THE LIBERATOR ONLINEJanuary 24, 2000 Vol. 5, No. 2 Circulation: 34,495 in 85 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
If you wish to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your address for receiving the Liberator OnLine, visit: http://www.self-gov.org/liberator/maintain.html
The Advocates for Self-Government is a non-profit educational organization. Our purpose is to present the freedom philosophy honestly and persuasively to opinion-makers so that they can encounter, evaluate, and when ready, embrace the ideals of self-government.
Contributions are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. If you would like to support the Advocates, we *welcome* your donation. To support the Advocates' work, see http://www.self-gov.org/donate.html -- or give us a call at 1-800-932-1776. _________________________________________________________________
"The Advocates are pioneering in a vitally important field -- how to present libertarian ideas so that non-libertarians can listen to them and hear them."
-- Joan Kennedy Taylor, author of "Reclaiming the Mainstream: Individualist Feminism Reconsidered" _________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Business and Education Libertarian Celebrity: Robert E. (Bob) Bidwell * Violence Increases In Wake of British Gun Ban * Prime Time Mind-Control
ON THE WEB
* Editor's Choice: The Radical Academy
ASK DR. RUWART
* Should The Government Deliver The Mail? * Will Libertarian Ideas Be More Widely Accepted? * What Can I Do?
PERSUASION POWER POINT
* Persuasion Lessons from the Gardener by Michael Cloud
PRODUCT REVIEW
* I Must Speak Out: The Best of The Voluntaryist.
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
I recently received the following email from Russell Watkins of the New Zealand libertarian party Libertarianz:
"I would like to wish all of the Libertarians of the U.S success in the elections this year. It is as important to us as it is to you that you succeed -- after all, the word 'freedom' would have vanished from our language long ago if it were not for the GLORIOUS capitalist society that your country represents or used to anyway - you guys are still the world's best hope. 'Gird your loins for the battle ahead.'"
While the Advocates for Self-Government is a non-profit libertarian educational group, and thus does not and cannot endorse any particular electoral strategy, candidate, or party, I was moved by this message and wanted to share it with you.
Though we have an international readership which we treasure, today most Liberator Online readers are Americans. Many of you this year will be running for office, or contributing to campaigns, or working in numerous ways to educate the public about libertarian ideas.
You may not realize, however, just how important your efforts are to people not only in your community and in your country, but to the entire world.
I have heard statements similar to Russell Watkins' from libertarians in other countries. Because of the United States' special role in history as a cradle for liberty, and because of the US's prominence in world affairs, people around the globe who are interested in liberty watch closely the progress of libertarianism in America. Our successes give them encouragement in their own struggles. Our failures and difficulties are shared by them.
The eyes of the world are truly on the U.S. libertarian movement.
And to our readers in other countries, please know that American libertarians treasure your successes and draw inspiration and encouragement from them. The massive privatization in New Zealand and England, the privatization of social security in Latin America, the successes of libertarian politicians in Costa Rica, the smashing of the Berlin Wall, the courageous struggles against socialism and authoritarianism in so many countries such events give us hope, inspiration and ammunition for our own struggles.
The theme of our recent 15th Anniversary Celebration was "Winning the World for Liberty." One of the most exciting things that I have seen during my 30-year involvement with the libertarian movement is the rapid growth of an international libertarian movement during the past decade or two. (Incidentally, the best source by far on libertarianism activities around the world are our friends at the International Society for Individual Liberty.)
We are truly a world-wide movement, and we are growing by leaps and bounds. I believe the future will be ours. Knowing there is a global network of liberty-lovers cheering one another on is a great motivator!
The Advocates for Self-Government has proven tools and techniques that can help you become a far more effective communicator of libertarian ideas. I hope each of you will check them out and use the ones most appropriate for you.
Remember, the eyes of the world are upon you!
Sharon Harris, President mailto:sharon@self-gov.org
PS: A newsletter I've long admired and enjoyed is "The Voluntaryist," edited by Carl Watner. Watner founded "The Voluntaryist" in 1982, along with libertarian scholars George Smith and Wendy McElroy. The purpose was to explore the possibility of a completely voluntary society, and how to achieve such a society by means other than electoral political activity. Regardless of whether you agree with that strategy, "The Voluntaryist" has provided us with nearly 20 years of outstanding political writing, from Watner and a host of other leading libertarian thinkers.
To celebrate the 100th issue, Watner has collected the best articles into a massive book titled I Must Speak Out: The Best of The Voluntaryist - and it is a wonderful feast. Provocative, illuminating, a delight to read, this book is also a *bargain* - only $15.95 (plus shipping) for almost 500 pages of libertarian reading!
See for yourself. We've printed the whole Table of Contents in our Product Review section at the end of this issue. Get a copy - and prepare for an intellectual adventure! _________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* March 4, Cincinnati: "Proven Tools For Libertarian Activists." Dr. Ken Bisson will speak on this topic at the Southwest Ohio Libertarian Party's quarterly educational/social gathering. Among other things, Ken will discuss Advocates tools like the World's Smallest Political Quiz, Operation Politically Homeless, and the Ransberger Pivot. Ken, a practicing physician, is a founding member of the Advocates and a former Advocates Chairman of the Board, and he has a long and distinguished career in the LP as well -- he's currently LP Region 3 National Committee Representative. Ken has given this presentation at numerous gatherings across the country, including the recent Advocates 15th Anniversary Conference, and it has drawn a lot of praise. For more information on this event, email srschult@iac.net. RSVP is requested. This evening event is open only to LP members and their families. Memberships at the door will be available. (Don't live near Ohio? You can order a tape of Ken delivering this excellent speech at the Advocates 15th Anniversary Convention. Click here for info: http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/adv15.html.)
ONGOING ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
* Free "Libertarian Clips": "Libertarian Clips" is 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." See what libertarians are doing, and see how the media is using those words. It's FREE, and subscribing is a snap. Just click here: http://www.self-gov.org/clips/
* Latest "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
* Communication Bargain of the Century: You can get the great 3-tape audio course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at the *give-away* price of only $7.50 - that price includes handling and, now, First Class mail so you'll get it right away! 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 $7.50 to the Advocates. Our phone number and address are at the end of this issue.
* Year 2000 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.
New: Every "Lights of Liberty" winner will be entered in a drawing for the autographed "Libertarian Presidential Library" collection - a $250 value!
* Now Available: Audio and video tapes of the entire Advocates 15th Anniversary Celebration. You can buy individual tapes, or get the whole set at a special low price. This event, held September 24-26, featured top libertarian leaders and some of the very finest libertarian speakers at their very best. In alphabetical order: David Bergland, Ken Bisson, Walter Block, Harry Browne, Doug Casey, Michael Cloud, Marshall Fritz, Sharon Harris, Karl Hess Jr., Jacob Hornberger, Vince Miller, Charles Murray, David Nolan, Congressman Ron Paul, Carole Ann Rand, and Mary Ruwart. Click here http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/adv15.html for a complete list of speakers, topics, and prices. _________________________________________________________________
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
by James W. Harris
Business and Education Libertarian Celebrity: Robert E. (Bob) Bidwell
Bob Bidwell is one of the top management thinkers in America. During a business career spanning several decades, he earned a reputation as a corporate "turn around" specialist. He was put in charge of a number of faltering companies, and he either rescued them or gave them a decent burial. (A few he rescued for himself.)
In 1995, Bidwell wrote the book Skills for Managerial Excellence, published by Simon and Schuster. As a result of this book, Industry Week Magazine named him "The Father of Experiential Managing."
Also in 1995, Industry Week Magazine, celebrating their 25th anniversary, compiled a list of the "Top 25 Management Thinkers in the Country." Bidwell was on the list, an honor he shared with Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Jack Smith (CEO of General Motors).
In 1959, while serving as Vice President of Personnel for Dunkin Donuts, Bidwell created "Dunkin Donuts University."
For several years Bidwell was a management resource specialist for The Executive Committee, headquartered in San Diego, and he lectured on management to CEOs throughout the United States and United Kingdom.
For the last decade, Bidwell - who has an MBA from Boston College -- has been teaching management courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level at the University of Dayton, Wright State University, and Xavier University in Cincinnati.
He has long had an interest in politics, taxes and economics. In 1966, he ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Massachusetts.
Now a member of the Libertarian Party, Bidwell has announced plans to run as the Libertarian Party candidate for US House of Representatives, 2nd District, Ohio.
Bidwell has been married for 49 years and has 5 living children and 9 grandchildren.
(Source: Steve Schulte)
Violence Increases In Wake of British Gun Ban
A couple of years ago we reported on Britain's draconian Firearms Act of 1997, which tightened that country's already-severe gun laws and virtually disarmed the population, making armed self-defense illegal.
Now the mainstream British media is reporting a massive new wave of crime, including gun crimes.
On January 18, BBC News Online reported "a huge surge in muggings": "The figures for recorded offences, a blow to the government's anti-crime crusade, show the first rise in England and Wales for six years. The number of robberies - most of them muggings - increased by 19% in the year to September 1999 compared with a fall of nearly 6% over the previous 12 months."
The headline for a January 16 London Times article was: "Killings Rise As 3 Million Illegal Guns Flood Britain." Total crime in London rose by 22% for the year September 1998-1999, and armed crime rose 10%. Gun prohibition has also created a massive new black market smuggling in powerful guns for criminals.
The January 14th Manchester Guardian reported that city is now being called "Gunchester." Police -- who are usually unarmed -- report some gangs are now armed with fully automatic weapons and that guns are "almost a fashion accessory" among young street criminals.
The June 20, 1999 Sunday Express reported: "In recent months there have been a frightening number of shootings in Britain's major cities, despite new laws banning gun ownershipOur investigation established that guns are available through means open to any criminally-minded individual." The government's response? Plans being discussed include: further increasing penalties for gun possession; cracking down on drugs; creating a national DNA database of both innocent and convicted citizens; and restricting knives and air guns.
(Sources: papers as named; BBC News Online; op-ed by Michael S. Brown)
Prime Time Mind-Control
After a six-month investigation, the online magazine Salon has reported that the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy - more commonly known as the Drug Czar's office -- has been paying millions of dollars to all six US television networks, in return for secretly putting government-approved and government-written Drug War messages in their prime-time programs.
The networks: NBC, ABC, CBS, WB, Fox, and UPN.
Among the shows: ``Beverly Hills 90210,'' ``ER,'' ``Chicago Hope,'' ``The Drew Carey Show,'' ``Seventh Heaven,'' ``The Practice,'' ``Home Improvement,'' ``Sports Night,'' ``Promised Land,'' ``Cosby,'' ``Trinity,'' "The Wayan Bros," ``Providence,'' ``Sabrina the Teenage Witch,'' ``Boy Meets World,'' ``General Hospital'' and others.
According to Salon, in 1997 Congress funded a five-year, $1 billion anti-drug media campaign. Some of this money was used to buy TV ads. Part of the deal the drug warriors made with the networks was that broadcasters would give the government one free public service ad for every ad paid for. In the spring of 1988, the government offered the networks a lucrative variation: if the networks would send copies of TV scripts with drug themes to the Drug Czar's office for approval - including, sometimes, rewriting - the networks would be given back some of the public service ad time, which they would be free to sell.
The deal was worth millions to the networks, and they jumped on it. During the past two years, the networks have been sending primetime scripts and videotapes to the Drug Czar's office for approval and/or rewriting. (UPN started this season.) According to Salon, the networks have made around $25 million so far. NBC received over $1 million for a single drug plot on "ER."
Donald Vereen, deputy director of the drug-control policy office, explained his agency's aims: "When the message is embedded in [programming], it has a much more valuable 'oomph.' The message has to get deeper than a 30-second or a 60-second spot." Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey apparently is also now U.S. Minister of Propaganda.
The deal was, understandably, kept highly secret. According to Salon, most writers and producers had no idea that network bosses were inviting government drug agents to serve as co-writers and co-producers. The Salon story was the first media mention of the deal.
Salon speculates the deal may violate federal payola laws, which require disclosure of any consideration paid -- either directly or indirectly -- in return for the airing of content of any kind. Alan Jay Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, a public interest law firm, told Salon: "This is the most craven thing I've ever heard of yet. To turn over content control to the federal government for a modest price is an outrageous abandonment of the First Amendment." To the Washington Post, he added, "The idea of the government attempting to influence public opinion covertly is reprehensible beyond words. It's one thing to appropriate money to buy ads, another thing to spend the money to influence the public subliminally." President Clinton expressed support for the program. In his classic novel 1984, George Orwell warned that "Big Brother is watching you.''
Not quite, notes the San Jose Mercury News: "As it turns out: you're watching Big Brother."
(Sources: Salon; San Jose Mercury News; DRCNet, Los Angeles Times)
Memo To the Drug Czar...
"It is the absolute right of the state to supervise the formation of public opinion." - Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda Minister. _________________________________________________________________
ON THE WEB
Editor's Choice: The Radical Academy
The Radical Academy is a site on philosophy, politics, and the human condition.
They discuss traditional philosophical, moral, and religious questions; contemporary political, social, and cultural problems and policies; current scientific and technological issues and speculations; challenges to the "conventional" wisdom, "popular" ideologies, and "accepted" paradigms of our culture; and the application of common sense realistic principles to all human affairs.
Their political and social philosophy is generally in agreement with classical liberalism and an authentic libertarianism. They support a free-market economy without unnecessary government interference and regulation. They believe a limited government under a constitutional covenant best provides for a society of free minds in a free marketplace.
For a good dose of logic and philosophy, visit:
http://radicalacademy.com _________________________________________________________________
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 http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
Short Answers to the Tough Questions:
by Dr. Mary Ruwart
* * *
Should The Government Deliver The Mail?
Question:
"Do you think there the post office should be run by the government or should it be a private enterprise?"
My short answer:
"Private, of course! New Zealand has had great success in turning their money-losing public postal monopoly into a profit-making private enterprise. Funding anything through the aggression of taxation taints the outcome. Honoring our neighbor's choice by refraining from aggression produces the win-win outcome we desire."
* * *
Will Libertarian Ideas Be More Widely Accepted?
Question:
"Practically speaking, what are the hopes of the libertarian ideal achieving real change? People love to hear about cutting taxes, but they don't like hearing about cutting social programs, especially when faced with the hysterical 'all our children will become starving drug addicts' response from conservatives and liberals alike. Given that a libertarian believes that the Civil Rights Bill and Title VII must be repealed, and that environmental regulations must go as well, how can we overcome the horrified reactions of most people to these ideas?
My short answer:
Education is the primary means of overcoming ignorance. Our mission, therefore, is to explain how liberty works and government doesn't. Social studies provide ample evidence that only liberty can take the drugs out of our schools, protect the environment, and help the poor.
The 1996 Libertarian Party presidential candidate, Harry Browne, often asked people if they would give up their favorite social programs if they never had to pay income tax again. The response was overwhelmingly positive -- progress is indeed being made.
* * *
What Can I Do?
Question:
"What can I do, personally, to advance the libertarian ideal? I can't run for president until 2004, but it's never too early to start thinking about it. ;-)"
My short answer:
"Your help is limited only by your imagination! If you want to run for office, start with a local one and learn the ropes. Contribute money and/or time to the party of your choice and to other campaigns. Talk to your friends about libertarianism. Keep learning and growing yourself so that you can speak to the concerns that people have instead of preaching to them. Finally, practice the non-aggression that you preach!"
* * *
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.netbooks.com/catalog/ruwart/index.html
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). _________________________________________________________________
PERSUASION POWER POINT #84
Persuasion Lessons from the Gardener
by Michael Cloud
"Michael, my father's a World War II veteran. How do I convince him that our libertarian non-interventionist policy is right?" asks one person.
"I know this guy who agrees with us on everything except immigration. I've given him books and tapes that make a strong case for open immigration. I've talked with him for hours. Nothing works. How do I change his mind?" asks another.
"I have a friend who won't even listen to me on the drug issue. How do I turn him around?" asks a third.
How do you break through people's resistance? How do you overcome some people's refusal to hear you out? How do you get through a person's stubbornness?
High-impact persuasion approaches can make you three to ten times as effective at changing people's minds.
You'll find persuasion tools you can use in "The Essence of Political Persuasion," these persuasion columns, and in my forthcoming book: The Art of Libertarian Persuasion.
But no matter how good you get, no matter how knowledgeable you Become, no matter how completely you master libertarian persuasion, you will fail.
No one convinces every person on every issue every time. I don't. You won't. No one does.
Perhaps we can take Persuasion Lessons From the Gardener.
Jesus tells a parable that shines light on this. In Matthew 13, Jesus says,
"Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.
"And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.
"But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
"And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.
"And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."
Barren ground and a hostile climate can kill the strongest seeds.
Fertile soil and a friendly climate can nurture even weak seeds.
Between barren soil with a hostile climate and fertile soil with a friendly climate is the domain of the Master Gardener.
Here are the Persuasion Lessons from the Master Gardener.
1. Use quality seed. Use the best libertarian ideas and examples and evidence. From Ayn Rand, Frederic Bastiat, Henry Hazlitt, Murray Rothbard, Charles Murray, and Harry Browne. 2. Seek out fertile soil and a friendly climate. Even if you make mistakes, they will nurture the growth of libertarianism. 3. Properly prepare the soil before planting. We must plow and fertilize and water the soil, so it's most receptive to the seeds. 4. Timing makes a difference. If we plant an idea too early, or when a person's argumentative or angry, or when he's not interested... we increase the odds that the seed will shrivel and die. And that the soil will remain inhospitable to libertarian ideas. 5. The strongest plants develop their own roots. Too much fertilizer or too much water weakens the plants. Ideas and plants must struggle a little to become strong. 6. No matter how good the gardener, nor how strong the seed, some plants will die.
We can become better gardeners. We can gather better tools and seed.
Even Master Gardeners reap failures. Some seeds fail. Some plants die.
But Master Gardeners grow prize winners year after year. Master Gardeners grow better and bigger gardens every season.
And these gardens of liberty can feed the world.
Become a Master Gardener.
**********************
Michael Cloud is a widely-quoted phrase-maker and speech-writer. In 1999. Libertarian state Chairs voted him the "best speaker in the Libertarian Party". They called his speeches "electrifying" and "unforgettable". Michael Cloud's book The Art of Libertarian Persuasion will be published by LiamWorks this year.
His acclaimed 3-tape tape set "The Essence of Political Persuasion" is available from the Advocates at the give-away price of only $7.50 postpaid; see "What's Happening" in this issue. _________________________________________________________________
PRODUCT REVIEW:
I Must Speak Out: The Best of The Voluntaryist. selected and edited by Carl Watner.
1999, large format paperback, 485 pages. Price: $15.95 (includes free gift!) Prepare yourself for an intellectual and emotional feast! This is pure, 180-proof libertarianism.
I Must Speak Out is a collection of the best articles to appear in the first 100 issues of "The Voluntaryist" - a wonderful libertarian newsletter that has consistently provided great libertarian reading for almost 20 years. Here's how "The Voluntaryist" came to be, in the publisher's words: One day in 1982 Carl Watner and a few friends sat down to plan a new publication, The Voluntaryist, dedicated to exploring the possibility of a completely voluntary society. Their purpose was simply stated:
"The Voluntaryists are advocates of non-political strategies to achieve a free society. We reject electoral politics, in theory and in practice, as incompatible with libertarian principles. Governments must cloak their actions in an aura of moral legitimacy in order to sustain their power, and political methods invariably strengthen that legitimacy. Voluntaryists seek instead to delegitimize the State through education, and we advocate withdrawal of the cooperation and tacit consent on which State power ultimately depends."
Regardless of whether you agree with this strategy, their exploration of it is powerful, thought-provoking, and raises issues that every libertarian interested in achieving a free society must be familiar with.
BUT... I Must Speak Out is far more than just a book about a particular strategy for achieving liberty. The book is filled with fascinating, fact-crammed and highly readable articles that show how society can flourish without the state. The articles hit on virtually all essential libertarian issues - taxation, privacy, self-ownership, war, the draft, money, home schooling, poverty, victimless crimes and much much more. History, economy, philosophy, ethics this book covers enormous ground. *Check out the table of contents, printed below in its entirety.*
And the authors are superb - there are articles by such renowned libertarian thinkers as (in addition to Watner) Walter Block, Harry Browne, Robert LeFevre, Wendy McElroy, Murray Rothbard, Dean Russell, Mark Skousen, George H. Smith, and more.
This is 485 pages of thought-provoking, challenging, educational and inspiring writing. What a bargain!
* * *
Contents (articles are by Carl Watner unless otherwise attributed)
xi. Why I Write and Publish The Voluntaryist
Part I: Statement of Purpose 3. What We Are For?--What Do We Believe? 4. What Is Our Plan? 7. The Fundamentals of Voluntaryism 11. Cultivate Your Own Garden: No Truck with Politics 14. From the Editor: "Like a Voice Crying in the Wilderness"--A Restatement of Purpose 18. What We Believe and Why
Part II: Voluntaryist Critiques of the State 25. The Ethics of Voting , by George H. Smith 33. "If This Be Treason, Make the Most of It!" 35. The Myth of Political Freedom 37. The Case against Democracy: The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same 41. Notes on War and Freedom, by Ramsey Clark 42. A Note to the Commissioner, by Anonymous 44. The Tragedy of Political Government 47. "Will Rothbards Free-Market Justice Suffice?", by Murray Rothbard 49. On Keeping Your Own: Taxation Is Theft! 50. Who Are the Realists?, by Roy Halliday
Part III: Voluntaryist Strategies 55. Neither Bullets Nor Ballots, by Wendy McElroy 57. Methods, by Francis Tandy 61. Living Slavery and All That, by Alan P. Koontz 63. The Voluntaryist Insight: from "The Political Thought of Etienne de la Boetie," by Murray N. Rothbard 69. The Power of Non-Violent Resistance, by Jerry M. Tinker 78. How Can We Do It?, by Robert LeFevre 82. A Way Out--Victory without Violence 83. Freedom Works Both Ways, by Dean Russell 85. Persuasion versus Force, by Mark Skousen 91. The Illegality, Immorality, and Violence of All Political Action, by Robert LeFevre 95. Thoughts on Nonviolence, by Karl Meyer 97. A Visit to Rhinegold, by Harry Browne 109. An Open Letter to Harry Browne from John Pugsley 122. Election Day: A Means of State Control, by Robert Weissberg 127. Consent, Obligation, and Anarchy, by A. John Simmons
Part IV: Voluntaryism as a Matter of Integrity and Conscience 139. The Decision Is Always Yours--Freedom as Self-Control 146. A Further Note on 'Freedom as Self-Control' 147. To Thine Own Self Be True: The Story of Raymond Cyrus Hoiles and His Freedom Newspapers 159. The Case against T-Bills: And Other Thoughts on Theft, by John A. Pugsley 165. "I Dont Want Nothing from Him!" 167. The Day the World Was Lost, by Milton Mayer 171. "Voluntary" Contributions to the National Treasury: Where Does One Draw the Line? 176. "Drawing the Line," by Blair Adams 177. Why Homeschool? Excerpts from Correspondence between Helen Hegener and Carl Watner 181. This Far: No More!, by Anonymous 183. A Definition of Freedom, by Julie Watner 184. "Vices Are Not Crimes": Defending Defending the Undefendable 186. Libertarianism and Libertinism, by Walter Block 197. The Cunning of Governments and the Contributions of Citizens, by Fred E. Katz
200. Participation and the Lie, by Alexander Solzhenitsyn 202. Why I Refuse to Register (to Vote or Pay Taxes), by Anonymous
Part V: Voluntaryism vs. the American Government 207. A Plague on Both Your Houses 219. To All Patriots and Constitutionalists: Some Critical Considerations on the United States Constitution
223. Propaganda, American-Style, by Noam Chomsky 225. An Octopus Would Sooner Release Its Prey: Voluntaryism vs. Educational Statism 234. Who Controls the Children? 246. A Declaration of Personal Independence, by a Friend of Paine 250. Major Crimes of the United States Government: 1776-1993 264. "By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them": Voluntaryism and the Old Order Amish 281. "Sweat Them at Law with Their Own Money": Forfeitures and Taxes in American History 291. Whose Property Is It Anyway? 295. Is "Taxation Is Theft" A Seditious Statement?: A Short History of Governmental Criticism in the Early United States 306. "The Illusion Is Liberty--the Reality Is Leviathan": A Voluntaryist Perspective on the Bill of Rights
Part VI: Voluntaryism in History 319. The Noiseless Revolution 326. "Health" Freedoms in the Libertarian Tradition 332. "Hard Money" in the Voluntaryist Tradition 343. Thinkers and Groups of Individuals Who Have Contributed Significant Ideas or Major Written Materials to the Radical Libertarian Tradition 349. "And Every Man Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes": Voluntaryism in the Old Testament 355. Libraries in the Voluntaryist Tradition 359. Voluntaryism on the Western Frontier 366. Voluntaryism and the English Language 377. Weights and Measures: State or Market? 381. Voluntaryism and the Evolution of Industrial Standards
394. "One of Our Most Human Experiences:: Voluntaryism, Marriage, and the Family 405. "For Conscience's Sake": Voluntaryism and Religious Freedom 414. The Most Generous Nation on Earth: Voluntaryism and American Philanthropy 428. "Plunderers of the Public Revenue": Voluntaryism and the Mails 442. "Beyond the Wit of Man to Foresee": Voluntaryism and Land Use Controls 457. "Stateless, Not Lawless": Voluntaryism and Arbitration 474. The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions: Voluntaryism and the Roads
* * *
SPECIAL DISCOUNT PRICE AND FREE GIFT
We are pleased to offer "I Must Speak Out" to our readers for only $15.95 (plus shipping).
Plus...
FREE BONUS GIFT: Handsome facsimile $500 gold certificate bookmark. This laminated bookmark recalls the days when the U.S. dollar was backed by gold, there wasn't any Federal Reserve System, nobody worried about inflation, and total taxes were under 10%. It's a carefully-crafted facsimile capturing all the detail of a now-rare $500 gold certificate. And it's yours FREE with your order! (If we run out, we'll substitute a gift of equivalent value.)
To order on the Web, via credit card, simply click here:
http://laissezfaire.org/li8117.cfm?AssociateID=SG
This will take you to a site at the Laissez Faire Books online catalog. Laissez Faire Books is the world's largest seller of books on liberty, and we are pleased to be able to offer this book in partnership with them.
Fast shipping - most orders sent within 24 hours of receipt. And FREE shipping on orders of $100 or more.
While placing your order for "I Must Speak Out," be sure to browse Laissez-Faire's wonderful selection of other essential libertarian books.
The site is credit-card secure -- you can order with the same confidence you'd feel at your local department store.
You can also, of course, place your order to the Advocates by phone, mail or fax. Call us at 1-800-932-1776, or see below for further contact information.
This offer is good through February 10, 2000.
Thank you! _________________________________________________________________
See you in two weeks! You can contact the Advocates at: Snail Mail: Advocates for Self Government 1202 N. Tennessee St. Suite 202 Cartersville, GA 30120
Phone: 770-386-8372; for orders, 800-932-1776 Fax: 770-386-8373 Email: mailto:advocates@self-gov.org WWW: http://www.self-gov.org/
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You can see back issues of the Liberator OnLine on the Advocates' web site: http://www.self-gov.org/liberator/
"May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of self-government." -- Thomas Jefferson