The statists — that is, the collectivists, authoritarians, grifters, and others who love big government — have been ratcheting up the size and scope of government power since Calvin Coolidge left the White House. They dominate the education system, ensuring that most students hear only good things about government (how it solves so many problems) and only bad things about a free society (which is riddled with troubles). They control most of the media, so Americans get news and opinions that favor omnipotent government and denigrate those who argue for the sort of limited government the Founders had in mind.

The statists also have the virtually limitless spending power of the government at their disposal and use it to buy support from voters and interest groups.

In years gone by, the statists were content to siphon away some of the economy’s product, but today many of them are intent on going in for the kill, replacing free-market capitalism with a tightly controlled and centrally planned socialism. Bernie Sanders and AOC have lots of zealous followers.

So, the question is whether there’s any chance of turning things around and recovering our lost liberty.

I offer some thoughts on that in my latest AIER piece.

We’re probably close to the point of no return, but we aren’t there yet. Statism creates more victims and enemies every day. It’s a house of cards intellectually. Americans are rapidly losing trust in government — and that’s a very good thing.

Our fate is not sealed.