Although he has some libertarian tendencies, Steve Forbes has to be classified as establishmentarian versus libertarian, which makes his latest book all the more interesting. In his new book, Freedom Manifesto: Why Free Markets Are Moral and Big Government Isn’t, written with co-author Elizabeth Ames, not only are Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich Hayek quoted but the Mises Institute is mentioned in the acknowledgements.

John Aziz has posted “A Critique of the Methodology of Mises & Rothbard.”

He objects to Mises’ statement that:

Our statements and propositions are not derived from experience. They are not subject to verification or falsification on the ground of experience and facts.

by averring:

“It should be clear that any governmental interference with the depression process can only prolong it, thus making things worse from almost everyone’s point of view. Since the depression process is the recovery process, any halting or slowing down of the process impedes the advent of recovery. The depression readjustments must work themselves out before recovery can be complete. The more these readjustments are delayed, the longer the depression will have to last, and the longer complete recovery is postponed.”

“The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not only to exploit, but above all to corrupt its citizens.” — Leo Tolstoy

“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This cri de coeur of the oppressed people of New Netherland against their despotic director, Willem Kiefft, was heeded by the West India Company and Kiefft was removed in May 1645.