what's necessary for a functioning free society: michael shermer's list.

I like Michael Shermer even when I don't agree with him.  His argument for dumping "In God We Trust" [all others pay cash] as the national motto was nothing new, but his LA Times op-ed included one of the best single paragraphs I've ever read on the bottom line for a free society.  For easier reading, I break it down into a list:

The rule of law; 

property rights; 

a secure and trustworthy banking and monetary system; 

economic stability; 

a reliable infrastructure and the freedom to move about the country; 

freedom of the press; 

freedom of association; 

education for the masses; 

protection of civil liberties; 

a clean and safe environment; 

a robust military for protection of our liberties from attacks by other states; 

a potent police force for protection of our freedoms from attacks by people within the state; 

a viable legislative system for establishing fair and just laws; 

and an effective judicial system for the equitable enforcement of those fair and just laws.

Notice that Shermer doesn't proscribe the how along with the what.  We need a stable economy for a free society, but he doesn't get into small government vs regulation etc etc.

I think this is a good list, possibly not quite complete, but good.

For example, I think that an awful lot depends on his definitions of "civil liberties."  Do they include just the traditional "Bill of Rights" kinds of liberties, like freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, do they more closely represent FDR's "four freedoms," and would they cover anti-discrimination law?

I think we need to do more thinking along the lines of what is essential and what is only preferrable in a free society.