[Lnc-business] Enough pussyfooting. Time for a fearless platform.

Sun Jan 1 18:22:21 EST 2017

I don't think we should ever advocate anything against our principles.
However, I also think there's value in paying attention to how things
are packaged. "Marketing" is a thing, because it has value. 

It's not always what you say, but how you say it, that matters. Half of
the time, in politics, there's a fight over the language in the debate
because language helps set the context, which can and does effect the
outcome of the policy issue. A great example of this is "illegal
immigrant" versus "undocumented worker". 

Another example: A recent Facebook post by the LP Facebook Page called
teachers "babysitters". As one who has worked with some school public
teachers on the Common Core issue, this didn't sit well with me at all.
There are good teachers out there; teachers we can help see the light
and flip to our side. But when our official party social media outlet
denigrates all teachers (and ironically, falling into a collectivist
trap by calling all public school teachers "babysitters") it turns
people away. 

The goal of the Libertarian Party is, in part, to spread libertarianism
and convert more people to it. We can't do that if we're actively
pushing people away, whether intentionally or unintentionally. We must
consider our words carefully. 

My favorite "libertarian" platform of all time was the Boston Tea
Party's platform. It was simple and to the point. "We support reducing
the size, scope and power of government at all levels and on all issues,
and oppose increasing the size, scope and power of government at any
level, for any purpose." 

Even this "extreme" platform from the former BTP is acceptable to people
who work for government. Everyone in government knows there's bloat and
waste. From the local level, where land swap deals and favoritism reign
supreme; to the state level, where bureaucracy exists primarily to
perpetuate itself; to the Federal level, where the elected officials
engage in a show for the people while the bureaucracy runs the show. 

We must espouse our philosophy in a way that helps people see the light.
Not all people come to the LP overnight. The ones I call "the light
switchers" -- the ones that woke up one day, the light went on, and they
realized they were libertarians -- are a good-sized chunk of our
membership. And that's fine. But for the other people -- the ones who,
like me, spent years of soul searching and rectifying core beliefs into
logical consistency -- we need to help the on that journey. We need to
bring them along. They will come. I've switched a number of people in my
life using this method. 

That's my $0.02. 

---
Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
LPKY Judicial Committee 

On 2017-01-01 16:19, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote: 

> Attached is David Nolan's Condensed Version from 1977. 
> 
> But in more serious tones, I echo everything Arvin said. Hiding the ball doesn't fool those those hate our ball - hidden or not - and only frustrates though that are just dying to find it. I am not ashamed of what we believe and drastic societal/economic/political change is accomplished by clear bold principled stands. No one goes to the metaphorical stocks for an uninspiring lawyered-up vision. We favour the complete and utter separate of _______ and state. (you can put nearly anything in there - and certainly with Arvin's position - education and state). I personally love what CO did - set forth clear principled stands but made it clear that we would support any true step to liberty (i.e. we are not "all or nothing" - we will take what we can get and then continue to press for the prize): From CO: 
> 
> IMPLEMENTATION 
> 
> We support any measure that actually reduces, and does not replace, illegitimate governmental action or violations of the rights of the individual as put forth in our Preamble and Statement of Principles. While recognizing that change often takes the form of increments and transitions, the policies in the planks that follow are to be taken as quickly as possible. (the "and does not replace" is a recommendation of this year's LPCO Platform committee). 
> 
> For every somewhat committed person we think we are gaining by disguising our principled positions (and I believe the next two years will show that is not the case) I hear form multiple "all in" people who say this is the last chance they are giving the LP. They have had it. 
> 
> In any event, head counting and popularity tests fail when it comes to an ideological movement. Principles. Clear principles are the only thing that is sure. Our founders knew that which is why they implanted the Statement of Principles with a depth charge, and I thank them for it. If the Party itself balks at stating what we believe we can't expect anyone else to buy what we are saying. The storekeep must be willing to sample his own wares. 
> 
> -- 
> 
> IN LIBERTY, 
> CARYN ANN HARLOS 
> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org 
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado [1] 
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus [2] 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 2:05 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I am now in favour of Sam's suggestion since Bittner opposes it. #NeverBittner 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 2:04 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> While I am a fan of that, I like a bit more specificity. 
> 
> The State: Boo, hiss 
> 
> Was floated in a group I belong to. We opted for something more detailed. 
> 
> David Nolan's abbreviated platform was quite nice. 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 1:53 PM, Sam Goldstein <goldsteinatlarge at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I will suggested my 2004 platform revision that I presented 
> at the Platform Committee meeting prior to the Atlanta 
> Convention: 
> 
> Replace the entire platform with two sentences: 
> 
> We don't like government. Let's get rid of it. 
> 
> Sam 
> 
> Sam Goldstein 
> Libertarian National Committee 
> Member at Large 
> 8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101 
> Indianapolis IN 46260 
> 317-850-0726 [3] Phone 
> 317-582-1773 [4] Fax 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 3:49 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> AMEN!!' 
> 
> I make the same commitment as Arvin. 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 1:36 PM Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com> wrote: 
> Agreed. 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 2:19 PM, Arvin Vohra <votevohra at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> If 2016 showed us one thing, it's that timid positions are neither necessary nor effective in current politics. 
> 
> Our current platform is designed to technically be accurate, while not scaring anyone too badly. This is a losing proposition. A clear, inspiring, and immediately comprehensible platform is far better than the fine-print pretending to be marketing we have now. 
> 
> Take the education plank, for example:
> 
> Education is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality, accountability and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Recognizing that the education of children is a parental responsibility, we would restore authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government. Parents should have control of and responsibility for all funds expended for their children's education.
> 
> What it means: Eliminate all public schools. Let people choose between free, world-class, online offerings, homeschooling, and private education in any form. 
> 
> Intransigent supporters of public schools won't be fooled by the current obfuscation. Opponents and potential opponents won't be inspired. 
> 
> Our job is to convince people of our positions, not to mask our positions and pander. In order for people to be able to be convinced of our positions, they first must understand what the position is. 
> 
> I intend to support people for platform committee who will commit to an honest, comprehensible, fearless platform. 
> 
> In Liberty, 
> 
> Arvin Vohra 
> Vice Chair 
> Libertarian National Committee 
> 
> -- 
> Arvin Vohra
> 
> www.VoteVohra.com [5]
> VoteVohra at gmail.com
> (301) 320-3634 [6] 
> 
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 -- 

IN LIBERTY, 
CARYN ANN HARLOS 
Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) -
Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org 
Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado [8] 
Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus [9] 

 -- 

IN LIBERTY, 
CARYN ANN HARLOS 
Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) -
Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org 
Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado [8] 
Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus [9] 

 -- 

IN LIBERTY, 
CARYN ANN HARLOS 
Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) -
Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org 
Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado [8] 
Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus [9] 

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Links:
------
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[2] http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/
[3] tel:(317)%20850-0726
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[5] http://www.VoteVohra.com
[6] tel:(301)%20320-3634
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[8] http://www.lpcolorado.org
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