Border Patrol

Something in the way you love me won't let me be
I don't want to be your prisoner so baby won't you set me free?
--Madonna

Interesting article on the role of borders in creating political competition and choice. Must admit that I hadn't thought this thru, but it's true. As the author states, "Macro borders with competition enhance liberty."

He also observes that politicians can erase these borders to reduce competition. But politicians, who act in their own self interest like the rest of us, are reluctant to do so because it would mean few positions for them. Nicely done.

The current event along these lines is Arizona's new law to put more authority for identifying illegal immigrants in local police hands. The federal government, particularly those on the Left, doesn't like this.

Arizona states their motivation as one of security for its citizens. The Feds states their motivation as one of preserving individual liberties. These are their stated motivations but their real motives, of course, may be different. The Republican-controlled Arizona apparatus may be seeking to throw a wrench in Democrats plans for amnesty, or perhaps they want to shield local jobs from competition. The Democratic-controlled federal apparatus sees a large bloc of Latin American voters that it would like to pocket for the Fall elections.

To me, putting more control (for just about anything) in the hands of individual states is desirable as it strips power from remote authority. Local government is easier for citizens to monitor and to tailor to their needs.

However, states can not compromise individual liberty. Even if well intentioned, laws that give authorities the power to stop people and question them about personal matters threatens the freedom on which this country was founded.

It essentially boils down to this: Do you want to be safe, or do you want to be free? Liberty and security are largely incompatible, as Patrick Henry famously observed.

btw, the riff between Democrats and Republicans on this issue once again demonstrates the inconsistencies in both parties' behavior--and how they're more alike than different.

Republicans say they're for liberty, but are willing to compromise it in the name of physical security.

Democrats say they're for liberty, but are willing to compromise it in the name of social security.

Big government in either case.