Where do you start in your endeavors to spread the libertarian message? At the beginning, of course.
Have you told your friends and family about the ideals of
libertarianism? You might be afraid of doing this, thinking that they
will think you've lost your mind. Not to fear -- yes, some of them will
tell you that. Others will agree with you to a degree. The best way to
sum it up is to say that "as long as you're not hurting anyone else,
you have the right to live as you like, do what you want. You'll
be surprised at how many times this gets the point across -- I
certainly was while trying to explain this to potential girlfriends.
(Proof positive that being a libertarian doesn't scare away potential
mates - I'm still looking for other reasons.)
How many letters to the editor have you written? There are three basic criteria to consider when writing them:
Is it concise? How many words do you need to get the point across? Most
newspaper editors will cut you off at around 200 words. I find it's
best to keep the word count below 150.
Is it topical? How well does your letter's topic fit in with the issues of the day?
Does it have some humor? It can't hurt to have fun with politics, and
humor can get your point across when being serious all the time will
put your readership to sleep.
Even if your letters aren't printed, keep them on file and keep
submitting them. You can set up a weblog ("blog") of them on a service
such as blogspot.com.
Have you considered sponsoring a cable-access TV show, such as the ones
that Bill Koehler and I have been doing since 1998? It's easier than it
looks, and the stations will train you on how to use the equipment.
If you don't want to do a live show as we do, they will accept
pre-recorded materials as well. You can get a camcorder and make your
own documentary about the local political scene, and give it a spin
favoring free markets.
Even if you don't want to make your own show, there are lots of outfits that offer materials suitable for this format. Laissez Faire Books has copies of John Stossel's ABC specials available in both DVD and VHS formats. Milton Friedman's PBS series Free to Choose is also good here, as well as the materials available from Gun Owners of America.
(Bill and I are getting to the point of making our own shows available
on DVD, so maybe you could run our stuff in your area. See our Myspace page for the KCUF Media Group for details.)
Maybe you would be better at the radio venue. Every so often, local
radio stations will lose a host for whatever reason, leaving you an
opening to apply for. If you're not available for that kind of radio,
try www.live365.com, where you can host your very own internet station.
Have you considered running for elected office? For a run at state
representative or state senator, it only takes about 150-300 signatures
to get on the ballot. Asking for signatures can be the first stumbling
block here, but once you're past that, you're on the ballot.
This is especially important in races where the incumbent is unopposed,
as you can make the LPNM into the Party of Opposition, with very little
money spent. And lots of Democrats and Republicans run for re-election
unopposed.
Some (non-partisan) things you can get involved in (along with the partisan stuff for the LPNM, I hope):
The Simon Jester Project: I featured this in the last issue, but it deserves a repeat mention here. See www.simonjester.org for details.
Jury nullification:
Inform your friends and family that they have the right and duty to
vote their consciences on the law of the case in question, as well as
the facts. Is it a good law? Does the punishment specified fit the
crime? If not, you (and they) have the right to vote to acquit. One
percent of the population voting to acquit against bad laws can start
getting these things off the books.
Hemp TV
- the crew and host there are the libertarian camp for the most part.
Spread the word about the show, or if you want to get more involved,
contact the show's crew and volunteer to help out. The drug front of
the War on Americans must be exposed for what it is -- the sanctioning
of certain murders -- and Cindy & crew need your help to do it.
Gun rights -- most politicians (YES, even Republicans) view the right
to own and carry weapons as anathema to "public order. Most of
them see guns in hands other than their own (or the cops') as pointed
at them, and for good reason, considering the idiocies, insanities and
evils they inflict on everyone else through taxes and regulations. Join
a gun group or two, even if it is the NRA. (Gun Owners of America
is far better, in my opinion, where politics is concerned.) Get a gun
or three and practice your shooting. Get to that range and fire a few
boxes of ammo downrange. Then take a friend shooting.
The "culture war -- take a friend to see Serenity, or V for Vendetta, or the possible upcoming Repairman Jack movie. Hand that friend a copy of a book by L. Neil Smith, Victor Milan, Michael Flynn, Kathryn Graham, or Vernor Vinge.
All of the things I've suggested here don't cost all that much, and
don't require a lot of effort. Some of them can be quite fun. I'm also
open to hear about other things that the membership has thought up
along these lines.
What's stopping you?