war to win the battle, says Paul Piccone. 59 The Feminine Critique The biggest secret about feminism, says Jesse Walker, is that it's already won the most important battles. 62 The Sensitive Jacoblns David Boaz takes a look at an anti-P.C.liberai. 63 I Saw John Cage at Madison Square Garden Amidst the runners and jumpers and crowds, Richard Kostelanetz heard America singing the offbeat, chance non-harmonies of America's late non-master of chaos. 64 Booknotes on P.}. O'Rourke, civil-rights pork, the relativist as dork, a Seattle dystopia, a mystery cornucopia, an alternative to NATO myopia, and (of course) O.}. Simpson. 65 Star Trek: The X Generation John Bergstrom's graphic review of the latest Trekkie spinoff. 66 Videonote New light on the Gordon Kahl case. 66 A CD-Rom Guide R.W. Bradford surveys a new medium that only occasionally lives up to its potential. ~:~ 68 Classified Advertisements Classified, but not secret. 69 Notes on Contributors People, places, and positions. 70 Terra Incognita Bob Woodward meets Andre Breton. r Lett ers J The notorious bank robber Wi: 1995 [__ ~ Sutton, when asked why he robbed ..:::::::=============================================================================:::- banks, replied, "Because that's where the President Browne? won't lead to a day when we will wake money is." Ifwe were to ask our law­ yers, legislators, judges, and policemen Congratulations to Mr. Pugsley on a up magically in a free society. On the why they so mistreat us, they might well tightly reasoned, well-written article other hand, I know that the federal gov­ answer, "Because you still pay us hand­ ("Harry, Don't Run!" March 1995). ernment (and most other governments) somely, you still vote for us no matter I was involved with the Libertarian would be considerably smaller after I how many onerous laws we make, you Party at its inception, both in New Mexi­ served a term as president. And since it still walk into our courts voluntarily and co and nationally (as first national secre­ is extremely unlikely that we will see a say "Your Honor," and you still submit tary). Six months later, I left the party in totally free society in my lifetime, I meekly when we apprehend you even if disgust because I had discovered that the would like to make it as free as possible you know you have not defrauded, only way to achieve anything by political for the years remaining to me. That is in threatened, or harmed anyone." means would be to sell out my reasons my self-interest; I'm not concerned Civil disobedience works. I recently for being involved in the first place. about the generations of the coming cen­ spent eight months behind bars for ob­ In his perceptive and excellent article turies who might find a way to profit struction of governmental administra­ in It Came from Arkansas ("Who Benefits from the educational activities of today. tion and refusing to plea bargain or post from the Clinton Program?"), Harry I have no quarrel with anyone who bail. I also didn't walk into court. They Browne shows that he has no illusions chooses not to support my campaign; pushed me in and when I was in I re­ about the context in which a president after all, I didn't vote for 30 years. But I mained silent. Sure it involved pain but works. Given all this, Mr. Browne, could don't agree that I am aggressing against there was also a high degree of satisfac­ you tell us what exactly you believe you anyone by running for president or by tion watching them trying to run the could accomplish as president? being president. Every change that I show without my cooperation. They This last election, I registered for the make will be a change toward less gov­ were exposed and stung. The communi­ first time in many years, but could not ernment. I will disarm the politicians, ty was asking, "Why him? Why not the stomach going to the polls, especially not hand them new weapons. criminals?" with Ross Perot telling listeners that the And those who know me personally Jacob Lapp people are the boss; I felt like a sheep be­ - including John Pugsley - will testify, Cassadaga, N.Y. ing herded. I believe, that I am far more reliable than Mr. Browne, ifI were able to make the politicians he cited, such as Ronald Damned If You Do ... myself enter a polling boothin order to Reagan. I mean what I say, and my in­ I found John Pugsley's argument vote for you, what would I be voting for? tentions will not be subverted. against libertarians participating in the Diane Amsden IfI'm elected, on the first day I will political process enlightening, but not El Cajon, Calif. pardon all those convicted of tax eva­ convincing. It seems to me that not par­ sion, nonviolent drug crimes, "insider Harry's War ticipating is political action by default. trading," and gun control edicts. I will While Pugsley is correct in recogniz­ I appreciate John Pugsley's concern abolish all the regulations in the federal ing that all human beings act out of self­ about my campaign for the presidency. register that harass businesspeople. interest, those who recognize natural And I admire the thinking that has gone None of those acts require the coopera­ law act out of self-interest rightly into his article. tion of Congress. In addition, I will work understood. John has chosen to further his beliefs to repeal the income tax, abolish federal William Paul Hayden through such political activities as push­ departments and agencies, and reduce Anchorage, Alaska ing the FIJA movement and fighting the size of government by at least two­ government regulations. I have chosen thirds. The Life of Politics to further my beliefs by trying to IfJohn feels this is aggression, I will John Pugsley revives a debate that become president to cut the size of periodically engages libertarians. This is gladly add a provison exempting him government. not the first time an apolitical libertarian from my actions, and he can continue John has decided to set aside imme­ has challenged Libertarian Party acti­ paying income tax. diate self-interest by undertaking such vists, accusing them of giving aid and Harry Browne uncomfortable activities as engaging in comfort to the enemy by voting, running Lafayette, Calif. civil disobedience or taking chances for office, or otherwise working to influ­ with his taxes. I have decided to set Civil and Disobedient ence the direction of society with "politi­ aside six years of my remaining life to Hold it, Mr. Prechter ("Anti-Politics cal" activism. Interestingly, the issue has try to serve a term as president. in Action," March 1995): Mr. Pugsley been somewhat dormant for a few years. John has explained why he believes didn't say don't do anything at all. He Now that Harry Browne has decided to the activities he favors are moral or said doing nothing is far from the only seek the LP presidential nomination, it is praiseworthy, but he hasn't explained alternative to political action.