Signatures are the short quotes or sayings appended to the bottom of email messages, online forum posts, and blog comments.

They are a great way to get across a libertarian point. Many email programs allow you to have a variety of signatures ready to add to your messages, so you can choose the right one for the right audience.

Remember, when using signatures, all audiences and readers are different. Just as you'd dress differently if you were going to the beach than if you were going to the theater, you want to make sure that the signature you choose is appropriate to the person(s) who'll be reading it.

Some readers of our Liberator Online newsletter sent us examples of their favorite signatures:

* Kevin Heckman sent us a batch of short, smart, funny signatures. Among our favorites:

An honest politician is one who stays bought.

"Hello," lied the politician.

Stealing is illegal: The government hates competition.

Supporter of the RTKBA -- the Right to Keep and Bear ANYTHING.

__ Free Country. __ Drug-Free Country. Check one.

If guns cause crime, then why do we arm the police?

* Kim Kotheimer sent us several fine quotes which she got from Peter McWilliams' excellent book Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in Our Free Country. Some examples:

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy." -- Ernest Benn

"If you have ten thousand regulations, you destroy all respect for the law." -- Sir Winston Churchill

"Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain

Kim points out that virtually every page of the 650-plus page book features a highlighted quote on victimless crime laws, liberty, and other topics, making it a great place to find just the right quotes for signatures (and other uses).

* Jim Flannery sent us a spirited defense of the role of the investor in a free-market system:

>CONTINUED AT TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

INVESTOR: n. Whilst decried by liberals as the great evil known as "haves," in reality the vast majority of investors are ordinary folks with an IRA or a 401(k) plan, who sacrifice from day to day in order to have a nest egg for the mythical "Golden Years." The liberals cry: "But the investor doesn't spend money and help the economy!" Really??? The investor LOANS his hard-earned money to YOUR company and my company so that they might expand. This expansion is what provides JOBS, NEW PRODUCTS and ENHANCED SERVICES.

* Tony Satterwhite tells us: "I came up with my signature below, a twist on the old wolf-and-sheep political definitions. I've received more positive comments on this sig in the past two months than all my others combined!"

Here's Tony's signature -- truly a great one:

"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is two wolves attempting to have a sheep for dinner and finding a well-informed, well-armed sheep."

Here are some suggestions for signatures featuring the World's Smallest Political Quiz, found at our Web page. (This is more than just self-serving, since our interactive Quiz is a fun and eye-opening look at political ideas. Plus, our Web site page features tons of free information on libertarian ideas, a libertarian FAQ, and other material that makes it a great place to send newcomers and those curious about libertarian ideas.)

Are you liberal, conservative, libertarian -- or other? It only takes a minute to find out! Try "The World's Smallest Political Quiz" online at: http://www.theAdvocates.org/quiz.html.

Fun! Fast! Revealing! Try "The World's Smallest Political Quiz" at: http://www.theAdvocates.org/ quiz.html.

Left-wing? Right-wing? Wings are for birds, not people! Discover your real political identity in minutes by taking the world-famous "World's Smallest Political Quiz" online at: http://www.theAdvocates.org/ quiz.html.

Whichever ones you decide are right for you and for your intended audience, signatures are fun and powerful. Put them to use for liberty!

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