Rugged Individualism

From 2Millionth Web Log

Several posts/threads today, beginning with Athenae's, touch at least in part on mythology that's at the core of wingnut 'philosophy.' The posts at First Draft, Pandagon, and Hullabaloo focus on racist code and false piety; I'd like to note a few things about phony individualism...starting with the fact that, no matter HOW rural you are in this country, once you hop in the F-150, Ram, or Silverado, and head down to the local Exxon/Mobil, BP, Sunoco, Texaco, etc., (as often as not these days combined with a 7-Eleven, Circle-K, Taco Bell, and, here in Loosiana, video poker), you're no longer going solo. You've stepped right up to the global marketplace, with ALL that it entails.

In fact, you don't even have to hop in the truck--if your home is wired for electricity, you're already a participant.

Many of these rugged individualists have also benefited from significant government subsidies throughout their lives, from free primary public education (and heavily subsidized secondary public education) to tax breaks (or more) if they own property...government also makes significant internal improvements that enhance the value of property (if not water and sewer, then expansion of the electrical grid.)

The truth is that the United States, like it or not, is a mature and complex nation state. The idea that somehow everything would be "better" with "smaller government" is sheer nonsense and in fact is itself code for "keep the minorities in their place."

Smaller government is particularly nonsensical when you're discussing multi-trillion dollar bailouts.

And mythology is for people who can't handle reality.