Archive for Libertarian Party
Norman Horn on the Live and Let Live Radio Show
Posted by: |I was on the Live and Let Live Radio Show with Gary Johnson (not the former governor) yesterday evening. We talked about Libertarian Longhorns, the Lee Wrights 2012 campaign, war, and Christian libertarianism. Click here to listen to the recorded broadcast, make sure to jump to the second hour.
Tags: christian libertarianism, interviews, libertarian longhorns, Libertarian Party, war
A Declaration of Peace for the New Year
Posted by: |This article was released by the Wrights 2012 Campaign, for which I am currently the webmaster.
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” (Benjamin Franklin)
BURNET, Texas (Dec. 31) – All libertarians should take time at the beginning of the new year to read and reflect on A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions written by the late Harry Browne, said R. Lee Wrights, libertarian writer, activist and potential presidential candidate.
“Harry was gifted with an ability to communicate libertarian ideas and ideals in a clear, direct and concise way so that anyone could understand what libertarianism is all about,” said Wrights. “His New Year’s Resolutions are one of the best examples of this talent, a classic of libertarian thought.”
“What Harry wrote in 1998 is even more relevant today, and especially relevant to me as I consider seeking the 2012 Libertarian presidential nomination,” Wrights revealed. “So, inspired by Harry’s thoughts and words, and as a tribute to him, I offer these Wrights’ Resolutions as the standard by which I will conduct that effort and my life in 2011:
“First and foremost, I resolve to remain focused on the paramount issue facing the Libertarian Party and our nation – to stop all war. No matter what other issues are raised, I intend to keep returning to the central point that unless we stop all war, whether foreign or domestic, individuals can never truly be free.
“I resolve to remain committed to ensuring that whoever is the presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party in 2012, he or she is committed to proclaiming a loud, clear and unequivocal call to stop all war; and be equally dedicated to carrying a solid, uncompromised, unfiltered, unequivocal, and unapologetic libertarian message to all 50 states.
“I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness, and focus on using the tools of peace, love, mercy and forgiveness against the weapons of war, hate, vengeance, and cruelty.
“I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates on inconsequential issues, and to always remember that my purpose is to increase people’s appetite for liberty — not to prove that they’re wrong.
“I resolve to always acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American, to refrain from dwelling on America’s defects and past mistakes, and to focus instead on how we together can realize America’s potential and promise.
“I resolve not to adopt the political campaign tactics of Republicans and Democrats, who use coercion, character assassination, evasions, fear, and intimidation in their unbridled quest for power. Rather, I resolve to remain civil in my political discourse and treat all people I encounter with the dignity and respect that is their due as human beings.
“Lastly, I resolve never to cease working to ensure that the Libertarian Party and our presidential candidate in 2012 is committed to proclaiming loudly, clearly and unequivocally – stop all war.”
Wrights is considering seeking the presidential nomination because he believes the Libertarian message in 2012 should be a loud, clear and unequivocal call to stop all war. He has pledged that 10 percent of all donations to his campaign will be spent for ballot access so that the stop all war message can be heard in all 50 states.
The 52-year old writer and political activist was born in Winston-Salem, N.C. and now lives in Texas. He is the co-founder and editor of the free speech online magazine Liberty For All.
Tags: ethics, Libertarian Party, peace, war
Hey folks, are you attending the LP National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri this week? If so, make sure to find me and say hello. I’d love to meet any readers at the convention. I’ll be in the Texas delegation, and my wife will be there as well. Comment below to alert me and other Christian libertarian readers to your presence!
This is the first time I will have been a delegate at an LP convention. I’m looking forward to bringing out the radicalism, and having fun with some great people.
Tags: events, Libertarian Party
On February 27, the city of Austin was visited by the Libertarian National Committee and other LP leaders from around the nation for the 2010 Libertarian State Leadership Alliance. I had made the decision to attend for a while and was particularly looking forward to the “technology track” of speakers, which focused on spreading the libertarian message via the internet and other means of tech. In short, it’s all about good communication. Highlights included:
- Robert Butler’s session on email marketing, which built on methods of attracting media attention via email and communicating effectively with supporters.
- Dawn Westerberg’s session on using social networking and blogging to communicate.
- Jeff McGhee’s session on building effective websites for candidates. This was particularly great since I am interested in freelancing for candidates who need help making websites that are attractive and easy to update. (Contact me for more info if you are interested!)
The dinner that evening was centered around a debate between five individuals who are running for the Chair position of the Libertarian National Committee. I was not personally acquainted with any of them before that day, but I got to know John Jay Mayers and Mark Hinkle a bit. Ernie Hancock was my fave of the night, but everybody had great things to say and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen with LP-National in the coming years. There is a big push from many people to stay the course of principled libertarianism rather than become Republican-lites or Tea Partyists. (Side note: the best word of the day was “Teo-cons”, ha!) I’m just glad to see that even though we can disagree on certain aspects of libertarian theory, we can be united behind “hating the state,” which is what is important in the long run.
But the biggest surprise for me was that the Libertarian Party of Texas presented me with their first “Student Libertarian of the Year Award,” for my work with the Libertarian Longhorns over the past few years and LibertarianChristians.com. This came with no warning and I was at a loss for words (I know, shocking). It was great to be nominated for the SFL award a few weeks ago, but to be recognized by your peers, your colleagues, and so many people that you admire – well, let’s just say it was touching. Many thanks to Pat Dixon, Robert Butler, Art DiBianca, Jim Lark, and the rest of the awesome crew of LP-Texas. My only proper response is to continue serving others via the cause of liberty, and we will make a difference!
Tags: events, Libertarian Party
LP National Just Made Their Best Hiring Move EVER
Posted by: |Friends, in the past I have been critical of the Libertarian Party at the national level for trading principle for political expediency. I thought they did a poor job capitalizing on what could have been the best Presidential campaign in the LP’s history, and instead they managed to alienate many potential long-term supporters.
However, many of the LP State parties have done a marvelous job in curtailing the spread and pushing back against corrupt government. Texas has been a great place to be libertarian in the past few years. While many State chapters (and especially LP National) have lost members, LP Texas has made a huge difference. One of the prime reasons for this was Wes Benedict, our former Executive Director. He has done a marvelous job at raising funds, building strong candidates, increasing membership, community outreach, improving ballot access, and flat out making LP Texas the best State party in the nation, period. I have been extremely fortunate to work with him (not to mention the other amazing people in the state party: Patrick Dixon, Art DiBianca, Robert Butler, and many more) through our campus libertarian group, Libertarian Longhorns. I am proud to name him as a friend.
LP National, I think, made their best hiring move ever by bringing Wes on board as the new National Executive Director. I believe that Wes will bring some much-needed hard-core principled libertarianism back to National. They are in need of people who know how to get things done and how to do it by staying true to what we value as libertarians.
When LP National Chair Bill Redpath solicited comments about who to select for the executive director position, I knew that Wes was in the running. I told him that he would be insane not to snatch up Wes while he still could. I’d like to think that I said something useful and helped Wes along the way, but it doesn’t really matter. I’m just glad that this may be the first step to bringing the LP truly back in step with their slogan: The Party of Principle. I wish Wes all the best in his journey.
News Coverage in Austin about Wes:
The Austin American-Statesman: Austinite to lead national Libertarian Party
The Daily Texan: Austin engineer chosen to lead Libertarian Party (I’m actually quoted here)
Community Impact: Austin’s Benedict starts work as chief of national Libertarian Party
Tags: Libertarian Party, Texas




