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CHARTER COMMUNITY CONCEPT RETURNS AT TED

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:58:00 -0400

The Libertarian Tool paradigm of Charter Cities is spreading, and now being rediscovered as "new" by economists such as Paul Romer at the TED meeting of world innovators.

Variously called mini-archisms, designed communities, autonomous communities, charter areas, ZEBRAS (Zero-Based Regalation Areas), zones of waiver or exception or enterprise development zones, the idea is for a mechanism for small communities to be exempt from pernicious ordinances and in effect run as mini-societies in many cases. Libertarians such as McClaughry, Van Notten, and Bordenave (who met with Chinese leaders in the early 70's promoting Libertarian concepts) in China have championed the concept, resulting in the gated community movement, deregulated zones in the Netherlands and other countries, and special status in China for Hong Kong and other areas. In California, statutes specifically enable "Charter Cities" with ordinances that may differ and have the status of state law. See also the article below on cities adopting voluntary city policies in Georgia.

INFORMATIVE TALK

Dr. Romer in his talk gives an informative and entertaining review of the need and use of the concept in recent years, and the state of the art of adoption. Libertarians have been discussing how to use direct democracy to enable the concept in their states or countries, and often catalyzed successful moves in that direction.

In 2001 Charles Champion, a US Libertarian in public office who formed one of the first Libertarian Board majorities in a large area, noted that many areas have charter review boards of substantial powers which Libertarians could bring to the fore. In Florida several Home Rule initiatives are under way.

TOOLS:

>Article XI, section 3(a) of the California Constitution ( http://www.cacities.org/chartercities ;) recognizes the adoption of a city charter and provides such a charter has the force and effect of state law. Article XI, section 5(a), the home rule provision, affirmatively grants to charter cities supremacy over municipal affairs. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_city

>Lang, Diane (December, 1991) (PDF). Dillon's Rule...and the Birth of Home Rule. New Mexico Municipal League. http://nmml.org/files/2008/01/dillon.pdf

Discussion of Dillon's rule, charter cities and home rule in New Mexico.

>In Spain, a long process of Regional and local devolution down to the neighborhoods is public policy and underway, particularly as a means of innovation and reducing tensions. See: http://countrystudies.us/spain/71.htm "One of the most striking features of Spain's new governmental system is the devolution of power and responsibility to the regions. Regional differences had been the source of longstanding tensions..." (The article fails to realize that under Franco many functions had been devolved further than today e.g. hiring of local patrols was done by neighborhood associations, resulting in 90% of the police force being compensated by tips and a low crime rate. )

>In Switzerland, local area or "Commune" autonomy includes many areas that in other countries are handled by the central government, such as parts of immigration status. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Switzerland

>Work of Van Notten: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=michael+van+notten+d-zones&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

>In the US, states such as Nevada use local rule to handle legalization of gaming and gambling, a method Libertarians have helped make now widespread; sex workers; and other cultural issues. The Gay marriage bru-ha-ha in the US started over attempts to override local autonomy on the issue in California, where cities began to recognize the concept, led by "small government" right wing politicians and groups.

>In Florida many functions are being handled by neighborhood associations and voluntary communities, leading to the characterization that the state has substantially privatized government. Accoding to Dr. R. Holcombe, former advisor to the Governor , Libertarians helped play a substantial role in awareness of the tool but it now has a momentum "of its own." See: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=privatized+neighborhood+government+in+Florida&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

>REPORT: http://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/faculty/nelson/Kennedy%20School.pdf

WIN: LIB MAYOR CUTS CRIME 40%

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:35:00 -0400

Mayor Art Olivier cut crime over 40% with citizen teams.

The paradigm is Libertarian voluntary methods cannot address crime...only more police, punishments and prisons can as the core job of government. Think again.

As mayor, Libertarian Art Olivier cut crime over 40% in 2 years while by refusing to expand police functions or raise taxes. He instead ordered a policy of focus on 'actual, not lifestyle' crimes while forming citizen 'granny' teams that focused on 'causes, not symptoms.'

The teams, called by some 'granny' teams due to the presence of seniors and a soft approach, covered several blocks, would use maps and thumbtacks to target problem addresses, then meet over coffee with those involved and personally mentor ways of addressing underlying problems of domestic abuse, substance misuse, or anger management issues with available programs."While co-ordinated with volunteer community watches, we were basically intervention teams. We were there to attack the problem, not people; not expand punishment but seek a solution," said a participant. "People don't listen to a policeman they see as the problem when many police forces arrest anyone for anything to look busy or increase overtime. They do listen to a group of neighbors offering a way to shape up. Our crime rate went down where elsewhere it went up."

NO NEW TAXES

The teams were self-supporting and involved no new tax assessments. Police praised the teams as "allowing us to focus on hard core criminals, actual community policing, and community morale" and so further reduce crime. In addition, many situations were kept from getting out of hand and becoming actual crimes, say officials.

"The teams offer a substantial model others can adapt, as the city involved, Bellflower, is a Los Angeles suburb with 77,000 residents," said Olivier.

According to think tank RPPI, teams that focus on specific problems and a non-punitive and restorative justice approach work, and the reduction is typical. "The voluntary approach has a lot to offer. I'm increasingly convinced that crime goes down when we stop thinking of it as a government function but more as a person-to-person approach and focus on actual crime," said nobelist and LIO advisor Milton Friedman, who reviewed the statistics. "By doing the opposite of common wisdom Olivier and his teams got a dramatically better result. The Libertarians have tied together what academics have long suspected, or people are stumbling on in bits and pieces, into a simple program anyone can start. This takes programs such as Neighborhood Watch into a new level of 'Neighborhood Help.' Communities even do things like this in Afghanistan, with similar results."

Fans of Olivier say he was not a 'one-hit wonder' but also also applied Libertarian choice ideas in other areas. During his five years on the City Council and then mayor (1994?99), Olivier privatized the city's tree trimming, crossing guards, street sweeping and the Building Department. He eliminated the city's lighting tax assessment and did not allow eminent domain to be exercised while on council. He also did an emblematic measuring of city garbage bins by 'going out there with a measuring tape,' discovering they were smaller than promised and seeing the problem was corrected.

(UPDATE of 2002 LIO Advisory)

HOW-TO:

http://www.nnwi.org/ (Watches, general)

http://www.ncpc.org/cms-upload/ncpc/File/chklist.pdf (How to checklist)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice (Restorative Approach)

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neighborhood+intervention+teams&aq=f&oq=&aqi= (Neighborhood intervention)

WINS! SMALL DRUGS, POT OK'D IN MEXICO, ARGENTINA

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:03:00 -0400

Left: Liberal-Libertarian Carlos Lemos Simmonds, former President of Colombia and author of "The Thief State," held early high-level colloquia on drug and personal rights policy, as LIO advisor and former LIO Advisory Chair, with many Latin and EC leaders. Calling for "common sense for harmless users" he was also famed for risking his life and leading the fight that put major violent drug traffickers in jail. He is the main author of the present Columbian Constitution, which has among other innovations direct appeals for rights violations, term limits, and strong decentralism that are now a model.

Mexico City, Mexico, and Lisbon, Portugal, Combined: August 19, 2009. The paradigm is drug use will never pass or Libertarians have nothing to do with efforts. Think again.

The LIO confidential group working on personal rights has posted wins in Mexico and the EC, and is developing policy contact and study groups for legislators in 12 Latin countries:

>In Portugal, drug decriminalization of small amounts proceeds and has been analyzed as a success by reports from e.g. CATO www.cato.org . Metrics include helping and reducing real addicts while keeping casual and recreational users out of jail. Police are freed to concentrate on criminal groups that seduce weak minded people into addiction.The previously reported study is at: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10080

>Mexico is as a result announcing it will not arrest for small possession of all drugs based on the Portuguese experience. The legislature had previously passed a drug legalization bill in 2006 that was held in abeyance to not irritate border discussions, said legislators and LIO activists who worked on the effort.

Said LIO Facilitator M. Gilson-de Lemos: "At minimum, adults and educated experimenters should as a matter of morality be able to take or not take any drug they want with appropriate insurance, informed consent education, or a doctor's prescription depending on local understanding. All drug laws do is enrich corrupt groups. I believe that both wins show the value of coalition efforts and policymaker education, supported by LIO high-level consultations. LIO recommends similar efforts in all countries, and activists looking into legalization of personal rights--drug and sexual choice, removal of religious based restrictions such as blasphemy laws, punitive petty regulations, freedom from the remnants of Officially Established Religion, etc--by direct democracy where available."

The USLP has encouraged members to join coalition and other efforts, and adopted drug reform as a "signature issue." Non-partisan groups such as the LIO Club in Florida is working on a drug legalization proposal via direct democracy there, and Libertarians have been highly active in the 'medical marihuana' push across the US, while cautioning it should not be used as an excuse for expanded 'non-medical' prosecutions (see links below).

UPDATE: 8/26: Argentine Supreme Court Legalizes Personal Marihuana (GOOGLE)

_____________________________________________

UPDATE: August 20 on.

Combined News:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mexico+drug+legalization&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Sample news Items are below:

>Comment: US Governments Attempt to Spin Mexico Decision?

Law Enforcement in US Reacts

http://www.pro8news.com/news/local/53999107.html

Say police: " While law enforcement in Laredo don't expect an immediate change they do say they will remain vigilant because the war on drugs at home is what's important...

"To be honest with you people who really want to go out and get drugs can get them right now anyway. We are doing our best to curtail that from happening and take the business away from the cartels because it has a ripple effect."

..."The U.S. government urged former Mexican president Vicente Fox to reconsider a similar bill in 2006, but it appears this time around the Mexican government plans to move forward with their decision."

>AP:Mexico decriminalizes small-scale drug possession

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iP1GlMCOz

YSi8kbAUY1lLDdqc4vAD9A763HO0

MEXICO CITY ? Mexico decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin on Friday ? a move that prosecutors say makes sense even in the midst of the government's grueling battle against drug traffickers.

Prosecutors said the new law sets clear limits that keep Mexico's corruption-prone police from extorting casual users and offers addicts free treatment to keep growing domestic drug use in check.

"This is not legalization, this is regulating the issue and giving citizens greater legal certainty," said Bernardo Espino del Castillo of the attorney general's office.

The new law sets out maximum "personal use" amounts for drugs, also including LSD and methamphetamine. People detained with those quantities no longer face criminal prosecution.

Elsewhere: New "personal use" amounts have been clearly outlined, and detained individuals will no longer face criminal charges.

"Mexico has emphasized the need to differentiate drug addicts and casual users from the violent traffickers whose turf battles have contributed to the deaths of more than 11,000 people since President Felipe Calderon took office in late 2006" said Castillo

>Latin America's Legalization Push

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=latin_americas_legalization_push

"...the multidisciplinary Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy (co-chaired by former Presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil, Cesar Gaviria of Colombia, and Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico) called the drug war a "failure" and issued a groundbreaking report urging other governments in the region--including the United States--to rethink prohibition policy. "

>Mexico moves ahead of U.S. in drug legalization

http://nocoercion.com/2009/08/21/mexico-drug-legalization/

"The United States should follow suit, and take it a step further by fully legalizing all drugs in all amounts. Only a complete end to drug prohibition will decimate law enforcement corruption and gang violence..."

>Commentary: Legalize drugs to stop violence

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/24/miron.legalization.drugs/index.html

"...

Prohibition creates violence because it drives the drug market underground. This means buyers and sellers cannot resolve their disputes with lawsuits, arbitration or advertising, so they resort to violence instead.

Violence was common in the alcohol industry when it was banned during Prohibition, but not before or after.

Violence is the norm in illicit gambling markets but not in legal ones. Violence is routine when prostitution is banned but not when it's permitted. Violence results from policies that create black markets, not from the characteristics of the good or activity in question.

The only way to reduce violence, therefore, is to legalize drugs. Fortuitously, legalization is the right policy for a slew of other reasons..."

UPDATE: Libertarians work in coalitions, teams for medical marihuana, sample activity from GOOGLE

>LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO BLOG: Medical Marijuana: How ...Sent in by Colorado 420 Coalition and I felt like it might be a talk of interest to some of the readers of this blog: For immediate release: ...

lpcolorado.blogs.com/.../medical-marijuana-how-patients-and-caregivers-can-protect-themselves.html - Cached - Similar

>St. Charles County Libertarians support Kenneth Wells in fight for ...Jun 23, 2009 ... St. Charles County Libertarians support Kenneth Wells in fight for Medical Marijuana. Mr. Wells took his own health away from Government ...

www.lpmo.org/media/releases/2009/PR-20090623-01.shtml - Cached - Similar

>Libertarian Perspective: Respond to Medical Pot Raids with ...Apr 8, 2009 ... Via: Libertarian Perspective: Respond to Medical Pot Raids with ... On medical marijuana, Obama was supposed to signify a shift in policy. ...

www.showmethefacts.org/.../libertarian-perspective-respond-to-medical-pot-raids-with-legalization/ - Cached - Similar

>Libertarian Party - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.orgSep 13, 2007 ... Medical Marijuana Home Page > Biographies > Libertarian Party ... "The Libertarian Party is a long-standing advocate for individual liberty ...

medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewsource.asp?ID=001413 - Cached - Similar

>Delaware Libertarian: It's About Time : Medical Marijuana in DelawareNationwide, efforts like Henry's got a boost last week when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to California's medical marijuana law, ...

delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/.../its-about-time-medical-marijuana-in.html - Cached - Similar

>Official Steve Kubby Home PageLibertarian National Presidential Debate Part 1 · Libertarian National Presidential Debate Part 2 ... Medical Marijuana in Jamaica ...

www.kubby.com/ - Cached - Similar

Watching America : » Medical Marijuana and Gay Unions - America's ...Apr 22, 2009 ...

RESOURCE: http://www.narconews.com/en.html

US... 'CAR WASH' LIBS LEAD HOME SCHOOL BOARDS

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0500

St. Petersburg, Florida, Ongoing, first published October 2007--The paradigm is Libertarians don't lead change by not getting into the community...or if they do, 'car wash' Libertarian activists are Libertarian lightweights who blindly attack government structures. Change your paradigm. For while courts from California to Germany debate the advisability or legality of home schooling , they might join the 21st century and see how Libertarians have helped transform schooling in Florida. So says Julie Chorgo, who points out that in Florida home schooling is simple, widely supported by educators, andt Schoolers even have there own appointive school boards to mentor parents and advise on policy.Chorgo serves on one of the boards and helped lead activism for educational change.

"At one time Florida had some of the most retrograde education laws in the industrial world. But starting with brainstorming sessions begun by Libertarians in the 1980's the landscape has been transformed," said LIO senior advisors Marshall Fritz of the Separation of School and State Project and Ralph Swanson, who advised the effort which forged several coalitions that resulted 'in massive changes' including:

Consensus on an 'all mentor the learner,' not 'authoritarian educator' model
A simplified but detailed set of recommended home school standards developed by the home schoolers themselves, with parents mentoring 2% of learners
Schooling choice such as magnet (themed, such as classical academies or techical crfts), charter (parent designed), or easy to create private schools
A privately funded voucher program passed through the state
Free college tuition funded by lotteries and efficiencies for all students passing tests
Diagnostic tests and teacher incentives
Accelerated certification of teachers if one has university degree
Work on legalization of the teaching of evolution and advanced biology (UPDATE: In 2008 it was agreed that evolution per se could be taught and teachers could not be fired for using the word).
Florida public schools have even adopted the Libertarian suggestion of using the internet so public school students can learn at home or get credit for college courses 'effectively reducing class size to one-on-one tutoring while saving taxpayer funds'

Typically, says Chorgo, home schoolers have been religious families or those with very bright or special needs children, but are increasingly people who see it as a powerful tool to encourage creativity, bring families closer and help students proceed at their own pace.

Chorgo emphasizes 'complete prparation by not only reading things from educational philosophy to current policy' but community outreach. She's become 'the Libertarian poster' for 'Car Wash Libertarianism' encouraging community activism and participation as part and parcel of the Libertarian Project. In 2005, she co-founded DisasterHelp, a mentoring group which raises money for disaster victims engaing disabled persons in community activity and which has attracted praise from local officials such as St. Petersburg mayor Baker..(See: http://www.disasterhelp.cjb.net/ )

What next? Chorgo has created resource websites for parents with hits from around the world, and suggests exploring community school boards of the parents and students with voluntary endowments to create 'truly free' education that will raise teacher salaries.

RESOURCE: http://pinellashomeschoolhelp.webs.com/index.htm

COSTA RICA... LIB CONGRESSMAN FOR GAY UNIONS

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:44:00 -0400

Costa Rica, October 2008--The myth is that Libertarians can't get elected to high office and are right-wing anyway. Change your paradigm.

Libertarian centrists are pushing conservatives and progressive wings to think anew with a hardening line as they declare choice an inherent theme of human rights no law can restrict.

"Legislative efforts to restrict sexual diversity, including of gay and lesbians, are human rights violations," said Libertarian Congressman Carlos Gutierrez of Costa Rica. He invited conservative and progressive legislators in the Congress to join Libertarians in dialogue in a move hailed by Latin American activists as a breakthrough: 'Libertarians have raised the bar.'

"This is a theme of rights. Today we realize that laws punishing people for being Jews, Blacks, Communists, Illiterate, a Single Mother or a Natural Son seem monstrous. We say this generation has a duty to break that paradigm for people of a diverse sexual orientation." With supporters noting that with even the Catholic Church getting rid of Limbo, "Why do we tolerate a Judicial Limbo? They are not diseased or contagious. People have a human right to have relations, share retirement funds, or make hospital visits to those they love," he said.

Libertarians worldwide have launched or joined coalitions, information colloquia, and attended events to rally support on efforts such as protecting civil unions and diversity of household arrangements. LIO (www.libertarian-international.org) activists promote quiet dialogue among conseervatives and progressives, positioning the issue as not merely one of diversity but inherent human rights. In the US, Libertarian leaning GOP Congressman Ron Paul says a fruitful 'first step' is to keep Federal laws out of the issue. Increasingly, even conservative European countries such as Catholic Spain see civil unions as 'inherent policy.'

RESOURCE: With, in 2 decades, over 80 members in public office including 1/10th of the legislature, plus projects for libertarian-leaning communities, poverty reduction, tax cuts, and a consumer union, the dynamic Costa Rica Libertarian Movement is a libertarian-liberal alliance for human rights. Party: www.libertario.org ; Youth and policy education: www.institutolibertad.org/ and Consumer Union: www.consumidoreslibres.org/

LIB PRIME MINISTER RETIRES TO 'BUILD FOUNDATIONS'

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:00:00 -0500

(Photo: Mongolian Prime Minister Elbegdorj Tsakhia, known as EB to friends, addresses the ISIL world Libertarian conference on improvements there using Libertarian tools.)

Ulan Bator, Mongolia, February 2008--The right-wing myth is that it was conservatives who stopped Communism and that elected Libertarians should ignore that philosophical stuff. Change your paradigm.Pro-Libertarian Prime Minister of Mongolia 'E.B." or Elbegdorj Tsakhia will be stepping down to 'build needed Libertarian foundations' in his country say supporters via several think tanks and education ventures. While not retiring from public life, the co-creator of the UN Millenium Goals and advocate of voluntary solutions will mentor 'basic' building blocs including a legal help clinic, says the EB, who describes himself as a 'dedicated Libertarian governing from a small or minimal state approach.'

Credited with leading the effort that overthrew Communism, supporters said that recent political gyrations suggested that things have gone as far as possible without renewed efforts of both Libertarian and Liberal education and civic network building. Supporters warned a period of flux might occur should the Communists seek a return helped by rigged elections and organized crime. According to local libertarians, "We've just laid the first foundations. Extremists are fighting back and there will be many years of development still. The lesson here for all Libertarians is we're a cultural movement and one can do much, but only so much with pure politics."

In a few short years EB led coalitions and the Democracy Party to end numerous Stalinist measures with a human-rights based Constitution, re-introduce free press and commerce from stock exchanges to farmer's markets, create a low-tax regime that is creating an economic boom, and start a process to develop civil law and both eco-friendly and privatization efforts.The Soros Institute, somewhat prematurely, stated that Mongolia was becoming a 'Libertarian country.' LIO is developing a Libertarian group and scholars have begun translating Libertarian works such as Bergland's 'Libertarianism in One Lesson.' RESOURCES: Wiki Bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsakhiagiyn_Elbegdorj Liberty Center: www.liberty-center.org/

US LIBS GREEN U.S. SOIL & WATER BOARDS

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:21:00 -0400

Seminole County, USA, July 2007--The paradigm is that social change can only be done by elected Libertarians...and environment hating Libs can't get elected to anything locally important. Change your paradigm.

Bookseller Mike Barr is one of the growing number of Libertarians being elected to county Soil & Water boards in the US, turning what critics deride as the once sleepy enclaves of 'old-boy' privilege or sinister corporate deals to get legal preferences into voluntarily funded centers for effective eco-activism.The Boards are autonomous entities on the level of county commissions.

Unsurprisingly, after he led a Libertarian majority on the board, one of the first in the USA, he found himself targeted by a vilification campaign including highly technical lawsuits that even the government assessors thought were extreme, for actually donating to the board on advice of counsel.

But that's just inside baseball and goes with the territory, say friends of Barr, whose efforts have inspired Libertarians to seek out elected offices nationwide and whose board has been praised by other boards, conservative tax cutters, local voters, and the Sierra Club.

BOARDS PLAY KEY ROLE

Libertarians see government officials as ideally having facilitative or advisory roles, which proved a good match for the boards. The boards advise, typically countywide, on ecological policies and are well positioned to inspire local activism whle publicizing certain services. Barr and his allies, using a less-government model, cut funding, then raised voluntary resources by calling for contributions resulting in an estimated $5 million in volunteer co-ordination help. Questionable projects were targeted, and a series of community workshops introduced not only voluntary and contractual approaches to eco-friendly growth but often provided basic information the public was lacking ( http://www.universityuus.org/d/SS2006-06-11-DevelopmentVsEnvironmentInSeminoleCounty.mp3 ;). The board was soon praised as a hallmark by members of the state association for other boards.

TAXPAYERS GET UNEXPECTED CHECK

Barr's board in Seminole is not the only one changing the paradigm. In counties such as Lee with less growth issues, board members led by Libertarian Jack Tanner, an accountant, examined costs and soon wondered why the board was providing an expensive testing service that could be obtained more cheaply from private businesses. They removed the service, and took the tax savings to provide a refund check to citizens, creating national headlines as newspapers wondered at 'Government sending people' their own money. ( http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=jack+tanner+soil+and+water+board ;) as admirers generated a minor internet sensation."So this is what Libertarians mean by improved checks," said one poster. The Lee board also maintains an e-group to get user ideas and keep the public posted.

"The model is that services should be provided on a voluntary and non-monopoly basis and a lot of input from the users, and you soon see opportunities for improvement and participation that get the job done and help the ecology, not with some forced government program but what users see as common sense discussion," said Brian Bustamante, a former government tax and finance auditor who monitors such projects for LIO. "That's clearly what we see here.Libertarians and others should imitate these efforts.This is exactly what we feel Libertarians should be doing in accord with local conditions."

On other occasions Libertarians have led campaign to abolish the boards, as was done in 1980 in Pinellas County Florida, where most water issues were being handled through public or private parks.

ACTIVISTS JOIN EFFORT FROM ACROSS POLITICAL LINES

Meanwhile, Barr advises those seeking election or appointment to boards dealing with the environment, and works to facilitate Greening discussion and action across political lines with road clean-ups, information sessions and an activist group that at last count had over 150 members. RESOURCE: http://environment.meetup.com/236/members/

REVIEW 2005-2008: LIBS NOW IN ALL COUNTRIES

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:20:00 -0400

Left: Laid-back but determined Spanish Libertarians have revived the Red Liberal-Libertaria, founded by LIO in 1970, as part of the effort. They publish numerous columns and articles, and are working to expand that country's relative drug liberalization, to lower taxes, and raise awareness of things like Libertarian-oriented Austrian Economics. The paradigm is no one is finding out about Libertarianism. Think again.

A push by the Libertarian International Organization has led to the presence of Libertarians in every UN member country for the first time. The verification finished July 17, 2007.

LIBERTARIAN CENTER FORMING

"This is a great and milestone day for Libertarianism," said Vince Miller when he learned that things were coming to completion this spring, and who leads the International Society for Individual Liberty.(www.ISIL.org). "The next step are structured Libertarian Clubs and e-groups in every country, then we should look into...clubs for community of to 10 million people, and also many want a mechanism of strict Libertarian political training and communication among student Libertarians in all countries" on a non-partisan basis.

Miller, asked to give some perspective, added: "With over 20% of the people in the US, thanks to the efforts of the last Libertarian generation, now polling Libertarian-leaning and many as explicitly Libertarian, a Libertarian political center is forming larger than European center groups, for example. A few determined people have cleared the way for a technological and cultural revolution that's already happening. We can replicate the process in other countries, spreading what was learned in the US and Canada."

"Many Libertarians have committed that the next step is we we must inform that center that coercive government is no longer 'needed' and voluntary options exist, and get them into a self-conscious movement. Naturally, we can expect the establishment to use every dirty trick top stop this.They don't want a Liberal Center that can drive political change, much less a strict Libertarian center at its center." People tested at least 5% Libertarian-leaning in 1970 according to University of Michigan studies commissioned then."We've tilled the soil, now we need to plant the seed and till everywhere."

BACK TO BASICS CLUBS

"This will be a generational effort, as was the effort to get to this point: A Libertarian/Libertarian-friendly core team in every community, with people in public office, academics, lists of achievements, consumer networks, etc. There is alos a problem of right-wing and other infiltartioons to derail Libertarian groups, and a 'back-to-basics return to the Club system with new tools and materials based on what we've learned gives the 'best bang for the buck' will train a Libertarian base immune to that problem," he said.

LIO agrees. The LIO will be working to extend its Libertarian Clubs initiative (which now replace the old LIO Clubs) to every country and major university, and a team patroned by Libertarian Hollywood producer Aaron Russo (of the movie 'Trading Places') will assist in the effort. The Clubs will advance LIO programs, network the policy association of Libertarians, and also serve as "boot camps" of Libertarian education plus continuous solo and small team action based on best practice information LIO has developed and is outlined in the 3rd US LP Strategic Plan. LIO will also create support for those goals, which are meant for continual improvement.

ISIL TO ADVISE

Miller said ISIL will advise the Club effort, which will give new participants a free "Welcome Wagon" package of free e-books and links to an array of Libertarian and Libertarian-interest groups: "The USLP and its creations were originally a convenience for our predecessor SIL. Unfortunately, SIL Club activity stopped as people saw the USLP as the gateway for political action, instead of one tool. The LIO Clubs, after consultation with ISIL and USLP, will create an association of strict, pledged Libertarians and general human rights activists, learners and supporters who will then manage political activity using the USLP charters and other party groups as well. The path will be you get trained by the Clubs them choose your venue; not as we see today, join the USLP and then discover SIL, the Advocates and other things later." Miller said that SIL is looking into reviving its own Clubs in student areas as well.

LIO 'LIBERTARIAN PARTY' UNDERWAY

LIO has also formed a Subcommittee for an unregistered transnational party and certification effort, following a revision of protocols in 2002 with the US LP, which charters or recognizes Libertarian-oriented parties under a formal Operating Agreement sometimes called the Windhoek Process (agrrement with world libertarian groups) or Dallas Accord (as per USLP and ISIL relations). The Subcommittee will certify Libertarian campaigners and focus on promoting direct democracy, appointive public office, and non-partisan elective office worldwide primarily at local or regional levels, and Rose Friedman has agreed to be patroness of the advisory group. In due course the group may charter LIO authorized parties at the local level that meet performance standards. People will be encouraged to remain in their own parties as the movement moves from a 'publicity/impermanent platform/candidate/sustaining contributor or member' or PICS model to a 'saturation outreach/certification standards/implementation spread /policy association' or SCIP model. At present over 50 Libertarians in public office have requested information.

Full Clubs launch date is set for sometime in 2008-2009 depending on volunteer manpower.Clubs will provide a yahoo e-group platform, reading program approved by the International Program Committee, free or low-cost growth materials using the I LEAP! process, and integrated action programs for personal and community improvement. UPDATE: A pilot Club is at www.TampaBayLibs.org . You may register for Club updates at www.libertarian-citizen.org and check out the reading lists of free e-books. UPDATE: A party under our facilitator's personal supervision at www.LPFPinellas.org using the I LEAP! process in contact with a regional Club

E-EFFORT

The final effort was led by LIO co-ordinator Ralph Swanson, whose team scoured the internet for Libertarian-friendly postings and persons interested in Libertarian themes or contact with English speakers. It also went into e-areas where people tend to be self-motivated and progressive, such as Green Party groups, stamp and coin clubs, science fiction, Mensa, and similar e-groups. "We essentially used lateral thinking and have contacted based on the young, politically and culturally progressive, and most intelligent in each country," he said. "Also, the US LP shared over 1000 contact names in many countries to help the push, ISIL shared many leads and inquiries in countries where it has no presence, and the de Lemos family has shared key leads for our Board of Libertarian-friendly political and commercial figures."

SIMPLER LOW-COST APPROACH FOR NEW LIBERTARIANS

"With the vast infrastructure such as CATO, Von Mises, and hundreds of independent news groups and blogs created in the last generation, with the thousands of laws we've removed, promoting Libertarianism and implementing the tools will be easier than ever. The job will be to let people know, not explain Libertarianism 101 or try and re-invent platforms," said Swanson.

"By 2012 90% of the benefit of Libertarian activism will be putting on a bumpersticker and alerting your personal network of Libertarianism. The infrastructure will do much of the rest, and new Libertarians in even small countries will have a sense of working in co-ordination with a world movement."

NEW PLEDGE PROGRAM

LIO will also by 2010 begin a new registration program for the Libertarian pledge based on the upcoming LIO plan to address the growth of Libertarian-leaning persons. Registrants may check off whether they are Libertarian interested, oriented (Classical Liberal), direction, or to LIO standard.The goal is a d-base of 10,000 concerned people in every community of 1 million.

Libertarians in Florida and Costa Rica have agreed to help pilot the techniques and Florida areas serve as "Ground Zero" for "mother club" close study. Florida Libertarians have already installed an initiative process of direct democracy, and programs friendly to Libertarians in public office. LIO will transfer its many privately circulated advisories such as this one to a 'WINS' oriented website, and Florida Club members will develop a positive site for all Libertarian activity as a model as well. " Regional Mother Clubs are under discussion in several countries as well.

Clubs will also interact with the LIO cultural 'SMILE' agenda of Space Migration, Mechanical assistants, Intelligence increase and personal autonomy tools, Libertarian standard community, and Extension of life, said Swanson. Based on input of those seeking to start a club, they will be organized as private entities with set infrastructure and non-voting participation so people can focus on implementation. Libertarian archivist and documenter Julie Chorgo, who also is a Libertarian in Public Office, has agreed to drive these efforts and serve as facilitator.

LIBERTARIAN AND 'VOLUNTARY CITY' IDEAS SPREAD

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:58:00 -0400

SANDY SPRINGS, Georgia USA, July 2007--The myth is that we're a long way from Libertarian-oriented cities. Change your paradigm.

As Libertarian concepts of emphasis on rights and voluntary alternatives to coerced government programs spread to non-libertarians and the general culture, another 'radical' libertarian idea has taken hold: Right of Secession of communities coupled with wholesale privatization of public services to firms, non-profits, and civic groups.

LARGE CITY SECEDES, GOES VOLUNTARY

The locality of Sandy Springs outside of Atlanta, Georgia USA was blanketed some years ago with Libertarian outreach materials. While the local Libertarian group in the area of 100,000 dissolved, the ideas continued to percolate. Speakers from the Libertarian International Organization, which sponsors www.libertarian-program.org, were invited to talk to local groups or provide reading lists or websites on 'broad implementation of Libertarian or libertarian-direction' ideas, best practices, standards, and areas of proven success.

The locality started a movement to secede, formed it's own city, and created a plan to provatize all city services except public security. Initial city staff was cut to 6 people according to GOVERNING magazine's site, which noted this was the beginning of a new trend. Libertarians have proposed 'voluntary cities' of primarily voluntary and private services and few laws with a wide array of choices, and smaller 'Libertarian Charter' neighborhoods and tows guided by pledged Libertarians who've taken a committment to advance rights and not advcate initiations of force. But it also shows a growing trend of use of libertarian-direction tools "Where people get familiar and ask, why wait for a Libertarian to get elected? Let's get to work," says Brian Bustamante, a consultant and officer of the Libertarian Party of Florida who monitors how Libertarian tools are being driven by citizens in public administration: "The Georgia Libertarian Party was taken completely by surprise, which is good, it means people are taken ownership so Libertarianism is for everybody. I think that in due course we'll see cities go completely voluntary as skills and comfort levels increase."

SKEPTICISM + INVOLVEMENT IN PRIVATIZATON

So far there have been considerable increases in quality, choice, voter satisfaction, and lowering of costs, say Sandy Spring officials, who say they're exploring and 'feeling our way' and correcting mistakes as they go along. Key to success, say officials, are brainstorming sessions with voters to get needs and ideas, open communication, and healthy scepticism in evaluating bids and proposals. To that end, the city has even adopted a motto of " Being Honest, Efficient, Responsive," says the mayor, who notes their website, heavy with citizen participation and rapid response links, is a key tool in promoting "involvement and knowing what's going on." For more key resources to bring these concepts to your area google "Sandy Springs" and "Mayor Galambos" and the book "Voluntary City" at www.cato.org

US-LIBS CHANGE PARADIGM WITH BALLOT COALITION

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 17:02:00 -0500

(Photo) Libertarian in local public office architect Bill Sachs successfully testifies on abuses in restoring voting rights that led to legal changes as part of coalition effort.

Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, November 2006--The myth is Libertarians can't form coalitions. The truth is that's how they get a lot done: Change your paradigm.

A Florida coalition of Libertarians, Democrats, Greens, prominent Republicans and many community groups continues to drive ballot improvement legislation in Florida and the US, say supporters.

The Election Reform Coalition of Pinellas started in Florida in a conversation between Democratic and Libertarian leaders after the Libertarians and LIO activists began holding community fora on election improvements, and is a bellweather nationwide, according to the ACLU. Members exposed problem electoral machines and documented numerous needed improvements.

LIO is viewing the project as a 'trans-partisan' model that local groups seeking to build coalitions can use. Coalition partners joined forces after the 2004 electoral problems to hold public hearings, agree on a series of short to long term improvements, and build rapport. Libertarians advocate reforms including traceable voting, proportional representation, and lowered ballot requirements. Libertarians participating in the coalition brought considereable skills, having helped lead a fight that turned Florida from having the most restrictive to highly open ballot access laws via a popular initiative, called by the US LP "The Libertarian success story of the 1990's." So far, the coalition has opened up voting inspection, got community groups involved as poll watchers, removed impediments to the voting rights of rehabilitated criminals, established a hot line, moved Florida toward paper ballots and improved procedures, says the League of Women Voters, and is leading the charge towards redistricting against stiff opposition.. Advised by LIO mentors, check out their report, latest wins-- RESOURCE: www.ERCPinellas.org

LIB-ORIENTED THINK TANKS SPREAD WORLDWIDE

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:32:00 -0400

(Photo) Liberals and Libertarians meet in the Phillippines to start new civic think tank in this later 2008 photo, advised by Libertarians from India.

Prague, Czech Republic, July 2006--The myth is that Libertarian-oriented think tanks aren't spreading. Change your paradigm.

(Updated article) Libertarian and Liberal think tanks are spreading across the globe, paving the way for libertarian networks, civic action groups, more liberal and eventual hard-line Libertarian parties, and giving people conceptual tools to fight poverty and corruption improve their lives. So says Vince Miller, head of the non-partisan International Society for Individual Liberty (www.isil.org) which is monitoring the process, in an e-mail from Prague where Libertarians are holding their annual conference in a country with a libertarian president, Vaclav Klaus.

"The US Libertarian Party was essentially founded as a convenience to ISIL members who wanted a means of political action," said Miller. "It immediately set up a variety of projects to create think tanks and undermine extremism, especially in countries with few human rights., along with political activity such as legislative campaigns and candidacies.. These projects were blessed by the LP but were intended to be autonomous. Among the most successful were a series of meetings in 1979 and 1980 co-chaired by LIO head M.Gilson-De Lemos and former US Secretary of State William Rogers, who advised LIO, that encouraged important work that has changed the world. These included the eventual union of SIL and LI that became ISIL with meetings in countries as they were 'on the brink' to help them move in the right direction, spread of Libertarian concepts to key persons in the dictatorships, and long term creation of think tanks particularly by means of the Atlas foundation. In a now-it-can-be-told story, it was one of the US LP's most successful and discreetly carried out initiatives."

Czech President Klaus has said on several occasions that the fall of the Iron Curtain was in large part due to Libertarian input and activism 'tipping the scales.'

Miller noted that the think tankl movement arose in a series of meetings chaired by LIO in the late '70's and early '80's that created CATO, the Atlas Group, and others to develop interest in primarily freeer economic approaches, and were instrumental in the downfall of the Iron Curtain. Today there is a growing roster of groups created by Libertarians or with a libertarian sub-group. "We don't endorse everything they say, but these are study groups. Several are doing basic work on voting rights, transparency and so on in emrging economies. Many are more market freedom oriented. I'm confident we'll see more personal freedom networks in the next few years, and I encourage people to see for themselves. We're working on developing clubs with an additional focus on personal freedoms and non-authoritarian approaches, local 'citizen think tanks' in every country."

2008 RESOURCE UPDATE (Libertarian-interest; most are economic freedom oriented):

Atlas Directory: http://thefreedomnetwork.org/

Cato International: http://www.catooncampus.org/tag/show/650.html

IPN Directory: http://www.policynetwork.net/main/organizations.php

US: http://www.spn.org/directory/

NOTABLE RECENT EFFORTS...

CIIMA-ESEADE, Argentina
http://www.eseade.edu.ar/ciima/ciima.asp

CIEN, Guatemala
http://www.cien.org.gt

CORE, USA
http://www.core-online.org

European Center for Economic Growth, Austria
http://e-growth.eu

Federazione Ambiente Agricoltura, Italy
http://www.faaitalia.it

Free Market Foundation, South Africa
http://www.freemarketfoundation.com

Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada
http://www.fcpp.org

Fundacion Atlas 1853, Argentina
http://www.atlas.org.ar

Fundacion Libertad, Panama
http://www.libertad.org.ar

Hayek Institute, Austria
http://www.hayek-institute.at

IEEP, Ecuador
http://www.ieep.org.ec

Imani: The Centre for Humane Education, Ghana
http://www.imanighana.com

Initiative of Public Policy Analysis, Nigeria
http://ippanigeria.org

INLAP, Costa Rica
http://www.inlap.org

Institut Constant de Rebecque, Switzerland
http://www.institutconstant.ch

Institute for Free Enterprise, Germany
http://www.iuf-berlin.org

Institute for Market Economics, Bulgaria
http://www.ime-bg.org

Institute of Economic Analysis, Russia
http://www.iea.ru

Institute of Public Affairs, Australia
http://www.ipa.org.au

Instituto de Libre Empresa, Peru
http://www.ileperu.org

Instituto Liberdade, Brazil
http://www.il-rs.com.br

Instituto Veritas, Honduras
http://www.institutoveritas.org

International Policy Network, UK
http://www.policynetwork.net

Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italy
http://www.brunoleoni.it

Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, Israel
http://www.jims-israel.org

John Locke Foundation, USA
http://www.johnlocke.org

Liberales Institut, Switzerland
http://www.libinst.ch

Liberalni Institute, Czech Republic
http://libinst.cz

Libertad y Desarrollo, Chile
http://www.lyd.org

Liberty Institute, India
http://www.libertyindia.org

Lion Rock Institute, Hong Kong
http://www.lionrockinstitute.org

Lithuanian Free Market Institute, Lithuania
http://www.lrinka.lt

Minimal Government Thinkers, The Philippines
http://www.minimalgovernment.net

New Economic School, Georgia
http://www.nesgeorgia.org

New Zealand Business Roundtable, New Zealand
http://www.nzbr.org.nz

Tennessee Center for Policy Research, USA
http://www.tennesseepolicy.org

Also...

The TaxPayer's Alliance, UK
http://www.taxpayersalliance.com

Washington Policy Center, USA
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org

OVER 2000 LIB COMMUNITIES BLOSSOM

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 23:43:00 -0500

Austin, Texas, USA--The paradigm is that Libertarianism is about just politics. Think again.

"As a result of the LIO communities project, over 2000 Libertarian and Libertarian-oriented or using communities have been developed and registered since effectively zero in 1976, when the project began."

So says LIO advisor and project co-ordinator Terry Parker, who is preparing a short overview and manual on the subject and himself created a clothing optional Libertarian-oriented community of several hundred that garnered worldwide interest.

"More dramatically, Libertarian-using communities, most of which are unregistered, are quietly replacing traditional coercive government, particularly in the USA. Thousand of intentional communes, designed communities, and voluntary neighborhood associations are spreading. In Florida, for example, the Department of State acknowledges they are increasingly absorbing government functions and placing them on a more localized and voluntary basis."

The registry has included projects ranging from numerous households, a contractual non-pollution zone by Bangladeshi farmers, Libertarian investment clubs, and Flying Tigers, a firm that pioneered private and low-cost next day mail.

RESOURCE: The Art of Community and Spencer Mac Callum ; Fail Safe Investing (Update)

EC,PORTUGAL...LIBS IN DRUGS DECRIMINALIZATION

Tue, 07 Dec 2004 15:16:00 -0500

(Repost of previous 2002 LIO advisory)

Portugal, EC--The paradigm is voluntary drug use is hopeless. Think again.

In 1999 a contact group led by LIO advisor Dr. J. Figueres Gomes de Lemos successfully implemented a plan for decriminalization of all drugs in Portugal. This goes beyond the de facto decriminalization in Spain, and is a "major step of transition" according to LIO advisor nobelist Dr. Milton Friedman, who expressed the hope that it will be neutrally monitored by agencies around the world.

The LIO group worked to create a non-partisan commission there that studied the issue and made recommendations that were adopted. Over 100 persons were involved in the network which met with officials, academics, and political leaders. A major point was that Portugal did not want to repeat the disaster created in the US with the Drug War and forced drug use promoted by Pharmaceutical companies such as Ritalin in schoolchildren. Large drug dealing continues under ban.

The plan levies only administrative fines for non-recreational and potentially noxious use use and develops community mentoring groups to assist those unable to handle recreational drugs responsibly. The plan seems to be working well in the second year, with initial reports of decreased drug use, police corruption,and taxpayer cost.

In due course general use with a Doctor's supervison is proposed. Simultaneously, a Liberal-Libertarian group to continue discussion is under way, Causa Liberal.(Update)

UPDATE RESOURCE: C ATO has now published a preliminary study.

NEW LIO LIBERTARIAN PARTIES OK'D

Sat, 17 Jan 2004 12:33:00 -0500

Costa Rican Libertarian Congressman Otto Guevara talks about Libertarianism at local High School. "The first job of a Libertarian Party is to educate, especially on where we're suceeding, and local problem solving activism is also critical," he says. Costa Rica LP, in a country of 4 MM, has 5 people in Congress.

With the advent of hundreds of Libertarians in office, the IPC of the LIO recommended a special Peer Committee of professional standards based on the new program to serve as a transnational unregistered party, as one of its last acts. "Platforms are dead. We need standards for implementation, and have created them," said Dr. Milton Friedman. "We don't want pseudo-Libertarianism from the left and right, but don't want to second guess the broader movement either. Therefore we feel the need for 2 parties to address the dynamic."

The Committee, which will include pro-Libertarians as Associate Fellows, will certify, mentor or train, and publish a site and occasional PDF letter on advances in Voluntary Governance to inform public, public office holder, and non-Libertarian public officeholder alike. The USLP and LIO agreed on non-LIO standards in 2003, including a workbook based on a reformat of its platform and a strategic plan toolkit. The USLP has developed critical expertise and this will aid in world dissemination, according to US LP Political Director Ron Crickenberger.

A DIFFERENT 2 PARTY SYSTEM

In addition, after analysis of activity in New Zealand with the Liberal and broader based ACT Party and the more vanguard Libertarianz, and the work of the Progressive Democrats in Ireland, LIO will follow a concept of highlighting Liberal-Libertarian parties, but through the Committee guiding volunteers forming model LIO parties to carry out specific implementation of the LIO Program. LIO parties will focus on proven or promising items, saturation outreach built on LIO Club activity in consultation with ISIL, and where 95% of the offices are: non-partisan appointive and elective office. It will also focus on direct implementation by the citizen via Direct Democracy of Libertarian or Libertarian-direction or oriented structures. As such it will lay better ground for the current Libertarian-direction or Liberal Parties.

Parties like the Costa Rica party said they will try to do both at once, and the US LP signed an operating understanding on the subject. The Florida LP has asked to be "Ground Zero" in the process via its IMP program. LIO will note only local or small country party efforts to its standard.

Vincent Miller of ISIL said this would revive the concept of the parties as tools and conveniences of e.g. ISIL and pledged Libertarians, where "People got a foundation first."

BEST PRACTICE

The IPC agreed the Clubs focus as a first milestone on know best pactices already attainable e.g. Libertarian lists of 10,000 and 30+ Libertarian in public office in a long term plan. UPDATE: www.pinellaslibertarians.org started in 2004 and is now about a third way there, providing proof of concept.

The Committee will be launched after 2008 based on documentation project completion and parties developed based on local interest. In general Clubs will have to show a certain level of action such as people in appointive office before an LIO Party is chartered, said IPC.

LIO's ultimate aim in these matters is the creation of a new board of local Permanent Secretaries per 1 MM population that are advancing a variety of Libertarian/Freeholder/Libertarian-conversant Communities or networks as areas of stabilization in their wider communities, including explicit voluntary city policies.

TOOL:

USLP Strategic Plan Toolkit:

http://www.dehnbase.org/lpus/library/spt/report-20011220.pdf

1000 + LIBERTARIANS IN PUBLIC OFFICE AT WORLD HIGH

Sun, 24 Aug 2003 22:11:00 -0400

Ronald Reagan appoints Libertarian John McClaughry to public office as a Federal Commissioner. Libertarians are now regularly appointed by Presidents and officials of other parties.

The paradigm is Libertarians can't get elected or be effective when elected. Here are the facts: think again.

Washington, DC--Libertarians in public office are at a world high after a push by the US LP advised by LIO facilitator M. Gilson and candidate Harry Browne.The plan has worked well in Costa Rica under a different structure. They aim to use best practice information and focus on developing Libertarians already there.

SUDDEN 800% GROWTH IN US

US LP political Director Ron Crickenberger said there were 606 Libertarians counted and verified in US public office, plus another 204 non USLP members, including many former members, in a personal list he keeps, of which at least 100 are USLP members who have not been added yet to the website. There are some 200 elsewhere worldwide but not under a Libertarian label. The official USLP list on its website has some inaccuracies and must be updated, not reflecting people who are in office and showing some who retired.

He said the push moved Libertarians in public office from barely 100 in 1998 to 800+ in a plan brainstormed with LIO by focus on:

>Systematic Contact of Prospects

>A simplified platform of "replacing coercive programs wiuth voluntary ones" line by line

>Educative tours and 1-day training workshops

>Focus on appointive boards which upped elective results as people went from one to another

>Focus on building community constituency and good deeds.

The following was a report to the LP Chair.

COSTA RICA BENEFITS

After a spectacular debut with a Libertarian in Congress, the Costa Ricans have set local goals of both 'hard line' Libertarians and Liberal-Libertarian-oriented prople in office with good results, adopting the LIO goals. UPDATE: As of 2008 they reported over 80 Libertarians, mostly on local boards, in office, and 5 people (10%) in the country's congress.

____________________________________________

MYTHBUSTER

The effort broke many myths in the view of this memo that had been holding Libertarians back or giving ground for attack by anti-Libertarians. The authors feel that with continued good training in Libertarian principles and implementation, and political campaigning, many Libertarians and Liberal-Libertarians can get in public office more easily than ever.

(By Ron Crickenberger, R. Swanson, review by H. Browne, W. Pollard)

(From draft report. Courtesy R. Crickenberger)

>Libertarians can't get elected

They weren't as much as we wantyed until there was goal-setting, training, and focused effort that in fact cost little money. Trained and Pledged Libertarians actually got elected more easily in terms of repeat campaigns than those in major parties, and occupied more offices as elected (31%) than generally available (5%). The number of Libertarians elected partially tracks the number of pledged Libertarians, namely 1%. However, some states such as NH have 10% of their members in public office.Nationally, with 100,000 pledged members whether active or not who've shown activity in the last election cycle, we should have 10,000 Libs in office.

>We can get many Libs in office.

Our main restriction is Libertarians available. The maximum number of Libs in office we found was in NH, Vermont, and several other places that had 36 pledged Libertarians per million population. A first milestone of 10 means the US could have 3000 in office and aim for over 10,000, more than the highest percentage of members of those showing an interest in such activities, and viable if we have 100,000 members or supporters pledged and supportive of the platform. However, any Libertarian group not moving in that direction is misguided if it wants people in office from this poiint of view, and supporters should act accordingly.Otherwise the USLP will cease to represent Libertarians as a credible entity in its bailiwick: gettingt people in public office.

>Libertarians should avoid appointive offices

Many of the most important wins were reported by those in appointive advisory offices. The US Presidency is technically an appointive office, as are many judgeships. If anything we need to focus on getting Libertarian judges trained and in office.This is a destructive and misleading statement, and scares away many prospects.

>One Libertarian on a board can do nothing

The reverse. Libertarians formed several board majorities and led 51% of the boards in some capacity, being perceived as neutral and consensus leaders, and unusually well informed. They reported great effects on policy.

>Libertarians only get 3% in elections

Many were obviously getting elected, often in landslides. The disconnect is it takes everybody 3-4 campaigns to get within striking distance. The major factors impeding electoral success were :a) :ack of ideological and practical training; b) Failing to "suit up, show up, and play the game," according to several Libs in public office; c) Failure to persist over several campaigns and build a local base of support and knowledge, including communicating their achivemnents ince elected. This might be OK if one is just running to help ballot access, but people who get in office have a serious attitude and know these 3 things. Training was key. Trained (200 hours) Libertarians in Florida averaged 15% of the vote in a statewide effort that then resulted in many appointments. Many who used the US LP "Success" 1-2 day workshops and then self-trained at home practicing the materials and used phone mentoring (about 100 hours) reported marked increases in committment, comfort, and ability, and quite simply many got into public office. Many people reporting low levels refused or did not take training or were fringe candidates with strange non-Libertarian platforms pushed by 'reformers' and 'mainstreamers' in the LP who were GOP oriented, and then when they lost portrayed as the result of too many 'extreme talking club Libertarians in the LP.'

>A real party is not a debate or education society and should focus on elections only

Then why do opponents study Libertarian books to debate us? The US Army says it's main tasks for commanders is educatiopn, education, education. The USLP helped pioneer learning organizations as effective ones, but many people want it to go backwards. An uneducated candidate is a losing one. Education, especially on where Libs are doing well, and debate was essential in training Libertarians. Focus on just elections caused many things not to be done that supported or enhanced the effort, such as connecting with local activists. What was most effective was setting goals for getting people in public office whether appointive or elective. A goal of 9 people in appointive office and 1 in local elective office over several years trains people and reflects the political reality in most communities. The mission of the USLP is to encourage development of Libertarian communities by legal, educational, activist and political means. In addition, most political change is through lobbying and direct democracy, or Libertarians in appointive office. Elected Libertarians must be plugged in to these groups for obvious reasons to ease and accelerate change. By not focusing on healthy debate based on education in Libertarianism, the way was opened for many debatable and failing tactics.

>The USLP platform is a major block to getting in office

The reverse. While a committee is improving wording based on our experiences, it's very powerful and got us 8 times more people in office despite internal opposition from both 'pragmatists' who believe a weak message is a winning message, and 'purists' who often disliked such efforts or were attracxted to fringe candidates. The USLP platform is a problem only to those hostile to the platform, which was originally designed as a list of what citizens should be able to do and to focus activism. Nor was there any agreement on problem areas, as most criticisms reflected people's pre-Libertarian backgrounds or general ignorance of US law. An experimental reformatted platform with short candidate-friendly summary for reference (UPDATE: a version was adopted by the USLP in 2004 and is being re-formatted for international use by 2011) proved essential in training and being able to answer opponent questions. In addition, it was essential as a guide for people in appointive office. A study showed that focus groups of ordinary voters were more favorable to it (81%) than average Libertarian Conventioneers surveyed (65%) many of whom, however, tended to come from political extremes. Activists who stuck to the wording word for word reported success in its use. What is the problem? A study by Florida discovered that 89% of 200 surveyed as unhappy with the platform had not read it or made out-of-context conclusions; when directed to read the platform and then discuss any problems, 91% changed their minds. At the same time, not going off message on arcane issues but sticking to local issues the office could effect were key e.g. not talking about Foreign Policy when running for Library Board. Candidates who stuck to local issues supported by constituents then created simple 3-point platforms using the USLP platform as the basis, as it was intended for, did well and reported feeling very comfortable in presentation; but no message, however well crafted, substitutes for getting out there and making friends of voters.

>The USLP Platform has major problems

76% of those in public office surveyed rated it "essential" or "very helpful" in communicating with the public and understanding what to do, and 52% of those in Public Office complained it was not detailed enough for their position needs. Claims it was too long are false, as it is dramatically shorter than the platforms of most US parties including the GOP and Dems, and a short version already available for those in office was thought very helpful. Of 203 claims of problems associated with using the platform showed (itself a very low number) and rounded, showed:

--65% had not trained and admitted they had not read or understood the platform, or described it in other language. Of these nearly two-thirds stated they did not like the platform or many Libertarian positions anyway. One half of all surveyed (53%) admitted they agreed with attackers instead of defending the platform, hence the news story.

--21% said the report was exaggerated, false, or reported the platform inaccurately

--11% were stories from people who "hated" or disliked the USLP anyway and "would attack anything Libertarian" as several admitted, or based on misinformation that in 3 cases resulted in a correction

--3% were verified

>Libertarians only elect people to dog catcher

No such posts have ever been occupied to the USLP's knowledge. Many Libertarians are in mayoral, council, and high advisory offices. The USLP has a stated goal of focus on local office which it is certainly meeting. However, campaigns for higher offices are needed in many states for ballot reasons: We recommend focusing on removing the ballot laws as was done in Florida and other states.

>Libertarians can't win partisan campaigns

They do more than major parties, 10%, at a higher level than offices available. Most public offices in the US are non-partisan and appointive (90% appointive) and unevenly distributed. Thus NH has more elective offices than Florida. A few states in the midwest have nearly a majority of elective offices in the US. (Note to Libertarians out of US: It is better to compare your country to State US LP's as more reflective of the effort needed.)

>It takes a lot of money to get elected from the LP

Most local offices needed legwork, not money.The best use of money was a) Petitions to build recognition, nad outr literature, and as a d-base source of contributions; b) Pizza money for people to hold signs on election day at the polling stations, which doubled the vote (i.e. people who normally would have gotten 26% of the vote won by using this technique); c) post-election thank you letters. We suggest the LP get completely out of donating to candidates and encourage them to raise their own funds and share d-bases with us for use of the name and all Lib groups.

>We can only run paper candidates, or should focus on partisan vs. non-partisan, local vs, state, etc.

Florida stopped calling its candidates paper candidates when a survey revealed that on key metrics the candidates were doing more than their opponents in getting out to the public. Training helped people get past false strategic choices. The best thing was to find what a person needed to do and mentor them.

>The LP needs professional help and should imitate the major parties in elections

The best result was to do the reverse: run a series of person-to-person, low budget, people centered campaigns. In summary, we've accomplished the sub-mission of "Building an organization capable of electing Libertarians." What we now need to do is repeat what we know and continue what we're doing, but in the focused manner that has worked here, both nationally and statewise. Many fear that extreme socialists and religious conservatives claiming to be Libertarians to do what they can to divert the effort by proposing big campaigns, attacking the platform and diverting focus from setting actual goals via a political director. However, the techniques are now so any Libertarian can do them if properly mentored. While LIO is preparing manuals to distill the effort, we emphasize this was done with present materials: A workshop, re-formatted platform, excellent manuals by Mr. Winter and others, and above all, building teams that set goals to get in office by energizing the people with personal calls, concrete goals, and training workshops.

REVIEW: SOUTH AFRICAN LIBERTARIANS LIST 200+ WINS

Fri, 16 Jun 2000 18:14:00 -0400

H. Suzman, LIO Advisor, addresses UN. Besides Apartheid, Liberals and Libertarians in South Africa were working on many other issues as well, emblematic of Libertarian initiatives everywhere "A-Z."

The paradigm: Libertarians have a narrow focus and don't work well in issues such as Apartheid or broad bundles of issues. Think again.

Johannesburg, SA--South African Libertarians have worked against Apartheid. But they've also piloted many Libertarian improvements in various areas, according to combined websites and e-mails. They have worked using local parties, a network, many invitationals and seminars, and several think tank style efforts.

The LIO efforts contact observer has been Helen Suzman, DBE, a noted Parliamentarian and Anti-Apartheid spokesperson. ISIL has a group there as well, and Leon Louw has been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize.

2009 UPDATE RESOURCES:

>http://groups.google.com/group/libsa/

> http://www.freemarketfoundation.com/ (Free Market Foundation)

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism_in_South_Africa

>Liberal Party Archives (many Libertarians worked through them)

> http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/liberal1.htm

> http://www.hsf.org.za/ (Suzman Foundation)

> http://news.webshots.com/album/555042589lBFvtL

(2006 Lib Conference)

TO-DO A-Z

The compilation of action reads like a to-do or brag list for many Libertarian groups working on political improvements. To facilitate that use, SA Libs have compiled it as an A-Z to do list of potential projects groups can undertake. In addition, Libertarians were heavily involved in the peaceful independence of Namibia, including a joint LIO-USLP-Namibian Libertarian Party observer delegation to the Vance negotiations. The SA Libertarians have effected Libertarian or Libertarian-oriented improvements in 200 plus areas by removing regulations that blocked private action, in encouraging private efforts, and in supporting improvements in transparency involving:

AGRICULTURAL CONTROL BOARDS.

AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES.

AIRPORT CITY ROAD TRANSPORT.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL.

"ALTERNATIVE" MEDICINE.

AMBULANCES.

ARCHITECTS.

ARMAMENTS.

BLACK URBAN ISSUES.

BOND TRADING.

BROADCASTING.

BUILDINGS.

BUILDING STANDARDS.

BUSES.

CB RADIO.

CENSORSHIP - POLITICAL CENSORSHIP SCRAPPED.

CONTINGENCY FEES (LAWYERS).

CIVIL SERVICE.

COMPANIES.

COMPARITIVE ADVERTISING.

COMMERCIALISATION.

COMMODITIES EXCHANGES.

CORDLESS TELEPHONES.

COURIER SERVICES.

COURTS.

CRD (Restorative Justice and Community Policing)

DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS.

DEVELOPMENT TRUST AND LAND

DEVOLUTION.

DOCTORS

DOMESTIC AIR TRANSPORTATION.

ENGINEERS.

ENTERPRISE ZONES (including 'ZEBRAS'). Zero Based Regulation Areas (Zebras),

ELECTRICITY .

ENTERPRISE ZONES.

FARM PRIVATISATION.

FARM STALLS.

FILM BOARD.

FILM SUBSIDIES.

GROUP AREAS ACT.

GUNS.

FIRE SERVICE.

FLEA MARKETS.

FOOD CARTS.

FOOD HANDLING.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT.

FUTURES TRADING.

GAMBLING.

GARDENS.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

HEALTH REGULATIONS.

HOME-BASED OFFICES/ROOMS.

HOME INDUSTRIES.

HOMELAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS.

HOTEL/ RESORTS.

HOSPITALS.

IMPORT CONTROLS.

INFORMAL SECTOR.

INTEREST RATE/ CREDIT CONTROLS.

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION.

LABOUR RELATIONS.

LAWYERS.

LICENSING PROCEDURES.

LICENSING.

LIMITED GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTION.

LIQUOR DISTRIBUTION.

LIQUOR LICENSING.

LOW INCOME HOUSING.

MASSAGE PARLOURS.

MATRIMONIAL AFFAIRS.

MINT.

MONEY SUPPLY.

MONOPOLIES.

MUNICIPAL PRIVATISATION/DEREGULATAION.

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE.

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING.

PARKS/PARK MAINTENANCE.

POLITICAL PARTIES/ ORGANISATIONS.

POST.

POST OFFICE.

PRESS FREEDOM.

PRICE CONTROL.

PRIVATE DISPUTE MEDIATION.

PRIVATISATION.

PRIVATE POLICE/SECURITY.

PROFESSIONAL FEES.

PROSTITUTION.

RAILWAYS.

REFUSE REMOVAL.

RENT CONTROL.

ROADWORTHY TESTING.

SCHOOLS.

SECURITY SERVICES.

ZEBRAS (Zero Regulation Areas)

"Libertarians in South Africa have-- through activism, education, political activity and coalitions --played a key part and so removed or ameliorated several thousand pernicious laws and regulations blocking everything from cell phones to private mediation to inter-racial marriage to home businesses so poor people can better their lives," said Suzman, who has monitored the efforts, in the late '90's.

LIO MENTORS LIBERTARIAN COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Thu, 01 Jun 1995 11:00:00 -0400

(Photo) President Ronald Reagan greets Senator John McClaughry, one of the first Libertarians he appointed to Federal office. LIO worked behind the scenes with both Reagan and Yeltsin in bringing about the fall of the Iron Curtain, and many African and Latin dictators. Said Reagan expanding on comments to starteled conservatives at a talk after a Conservative PAC (CPAC) meeting, "We must rally behind the Libertarian campaign against the Cult of the Omnipotent State, whether justifying anything from harsh fascism to simple rackets, and so bring choices at personal or local levels.I applaud their leadership and championship of human rights."

UN Building, New York, July, 2007--With pro-libertarian groups active in all countries, the Libertarian International Organization in a public forum before UN Headquarters has declared the first generation of the modern Libertarian movement that it initiated in 1967 a success, and has launched the second phase of continuing improvement to implement 'Libertarian Democracy.' through applied programs and libertarian-leaning networks in communities in every nation.

CORE LIBERTARIAN NETWORKS, TARGETS KEY

The object is implementation by creating stabilizing cores of Libertarian-leaning citizens organized by communities of 1 million population. "The first generation showred how far we can get by major metrics such as people in office and pledged members. As a movement we grew worldwide and developed key skills. We demonstrated and introduced key tools such as the pledge, privatization, a new focus on integrated rights," said Vince Miller, head of the International Society for Individual Liberty (www.isil.org) who with nobelist Dr. Milton Friedman advised the initial project stages. "We know that with continuous but modest effort anyone can start, Libertarians can, in a typcal community of 1 million, build networks of 10,000-20,000 + of the most active people, get 10-30 + people in local public office, and get many projects underway in a few years. this has been demonstrated in New Hampshire, Pinellas in Florida, and Costa Rica. Libertarians who go there comment these are like entirely different worlds in terms of enthusiasm, professionalism, and activism while many Libertarian groups languish in 'quick-fix' activism or lack people with long-term focus who do things step by step. This must be repeated everywhere. LIO through various projects will encourage that approach and provide tested free tools in every community with a massive effort creating local e-clubs and archiving stories and tools all can use as a starting point."

TOOLS CAN AID AS NEVER BEFORE

"Libertarians now exist in every country, have strong political organizations in several, and led the way in bringing about the ongoing fall of the dicatorships," agreed Ralph Swanson, LIO chief. advisor, himself a Libertarian in public office working on postal privatization and who helped found one of the first modern Libertarian Parties in 1970. "All Libertarian programs that replace coercive government programs have been demonstrated somewhere. Libertarian groups such as in Costa Rica (www.libertario.org) show that by focusing on best-practice goals that have been done elsewhere they can not only repeat but exceed previous work. Our focus is on publicizing and networking citizens so they bring these targets to their communities, working as always to start networks activist-to-activist, plus archive and share key information, while continuing high-levcel colloquia. We will mentor Libertarian groups aiming at complete voluntary replacements while continuing to encourage Liberal-Libertarian alliances focused on expanding human rights by lessening coercive or ineeficient government."

"There is no question today's activists enjoy, particularly by web, vast resources that did not exist for them before. While 'street' effort is more important than ever, these do a lot of the initial work 'automatically' so to speak, and get the public familiar that exciting things are going on " added US radio personality Paul Molloy, a LIO activist whose international web and radio talk show the FreedomWorks! (www.TheFreeedomWorks.com) showcases unsung activists and key policy thinkers.

FOCUS ON SHARING, NOT RE-INVENTING 'FLAT TIRE'

Agreed Swanson, "Groups such as www.cato.org , www.fff.org , www.rppi.org , www.heartland.org and so on that you can now see on cable TV every week, plus the many international think tanks that LIO helped create by proposing e.g. the Atlas www.atlasusa.org project are all very encouraging, and we encourage activists and candidates to direct inquiries and voters to such sites and not attempt to re-invent Libertarian philosophy or the array of transition proposals, but rather adapt and discuss them so the community can decide."

"Don't re-invent flat tires but share and adapt," said Swanson." Along with the empowering changes Libertarians have helped by challengng laws that blocked the internet, gold ownership in the US, Paypal type servicesw, cell phones self-directed personal pensions, international trade, growing ballot access, even cable TV itself, now things are much different for today's community leader and potential candidate than when we started. To this end we will showcase inspiring and paradigm-challenging actions and pronounceby top activists and Libertarians in public office catalyzing new efforts in personal rights at our chief site several times a year. Please send us your story and achievements for inclusion."