I felt an incredible sense of isolation. So many people around me—including people I care about—wanted to do things to and for other people "for their own good." There's a whole lot more nuance to that assertion than I want to address right now, but it boiled down to the fact that I was sick, emotionally sick, from so many people from all walks of life who devoted—devote—a great deal of energy to trying to change other people's lives to suit their own world view—not that they see it that way, of course—and losing sight—if they ever had sight of it in the first place—of two things that are vitally important.

First, the notion that freedom—that is, individuals unfettered from pursuing their own interests (so long as they are not harming other people)—was why people fled Europe in the first place. Nathan Hale famously said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Hale wasn't seeking safety or security, he was hanged for spying on British troops because he so fervently believed in the natural right of all people to determine their own destiny, including the choice to risk and forfeit his own life in the effort to achinve that end.

The country he spoke of so passionately at his end was not a source of blind nationalism, or some warmongering jingoism, but a nation formed of people who laid down everything to secure the rights of people to practice and protect their individual liberty.

The second thing that gets lost in the paternalist rhetoric is the fact that seizing and siphoning the resources and productivity of a nation in order to "make the world a better place"—doesn't. Nanny state intervention and government-mandated social welfare programs incur costs by encouraging program dependency, eroding social cohesion, and also by lowering the overall wealth and prosperity of the places where they occur by directing resources in a place not necessarily where they will have the most impact.

Freedom is not just a pleasant notion bled for by idealistic nut jobs. It's the most effective means for improving the lot of every single individual who lives in a society.

Hold that last though, because I'll be coming back to it.

So, this feeling of isolation was really getting me down. I have a few people in my life who think—to my mind—sanely, but the overwhelming (important work, there, "overwelming")—the overwhelming majority either ranted and raved about—or tacitly accepted—ways of life that just took all the joy out of life.

On of my bastions of sanity—a close friend for over two decades—has for years been involved within groups of people who don't just whine about the lack of liberty, but who take positive action toward securing the rights of people to practice and protect their individual liberty. In retrospect, that sounds like a no-brainer, but though I had known about these people for years, I was caught up in the problems and challenges of everyday life and constantly distracted by all the shouting and posturing and sensationalizing happening all around me every day.

This is Part One of a three-part series. If you liked it, read Part Two and Part Three, as well.