tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10911751.post114668177401962600..comments2024-03-07T02:00:01.582-05:00Comments on NEI Nuclear Notes: The Cost of Dependence on Foreign Fossil FuelUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10911751.post-1146752212935098262006-05-04T10:16:00.000-04:002006-05-04T10:16:00.000-04:00Paul, I admire your devotion to libertarianism. I ...Paul, I admire your devotion to libertarianism. I would, however, point out that no political system has a monopoly on either virtue or vice. The typical argument against democracy is that of Aristotle, that democracy killed Socrates. I would question whether ancient Greek "democracy" could be compared to a modern democracy, but in any event I could cite examples of grave injustices inflicted under most forms of government, for example: the racist policies of the US prior to the civil rights movement (your beloved constitutional republic), the racist immigration and other policies of Australia prior to 1972 (constitutional monarchy), etc. I could also point to dictatorships or virtual dictatorships where individual freedom is exercised, although mostly within limits.<BR/><BR/>From my own personal experience of having lived in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, I have found I had a greater actual right to privacy in Australia and NZ (both constitutional monarchies with democratic institutions) than the USA (a constitutional republic with democratic institutions) and much less intrusion of the government into my private life in those two countries. E.g. in Australia, financial institutions may not exchange very much information about my credit history, all they may swap is credit inquiries and bad events such as defaulting on payment or bankruptcy. In the US, the credit bureaus track how much I am spending each month on my credit cards, versus my credit limit, as well as inquiries and bad events. E.g. In NY city, I am required to provide a notarized affadavit each year advising the city who lives in my apartment, no Australian or NZ government has ever required this of me.<BR/><BR/>I am not saying one system is better or worse than the other, one has to weigh the pros and cons of each, but no political system has a monopoly on virtue or vice.Matthew66https://www.blogger.com/profile/14300778464353560180noreply@blogger.com