By Ryan Weiss for The Liberty Block
I was sixteen years old departing high school and heading towards the tennis courts within the back woods of school grounds. I was looking forward to tennis practice today, as I always did. My coach was heading out of his truck and I saw a faded LP sticker on his back window. I said “Hey coach! What’s that LP on your back window!? Lobster Party?”
“Not quite kid. That stands for the Libertarian Party. I’m a libertarian.”
“Libertarian?” I said, “Is that like the political party for Librarians?”
He chuckled and responded: “It’s the party that seeks to maximize human liberty and limit government interference within our lives.”
I guess at that point I had never thought very hard about what political party I identified with or how politics worked. Public school does a wonderful job of eviscerating curiosity and obfuscating the true nature of things. I understood that there were three branches of government; the executive, judicial, and legislative. Congress has two parts; the house and the senate. There are nine Supreme Court judges. With that being all of my civic knowledge I got a Rubber A+ stamped onto my forehead and moved down the conveyor belt towards graduation. I understood that taxes were the price we pay to live in a civilized society and without the government we would have anarchy! My teacher said so! Why would my coach want to limit the government?
I went home later that night and as I was lying in bed I looked up Libertarianism on Google. It seemed to be a pretty ridiculous idea. But I felt captivated as I delved deeper into my research. Little did I know that the seeds of freedom had found a fertile mind. I found YouTubers and bloggers, podcasters and protesters. I picked up a copy of Basic Economics. I listened to interviews of Milton Freidman. As I learned more and more I realized that not only did I not receive an education in civics and economics, but I had received a miseducation. I had been molded into a gear that was designed to fit into a morally and ethically bankrupt system.
Four years later, I describe myself as an un-compromising principled libertarian. I have a few adjectives I like; Voluntaryist, anarcho-capitlatist, anarchist. I am a liberty oriented person and I reject the force of the state within my life and the life of my Family.
I think one of the hardest things for me to remember is what it was like before I understood the truth. But as Libertarians we must remember that most people are blissfully unaware of the true nature of the state and of government. We’re told that government is of the people, by the people, for the people, but if we point out that failure to pay taxes results in jail time it seems to short-circuit people’s brains. We’re told that liberal social programs help those in need, but if we point out that they create a permanent underclass and violate the Non-Aggression Principle we’re laughed at.
I always remind myself that if I am to be a principled person of integrity I must submit my will to facts, reason, and evidence. When I present the arguments of Liberty to people the responses I get are always astounding. I hear ad hominem, straw-man after straw-man, false equivalences, and other general sophistry. What this signals to me is that this is truly something worth pursuing and digging into. I want to be a LOUD and PROUD Libertarian!
The Gandhi quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world” could not be more appropriately applied to any other movement. I live for Liberty in all aspects of my life. I will not initiate force against my fellow man. I will never accept government (stolen) money. I will not send my children to public schools. I will not work for the government. I will not violate property rights. I will pursue voluntary relationships with all of those around me, and I will challenge those who support the use of force against me by supporting the government.
Liberty is unique in that it’s a movement whose ends cannot be achieved politically. It must be a revolution of the individual. What are you going to do today to promote it?
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views held by The Liberty Block or any of its contributors or members.
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