Thank you very much for the comments – its a privilege to write for Pajamas. The article is optimistic agreed, but only because I do see the coming obstacles collectivism faces. (Bailouts, Obamacare, Social Security crunch.)
One other point – I put “collectivism” in the title and as a central idea for a reason. Use that word and define it. Force the people who don’t know it to learn it if they want to be a part of the debate. If someone says collectivism sounds like a good idea because everyone is working together, push. What decisions are you comfortable having the government make for you? Just economic decisions, just social decisions, or both? Do you believe the government will always act honestly and morally and free of corruption and influence? What happens if you trust the government to take care of your children’s education or health care and they don’t deliver? Has the government ever been able to effectively police and regulate itself, or even just control its spending?
Now you’re not going to convert anyone into a conservative or libertarian in one conversation, but just to have someone think about the purpose and limits of government for a minute is a significant victory. And remember, the ideas only have to spread to the independents – and somehow I think selling individualism to independents can’t be all that difficult.
