Dear Readers, Recommended by Joe Rudmin: Nicholas Farrar wrote a well-thought-out Letter to the Editor of the James Madison University Breeze on the Arizona "Anti-Gay" bill:
-------------------------------------------- Arizona bill has positives and negatives By Nicholas Farrar | Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 9:02 pm The latest anti-gay bill struck down in Arizona by Governor Jan Brewer was faced with widespread criticism, most of which was more than legitimate. However, the whole controversy surrounding the measure was not completely black and white, something the media attempted to portray. Being against the bill did not automatically entail lack of support for the autonomy of private businesses, as I shall explain. I objected to the bill on the basis that it was already legal for private businesses in the state to refuse service to any individual or group of individuals. A further law was not only completely unnecessary, but also rather bigoted as this piece of legislation strictly addressed homosexuals and no other social group. At the same time, I do believe that non-public businesses should have the liberty to turn anybody away for any reason, whether it be for religious, cultural or personal reasons. No, I am not religious, and no, this notion is not comparable to the Jim Crow laws, contrary to popular opinion. Those particular laws put into place state-mandated racial segregation in public facilities, as opposed to private businesses having the choice, free from the coercive power of the state, to serve or not to serve whomever they please as any individual would have the freedom to do in their own home. This is why I happen to wholeheartedly support states and the federal government being required to recognize same-sex marriages, but am also against forcing churches and other private businesses to provide services to same-sex couples if doing so would violate their religious beliefs. Lets say a gay baker was obligated to serve a couple who attends the Westboro Baptist Church. This may not be the best comparison for me to use, but ask yourself this: Would the compulsion used in this scenario be morally fair to the baker, in the name of equality and justice for all? To me, it would most certainly not. When you try to force equality, you unfortunately end up with no equality at all. Nicholas Farrar Class of 2015 International affairs major, president of Madison Liberty ******************************************** The above article was published in JMU's newspaper, The Breeze: Live version: http://www.breezejmu.org/opinion/article_692e51fa-a4d3-11e3-8156-0017a43b2370.html Text-only version: http://www.breezejmu.org/opinion/article_692e51fa-a4d3-11e3-8156-0017a43b2370.html?mode=print ******************************************** THE LIBERTARIAN SOLUTION: Abolish all government control over consensual behavior and the freedom to associate/not associate. Individual rights should not be denied, abridged, or enhanced at the expense of other people's rights by laws at any level of government based on sex, wealth, race, color, creed, age, national origin, personal habits, political preference, or sexual orientation. We support repealing any such laws rather than extending them to all individuals. Discrimination imposed by government has caused a multitude of problems. Anti-discrimination laws create the same problems. While we do not advocate private discrimination, we do not support any laws which attempt to limit or ban it. The right to trade includes the right not to trade -- for any reasons whatsoever; the right of association includes the right not to associate, for exercise of this right depends upon mutual consent. There is no conflict between property rights and human rights. Indeed, property rights are the rights of humans with respect to property, and as such, are entitled to the same respect and protection as all other human rights. All rights are inextricably linked with property rights. Such rights as the freedom from involuntary servitude as well as the freedom of speech and the freedom of press are based on self-ownership. Our bodies are our property every bit as much as is justly acquired land or material objects. Libertarians believe the owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any manner enjoy, their property without interference, until and unless the exercise of their control infringes the valid rights of others. We specifically condemn all government interference in the operation of private businesses, such as restaurants and airlines, by either requiring or prohibiting their association with anyone they wish. Libertarians also call for an end to the taxation of privately owned real property, which actually makes the State the owner of all lands and forces individuals to rent their homes and places of business from the State. VOTE LIBERTARIAN! * http://Join.LPVA.com * 1-800-ELECT-US ---------------------- NOTE: This article is also posted to the LPVA Facebook page -- discuss it in the comments: https://www.facebook.com/LPVirginia/posts/10151907479031717?stream_ref=10 ---------------------- ARTICLES NEEDED: Do you know of other Virginia Libertarians with recently-published material? Send us the link to each article, and pen a few words to introduce it to your fellow Libertarians! COUNTERPOINT: Disagree with the author? Have a different perspective? Think there is a better Libertarian answer? Are you a Virginia resident? Then publish your op-ed in response on a blog or your website and let us know the URL, and we will notify our members of it just like we did here. ============================================ RUN FOR OFFICE! The Libertarian Party of Virginia is currently seeking candidates to run for public office for the 2014 season. Let us know: http://Campaign.LPVA.com ============================================ -- end -- ############################################################# Have an announcement you'd like to post? 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