One of Murray Rothbard’s greatest contributions to American history was his analysis of the Progressives, and in this week’s column I’m going to discuss two key themes from that analysis, themes that are very relevant to us today. To be clear, we are talking about the period from approximately the mid-1890s to the mid-1920s. The two themes are, first, that the government welcomed war as a means by which it could take over the American economy and subvert our liberties, and second, that the state used kept “intellectuals” to whip up support for its nefarious schemes.

The Bible recounts how the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The devil appeared and first wanted Jesus to turn stones into bread. (In fact, Mises criticized Keynesianism, saying, “the stones do not turn into bread”). Jesus refused. Then, the devil challenged Jesus to throw himself from the pinnacle of the temple in the holy city, asserting that the angels would catch him. Again, Jesus refused. But the devil did not give up. In Matthew 4:8–11, it says:

Today is the first day of 2025. More than any other holiday, New Year’s is a day for reflecting on the past and contemplating our future. And, in the fight to protect and advance human liberty, sound economics, and international peace, 2024 has given us a lot to reflect on.

The President of the Argentine Republic, Javier Milei, has stated that he is going to present a legislative proposal to declare it an imprescriptible crime for the state and the central bank to monetize the public deficit and create inflation. Consequently, heads of state and of the government, ministers, central bank officials, and representatives who, in one way or another, decide, promote, or participate in the creation of money and the inflationary financing of the public deficit will be tried and sentenced as criminals.

Gold enthusiasts can celebrate a golden anniversary on New Year’s Eve and simultaneously mark a market manipulation milestone. Fifty years ago, President Gerald R. Ford legalized private gold ownership, allowing Americans once again to stack the regal metal as a wealth-preserving asset and safe haven against monetary inflation and dollar depreciation. Gold futures trading and market meddling also began in the United States a half-century ago.

The Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution brought a decisive end to slavery in the United States in 1865. The amendment enshrines important principles of justice—self-ownership, individual liberty, and equality before the law.

If there’s one thing the mainstream hates, it’s for you to learn anything that goes against the official version of history:

• World War II spending ended the Great Depression.
• The US was founded as a democracy.
• Three of our best presidents were Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This narrative is a tool they use to maintain control, but it collapses if citizens dare to think for themselves.

Following in the footsteps of John Maynard Keynes, most economists hold that one cannot have complete trust in a market economy, which is seen as inherently unstable. If left free, the market economy could lead to self-destruction. Hence, there is the need for the government and central bank to manage the economy. Successful management, in the Keynesian framework, is done by influencing overall spending.