Our Plans

1. In general, what are doing?
2. Do you endorse candidates? Are you getting behind a reform-minded presidential candidate?
3. Why do you have a Theory section on the site?
4. Why do you put so much emphasis on the platform?
5. Why do you put so much emphasis on the membership pledge?
6. Why do you have sections on party organization and strategy?
7. What can I do to help?
8. Why do you have a PAC?
9. Any new features coming up for the web site?

In general, what are doing?

In a nutshell, we are:

1. Building consensus on a new platform to propose at the Denver Convention.
2. Building consensus on possible bylaws changes – including changing or eliminating the membership pledge.
3. Spreading the message on the underlying principles of a reformed Libertarian Party at state LP conventions and other Libertarian gatherings.
4. Recruiting like-minded people to attend the 2008 LP national convention in Denver.

Do you endorse candidates? Are you getting behind a reform-minded presidential candidate?

No. We made a conscious decision not to endorse candidates. Doing so would be divisive and distract from our main mission. We do sometimes discuss campaigns as part of discussing particular strategies, but discussion does not imply endorsement.

Why do you have a Theory section on the site?

Much of the failure of the LP can be traced to its theoretical roots. From the beginning the LP was organized around a very brittle definition of libertarianism – the Zero Aggression Principle. Many freedom lovers consider this principle to be impractical, just as many peace lovers consider pacifism to be impractical. Developing a broader theory as to what constitutes a libertarian gets at the root the such problems as inability to recruit many members, raise large amounts of money, be treated as credible by the media or recruit celebrities.

Why do you put so much emphasis on the platform?

Because platforms matter. Even though most people to not read political platforms, the people who matter – political activists, potential members, potential donors, and the media – either read the platform or learn what is in it through other channels.

The platform also matters because it is supposed to guide LPHQ staff when they make press releases. Even though the bylaw which held the staff to the platform has been removed, there is still a great deal of intra-party friction whenever press releases deviate from the platform.

Why do you put so much emphasis on the membership pledge?

Many people are principled. They won’t sign a pledge they disagree with. The reality is that the overwhelming majority of libertarian – as defined by the Nolan Chart – cannot honestly sign the LP membership pledge as it now stands. Most libertarians believe in some taxation, some eminent domain; they just want such things greatly reduced. The LP should stop turning them away if it is to become a respectable political movement.

There is a loophole: one interpretation of the Pledge is that it says that one is not a violent revolutionary. Claiming to need such a pledge is an embarrassment; it says that libertarians are more violent than conservatives or liberals. Furthermore, the existence of the other version of the pledge results in purists attacking moderates as having violated the Pledge.

Why do you have sections on party organization and strategy?

Should we fix the platform and membership pledge, it will be time to do real politics. It’s fun – and potentially productive – to look ahead to the days when such matters become important.

What can I do to help?

A lot! You can do any or all of the following:

1. Craft ideas for the platform.
2. Vote!
3. Distribute fliers (links on the Welcome page) at Libertarian events.
4. Recruit pragmatic libertarians into the party.
5. Persuade purists that a broader LP is in their interest.
6. Work a table at your state convention.
7. Become a state coordinator. (See the affiliates page)
8. Learn parliamentary procedures.
9. Become a delegate to the 2008 LP convention in Denver.
10. Donate to our PAC.

Why do you have a PAC?

Several reasons:

1. So we can buy advertising in magazines such as Reason and Liberty. (We used to advertise in LP News, but this is no longer an option.)
2. So we can buy web ads to promote the site.
3. So we can send mailings to registered delegates to the national convention.
4. So we can print materials used at the national (and some state) conventions.
5. So we can rent a table at the national convention.
6. We might even use the PAC to pay for tables and/or hospitality suites at some of the bigger state conventions – if we get a lot more donations.
7. A hospitality suite at the national convention might also be in order – but that would take a lot more donations than we have been receiving lately.

Any new features coming up for the web site?

We have ordered a license for the vBulletin forum package. We should soon have a forum running. We are also working on having polls.

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