Some New Year Resolutions

by Chuck McGlawn

Before our very eyes lie all the incentives man needs to set himself on the road of striving for “Smaller government, Lower taxes, More Freedom, because, ladies and gentlemen, the effective opposite of that choice is less freedom, higher taxes, and more government. Making those incentives understood and giving contemporary man these goals should be our job. Without such a goal, our likelihood of achieving it is on par with coming back from somewhere you’ve never been.  If we are to see the curve that measures individual liberty turn upward, we must know what we want, and we must know it is worth the effort to attain.

After the 2006 National Convention, where the Libertarian Party Platform was greatly reduced (some would say hijacked), the National Party started promoting a simple slogan: “Smaller government Lower taxes More freedom.” I applaud this simplification. However, it does not seem to have the promotion necessary to embed it into the minds and “mouths” of Libertarians.

Please note that if we had a smaller government, it would mean lower taxes and more freedom. If we had lower taxes, it would precipitate a smaller government and more freedom. Lastly, smaller government and lower taxes would precede more freedom. I am not suggesting we change the slogan. I think it will serve us well if we apply it.

That brings me to my resolutions. I see the Libertarian Party as the foot soldiers of the Libertarian Movement, they supply the information, and we hit the Front Lines. It is the party’s job to take the messages of the Libertarian Movement to non-libertarians. This brings me to Resolution #1) Spend less time talking with other libertarians. Spend more time talking to non-Libertarians. We have the most sellable product in the world, "more liberty." Take our message to non-libertarians.

To take our message to non-libertarians effectively requires STUDY, yes, study, and then more study. This brings me to Resolution #2) READ, read more, then read what you read, then reread it, then reread what you read. Let me remind you here that sloganeering is not enough, no matter how clever the slogan. You must know your subject. I believe that Party members need to actively engage in advocacy. An advocacy possible only by being better prepared. Party members can be effective only if and when they can and will present their position confidently, cogently, and constantly.

A subset of this resolution is to pick a subject, any subject, and prepare yourself so that you can speak persuasively in a discussion about that subject with 90% of the people with whom you come into contact. This will make talk-show hosts easy to handle. However, if we try to be all things to all people, we will get our heads handed to us in discussions with others. Nothing will silence a Libertarian more quickly than to be out-done by someone who is better prepared. READ READ READ being informed requires real work; osmosis will not do it. Let me paraphrase Dale Carnegie in a public speaking lesson. He said you should have 10 times the information you plan to present, and then the 10% that you do present will be more convincing because of your visible confidence.

Some good choices of subjects are the 10 covered on the “World’s Smallest Political Quiz”. There are dozens of others from which to choose. Pick one, two, or even three. Study them thoroughly. Keep your eyes open for news and commentaries about your chosen subjects so you can stay current with your knowledge base.

Resolution #3) once you have chosen a few subjects and are working on your basic knowledge, let other libertarians know your interest. Invite them to send you news and commentary articles on subjects of your choice. Let them know you would be willing to help them if they have questions about your subjects. Find out what their subjects are so you can send them news and commentaries on their subjects. If this program gathers any momentum, the LPOC Webpage could be an important clearinghouse for info.

Resolution #4) Some of the more knowledgeable Libertarians could do some reading in the area of Media Relations, writing news releases, putting together Media Packets, establishing some Media contacts and compiling a list of media outlets.

Resolution #5) Two or three members could get together to activate dormant members and contacting people that have expressed an interest in Liberty. Compile an email list to shoot the latest news about your selected subjects to your list.

Resolution #6) A few members with just the right temperament (this right temperament might be discovered during Resolution #5 activity.) might get together to make fundraising calls and putting together fundraising campaigns. Be prepared to convey success in the recent past.

Resolution #7) there need to be some recruiting efforts among College and High School students. One only needs to look around at a local meeting to realize that we are  youth member challenged.

Resolution #7a. Women, we need women. They are the hardest workers.

Resolution #8) with all the time you save by not talking your time away with other libertarians could be spent developing some speaking skills. We could begin to provide speakers, not only for our own educational meetings but also for surrounding counties. Additionally, many non-Libertarian organizations are hungry for speakers for their Educational Meetings. After a few months (months that you may have already invested.), you will be ready for your first speaking engagement.

Resolution #9) We need to activate a group of Libertarians in every City in Orange County gathers in lieu of Signatures for our candidates, so they do not have to buy their way onto the ballot. And these City Groups could keep County Level Leaders informed about City issues.

Resolution #10) this one will take care of itself. When the other Resolutions are adopted, the resulting activity will identify leadership skills. Then elections to the Exec Committee will be hotly contested by eager members with new ideas about future Liberty. 

Last and most important, Resolution #11, make some resolutions of your own. There is nothing like setting a target and hitting it ahead of schedule.