by: Livermush and Grits

Yes. You read that title right. "Don't Tread on Me" vibes with reparations. Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" is on my list of top 20 favorite movies, if not on my top 10. At the beginning of the movie, Mel Gibson's character is debating with another person on whether or not South Carolina should declare its independence from England.

Mel Gibson's quote "Why should I trade ONE tyrant, 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants ONE mile away?"

The point of this debate is directed at a National Level. Don't Tread On Me is historically rooted, rightly so, of government overreach at a large, macro level. But what about at the State level?  County level?  City/Town level? Libertarians are not all anarchists. Government is best when it functions as cheap glue that binds us all together. I want the tension between individual rights and government authority to be as anxious as a short, heavy-set man in a skintight uniform with pants so tight the flap has pulled itself open and you can see the metal tangs of the zipper hanging on for dear life. 

If a local municipality, such as Asheville, votes to start an initiative that pays reparations with local taxes, then the state level should have no authority to tell them "No".  Local control is better, right? State funds should never contribute a single cent to a city funded project such as reparations without being voted on at the state level. An example of this would be "dry" counties. I lived in Lincoln County when it was a "dry" county. Nonalcoholic beverages could not be sold within the county. Should the *State* Legislature supersede what the county citizens voted for? Local control is better, right?

A person that does not live in Asheville should have ZERO opinion on what happens in Asheville. Carpetbagging applies at all levels. As a North Carolinian, I will not entertain a single opinion about North Carolina from someone outside of North Carolina. Those dayumed Yankees. Local control is better, right? If Asheville wants to have reparations and go through the process of reparations then let the people of Asheville have the self determination to do so. I don't live in Asheville therefore I have no representation in Asheville.

"Tyranny by the minority" is a popular saying in our culture. Likewise, "Tyranny by the majority"...

In Federalist #10, Madison warns about the dangers of groups of citizens united by interests contrary to the rights of others or the common good. Whether its differences in wealth, opinions, religion, economy, etc, a peoples from afar and not represented locally should not dictate the affairs of the locals. The beauty of the United States is our beloved 1rst Amendment which means EVERYONE is allowed to voice their opinion. That is Liberty. Consensus can be difficult. In the absence of consensus at the state level, if a local county or city/town has consensus then they should be able to act.

A large Republic, with many competing interests, is the best defense to tyranny. The Duopoly is tyranny, eliminating choice and competing interests from Government representation. I have more choices in purchasing plain white t-shirts than political parties. The goal of capitalism is to create competition in the markets and rid the system of monopolies and poor performance.  The Duopoly is the monopoly.  A healthy Republic makes it harder for any one faction to dominate. A test if our Republic was healthy our local elections would be non partisan. 

"Liberty is to faction what air is to fire." James Madison

State Rights, right? County Rights, right? City Rights, Right? Local Control is better, right? Individual Rights, Right?

Do we perceive this chain to function as Top -> Down OR Bottom -> Up?