LIBERTARIAN VIEWPOINT

I have been having an ongoing debate with my barber about Globalization. Almost every visit, he goes off on how we soon won't have any jobs left in this country. As we see more and more professions (such as computer programming, about which I care deeply) being outsourced to China or India, it is sometimes difficult to focus on the positives! I went to the CATO web site to see what they had to say:

"'Globalization' describes the ongoing global trend toward the freer flow of trade and investment across borders and the resulting integration of the international economy. Because it expands economic freedom and spurs competition, globalization raises the productivity and living standards of people in countries that open themselves to the global marketplace.

For less developed countries, globalization offers access to foreign capital, global export markets, and advanced technology while breaking the monopoly of inefficient and protected domestic producers. Faster growth, in turn, promotes poverty reduction, democratization, and higher labor and environmental standards.

While globalization may confront government officials with more difficult choices, the result for their citizens is greater individual freedom. In this sense, globalization acts as a check on governmental power that makes it more difficult for governments to abuse the freedom and property of their citizens"

This is a nice argument from the point of view of our trading partners, but does little to address lost jobs here! Personally, I feel that as far as a worker is concerned, it doesn't make any difference if a job is lost to China (textiles) or to North Carolina (automotive), or to South Dakota (call centers). The best competitor gets the job. A convincing argument from the point of view of the country is not so obvious.

Who out there can do a persuasive argument in 100 words or so? This space is available to you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next 'Libertarian Discussion Group' will be 11am Sunday November 9th at 'A Piece of Ireland' (enter through the door facing Rt 4 to find us most easily). The topic will be 'Libertarian solutions to the health care problem'. Please join us to share your insights and opinions. A 'reservation' (to me) is appreciated so the restaurant knows how many tables to set.

The state board has a new meeting location, the Thomas England House restaurant, where we have a private room! The restaurant is just (literally a hundred feet or so) north of Route One Exit 114 (South Smyrna) on Route 13. Please note that due to the November and December holidays, we will only have one meeting for these months, on December 13th.

>From Tim Spong: Delaware and nearby Libertarians are in luck: Jonathan Edwards returns to Wilmington Nov. 7 in a concert presented by Listening Post Productions at their new regular venue, 4 W 5 Cafe at 4 W. 5th St. in Wilmington. The concert begins at 8 p.m. with Lisa McCormick performing an opening set. The Listening Post Productions presenter, Mary Post, describes Lisa's music as having a driving bass line a la Melissa Etheridge. I plan to be there; you should, too. Contact Tim for more information (tim_spong@yahoo.com)

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

LP DE IN THE NEWS

Did you make news this month? Let me know. Send any 'Letters to the Editor' (LTTE) or articles you have published to Tom Uffner (tom@uffner.com) to post on the web site. Include where and when, and copy me to be listed here.

George Smith: News Journal, October 11:"Libertarian Philosophy can provoke desirable changes" (LTTE) See the paper edition of FSL for other letters submitted, but not published by the News Journal.

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Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. (Peter Marshall, 1902-1949, American Presbyterian Clergyman)

HELP WANTED

Here is a real easy one for those of you who read the paper! Jim Holliday runs a program that sends Libertarian information to people who write libertarian sounding letters to the editor. We need people in Kent and Sussex county to read the local papers and snip appropriate articles. Contact Jim at ViceChair@de.lp.org and let him know you are willing.

Do you have something you think would fit in the Libertarian Viewpoint space? Send it along. Same goes for the FSL. The convention issue, in particular, must have lots of good content. Please participate.

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 email the indicated party before attending.

NCC Discussion Group: 11am Sunday November 9th (second Sunday), A Piece of Ireland (Chesmar Plaza, Newark) Email Lisa Busch: ldbusch@yahoo.com

NC County: 6pm Sunday November 16th (third Sunday), A Piece of Ireland (Chesmar Plaza, Newark) Business meeting is at 7pm; 6pm-7pm is for eating and mingling . Email Lisa Busch: ldbusch@yahoo.com

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

Sussex County: 7pm Tuesday November 25th (fourth Tuesday), Bella Capri Restaurant, Georgetown Email John Elliot: tyre@dmv.com

State Board: No meeting in November! Not the usual last Saturday in December! 2pm Saturday December 13th, Thomas England House, South Smynr a Email Terri Lewis: tslewis@comcast.net

Next issue of First State Libertarian deadline for editorial content: November 28th

Next issue of Fisrt State Libertarian (convention issue) deadline for content: January 6th

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

Thanks to Tim Young and 123clickit.com for making libertarian@123clickit.com available to us.

QUIP of the MONTH

If you want government to intervene domestically, you're a liberal. If you want government to intervene overseas, you're a conservative. If you want government to intervene everywhere, you're a moderate. If you don't want government to intervene anywhere, you're an extremist. --Joseph Sobran (1995)