by Ren Ronnander
SPOILERS AHEAD.
No, really. Many spoilers for the final episodes of Game of Thrones.
HBO
In order to join the national Libertarian party, all members must check a box indicating that we oppose the initiation of violence to achieve our political and social goals. Too bad our Khaleesi, Daenerys, made no such promise. After burning King’s Landing to oblivion, she declared her intention to free the entire world from oppression, and, to that end, named a master of war. As much as we wanted her to be good, as much as we believed in her message, her certainty and her willingness to resort to violence to meet her ends led not only to her own corruption, but the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of innocents.
Tyrion rejects her rule, resulting in his own imprisonment. When Jon visits him in his cell, Tyrion lays some political philosophy on him.
“She believes her destiny is to build a better world for everyone. If you believed that — if you truly believed it — wouldn’t you kill whoever stood between you and paradise?”
In this case, the people victimized by the succession of cruel leadership, the very people Daenerys aimed to liberate, were the ones in her way – simply because they were trapped in a war of information between opposing political entities. So she scorched their homes and flesh with dragon fire.
Moments before Dany’s death, Jon challenged her. They agreed that a world of mercy was ideal. But Daenerys was certain that it was just to withhold mercy in the present in order to eventually create a “perfect” world.
Jon Snow: “What about everyone else?” All the other people who think they know what’s good?”
Daenerys: “They don’t get to choose.”
How often do our leaders, confident in their convictions, choose to initiate violence to achieve their ideal? Violence against women, in recent bills, to protect the unborn. Violence against nonviolent drug users, to protect them from their own choices. Violence against business owners who exercise freedom of association and contract, to protect those who only want to express themselves. Violence against wage earners, to protect “society.” Violence against attempted immigrants to achieve the same. Violence against other nations, to achieve the same.
The Libertarian party makes no compromise: The initiation of violence is unacceptable. Out or respect for our neighbors as human individuals with unique convictions and principles, we refuse to enact our will on others through the threat or use of force.
We will prove the undeniable effectiveness and efficiency of voluntary cooperation. We will build an inclusive, compassionate country where the needs of our neighbors are met – without sacrificing our freedom, without resorting to violence.
We won’t hurt you like Dany did.
