Note:

I have been accused by several idiots in the discussion groups of "advocating the reintroduction of slavery".

Of course, there is no need for me to "advocate" any such thing, since slavery has already been reintroduced, and exists now. There are tens of millions of slaves in the world, today, many of whom can be purchased for almost nothing.

The point is: should this state of affairs -- this inescapable fact of life -- be recognized, legalized and regulated, according to the principles of the liberals?

It could also be legalized and regulated (in many cases) according to the principles of the Objectivists, Libertarians and Free Traders, as long as there was a "contract" of some sort (coolies, peons, sharecroppers, etc., not to mention the age-old practice of selling oneself into slavery to pay one's debts, quite a relevant idea at present).

Who cares if they don't read the fine print?

That's the "Free Market"!

- C.P.,
19 March 2008