Statism is an Unmistakable Measure of Social Vice

Every step in the direction of nationalism is an implicit admission of low self-esteem. Every step in the direction of protectionism is an implicit admission of low work ethic. And every step in the direction of statism is an implicit admission of generally low character. In other words, the attractiveness of the "political means" is always inversely correlated with the attractiveness of virtuous conduct. To realize this is not to solve the problem, but no solution can be found until this realization is as obvious as it is widespread.