Freedom and Benevolence Go Together

John Stossel writes a great column after an interview with Michael Moore for "20-20". Mr. Stossel is a Libertarian and the most intelligent promoter of this ideology that I know. An important read for all my good lefty friends to understand where the right (libertarians, Republicans, et al) are coming from.

Our country was quite libertarian for the first 125 years or so, and he comments in my favorite paragraph on the subject of favoring individual freedom:

• "All it means is that the libertarian refuses to sanction the use of physical force (which is what government is) to help others. Peaceful methods -- like voluntary charity -- are the only morally consistent methods. I give about a quarter of my income to charities because I've seen theat private charity helps the needy far better than government does."

Brings to my mind the following questions:

• What is the difference between the IRS and the Sheriff of Nottingham?
• What is the difference between the British Kings of Robin Hoods time and W, et al?

Comments?