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Entry: The Wrongs of "Rights" Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/the_wrongs_of_rights#7084 Post contents: A very interesting essay. I would nitpick with you on blaming cultural Marxism and the "rights industry" for the rise of the "Rights Industry.". Constantly neo-conservatives are refusing to connect the rise of secular humanism, with the absolute worship of the "free market" on the "libertarian" side of the house. If your "individuality" is reduced to your role as a consumer or a producer---ironically an idea shared by Karl Marx and Ayn Rand (who deserved to be buried in the same tomb)---then you must have a "right" to equal pay, to equality of outcome, etc, etc. If sexuality and gender roles are reduced to a form of recreation, pleasure and consumerism (Playboy Philosophy/Cosmo Magazine), then anything standing in the way of your "right to be yourself", becomes the "right to pleasure yourself", and we have the modern internet, and the morality of a gay bathhouse, or Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. To pharaphrase John Ball and others: Is that what you call "Sexual Liberation." In fact, you blame the rise of ex-Leftists for the neo-conservative movement, when if fact, neo-conservativism believes in the "free market", minimizes the "social issues", and worships globalization, rationalizes "destructive" capitalism, ridicules the idea of a national identity, and worships globalization, outsourcing, and open borders. So what is neo-conservativism, but just plain practical expression of libertarianism? You might find interesting that much of your position is shared by the neo-Marxist Christopher Lasch in his books, "The Culture of Narcissism", and "Revolt of the Elites". Those infatuated with "libertarianism" persuasion might re-read neo-Marxist James Burnham's book, "The Managerial Revolution" where he predicted the rise of the CEO classes and the financial technocrats who founded hedge funds---empowered by the State---would rewrite history. For what is the modern multi-national corporation but a extention of the state? Nice essay, though. Sent at: 2008 07 09