American Thought Project

Dr. Aaron Brown joins American Thought Project to discuss different generations' responses to crisis, like we've seen with COVID-19 and the economic impact, as well their views on individuality, responsibility, and American Values

Nick and Robert revisit COVID-19 and the relation the responses have had on our individual liberty. We've learned a lot over the past couple of months. Were any despotic responses backed by data? Are these type of responses ever justified? 

Where to start? Capitalism in inextricable from individual freedom. It is the best system man has ever created and is rooted in the dignity of the individual. Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned and not forcibly confiscated. The precept for capitalism is individual volunteerism. All interactions are predicated on mutual consent between parties. The reason why it is the best system man has created is because it is the only moral system free from coercion. 

For someone to truly support government-subsidized healthcare for all, social security, welfare programs, or any other government run redistribution program, one must admit to being OK violating one individual’s rights in order to achieve a desired end.One must admit being OK violating one individual’s rights for the sake of another individual’s benefit.

Freedom must prevail. 

Nick and Robert discuss the attempts to erase history. We've seen this before but we've never been living out Orwell's 1984 quite so closely. Honest debate about revering some and condemning others ceases to exist in today's climate. Hindsight is 2020 and it is unreasonable and unfair to judge the past by the moral standards of the day. To be unable to acknowledge that two things can be true; great men can do immoral things and great men can do triumphant things is sophomoric and ignorance. We stand on the shoulders of giants and spit down on them in our ingratitude and arrogance. America is slowly losing the ability to add context and understand the facts of life, namely that it is both tragic and beautiful, a coexistence of grace and sin, grandeur and failure, brilliance and blindness.

Nick & Robert discuss the idea of defunding or dissolving the police force. While some dismiss this as a crazy pipe dream, there are many prominent voices advocating for it. The police force's sole and just mission is to further protect our civil liberties. When any injustice is committed by police it is the citizenry's duty to heavy scrutinize and hold accountable those at fault. Is defending or dissolving the police force the way to achieve the ends we all desire? In short, we say NO, the facts do not substantiate such an idea.

Nick and Robert discuss who and what Antifa is and their goal. They also discuss how they view the political spectrum, and where fascism and anarchy fall along its axis. We see and hear incorrect definitions of both — the “right wing dictator” is a myth. The polarity on the size of government spectrum is anarchy and totalitarianism. On one end we have full freedom, on the other no freedom. Here are our thoughts.

Nick & Robert discuss the difficult topic of the tragic death of George Floyd, racism, riots, and responses of the government and citizenry.

Nick and Robert discuss the COVID-19 response and the implications on our individual liberty. They also discuss the efficacy of the government's response, censorship, and mainstream narrative.