THE LIBERATOR ONLINE
August 17, 1999
Vol. 4, No. 16
Circulation: 30,330 in 79 countries
Mailing list of the Advocates for Self-Government.
Created and edited by Paul Schmidt, mailto:paul@self-gov.org
Co-edited by James W. Harris, mailto:james@self-gov.org
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_________________________________________________________________
"We must learn to defend all our personal resources with reason,
clarity and the kind of effective persuasion that wins friends,
rather than alienating them. For this, no group is more helpful
than the Advocates, who teach independent thinking coupled with
empathy and tolerance for others."
-- Tonie Nathan, first Libertarian Party vice-presidential
candidate (1972), and first woman in American history to receive an
electoral college vote.
_________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Kids, Guns, Swimming Pools, and Buckets
* Censor the Internet, Say Drug War Senators
* One Hand Vs. The Other
ON THE WEB
* Editor's Choices: Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise
ASK DR. RUWART
* Useful Projects, or Pork Barrel Spending?
* Marriage Contracts and Deadbeat Dads
* Guns and Fear
COMMUNICATION POWER TIP
* by Michael Cloud
PRODUCT REVIEW
* An Eloquent, Innovative, Persuasive Argument for Liberty
_________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
Here's another little fable that helps provoke thinking about the
dangers of dependency on government. Thanks to George Mussmann, who
says he first heard this one twenty years ago, for passing it on to
us. Like so many similar gems, the author is unknown.
* * *
Trading Liberty for a Little Temporary Security
A young man driving a covered pickup and towing an empty livestock
trailer showed up in a small rural town in the Ozark Mountains of
Arkansas.
The young man stopped at the general store where three old men were
sitting outside.
"I've heard that there are lots of wild hogs in the woods around
here," he told the old men.
"Yes, there are plenty of them 'round abouts," one of them replied.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, I plan to get me a trailer full of them," the young man said.
The three old men laughed and one said, "Sonny, lots of folks have
come here for these hogs, but nota one of these people have caught
any, and a few of them were never seen again. These hogs are smart,
tough and fiercely independent critters and we think you are wasting
your time and risking your life."
But the young man insisted, and finally the old men gave him
directions.
About a week later the young man returned to the store, his trailer
full with two dozen wild hogs.
The three old men were astonished. "How did you do this, sonny?" one
asked.
The young man said, "It was easy. I went to a small open field in the
woods you directed me to and just threw out a few ears of corn from my
pickup truck.
"Then I waited a couple of days and finally a few young wild hogs came
out, grabbed the corn and disappeared back into the woods.
"Once they left, I cut some poles and erected a single rail fence
about 20 feet long.
"With that done, I threw out a few more ears of corn next to the fence
and waited.
"Sure as heck, the next day the young hogs came back, waled around
the rail, grabbed up the corn and ran back into the woods. Right then
and there I knew my plan would work.
"I built another 20 foot section of fence joining the first at a right
angle, threw out about a half-dozen more ears of corn, and waited.
"The next day, a few older hogs showed up along with the young ones,
quickly grabbed up the corn and ran back in the woods.
"Then I built a third section to the fence, leaving only one side of
the pen open. I threw out about a dozen more ears of corn, and
waited."
"Right on schedule, the next morning a dozen wild hogs showed up,
walked around the three sides of the fence and grabbed up the corn.
But this time a couple of the bigger hogs grabbed a few ears of corn
each -- and started eating right there. This caused a minor skirmish
amongst the hogs since there were not quite enough ears of corn for
all of them.
"After they all ran back into the woods I immediately built the last
side of the fence, but I eft a space where the hogs could still
enter. I threw in all the remaining corn I had.
"The next morning, two dozen hogs showed up, walked around the fence
until they found the entrance, went on inside, and started feasting,
oblivious to the fact that while they were feasting and fighting over
the corn, I was closing up the entrance to the pen."
"Well the rest was easy," the young man said. "I just backed my
livestock trailer up to the fence, opened the gate, and herded them
all onto my livestock railer.
"Now, it's off to the slaughter house for these hogs," he chuckled,
waving to the old men as he drove off.
The moral: Fellow hogs, we've all been penned -- but where do they
take us from here?
* * *
If you have any favorite fables or stories about government and
liberty, please share them with us.
Enjoy this issue of the Liberator Online.
Sharon Harris, President
mailto:sharon@self-gov.org
PS: Charles Murray's great book "What It Means To Be A Libertarian is
a superb read for anyone who is curious to learn more about
libertarianism - or who wants to learn how to better present
libertarian ideas. It's short and exquisitely written. Reading it is
almost like a wonderfully provocative one-on-one conversation with a
razor-sharp - but always gentle and fair - mind. I don't agree with
every word of it - see why in our review below - but I can't recommend
it high enough. Check it out in our "Product Review" this issue - and
learn how you can get your copy at a bargain price.
If you read "What It Means To Be A Libertarian," you'll also know why
I'm so very excited that Murray has agreed to be the banquet speaker
for our upcoming 15th Anniversary celebration, September 24-26. What a
treat!
_________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* David Nolan In The News (Again): An excellent profile of David Nolan
- Libertarian Party founder and creator of the "Nolan Chart" that is
the graphic centerpiece of the Advocates' World's Smallest Political
Quiz -- appeared Sunday, August 1 in the "Orange County (California)
Register" newspaper. The profile was part of the paper's "Faces of
Freedom" series honoring champions of liberty. The article discussed
how Nolan's chart, and the Quiz, are helping to change the way people
view the political spectrum. It also gave the Advocates Web site
address, so readers could take the Quiz online. One correction,
though. The article says that the Advocates have distributed "hundreds
of thousands" of Quizzes. In fact, we've distributed over *four
million* Quiz cards - and that doesn't include the half-million people
who've taken the Quiz on the Web, or the millions who've seen the Quiz
in newspapers across the country. Congratulations once again to David
Nolan for inventing a concept that is truly changing the world!
* "Uncle Eric" Recommends Quiz: Our thanks to Richard Maybury -
financial advisor and author of the wonderful "Uncle Eric" books on
liberty, economics and politics - for recommending the Quiz and the
Advocates Web site in his newsletter. We're glad to return the favor
-- his books, many available from our online catalog, are highly
recommended!
* The libertarian event of the year! The Advocates' 15th Anniversary
Celebration will be held September 24-26, 1999 in Atlanta, GA. We have
an *incredible* line-up of speakers. In alphabetical order: David
Bergland, Walter Block, Harry Browne, Doug Casey, Michael Cloud,
Marshall Fritz, Barbara Goushaw, Sharon Harris, Karl Hess Jr., Jacob
Hornberger, Vince Miller, Charles Murray, David Nolan, Congressman Ron
Paul, Carole Ann Rand, and Mary Ruwart.
There's still time to save big on your ticket price by registering
now. If you register by August 31, your ticket is only $219 for the
entire event, including speakers, meals, banquet, hospitality suites,
and more. That's a whopping $80 off the at-the-door price of $299.
Another benefit of early registration: we have reserved a limited
number of hotel rooms at bargain rates. These are going fast. Save
money by registering now!
Click here http://www.self-gov.org/event.html to go to a Web page
where you can learn more about our speakers and this event.
Or, call 1-800-932-1776 for more information. Hope to see you there!
* Free "Libertarian Clips": "Libertarian Clips" is our new email
publication. It's a daily (or weekly, if you prefer) clipping service
that brings you news stories from around the world that use the words
"libertarian" or "libertarianism." It's FREE, and subscribing is a
snap. Just click here: http://www.self-gov.org/clips/
* New issue of "Liberator" still available: The summer issue of "The
Liberator," our print magazine, is crammed full of good news about
liberty. Topics include: growing acceptance of the World's Smallest
Political Quiz; the Quiz in Academia and on national television;
Lights of Liberty winners; OPH success in California; Operation
Persuasion update; and much more. We'll send you a FREE sample copy of
this magazine. Just click here: http://www.self-gov.org/request.html
* LP's "Success '99" workshops: The Libertarian Party is presenting
its acclaimed "Success '99" libertarian leadership training workshops
in two dozen cities across America this year. Join libertarian
communication experts including Advocates President Sharon Harris, Dr.
Mary Ruwart, David Bergland, Michael Cloud, Bill Winter, Ron
Crickenberger, Steve Dasbach, Jim Lark, Barbara Goushaw, and others.
Upcoming "Success '99" events: Salt Lake City, Utah August 27-28;
Boston, Massachusetts, September 11-12. For more details, registration
information, and a complete listing of the cities, dates, and speakers
for "Success '99," see: http://www.self-gov.org/success99.html
* Communication Bargain of the Century: You can still get the great
3-tape audio course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at
the *give-away* price of only $5.00, including shipping and handling.
Libertarian Party Political Director Ron Crickenberger says this
Advocates offer is "...the greatest gift the libertarian movement has
received in years." Thanks to "Persuasion" creator Michael Cloud for
making this offer possible.
To order, see: http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/persuasion.html
This is a secure site, so you can order via credit card with
confidence. You can also call us or mail $5.00 to the Advocates. Our
phone number and address are at the end of this issue.
* 1999 Lights of Liberty Awards: You can win certificates, public
recognition, prizes and more for your vital activism for liberty.
Awards are given for: 3 libertarian letters to the editor; 3 sessions
working at an OPH booth; or 3 libertarian-oriented public speeches.
Click here http://www.self-gov.org/lights/ to learn more.
_________________________________________________________________
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
by James W. Harris
Kids, Guns, Swimming Pools, and Buckets
"Contrary to the impression created by sensationalist media, fatal
firearms accidents involving children are far from common. In the
United States, about half of all homes contain guns; the total gun
supply is about 240 million, and there are tens of millions of
children in the country. Yet according to the National Safety Council,
in 1995 there were about 30 fatal gun deaths of kids aged 0 to 4 and
fewer than 40 of kids aged 5 to 9. This shows that, even without
legislation from Washington, the overwhelming majority of families
with firearms already knows how to act responsibly.
"Any parent knows that a single child's death is unspeakably tragic.
Yet the number of toddlers who die from gun accidents is smaller than
the number who die from drowning in buckets. And it's much lower than
the 500 who die in swimming pools.
"More generally, the total number of fatal accidents involving kids
aged 0 to 14 in 1995 was 6,500, and fatal firearms accidents accounted
for just 3 percent of the total. Yet the president is not scoring
political points inveighing against bucket manufacturers, or demanding
federal laws against unfenced pools on private property. Politics, not
saving children's lives, is the foundation of the current anti-gun
campaign."
-- from "Loaded Guns Can Be Good for Kids," by Dave Kopel ad Eugene
Volokh, published as a Cato Institute Daily Online Commentary June 1,
1999. (Thanks to Dan Gifford.)
Censor the Internet, Say Drug War Senators
A monstrous Internet censorship bill has been proposed before the U.S.
Congress that would ban Internet *discussions* of the use of illegal
drugs. Also banned would be sites - or even *links* to sites -- that
sell "drug paraphernalia" (such as bongs and rolling paper) or that
merely discuss how such items are used.
As WIRED News notes, "Even editors of news organizations that publish
articles about drug culture and link to related sites will be subject
to arrest and prosecution."
The bill covers "the use of any communications facility to post,
publicize, transmit, publish, link to, broadcast, or otherwise
advertise" drug paraphernalia-related information. The bill would make
such acts punishable by a fine and three years in prison.
A second part of the bill makes it a felony - punishable by up to ten
years in prison - to distribute "by any means" information about "the
manufacture or use of a controlled substance" if the recipient of such
information intends to use it to get high or otherwise violate the
law. (Thought crime, anyone?)
Even something as seemingly mild as a link to "High Times" magazine
could become a felony under the bill.
The bill, deceptively entitled the "Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation
Act," was introduced in early August. (Too bad we don't have
truth-in-labeling laws regarding bill titles. "The Anti-First
Amendment, Anti-Liberty Internet Censorship and Control Act, Spawned
by Despots and Tyrants," for example, would be so much more accurate.)
A dozen or so senators have signed on as supporters. The Clinton
administration thus far has refused to take a position on the bill.
Primary supporters of the bi-partisan bill are Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
and Orrin Hatch (R-UT). This same duo brought us 1996's "Dirty Pixels"
law, which made it a felony to own or manufacture computer-generated
(i.e., not real) images of nude children.
In the past Feinstein has also supported encryption bans, censoring of
Internet bomb-making information, mandatory national ID cards, and gun
bans. Jeesh.
(Sources: WIRED News, Aug. 14; "Time"; Associated Press; NORML)
One Hand Vs. The Other
Leave it to U.S. politicians. Local, state and federal governments
have spent billions of tax dollars on anti-smoking propaganda,
outlawed most tobacco advertising, and grabbed billions of dollars
from the tobacco industry in taxes and lawsuits. Now the U.S. Senate
wants to give tobacco farmers $328 million - so they can stay in
business.
The subsidy is part of a $7.4 billion farm aid package. Most of that
is going to grain and soybean growers who have been hit hard by
drought. Tobacco farmers, in contrast, haven't suffered badly from the
drought - but they have suffered from a decline in smoking, brought on
in part by government policies.
So they say they need a helping hand, one carefully inserted into
taxpayers' pockets. And many senators - especially, of course, those
from tobacco-growing states -- are happy to give it to them.
"In the emergency aid package, other farmers are getting compensated
for lost income, and I felt that tobacco farmers should, too," said
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
(Source: Associated Press / Atlanta Constitution)
A Politician...
"A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep
bth ears to the ground."
-- H. L. Mencken.
_________________________________________________________________
ON THE WEB
Editor's Choices: Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise
The Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise is there for those
millions of Americans who believe that our freedoms do not come from
the generosity of the government. This non-profit, non-partisan
organization's web site -- http://www.cdfe.org -- has positions on
environmental, economic, and private property issues, a book store,
editorials, and news about their ongoing projects.
Especially interesting is the section on ecology. They use the term
"wise use" to describe conservation. The word "conservation" has lost
its meaning as modern environmentalists use it to mean "no use"
instead of "wise use". They have many other thought provoking
statements in this section, as well as other sections of their web
site.
_________________________________________________________________
ASK DR. RUWART
How can you answer difficult questions about libertarianism -- in
short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses? It's a
challenge every libertarian communicator faces.
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication and
author of the international bestseller "Healing Our World." Her new
book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions." In this column she
provides Liberator Online readers with "Short Answers to the Tough
Questions" that libertarians are frequently asked.
If you'd like Dr. Ruwart to provide effective answers for YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at:
mailto:ruwart@self-gov.org. *Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't
personally answer or acknowledge all email queries.* But we'll run the
best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart's answers -- in upcoming issues.
Extra Tip: Dr. Ruwart suggests that answers are often best preceded by
a "Ransberger Pivot" statement, to establish common ground with the
questioner. (Example: "Like you, I too want to live in a world where
the environment is clean... Like you, I too want to see greater
abundance for all people...") For more on the Ransberger Pivot
communication technique, see previous issues, or contact the
Advocates.
Dr. Ruwart's past answers are archived in searchable form at the
Advocates Web page: http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
Short Answers to the Tough Questions:
by Dr. Mary Ruwart
Useful Projects, or Pork Barrel Spending?
Question:
"I read an article in which libertarians attacked supposedly wasteful
'pork-barrel spending' in the 1999 U.S. budget. Why are you guys so
full of yourselves? Some of these projects are very useful - like
those that have to do with finding new ways of energy, with perfecting
our culture, with job training, and with animal research. Sure, some
useless stuff shouldn't be funded, but those projects intended to
upgrade our way of life deserve support."
My short answer:
"Libertarians find many of your favorite projects 'useful' and would
like to see them carried out by the private sector. Libertarians are
against tax funding for any project, because taxation is, in essence,
theft.
"For example, let's say you want to encourage animal research. You
might invest in a company that performs such research or donate to a
non-profit organization for that purpose. Your neighbors may think
that animal research is unethical and won't invest in or donate to
such work. Everybody gets their own way with their own resources.
"If such research is tax-funded, however, your neighbors will be
forced -- at gunpoint, if necessary -- to support something that they
don't want. (If you don't think that it happens at gunpoint, imagine
what would happen if you didn't pay your taxes!) Your neighbors, in
turn, will force you to pay for projects they favor, but you don't.
Everyone loses, because the government bureaucracy takes a hefty
'overhead' to collect your taxes and decide where they should go.
"Libertarians believe that stealing from our neighbors is wrong --
whether we do it as individuals, as majorities, or as governments.
Wrong means used to achieve good ends backfire every time.
"For example, two-thirds of our welfare tax dollars go to the
middle-class social workers who administer the programs. Private
charities, on the other hand, deliver two-thirds of each dollar to
those in need. We help the poor best through private charities, not
tax-supported welfare. When we let government administer projects that
we find useful, we get less for our dollar and these programs suffer.
"In summary, libertarians don't judge a project's utility at all.
Libertarians simply want to stop the theft of your money through taxes
so that you can decide which programs it should support. You'll never
have to worry about funding pork-barrel spending again!"
* * *
Marriage Contracts and Deadbeat Dads
Question:
"How would a libertarian society insure that a divorced mother would
receive adequate financial support from deadbeat dads without
resorting to force like that used today?
My short answer:
"In a libertarian society, couples would probably have marriage
contracts that specified the duties of each, including financial
support of any offspring. If one partner violated their contract, the
other could sue for compliance. Force might still be required if the
violator refused to pay up. However, when people agree ahead of time
as to what their responsibilities are, they are more likely to live up
to them.
"Today, however, no one really knows what they're committing to when
they marry. The judge and the current state laws determine what is
owed and by whom. People rarely feel responsible for commitments that
they haven't agreed to ahead of time. Fathers probably feel especially
discriminated against, since they have a more difficult time getting
custody and a harder time getting child support if they do.
"In summary, a marriage contract would do much to eliminate the
'deadbeat dad' syndrome."
* * *
Guns and Fear
Question:
"One of the major arguments of those against gun control is that crime
drops with less gun control, because criminals don't know who is
armed. How can you call our society 'free' if people are controlled by
fear? If people are so scared of their society that they want a
firearm for protection, how can you call these people free people? I
believe the answer is people should feel free enough to give up their
firearms willingly. If people can't do this, then they will never be
free."
My short answer:
"When libertarians talk about freedom, they generally mean freedom
from aggression by government and individuals, not freedom from fear.
Today, we have neither freedom from fear, nor freedom rom aggression.
"Ironically, many people lose their fear when they acquire a firearm.
Their belief that they can adequately defend themselves frees them
from fear. In other words, political freedom can lead to freedom from
fear.
"Hopefully, the day will come when we no longer need to fear our
neighbors or our government. People will want to lay down their
weapons just as you describe. By moving our society away from
aggression and towards political freedom, we hasten the dawning of
that day!"
* * *
Dr. Ruwart's book "Healing Our World" features persuasive arguments
for liberty, backed with *over 500 references* showing how liberty
works. You can browse the entire book online at:
http://www.cyberpop.com/ebooks
You can order it at a special reduced price of only $12.95 (plus
shipping) from the Advocates. Check out our online catalog at:
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/opp.html
Dr. Ruwart's newest book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions,"
also available from the Advocates for $12.00 (plus shipping).
_________________________________________________________________
COMMUNICATION POWER TIP #75
"You Know Enough About Libertarianism to `Buy' It,
But Do You Know Enough to `Sell' It?"
by Michael Cloud
"You've answered all my questions about the car, Mr. Cloud," said the
woman. "I'll tell my husband what you've told me...and tonight we'll
come in and buy the Corolla I picked out."
I was jazzed. My second day out of Toyota's Car Sales Training, and I
was finally going to sell a car. Tonight. 1982 was looking good.
I got an early dinner, came back for the evening, and waited. At 8pm,
I called my prospect, got an answering machine, left a message, and
waited some more.
I finally reached her at 9:30 PM.
"I'm really sorry," she said, "but my husband and I discussed what you
said, and we bought a Honda tonight."
Ow! From hero to zero.
What happened? Why didn't they buy the Corolla from me?
An experienced Toyota sales pro took pity on me.
"You should've made an appointment with the lady to bring her husband
in tonight, and answered both of their questions. That's probably what
the Honda salesman did," he said.
Then he taught me a sales lesson I'll never forget.
"She knew enough to buy the car, but _not_ enough to sell it... to
someone else: her husband."
In 1970, when I became a libertarian, I knew enough to "buy"
libertarianism, but not enough to "sell" it to others.
My questions were answered. My concerns were addressed. My objections
were handled. I was sold.
But other people had different questions. Different concerns.
Different hesitations and objections.
And I did not know enough about history, economics, politics,
philosophy, religion, or psychology to satisfy them.
I knew enough to "buy," but not enough to "sell."
So I told them why I "bought." I showed them how liberty answered my
questions, met my concerns, and overcame my objections.
And, if they were the 1 in 1,000 like me, they bought, too.
It took a lot of reading, thinking, and talking with fellow
libertarians before I knew enough to "sell" liberty to different kinds
of people.
Maybe you're like I was. Like my friends were. New to libertarianism.
Maybe you'd like to learn more. So you can better "sell" liberty.
Would you like to quickly get up to speed?
May I suggest a few books?
"Why Government Doesn't Work" by Harry Browne.
"Healing Our World" by Dr. Mary Ruwart.
"Libertarianism In One Lesson" by David Bergland.
"What It Means to Be A Libertarian" by Charles Murray
"The Law" by Frederic Bastiat. (A 79 page gem.)
These 5 books will give you a firm foundation. These 5 books will give
you enough high-nutrition information to "sell" to dozens of people
you want to win over.
Knowledge and skill will serve you well. And bring more of your family
and friends to a libertarian viewpoint.
The doctor needs to know more than the patient.
The architect must know more than the home owner.
The cook needs more skills and knowledge than the diner.
You've learned enough about libertarianism to `buy' it.
Are you ready to learn enough about libertarianism to `sell' it?
*****************
Michael Cloud is the creator of "The Essence of Political Persuasion"
tapes. In March 1999, Libertarian State Chairs voted him "the best
speaker in the Libertarian Party." Michael Cloud is the author of "The
Art of Libertarian Persuasion," to be published late this year by
LiamWorks.
"The Essence of Political Persuasion" is still available from the
Advocates for only $5 postpaid; see "What's Happening" in this issue.
(Editor's note: You can buy any of the books Michael mentioned in this
column from the Advocates, in partnership with Laissez-Faire books,
the world's largest seller of books on liberty. To do so, just visit
their Web site by clickinghere:
http://laissezfaire.org/index.cfm?AssociateID=SG.)
_________________________________________________________________
PRODUCT REVIEW:
An Eloquent, Innovative, Persuasive Argument for Liberty
"What It Means to Be A Libertarian: A Personal Interpretation" by
Charles Murray. 1997, quality paperback, 192 pages. List price: $12.00
(but see below for special savings).
Charles Murray is one of the most influential and provocative
political writers in America today. His 1984 book "Losing Ground,"
which showed that welfare caused far more harm than good, dealt a
devastating blow to the welfare state and remains one of the most
important books ever written on the topic.
"What It Means To Be A Libertarian" is elegantly written and
exquisitely argued. Murray describes what libertarianism means to him,
and why he thinks a libertarian society would be far superior to
today's government-ridden world.
This book seems especially aimed at that largearmy of
libertarian-leaning conservatives -- people who are already pretty
convinced of the value of free markets and individual responsibility.
Murray invites them to follow the logic of their ideas to their
natural conclusion -- libertarianism. However, open-minded people from
liberal and centrist backgrounds will also find themselves nodding in
agreement. Murray has a simply remarkable gift for explaining
libertarian ideas.
Among the book's greatest strengths are the thoughtful, persuasive,
imaginative arguments Murray uses to present the libertarian position
on some very difficult issues -- issues that are often the sticking
points for many otherwise libertarian-leaning persons.
For example, anyone who has ever found it hard to convince others of
the desirability of ending government regulation of business; ending
government occupational licensing and inspections; ending victimless
crime laws; ending anti-discrimination laws; and so on, will benefit
enormously from seeing how Murray makes the libertarian position seem
reasonable, humane and beneficial. His arguments are quiet, elegant,
gentle, respectful, yet refreshingly bold.
Indeed, some of Murray's arguments are wonderfully innovative. His
argument that ending anti-discrimination laws will greatly lessen any
negative effects of decriminalizing drugs is a small masterpiece -- an
argument that links two controversial and difficult positions together
and makes them both stroner by doing so. The book is filled with
similar gems, and they make it a highly valuable addition to any
libertarian's library.
Murray also emphasizes the importance of family, community, and order
-- crucial values sometimes neglected in libertarian works. By showing
how a libertarian society will be the best protector of these values,
Murray makes a compelling case for libertarianism. Murray concludes by
telling why he is optimistic that the ideas of liberty will win in the
coming years.
This is a grand book and is essential reading for anyone interested in
learning more about libertarianism or learning how to better
communicate libertarian ideas. The book's many virtues make up for its
chief flaw, which is that, in some ways, Murray's libertarianism is
rather timid -- he calls for a good bit more government than most
libertarians believe is necessary or justified. (He calls for, among
other things, a role for government in providing "public goods" such
as highways, street lights, environmental protection, universities,
and so on. He argues that government is needed to prevent harmful
economic monopolies -- despite a wealth of convincing libertarian/free
market arguments to the contrary. He is willing to accept taxation,
even an income tax [though one far lower than today's], and favors a
tax-paid tuition voucher for all children.)
But there are other books and essays that address these issues, and no
other book we know of has the unique strengths that Murray at his best
brings to the subject of libertarianism. Those strengths make this
book essential reading.
This book is *highly recommended* to anyone wanting to see how to
present libertarian ideas respectfully, convincingly, and artfully.
Murray's gift for doing this is simply awesome, and well worth careful
study.
(Reviewed by James W. Harris)
* * *
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