Much of what I write about is the result of conversation with others. Whether it is face-to-face, or via computer, I have heard the standard arguments against libertarianism time and time again, such as:

 But what about all those who depend on social security? What happens to them?

 What about those who depend on welfare? You can’t just take it away!

 How about those who depend on their government jobs for their family’s livelihood? What will they do when you run them out of a job?

Those are indeed valid questions, and as libertarians we should be ready to answer them. My intent here is not to answer those questions but to address change.

To me it seems that most people want a smaller government and more freedom, but are uneasy with giving up programs and services that were originally designed with admirable intentions but have become vastly overgrown. After all, the ushering in of a new era of libertarian government must look scary to those who are dependant on our current government’s system.

So let’s talk about change under a libertarian government. Many, including myself at times, are nervous – or outright afraid of – change. For most folks, heading through life surrounded by that which we find familiar is a good thing, and any deviation from the norm is bound to spark resistance.

One of the great things found in human nature is adaptability, and after a period of change, significant or not, I believe people become more comfortable with the new way of doing things. I often see it in the workplace. As a director in the company I work for, I am occasionally an instrument of change. While initial resistance to a change in policy, procedure, equipment, or environment is heavy, over time the majority of folks I work with adapt. Some even embrace the new way. And, I have noticed that if one of those new processes needs change, they will resist changing from that process – which they resisted before – to another.

My point is this: change will come slowly, my GOP and Democrat friends. By electing more and more libertarian-minded officials into office, we can start the ball rolling. It will roll slowly at first – a cut here, a veto there – which will allow time for us to adapt to our new way of American life. It will be a long weaning process by which programs will slowly be phased out or scaled down. Sure it will eventually pick up some speed, but I am confident that it will not be so fast as to destroy us or make us weak. If anything, it will make us a stronger nation of free people who are made that way through overcoming the current obstacles we face, such as unemployment, a growing deficit, a weak dollar, and social injustice. Instead of us being afraid of what can be, let’s be afraid of what is; a way of doing things that grows worse each day.