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THE LIBERATOR ONLINE
April 21, 1999
Vol. 4, No. 8
Circulation: 27,317 in 78 countries
Mailing list of the Advocates for Self-Government.
Created and edited by Paul Schmidt, mailto:paul@self-gov.org
Co-edited by James W. Harris, mailto:james@self-gov.org
If you wish to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your address for
receiving the Liberator OnLine, visit:
http://www.self-gov.org/liberator/maintain.html
The Advocates for Self-Government is a non-profit educational
organization. Our purpose is to present the freedom philosophy
honestly and persuasively to opinion-makers so that they can
encounter, evaluate, and when ready, embrace the ideals of
self-government.
Contributions are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS
code. If you would like to support the Advocates, we *welcome* your
donation. To support the Advocates' work, see
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/donate.html -- or give us a call
at 1-800-932-1776.
_________________________________________________________________
"The Advocates are pioneering in a vitally important field -- how
to present libertarian ideas so that non-libertarians can listen to
them and hear them."
-- Joan Kennedy Taylor, author of "Reclaiming the Mainstream:
Individualist Feminism Reconsidered"
_________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Hillary Clinton's Mystery Thesis
* The Other War
* Pat Buchanan: Get Out of Yugoslavia Now
ON THE WEB
* Website of the Day
* Liberator OnLine Ranks 13th
* Editor's Choice: Immigration Lawyers on the Web
ASK DR. RUWART
* Is There A Model Libertarian Country?
* Two Questions on Immigration: Open Borders Now or Later?
* Can They Really Take My Property?
COMMUNICATION POWER TIP
* The Assisted Suicide Request
PRODUCT REVIEW
* Outstanding Book and Tape Value: Persuading Skeptics About
Immigration
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**************************************************
_________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
What's the federal government doing in my bathroom?
That's what one Advocates supporter wanted to know. Rev. Michael K.
Mitchell, Ph.D., sent the following letter to his congressman.
Unfortunately, he received no response. ("Big surprise," he says.)
Hope you enjoy it.
* * *
Get Outta My Bathroom!
Today I found the federal government in my bathroom. For 20 years I
have used a Teledyne Shower Massage. I liked this product. It worked
well and lasted a long time. But last week I had to replace it.
Imagine my surprise when, after installing the new shower massage
fixture, I did not get a massage. I got a weak drizzle. There was not
enough pressure to clean the soap suds from my washcloth. I looked for
the solution to the problem in the instruction manual that came with
the shower head. The manual stated:
"The Smart Flow water controller ensures a high performance shower...
It requires no adjustment or maintenance and cannot be removed."
I wondered why, if the Smart Flow ensures a high performance shower,
one would want to adjust or remove it. I called the Teledyne 800 phone
number and the mystery was solved. The customer service operator said
that the federal government limited the shower head to a flow rate of
2.5 gallons per hour. The original shower massage heads had a flow
rate of 5-6 gallons per hour.
Now I understood why my shower head did not massage. What I did not
understand was: what gives the federal government the right to enter
my bathroom? An examination of Article 1 Section 8 of the United
States Constitution revealed the following list of 15 things the
United States Congress may do. Look at this list and ask yourself,
which of these things permits the federal government to limit the
pressure in my shower massager?
1. Set and collect taxes
2. Borrow money
3. Regulate interstate commerce
4. Set rules for naturalization and bankruptcy
5. Print and coin money
6. Punish counterfeiters
7. Create post offices
8. Issue patents
9. Set up lower federal courts
10. Punish pirates
11. Declare war
12. Create an army and navy
13. Call the militia
14. Govern the District of Columbia
15. ...and make laws necessary to enforce THESE powers.
Perhaps in your search for an appropriate power of Congress, you
selected #3: To regulate interstate commerce. Wrong, unless you
believe that the writers of the Constitution intended for Congress to
regulate everything. The fact is that it was not the intent of the
framers of the Constitution for Congress to regulate anything beyond
the 15 enumerated items. Nor was it the intent of the states that
ratified the Constitution. Furthermore, the water I use in my bathroom
in Alaska is not from, nor does it go to, any other state. It is not
interstate commerce.
I submit that the federal government regulators, through the powers
which Congress has given them, have exceeded the intent of the
Constitution. We must turn back the propensity of the regulators to
control our lives. This control is exercised through federal agencies
with initials like HUD, HEW, BATF, DOE, DOE DEA, FDA, EEOC, EPA, OSHA
et cetera. There are hundreds of agencies like these who simply have
no basis in the United States Constitution. There is even a commission
called the Glass Ceiling Commission.
None of the agencies have a basis in the Constitution that justifies
their intrusion into the rights of the states and the people and their
bathrooms. All rights except the 15 listed above are reserved to the
people and the states, according to the Tenth Amendment. The
reiteration of the limitations of the federal government in the Tenth
Amendment reveals the importance that our Constitution puts on a
limited federal government.
The writers of the Constitution, the legislators of the states that
ratified the Constitution, and 150 years of experience preceding the
imposition of the New Deal and the Great Society precludes the
intrusion of the federal government into my bathroom.
Get out of my life, my pocket and my bathroom, Uncle Sam! I have had
enough of your interference and -- thanks to your meddling -- I don't
have enough water pressure to get a decent shower.
* * *
Enjoy this issue of The Liberator Online.
Sharon Harris, President mailto:sharon@self-gov.org
PS: Immigration remains one of the hottest issues in American
politics. Should libertarians endorse free immigration and open
borders? What are the costs and benefits -- and what moral and
humanitarian issues are involved? In this issue, Dr. Mary Ruwart looks
at that issue again. And see our Product Review at the end of this
issue for big savings on a book and tape combination that makes the
best case we've ever seen for a policy of free immigration.
_________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* Speakers confirmed for Advocates 15th Anniversary Celebration: We
are excited to have lined up some outstanding speakers for the
upcoming Advocates 15th Anniversary Celebration, to be held in
Atlanta, Georgia September 24 through 26. Speakers confirmed as we go
to press:
Charles Murray: We are delighted and honored to have as our banquet
speaker one of America's top libertarian thinkers and writers. Murray
is the author of "What It Means To Be A Libertarian," "Losing Ground,"
and other best-selling modern classics.
Harry Browne: 1996 Libertarian Party Presidential candidate,
best-selling author of numerous books on liberty and finance, radio
talk show host, and tireless campaigner for liberty.
Michael Cloud: Voted "The Best Libertarian Speaker" by Libertarian
Party State Chairs last month, creator of the great tape set "The
Essence of Political Persuasion, and author of the forthcoming book
"The Art of Libertarian Persuasion."
Marshall Fritz: Advocates Founder, president of the Separation of
School and State Alliance, and one of the most acclaimed libertarian
speakers of recent decades.
Mary Ruwart: Liberator Online columnist, in-demand speaker,
communication expert, author of "Healing Our World" and "Short Answers
to the Tough Questions."
We will be announcing more speakers next issue, and we'll also have
info on a Web page where you can learn more about the event and how to
get big savings by registering early. Stay tuned -- you won't want to
miss what is shaping up to be the best libertarian event of the year,
and the last great libertarian event of the century.
* LAST NOTICE: May 1, "Edu4um Atlanta": The Separation of School and
State Alliance (a project of the Advocates) is sponsoring this forum
on the topic: "How Should Christian Families Respond to the School
Crisis?" Education experts -- including Separation Alliance director
(and Advocates Founder) Marshall Fritz -- will discuss and debate
today's hottest schooling topics including vouchers, home-schooling,
tax-credits, charter schools, and repealing government involvement in
education. Saturday, 8:00 am -- 4:45 pm. For more information, call
Denise Miller at 404-293-8022.
* LP's "Success '99" workshops: The Libertarian Party is presenting
its acclaimed "Success '99" libertarian leadership training workshops
in two dozen cities across America this year. Join libertarian
communication experts including Advocates President Sharon Harris, Dr.
Mary Ruwart, David Bergland, Michael Cloud, Bill Winter, Ron
Crickenberger, Steve Dasbach, Jim Lark, Barbara Goushaw, and others.
Upcoming "Success '99" events: Detroit, Michigan, May 1-2; San Jose,
California, May 15-16; Anaheim, California, May 22-23. For more
details, registration information, and a complete listings of the
cities, dates, and speakers for "Success '99," see
http://www.self-gov.org/success99.html
* Operation Persuasion: You can still get the great 3-tape audio
course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at the *giveaway*
price of only $5.00, including shipping and handling. This is the
communication bargain of the century! Libertarian Party Political
Director Ron Crickenberger says this Advocates offer is "...the
greatest gift the libertarian movement has received in years."
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/opspecial.html
This is a secure site, so you can order via credit card with
confidence. You can also call us or mail $5.00 to the Advocates. Our
phone number and address are at the end of this issue.
_________________________________________________________________
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
compiled by James W. Harris
Hillary Clinton's Mystery Thesis
Recently syndicated columnist Jack Anderson was doing a story on
Hillary Clinton, and in the process his staff requested a copy of her
1969 senior thesis from Wellesley College. It was a seemingly simple
request, since normally college theses are public record, available to
anyone.
Not, however, in this case. Anderson was told that the current
Wellesley president had created a new rule in 1992. The new rule,
Anderson says, is that "...the college would seal the senior theses of
any Wellesley grads who were either the first lady or the president of
the United States." (Perhaps not coincidentally, the president of
Wellesley is a long-time friend of Mrs. Clinton's.)
Okay, Anderson asked, can you just tell us the *subject* of the paper?
No. Well, was the new policy enacted at Clinton's request? Again, no
answer.
Perplexed and intrigued, Anderson contacted Hillary's White House
press corps. He was assured it was no big deal, and that he'd be sent
a copy of the paper, along with an explanation of why it had been
sealed. Several weeks passed, however, and no thesis appeared. Finally
he was told that no copy would be coming -- and no explanation would
be given.
Eventually Anderson and his staff discovered some answers on their
own. Hillary's thesis, it turns out, was a critique of Lyndon
Johnson's "War on Poverty" programs. Her conclusion: community-based
government anti-poverty programs don't work.
Which may explain all the secrecy, since President Clinton recently
called for federal funding for a number of... community-based
government anti-poverty programs.
(Source: column by Jack Anderson and Jan Moller)
The Other War
With the war in Yugoslavia dominating the news, we should not forget
that the United States government is also still actively engaged in a
second bloody and horrific war, in Iraq. The destruction created by
U.S. bombings -- and especially, the brutal sanctions -- have been
utterly devastating to the innocent civilians of that country, who
have no say in the policies of Saddam Hussein.
During the 1991 Gulf War, U.S. bombs completely wrecked Iraq's entire
civilian infrastructure -- including electric, water, health,
education, sanitation and sewage systems. And the subsequent sanctions
have prevented the rebuilding of these crucial life-and-death
necessities.
The results have been nightmarish. Hospitals lack even the most basic
equipment and supplies. The embargo even bars chlorine for purifying
water. In 1989 there wasn't a single case of cholera in Iraq. Now
there are thousands. Anguished Iraqi pediatricians cannot prevent
infants from dying from diarrhea and other easily treatable
conditions. Small infections become life-threatening ailments,
especially for the young, elderly, sick, and poor.
UNICEF estimates that more than 500,000 children under age five have
died from lack of access to food, medicine, and safe water.
That's right, half a million tiny children dying as a result of U.S.
policy. (Some put the figure considerably higher.) Perhaps a million
or more Iraqis of all ages have died. Millions more are suffering from
illness, malnutrition, lack of education, severe poverty, and other
achievements of the sanctions. About one in four children are
chronically malnourished. UNICEF estimates 250 Iraqis die every day
due to the sanctions.
There is no indication that any of this has weakened Saddam Hussein's
hold on the country.
In 1996, ''60 Minutes'' asked then-Ambassador Madeleine Albright if
the price of 'containing' Saddam Hussein was worth the deaths of more
children than were killed in Hiroshima. She replied that it was 'a
very hard choice,' but 'we think the price is worth it.'"
( Sources: "A new policy needed for Iraq" by Denis J. Halliday and
Jennifer E. Horan, Boston Globe, March 22. // Charley Reese: "U.S.
Inhumanity." // Iraq Action Coalition. Much more information on the
Iraq war, as well as the Yugoslavian war, can be found at the
excellent Web site of the Committee Against U.S. Intervention:
http://www.antiwar.com The site includes viewpoints from liberals,
conservatives, and libertarians.)
Pat Buchanan: Get Out of Yugoslavia Now
One argument being used to defend the U.S. intervention in Yugoslavia
is persuasive even to skeptics of the war itself. It goes like this:
maybe the war was a bad idea, but now that we're in it, we've got to
fight it all the way to the end, no matter what the costs.
Baloney, says conservative columnist and presidential candidate Pat
Buchanan:
"Three weeks into Bill Clinton's Balkan adventure and America risks a
debacle. The human rights crisis in Kosovo has exploded into a
catastrophe...
"With Milosevic still defying NATO, we are admonished that 'failure is
not an option,' the United States must do 'whatever is necessary to
win.' Otherwise, NATO's credibility will be destroyed. But this is
mindlessness. If the war was a folly to begin with, surely, the answer
is to cut our losses and let the idiot-adventurers who urged the
attack resign to write their memoirs, rather than send 100,000 U.S.
troops crashing into the Balkans to save the faces and careers of our
blundering strategists. Only a fanatic redoubles his energy when he
has lost sight of his goal. After the Gallipolli disaster, Churchill
went; after Suez, Eden went; after the Bay of Pigs, Allen Dulles
departed the CIA. Surely, this is a wiser, more honorable, course than
a ground war in Kosovo. Moreover, Americans will not support 'whatever
is necessary to win.' We are not going to turn Belgrade into
Hamburg...
"And if we send in the troops, what do we 'win'? The right to say that
NATO defeated Serbia? The right to occupy Kosovo?
"...What the United States needs today in the Balkans is a least-bad
peace, patrolled by Europeans, where Serbs rule Serbs, Croats Croats
and Albanians Albanians. And if, in the negotiations to end this
tragedy, Belgrade cries, 'No American troops in Kosovo!' let us insist
upon it, and bring our soldiers home from Europe, as Ike told JFK to
do nearly 40 years ago."
-- "The Mess They've Made", The Washington Post, April 13, 1999
Entangling Alliances
"It is our true policy to steer clear of entangling alliances with
any portion of the foreign world. The great rule of conduct for us
in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial
relations, to have with them as little political connection as
possible." -- George Washington.
"Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations --
entangling alliances with none." -- Thomas Jefferson.
"The less we have to do with the amities or enmities of Europe, the
better." -- Thomas Jefferson.
"America... goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy." --
John Quincy Adams.
_________________________________________________________________
ON THE WEB
Website of the Day
On April 16, the World's Smallest Political Quiz was named "Website of
the Day" by http://www.militarycity.com. Reviewer Darcy Nair Bond
wrote:
Are you a conservative? A liberal? Somewhere in between? Take this
quick and easy quiz, and see how the presidential candidates rate
according to your answers. You may be surprised what you discover
about your "true colors."
http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html
Liberator OnLine Ranks 13th
The Liberator OnLine is currently ranked the 13th most popular
magazine by readers at eZine. eZine (http://www.dominis.com/Zines) is
a database of over 3,000 publications. One Liberator OnLine subscriber
wrote the following review that appears on this site:
All I can say is that I subscribe to well over 20 different
newsletters, about half tech, and half news or politics. The
Liberator Online is EASILY my most-anticipated, and most-enjoyed,
of all my subscriptions. Week after week. In my opinion, you are
cheating yourself if you don't get this newsletter. It is run by
The Advocates for Self-Government, people who are making a big
impact in saving the world from its lack of self.
You can rate our newsletter by visiting:
http://www.self-gov.org/liberator/
Editor's Choice: Immigration Lawyers on the Web
Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ILW) was created in late 1995 to
become one of the Internet's main sources for immigration lawyers and
information. This site (http://ilw.com) has links to many immigration
resources.
One of the most interesting parts for libertarians is the 'Advocacy'
section. This section has several articles discussing open
immigration. It also has links to advocacy organizations dealing with
immigration issues.
Another interesting section is the 'News' section. One article tells
how secret evidence can be used against immigrants. The author of this
article concludes: "The use of secret evidence has no place in a
democracy, least of all in America, as it flies against the face of
every notion of fundamental fairness and due process."
_________________________________________________________________
ASK DR. RUWART
How can you answer difficult questions about libertarianism -- in
short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses? It's a
challenge every libertarian communicator faces.
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication and
author of the international bestseller "Healing Our World." Her new
book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions." In this column she
provides Liberator Online readers with "Short Answers to the Tough
Questions" that libertarians are frequently asked.
If you'd like Dr. Ruwart to provide effective answers for YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at:
mailto:ruwart@self-gov.org. *Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't
personally answer or acknowledge all email queries.* But we'll run the
best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart's answers -- in upcoming issues.
Extra Tip: Dr. Ruwart suggests that answers are often best preceded by
a "Ransberger Pivot" statement, to establish common ground with the
questioner. (Example: "Like you, I too want to live in a world where
the environment is clean... Like you, I too want to see greater
abundance for all people...") For more on the Ransberger Pivot
communication technique, see previous issues, or contact the
Advocates.
Dr. Ruwart's past answers are archived in searchable form at the
Advocates Web page: http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
Short Answers to the Tough Questions:
by Dr. Mary Ruwart
Is There A Model Libertarian Country?
Question:
"Do libertarians have an example of a working model that subscribes to
your ideals? Is there a success story anywhere in the world?"
My short answer:
"Almost every aspect of the libertarian ideal has a real-life success
story, but not necessarily in one time or place! Contrasting
libertarian-like and statist societies where they co-exist is
especially enlightening.
"In the nineteenth century the U.S. became wealthier than other
nations by minimizing regulations. In the mid-1800s, free Scottish
banks thrived while the government-regulated English banks failed.
"Today, fishing rights in Britain's rivers are privately owned, so
rivers are protected from pollution, unlike in the U.S. In Kenya,
elephant hunting is banned and the herds are rapidly decreasing. In
neighboring Zimbabwe, where elephants can be owned, sold, and hunted,
their numbers are increasing dramatically.
"Modern-day Costa Rica has no standing army, yet it is one of the most
peaceful places in Central America. Switzerland has a part-time
national government, yet the Swiss enjoy one of the highest standards
of living in the world.
"For many more examples, check out my book "Healing Our World,"
available from the Advocates."
* * *
Two Questions on Immigration: Open Borders Now or Later?
Question
"In a previous answer on the question of immigration you defended open
borders by saying, in essence: immigrants pay taxes and are less prone
to go on welfare. Isn't that kind of a cop-out? Aren't libertarians
against taxes and welfare? As I see it, first we must rid the country
of oppressive taxes and welfare. Then and only then do you open the
gates of the U.S. -- and then the folks that come here will indeed be
people that want to work and get ahead on their own abilities."
My short answer:
"Even in today's welfare society, immigrants DO want to work and get
ahead on their own. That was the point of my earlier response -- we
don't have to wait until we get rid of taxes and welfare to open our
borders.
"Of course, getting rid of welfare and taxes at any time would be
wonderful..."
Question:
"I agree with you on all libertarian positions except the idea of
opening our borders. Your arguments for open borders are very
persuasive, but isn't it contingent on creating a free society first,
*then* opening our borders to others? Therefore, opening borders
should not be one of our first priorities, right? Let's open our
borders when we have a truly free society, but until then, it's best
to keep foreigners out."
My short answer:
"Even without a free society, opening our borders is consistent with
libertarian philosophy. For example, suppose that I were to invite a
Mexican family into my home to live and work with me. The family goes
back to Mexico when their employment ends, or they find other
employment. Would you feel right about stopping them--at gunpoint, if
necessary? Probably not.
"The immigrants we fear are ones that enter the country to partake of
a welfare system to which they don't contribute. However, studies
indicate that immigrants pay more in taxes than they take in services,
because most are excited by how much money they can make working for
what seems like slave wages to us (see Joel Millman's book "The Other
Americans"). In addition, the trauma associated with immigration to a
different country tends to select those with some ambition.
"Rather than keeping our borders closed, libertarian economics
professor Hans-Hermann Hoppe has suggested [an interim proposal]: we
could simply require immigrants to have an invitation from a citizen
willing to provide for them or help them find employment (see "The
Journal of Libertarian Studies," Vol. 13, #2, pp. 221-233 for a more
detailed discussion). If the hosts tire of this arrangement, the
immigrants must find other sponsors or return to their native country.
"Since all property would be private in a libertarian society, anyone
entering the country could only do so if invited. Thus, the program
described above better approximates a free society than current
immigration restrictions. In addition, it could be implemented with
relative ease today, even without any other libertarian reforms.
"How to open borders while still burdened with a welfare state is a
hot discussion among libertarians. Please feel free to join in!"
* * *
Can They Really Take My Property?
Question:
"They want to foreclose our house for not paying property tax. Is this
really legal? Can they really come in and put all of our belongings on
the front lawn?"
My short answer:
"Yes, they can take your property -- and will. I hope you've been able
to resolve your situation.
"Libertarians recognize that taxation of any kind is theft. If you
don't pay, your property is taken -- at gunpoint, if necessary. Help
libertarians legalize freedom instead of theft!"
* * *
Dr. Ruwart's book 'Healing Our World' features persuasive arguments
for liberty, backed with *over 500 references* showing how liberty
works. You can browse the entire book online at:
http://www.cyberpop.com/ebooks
You can order it at a special reduced price of only $12.95 (plus
shipping) from the Advocates. Check out our online catalog at:
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/opp.html
Dr. Ruwart's newest book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions,"
also available from the Advocates for $12.00 (plus shipping).
_________________________________________________________________
COMMUNICATION POWER TIP #70
The Assisted Suicide Request
by Michael Cloud
"What are the 3 biggest misconceptions that people have about
libertarians?", asks the reporter.
"What are the 3 worst accusations that people make about
libertarians?", asks the talk show host.
"What are the 3 most negative things that people say about
libertarians?", asks the caller.
WARNING:
If you answer the question you are requesting assisted suicide... for
libertarianism.
Newspaper reporters, talk radio hosts, TV interviewers, and "Devil's
Advocate" Questioners sometimes offer assisted political suicide to
those who answer the question.
If you provide misconceptions or accusations or negative
beliefs...reporters will lead the article with them, talk radio hosts
will dwell upon them, and questioners will assume that where there's
smoke, there's fire.
Imagine headlines or lead paragraphs that begin with:
`Libertarians deny they're Anarchists...'
`Libertarians are accused of being mean and selfish, but they say...'
`People believe that libertarians are callous and indifferent to the
suffering of those less fortunate, but libertarians say...'
`Will libertarians put heroin vending machines and prostitution in
your community? No, say Libertarian Party leaders, who complain...'
Do you find yourself defending libertarianism against the charges you
raised?
Stop answering the assisted political suicide request!
Answer positively and persuasively:
1. FULL VERSION "Most people are unfamiliar with libertarian ideas.
The National Libertarian Party commissioned a poll after the 1996
Presidential campaign to determine how many people know who the
Libertarian Presidential Candidate was. The pollsters offered 20
names to the people polled. Only 4% said: `Harry Browne'. 96% of
the American people had no idea who the Libertarian Presidential
candidate was -- or what libertarians believe. "Libertarians
believe in individual liberty and full personal responsibility.
Libertarians believe in dramatically smaller government now.
Libertarians believe that every person should be self-governing."
2. SHORT VERSION "Most Americans don't know much about libertarians
and libertarian ideas. `Libertarian' comes from the root word
`liberty'. Libertarians believe in individual liberty and personal
responsibility. Libertarians want to dramatically shrink the size
and power of government -- and limit it to the protection of our
life, liberty, and property."
3. SHORTER VERSION: "Most people I talk with have very positive
impressions about libertarianism and libertarians. They realize
that libertarians stand for individual liberty and personal
responsibility... for the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution and the Statue of Liberty."
Give positive answers to negative questions.
When they ask about our flaws and weaknesses, showcase our strengths.
When they ask for shadows, shine the light of liberty.
**********************
Michael Cloud was voted "The Best Libertarian Speaker" by Libertarian
Party State Chairs last month. Michael Cloud's 1998 Libertarian
National Convention Keynote has been called "Electrifying" and
"Unforgettable". He is the author of the forthcoming book, "The Art of
Libertarian Persuasion."
Cloud is also creator of the acclaimed "Essence of Political
Persuasion" tape set, available from the Advocates at the give-away
price of $5.00 postage-paid (see "What's Happening With The Advocates"
this issue for more on that offer).
_________________________________________________________________
PRODUCT REVIEW:
Outstanding Book and Tape Value: Persuading Skeptics About Immigration
Immigration is one of today's hottest issues. Many people want to
severely restrict immigration -- or even halt it altogether.
Immigrants, both illegal and legal, are becoming scapegoats in America
today. The alleged "threat" of immigrant workers is being used to
justify new and ominous government proposals, including:
* beefed-up border patrols and inspections;
* national identification cards;
* new laws against employers who knowingly or unknowingly hire
illegal aliens;
* national databases of government-approved workers;
....and other police-state proposals that threaten our liberty.
It's crucial that libertarians be able to effectively and persuasively
make the case for immigration. Here are two products that can help
immeasurably:
1. "The Case for Free Trade and Open Borders" edited by Richard M.
Ebeling and Jacob G. Hornberger. This large-size 143-page paperback
book is perhaps your best single source of ammunition for
understanding and defending the pro-freedom position on these two
vital and controversial issues. This uncompromising, fact-filled
collection of essays is easy to understand and exciting to read.
Drawing upon history, economics, and philosophy, the authors make both
the moral and pragmatic cases for open borders and free trade. A
wonderful blend of reason, passion and vision!
There are essays here by outstanding libertarian figures, including
Ludwig von Mises, James Bovard, W.M. Curtis, Lawrence Reed, Sheldon
Richman, and Leonard Read, as well as Hornberger and Ebeling.
Among the many topics covered in this book:
* Why free trade and open borders will bring prosperity
* How free trade and open borders can prevent war
* Immigration in America's past
* Immigration and welfare
* How U.S. immigration policy left thousands of Jews in Hitler's
hands
* The shocking story of Clinton's Cuba policy
* Is America really a bastion of free trade?
* Immigration and foreign policy
* Refuting common arguments against immigration
........and much, much more.
Immigration expert Julian Simon said this book is "marvelously
explained!"
Syndicated columnist Doug Bandow says it "could not be more timely...
this book should help convert Americans to the cause of a genuinely
free world."
Agree or disagree with the positions advocated here, you will find
this information enlightening, stimulating, and useful!
2. "Closed Minds On Open Borders: How To Uncover And Deal With The
Fears That Make This Issue So Sensitive." This stunning 60-minute
speech by Jacob Hornberger, President of the Future of Freedom
Foundation, was recorded at the Advocates' Tenth Anniversary Summit in
1995. It literally moved the audience to tears. It makes the moral and
practical case for open borders. It is powerful and filled with
unforgettable human interest stories. *Quite simply, one of the finest
speeches we've ever heard on any topic.*
****SPECIAL LIBERATOR ONLINE OFFER!****
The Advocates normally sells "The Case for Free Trade and Open
Borders" for $10.95, and the audio tape "Closed Minds On Open Borders"
for $9.95. Ordering both from our catalog would be $20.90 (plus $3.50
shipping per order) -- a bargain for these mind-opening tools.
However, Liberator Online readers who order by Monday, May 3 can get
the book and tape together for only $15.00 (plus $3.50 shipping) -- a
25% savings!
ORDERING:
Via Web: To get this special Liberator Online reader offer, you can go
to this address on the Web (or you can simply click on this address
now):
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/special.html
This will take you to a special site on our catalog where this
Liberator-Online-readers-only offer is featured. You can order via
credit card from there if you wish. Our site is credit card secure --
you can order with the same confidence you'd feel at your local
department store. While there, you can browse our other libertarian
products and order any you wish.
You can also, of course, order by phone, mail or fax, from the address
below. Just mention the Liberator Online with your order to get this
special discount.
***This offer is good through Monday, May 3, 1999.***
Thank you!
_________________________________________________________________
See you in two weeks! You can contact the Advocates at:
* Snail Mail:
Advocates for Self Government
1202 N. Tennessee St. Suite 202
Cartersville, GA 30120
* Phone: 770-386-8372; for orders, 800-932-1776
* Fax: 770-386-8373
* Email: mailto:advocates@self-gov.org
* WWW: http://www.self-gov.org/
You can see back issues of the Liberator OnLine on the Advocates' web
site: http://www.self-gov.org/liberator/
"May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of
self-government." -- Thomas Jefferson
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