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

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

For historical reference, I attach the following.

And in fact, the current Platform if read consistently does stand for the
elimination of public schools.

1. Free market (public anything is not the free mark)
2.  Parents determine without interference from the state (public school,
including the compulsory nature is state interference)
2.  Parents should have control of (no confiscation from the state for this
use) and **responsibility for*** (they pay for it) all funds for their
children's education

All of that entails elimination in accordance with the principle that no
one should be forced to sacrifice themselves in violation of their inherent
natural rights for another, no matter how noble the intention of the cause.

But it is worded in such a way to fool people.  And that is what I do not
care for.  And where I find strong agreement with Arvin.

But I would also say we place far too much faith in the hands of a
committee.  It is ultimately a delegate decision. A good example is the
death penalty provision in which both the majority and minority positions
of the Platform Committee were rejected in full.


-- 
*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/>


On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 8:10 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com>
wrote:

> By the way Ken, that is the vision I have for CO, to produce a good "why
> liberty works and is great" piece linked to a platform position.  It is, I
> think, the best of both worlds.
>
>
>
> --
> *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/>
>
>
> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 8:08 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com
> > wrote:
>
>> Ken, Bonnie Scott had an idea like that a while ago that I really like,
>> she called it I think an "accordion" approach.  And I love it.  And those
>> extra materials can be very nimble and updated.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> *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/>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 8:07 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Trent,
>>>
>>> ==Our statement of principles is clear on our philosophy on governance.
>>> Our platform talks about how we will implement said philosophy. I hope that
>>> our platform will remain inclusive to all libertarian ideologies.  ==
>>>
>>> Said philosophy would necessarily entail elimination of public schools.
>>> That has always been the LP stance.  Public schools necessarily entail
>>> force and coercion.  Public schools nowhere fall within the pale of the
>>> Statement of Principles.  And nowhere fall within the pale of a "free
>>> market" in education.
>>>
>>> We don't craft our positions on the rights of the individuals by
>>> popularity contests.  My right not to be coerced into supporting public
>>> schools is the SoP position and by far one of the most consistent historic
>>> views of the LP.
>>>
>>> Our Statement of Principles sets the boundaries for the ideological tent
>>> as far as what the Party believes.  That doesn't mean people who differ or
>>> who would stop somewhere shy of that are not welcome along the road but
>>> that *does not mean that is the party position.*  The coercive system
>>> of public schools is not an Statement of Principles compliant doctrine any
>>> more than drug (not just pot) illegalization is.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> *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/>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 7:37 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Caryn Ann,
>>>>
>>>> I completely agree 100% regarding party materials.  I used to have some
>>>> old materials.  The stuff I had was from the early 90s and was showing its
>>>> age.  I stopped using it years ago because it looked old.  Given our recent
>>>> re-branding, it would probably be good to resurrect some of this material,
>>>> update it, and re-publish.
>>>>
>>>> Perhaps we should look at develops a 1/3rd page slick for each of the
>>>> platform planks.  This would make for good materials for outreach booths,
>>>> and the PDFs for these things could be linked from the platform page - each
>>>> plank linked to each 1/3rd page slick in PDF form.  That might provide a
>>>> balanced approach to avoid platform clutter, but also provide "more
>>>> information" for the planks in the platform.
>>>>
>>>> ---
>>>>
>>>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
>>>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
>>>> LPKY Judicial Committee
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2017-01-01 21:07, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The Party needs much more material (not in the Platform but on our site
>>>> and educational materials) on why liberty is awesome and how it will
>>>> benefit and prosper society.
>>>>
>>>> One of the complaints about some of the older Platforms was not
>>>> positions, but how very LONG they were.  I have been through each and every
>>>> old Platform and a good deal of it was (questionable) assertions of
>>>> utilitarian outcomes that could not be nimble enough to keep up with
>>>> current arguments.
>>>>
>>>> Platforms should not be expected to do that.  Party releases and
>>>> educational materials can and should.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> *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/>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 7:04 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Arvin,
>>>>>
>>>>> I respect the heck out of you, and I agree with many points you have
>>>>> outlined below.  Because I've been negative enough for today, while
>>>>> ironically (and perhaps, hypocritically) preaching a message of positivity,
>>>>> I'm going to switch up and look to expand upon the things on which we agree.
>>>>>
>>>>> We do need to be bold with solutions.  We have big problems, and
>>>>> people want bold solutions.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd personally like to focus on things like the DEA's recent
>>>>> reclassification of CBD, potentially in violation of federal law.  The DEA
>>>>> is taking medicine away from children.  We should be shouting about this
>>>>> from the rooftops.  And yes, we can push further; not repeal the stupid
>>>>> regulation, but end the DEA.  It's obvious they can't be trusted, nor are
>>>>> they working within their own mandate.  They're working against the will of
>>>>> the majority of Americans on a number of issues, and now they have the
>>>>> audacity to take medicine away from children? Ending the DEA will mean that
>>>>> people are more free, and that some government agency isn't dictating
>>>>> policy based upon the desires of special interest groups from 3000 miles
>>>>> away.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd like to focus on things like Syria.  Especially since Johnson
>>>>> "flubbed" it, we need to show the world that Libertarians do, indeed,
>>>>> understand foreign policy. We don't want our country to be tinkering in the
>>>>> affairs of other nations, just like we don't want other nations tinkering
>>>>> with our internal affairs.  This should ring true to all anti-war
>>>>> activists, as well as these people who think Russia interfered with our
>>>>> elections. It's a simple concept; leave people alone and they leave you
>>>>> alone.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd like to focus on massively downsizing the military.  Other
>>>>> countries spend their tax dollars on perks for their citizens while the
>>>>> American taxpayer is forced to pay the bill for defense of those other
>>>>> countries.  Ridiculous.  With $19T in debt, we simply cannot provide free
>>>>> defense for half the nations in the world.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd like to see an update on Harry Browne's plan to phase out social
>>>>> security.  It was one of the things that hooked me into the party; a real
>>>>> workable solution.
>>>>>
>>>>> Let's talk about the banking system.  Let's talk about corporate
>>>>> bailouts.  Let's talk about HHS, the Fed.  Absolutely we need to talk about
>>>>> these things.
>>>>>
>>>>> And in doing all of that, we need to explain how things will be better
>>>>> if our ideas win the day.
>>>>>
>>>>> ---
>>>>>
>>>>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
>>>>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
>>>>> LPKY Judicial Committee
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 2017-01-01 20:43, Arvin Vohra wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi all -
>>>>>
>>>>> Consider Trump's trajectory. He went from a person with unpopular
>>>>> positions to being the President. He even used some Libertarian positions
>>>>> to his advantage - particularly positions we've been too chicken to be very
>>>>> open about. For example, he argued vociferously against NATO, a position
>>>>> that wise Libertarians in the past have said is too hard line to present to
>>>>> the public.
>>>>>
>>>>> His unusual positions allowed him to dominate news cycles. He would
>>>>> say something offensive, and then let the news cover him. During that
>>>>> coverage, he had opportunities to convince people.
>>>>>
>>>>> Clinton, on the other hand, despite every possible advantage, lost the
>>>>> battle of ideas, largely because she did not present any for people to
>>>>> love, hate, or notice.
>>>>>
>>>>> Our job is to fight for our ideas. The first phase of that will always
>>>>> be resistance. The post that Ken mentions gives us plenty of data. The
>>>>> first: people are comparing private babysitter rates to public school
>>>>> rates. In other words, they haven't imagined the price of large group
>>>>> babysitting for kids who an already walk and talk and dress ourselves.
>>>>>
>>>>> It also shows us that people have inaccurate ideas about what degrees
>>>>> confer, and what substitutes exist. This lets us refine our message. It
>>>>> lets us understand what people need to hear to change their views.
>>>>>
>>>>> The key point is, if we are not meeting resistance, it just means
>>>>> we're being ignored. But if people start debates, we can inform, challenge,
>>>>> and persuade.
>>>>>
>>>>> Our platform isn't inviting a debate we can win. It's inviting no
>>>>> debate at all.
>>>>>
>>>>> The one thing Libertarians are good at: arguing. Even at convincing,
>>>>> despite stereotypes to the contrary.
>>>>>
>>>>> Let's argue with people about eliminating public schools. Or massively
>>>>> downsizing the miltary. Or leaving NATO. Or shutting down HHS. Hell, or
>>>>> even Ending the Fed. Let's advocate the right positions, even the currently
>>>>> unpopular ones, to make them popular.
>>>>>
>>>>> I know many Libertarians are hoping to use a kind of "slowly boil the
>>>>> frog" tactic. That works when you have the military industrial complex,
>>>>> teachers unions, and federal worker unions on your side. It doesn't work as
>>>>> well when your opponent in the one with the resources.
>>>>>
>>>>> When we are too soft, we end up confusing people about our basics. The
>>>>> fact that people are surprised that Libertarians want to end public schools
>>>>> indicates that our platform is not working. The fact that many don't know
>>>>> that we oppose welfare, they are equally surprised and angered by that,
>>>>> shows that our platform is not doing its job.
>>>>>
>>>>> Our platform must be clear, comprehensible, and, when necessary,
>>>>> controversial. Let's write a platform that can dominate some news cycles,
>>>>> that will invite discussion and debate, and will, at the very least,
>>>>> accurately educate people about the LIbertarian message.
>>>>>
>>>>> -Arvin
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 8:14 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>>>>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I read the Facebook page daily. And without commenting on that post,
>>>>>> we have similar comments to ALL posts.  There are also positive comments on
>>>>>> that post that you seem to be ignoring (again, I'm not choosing to argue
>>>>>> about that post but about how FB goes in general - I spend hours and hours
>>>>>> a week on the national FB page - I tend to think I know what I am talking
>>>>>> about.).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And yes, I still think rabbit trailing this discussion is
>>>>>> inappropriate.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> *No is advocating being offensive in the platform.* That is a red
>>>>>> herring and I think incredibly disrespectful to the intent of the email
>>>>>> chain starter when you can easily start your own on this particular topic.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> *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/>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 6:08 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It's not different at all.  Wording matters.  Words matter.  I chose
>>>>>>> to focus on this Facebook post because it makes my point.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Our platform can have the same effect.  The words we choose really
>>>>>>> do matter.  That's my entire point.  I have no issue with being consistent,
>>>>>>> even bold, in our platform.  What I do worry about is HOW it is conveyed.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> There is a thing within the broader libertarian circles on trying to
>>>>>>> "out-libertarian" other libertarians, and often this turns into a "I'm such
>>>>>>> a libertarian, I think we should ______" where the process of filling in
>>>>>>> the blank spirals downward into the realm of the most ridiculous and most
>>>>>>> offensive way of saying things.  I call this the "libertarian dick-size
>>>>>>> contest".  It is extremely counter-productive. It drives away potential
>>>>>>> future members - people who only need a little coaching to see the light -
>>>>>>> because someone wanted to prove how hardcore they are.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'm not saying that this was the impetus behind the particular
>>>>>>> Facebook post.  In fact, I don't really think it was, in this case. But it
>>>>>>> can be.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I strongly encourage everyone to go read the comments on this
>>>>>>> Facebook post, on our official Facebook page, and see how words really do
>>>>>>> matter.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://www.facebook.com/libertarians/posts/10154865568037726
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Some highlights in reaction simply in labeling public school
>>>>>>> teachers "babysitters" prove my point.  That one idea - that one concept -
>>>>>>> of calling them "babysitters" has elicited some pretty
>>>>>>> legitimate backlash.  Here are some highlights:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *"This has to be communicated in a less confrontational way. I
>>>>>>> taught with some excellent teachers who did everything they could to help
>>>>>>> their students succeed. I also taught with some lazy incompetents. The post
>>>>>>> reads as though teachers are universally bad, which isn't the case."*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *"I'm a Libertarian, and a public school teacher. You just spit on
>>>>>>> every hard working teacher like me."*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *"To label the teacher as a babysitter is a crushing disservice. The
>>>>>>> problem is that the system is trying to turn our teachers into babysitters.
>>>>>>> Privatizing education is a big and interesting idea, but I agree with the
>>>>>>> statement that it should be communicated more effectively and not at the
>>>>>>> insult of dedicated and hardworking educators."*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Words matter.  One word, one concept, has unnecessarily elicited a
>>>>>>> ton of negative feedback.  And again, that's my point.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
>>>>>>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
>>>>>>> LPKY Judicial Committee
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 2017-01-01 19:47, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think that is a different subject than this thread or the thread
>>>>>>> starter's intention so I will not rabbit trail this one.  You might wish to
>>>>>>> start another discussion out of respect for the discussion at hand.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> *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/>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 5:45 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> How we frame discussions and the words we use do actually matter.
>>>>>>>> And beyond that, it does a significant disservice to our party and our
>>>>>>>> platform to be jerks to people by broadly classifying them.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'll again point out that there are public school teachers who
>>>>>>>> could become Libertarians.  If we push them away by attacking them, rather
>>>>>>>> than the broader system, then they won't.  Because someone decided we
>>>>>>>> needed to call public school teachers "babysitters" yet again, I'd like to
>>>>>>>> reiterate my point by directly quoting the words of a commenter on the
>>>>>>>> post...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> *As a public school teacher, I don't particularly care for the
>>>>>>>> current public education system. As a concept, I'm not sure how I feel
>>>>>>>> about public education. However, to suggest that we public school educators
>>>>>>>> are incompetent is not only false, it's fucking insulting. I'd be willing
>>>>>>>> to bet that most of the people who trash us, including the party's vice
>>>>>>>> chair, haven't been in a K-12 classroom since they graduated high school.
>>>>>>>> Basically what I'm trying to say is that until you have some experience in
>>>>>>>> the modern classroom - and I mean actually observing it instead of picking
>>>>>>>> up your kids on the curb or walking into the office to pick them up - you
>>>>>>>> should probably take your criticism of educators and shove it into the
>>>>>>>> deepest part of your ass.*
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> This person, assuming they're writing in good faith, is a public
>>>>>>>> school teacher like some of the ones I know.  They don't like the current
>>>>>>>> state of public education.  They're open to new ideas.  But, we decided to
>>>>>>>> denigrate them and call them "babysitters".
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There are people out there being actively repulsed because of what
>>>>>>>> is being said in the name of the party.  Maybe someone really does hate
>>>>>>>> public school teachers.  Okay.  But is that the message we want to convey
>>>>>>>> as a party?  The Libertarian Party has no respect public school teachers?
>>>>>>>> Because that's what the post says, and the reaction quoted above is the
>>>>>>>> result.  A potential member, a potential new libertarian, has been repulsed
>>>>>>>> because someone has decided that "public school teachers" are just
>>>>>>>> "babysitters".
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm not making this idea up. And this is not the only instance.
>>>>>>>> This is just the most-recent example of the broader problem.  The words we
>>>>>>>> choose to use do, in fact, matter.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
>>>>>>>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
>>>>>>>> LPKY Judicial Committee
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2017-01-01 18:27, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 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:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 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 <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/>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 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 <(317)%20850-0726> Phone
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 317-582-1773 <(317)%20582-1773> Fax
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 3:49 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>>>>>>>>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> AMEN!!'
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ...
>
> [Message clipped]




-- 
*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>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://hq.lp.org/pipermail/lnc-business/attachments/20170101/c34e1ffe/attachment-0002.html>