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

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

Forgot attachment.

On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 8:25 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com>
wrote:

> For historical reference, I attach the following.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>
>
>
>
>
>


-- 
*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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