Rating: 
Summary: A Libertarian Manifesto
Review:
Vin Suprynowicz resents bureaucratic hubris and the bullying tactics of the faceless public servants who abuse their power over the citizens who pay their wages. He is a Libertarian who, by definition, believes the least government is the best government.
This book is a collection of tales of such abuses, which Suprynowicz relates in such a way that any reader with a heart will become enraged as they read. Carl Drega, the title case, as depicted here, was a citizen who ran up against a particularly stupid and mean city hall. Over a period of decades, he tried to prevent them from treading on his freedom and confiscating his property. Finally, he was driven to violent action which resulted in the deaths of several of his tormentors and himself. An understandable reaction, even if one cannot condone it. On the back cover, the author explains his view succinctly: "In a free country, individuals have almost limitless rights--to travel as they please, carry private arms, consume any plant or drug, keep what they earn, raise their kids as they see fit..all without showing any license or permit..." Of course, as the population grows, the number of kooks grows with it, and as surely as the night follows the day, laws are enacted to restrain them...laws which inevitably restrain the freedoms of everyone, including the law-abiding and guiltless. Then, as the politicians and bureaucrats seek to curry favor with the electorate and thus ensure their continued tenure in office, they pass more laws granting health care, social security, and other socialistic schemes. But, when the government robs Peter to pay Paul, it can always count on the support of Paul, and as the numbers of Pauls increase the government becomes more and more powerful, and more and more difficult to reform and to return to its rightful, constitutional role. So, we have arrived at where we are today--with a government that no longer adheres to its constitutional role, that is to provide a level playing field where all are equal before the law, to a socialistic society where government is looked to as the solution to all cultural ills, and gradually, step by step, freedom is lost to paternalism. Where taxation is unevenly applied, depending on one's income, and where equality of opportunity is replaced by the attempt to achieve equality of result. If you have more than me, it is your legal duty to share your wherewithal with me, despite the work it has taken you to get yours, and the laziness or stupidity that may be the cause of my poverty. This is the society that Vin Suprynowicz depicts, with all of its injustice, favoritism, cruelty and tragedy. Is there any chance that we will ever get back to the Bill of Rights and constitutional government? Time will tell, but the prospects look bleak. The author is probably a voice crying in the wilderness for a lost cause. Joe Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
Rating:
Summary: A Libertarian Manifesto
Review:
Vin Suprynowicz resents bureaucratic hubris and the bullying tactics of the faceless public servants who abuse their power over the citizens who pay their wages. He is a Libertarian who, by definition, believes the least government is the best government.
This book is a collection of tales of such abuses, which Suprynowicz relates in such a way that any reader with a heart will become enraged as they read. Carl Drega, the title case, as depicted here, was a citizen who ran up against a particularly stupid and mean city hall. Over a period of decades, he tried to prevent them from treading on his freedom and confiscating his property. Finally, he was driven to violent action which resulted in the deaths of several of his tormentors and himself. An understandable reaction, even if one cannot condone it. On the back cover, the author explains his view succinctly: "In a free country, individuals have almost limitless rights--to travel as they please, carry private arms, consume any plant or drug, keep what they earn, raise their kids as they see fit..all without showing any license or permit..." Of course, as the population grows, the number of kooks grows with it, and as surely as the night follows the day, laws are enacted to restrain them...laws which inevitably restrain the freedoms of everyone, including the law-abiding and guiltless. Then, as the politicians and bureaucrats seek to curry favor with the electorate and thus ensure their continued tenure in office, they pass more laws granting health care, social security, and other socialistic schemes. But, when the government robs Peter to pay Paul, it can always count on the support of Paul, and as the numbers of Pauls increase the government becomes more and more powerful, and more and more difficult to reform and to return to its rightful, constitutional role. So, we have arrived at where we are today--with a government that no longer adheres to its constitutional role, that is to provide a level playing field where all are equal before the law, to a socialistic society where government is looked to as the solution to all cultural ills, and gradually, step by step, freedom is lost to paternalism. Where taxation is unevenly applied, depending on one's income, and where equality of opportunity is replaced by the attempt to achieve equality of result. If you have more than me, it is your legal duty to share your wherewithal with me, despite the work it has taken you to get yours, and the laziness or stupidity that may be the cause of my poverty. This is the society that Vin Suprynowicz depicts, with all of its injustice, favoritism, cruelty and tragedy. Is there any chance that we will ever get back to the Bill of Rights and constitutional government? Time will tell, but the prospects look bleak. The author is probably a voice crying in the wilderness for a lost cause. Joe Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT!
Review: All the news items that seldom make the papers or television, but deserve to be on the front page.
After reading this book, which details case after documented case of authoritarian abuse, you will marvel that there are SO FEW violent attacks on the socialist slugs that have come to infest our government. What can YOU do, while staying within the law and without resorting to violence? First, Christmas is approaching. Buy this book for your friends and relatives, especially the ones with young children. The section on public schools alone is more than worth the cover price. Next, contact the editorial desk of your local paper and urge them to start carrying Vin Suprynowicz's columns on a regular basis. Third, email Matt Drudge and urge him to put a link for Vin Suprynowicz on the "Drudge Report." Vin's work makes other columnists that Drudge links to look like they've been in a coma for the last two decades. Last of all, NEVER GIVE UP!
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT!
Review: All the news items that seldom make the papers or television, but deserve to be on the front page. After reading this book, which details case after documented case of authoritarian abuse, you will marvel that there are SO FEW violent attacks on the socialist slugs that have come to infest our government. What can YOU do, while staying within the law and without resorting to violence? First, Christmas is approaching. Buy this book for your friends and relatives, especially the ones with young children. The section on public schools alone is more than worth the cover price. Next, contact the editorial desk of your local paper and urge them to start carrying Vin Suprynowicz's columns on a regular basis. Third, email Matt Drudge and urge him to put a link for Vin Suprynowicz on the "Drudge Report." Vin's work makes other columnists that Drudge links to look like they've been in a coma for the last two decades. Last of all, NEVER GIVE UP!
Rating:
Summary: A Must for those interested in freedom.
Review: An outstanding look at the unending chain of abuses that are heaped on us by our government and the obvious, but tragic results. The Ballad of Carl Drega is a collection of articles and notes from 1994 -2001 by the award-winning Libertarian columnist Vin Suprynowicz. Carl Drega, Gary Watson, Donald Scott, Peter Williams, and the victims of Ruby Ridge and Waco are the martyrs in the raging War Against Freedom. This expose goes where no others dare. Vin exposes the War that has been declared on our rights in his essays on Taxes, Western Land Grabs, Environmentalism, Gun Laws, Vaccinations, and the "Mandatory government youth propaganda camps, still known to most as the 'public schools'". He challenges you to focus on the victims' plight and leaves you wondering how on earth there are not similar "last stands" on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I fear that there will be many more Carl Drega's before Vin's next book is released. I have given this book my highest recommendation and consider it a must-read for freedom lovers, patriots, libertarians, journalists, and concerned parents. If you don't like to loan out your favorite books, you might be wise to order more than one copy.
Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening text on government and individual conflicts
Review: Few may have heard of Carl Drega, but Vin Suprynowicz's Ballad Of Carl Drega will restore his name to public fame by providing a series of his essays on the Freedom Movement from 1994 to 2001. Carl fought for the rights of the individual: his story blends with others who have waged war on those who would limit freedoms in this eye-opening text on government and individual conflicts.
Rating:
Summary: "The Best Book I Have Ever Read in My Life. Without a Doubt"
Review: It would be very fair to say that "The Ballard of Carl Drega" is one of the most revealing and insightful books to be published in years. Authored by Vin Suprynowicz, one of the world's most celebrated and syndicated libertarian writers of the century, this title leaves no stone unturned. For those of you who believe that a "war on freedom" is in the works, this title will not only reaffirm your belief but will show you how it's ten times worse than you originally thought. Unlike many books which are simply based on hearsay, this title cites the cold, hard facts in excruciating detail. You can expect to see examples and be pointed to verifiable sources, not just the philosophic ramblings of the author. This book is unrelenting attack on everything you thought you knew. From building codes to taxes, this book explores the cold, dark world that is our government. When you have finished reading this title, your outlook on life will be changed. The title is that powerful. If you buy only one book this year, that book should be "The Ballard of Carl Drega". Eight died on that bridge in Lexington back in 1775, how many will it take this time?
Rating:
Summary: "The Best Book I Have Ever Read in My Life. Without a Doubt"
Review: It would be very fair to say that "The Ballard of Carl Drega" is one of the most revealing and insightful books to be published in years. Authored by Vin Suprynowicz, one of the world's most celebrated and syndicated libertarian writers of the century, this title leaves no stone unturned. For those of you who believe that a "war on freedom" is in the works, this title will not only reaffirm your belief but will show you how it's ten times worse than you originally thought. Unlike many books which are simply based on hearsay, this title cites the cold, hard facts in excruciating detail. You can expect to see examples and be pointed to verifiable sources, not just the philosophic ramblings of the author. This book is unrelenting attack on everything you thought you knew. From building codes to taxes, this book explores the cold, dark world that is our government. When you have finished reading this title, your outlook on life will be changed. The title is that powerful. If you buy only one book this year, that book should be "The Ballard of Carl Drega". Eight died on that bridge in Lexington back in 1775, how many will it take this time?
Rating:
Summary: Insane by reason of bureaucracy!
Review: That could very well be a legitimate legal defense some day. Certainly this book goes a long way toward detailing the million and one ways that we suffer from a surfeit of government.
Mr Suprynowicz does an excellent job of pointing out that tyranny comes in many forms. That sometimes the most aggravating forms are those of the petty bureaucrats and local governments who refuse to use compassion or common sense in the course of their duties. This book is an easier and more entertaining read than his previous "Send in the Waco Killers", which read like a collection of his columns. "Ballad" follows a logical progression towards the inescapable conclusion that freedom and regulation are at opposite ends of a scale. Guaranteed to irritate Republicans and Democrats alike.
Rating:
Summary: Insane by reason of bureaucracy!
Review: That could very well be a legitimate legal defense some day. Certainly this book goes a long way toward detailing the million and one ways that we suffer from a surfeit of government.
Mr Suprynowicz does an excellent job of pointing out that tyranny comes in many forms. That sometimes the most aggravating forms are those of the petty bureaucrats and local governments who refuse to use compassion or common sense in the course of their duties. This book is an easier and more entertaining read than his previous "Send in the Waco Killers", which read like a collection of his columns. "Ballad" follows a logical progression towards the inescapable conclusion that freedom and regulation are at opposite ends of a scale. Guaranteed to irritate Republicans and Democrats alike.
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