re: What is your biggest critique of our society?

My biggest critique of modern society is the quickness of those with good intentions to run to the government first and not last. Instead of being the tool of last resort that is rightly feared for the means with which it accomplishes its ends, most people in our society who are in a position where they "solve problems" (economists, social workers, sociologists, planners, even charity workers) unhesitatingly believe that the government must be involved from the start.

Instead of seeking to bring others to our cause, instead of seeking to raise funds through voluntary interaction, and instead of seeking to solve perceived injustices by trying to convert others to goodness (for example, convincing cake owners that it is wrong to deny service to certain people), we as a people are increasingly using the barrel of a gun to do the dirty work instead of actually working to bring others together to solve problems willingly and with free will, which is the far more moral way of going about doing things.

The way we as a society are beginning to view government is incredibly frightening. It's an incredibly important tool indeed, but its power is a double-edged sword. Unfortunately, I believe there is a sentiment growing that government is best when it is actively involved in planning, directing, and regulating our society. How different that is from the traditional view that most prudent and safe conception of government is that of a guard and a defender that only springs to life when an external force (an army, a thief, etc) has been applied to it.