Spring Break
Russo better than Nolan
Letters to the Editor
Greg Bailey
Issue date: 1/29/04 Section: Commentary
Sean Vivier, in his Jan. 22 column entitled, "Elect Gary Nolan, Libertarian for President," provided an analysis of Libertarian party goals that suffered somewhat from its own superficiality. Vivier neglected to address several key points essential to effective and conscientious Libertarian governance, and contradicts himself in his support of Gary Nolan.
First, though the process of transforming our nation into a Libertarian state may begin with the election of a president or a congress, it does not end there. The stated goals of the Libertarian party include the dismantling and heavy modification of vast portions of the federal government, and this is not to be accomplished in four or even eight years. The prolonged period of transition- a "quiet revolution" if you will- requires that the entire concept of governance and regulation be re-thought. For instead of federal agencies simply closing their doors, the roles and functions of many need be filled by private institutions and non-governmental agencies. This is of necessity, because while Libertarian leadership would un-do much of what the government has done in the past two-hundred years, it cannot do so without acknowledging the reasons for the government's past actions. Some of the Non-Governmental Organization's (NGOs) and private agencies necessary to address the recognized ills of a society free from corporate accountability and professional licensing exist, such as the National Rifle Associate, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Amnesty International USA and some need still be founded. For a truly Libertarian state to exist, the burden of regulation, investigation, and remedy must shift from the federal government to watchdog agencies and-radically-to the American people themselves.
In order for these United States of America to remake itself under Libertarian leadership, the American public must become one of passionate activists, volunteers and donors. Re-acceptance of the responsibility of self-governance is perhaps the most extreme change implicit in libertarianism. In order to better their lot, and in order for the above mentioned NGO's to function, citizens will of necessity become deeply involved in their community, the nation and the world at large. Though an activist public may represent an about-face from current attitudes, it is not so very far fetched. Much of the groundwork for integrated civil participation, charity work, and volunteerism is already laid. And the internet, with its capacity to store and deliver almost limitless information, affords every citizen the ability to become expert in any of a hundred thousand political, legal and economic issues. The creation of an informed, involved public, which is necessary for any level of libertarian government, is primarily a matter of change in attitudes and perceptions of governmental power.
First, though the process of transforming our nation into a Libertarian state may begin with the election of a president or a congress, it does not end there. The stated goals of the Libertarian party include the dismantling and heavy modification of vast portions of the federal government, and this is not to be accomplished in four or even eight years. The prolonged period of transition- a "quiet revolution" if you will- requires that the entire concept of governance and regulation be re-thought. For instead of federal agencies simply closing their doors, the roles and functions of many need be filled by private institutions and non-governmental agencies. This is of necessity, because while Libertarian leadership would un-do much of what the government has done in the past two-hundred years, it cannot do so without acknowledging the reasons for the government's past actions. Some of the Non-Governmental Organization's (NGOs) and private agencies necessary to address the recognized ills of a society free from corporate accountability and professional licensing exist, such as the National Rifle Associate, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Amnesty International USA and some need still be founded. For a truly Libertarian state to exist, the burden of regulation, investigation, and remedy must shift from the federal government to watchdog agencies and-radically-to the American people themselves.
In order for these United States of America to remake itself under Libertarian leadership, the American public must become one of passionate activists, volunteers and donors. Re-acceptance of the responsibility of self-governance is perhaps the most extreme change implicit in libertarianism. In order to better their lot, and in order for the above mentioned NGO's to function, citizens will of necessity become deeply involved in their community, the nation and the world at large. Though an activist public may represent an about-face from current attitudes, it is not so very far fetched. Much of the groundwork for integrated civil participation, charity work, and volunteerism is already laid. And the internet, with its capacity to store and deliver almost limitless information, affords every citizen the ability to become expert in any of a hundred thousand political, legal and economic issues. The creation of an informed, involved public, which is necessary for any level of libertarian government, is primarily a matter of change in attitudes and perceptions of governmental power.