THE LIBERATOR ONLINE
March 10, 2000
Vol. 5, No. 5
Circulation: 36,582 in 85 countries
Mailing list of the Advocates for Self-Government.
Created and edited by Paul Schmidt, mailto:paul@self-gov.org
Co-edited by James W. Harris, mailto:james@self-gov.org
If you wish to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your address for
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The Advocates for Self-Government is a non-profit educational
organization. Our purpose is to present the freedom philosophy
honestly and persuasively to opinion-makers so that they can
encounter, evaluate, and when ready, embrace the ideals of
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Contributions are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS
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"We must learn to defend all our personal resources with reason,
clarity and the kind of effective persuasion that wins friends,
rather than alienating them. For this, no group is more helpful
than the Advocates, who teach independent thinking coupled with
empathy and tolerance for others."
-- Tonie Nathan, first Libertarian Party vice-presidential
candidate (1972), and first woman in American history to receive an
electoral college vote.
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Libertarian Celebrity: Best-Selling Novelist Nelson DeMille
* Poll: Americans Oppose U.S. Military Intervention
* Washington State: Medical Marijuana Users To Get IDs; Police Open
to Idea
ON THE WEB
* World's Smallest Political Quiz
ASK DR. RUWART
* Should libertarians take over the schools and force-feed
libertarianism?
* How would addicts get drugs in a libertarian society?
* Should "hate crimes" receive harsher punishments?
PERSUASION POWER POINT
* Flat Earth Politics
by Michael Cloud
PRODUCT REVIEW
* "Conceived in Liberty" Volumes 1-4, by Murray N. Rothbard.
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
Announcing: The World's First Libertarian Newsstand!
I am really excited about this, the newest addition to our Web site.
Today is the Grand Opening of our new Libertarian Newsstand. We've
brought together the leading libertarian magazines and newsletters
published today, and made them available to our visitors -- at the
lowest subscription prices on the Web. Publications like Liberty, The
Journal of Ayn Rand Studies, Reason, Freedom Daily, Ideas on Liberty,
Libertarian Party News, The Cato Journal, The Voluntaryist and more.
Maybe some you haven't heard of. (You may be missing some great
reading!)
The Libertarian Newsstand is the first place to make these
publications available, at one convenient site, to libertarians and to
those curious about libertarianism - including the thousands of people
who visit our site each day. One of the Advocates' major goals has
always been to make the libertarian movement larger and to expand the
reach of libertarian organizations and publications. I think our
Libertarian Newsstand can do this, and it will be a big boon to the
movement and to the spread of libertarian ideas.
And that's just part of what's there.
In "Room Two" of our Libertarian Newsstand, we've made arrangements
with one of America's top magazine wholesalers to offer our visitors
subscriptions to dozens of the finest and most important political and
news magazines in America - again, at the lowest prices on the Web!
Titles include National Review, New Republic, Harpers, Newsweek,
Insight, the Weekly Standard and many, many more. It's vital that
libertarians keep informed on current events, and know what those who
hold other political views are saying. This part of our newsstand
makes that easy.
And there's still more. We are able to offer over 900 magazines - in
categories including computing, family, home, cars, sports, health,
business, spirituality, and many more - at the lowest prices on the
Web. We have almost every popular magazine in America, and many
lesser-known but fascinating publications as well. No-risk free trials
are available for most titles, too.
For gift-shopping, nothing could be easier. In fact, for those seeking
fast and easy gifts, special gift subscriptions are available that put
the current issue of many of these magazines - gift wrapped and with a
personalized card enclosed - in your recipient's hands within just
5-10 business days! Prices for gift subscriptions start at just $10 -
a great price for a gift that gives all year long. There's even a gift
guide to help you pick out magazines appropriate for various ages,
interests, and budgets. You can do your gift shopping at this site in
just minutes, without ever leaving your home.
Please note: Every purchase you make of any of the magazines at our
Libertarian Newsstand benefits the Advocates. I hope libertarians will
do all their magazine shopping at our site. The prices and service are
literally unbeatable, and every purchase will help us continue our
work of taking libertarian ideas to the public and helping
libertarians become better communicators of the ideas of liberty. It's
an easy, painless and win-win way to contribute to this vital
libertarian work.
Check it out by clicking here now:
http://www.self-gov.org/newsstand.html. Thank you -- and a big
thank-you to the libertarian publishers who have made it possible for
us to offer this service!
* * *
Last week we ran a humorous little fable by "Anonymous," about the red
tape Jesus might run into from various government agencies were he to
attempt His ministry today.
Thanks for the favorable comments we received about this. Reader Dr.
Alan Cheney came up with a few more himself to add to the list:
If Jesus were to do His same ministry on earth today, He would be
wanted by...
* the U.S. Park Service for camping 40 days in a posted wilderness
area;
* the DEA for suspicion of possession (hallucinating transfigured
dead people);
* the Department of the Interior for casting devils out of a herd of
endangered species;
* the INS for crossing borders without a green card.
* * *
Thank you for reading the Liberator Online.
Sharon Harris, President
mailto:sharon@self-gov.org
PS: We were delighted by the response of readers to last issue's
"Product Review" special - Murray Rothbard's great "Conceived In
Liberty" series, PLUS a free book, PLUS free shipping. So we're
extending the offer for ten more days.
In the 1970s Murray Rothbard - arguably this century's most
influential libertarian thinker - wrote a wonderful 4-volume history
of America from the Colonial period through the Revolutionary War. The
set was nothing short of a masterpiece - shedding libertarian light on
many overlooked aspects of the early days of America's founding.
At last it is back in print - all 1,668 pages! Rothbard is a brilliant
writer and a delight to read, and this is a treasure. It's our Product
Review special this issue - and we're giving away a copy of Henry
Hazlitt's classic "Economics In One Lesson" FREE with every order. And
FREE shipping, to boot!
Check out the reviews - this is truly a treasure. As Jim Powell of
Laissez Faire Books says, "These volumes will probably give you more
pleasure than anything else written about American history. They are
just delightful. Highly recommended!"
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* New Web page numbers: Recently we reached some important new
milestones at our Web site. As we go to press, we've received over 5
million page hits, and over 750,000 people have taken the World's
Smallest Political Quiz at our page. Currently we're receiving
8-10,000 hits per day.
* Advocates "Clips" in LP News: Thanks to Libertarian Party News, the
excellent newsletter of the nation's third-largest political party,
for an excellent article in their March issue about our free email
publication, "Libertarian Clips." The article pointed out that
Libertarian Clips "each weekday... features news stories that mention
the word 'libertarian' from online local, national, and international
newspapers, magazines, and transcripts of major television shows." To
subscribe to Libertarian Clips - it's free - see below., or contact
the Advocates.
* Operation Politically Homeless, Quiz success in LP News: That same
March issue of LP News also featured stories on how libertarians are
using Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) booths and the World's
Smallest Political Quiz to reach young people on college campuses. OPH
is an Advocates product that turns an ordinary outreach booth into an
event with tremendous appeal. Alabama LP Vice Chair Scott Kjar has
begun a state-wide "Campus Liberty Tour," taking libertarian ideas to
hundreds of students at that state's college campuses. The article
noted that "At each stop, Kjar set up an Operation Politically
Homeless (OPH) booth to draw students to an 'Introduction to
Libertarianism' meeting. His goal: to spark the creation of campus
Libertarian clubs." Another article told how James Madison of
Connecticut represented the Libertarian Party at a Junior State of
America (JSA) convention at Yale University, attended by about 200
political "leaders of tomorrow" - bright students with a deep interest
in politics. Handing out Quizzes from his booth, Madison said "I
quickly drew a crowd." He drew so much attention, in fact, that he was
invited to an impromptu debate with a Green Party representative -
during which he won the great majority of attendees to his side.
Congratulations, Scott Kjar and James Madison!
ONGOING ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
* Free "Libertarian Clips": "Libertarian Clips" is a daily (or weekly,
if you prefer) clipping service that brings you news stories from
around the world that use the words "libertarian" or "libertarianism."
See what libertarians are doing, and see how the media is using those
words. It's FREE, and subscribing is a snap. Just click here:
http://www.self-gov.org/clips/
* Communication Bargain of the Century: You can get the great 3-tape
audio course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at the
*give-away* price of only $7.50 - that price includes handling and,
now, First Class mail so you'll get it right away! Libertarian Party
Political Director Ron Crickenberger says this Advocates offer is
"...the greatest gift the libertarian movement has received in years."
Thanks to "Persuasion" creator Michael Cloud for making this offer
possible.
To order, see: http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/persuasion.html
This is a secure site, so you can order via credit card with
confidence. You can also call us or mail $7.50 to the Advocates. Our
phone number and address are at the end of this issue.
* Year 2000 Lights of Liberty Awards: You can win certificates, public
recognition, prizes and more for your vital activism for liberty.
Awards are given for: 3 libertarian letters to the editor; 3 sessions
working at an OPH booth; OR 3 libertarian-oriented public speeches.
Click here http://www.self-gov.org/lights/ to learn more.
* Now Available: Audio and video tapes of the entire Advocates 15th
Anniversary Celebration. You can buy individual tapes, or get the
whole set at a special low price. This event, held September 24-26,
featured top libertarian leaders and some of the very finest
libertarian speakers at their very best. In alphabetical order: David
Bergland, Ken Bisson, Walter Block, Harry Browne, Doug Casey, Michael
Cloud, Marshall Fritz, Sharon Harris, Karl Hess Jr., Jacob Hornberger,
Vince Miller, Charles Murray, David Nolan, Congressman Ron Paul,
Carole Ann Rand, and Mary Ruwart. Click here
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/adv15.html for a complete list of
speakers, topics, and prices.
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
by James W. Harris
Libertarian Celebrity: Best-Selling Novelist Nelson DeMille
Nelson DeMille is one of America's most popular novelists, with a
string of best-sellers for more than a decade. He is perhaps best
known for his novel The General's Daughter, which became a blockbuster
movie starring John Travolta. His latest novel, The Lion's Game, is
one of America's top 10 best-sellers.
He's published over 15 books in the last 25 years, many of which have
been best-sellers. His best-known novels include The Charm School
(1988), The Gold Coast (1990), Spencerville (1994), Plum Island (1997)
and Mayday (1998). His novels include murder mysteries, international
thrillers, and exposes of high society life.
On January 12, DeMille told Newsday that he is a libertarian, adding:
"I think there's a strong libertarian movement [in America] towards
smaller government."
(Source: Libertarian Party News, March 2000)
Poll: Americans Oppose U.S. Military Intervention
Despite the interventionist sentiment driving the two largest U.S.
political parties and their presidential candidates, it seems a
substantial majority of Americans favor a libertarian-style U.S.
foreign policy of non-intervention. A majority even oppose military
intervention in defense of countries with which the U.S. has defense
treaties, including South Korea, Taiwan, and Israel.
That's the startling results of a poll conducted by NewsMax.com/Zogby
in late February. Zogby - one of the most respected polling
organizations in the country -- asked 1,155 Americans: "If attacked by
another country, should the U.S. help defend militarily, even though
it could cost American soldiers their lives, . . ." and then listed
these nations/political entities: Kosovo, Israel, Taiwan, South Korea
and Kuwait.
*Remarkably, in every case, a significant majority of respondents
opposed using the U.S. military to intervene in conflicts in these
places.* And opposition to military intervention cut through party
lines. A majority of self-identified Democrats, Republicans, and
Independents all opposed intervention in every case asked. The
NewsMax.com/Zogby poll had a statistical margin of error +/- 3%.
Here are the percentages supporting or opposing U.S. intervention,
broken down by the country/political entity in question:
Taiwan: Yes - 31%; No - 69%.
Israel: Yes - 41%; No - 59%.
Kuwait: Yes - 29%; No - 71%.
South Korea: Yes - 28%; No - 72%.
Kosovo: Yes - 26%; No - 74%.
(Source: NewsMax.com/Zogby Poll, released Thursday, March 2, 1999)
Washington State: Medical Marijuana Users To Get IDs; Police Open to Idea
Compassion in Action is a Washington State-based organization that
distributes medical marijuana plants to patients authorized under
state law to use marijuana medically
The organization now plans to begin issuing photo-ID cards to identify
the patients it serves, who are qualified medical marijuana users. The
idea is to protect them from unnecessary (and unlawful) police
harassment. The card will include a copy of a doctor's or caregiver's
authorization, as required under state law.
Washington State voters approved marijuana use for some medical
patients in 1998. A patient or a caregiver for a qualified patient may
possess a "60-day supply." But there is still considerable
disagreement over what constitutes a 60-day-supply.
Leo Poort, Seattle Police Department legal adviser, said a photo-ID
would be helpful to police.
"I think that's a very good way to go," he told the Seattle Times.
"Then our officers can start thinking about the situation they're
confronted with in a different way."
Poort said that police across the state would benefit from having a
"quick and sure exchange of information at the point of contact."
Because the 1998 law did not specify how patients were to get
marijuana, there has been considerable confusion. Some patients obtain
marijuana from organizations like Compassion In Action -- which
describes itself as a "medical-marijuana-access service" -- or Green
Cross. Others patients grow their own.
After one patient's plants and growing materials were confiscated in a
raid last spring, prosecutors declined to pursue the case, and the
patient's insurance company covered the loss. Compassion in Action
also plans to offer a 24-hour phone number for police to verify if a
person is a qualified patient.
Lt. Mike Sanford of the Seattle police vice and narcotics section says
police "want to avoid a true medical-marijuana patient being bothered
by the police. We have no interest in putting true patients through a
stressful situation."
(Source: The Seattle Times, Thursday, March 2, 2000)
"No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has
come." -- Victor Hugo (1802-1805)
ON THE WEB
World's Smallest Political Quiz
Our site recently surpassed three quarter of a million people taking
the World's Smallest Political Quiz online. The people taking the quiz
are predominantly libertarian but our audience has become more
mainstream over the years. The current results with 764,306 taking the
quiz are:
Libertarian 37.6%
Left-liberal 16.1%
Moderate 29.7%
Right-Conservative 8.4%
Authoritarian 8.1%
For the most recent results, visit
http://www.self-gov.org/results.shtml.
ASK DR. RUWART
How can you answer difficult questions about libertarianism -- in
short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses? It's a
challenge every libertarian communicator faces.
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication and
author of the international bestseller "Healing Our World." Her new
book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions." In this column she
provides Liberator Online readers with "Short Answers to the Tough
Questions" that libertarians are frequently asked.
If you'd like Dr. Ruwart to provide effective answers for YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at:
mailto:ruwart@self-gov.org. *Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't
personally answer or acknowledge all email queries.* But we'll run the
best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart's answers -- in upcoming issues.
Extra Tip: Dr. Ruwart suggests that answers are often best preceded by
a "Ransberger Pivot" statement, to establish common ground with the
questioner. (Example: "Like you, I too want to live in a world where
the environment is clean... Like you, I too want to see greater
abundance for all people...") For more on the Ransberger Pivot
communication technique, see previous issues, or contact the
Advocates.
Dr. Ruwart's past answers are archived in searchable form at the
http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
Short Answers to the Tough Questions:
by Dr. Mary Ruwart
* * *
Should libertarians take over the schools and force-feed libertarianism?
Question:
"Your maxim is that aggression is always a lose-lose scenario, but
please consider the following thought experiment (which I do not
endorse).
"Assume the libertarian movement gains control of the public schools,
and teaches everything from a libertarian perspective, and refuses to
allow opposing perspectives. Further assume that this situation
continues for five to ten years. Given the predictable outcomes of
education, most students so exposed would be libertarians, or at least
libertarian-leaning. The few dissidents would not be able to cause
many problems, and we would in turn become a more libertarian country.
"Given the above hypothetical situation, it would seem that aggression
(mandating what would be taught and how) would result in a win-win
situation (a country who practices non-aggression, with all the
inherent benefits).
"Is my logic flawed? I am very interested in your perspective on this
thought experiment."
My short answer:
"Actions speak louder than words. If teachers extol the virtues of
liberty to students forced to attend class, the students will see the
hypocrisy. By failing to practice what we preach, we teach others that
we don't believe our own words -- so they won't either. Instead, the
students would conclude that liberty is a nice theory, but just isn't
practical. In later life, when the students had to make political
policy decisions, they would likely choose aggression as a means to
their ends, too.
"Liberty is not just a formula that can be learned through
memorization. Liberty is a spiritual choice, a way of life. When our
understanding of liberty is superficial, we can easily be lead astray.
The American public was tricked into believing that liberty was
old-fashioned and impractical, so aggression was necessary. Because
liberty wasn't fully understood and appreciated, we went down the
wrong path. I believe that your thought experiment would end this way
as well.
"Of course, even to try such an experiment today would require
libertarians to force their way in. Once we become aggressors
ourselves, it's not easy to suddenly become tolerant except in
education. Power (in the context of government aggression) corrupts;
using it destroys the very thing we are seeking.
"Playing with the 'what ifs' and exploring the tough questions helps
us all to increase our understanding of the multi-faceted diamond that
is liberty. As our appreciation of liberty grows, we become less
likely to foolishly throw it away."
* * *
How would addicts get drugs in a libertarian society?
Question:
"I am interested in libertarianism and the Libertarian Party for the
sole reason that it provides a realistic solution to the problem of
drugs. But my question is this: if heroin's status was changed from a
Schedule I drug (high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use,
unsafe) to a Schedule II drug (high risk of abuse, some medical uses),
how would addicts get prescription heroin or methadone without the
government getting, and using, tax funds?"
My short answer:
"Addicts would be able to buy it cheaply (about 10% of today's
prices). The high price of street drugs today reflects the added costs
that dealers have protecting themselves from the DEA.
"The high price of prescription medication today reflects the
additional cost that the FDA and other government regulators impose on
pharmaceuticals. In a libertarian society, these costs would also be
reduced.
"Of course, many more of us are 'addicted' to food than to heroin. You
didn't ask how people could afford to support this habit without
income taxes because you probably already know the answer. Without
income taxes, we'd have more money to spend on all of our addictions
-- and lower prices due to increased competition and decreased
regulation."
* * *
Should "hate crimes" receive harsher punishments?
Question:
"It has long been my position that ideological beliefs (regardless of
how irrational they might be) which motivate crimes directed at
certain groups of people do not add to the legal severity of a crime.
In other words, murder should be punished no more harshly because of
the criminal's prejudices, hatred, and other attitudes. Advocates of
current hate crime legislation would have people receive more severe
sentencing if they are convicted of a crime motivated by bigotry,
racism, sexism, etc.
"What is the libertarian stance on this delicate issue? I consider
myself politically libertarian, but I am interested to know what
others think."
My short answer:
"Libertarians believe that aggressors should make their victims whole
again. For the most part, motivation is irrelevant. However, some
victims might be less demanding if the harm done to them was
accidental rather than intentional."
* * *
Dr. Ruwart's book "Healing Our World" features persuasive arguments
for liberty, backed with *over 500 references* showing how liberty
works. You can browse the entire book online at:
http://www.netbooks.com/catalog/ruwart/index.html
You can order it at a special reduced price of only $12.95 (plus
shipping) from the Advocates. Check out our online catalog at:
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/opp.html
Dr. Ruwart's newest book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions,"
also available from the Advocates for $12.00 (plus shipping).
PERSUASION POWER POINT #87
Flat Earth Politics
by Michael Cloud
"We're fair. We present BOTH sides of the issue," says the talk show
host.
"Unbiased! We let BOTH sides present the pro's and con's of political
proposals," says a TV political talk show.
"Tough and unbiased. We let BOTH sides have their say," says another
political TV show.
"Hardball." "Hannity and Colmes." "The O`Reilly Factor." "Crossfire."
"Full Nelson." "Larry King." "Face the Nation." "Meet the Press."
They try to be fair.
But they can't.
Why?
Flat Earth Politics. Flat Earth Political Thinking. Two dimensions.
"Both sides" assumes that there are only TWO sides to an issue. Why
not: "ALL sides"?
"Pro and Con" presumes that there are only TWO positions that one can
take on a proposal. What if the WRONG proposal is being discussed?
What if the WRONG question is being asked?
Flat Earth Politics is the product of the outmoded Left/Right
Political Spectrum.
But Flat Earth Political Thinking dominates and controls most
political discussions -- and talk shows today.
How do we overcome it?
By sharing the "World's Smallest Political Quiz" with everyone we can.
By showing more people that the Diamond Chart of Politics is more
accurate and inclusive.
But there are two powerful things we can add to the mix:
1. Challenge the "two sides" assumption.
2. Add the libertarian alternative.
Consider the issue of homelessness.
Flat Earth Political Discussions would point out the problem of
homelessness and then consider only two alternatives..."both" sides:
a. The More Government alternative. "We need more shelters. We need
job training. We need day care. We need treatment facilities."
More government programs. New government programs.
b. The Status Quo alternative. "There's a problem, but it's being
managed by our present programs. A lot of these people choose
alcohol or drugs. Many of them refuse to work." Leave things as
they are.
Flat Earth Politics: More government or leave things as they are.
Where is the "Less Government" alternative? It's not on the Flat Earth
Political Map. Not in Flat Earth Political Discussions.
How do we overcome this?
1. Challenge the "two sides" assumptions with:
"This discussion implies that we have only two basic alternatives:
more government programs or leave things the way they are.
"But there's a third alternative: less government. Removing government
policies and programs. Would you be willing to consider this
alternative...and see whether it would make things better? Would you
be willing to ADD a third alternative...so that ALL sides can be
considered?"
2. ADD the libertarian alternative:
"What if government programs and policies and powers are causing this
problem?
"What if government programs are contributing to the problem...or
making it worse?
"What if government programs sustain and fuel the problem?
"What if the solution is not ADDING new government programs, but
SUBTRACTING the programs causing, sustaining, and increasing the
problem?
"Let's apply the THIRD alternative, the less government alternative,
the Libertarian alternative to the issue of homelessness.
"First, we need to redefine the issue: the issue is NOT
`homelessness'. The issue is the shortage of cheap and affordable
housing and shelter.
"Second, we need to ask which government policies and programs cause
or contribute to a scarcity and higher prices for housing.
* "Why can 'Habitat for Humanity' build homes for a small fraction
of typical building costs? Donated labor and reduced costs of
materials is PART of the answer. But how many government-created
obstacles, government-added costs are NOT imposed on our friends
with `Habitat for Humanity'?
* How much red tape is removed? How many needless inspections waived
or speeded up? What about other barriers and costs to building?
Licensing? Zoning? Endless hearings?
* "How much is added to the costs of building homes and apartments
by needless zoning hearings, bureaucratic red tape and delays,
permits, pointless inspections, mandates, and the like? (Ask
people in the construction trades how much this needless
government involvement adds to the costs -- and the amount of time
it takes to build a house.)
* "How and where has government blocked affordable housing by zoning
and regulating against apartment construction? Or placed barriers
and restrictions that push the cost of apartment construction and
management so high they're too expensive for the working poor?
* "How and where have governments legislated and regulated against
mobile home parks? Or temporary trailer parks? How many low priced
homes has this prevented?
* "How and where have governments legislated and regulated against
multiple-family homes? Where two families could pool their
earnings and buy a home...neither family can alone... (This has
been done against immigrants from Asia.)
* "The March 2000 issue of `Small Property Owners News' (MA) has an
article on the front page: `Number 1 cause of homelessness:
rooming houses OUTLAWED.' How many working poor could NOT afford a
house or apartment...but COULD afford a room in a boarding house?
How many of these people are on the streets because of government
imposed anti-landlord laws or zoning or regulation or outlawing
against these affordable dwellings?
* "Forty years ago, Martin Anderson wrote The Federal Bulldozer, a
powerful study that documented that the federal government tore
down dozens more homes than they built. They demolished 20 or 30
or 40 "sub-standard" homes for every single home they built. So 19
or 29 or 39 poor families were thrown out of their homes -- and 1
got a better home.
"Other studies since then have shown the same pattern: the poorest and
weakest are zoned and restricted and bulldozed out of poor housing...
and thrown into the street...by the government programs. If you were
poor, would you rather have a poor dwelling...or be on the street?
"Which government programs and policies and powers can we remove right
now to make housing and rooming more plentiful and cheaper? How many
government barriers and burdens can we remove, how many government
costs can we eliminate so builders and providers can cut the costs of
housing?"
We must consider all sides of the issues. We must consider more
government, the status quo, and less government.
We must educate Flat Earth Political Thinkers -- and their audiences.
We must show them the World's Smallest Political Quiz. The Diamond
Chart.
We must challenge the "both sides" fallacy and ADD the Libertarian
Dimension. Again and again...until there are at least 3 sides to every
political discussion.
We must become Columbus. And show them a New World. A Libertarian
World.
Michael Cloud is the author of The Art of Libertarian Persuasion, a
book to be published by Liam Works this year. In 1999, Libertarian
state chairs voted him the "best speaker in the Libertarian Party."
They call his speeches "electrifying" and "unforgettable". Michael
Cloud is the creator of "The Essence of Political Persuasion" training
program offered exclusively by Advocates.
"The Essence of Political Persuasion," a widely-acclaimed 3-tape
communication course, is available from the Advocates at the give-away
price of only $7.50 postpaid; see "What's Happening" in this issue.
PRODUCT REVIEW:
"These volumes will probably give you more pleasure than anything
else written about American history. They are just delightful.
Highly recommended!" - Jim Powell.
Murray Rothbard's History Masterpiece Back In Print At Last!!!
Plus: FREE copy of Henry Hazlitt's classic "Economics In One Lesson"
with every order!
"Conceived in Liberty" Volumes 1-4, by Murray N. Rothbard. New edition,
hardback, 1668 pages.
*** Review from the Mises Institute:
For anyone who thinks of Murray Rothbard as only an economic theorist
or political thinker, these four spectacular volumes are nothing short
of shocking. They offer a complete history of the Colonial period of
American history through the Revolutionary War, a period lost to
students today, who are led to believe American history begins with
the US Constitution.
Rothbard's ambition was to shed new light on Colonial history and show
that the struggle for human liberty was the heart and soul of this
land from its discovery through the culminating event of the American
Revolution.
These volumes are a tour de force, enough to establish Rothbard as one
of the great American historians.
Although a detailed narrative history of the struggle between liberty
and power, Rothbard offers a third alternative to the conventional
interpretive devices. Against those on the right who see the American
Revolution as a "conservative" event, and those on the left who want
to invoke it as some sort of proto-socialist uprising, Rothbard views
this period as a time of accelerating libertarian radicalism. Through
this prism, Rothbard illuminates events as never before.
The volumes were brought out in the 1970s, but the odd timing and
uneven distribution prevented any kind of large audience. They were
beloved only by a few specialists, and sought after by many thanks to
their outstanding reputation. At last the Mises Institute has made
them available again.
* Volume One covers the discovery of the Americas and the colonies
in the 17th century (531 pages, including index).
* Volume Two covers the period of "salutary neglect" in the first
half of the 18th century (294 pages, including index).
* Volume Three covers the advance to revolution, from 1760-1775 (373
pages, including index).
* Volume Four covers the political, military, and ideological
history of the revolution and after (470 pages, including index).
This is a total of 1668 pages, at a very low price for hardbound
volumes of outstanding quality.
*** From a review from Laissez-Faire Books:
Although thousands of books have been written about early America,
nobody else has provided as lively an account about the development of
American liberty. These volumes, originally published in the 1970s,
have been long out of print and hard to find. We owe the Mises
Institute much gratitude for making them available again.
Many hardships experienced in colonial America, Rothbard shows, were
due to common property and government interference. He explains the
failure of price controls and the failure of government efforts to
subsidize fishing. He tells how taxes and restrictions crippled
business enterprise. He exposes government officials who seized the
property of peaceful people and tried to conquer other colonies.
Rothbard exults in chronicling the exploits of libertarian heroes and
heroines like Roger William (in his early years), Anne Hutchinson,
Samuel Adams, and Thomas Paine. Rothbard hails courageous slaves who
revolted and escaped from their masters. He tells how commerce
promoted tolerance. He gleefully reports how independent-minded
colonists educated themselves without government schools and he notes,
'The colonists were evidently content in their anarchism.'"
Rothbard shares vital insights, often served with a memorable phrase.
Talking about how private companies promoted settlement in America, he
writes that 'the cleansing acid of profits was to dissolve incipient
feudalism and land monopoly.'"
These volumes will probably give you more pleasure than anything else
written about American history. They are just delightful. Highly
recommended!
* * *
ORDER NOW AND GET FREE SHIPPING AND TWO FREE GIFTS!
This set of four outstanding quality hardback books is a total of 1668
pages of wonderful reading. You can get the entire set for only $100 -
and NO SHIPPING CHARGE!
PLUS...
We'll also send you a quality paperback 50th Anniversary Edition of
Henry Hazlitt's classic book "Economics in One Lesson." Hailed as the
best single introduction to free market economics ever written. A
delight to read (H.L. Mencken called Hazlitt "one of the few
economists in human history who could really write"), and perfect for
beginning or seasoned libertarians. Nobel Prize-winning libertarian
economist F. A. Hayek said: "Brilliant I know of no other modern book
from which the intelligent layman can learn so much about the basic
truths of economics in so short a time." This handsome $9.95 book is
yours FREE with your order of "Conceived in Liberty."
AND ANOTHER FREE BONUS GIFT: Bridge To Freedom: The Newsletter of
Volitional Science. Edited by Peter N. Sisco. Andrew J. Galambos is
associated with the idea of "primary property." The Professor (as he
was known) taught hundreds of students in the 1960s and 1970s at his
private seminars on what he called Volitional Science. His work had
quite an impact on libertarian ideas as a result of these seminars.
This newsletter is dedicated to keeping the ideas of Galambos alive. A
copy is yours FREE with your order. (If we run out of copies of this
newsletter, we'll substitute a gift of equivalent value.)
HOW TO ORDER
To get "Conceived In Liberty" AND "Economics in One Lesson" AND your
free newsletter, choose one of the following:
To order on the Web, via credit card, simply click here:
http://www.lfb.org/mr8124.cfm?AssociateID=SG
This will take you to a site at the Laissez Faire Books online
catalog. Laissez Faire Books is the world's largest seller of books on
liberty, and we are pleased to be able to offer this book in
partnership with them.
(NOTE: We will ship your copy of "Economics In One Lesson" separately,
so it will not show on the order form at Laissez Faire Books. But you
will get it if you order "Conceived In Liberty" during this special
offer.)
Fast shipping - most orders sent within 24 hours of receipt. And FREE
shipping on orders of $100 or more.
While placing your order for "Conceived In Liberty," be sure to browse
Laissez-Faire's wonderful selection of other essential libertarian
books.
The site is credit-card secure -- you can order with the same
confidence you'd feel at your local department store.
You can also, of course, place your order to the Advocates by phone,
mail or fax. Call us at 1-800-932-1776, or see below for further
contact information.
This offer is good through March 8, 2000.
See you in two weeks! You can contact the Advocates at:
Snail Mail:
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"May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of
self-government." -- Thomas Jefferson
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