John McCain’s Decade-Long Attack on the Individual

Two interesting op-eds from today’s NY Times. (I think only the first one is in the print edition.)

The first is from Readon Magazine editor-in-chief Matt Welch on John McCain’s “decade-long attack on the individual.” Key excerpt:

“We are fast becoming a nation of alienating individualists, unwilling to put the unifying values of patriotism ahead of our narrow self-interests,” Mr. McCain warned in a speech during his 2000 presidential campaign. He added that “cynicism threatens to become a ceiling on our greatness.”

Where there are threats to national greatness, there are activities that Mr. McCain insists the federal government should curtail. And the most maverick individuals among us are destined to bear the brunt.

Am I the only one who hears “Ride of the Valkyries” whenever a politician starts talking about “national greatness”?

On a more cheerful note, the second piece from today’s Times looks at the graphics revolution inspired by the Ron Paul Revolution.

Manhattan Libertarian Party