Why I am a Libertarian

I have watched our freedom slip away for years now while I have been busy trying to raise my family and make a living. The time has come when I can no longer sit by and watch our liberty ripped away by corrupt politicians of both major parties. I joined the Libertarian Party three years ago when I realized that individual freedom was the most important item in the universe. Too soon old, too late smart, but not too late to try to change things.

 I believe with all my heart that now there is no basic difference between the two major parties. Both love to tax, spend, and make empty promises. The difference between them is only about 1% per year or less in government growth. They both lie and cover their fannies and basically tell you whatever, they think, it is you want to hear.  In their arrogance, they will do or say nearly anything to keep power and grow government, which is their job security.  They think us average peons incapable of even having an idea about that which they know best; how to control our lives and spend our money. The destination of our country is hell with the Democrats and with the Republicans. In my estimation there is only a small difference in the speed of our arrival.

 Libertarians believe that force should only be used in response to force. That is, when someone perpetrates a crime on you, then they should be responded to with governmental force. Otherwise, people should be free. Bear in mind that a vise is not a crime. A vise is something detrimental that you do to yourself, such as drug or alcohol abuse. Libertarians would only try to persuade you not to do such things, but would not make laws and use the force of government to try to stop you from hurting yourself. In other words, Libertarians believe that you own and are responsible for your own body. You may feel responsible to a higher power for it, but that power is not the government and whatever responsibility you desire to feel should be of your own choice and a totally voluntary act. A crime is the initiation of force on an individual by another. Then and only then should the government be able to respond with force.

 Libertarians want to cut the size of government to about 1/3, or less, the size it is today, which is consistent with the view of the founders on the role of government. In fact, freedom and big, intrusive, and controlling government are as incompatible as the sun and the night. Libertarians are leading the way in the battle for freedom. It is the age-old struggle between the state versus the individual. This is a battle that ultimately will determine if you are to be a free individual or a serf of the state. The serf's of the middle ages got to keep 2/3 of what they produced on the "lords" land, and were not considered free. Taxes at all levels in this country now are near 50% and we are "free". Hmmmmm.

 "A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government."

-- Thomas Jefferson (1801)

 Libertarians want to repeal the income tax and dismantle the IRS, privatize Social Security, and end the insane war on drugs. These things would diminish the government’s role in your life and you would become more free. All problems would not miraculously all go away, you just wouldn’t have a behemoth, nearly all-powerful government that could legally deprive you of life, liberty, and property,  which ours regularly does at such places as Waco and Ruby Ridge. The people at Waco were living peaceably with all their neighbors till the government attacked and in my opinion, murdered them.

 Can you imagine getting your full paycheck? To most families it would amount to thousands of dollars in spendable, savable cash. Of course politicians don’t think you are smart enough to spend your money wisely or as wisely as they would like to spend it for you. They can’t see how raising your family compares in importance to them being able to buy votes. If government did not have so much money to throw around, there would not be so many companies and individuals throwing money at it to buy some influence. Campaign finance would not need to be reformed if we returned to Constitutional government.

 If the government sponsored retirement pyramid scheme Social Security, (pyramids are illegal apart from the government) was privatized you could leave your children the money that you saved in your life instead of leaving it to be wasted by politicians in that soon to be bankrupt system. Remember, Congress has a different retirement plan altogether which provides them with a very comfortable retirement. They are selfish, not stupid. They know you can’t live on the one percent return of Social Insecurity. They just want to scare old folks into voting against the other guy who is going to “destroy” it with a “risky scheme” as if they really loose sleep over old people. That only occurs around election time. Libertarians would sell off government assets to give every older person his own private annuity with a private company that, unlike the government, won’t change the rules and waste the money and will live up to the contract that it makes with you.

 If we ended the insane war on drugs, gang violence would go down like it did after the repeal of alcohol prohibition. We would not become a nation of drug addicts any more than we became a nation of alcoholics after prohibition was ended. Violent crime fell every year from 1935 to 1965 and with the war on drugs, went up every year into the mid 1990’s. As you can see, making something illegal will not stop the problems associated with it. Taking away the huge, illegal profit potential will reduce violence, period. People can be and are arrested for smoking marijuana to ease the nausea from chemotherapy. That is just plain crazy. I don’t do drugs, but I ought to have the right to do them in my own home and with my body.

 "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." --Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 1791.

  Libertarians stand staunchly for your right to bear arms. Statistically, in every case where guns have been confiscated, crime has gone up. Fact is, private gun ownership saves many times more lives than it takes. Swimming pools kill many more children under 14 than guns. More kids choke on solid objects. Teddy bears smother more children. Simple fact is more guns = less crime. An armed citizenry is the strongest encouragement for criminals to find another line of work. In every country that has lost the right to guns, crime has gone up and in many tyranny came soon after as it did to Germany. Statists prefer subjects to citizens and a firearm is the only difference between the two.

 "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

Thomas Jefferson

 Libertarians believe that welfare should be handled privately like it was for 150 years. Much more efficient and people who really need it, get it. That way the people who want to help have the money with which to do so. The government wastes so much money that could be used by individuals to really help. The welfare system denies individuals the joy of helping and being helped. Liberals love to be compassionate, bite their quivering lips and spend OPM, (other people’s money) while Libertarians want individuals to make all the decisions about how they spend their money. I’m sure that most of you help people who need help and/or donate to charity. The Democratic presidential nominee gave away as charitable donations last year some $300 of his own money on a near two hundred thousand dollar income, but promised to give billions of our tax money away and called his political enemies “heartless”.  Real “heart” and sacrifice comes from private giving, not giving away money stolen from others. What’s bad is the Republicans are about the same. They sometimes talk to the talk, but stumble when they try to walk the walk.

 "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."

-- Thomas Jefferson , (1777)

Libertarians believe that government is incapable of making the best decisions on almost everything and that individuals should make those decisions. To a Libertarian, the individual, his freedom, and his responsibility for his actions are the very essentials of a free society. Most Libertarians oppose abortion but do not want a Federal government strong enough to get involved with something as important, personal and divisive. In fact, given the track record of government effectiveness, if abortion is outlawed, then it won’t be too long until men will be having them. (That is a line from Libertarian presidential candidate, Harry Browne). Libertarians want to be free to persuade people NOT to do such a thing. Then the war against that kind of thing will truly be won. No law will ever stop it, just as no law taking away guns will stop murders. It’s the nature of this world. Cain did not need a 9mm to cap Able. Libertarians want the States to make the calls on controversial issues so you can move or vote with your feet if you don't like what laws are passed.

 Libertarians believe in a national defense strong enough to punish any attacker, but seek peace and trade with all. Libertarians will not support offensive military actions around the globe. Those kind of things breed world wars and we should not be the world’s policeman. We want a missile defense system for our country regardless of what the Chinese say or how much they donate to the Democratic Party. Libertarians would stop Presidential bombing sprees without Congressional approval as the Constitution requires.

I truly believe the future of our country depends upon the adoption of Libertarian principles. These freedomic solutions go all the back to the founding fathers, mostly Thomas Jefferson and James Madison for their American roots. Libertarian principles of individual freedom and responsibility for your own actions are the principles on which this country was founded. In my opinion, if we are to survive as a free country, then these principles must be restored.  My generation, sadly, has done very little except leave a real mess for the future.   I have apologized to my children, but that alone is empty and incomplete. I want my granddaughter, Alessandra, to grow up breathing free air and I am confident that Democrats and Republicans are completely incapable of delivering.  In fact, from what I’ve seen they look intent on sucking it right out of her chest. I have decided that as long as freedom-loving hearts pound, it is not too late. Mine still pounds, though unevenly at times and so you are going to get this letter.

 There was a time when Libertarians were considered to be like Californians; all who weren’t fruits and nuts were flakes. There was also a time when anyone who thought the world was round was considered loony. Things change and at times, they change fast. Libertarianism is an idea whose time is approaching critical mass, for I believe the vast majority of average, working people believe in live and let live and are Libertarians in their basic beliefs just waiting for the knowledge of a better way. I know I have always been, but was not aware that there were other people who were organized under a group of core principles. The reason you are getting this letter is because I believe that you are one as well. The reason things are like they are is because all of us have been busy living, complaining, and leaving the governing to those who sought money and power. Clintonism is the result of our lack of vigilance. If freedom is to survive, we must become involved in restoring Libertarian principles to a declining America.  That does NOT mean we must make everyone religious or encourage a national religious revival. With true freedom, those things will occur the way they should, in a deep-seated, genuine way on an individual level. Freedom is the best friend of the church as well as individuals and atheists. In other words, Libertarians are anti-Liberal, anti-conservative and very much PRO freedom.

 I am supporting Harry Browne, the Libertarian Candidate for President(2000), with my time and money because freedom, in my opinion is the only THING worthy of the sacrifice of my life. People can be worthy of that sacrifice as well, but not other things. Some people are afraid of one or the other of the candidates and feel a Libertarian vote would be a wasted vote. Truth is, what real difference in the size and scope of government will it make if either one of the major contenders gets elected. In your heart I think you know the difference will only be in the way you feel, not in any concrete, meaningful and lasting way. I would not dare waste my vote on a Democrat or Republican for they are now both opposed to the individual and in favor of the state. Consider the following quotes, which describe the struggle on individual worth. (Courtesy www.boortz.com and the NIV Bible)

 “There is the great, silent, continuous struggle: the struggle between the State and the Individual; between the State which demands and the individual who attempts to evade such demands. Because the individual, left to himself, unless he be a saint or hero, always refuses to pay taxes, obey laws, or go to war.” (Benito Mussolini)

 "Comrades! We must abolish the cult of the individual decisively, once and for all." (Nikita Khrushchev , February 25, 1956 20th Congress of the Communist Party)

 "It is thus necessary that the individual should come to realize that his own ego is of no importance in comparison with the existence of his nation; that the position of the individual ego is conditioned solely by the interests of the nation as a whole ... that above all the unity of a nation's spirit and will are worth far more than the freedom of the spirit and will of an individual….” (Adolph Hitler, 1933)

 We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society." (Hillary Clinton, 1993)

 "We can't be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans ..." (President Bill Clinton, USA Today, March 11, 1993, Page 2A)

 "The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." (Ayn Rand)

 When will the world learn that a million men are of no importance compared with one man? (Henry David Thoreau)

 (Mat 18:12-14 NIV)  "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? {13} And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. {14} In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

If you want more information about the Libertarian Party, you can go to

 www.lp.org                                     

 PS. If you’ve been one of those who have complained for years about the government, then here is your chance to really make a difference! This is a total change of direction toward smaller, cheaper, and less invasive government. A party membership costs as little as $25 or as much as you want to spend. Remember, the more you spend, the higher profile the party has and no other party supports individual freedom like the LP. A Libertarian vote costs you nothing. You have little to loose and real freedom to gain. As liberties lights can potentially grow brighter, as I believe is now approaching, I urge you to consider the future of your loved ones and our country as a whole. Get involved and let’s take back our government from the professional politicians and restore freedom and common sense.  Influence people to trust themselves and others with freedom. Let us return to Thomas Jefferson’s America. Let’s become again the land of the free, by becoming the home of the brave.