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Autonomy has generally been considered an attribute of groups, of organizations, of government. Autonomy is a desirable trait: the right to set your own agenda to conduct your own affairs with a minimum of outside interference. I propose that the concept of autonomy be extended to cover the smallest group in society: the group of one, the individual.
To be autonomous is to have the right to self-determination to order your affairs as you see fit. Of course, that doesn't give you the right to impose your order or beliefs on any one else, because they're autonomous also. Individualism is an alien concept in most parts of the world. Most people live their lives constrained by family, clan, religion, etc. People spend their whole lives following the course that their station in society dictates. That occurs here too of course, but here, one can break free of these limits.
So, whats the problem? The problem is, I believe that we reached a high water mark for individualism about 20 years ago, and ever since, we've been on a slow slide to totalitarianism.
Over the past two decades we have seen a steady erosion of individual rights and freedom in this country. While we're still free to be what ever we want to be, the government is taking an ever greater interest in how we order our lives.
Absolute rights have gone out of fashion. Individual rights are being being subverted by group rights. The needs and rights of the group are taking precidence over the individual. Every thing is being done today "for the good of society". When the rights of the individual are weighed against the common good, the individual loses out every time. The irony is that society is made up of individuals. If group rights take precidence over individual rights, our society as an association of free autonomous individuals is diminished. We are replacing individualism with collectivism.
The purpose of this organization is to identify the forces and powers that are determined to destroy personal autonomy and freedom in this country.
How often do we hear the cry "it's for the good of society"? Everyone has to wear seatbelts "for the good of society". Everyone must stop smoking "for the good of society". we must have strict gun control "for the good of society". we must outlaw freedom of speech "for the good of society". We must make every one exercise three times a week and eat healthy foods "for the good of society". Ooops, they haven't proclaimed that yet, but they will sooner or later. Eating junk food and not exercising causes health problems. All society will have to pay for these preventable medical problems. "for the good of society" all junk food must be banned. Don't laugh, there's people in this country who already feel that way!
If you want to preserve your individual autonomy you must identify and oppose these threats to individualism.
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http://www.niagara.com/~freedom/accniag/auto.htm
ACC NIAGARA/freedom@niagara.com/April 13 1997/Revised August 23 2006