A Page on Freedom: Number 20

Now personally I’m positively for every good thing there is. For example, I’m aggressively in favor of higher standards for education-and more and better education—than any socialist I ever met. I want the best possible medical care for everyone. With all my heart, I desire that every family in the United States and elsewhere shall be well fed, well clothed, and well housed.

While the socialists campaign for minimum wages and minimum standards of living, I shall continue positively to explain to people how the free market will bring maximum wages, high standards, and more goods and services for everyone. I’m for the maximum and against the minimum.

If people only realized it, the advocates of these minimums and averages are their deadliest enemies. The socialists want to depress the people to a common level; the libertarian wants to elevate each individual person to his highest capabilities.

The socialists want to standardize people; the libertarian wants to encourage and assist each person to develop his own personality and potentiality to the fullest.

The socialists want to restrict and forbid and control; the libertarian wants to remove the artificial and man-made obstacles to peace, progress, and plenty.

Since that is what you and I favor, why don’t we say so? If we explain our viewpoints consistently and effectively, we will soon put the socialists on the defensive where they belong. For when it comes to an interest in the true welfare of people, the socialists are small men of little vision.