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'98 State Convention
Harry Browne, Michael Cloud, candidate and activist workshops, flexible packages

Doubletree Inn of Bellevue hosts 1998 gathering, first-ever Hall of Fame Awards Banquet, May 2-3

Washington State Libertarians have much to celebrate — an explosive year of membership growth and regional organizing. We have much yet to do — candidate and activist development, toward the goal of Major Party status in year 2000.

This year’s state convention is planned as the largest ever. It’s intended to be productive, informative ... and fun. A variety of convention packages means you can pick and choose your events. You can attend the business meeting, free, as a voting delegate. You can even skip the convention itself, and attend only the social functions.

Extra consideration was given to out-of-town delegates, and those on a tight budget. The Bellevue location, is handiest for those east of the mountains. The Saturday session begins at 10:00AM, to possibly save one night’s lodging. A Room-Share Committee can match you up with a hotel roommate, if needed, and hopes to arrange extra bedrooms in members’ homes. All business sessions are scheduled for Sunday.

Saturday Session. This is speaker/workshop day. The official program starts at 10am, to accommodate Saturday morning arrivals. For everyone else, liberty-oriented groups will be manning literature/discussion tables, in the Liberty Mall from 8-10am. Registration is also 8-10am.

Following the Keynote Address, Michael (Emerling) Cloud will conduct a seminar version of his classic "Techniques of Political Persuasion" for all delegates.

Then we go into split session. Ron Crickenberger, National LP Director, will conduct a 2-hour intensive workshop for prospective candidates and campaign staff, including handouts unique to Washington State. For everyone else, the breakout room will host a rotating series of roundtable discussions/workshops on political activism.

Don’t let that scare you. The "activism" roundtables are designed to match your own level of intensity — writing letters, member prospecting by the truly bashful, forming a community organization, staffing a "Nolan booth" (Operation Politically Homeless), etc. — with emphasis on gaining Libertarian exposure at this summer’s fairs and events.

For example, we’ll have a Politically Homeless booth, with "The World’s Smallest Political Quiz." You can rehearse to a friendly audience before your first live performance, and learn how to develop the best leads.

Harry Browne. 1996 Libertarian candidate for President will give a major speech to delegates, and invited news media. Browne has formed an exploratory committee for the 2000 election, and maintains an active schedule of public and media appearances promoting the Libertarian Party. Separate tickets will be available, so tell your libertarian-leaning friends.

Reception/Banquet. Saturday evening begins with a "Meet Harry and Michael" cocktail reception, followed by the Hall of Fame Banquet.

As we work toward the future, we must also recognize our past — the individuals who have made today’s party possible. That’s why the new Hall of Fame Awards have been created, to honor exceptional achievements on behalf of the Libertarian Party in Washington State. This year’s awards will be presented by Harry Browne.

Sunday Business Session. It’s a full agenda this year. Package Pre-Registrants will receive a Convention Kit roughly two weeks in advance, with formal proposals and resolutions by convention committees, for review before the convention begins—plus a Convention Program.

Organization structure tops the list, with both a Committee and a Task Force proposing changes in the Constitution and Bylaws. Planned membership growth, and the goal of Major Party status, each require their own changes — perhaps even a major overhaul. Washington Libertarian will preview these proposals in the April edition.

Lodging: The Doubletree is sold out of "special-rate" rooms, so we’ve blocked rooms right next door, at the Best Western Bellevue Inn.

A limited number of rooms are available at the Doubletree, at the normal weekend rate of $119/night. The Bellevue Inn has special convention rates at $89 (single or double occupancy), through April 1. Reserve promptly.

If you want to share a room and split costs with another member, the Bellevue Inn will bill each roommate separately. Please try to arrange your own room-share. If you can’t find your own roommate, or if you want to see if space is available in a member’s home, phone Ernie Ludwick, (425) 641-9824. Likewise, if you have a spare bedroom to offer — especially on the eastside — please also phone Ernie.

For Bellevue Inn reservations, phone (425) 455-5240, or (800) 421-8193—and mention the Libertarian Party. For Doubletree reservations, phone (425) 455-1300. A list of nearby budget motels will be available from the Executive Director, and on the web site.

A map with driving instructions will be included in the Convention Kit.

Convention Packages/Prices. Reduced prices are in effect through March 15. Click here for a printable Pre-Registration Form.

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Regional Organizing
Two new Regional Parties in a single day!

On January 18th, Libertarians from Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties came together. Their goal: create new party organizations.

The event was hosted by Brett Wilhelm, state Membership Chair, and State Chair Mary Maas. GOP Congressman Jack Metcalf was the guest speaker.

A total of 51 people attended, including more LPWS members than last year’s state convention. There were 15 member/delegates, 19 visiting LPWS members and officers, 15 guests, plus Metcalf and his Chief of Staff.

Three members renewed expired memberships. One guest joined the party on the spot. When it was over, the LPWS had two new regional parties, complete with bylaws and officers.

Skagit/San Juan Counties

Mark Leigh (Sedro Wooley) was elected Regional Chair for the newly-formed Libertarian Party of San Juan and Skagit Counties. Leigh is also Regional Representative to the State Executive Committee.

Vice-Chair is Mike Macksey (Olga). Deborah Riehl (Concrete) was elected Secretary/Treasurer. Richard Manning (La Conner) holds the position of Database/Membership Chair. Voting delegates also included Sam Windsor, Helen Schoenfeld, Richard Riehl and Ian Woofenden.

Whatcom County

The Libertarian Party of Whatcom County elected Tom Hayden (Everson) as Chair and Regional Rep. Carol Hayden (Everson) is the Alternate Rep.

David Miller (Bellingham) is Vice-Chair and Database/Membership Chair. The Secretary/Treasurer is Richard Whitmore. Linda Cain, Ron Bailey and Esther Dillon attended as delegates.

Progress Report. Using the current roster, only 42% of party members were in organized regions last May. By mid-November, that had nearly doubled. Only 13% of total membership is now in an "open" county.

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Call for action
Libertarian opportunity in Cedar County

By Ernie Ludwick

Since my childhood, enmity roiled between the people of rural eastern King County and the county government. I still recall threats involving chainsaws and the County Council, at the old North Bend Grange Hall, as the small logging community railed against their indifferent government.

The populous western county ramrodded laws into effect, without a backward glance at their country cousins. Everything from Issaquah west is contemptuously referred to as "The City" by long-time "Valley" residents.

Last year, disgusted by taxation without representation, the rural eastern portion of King County tried to secede—into a new Cedar County. Their petition was signed by a majority of registered voters in the area, followed procedures in the state Constitution, and was submitted to Secretary of State Ralph Munro.

In apparent defiance of the Constitution, Munro set aside the petition. (The region contains 12% of King County's assessed value.) Munro’s action has been challenged to the State Supreme Court. A ruling is expected within 90 days.

Rarely has the Libertarian Party had such an opportunity to showcase our philosophies in action. The entire new county government will have to be created from the ground up.

Conceived in liberty and populated by anti-big-government voters, Cedar County epitomizes the struggle to maintain freedom and self-determination. The people already embrace many aspects of Libertarian ideology.

The county's small population means that a small cadre of well-organized activists can have a large influence on elections. Similarly, advertising and organizational budgets can be of manageable scale. ·

Cedar County is within an established regional party (East King), with many enthusiastic members. No incumbents! We are on a level playing field with the older parties at last!

We must not let this chance slip away. Planning should start now, so we can move quickly on a favorable Court ruling. Here’s what we need:

A small Task Force can track Supreme Court action, and study the new county’s governmental structure.

Liaisons to the (non-partisan) Cedar County movement should be formed. Local Libertarian caucuses can be organized and ready.

We can encourage membership recruiting within Cedar County, and other methods to increase Libertarian visibility.

Candidates should be identified, recruited and ready — for at least the 3 County Council seats. A campaigns war chest must be ready to roll, tapping state, local and national sources.

A list of potential Libertarian campaign volunteers — both inside and outside the area — must be created, for possible mobilization.

We must move quickly, but with tact and sensitivity. The secessionist movement is already established in Cedar County, and very well organized. They’ve already done the heavy lifting. Our goal must not be to usurp what they have created — but to help provide the political implementation of their dream.

If properly prepared, we could steal a march on the old parties, sweep the Cedar County elections, and create a model Libertarian government. At last, the world could see what happens when Libertarians can actually practice what we preach in real-world governing.

Ludwick is the Regional Rep for East King County. For more on Cedar County, visit their web site at http://www.cedarco.org, or call Lois Gustafson at (425) 836-0272.

To join with Ernie, and help create a Libertarian government in Cedar County, email him at hannah@seanet.com.

Ed. Note: After we went to print, the WA Supreme Court ruled against Cedar County -- saying the legislature had to create specific rules for county secession. This is now a potent statewide issue for Libertarians, who have always favored the right of secession..

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Libertarians in office
Why not volunteer for public office?

Competing for elected office is not for everyone. Consider volunteering.

by Doug Thornton

You’ve read it here before: a great way to get involved in state and local government is to volunteer for commissions and boards. What are these commissions and boards? And what’s it like to be on one?

Well, Pierce County Libertarians Mark Hamilton and Frank Jenkins serve on a commission and board, respectively, and they spoke with me about what it’s like.

Mark Hamilton is Chair of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) of Bonney Lake, and has been a member for over 3 years. Hamilton is a small-business owner with no political aspirations, and he got into the game with no experience. "I knew absolutely nothing about the Civil Service when I began," he said.

Hamilton took the open position because the city needed volunteers. He’s glad he made that decision. He views the position as true public service. "I don’t work for the mayor; I work for the people of Bonney Lake," he added.

How does the CSC work for the people? The answer makes perfect sense: the city government must play by certain rules when hiring, firing, and disciplining its employees. The whole point of civil service is to prevent the mayor or council from implementing what used to be called the "spoils system". Before civil service, the winner of an election could fire all the city employees and put political supporters and relatives on the public payroll.

While nothing like this happens any longer(?), it’s still possible to play fast and loose with city employment.

Hamilton says the CSC holds monthly public hearings to review the hiring and firing of city employees. "Sometimes the city likes to hire from within," he said. "I want to ensure the city is hiring the best people for each open position. That can only happen if the public is given proper notice of job openings."

Washington State has passed laws that allow city governments to remove "department heads" from civil service rules, effectively making them subject to mayoral whim. Most cities have taken advantage of the law, even Bonney Lake. "We fought the city council hard on that one," he admits. Finally, with the aid of the city manager, council backed down.

Hamilton serves his city in anonymity and without compensation. "It’s a thankless job," he said, "But I’ll stay with it as long as they want me to." Making a difference can be its own reward.

Frank Jenkins’ position is a little different. He is one of about twenty members of the Pierce County Aging and Long-Term Care Advisory Board. Jenkins is a disgruntled Republican who belongs to both the GOP and LPWS. His contacts with the people of Pierce County have convinced him there are plenty of upset Republicans and Democrats who would agree with a lot of the LP’s message except, as he said, "They don’t know what Libertarians are."

It’s probably safe to say his fellow board members are learning something about Libertarians from Jenkins. He takes a no nonsense approach to the problems of aging and long-term care. As a 75-year-old man, he knows a lot about it.

He applied to the board two years ago and was denied. He tried again last year and was appointed to a 4 year term. Jenkins knows it’ll be a long haul. "These Aging Advisory Boards around the state make a strong lobby that prevents legislation from being passed (that the LPWS would like)," he said. "I feel like the voice in the wilderness at these meetings."

Jenkins also fears that these boards and commissions can be used as "rubber stamps" for laws and regulations. He believes the purposes of these boards are to advise, not merely to consent. His particular board advises an agency of the Department of Human Services, and deals with a budget of $10 to $12 million—much of which is earmarked for specific services, such as Meals-On-Wheels.

As he spends more time on the board, there is no doubt his influence will grow. Meanwhile, he has already earned a reputation. "They consider me the lone thorn in their backsides," he chuckled.

So there it is: no glamour, no pay, and at least one night a month sitting in a public meeting. Why do it? If not you, then who? — some statist or socialist?

You don’t need political ambitions to make a difference. But if you do have such ambitions, this is a perfect way to get your feet wet and start building a political resume.

Here’s the bottom line: the more Libertarians that fill these positions, the greater our ideas will influence local governments.

Local government has a greater impact on our lives than any other level. Remember that building permit? Do you like paying for a sports complex on the other side of the mountains? This is where we start influencing and changing public policy.

Get your White Page directory. Turn to the blue pages section. Find the number for your city clerk or the mayor’s office. Call them and ask, "What vacancies are there on any boards or commissions, and how I can apply for them?" It’s really that simple. Good luck!

Thornton is Campaigns Chair for West King County. If you hold public office anywhere in the state and have not been interviewed yet, please contact Doug at jthornto@ix.netcom.com, or leave a message at 800-353-1776.

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Grassroots activism
Form or join a local citizen’s group

A group I founded was the biggest factor in my school board win, three years later.

by Mike Hihn

In 1989, I was elected to a local school board in Ohio. The victory margin was large, even though a group I founded had defeated eight school levies in a row. The schools had been driven into state receivership by election day, but we still elected two of our three candidates.

It is possible to mount and win an aggressive campaign — if you start by organizing within your community, and take extra time to develop your positions. The "Save Our Schools" (SOS) Committee had been formed three years earlier, purely to oppose the tax increase. Only later did it also become a campaign committee.

Even as a group with wide support, we could not hope to match the dollars thrown against us by the teachers union. Our "media campaign" was letters to the editor, in a small town (25,000). We did get pre-election flyers to every residence. But our most effective tactic operated below the opposition’s the radar screen. Informal discussion groups, in people’s homes., were like Tupperware^tm parties, but we "demonstrated" the notion of lower taxes and better schools. Many Libertarians know the arguments, but we often need both time and personal contact to develop them.

I’d like to tell you that I implemented a sophisticated three-year strategy to get elected. But the effort began with no thought to actually running., then it evolved. What I did, largely by accident, could be your multi-year strategy.

Local citizen groups are as American as Mom and apple pie. "Ourtown citizens for lower taxes" is grassroots activism at its most pure. In San Diego, Libertarian Richard Rider has built a national reputation, by fighting government abuse though a variety of nonpartisan citizen action groups. Rider forms groups to largely finance lawsuits, but they can be formed for any purpose.

These groups are often temporary, formed around a single issue. They represent yet another avenue for Libertarians to become visible, effective, and influence public policy.

Forming a group is like creating a political party from scratch. But the most effective groups are nonpartisan, and seek a broad community consensus — an ideal learning experience, and a wise political tactic, for any minor party.

Citizen groups help focus on a single issue, often a tax or zoning change, instead of the entire litany of Libertarian principles. Use that issue to develop your leadership and organizing skills, while developing visibility and trust in the community.

Memorize and apply a principle I learned from Tom Isenberg, "Voters will ignore normal ideas from a radical person, but will listen to radical ideas from a normal person." I suspect we all know that, but simply forget to apply it. You’ve seen the consequences, when Libertarian candidates get attacked, not on the issues, but for merely being Libertarian. Yes, that’s unfair, but we cause it ourselves — if our candidates are strangers in their own community.

In my case, I was Isenberg’s normal person with radical ideas. For eight years, I had been a coach and officer in our town’s youth baseball league. When the personal attacks came, I could simply ignore them.

Finally, we Libertarians tend to focus on "cosmic" issues like Social Security, Medicare and repealing the income tax. Evils to be sure, but not something you can start fixing, yourself, tomorrow.

Spend a week talking to your neighbors. Attend a few city council or school board meetings. I’ll bet you can find at least three local issues you can help solve by year-end. — by either joining or forming a citizens group. Then ... go get ‘em!

Hihn is Executive Director of the LPWS.

Framing the debate

It's time for Libertarians to steer Washingtonians into meaningful political debate—debate that also furthers our party's goals.

Has anyone noticed it’s impossible to turn on a television or radio without the conversation turning to liberals versus conservatives, terms which were never meant to be nouns in political context?! Those terms don't apply to forms of government and, in fact, have no place in political life at all. They reference personal beliefs which belong in the arena of civil society, not government.

Those two words are far more than just annoying; they are holding back the progress of the Libertarian party and movement. If we allow "liberal and conservative" to define the role of government, the question will never be what should government do; it will be which should government do.

Libertarians want to be where all that government does in the name of a liberal or conservative agenda is no longer done, and where only those duties authorized by the constitution are legislated.

Once those labels are transferred to civil society, people will be looking for an alternative that makes sense. As we know, Libertarianism is that alternative.

The debate can then be steered to Libertarian versus totalitarian forms of government. Republicans and Democrats will be exposed like never before—as the power addicts and pandering, pork-barrel politicians they are. The detrimental effect they have on our freedom will finally be unmasked for all to see.

Our mission is to shift the terms of the debate away from "liberal and conservative.". We must move the debate toward total personal and economic freedom as long as no one else's rights are violated—versus the state assuming our responsibilities, taking our associated freedoms and spoon-feeding them back to us as the state sees fit.

Washingtonians must understand that no matter what their social views are, they can still live a peaceful coexistence, in a political sense, with those whom they disagree, while waging private battles on their personal issues of passion and compassion.

Libertarians must take every opportunity to alter the debate, whether it be calling radio stations, writing letters, public speaking or any other forum available. The debate must be steered back into a political context where freedom is the guiding force; not the whims of special interest groups.

This is similar, of course, to the concept embodied in those effective little cards, "The World’s Smallest Political Quiz." What I’m suggesting is that we move that concept from the cards into our daily political discourse.

We know the Quiz cards work, in personal contact. We must now send that same message to a broader audience, repeatedly.

Executive Committee - January
Snohomish chartered, Spokane petition efforts rewarded, Council of Regional Chairs approved, new PR Chair elected

The new regional party in Snohomish County was officially chartered at the January Board meeting. Larey McLaren, Regional Rep, presented the necessary documents and was welcomed to his new seat on the Board.

A Board vacancy was created by the resignation of Doug Thornton as PR Chair. Thornton had resigned to spend more time on local campaigns and activism. Reece Causey, PR Chair and Regional Rep for Island County, was elected to fill the position until the state convention.

Spokane region was noted for obtaining a majority of petition signatures by the LPWS statewide, for the Washington State Civil Rights Initiative. The LPWS will receive 40 cents per signature. The Director proposed, and the Board approved, that 1/3 of party income from the campaign would be spent on behalf of the Spokane region — on Advertising and/or Membership projects to be jointly planned by the Director and the Regional Chair.

Based on a survey of Regional Chairs, a new Council of Regional Chairs will be formed as soon as possible. The Council is specified in the Director’s management contract, but there had been concern regarding its priority. The Council is independent of the Executive Committee, has no official status yet, and will elect its own officers. The Council’s organizing meeting will include a half-day workshop on Regional Development, by former National Director Perry Willis.

Local Parties & Campus Groups

Campus group formed at Washington State.
Students for Individual Liberty (SIL) was just formed on the WSU campus, and has already booked Jacob "Bumper" Hornberger to an on-campus debate. (See Events Calendar.)

The national LP has "de-funded" its Campus Outreach program. But Pamela McEachern, SIL Secretary and LPWS member, reports that former LP US campus coordinator, Professor Jim Lark, is still helping campus groups. Lark suggests creating up to four different campus organizations, each with a slightly different mission. A formal on-campus Libertarian Party would come near the end of that sequence. LPWS members wishing to support this on-campus group may contact Pam McEachern at (509) 347-1356.

West King County LP elects new officers.
At it’s January meeting, our largest regional party elected new officers and approved major revisions to its Bylaws. The new Regional Chair, Ken Houghton, was elected to pursue an activist agenda. Michael Justice, was elected Vice Chair. Elected Secretary was Scott Semans. Kevin Bjornson was elected Treasurer. Doug Thornton had recently resigned as state PR Chair, to spend more time on local activism. He was elected to the newly-elevated officer position of Campaigns Chair.

West King is entitled to two Representatives on the State Executive Committee (SEC), because the region has over 25% of LPWS total membership. Andria Frost and Jim Campton were elected Regional Reps. First Alternate Rep is Brian Norton. Additional Alternates are Carol Williams, Scott Semans and Kevin Bjornson.

Correction: In the December WL, poor phrasing implied that monthly Liberty Supper Club attendance was still fewer than ten. That was the case last May. Attendance now runs 25-40, and growing.

The Spokane County Libertarian Party is proud to have been part of the successful signature-gathering effort for the Washington State Civil Rights Initiative (I-200). Special thanks to Loretta Czap, Paul Claussen, Mike Hinz, Dave Kerns and Mark Whitman, who helped gather signatures in the greater Spokane area (including Costco, a local gun show, and "Listener Appreciation Day" picnic held by radio station KGA 1510 AM). Thanks, also, to KGA talk hosts Richard Clear and Steve Corker, who presented I-200 on their show and permitted me to call and fax plugs for the initiative.

We recently met to discuss our upcoming regional convention (Monday, March 9, 1998) and plans for the year. An informal survey was presented and, happily, it was found that we have individuals wanting to participate in a Tax Day activity and in a previously-discussed Habitat for Humanity project. Interest was also shown in running for SCLP or public office, and outreach to young people. Local outreach to members was considered — through either a survey or newsletter. The next meeting of our group will be on Monday, February 9, when SCLP candidates will be nominated and Constitution/Bylaws proposals presented. Stay tuned. -Janice Moerschel

WA Pulse (Member Survey)
To PAC or not to PAC?

This topic may seem obscure, but it will likely be a convention issue this year, either directly or indirectly.

Two or more independent Political Action Committees are now in the early planning stages, to support LPWS candidates and possibly run liberty-oriented ballot initiatives.

But ... if we already have and support a political party, why would we also need PACs? To answer that question, we must review past practice by the LPWS regarding public disclosure laws in this state.

The LPWS has never filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). As advised by legal counsel, we don’t have to — unless we provide cash or in-kind support to candidates or ballot issues. Under Washington statute, political parties are not necessarily the same as political committees, and only political committees are required to file.

In other words, a political party may or may not also be a political committee, based on whether it provides direct support to candidates and ballot issues. (There is an exclusion for the content of member-based newsletters.)

Thus, party practice has been to avoid direct support by the party itself, and to form a PAC if it wanted to directly support candidates or issues. Reason: PDC filings require reporting all member contributions to the government—not just campaign support, but also your support for party building (membership, advertising, project bootstrap, etc.).

It’s also debatable (i.e. unclear) whether our Constitution and Bylaws even permit cash donations to candidates by the party. The case for supporting ballot issues is even weaker.

We now reach the point of this piece: should the LPWS convert itself into a political committee, and report all member contributions to the state, along with occupation and employer? There are two separate issues at play: the privacy of our member roster, and powers delegated to party officers.

There are good arguments on both sides. And what the LPWS does may determine whether the liberty PACs are even created.

Arguments for filing as a party. The older parties do it in this state. Our own party does it at the national level. It’s called "soft money."

The LP US runs the entire presidential campaign as a soft-money project, after the nomination. An additional sum, $60,000 this year, is budgeted for state and local races.

If the state party files, then local parties may also file and support candidates and issues. The state party, as a support function, could even maintain regional treasuries and do the actual filing.

If we want to be a major party, we need to start acting like one.

Arguments against filing as a party. Both major parties also maintain PACs in this state. Few Libertarians would object to their names, contributions and employment information being reported. But a larger number might presumably object, if this filing was not even legally required (for non-campaign donations). At one recent state convention, floor debate raged for nearly an hour — on making member names available to even other party members.

Serious candidates must, by definition, develop their own fundraising prowess. Backing candidates means choosing which candidates to back, a touchy position for elected party officers who have constitutional and moral obligations to every party member.

An independent PAC, unlike party officials, can create and publicize rigid standards for campaigns it will support (or launch). And one or more PACS are far more likely to raise money from non-members.

A few regions may be willing to turn over their treasuries to the state party. But unless a majority of regions (at the minimum) are willing to do so, then the minority of regions should pay for the service.

This is not a scientific poll. But your choices and comments should at least make interesting reading in the April WL, and may directly influence the creation of one or more Liberty PACs in Washington State.

Click here for a response form you can print and mail. Thank you for participating.

The Era of Big Government is Over??? Recent proposals from President Clinton indicate an intense desire for government growth. One example is his child care initiative which calls for $22 billion to subsidize day care, implement tax credits for child care, increase funding to Head Start, early learning programs, etc., etc.

If the President truly cared about children, he would not be encouraging parents to palm their children off to strangers from infancy onward. Andrew Peyton Thomas, author of Crime and the Sacking of America: The Roots of Chaos, in a recent Wall Street Journal editorial writes that "Child development expert Edward Zigler of Yale has gone so far as to call day care ‘psychological thalidomide.’ Thomas says that "Research beginning in the early 1970’s has found that such children (raised in day care) are more likely to be violent, antisocial and resistant to basic discipline."

Other dastardly Clinton plans include increased subsidization of college costs and the expansion of Medicare. The Medicare proposal would bring in the 62-65 age group. This is a blatant attempt to further socialize health care, particularly as enrollees would have to cancel any private insurance they may have. "HillaryCare" didn’t die—it is being slowly but surely implemented with Republican support.

Reno on the warpath—again. This time, she will put an end to "hate" crimes. Attorney General Janet Reno has urged Congress to expand the scope of hate crimes. Claiming that "hate" crimes are under-reported, Reno wants federal hate crimes to include those based on disabilities, gender or sexual orientation (in addition to those based on race, color, religion and national origin).

The whole concept of "hate crimes" is dangerous. A "hate crime" can be anything—including spoken or written politically incorrect views (recall the President’s references to "hate radio".) And disabilities, as largely undefined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, can include almost any physical or mental ailment. But is not a crime a crime? Does the motive really matter? Is a murder inspired by anything BUT hate? Do we give a harsher sentence to an individual because the victim was one color and the perpetrator another?

How about meting out reasonable punishment for all crimes?

The War on Drugs, The War on Tobacco, and now—The War on Guns, Part II. Philadelphia mayor Edward Rendell is preparing to sue the gun industry to demand that manufacturers reimburse the city for the costs involving gun violence. Encouraged by the success of the tobacco suits and the vilification of the tobacco industry, the effort begins to put gun manufacturers out of business. Citing statistics indicating that 80% of homicides are perpetrated with guns, anti-gun nuts figure they will eliminate crime by punishing the gun industry.

This brings to mind a clip from an old "Archie Bunker" episode where Archie asks his liberal daughter if she’d be happier if the victims were pushed out of windows . . .

International Monetary Fund plays bully. Recent stock market tumbling results from Asia’s economic problems, and the IMF is doing its part to harm Asian economies. How so? Well, the IMF has demanded that — in exchange for a $43 billion bailout — Indonesia must deal with bad bank loans, reduce imports, curtail consumer borrowing, and raise interest rates. Sounds like a prescription for economic disaster.

Further, President Clinton called Indonesian President Suharto and warned him of his country’s impending economic doom—if it doesn’t follow the IMF’s orders. Economist Robert E. Scott of the Economic Policy Institute assures us that "It’s not a world government—yet." The bulk of that $43 billion is your money.

Skiers alert. Beware of do-gooders—they’re after you next. As a result of two high-profile skiing accidents recently, one may anticipate helmet legislation for skiers. Never mind that one of these accidents (Michael Kennedy) seems to have resulted from stupidity, arrogance, and other factors. Perhaps we should pass legislation to remove all trees from ski slopes . . .

Legislators don’t want to give back any of your money. Dems want to spend it on more social programs and Reps want to spend it on defense and/or roads. The projected budget surplus hasn’t actually materialized yet but, rest assured, it won’t be used to pay down the deficit, restore solvency to Social Security or Medicare, or give YOU a tax break. Unfortunately, it will only serve politicians who are all anxious to spend more of your money.

More IRS abuse. Proving that the IRS is the tool politicians use to destroy their enemies, the latest case is that of Paula Jones who is suing President Clinton for sexual harassment. The IRS notice that Paula and Stephen Jones would be audited by the IRS came 4 days after her refusal to accept a $700,000 settlement. The Treasury Department is now investigating.

Moerschel chairs the Spokane Region LP.

The Perversion of Compassion

True compassion recognizes only a limited number of victims, but the political class requires an endless supply.

As most libertarians are well aware, for at least the last century or so a favorite tactic of statists of all stripes has been to systematically undermine the meanings of everyday words. The purpose is clear: as long as words have their usual meanings, arguments purporting to support statist positions are easily refuted. To deal with this difficulty beneficiaries of state power long ago discovered the virtues of what Orwell called "Newspeak"—to get the conclusion of an argument to come out the way you want, just change the meanings of the words in the premises.

Thus, when wealth redistribution schemes were shown to violate individual rights to liberty and property, the statists asserted that "western culture" had simply been mistaken all these centuries about the meaning of "rights." Rights, they said, are not individual entitlements to goods that one has discovered or produced (or to personal attributes brought with one into the world), but are actually "the legitimate expectations of members of society." Hence, in affluent, industrial societies everyone has "rights" to housing, health care, and so on. "If we promote this definition of rights in the government schools," statists reasoned, "then eventually libertarian claims—that redistribution violates individual rights—will seem to make no sense. Everyone will know the government is really trying to protect everyone’s rights."

The concept of justice has suffered a similar and related mauling. Though for centuries dictionaries have defined "justice" to be the apportionment of rewards or punishment according to individual deserts, the statists seek to replace it with the concept of "social justice:" generous use of state power to assure that everyone’s "legitimate expectations"—the new "rights" they have defined—are met. After all, isn’t that what the Declaration of Independence asserts to be the job of government—protecting rights?

Another familiar example is the linguistic transmogrification of various bad habits or offensive behaviors into "diseases." Drug addicts, unruly children, and criminals are all victims of "diseases" which a "compassionate" society (i.e., productive taxpayers) must be prepared to pay—and pay very well, too—tens of thousands of apparatchiks and other gummint trough hogs to "treat."

Which brings us to the topic of the present essay. The statists are waging an all-fronts campaign to change the meaning of "compassion" so it can be put to work in the cause of further expansion of state power; and contribute further to the fortunes of the political class. Compassion, according to this scheme, is no longer to be understood as a spontaneous, personal impulse to help someone in distress, but as an ideological abstraction detached from personal experience, and thus available as a foundation for creating institutionalized, government "helping departments" staffed by more thousands of GS-something-or-others.

The trouble, you see, with real compassion—the spontaneous kind that individual human beings actually experience—is that it is informed by whatever knowledge we may have about the person suffering, and the details of the tragedy. Most of us would have little compassion for a bank robber killed when his getaway car struck a tree, but a great deal for a pedestrian run down during the chase. Most of us would feel great compassion for a well-liked neighbor wiped out financially by a prolonged illness, but much less for a loutish one who lost his house and savings in a poker game (though we’d feel compassion for his wife and kids).

In short, the real, spontaneous compassion we all occasionally feel depends crucially on whether the victim of the suffering brought his troubles upon himself—whether he is a victim of unkind fate or only of his own reprobate conduct.

But this understanding of compassion will not serve the purposes of the political class, which now divides mankind into three classes—victims, oppressors, and rescuers.

The rescuers, of course, are the statist functionaries themselves. An oppressor is anyone who insists on holding people responsible for their conduct, such as an employer, landlord or parent, or anyone who has money and resists handing it over to the noble rescuers. Everyone else is, at least potentially, a victim—and the statists’ master strategy is to move as many of these potential victims as possible into the actual column— whether by linguistic legerdemain or by enacting public policies which in fact victimize people. The more victims there are, the more the need for rescuers, and thus the greater the psychic and pecuniary returns to the political class.

Hence the statists’ need for a new understanding of compassion—the old one, depending as it does on personal knowledge and judgment, recognizes only a limited number of victims, while the political class requires an endless supply

Libertarians already recognize this scam for what it is. So let’s do a bit of rescuing ourselves, and help people avoid becoming victims of an induced guilt for not feeling compassion where it is not deserved and thus could not be genuine. Let people know that in matters of compassion they should trust their instincts, not the bureaucrats and their support groups.

Morton is a political essayist, and Spokane Rep to the State Executive Committee.

Letters to the editor
Your turn ...

Three issues for ‘98

I am new to the LP, but am very excited about our prospects for the upcoming year. I hope you will not consider this presumptuous of someone who just joined a few months ago, but I would like to call your attention to 3 issues where I feel the major parties are extremely vulnerable in 1998:

Racial preferences. I-200 obtained the necessary signatures, and the Republican-controlled House and Senate will have an opportunity to pass this initiative in the spring of 1998. If both houses approve it, the measure becomes law (Locke cannot veto it). But, as you probably know, most Republicans are extremely squeamish on this issue.

Expect to hear a lot of talk about how this is too important an issue not to submit it to the people for a vote. When the Republicans fail to pass this, Libertarians should remind conservatives that Slade Gorton, Rick White, Jennifer Dunn, Linda Smith, Jack Metcalf, et al. have been completely AWOL on this issue.

The LP, by contrast, was among the first groups to start collecting signatures for this. It will be easy to make the case that the LP is the only party that unambiguously and wholeheartedly opposes racial and gender preferences.

Corporate welfare. With the Mariners and Seahawks stadiums and taxpayer-funded parking garages for Nordstrom in Spokane and Seattle being constructed, I think this issue is reaching a boiling point. Conservatives should be reminded that leading Republicans — John Carlson, Michael Medved, Slade Gorton — supported the obscene Seahawks deal. Liberals should be reminded that leading Democrats — Gary Locke, Norm Rice, Paul Schell — have repeatedly put the interests of wealthy developers before those of ordinary working stiffs. The LP is the only party that is willing to consistently say no to politically connected corporate beggars.

Campaign finance. From Gary Locke to Tom Stewart, the major parties are in trouble over blatant violations of campaign finance disclosure laws. The Ds and Rs won't be too hard on each other, though, because each party knows it has its own dirty laundry to hide.

The LP does not and should not favor adding new campaign finance laws, but it should support enforcement of existing disclosure laws and forcefully oppose those who thwart the public's right to know by funneling contributions through straw donors.

These 3 issues are among the major reasons I decided to join the Libertarian Party. I believe they provide an opportunity to persuade other disaffected Ds and Rs to join as well.

Thank you for your attention,

Jesse Malkin
Seattle

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