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

Sun Jan 1 18:27:02 EST 2017

And that is done through explaining our Platform not by watering it down or
turning the core document into the Libertarian equivalent of
seeker-sensitive churches.

Being seeker sensitive is indeed our job - as individual communicators - in
varying tailored situations.

But for that to work, the foundation must be clear solid and unabashedly
clear.

One can build many different kinds of buildings for different purposes for
different peoples and uses - but it is all for naught without a solid
foundation.

On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 4:22 PM Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org> wrote:

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> 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.
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> 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".
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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."
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> That's my $0.02.
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> ---
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> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
> LPKY Judicial Committee
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> On 2017-01-01 16:19, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
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> Attached is David Nolan's Condensed Version from 1977.
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> 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:
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> *Implementation*
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> 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).
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> --
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> *In Liberty,*
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> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
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>
> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
> Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
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> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
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> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
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> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 2:05 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com
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> I am now in favour of Sam's suggestion since Bittner opposes it.
>  #NeverBittner
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> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 2:04 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com
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> While I am a fan of that, I like a bit more specificity.
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> The State: Boo, hiss
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> Was floated in a group I belong to.  We opted for something more detailed.
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> David Nolan's abbreviated platform was quite nice.
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> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 1:53 PM, Sam Goldstein <goldsteinatlarge at gmail.com>
> wrote:
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> I will suggested my 2004 platform revision that I presented
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> at the Platform Committee meeting prior to the Atlanta
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> Convention:
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> Replace the entire platform with two sentences:
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> We don't like government.  Let's get rid of it.
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> Sam
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> Sam Goldstein
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> Libertarian National Committee
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> Member at Large
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> 8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101
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> Indianapolis IN 46260
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> 317-850-0726 <(317)%20850-0726> Phone
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> 317-582-1773 <(317)%20582-1773> Fax
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> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 3:49 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com
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> AMEN!!'
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> I make the same commitment as Arvin.
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> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 1:36 PM Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
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> Agreed.
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> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 2:19 PM, Arvin Vohra <votevohra at gmail.com> wrote:
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> If 2016 showed us one thing, it's that timid positions are neither
> necessary nor effective in current politics.
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> 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.
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> Take the education plank, for example:
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> 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.
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> What it means: Eliminate all public schools. Let people choose between
> free, world-class, online offerings, homeschooling, and private education
> in any form.
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> Intransigent supporters of public schools won't be fooled by the current
> obfuscation. Opponents and potential opponents won't be inspired.
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> 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.
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> I intend to support people for platform committee who will commit to an
> honest, comprehensible, fearless platform.
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> In Liberty,
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> Arvin Vohra
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> Vice Chair
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> Libertarian National Committee
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> --
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> Arvin Vohra
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> www.VoteVohra.com
> VoteVohra at gmail.com
> (301) 320-3634
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> _______________________________________________
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> _______________________________________________
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> _______________________________________________
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> _______________________________________________
> Lnc-business mailing list
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> *In Liberty,*
>
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> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>
>
> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
> Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>
>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org>
>
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> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
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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 <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>
>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org>
>
>
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
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> *In Liberty,*
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> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>
>
> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
> Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>
>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org>
>
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> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
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> _______________________________________________
> Lnc-business mailing list
> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
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