Live Free or Die

I'm not sure why this quote popped into my head earlier today, other than that I am trying to come up with an in-class essay assignment and was considering having students respond to a quotation. I've mostly nixed that idea because inevitably the essays will describe how they feel about the quote, and I'm not sure that's a good use of classtime (or of my reading/grading efforts). I knew that this particular quote is the state motto of Maine, but I didn't know much else about its history. In doing a little research, what I found is that it has been appropriated by the Libertarian party to express the idea of a hands-off government. (I won't get started with the harsh realities Libertarians -- and the rest of us -- would face if we really did have a hands-off government. No public schools, libraries, or transportation would exist; of course, there are other issues that in my opinion make Libertarianism impractical and less than ideal.)

What's interesting to me is this: I have always associated this phrase with right-wing nutjobs. I suppose one can be that and still be a Libertarian. The motto conjures up the image of those who would do what they wish, regardless of whether it infringes on someone else's right to be free. Actually, what led me to this train of thought in the first place was that I was thinking of the quote (which I'm paraphrasing here), until all of us are free, none of us is free. (My version is grammatically correct, if awkward, and is how I remember it; when I looked it up, I found other versions.) So this whole idea of stepping on others in the name of freedom really doesn't sit well with me. I don't mind that the government sticks its nose in my business because people are stupid and selfish -- not all people, or even most, but many.

I want the government to limit rights a bit if it means that others are at least deterred from stealing from me, shooting me, or doing whatever other thing they think might make them happy (or right) at that moment.