LIBERTARIAN VIEWPOINT

I am rather under the weather at the moment, and to make things a bit easier, I intend to 'steal' most of this column. However, I can't let pass unnoted a small article in today's paper "Codey calls for a delay in N.J. gas tax increase". This harks back to my August column (which is not on the web site at the moment, but should be soon de.lp.org then click news/newsletters/more) about blatantly playing politics with taxes. It is easiest to just quote (Acting Governor Codey) "..the Transportation Trust Fund is something we are going to tackle but we are probably, obviously going to do it in lame duck [after the next election]." Quoting the article now, "Codey ... said he does not want to raise any taxes - including the income or sales taxes - during a politically sensitive time."

What does it say about the voters of New Jersey that the Governor feels free state on the radio: we will be raising taxes, but there is an election this year. If we raise them now, the people might not reelect us. So we'll wait to raise them until right after the elections? There are some things I just don't understand!

Well, moving on to more uplifting things, Harry Browne's weekly column for today is titled "The Future is not Hopeless". He starts "The future of liberty in America can seem pretty dark sometimes.", and then goes on to list some things we here a lot in Libertarian circles, such as "Americans have chosen security over liberty, and there<92>s nothing we can do about it.", and "People are too apathetic; they can't be reached." Read his article in full at http://harrybrowne.org/articles/FutureIsNotHopeless.htm For now, I am dropping all references and shortening substantially.

"But you don't have to take my word that there<92>s a tremendous market for liberty. Unreported and unpublicized, the leading polling companies have regularly asked people what they think of government. You might be surprised by the results . . .

64% prefer smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes.

[Only] 31% have a great deal of confidence in the Presidency. 29% have a great deal of confidence in the Supreme Court. 13% have a great deal of confidence in Congress.

65% believe that government is the biggest threat to the country in the future (compared with 22% who think big business is the biggest threat and 7% who named big labor).

[Only] 27% trust the government to do what<92>s right most of the time.

Yes, I realize that many of the people participating in these polls would cling desperately to their favorite federal programs. But, most likely, that<92>s only because they're not offered something better. Very few people realize how much they're paying out of their own pockets for programs they think are bargains. It<92>s our job to show them what they could have if we reduced the federal government to just its constitutional functions, facilitating the repeal of all federal income taxes, including the Social Security tax. Talk about offering benefits!

It<92>s our job to describe a better life, a better way, a better America for them. Yes, we should point out what<92>s wrong with foreign wars and domestic boondoggles, but we also should paint a positive picture of the kind of small-government future that<92>s possible for them, their children, and their grandchildren.

Can We Win?

The task ahead is a very difficult one. But it isn't an impossible one. Every individual wants to be free to make his own decisions. And we libertarians are the ones who are offering him the opportunity to do so. While victory isn't assured, it is possible. How will we win? I don't know.

One of the many wonders of the marketplace is that you don't have to know the way that many things are accomplished in order to benefit from them. You rely for much of what you enjoy on people who have talents, skills, connections, knowledge, and other resources that you don't happen to have - and who sometimes operate in ways that are mysterious to you. All you have to do is to perform services that you do best to earn the money to have access to their incomprehensible achievements.

And, also mysteriously, many unexpected events occur in the marketplace. Things that can't possibly happen suddenly happen. In 1975, when America was in the worst financial shape since 1929, a new bull market in stocks suddenly arose from the ashes.

E.B. White, the author of children<92>s books, once said (slightly paraphrased): As long as there is one honest man, as long as there is one upright woman, the future is not hopeless, because the contagion may spread.

If you're that honest man or that upright woman, the future isn't hopeless, because your example may inspire others. If you speak up when you have the chance - calling into radio shows, writing letters to the editor, participating in Internet forums, just talking with friends or business associates without sacrificing your position - the future isn't hopeless, because you never know who will hear or read your words. You may say just the right thing to finally bring around someone who<92>s close to crossing the line to active libertarianism - someone with far more resources, far more talent, far more skills, or far more influence than you have - someone who has the ability to multiply your efforts a hundred or a thousand times over, just because of who he is.

No, you can't change America all by yourself. Neither can you do so just by wishing for it.

But you might be the one who inspires one or more people who can make an enormous difference."

Any one looking for a New Year's Resolution?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our state convention has been scheduled for March 19th at the Holiday Inn in Claymont. Hope to see many of you there, so get it in your calendar right away!

Sign up for party announcements at YAHOOGROUPS.COM The list name is LPD-Announce

LP DE IN THE NEWS

Greg Callaway, News Journal 12/9, "Republicans cater to Schwarznegger" (LTTE) Bill Morris, Community News 12/9, "Reform Social Security to save future generations" (LTTE)

"Under every stone lurks a politician." Aristophanes

RESOURCES

In case you missed the announcement, the state has set up an 'e-mail update service' whereby you can be notified about pending legislation and regulation. It is easy to do. Initially, you need to set up a userid and password, and then go away and wait for a confirming email. I have signed up for pretty much everything available. Haven't received anything yet, but given the time of year, that is not really surprising. http://diss.state.de.us/DWS/public.diss

CALENDAR

The Libertarian Party of Delaware state board meetings are open to the public, as are all of the county monthly meetings. As things are always subject to change, please contact the indicated party before attending.

Kent County: 7pm Tuesday January 18th (third Tuesday), Dover Email Jim Conk: jconk4@comcast.net

NC County: 6:30pm Sunday January 16th (third Sunday), Location TBA Business meeting is at 7pm; 6:30pm-7pm is for eating and mingling. Email Lisa Busch: ldbusch@yahoo.com

Sussex County: 7pm Tuesday January 25th (fourth Tuesday), Bella Capri Restaurant, Georgetown Email Valerie Valeska: Vixen_94928@Yahoo.com

State Board: 3:30pm Saturday January 29th (Last Saturday), Thomas England House, South Smynra Email Terri Lewis: tslewis@comcast.net

Libertarian Party of Delaware Convention: 10am - 5pm Saturday March 19, 2005 Holiday Inn Select; Naaman's Road at I95, Claymont, DE

Next issue of First State Libertarian deadline for content: Janruary 6th

Join the Libertarian Party of Delaware or contribute. Visit our web site at www.de.lp.org

Thanks to Mike Herrera and Client Server Specialists for making fslol@lists.cssi.org available to us.

QUIP OF THE MONTH

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Anonymous "What if that step is in the wrong direction?" - David West