Laurence, The great Leonard Read said it best in this little
parable from his Elements of Libertarian Leadership:
Saint Peter’s List
A person reputed for his libertarian
views was a visiting guest at a chamber of commerce meeting. Favorable action
was taken on three committee reports, all of which were pleas for the federal
government to use its compulsion to obtain the property of others that the
local community might be “benefited.” At the conclusion of the meeting the
visitor was invited to “say a word.” This is all he said:
Remus Papwagon passed away and his
spirit floated to the Pearly Gates. The spirit knocked. Saint Peter responded
and inquired as to the purpose of the visit.
“I crave admittance,” said the spirit.
Saint Peter looked over his list and
sadly announced, “Sorry, Mr. Papwagon,
I don’t have your name.”
“Don’t have my name? How come?”
“You took money from others, from
widows and orphans as well as the rich, in order to satisfy your personal
notions of doing good.”
“Saint Peter, you are in error. I had
the reputation of an honest man.”
“You may have had that reputation among
those who acted in a manner similar to yourself, but it was an undeserved
reputation. Specifically, you were, a financial supporter and a member of the
board of directors of the Opportunity Chamber of Commerce, and that
organization sponsored a government golf course, to mention but one of the many
irresponsible actions that required the coercive extortion of the earnings of
widows and orphans to benefit would-be golfers.”
“Ah, but that was the Opportunity
Chamber of Commerce that took those actions, not your humble servant, Remus
Papwagon.”
Saint Peter looked over his list again
and then said, “Mr. Papwagon, we don’t have any chambers of commerce or labor
unions or councils of churches on this list. There is nothing but individual
souls.”
Saint Peter closed the Pearly Gates.
Whereupon, the meeting adjourned, but
some in attendance that day are still speculating on the whereabouts of the
soul of Remus Papwagon and on the prospects for others who similarly deny
self-responsibility.