The Natural Law

Professor Liberty says:

The Natural Law

Question:  Of all political systems, why is Libertarian the best?

Answer:  Because Libertarianism has the most solid moral foundation in human rights.

Libertarianism is a descendant of natural law and ethical intuitionism. Natural law is the philosophical proposition that certain rights are ordained by virtue of the human condition. In other words, because you and I are human, we are born with rights.

The government does not give these rights any more than the government allows you and me to breathe. The government’s role is to protect these rights and not diminish them. History suggests that only small government can do this.

Can the government take away a natural right? Practically speaking, government can place penalties on acting out natural rights. However, only elimination of the human species could theoretically vanquish forever a natural law, and maybe not even then, depending on the source of Law.

Governments are good at suppressing rights.

What are some of the rights derived from Natural Law?
The freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom to defend oneself, these and others are Natural Law rights.

Maybe they come from nature, were ingrained by evolution, perhaps revealed by divine revelation, bestowed from supernatural inspiration, or discovered by reason.

Libertarians and others will hold different beliefs on the origin of Natural Law. But regardless of their origin, they exist. They exist within each of us, individually.

The party that best maximizes individual liberty is most aligned with Natural Law.
We know that party as The Libertarian Party.

Russell Fulmer, Ph.D.

PROFESSOR LIBERTY

I am going to be reposting the LPKS emails being sent out. If you would like to be added to our email distribution list, please sign up at www.LPKS.org (top/right)

These discussions are being started by Professor Russel Fulmer Ph.D. who is currently working at Emporia State University with a background in behavioral science.

First installment:

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Professor Liberty says:

Each week I will write articles of various lengths pertaining to our beloved libertarian principles. The purpose of these articles is education. Please take note that all information contained herein is my personal perspective, gained from various and sundry sources. Viewpoints vary amongst libertarians, and I make no claims of always being right. By all means, evaluate, critically analyze, and converse.

I currently am a professor at Emporia State University with a background in behavioral science. A relatively new convert to libertarianism, I formerly was a Democrat. One fine day, I saw the light. I saw the light by way of education and critical thinking.

What is libertarianism? Who are its opponents? This week’s article is dedicated to terminology, to differentiating the political systems and theories so often debated and misunderstood.

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that believes in maximizing individual liberty. This requires a small government and for individuals to accept responsibility for their lives. Libertarians usually promote the ideals set forth by the framers of the Constitution and advocate well-defined, limited roles for government. Libertarians believe in less government in both economic/money matters and in social/private matters, deferring to private citizens whenever possible.

Core belief: Maximum liberty. Personal freedom and limited government that protects natural rights.

Statists are believers in large government, especially large federal government. Are you seeking more government involvement in social matters? Check. How about more government power over economics? Double check. A statist desires intrusive government because they believe government is able to legislate morality and well-being, provide for the downtrodden, or create “social justice” in ways … any particular statist sees fit, or a cult of personality deems worthy. Statists believe that federal bureaucracy can enhance the lives of private citizens more than private citizens can enhance their own lives. Statism stands as the contemporary antithesis of libertarianism in America today.

Core belief: Big government, high regulation, high intrusion

Liberals typically favor more government in financial affairs but are apt to me more permissive in the social arena. For instance, liberals wish to force citizens to pay considerable taxes to the federal government so the government can disperse the funds in ways liberals see best fit, in order to help society progress by creating their version of social justice. Liberals, also known as progressives, in reality share much in common with statists.

Core belief: More government economically, more permissiveness socially

Conservatives are usually traditionalists and counter to the progressive ideas of the left. They maintain a culture's traditions. Conservatives are apt to favor heavy government involvement in social, or personal-choice related, issues. For instance, conservatives tend to support government banning of same-sex marriage. On the economic front, conservatives have traditionally sought less government intrusion although in actuality modern conservatives have shown a penchant for government spending that rivals even the liberals.

Core belief: Government helps monitor morality; progress in small steps

Anarchy essentially implies no government. Anarchists are thought to characterize lawlessness and chaos, but it should be noted that this notion presupposes morality from authority. While a libertarian believes governments should exist and maintain important roles in civilization, an anarchist may endorse the idea of no government being the ideal.

Core belief: No government, we can govern ourselves

Fascism is a system of government under the control of a dictator marked by suppression of any opposing parties and ideas, and highlighted by nationalism, censorship, and racism.

Core belief: Control in the hands of one despot

The Political/Economic interplay

The following are political systems built upon economic theory and notions of social equality.

Capitalism is an economical theory that places the means of production of goods and services, along with the distribution of said goods, in private hands or voluntary business partnerships (corporations). Capitalism is based on the profit motive, the notion that each individual strives to better his personal lot. Capitalists believe in regulation, but feel that a free market will regulate itself. Because of the freedom inherent in a free-market system, libertarians generally favor a capitalistic society.

Core belief: Free market systems

Socialism is Marx’s middle stage, between capitalism and on its way to communism. A socialist system has eliminated private ownership of business and hence limited personal freedom. The production and distribution of goods and services is accomplished and owned by society, rather than individuals, in a socialist system. Who actually sets standards and policy while deciding what goods are produced? Why, the government, of course.

Core belief: Society trumps individuals

Communism is a system and worldview in which there is no more private property or privately owned business. A central government essentially owns all property, goods, and production means. The government then allocates what the government feels each individual needs, thereby creating an all-equal, classless, utopian society (in theory it works quite well). A communal society has little need of private ownership because everyone is exactly, precisely, equal … obviously. Individualism and identity is forfeited to group identity and nationalism.

Core belief: Only communal society matters

Here’s to libertarianism emerging as victor.

Updates --> mid May 2013

I was elected to a 2 year term as the Vice-Chair for the Kansas Libertarian Party in late April.

Jumped right back in and will be traveling Kansas as I work to build the party for our 2014 elections.

I am on the committee to find our statewide candidates (Governor/ LT Governor tag team, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Insurance) if you know of a Kansan that would be a good candidate for the LPKS - please contact me and let me know who there are.

I am also looking for candidates for all 125 Kansas House of Representatives seats.

Working on new LPKS brochure and will be working on a new idea for a positive libertarian message plan, (digital, brochures, posters, website, social media etc.)

This Thursday evening (May 16) I will be in Cimarron Kansas giving my town hall presentation "Libertarian 101" or What's a libertarian? using this meeting to try and help the Gray County LP get started with drawing people into the Libertarian party.

The LPKS will have an in-person Executive Committee meeting in Topeka June 30 - place and time TBD

The 2014 State nominating convention will be in Wichita the weekend of April 26th and we are planning a bigger meeting, banquet and probable social get-together the Friday evening before.

The Kansas legislature is sitting on their thumbs trying to finish this years session, however the Republicans can't make up their minds on taxes. the legislature did some of what I thought they would do - some economic issues legislation can be positive, several social issues legislation continue the republican belief in big government. The battle will come with the Kansas Supreme Court and education funding, I think the courts will again try and become legislators and dictate education spending.... We will see.

The county fair season will kick in high gear starting in July and the Kansas State Fair booth will be a source of information to the public for the 28th year now. One of the longest running libertarian outreach booths I am aware of nationally.

If you wish to contact me with ideas (outreach, blog post ideas, other communication - send me an email to rob.hodgkinson@lpks.org

See Ya

Gotta love living in the Kansas City area - Monday we set a record high temp (76) and it dropped yesterday to/hit 5 with sub zero windchill's....

Libertarians in Kansas are growing - I have been to multiple meetings in the last 30 days, I like where we are headed. The LPKS has started to get County Chairs in place for us to be able to continue our growth and more importantly be able to support good candidates!

The third district group will meet Tuesday Feb 5 @ 6:30 link to the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/319824511456013/ COME JOIN US IN PERSON! If you would like - here is our facebook page for the Kansas 3rd District LP group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/340444472811/

Several area of legislation that the LPKS is working on - a medical marijuana bill is dead on arrival - the committee chair will not let this proposal see the light of day.
We are still working on KELA (Kansas Education Liberty Act) again, not sure where this will go as a couple of the champions we had in the legislature in the past were defeated in the last election.
The LPKS is continuing to work on the "Open Carry" issue with individual cities to get them to follow state law.
And last but not least, I have sent in information to try and resurrect a eminent domain bill I helped write back in 2006 (A State constitutional amendment that would end eminent domain abuse in Kansas)to a high school classmate that was elected in 2012. Hope we can make some ground on it this year. in 2006 we missed by only 2 votes getting passed in the KS House.

One weird thing that has happened is the current Secretary of State in Kansas has invalidated minor party ballot access for the Reform Party in Kansas. This means they will have to petition to add candidates to the ballot in 2014. In the past where an election that the Presidential race was the only statewide race - the SoS did not use it as a qualifier (you must get 1% of the vote in a statewide race to keep "minor" party status) this decision was new and unexpected. The Reformer's I believe have filed a lawsuit - we will see where that lands. It may mean that instead of many 4 way races for us in 2014 - we may end up with just 3 way races, I would expect that the 1% of "protest votes" the Reform Party was getting here will transfer to the LP and bump our vote totals up.

That's all for now, more later.....

A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions

Written in 1998 by Harry Browne, 1996 & 2000 Libertarian Party Nominee for President

1. I resolve to sell liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect, rather than preaching to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong.

2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is to inspire people to want liberty — not to prove that they’re wrong.

3. I resolve to listen when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.

4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals someone may seek — a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society — and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.

5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that lead people to seek government help. I don’t have to approve of their subsidies or policies — but if I don’t acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping them find a better way to solve their problems.

6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.

7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American. Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we have. To speak only of America’s defects will make me a tiresome crank.

8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very small government — not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.

9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.

10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the first Libertarian someone has encountered, and it’s important that he get a good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.

11. I resolve to remind myself that someone’s “stupid” opinion may be an opinion I once held. If I can grow, why can’t I help him grow?

12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest for a free society.

13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people free — and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals will bring.

14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents, and treat them with respect. However anyone chooses to treat me, it’s important that I be a better person than my enemies.