http://freekeene.com/2008/04/28/revoking-my-libertarian-party-life-membership-aka-politics-sucks/
The Libertarian Party (LP) had, after the late, great Harry Browne (http://harrybrowne.org/)'s campaigns, been falling further and further from it's original principles. In the early portion of this decade, when the LP removed from the party platform their calls for the abolishment of the CIA and FBI, I wrote their newspaper to say I'd not send them another dime of money until they got back to their founding principle: the non-initiation of force.
As I drifted away from the LP and politics and toward market-based action, I paid less and less attention to the LP. I even said on the air recently on "Free Talk Live (http://freetalklive.com/)", my talk show, that the only reason I was still a member is because I bought a life membership and it hadn't been worth my while to cancel it.
Well, along comes this post on the LRC blog (http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/020742.html). I agree with the sentiments of the post, and felt this move by the LP was the last straw. I called and revoked my membership, and felt clean and fresh afterward!
The LP is dead to me and no longer resembles the party I joined ten years ago. After the 2000 Browne campaign, I jumped into LP activism. I attended meetings regularly and single-handedly organized and paid for libertarian outreach at the county fair, gun shows, and gay/lesbian pridefests as well as created and tended their website. I did and funded it all myself because of the political nature of the LP. It was not hard to notice how bureaucratic and slow they were. For example, they spent uncountable weeks debating over bylaws. Plus, at the non-bylaw-reviewing regular meetings, whenever an idea was proposed there would nearly always be someone who would derail the discussion into debate on the idea or the issue. Very little ever got done. This was just my experience with the local LP in Florida. (Nothing against the individuals, they are good people. It's the central planning that is the major failure.)
The LP state conventions I attended were dull. Having watched the LP national conventions on TV, I can say that while some of the speeches were excellent, the bulk of the time was spent bickering over party platform, blah blah blah. I'm glad I never went to one. All of this distasteful bureaucratic, political garbage was frustrating to me, as I didn't know what else to do to achieve liberty in my lifetime.
Since I discovered the Free State Project (http://freestateproject.org/) in the first half of the decade and especially since moving to New Hampshire, I've been learning about the free market (http://freekeene.com/free-audiobook/) and experiencing (http://freestateblogs.net/) REAL, decentralized, activism. Sure, there are a bunch of political Free Staters (for those of you who still believe you can change the system from the inside), but the most exciting and effective activism has been market-based. There's a cadre of great market-based activists (both NH natives (http://freemindstv.com/) and Free Staters) here in Keene, NH, and that number is growing. We're creating our own media (TV, radio, print, blog) and have begun living free. If the Blue Light Gang (http://youtube.com/watch?v=6cL79KNBjkM) interferes, we already have proven success at deterring their aggression (http://youtube.com/watch?v=cSnOII_EoRI). As more join in withdrawing from coercive society and joining the voluntary society, we will only be more successful as the coercive gang's veil of legitimacy will crumble from its own inherent contradictions. Eventually, the transition to the free market will be completed and not one vote need be cast or politician promoted.
Goodbye LP. Their contribution to the dilution and destruction of the term Libertarian is appreciated. "Free Marketeer" is so much more descriptive of my beliefs. Thanks LP, for helping me realize that politics is never the solution to problems.
We will never be free by begging, but only by choice. I choose liberty. What about you? Will you join the Nonviolent Evolution (http://freekeene.com/about/)?
Congratulations! I was done after they wrecked the platform last year (or was it the year before? Who cares!). Good on ya'!
Congo Rats Ian!
It's like politics infects people and slowly turns them evil.
Amen brother.
:brave:
I had a similar experience with the LP in NJ. They were very good at talking about things, but very poor at actually getting anything done. They approached me about running for State Assembly here in NJ, and then were marvelously inept at actually getting anything accomplished along those lines. I didn't ask for much from them, just the membership rolls for the district I was in and the neighboring district where no one was running, so I could try and recruit some volunteers, or to have them pass the word to those in the two districts if they were worried about their members privacy. It took them months to accomplish half that task and by then it was much too late. I let my membership lapse a long time ago.
Congratulations on freeing yourself!
George
:occasion15:
What? It's a celebration right? :ahoy:
I never noticed before...the cake has eyes. :o
Nice article Ian
It is good to hear the path people have taken to get here.
It doesn't make sense to be a member of a group you don't agree with, so quiting seems like the thing to do.:)
Splinterer!!!
Good move. I also quit sending the LP money, as of about a year ago. I never bought the lifetime membership, so never wrote back and explained exactly why I disengaged, but I'm glad others are getting that message across.
Sure the LP is slow and ineffective, but I don't attribute that as much to bureaucratic laziness, as much as its fundamental contradiction -- engagement in politics is a tacit acceptance that politics should exist at all. So I enjoyed your article, as well as the word "politics" with the Ghostbusters sign around it.
Keep up the good fight. I don't have the stomach to even follow all the crap that's going on, much less broadcast it, but sure will continue to support your show.
I think the party clearly recognizes that they have not been very successful, which is good. But they are not going to be anymore successful by being a 'big tent' party.
I almost never criticise them because I don't really fault them, except for the iccessant debatatarianism. It is the nature of the winner takes all political structure that really sidelines third parties. None of the existing and past 3rd parties have ever really been successfull either. Their biggest failure is the failure to recognize the reality of the political landscape.
I actually became apolitical initially because I recognized the reality of the political landscape. That decision has since been vindicated and reinforced many times in the past 2 years or so.
I really do wish things were different, that we didn't have to risk so much for the purpose of pushing back gov't. :-\ Not looking to debate, or bash anyone over the head, just stating my personal assessment.
Poll on the LP website:
Do you support strengthening the GI Bill to help it cover today's tuition rates?
Are you fucking serious? That has to be a joke.
WELFARE FOR GOVERNMENT PARASITES THAT REDIRECTS TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO STATE UNIVERSITIES ALREADY SUBSIDIZED BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?!?!?!?!?!
What the holy fucking hell. "Yes" was ahead by a substantial margin.
*facedesk*
Ditto. If you guys need me, I'll be in my bunker playing GTA4.
Quote from: Puke on April 28, 2008, 06:42 PM NHFT
It's like politics infects people and slowly turns them evil.
You'll let me know, right?
Some drugs in your drink, a short ride in the trunk of a car..........we'll take care of it Dan
Out in the corn fields, no one hears you scream!
"Libertarian Party" is an oxymoron.
Quote from: mackler on May 02, 2008, 09:58 AM NHFT
"Libertarian Party" is an oxymoron.
My friend, you either haven't been to porcfest, or you have forgotten. ;D It is possible to herd cats, just make the beer and catnip free. ;)
Quote from: David on May 02, 2008, 10:53 AM NHFT
Quote from: mackler on May 02, 2008, 09:58 AM NHFT
"Libertarian Party" is an oxymoron.
My friend, you either haven't been to porcfest, or you have forgotten. ;D It is possible to herd cats, just make the beer and catnip free. ;)
I've been to porcfest. I didn't realize it was a party convention. I must have been in the restroom when the candidates were being nominated.
That's where the nominations and voting are held. You place your vote in the commode.
Quote from: Tom Sawyer on May 03, 2008, 05:52 AM NHFT
That's where the nominations and voting are held. You place your vote in the commode.
If you're saying that going to PorfFest and relieving myself in the toilet has the same effect on our political system as going to an LP convention and nominating a candidate, I can't say I disagree with you.
OK, I've been intentionally ignoring this thread, partly out of conflict of interest (do I congratulate Ian, or do I put on my Party hat and graciously tell him (purely in false professional mode, that is) that the LPNH isn't *like* that and why doesn't he come to one of our meetings and get to know us?), and partly out of fear it would upset me. Sometimes I am loyal to a fault, and even when I've intellectually given up on something/someone, still have a knee-jerk response of outrage when that thing/person is badmouthed. But, since I was working on catching up on my email last night (I am now two weeks behind :P ), I got a pretty good idea of what recent events triggered Ian's decision. And since Dave "outed" me last weekend, to both of our surprise (he doesn't read my blog, and I generally don't watch his videos (nothing against his videos, I just don't find the time); we were just trying to make another "Moved to New Hampshire" ridleo), I figured, what the hell, I'll read and respond to this thread.
So... (geez, the parenthetical asides are running amok in this post, aren't they??)
I agree with you, and with LNC rep Angela Keaton (who was the keynote speaker at the LPNH's convention last fall) that not only has the LP moved far from its original philosophical foundation, it may actually be doing more harm than good at this point. Personally, I've always been big on the education-and-outreach, as opposed to the winning-elective-office, aspects of the party. But over the past few years, efforts have been made to not only distance the party from that original goal (among others) of David Nolan, but to perform revisionist history and deny that that ever *was* a stated goal of the Party.
Readers of my blog may recall that I briefly quit the party in disgust two years ago after the gutting of the platform at the Oregon convention. Then I decided that fighting back was a better response. Since then, I've run for and been elected to the leadership of the LPNH, joined the LP Radical Caucus, signed the Restore'04 pledge, yadda yadda. But at this point, I am *not* optimistic about either a resurrection of the platform or the selection of a Presidential candidate who doesn't publicly express policy positions that are in direct contradiction of the party pledge, so...
congratulations on your public statement, Ian! :clap:
I could really take the gloves off :boxing: and share some of the things I've seen, heard, and tried in vain to repress, as an active member of the LPCal and LPNH over the past few years, but let's just say that it's truly pathetic how some people will sell their souls for so very, very little. :(
Quote from: Friday on May 09, 2008, 04:19 PM NHFT
congratulations on your public statement, Ian! :clap:
I could really take the gloves off :boxing: and share some of the things I've seen, heard, and tried in vain to repress, as an active member of the LPCal and LPNH over the past few years, but let's just say that it's truly pathetic how some people will sell their souls for so very, very little. :(
Thanks! That sounds just like the LP.
I am glad I haven't been at any of those LP meetings. :)
I think The Shire has a libertarian party ... or was that parties?
we have many parties, where those that call themselves libertarians attend and have fun.
Quote from: David on May 10, 2008, 08:43 AM NHFT
we have many parties, where those that call themselves libertarians attend and have fun.
Libertarians Pick Barr as Presidential Nominee
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/25/libertarians-pick-barr-as-presidential-nominee/ (http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/25/libertarians-pick-barr-as-presidential-nominee/)
Pretty sad
I think I sent the Barr campaign enough rude responses that they stopped sending me press releases.
Quote from: Facilitator to the IconLibertarians Pick Barr as Presidential Nominee
This could signify the death of the Libertarian Party, a reason to celebrate as far as I'm concerned.
if there is a little money and power available .... some guys will go after it
We should have a funeral for the libertarian party, like we did for the constitution.
Quote from: Kat Kanning on May 26, 2008, 07:14 AM NHFT
We should have a funeral for the libertarian party, like we did for the constitution.
Burning Porc? Maybe even Porcfest? Porcfest might be better because the news will be a little fresher. If so, I'm there.
I could revamp the coffin.
Maybe Ian (and anyone else in the same boat) would agree to speak at the funeral about how he used to be active, and why he's not a party member any longer.
I might still have a membership card from libertarian party of CA that I could burn.
What's so sad about about the LP nomination is not that it was won by a hopefully-reformed drug warrior and neocon, but that it was won after joining forces with the unapologetic neoconman Wayne Allyn Root.
The beltwaytarian/cosmotarian/celebritarian crowd are thrilled that "nutjob Mary Ruwart" (http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/25/meet-bob-barr-your-2008-lp-nominee-for-president/) didn't win.
I actually looked at that guy's Issue's page - he does the typical politician squirming and doesn't actually come out against the Iraq war. ::)
Quote from: Kat Kanning on May 26, 2008, 07:49 AM NHFT
I could revamp the coffin.
Maybe Ian (and anyone else in the same boat) would agree to speak at the funeral about how he used to be active, and why he's not a party member any longer.
Sure.
RIP LP.
Press release=
Libertarian Party Dies
In a tragic turn of events, there was a mass
suicide of LP Party members. In some strange
mass psychological breakdown many LP members
stuck their heads so far up their asses that they
suffocated to death.
You mind if I use that in the paper? :D
I would of course be honored to have anything in your
fine paper. ;D
how about a collection of musing from former LP members?
I was never part of it, so I don't have the same bad feelings from watching it die.
I don't have bad feelings. It had outlived its usefulness, and Barr is the final nail in the coffin.
Seems quite natural, though I do feel sympathy for those poor saps that will spend time and money trying to "save" the LP.
I feel like Howard Roark looking at his screwed-up Cortland project and wanting to blow the whole thing off the face of the earth.
from the classic novel "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand
Quote from: Pat K on May 26, 2008, 10:36 AM NHFT
Press release=
Libertarian Party Dies
In a tragic turn of events, there was a mass
suicide of LP Party members. In some strange
mass psychological breakdown many LP members
stuck their heads so far up their asses that they
suffocated to death.
That is perfect :worship: 8)
I'm actually not that surprised. Disgusted and sad, but not surprised.
I had made plans to attend the convention, but cancelled at the last minute due to a severely fracked up back that was making it difficult to walk or sleep, let alone haul a suitcase through an airport. All things considered, it's better that I wasn't there; I really think I would have started crying.
I'm following the proceedings (so you don't have to ;) ). Here's a sample of the :shithitsthefan:
David Nolan, often credited as "the founder" of the LP (certainly one of the founders) had been planning to run for the LNC (governing body), but changed his mind during the course of this convention. Good for him!
report from the front:
QuoteThis afternoon we considered a by-laws proposal that was a "macro program" - they attempted a one-vote move on a bundle of motions that would (1) suspend the rules to allow it, (2) amend the bylaws to change the Statement of Principles by 2/3 vote instead of 7/8 vote, (3) GUT the Statement of Principles, and (4) RESTORE the 7/8 vote required to change it again. Chariman Redpath ruled the proposal in order. Technically it may have been but the intent was clearly to circumvent the 7/8 requirement. I voted with the majority to ovverule the Chair and our SoP remains intact.
I'm just waiting to hear that Redpath was reelected as Chair and the putrescence will be complete. :puke:
I'm surprised Radley Balco called Mary Ruwart a nutjob.
Quote from: David on May 26, 2008, 05:35 PM NHFT
I'm surprised Radley Balco called Mary Ruwart a nutjob.
Is that a Reason guy? Reason seems to have gone down hill in some ways with their new Editor in Chief.
Quote from: DavidI'm surprised Radley Balko called Mary Ruwart a nutjob.
I am only surprised he expressed his opinion publicly. Balko is no anarchist.
Quote from: Juice of Freedom on May 26, 2008, 06:29 PM NHFT
Quote from: David on May 26, 2008, 05:35 PM NHFT
I'm surprised Radley Balco called Mary Ruwart a nutjob.
Is that a Reason guy? Reason seems to have gone down hill in some ways with their new Editor in Chief.
He runs the agitator website, and I think he writes for reason.
http://www.theagitator.com/2008/05/25/meet-bob-barr-your-2008-lp-nominee-for-president/
I don't follow him actively, but he is a good writer, and I like some of the things he agitates for, or against. I was surprised somewhat, because he strikes me as more of an activist type rather than a party hack. I guess I was wrong.
Yeah, what a jerk.
You would think that as somebody very active in the Ron Paul campaign I'd be supportive of Barr, as he's trying to carry the Platform of "Continuing the Revolution."
But I'm not.
I used to actually Defend Barr to libertarians.
The LP was stupid to target his Congressional seat. He did support illegalization of drugs, but he was opposed to the Police State Measures to Prosecute it. So he was a civil libertarian. And a fiscal conservative.
The LP Kicked Barr out with their anti-Barr message over medial marijuana, and the person that replaced him ended up being a complete authoritarian.
I've always kind of liked Barr.
When I initially heard he might be running for the LP Nomination I was excited because that would be an excellent person to bring some name recognition to the Party. Plus he's come around on his views about drugs, had done a lot with the ACLU to fight the Patriot Act. Etc.
But in these last few weeks I've actually been turned off by him -- to the Point that I contacted my State LP Delegates and told them that even though I'm a Paul supporter and Barr has supposedly claimed the continuation of the Ron Paul Revolution Mantle, I didn't trust him and urged them to support Mary Ruwart, and to please NOT support Barr. One of them didn't like Mary, but assured me he doesn't like Barr either. The rest agreed with me.
Tracy
Please donate to the High Tide
http://alcpac.chipin.com/high-tide-s-dakota-2
For those who care and don't already know, the Bob Barr campaign BOUGHT the popular website http://www.thirdpartywatch.com within the past two weeks. So you can no longer trust it as an at least somewhat impartial source of information on third parties in the U.S. At least one well-regarded libertarian blogger has already had a post "disappeared" since the change in ownership.
This site seems to be filling the void, at least for the moment: http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/ (http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/)
Yeah. I'd heard that Andrew unahue (or whatever his name was) had done that. It was kind of the straw that broke the camels back for me not trusting Barr. (Although I developed reservations prior to hearing that news.)
Tracy
http://www.bigheadpress.com/TheTimeSink/?p=117 (http://www.bigheadpress.com/TheTimeSink/?p=117)
Be forewarned the graphic at the top of the article
could burn your retinas.
I wonder why the guy keeps going to the conventions.
Quote from: Russell Kanning on May 30, 2008, 05:48 AM NHFT
I wonder why the guy keeps going to the conventions.
Perhaps to find people who are
almost there. That's how I justify hanging out with a lot of minarchists, aside from that I just like to hang out with them because they're fun people. :)
Great article, Pat. Thanx for tuning us in to it.
Doesn't he say why in the very first sentence?
QuoteBig Head Press sold a big pile of books.
He's a libertarian graphic artist; what better place to sell his merchandise?
Quote from: Friday on May 30, 2008, 06:40 AM NHFT
Doesn't he say why in the very first sentence?
QuoteBig Head Press sold a big pile of books.
He's a libertarian graphic artist; what better place to sell his merchandise?
yea ... but he was complaining that the party represents "libertarianism" .... so why does he prop it up .... he quit the party 8 years ago .... why not let it implode?
In regards to the pic PatK alluded to, one of the commentors refered to it as lil musilini, and fidels right nut. ;D
Yeah, I'm done with the Party, too. After being a member for over 30 years, I'll miss it, but it isn't the party I joined.
No support; no money. I'll either vote for Paul or not at all.
This is very funny (watch to the end): ;D
lol
Interesting review of the convention:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/block/block102.html
Michael Edelstein helped write it apparently :)