It's time to redefine our class structure. "Upper," "middle" and "lower," relate primarily to wealth. These old classifications have nothing to do with what is most important: how we affect each other. What's really important to distinguish is the degree and kind of control we would impose on each other.

Generally, there are those who want to control others (Rulers), those who want to be controlled (Serfs) and those who want neither (Libertarians). Rulers tell Serfs what to do for their own good (where "their" is subject to interpretation). Serfs are happy to be told what to do. Libertarians just want to be left alone.

Rulers can wear badges, uniforms or titles to distinguish them from everyone else. Serfs can be branded or bar-coded with their social security and driver license numbers "for convenience." Libertarians hate all symbols of authority or subservience, so we don't have to worry about misidentifying them.

Rulers tell Serfs how to behave: what speed to drive, what helmets to wear, what to ingest or inject, what to watch or hear, etc. for their own good. If they misbehave, Serfs are fined or imprisoned, or killed if they resist, even when there is no victim _no person or property has been harmed. Serfs want a riskless world in which they are protected from even their own stupidity or irresponsibility or that of their children. They don't understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, and for the lesson to be learned, they must be held fully accountable for their actions. They'd rather blame someone else for their mistakes. They want every behavior codified, every product tested and every business and trade sanctioned or prohibited. They will happily tolerate innumerable, complicated and often conflicting rules in their utopian quest for safety. When force doesn't work, they ask for more force. Libertarians know that it's in their best interest to be considerate of others and their property, because their sensitivities and property will be respected in return. They accept full responsibility for their actions and the actions of their minor children, including any damage to property they may cause. If there is a disagreement, they seek private arbitration and collection services before resorting to a government judicial system.

Rulers disarm Serfs and charge them for their protection. Serfs are too cowardly or lazy to defend themselves. They are happy to be "protected" by police who in reality can only try to catch the bad guy after the damage has been done. When police are too busy chasing victimless 'criminals' to be responsive, Serfs demand more police. When the police injure nearly four times more innocents than victims do defending themselves, Serfs demand more police. Libertarians defend themselves and their property at their own expense. Only when that has failed do they resort to their police, whose only duty is to protect persons, their liberty and their property.

Rulers tell Serfs how much of the fruits of their labor they can keep. Serfs are happy to have a quarter or more of their earnings spent by Rulers who can spend it more wisely than they. Rulers are happy to give most of the Serfs' income to their privileged friends. Serfs are happy to see the Rulers give some Serfs something for nothing. Serfs clamor for more of their income to be taken by Rulers, so that more of them will get more benefits. Rulers are happy to oblige, because it eases their guilt. No matter that forced transfers of wealth always hurt far more Serfs than they help. Good intentions are more important than results. Libertarians know best how to benefit themselves and others with their earnings.

Rulers use the property of Serfs as they please without compensation. Serfs believe that abstractions like "society" and "the public good" are superior to the individual, so they are happy to have the property of others confiscated or its use limited. Buying the property would cost something and stealing it could be dangerous should its owner attempt to defend it. Having Rulers steal it or limit its use allows Serfs to benefit from the property of others at no cost or risk to themselves. Libertarians maintain their property to maximize its value, respect the property rights of others. Libertarians acquire property they want undeveloped (environmentally sensitive) or developed in a certain manner. Libertarians defend their property and prosecute the trespass of persons on their property, including pollution to the extent of the repair cost or property value loss.

Rulers have complete dominion over vast amounts of "public" property from open land to parks and roads, where Serf access and behavior is strictly controlled. Serfs are happy to pay for the property, its 'improvement', its maintenance and its litigation-related expenses in exchange for "free" use of the property, or to deny other access to it. Libertarians have no public property. Even the few government offices are leased from private property owners. Property owners retain all property rights and liabilities. Libertarians pay a toll for each use of roads, parks and open spaces. Their quality is superior and cost and congestion less than that of the public lands allowed the Serfs, because the owner has the incentive to make them attractive and the power to set higher prices when the demand is highest and vice versa, dispersing the load on their property over time and minimizing congestion.

Rulers tell Serfs for how much they can work and who they can hire. Older Serfs don't want competition from younger Serfs or foreign Serfs, so they like labor laws. Rulers are happy to oblige, because the larger the number of perpetually unemployed Serfs who are dependent on the good intentions of the Rulers, the more votes the Rulers will get. Obnoxious and unproductive Serfs like rules that force employers to hire them and make it nearly impossible to fire them. The old Serfs believe "retirement" is a good concept, especially when younger Serfs are compelled to pay for it Libertarians work as long, for whom, with whom they want for as much as they can get, and in whatever manner they please. They know that the only businesses that will prosper and survive the competition of an unregulated market are those that hire the best for the least without non-economic bias toward race or sex or any of the other categories into which Serfs are divided by Rulers.

Ruler children go to special schools where they are taught they are elite and meant to rule Serfs. Mastering the art of sophistry is the only requirement for graduation. Serfs would rather pay high rates for low-quality education and have the Rulers teach their children to be good Serfs than allow a few Serfs to teach their children strange things. Serf children are taught to compromise, get along, be subservient, good workers and to respect all authority. There are no performance requirements other than being in school long enough to graduate. Libertarians teach their own children, or pay for their education where, by whom and how they want. Libertarian children are taught to be principled, innovative, independent, self-governing and to question authority. Developing communication skills (English), a basic understanding of how things work (math, physics, chemistry, biology, geology) and a sense of their place in space and time (geography, archeology, history, anthropology) are common requirements.

Which class are you, Ruler, Serf or Libertarian?

William Holmes a former aerospace engineer, is a Libertarian and an Internet activist.