=============================================== OPINION & NEWS >From the Libertarian Party of Virginia PO Box 28263 · Richmond VA 23228-0263 www.LPVA.com · 703-715-6230 (voicemail) [email protected] ===============================================
The pdf version of this article is online at http://lpva.com/Archives/MediaReleases/LPVA-MediaRelease-2009-10-30-ToLoversOfLiberty-FINAL.pdf FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2009 To the Lovers of Liberty By Matthew Simpson LPVA Communications Committee RICHMOND, VA -- The inherent problem with gathering liberty lovers is that, philosophically, they are individualists. Committed individualists hardly love the idea of rallying for a cause. But what if the cause is their life? What if the cause is individual liberty? As the slow vice of state control gets tighter, many individuals think "surely tyranny or dictatorship will never happen in the United States of America." But what *is* happening? Government continues to expand at the cost of individuals and their privacy (see the Patriot Act and the exploitation of our troops in the war on terror). Government, on the premise it is advancing the common good, sacrifices individual rights and diminishes property rights (see "enhanced interrogations" by the CIA and health care reform legislation). Advocates for a more controlled economy and statism, give motivation for government to consistently encroach on corporate and personal sovereignty (see the EPA, the financial czar, or flavored cigarettes as the new contraband). And given the silence of those who love liberty, government is given implicit consent to dissolve an individual's claim to life and property. This is the path that our government is on today; a mass, full of power-hungry bureaucrats, that has been largely unchecked by citizens who love liberty. Yet, it is those who hate government power the most, who give their sanction to be victimized by doing nothing. In the upward battle for liberty, many would-be freedom fighters give into cynicism, apathy, or despair. Cynicism is the belief that the individual is powerless against the forces that be; the view that there are no viable options other than what is given. It is a psychological state that leads normally rational and competent individuals to give up. Given the state of affairs today, it is no surprise that the spirit of good men and women are breaking. When we as citizens struggle to sustain our lives by our labor and efforts, only to see it looted by government, is it a wonder why there is frustration? When both major political parties present different forms of indentured servitude to the omnipotent state, is it a wonder why individuals fall into despair and apathy? But the path of non-action is not the solution An honest view of political history will show that non-action by liberty lovers has been disastrous. What do we as private citizens expect? Do we expect that people, who desire power and domination, will stop their power-grabbing once they get to us? To statists, you and I, are not a value, we are a resource. So what can we as individuals do? Over the next couple of weeks the Libertarian Party of Virginia will be providing articles addressing legislation that means to increase government controls and power at the expense of us, its citizens. This will provide you with intellectual ammunition to fight for the cause of liberty, but it cannot stop there. In this fight, simply being an informed citizen will not be enough. I hope you will join me in consistently writing to our elected representatives in government to combat these legislative tactics of the "power-mongers" in government. The Libertarian Party is the only party that is consistent and principled in the fight for individual rights. For those of you who long for a voice advocating Free-Market Capitalism, the separation of economics and state, here is your voice. For those of you who are looking for a voice to advocate and defend each individual's right to his/her own property, right to bear arms, right to engage freely in any recreational activity that does not violate the rights of another, here is your voice. And for those of you who want a voice to stand against the Establishment and its collectivist policies of looting, domination and death, you have found a voice. And this voice seeks to empower your voice, so that you might stand for the right to your own life. For this cause is not a cause greater than yourself, it is for yourself; your property, your life; for the freedom and dignity to live your life as you see fit. =============================================== "Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed citizens to change the world. Indeed, it has never been done otherwise." - Margaret Mead =============================================== The Libertarian Party is a nationwide alternative political party that seeks the expansion of human liberty and truly limited government. For additional information, the below individuals are prepared to answer questions on the issues raised in this article: Matthew Simpson [email protected] Communications Committee, LPVA Karen Kwiatkowski [email protected] Communications Committee, LPVA Jeff Bowles [email protected] Chairman, Libertarian Party of Virginia (540) 529-9818 or (540) 473-2030 Jim Lark [email protected] Vice Chairman, Libertarian Party of Virginia (434) 973-5958 Marc Montoni [email protected] Secretary, Libertarian Party of Virginia (804) 288-2766 =============================================== Have an article idea? Submit it to [email protected] Would you like to join the writing team? Write to us at [email protected] Questions, complaints, requests for interviews, etc? [email protected] Check out our Media Release Archive: http://lpva.com/HTML/forTheMedia.php =============================================== Please support our work! Go to: http://Contribute.LPVA.com =============================================== -- end -- ############################################################# Have an announcement you'd like to post? SCC members & many committee heads are all authorized to post; or you may send your announcements to the List Master: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=announcement>. ################################################## Unsubscribe: Send an email to [email protected] with no subject and "Unsubscribe Announce" as the text. ############################################################# Libertarian Party of Virginia http://www.LPVA.com Phone: 703-715-6230
