Our Enemy, The State --Albert Jay Nock

What's going on in Wisconsin and in other states trying to roll back the power of public service unions, goes to the heart of what is meant by government, freedom and the State.  This essay by a libertarian, Albert Jay Nock, who lived through the take over of the government and the State by the Democrat Party and the New Dealers describes the difference between the government and State and why that distinction is important to our freedom.  As it stands now, the unions have pretty much hijacked the State and the conservative government administration in Wisconsin (and elsewhere) is trying to reclaim it on behalf of its constituency -- the citizens.  We are at an inflection point when we can go in one of two directions, depending on the outcome of this struggle between the government and the unions.  If the unions win, we will continue down the path of collectivism and more government intrusion in our daily lives and less personal freedom.  If the government succeeds in rolling back the power of the unions to control the State,  the size of government and its role in our lives can in turn be rolled back.  For those who believe limited government equals freedom, this latter case is the preferred outcome.  Otherwise the Obama agenda of socialized medicine, et. al., will prevail and we are to be diminished as individuals.  There's a lot at stake in Wisconsin and in other states.