The Angry Old Guy – Red Dirt Liberty Report

By
Danny Chabino
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0
388

I’m the eldest writer at Being Libertarian, which I suppose can mean that I get to be the cranky, angry, old Gen-Xer guy. I think probably a majority of my friends and family wonder what happened to me. It wasn’t all that long ago that I am sure it seemed I was waving the banner of GOP loyalty around like a die-hard FIFA fan. I wasn’t, but I am sure it appeared so.

So what did happen? For the majority of my adult life I indeed was a loyal Republican – a yellow-dog Republican, if there is such a thing. In my younger years, I attended conventions, worked on campaigns, was a member of the College Republicans, and later became a member of Young Republicans. I watched as my home State of Oklahoma moved from being majority blue to being one of the most red states in the US, and I cheered it on enthusiastically. Now, the state legislature is made up of nearly 80% members of the GOP. So, did I turn against the GOP because I got bored having won too many battles? Nope. The GOP turned against me and my philosophies. Or rather, my eyes were opened to the duplicity of the GOP and how, even when they gain majority power, still act no differently from Democrats. They love to tax and spend just as much.

With each convention I attended, and with each meeting with other GOP members, I became more and more soured and angry and disenchanted. There are so many times I recall thinking, “But wait. I thought we were for smaller government.” Then, I became extremely sour about government in general as a small business owner that felt like a target for all things government. If you really want to begin hating big government, try owning a business for a while.

So, I have degenerated into a man with a garden hose in one hand and a fist in the air yelling at pro-government people as they metaphorically line up in my yard to tell me what I must do. Every time new budgets are passed, it feels like tyranny (and the GOP has never in its history decreased actual spending, despite its claims for being the small government party). Every time I go to pay my taxes, it feels like a personal assault and naked theft of what I worked very hard to achieve. Every time I get threatened with an audit, and every time new regulations are passed, it feels like government is coming after me. Every time some group of idiot politicians or people in government agencies come up with new and unique ways to harvest data about me and my family, and to limit me in the name of security, it feels like abuse of power. I’m sour and bitter about it all!

For any friends and family that happen to be reading, that is precisely what has happened. It feels a little lonely. The people who really believe in smaller, less intrusive government seem so few. The majority keep saying “wouldn’t it be nice if the government could…” but I’m tired and burnt out on government and their intrusiveness. I’m feeling like a hermit and an outcast of society for just wanting to be left alone to do as I choose. If I’m not hurting you, why can’t I just be left alone?

I don’t much like politicians – any of them. And, I despise the thumb of government that pushes and holds everyone down. I might be a full-fledged member of the Libertarian Party, but I have no sense of political party loyalty anymore. I think political parties are a necessity in getting anything accomplished, but if they leave me on my principles, I have no qualms about supporting people elsewhere.

So, as the elder of the Being Libertarian group, I will fulfill my role. I will be a sour and cranky old guy who doesn’t like government visitors. The GOP and the Democratic parties can kiss my derriere and keep their distance. Government, in the metaphorical sense, needs to stay off my property and away from me and my family. Like the old comedy routine goes, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” Everyone needs to get off my lawn before I turn the garden hose on them!

Oh, and have a Happy Independence Day, by the way.

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Danny Chabino

Danny Chabino has a background in operating small businesses. He has been involved in managing and/or owning the operations of multiple retail establishments, a sub-prime lending company, a small insurance company, a small telemarketing venture, and insurance consulting. In addition to these activities, he also has spent many years managing investments in stocks and stock options as a successful trader. He is the married parent of two adult children, living as a proud lifelong Oklahoman and a part-time redneck. Danny writes for the enjoyment and pleasure of sharing ideas and for the love of writing itself. His opinions skew libertarian, but he enjoys hearing open debate and listening to or reading of opposing ideas. As an odd confession, he personally detests politics, but enjoys writing about political ideals and philosophies.

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