The essence of government, when it runs well, is that it is the agent of the population’s will. It provides for the common defense and police, builds roads, and conducts and encourages basic research (such as creating the Internet). One of the other things it does is provide foreign aid. I see nothing shocking about this. I know the Libertarian Party disagrees with me on this, but, then again, the Libertarian Party is a bunch of kooks, as crazy as the organization in Santee that’s waiting for the saucer-people to come.

Q: How many libertarians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: In a free market, there will be no darkness!

Indeed, I see the American outpouring of generosity toward tsunami victims to be a great example of the American system at work. The American government gave some bushels of money. The American people said, “Not enough!” and dug deep into their pockets and gave more.

The Ayn Rand Institute is *not* arguing that the USA shouldn’t help the Tsunami victims, but that it shouldn’t come from the government. In other words, it should come from the people’s free choices and desires. Not given by Bush as if that government money is his to spend. The money he has is *collectively* the tax payers. And it should be them who willingly give it out, not the government.

That’s a fundamental difference between what the Green’s said.