Unruly boys
Who will not grow up
Must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
Who will not settle down
They must be taken in hand

A crack on the head
Is what you get for not asking
And a crack on the head
Is what you get for asking

--The Smiths, "Barbarism Begins at Home"

When we talk about the state, we are really talking about authority, which is nothing more or less than the power that one person has over another. When children are young, each family operates as a kind of "mini state."

--Stefan Molyneux, "Man, Family and State"

The winter holidays provide opportunities not only for celebration, but to bond and renew commitments with family members.

Sadly, ‘tis also the season when existing conflicts between parents and children can become more pronounced, often preceding acts of domestic violence.

More and more libertarians are exploring the ideological implications of traditional parenting practices on existing institutions.

For example, what is the source of man’s authoritarian and inhumane treatment of his fellow man?

"20. Cultivate some Mormon friends."
--Claire Wolfe, 101 Things To Do 'Til The Revolution

Most Utahns are familiar with the wise practice of setting aside a basic supply of food and water, and some money.

Why? To insure against crises -- whether natural or man-made.

Granted, federal and state bureaucracies have been raising the cost -- and the fear-mongering -- for Americans who want to live without government assistance or interference, especially in times of crisis.

The author of the book Dependent on D.C.: The Rise of Federal Control Over the Lives of Ordinary Americans, Boise State University professor of economics Charlotte Twight, offers one explanation why:

[Nota bene: Following some the links from this essay is probably not a good idea in a shared work environment. And if for no other reason than not being a boor, it's probably not a good idea to discuss the topic of this post with your co-workers ... unless your co-workers happen to produce a "morning zoo" genre radio program. ;-) Please exercise discretion.]

Let's talk about sex.

"Let's not reform taxes. Let's eliminate them, starting with the income tax."

--Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.

If you had $1000 to donate, would you give it to the Salvation Army or to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency)?

Would you give it to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which administers Medicaid?

Many of us celebrate romance during the month of February. (And a quick survey of the work of some Libertarian romance novelists, such as Karen Kay and Lauren Royal, reminds me that I am woefully out of my depth on this subject.)

So, as Valentine's Day approaches, why not briefly explore the relationship between love and politics?

In the libertarian-themed movie Serenity, Captain Malcolm Reynolds' character ("Mal") is a hardened military veteran who seemingly lacks a moral compass. But in the closing scene of the movie, Mal shows that his heart also governs his actions when he speaks metaphorically to a member of his crew.

The winter holidays prompt many Utahns to reflect on matters spiritual and share joy.

And although some CEOs who don't live in Utah have expressed concerns about our local culture, one of the season's memories I am fond of is my party's campaign seven years ago to proclaim the virtue of being a Mormon and a Libertarian.

The year was 1998.

In the spring of that year, Elder Marlin Jensen of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gave a lengthy interview, urging members of the LDS Church to become not only more politically active, but active in more than one political party.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London reminds Americans of local government's ability to transfer real property from Poor Peter to Politically-Powerful Paul.

As Utah's November 8th local government elections approach, have you discovered which candidates for office have designs on your home?

The Political Economy Research Center has drafted a statement of principles for preserving freedom and livability in America's cities and suburbs titled "The Lone Mountain Compact."