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Liberator Online, Volume 8, Number 11
July 30, 2003
Contents President's
Corner What's Happening with
the Advocates
Ongoing opportunities Good
News, Bad News, Unbelievable News
Ask Dr. Ruwart Advertisements
Persuasion Power Point Product
Review
Other issues in the Archive
In This Issue:
Shocking new figures show record numbers of
Americans behind bars -- and the Drug War is the main cause; good news on
important Congressional votes for liberty; you can send a FREE fax to thank (or
spank!) your U.S. Representative for a key USA PATRIOT Act repeal vote; ban toy
guns, say city council members -- and no, they're not kidding; a Libertarian
Party presidential hopeful challenges you to achieve a Lights of Liberty Award;
Mary Ruwart tells a budding new libertarian how the private sector could replace
government-monopoly postal services, and looks at the ups and downs of liberty
in Switzerland; Michael Cloud shares "Henry Hazlitt's Lesson for
Libertarians"…
All this and *much much more* in the world’s largest-circulation libertarian
email newsletter...
|
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
* LP presidential hopeful endorses Advocates libertarian award program
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* You can send a FREE FAX about a key USA PATRIOT Act repeal vote
* Advocates Workshop in Massachusetts, Aug. 2 and 3
* Advocates President in Colorado, Oct. 25
* More exciting opportunities for libertarians!
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Horrifying New U.S. Incarceration Record;
Drug War is Chief Cause
* Ban Toy Guns, Say City Officials
* Correction to Last Issue
* Good News: Important Congressional Votes for Liberty
* "We must all hang together..."
ASK DR. RUWART
* How could private companies replace government mail services?
* Is Switzerland the most libertarian country?
PERSUASION POWER POINT #146
* Henry Hazlitt's Lesson for Libertarians
by Michael Cloud
PRODUCT REVIEW
* Great short book makes understanding economics easy -- order it now, and get
FREE a classic Michael Cloud tape, a $10 value!
_____________________________________
|
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
Lance Browne is a long-time libertarian activist and an announced Libertarian
Party presidential candidate for 2008. Yes, 2008 -- this is a guy who plans
ahead!
Recently at his Web site
http://freedom2008.com/index.html
Lance praised the Advocates' Lights of Liberty awards program for libertarian
grassroots activism.
I liked what he said so much I wanted to share it with you. Take it away, Lance!
* * *
"The Advocates for Self-Government have a very cool awards program for
libertarian activists called Lights of Liberty.
"How do I know it's cool? Because I got an award!
"They honor activists who have completed one of their three criteria --
writing 3 letters to the editor with "libertarian" in them, giving
three libertarian speeches to primarily non-libertarian audiences, or working 3
"Operation Politically Homeless" (OPH) booths. It was that last that I
did. The OPH booth is basically an information table where you encourage people
to take the World's Smallest Political Quiz, and map them on a big chart -- the
one you see when you take the Quiz (which you should do, if you haven't).
"I feel like a Junior Light of Liberty, however, because I really should
have completed all three criteria. I had one speech, and one op-ed piece, but
that's not enough. It's not like I wasn't keeping busy, but I wasn't doing those
things enough, and I should have been.
"Which is why my hat's off to Aaron Biterman, a young Libertarian firebrand
of the finest kind, who I've cyber-known (and known of) for quite a while. He
was one of a double-handful of folks who completed the Lights of Liberty
Triathlon, doing three of each of the requisite things. My hat's even more off
(I'll lay it on the ground or something) to Jim Lark, former chair of the
Libertarian Party. He's done the Triathlon a few years running now.
"I'll be completing the Triathlon each year from here on out.
"Three letters. Three talks about what's important to you. Three tables at
the street fair or something. It's not so much...maybe 24 hours worth of your
time, if you have to work a lot on your letters and speeches. Over the course of
the year, that's not a whole lot to ask for, in terms of trying to make the
world a better place.
"And you can get your name on a Roll of Honor Page like me --
http://www.theadvocates.org/lights-2002.html
-- and get a cool certificate and other stuff. It's a little geeky, I suppose,
but geeky is cool now, right? ;-)
"Either way, consider this another episode in the Get Off Your Butt
Chronicles. Just presenting another option for y'all."
* * *
Thanks, Lance! I hope your remarks will inspire others to commit to these
important, measurable, and extremely effective liberty activities.
I've said it before, but it bears repeating: if every libertarian would do these
activities -- and virtually everyone can -- the benefits to the liberty movement
would be tremendous.
And you don't need to join a group or get anyone's permission. You can start
doing them right now -- and start making our world a freer place. All the
information you need is right here:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/lights.html
I hope many Liberator Online readers will join Lance, Jim Lark, Aaron Biterman
and so many others of liberty's finest as Lights of Liberty winners this year.
There are still five months left to do it -- plenty of time!
* * *
I am pleased to welcome 457 new Liberator Online subscribers this issue. Thanks
for joining our subscription "family" of over 50,000 liberty-loving
readers in over 100 countries!
Enjoy this issue of the Liberator Online.
-- Sharon Harris, President mailto:sharon@TheAdvocates.org
PS: Understanding economics is crucial if you want to defend the ideas of
liberty. A great way to get a quick and solid grasp of the essentials of free
market economics is by reading "The Concise Guide to Economics" by
economics professor Jim Cox.
In 37 short chapters -- *very* short chapters -- it covers most of the major
economic issues, the ones that are in the news every day, in an easy-to-read and
easy-to-understand fashion.
Check out our review -- and special FREE GIFT offer of a $10 classic tape by
communication expert and Liberator Online columnist Michael Cloud -- at the end
of this issue.
Thank you!
|
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* FREE FAX: Thank (or Spank!) your representative for key
PATRIOT
Act repeal vote. Last week, Congress began a potential revolt against the USA
PATRIOT Act by *passing* an amendment to limit the use of "sneak and
peek" search warrants for your home. These search warrants, also called
"black bag" searches, allow government agents to secretly search
homes, confiscate certain types of property and essentially bug computers --
without notifying the subject of the search.
Civil liberties activists say it is now crucial that you give feedback to your
Representative on how he or she voted. The ACLU has made it possible for you to
quickly send a FREE personalized fax to your Representative, either thanking him
for a positive vote, or expressing disappointment for voting against the
amendment. It's all automated and only takes a few moments. Visit:
http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=13196&c=24
We are pleased to offer our readers this information as part of our
"America Stands for Liberty" program. (More info on that program is
just below.) Please note: we are not affiliated with the ACLU, and our sharing
this information is not an endorsement of any ACLU positions.
* Massachusetts: The Advocates is co-sponsoring "Maximum Impact Libertarian
Speaking" in Framingham, August 2nd and 3rd. The weekend workshop will be
led by Michael Cloud, with Sharon Harris and Carla Howell. For details, see:
http://www.theadvocates.org/communicating/max-impact.html
* Colorado: Advocates President Sharon Harris will do a communication workshop
and give the banquet speech at the 6th Annual Libertarian of Colorado Awards
Banquet and Workshop Day, in Colorado Springs, Colorado October 25. Theme of the
event is: "Communicating Our Way to a Better America." For information
see:
http://www.lpep.org/Special_Event/banquet.php
|
ONGOING ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
* Want to quickly learn the basics of libertarians -- from
some of the best minds in the liberty movement? Want to help a friend quickly
learn about libertarianism? Check out Libertarianism.com, from the Advocates:
http://www.Libertarianism.com
* Get a FREE copy of Libertarian Communicator magazine: It's for all
libertarians interested in becoming more powerful, more effective, more
successful communicators of the ideas of liberty. Practical how-to articles by
some of the finest communicators in the libertarian movement: Harry Browne, Bob
Burg, Michael Cloud, Sean Haugh, Carla Howell, Sharon Harris, Mary Ruwart... as
well as additional articles, columns, and more! We'll be happy to send you a
FREE copy -- just click here:
http://www.theadvocates.org/publications/tlc.html
* America Stands for Liberty: This Advocates program tells you about the
shocking new civil liberties crisis in America -- and what YOU can do to defend
freedom in this critical time. Stay informed and take Action Steps to defend our
Bill of Rights:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/civilliberties.html
* The Advocates offers you libertarian sources for breaking news and commentary
on the situation in Iraq and related matters:
www.theAdvocates.org/anti-war-resources.html
* FREE Year 2003 Lights of Liberty Awards: You can win certificates, public
recognition, prizes and more for your vital activism for liberty. Awards are
given for: 3 libertarian letters to the editor; OR 3 sessions working at an OPH
booth; OR 3 libertarian-oriented public speeches. Click here to learn more:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/lights.html
* Communication Bargain of the Century: You can get the great 3-tape audio
course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at the GIVE-AWAY
price of only $7.50 - that price includes handling and First Class mail so
you’ll get it right away! Libertarian Party Political Director Ron
Crickenberger says this Advocates offer is "... the greatest gift the
libertarian movement has received in years." We’ve put over 6,000 sets
into the hands of libertarian activists in the past couple of years! To order,
call us or see:
http://www.theadvocates.org/epp-redirect.html
* Quiz FAQ: Who created the World’s Smallest Political Quiz? When and where?
What does your Quiz score mean? The Advocates has created a huge FAQ
("Frequently Answered Questions") to answer many of the most common
questions about the history and theory of the Quiz. You can get to the FAQ by
clicking here:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/quiz-faq-contents.html
|
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
by James W. Harris
Horrifying New U.S. Incarceration Record;
Drug War is Chief Cause
New Justice Department statistics show that the number of
people behind bars in America has skyrocketed to yet another incredible record
high -- despite a slight *drop* in overall crime. The chief reason: the War on
Drugs.
The U.S. imprisons more of its citizens than any other country in the world,
both in absolute numbers and per capita, according to The Sentencing Project, a
nonprofit organization that promotes alternatives to prison. The U.S. rate of
incarceration is 5-8 times that of most industrialized nations.
The figures are astonishing. The U.S. inmate population in 2002 hit 2,033,331 --
a 2.6 percent increase from 2001.
This means that about one of every 143 U.S. residents was in federal, state or
local custody by the end of 2002. About one in 110 U.S. men are in prison.
Incredibly, more than 10% of African-American males between the ages of 24 and
29 were imprisoned last year. 5.4% of adult black males of all ages -- that's 1
out of 19 -- are imprisoned on any given day. Black men make up about 45 percent
of all inmates serving sentences longer than a year.
U.S. prison and jail populations have gone up steadily for fully 30 years, The
chief reason: the War on Drugs and Drug War-spawned laws, including mandatory
sentencing laws and "three strikes" laws that can put repeat offenders
behind bars for life for nonviolent drug offenses.
More than half of all federal prisoners are drug offenders -- more than 151,600,
up 4.2% from 2001. Because of this, in 2002 the federal system became the
largest prison system in the country. Drug offenders account for 47.5% of the
U.S.'s total prison population growth from 1995-2001
The imprisonment of people for victimless crimes is of course abhorrent to
liberty. Further, the rush to imprison ever larger numbers of Americans also has
huge costs for taxpayers. The Sentencing Project estimates that incarcerating a
single individual costs about $20,000 per year. That adds up to about $40
billion nationwide. Each prison cell costs about $100,000 to construct.
The federal prisons and almost all state corrections systems are overfilled --
so expect billions more dollars spent on construction, unless there is a
dramatic change in policy.
(Sources: The Sentencing Project:
www.sentencingproject.org
Associated Press:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/6398836.htm
* * *
Outlaw Toy Guns, City Council Members Say
Oh, joy!
It's one of those gloriously goofy stories we can't resist, one that seems
tailor-made for a column called "Good News, Bad News, Unbelievable
News." File it under "Unbelievable."
The city council of Annapolis, Maryland is considering a proposal to outlaw…
toy guns.
Alderman Cynthia Carter wants to ban all toy guns in the city, except for clear,
brightly colored plastic guns, and she wants to fine parents whose children are
caught playing with the toys.
Ms. Carter says she hopes other cities will be inspired to pass similar
legislation. In fact, Ms. Carter herself was inspired by a recent similar New
York City proposal.
Amazingly -- or perhaps not so amazingly -- Ms. Carter is not alone in her
struggle in Annapolis. Four of the city's nine city council members have
announced support for Mrs. Carter's brainchild. That includes the mayor, who
likes the idea on the grounds that "anything that can be done to
deglamorize guns is a plus".
This is not Ms. Carter's first attack on toy guns. In 2000, she organized --
again, we're not making this up -- a toy-gun buy-back program to get toy guns
off the streets, declaring that "children can't distinguish between a real
gun and a play gun, nor do they understand the difference between life and
death." The buyback took 12 toy guns off Annapolis's mean streets.
Also in 2000, she called upon the federal government to outlaw the manufacture
of toy guns (as well as real ones). She explained to a disbelieving Larry Platt
of Gun Owners of America that, although toy manufacturers never should have been
allowed to make toy guns, they "got away with it over the years.
But….like with the seatbelts and the metal detectors at school and other
precautionary measures taken to protect the children, I think we better look at
what we have here -- to do the same thing. Times have changed."
Ms. Carter said she would eventually like to see a ban imposed on the possession
of all real-looking toy guns. "Anything that looks like or resembles a
weapon of any kind or was altered to look like, even the cigarette lighters,
they are not going to be acceptable," she said.
We are reminded of Voltaire's famous remark: "My prayer to God is a very
short one: 'Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous!' God has granted it."
(Sources: Washington Times:
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20030725-082034-2509r.htm
http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20030617-114826-6331r.htm
Gun Owners of America:
http://www.gunowners.org/opagn0500.htm
)
* * *
CORRECTION: Last issue, we wrote that the police-state Total Information
Awareness (TIA) program had "recently [been] renamed DARPA." This was
an editing error. TIA was actually renamed "Terrorism Information
Awareness." DARPA, of course, is the "Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency," the central research and development organization for the
Department of Defense, which oversees TIA and numerous other projects. We
apologize for the error, and thank several readers who caught it. For more
information see the Wired News story we cited as our source (and which had it
correctly):
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,59606,00.html
* * *
Surprise: Congress Votes for Liberty
With all the bad news coming out of Washington, it's easy to get discouraged. So
it's important to take note of some very significant votes for liberty on a
variety of issues in recent weeks.
* Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives *passed* by a huge margin -- 309
to 118 -- an amendment to limit the use of "sneak and peek" search
warrants for your home. These search warrants, also called "black bag"
searches, allow government agents to secretly search homes, confiscate certain
types of property and essentially bug computers -- without notifying the subject
of the search. With this vote, the House has taken an important first step
toward undoing the police-state measures in the USA PATRIOT Act. The Senate will
take up the amendment in the fall. (See "What's Happening With The
Advocates" in this issue to see an Action Step for Liberty on this
amendment.)
* A similar proposed restriction on the USA PATRIOT Act, though gathering
significant support, was unfortunately ruled by the House leadership to be
“out of order,” thus for the moment blocking it from being voted on by the
full House. This amendment was designed to restrict federal agents' seizure of
library and book buying records of individuals without probable cause. The
bill's supporters in Congress promise to continue their effort.
* In late July, Congress recorded the greatest-ever support for a
medical-marijuana-related bill. The vote was on a bi-partisan amendment to
prevent the DEA and Justice Department from arresting and prosecuting medical
marijuana patients and their caregivers in states that have approved marijuana
for medical use. Though the amendment failed 152-273, the level of Congressional
support for medical marijuana was the strongest-ever, and indicates Congress is
only about 60 votes from passing significant medical marijuana legislation.
* An amendment to withdraw the U.S. from the U.N. received 12 more votes this
year than last year -- 74 in favor and 350 against.The amendment was proposed by
the heroic Ron Paul (R-TX), the only libertarian in Congress. That's an
amazing show of support for what until very recently was widely regarded as a
nutty and impossible idea. And this significant support means the idea of
withdrawing the U.S. from the U.N. will get more media and public attention.
* As mentioned last issue, the U.S. Senate has voted to explicitely denies all
funds to the police-state Terrorism Information Awareness (TIA) program, thus
effectively killing it. (Full Congressional support for the defunding is very
likely.) TIA is a civil liberties nightmare that would give the federal
government vast new powers and technology to assemble and comb massive databases
of deeply personal citizen information.
These are partial victories at best -- but signs that some elected officials,
and millions of Americans, are awakening to growing threats to fundamental
liberties.
Another important point: over and over again, organizations lobbying for these
bills reported that a massive outpouring of letters, emails, faxes and phone
calls from concerned citizens helped dramatically push up the total of
pro-liberty Congressional votes. It seems that Americans from across the
political spectrum are beginning to work together in coalitions, and as
individuals, to achieve specific legislative victories for liberty. The Internet
plays a crucial role in this, allowing organizations to reach pro-liberty
supporters with the latest news, and also letting organizations give supporters
the tools to contact elected officials at key times -- quickly and at little or
no cost.
And that's good news indeed.
(Sources: Compiled from reports from numerous organizations and reports. See Web
sites of Congressman Ron Paul, Drug Reform Coordination Network, ACLU, Marijuana
Policy Project, Electronic Frontier Foundation.)
* * *
"We must all hang together..."
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang
separately."
-- attributed to Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, July 4, 1776.
* * *
"Good News, Bad News, Unbelievable News" writer James W. Harris is
editor of the Liberator Online. His articles have appeared in numerous magazines
and newspapers, including The Nation, Reason, The Freeman, the National
Taxpayers Union’s Dollars and Sense, the Atlanta Constitution, and many more.
He has been a Finalist in the Mencken Awards, given by the Free Press
Association for "Outstanding Journalism in Support of Liberty."
|
ASK DR. RUWART
How can you answer difficult questions about
libertarianism -- in short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses?
It’s a challenge every libertarian communicator faces.
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication, and author of
the international bestseller Healing Our World. In this column she gives readers
"short answers to the tough questions" that libertarians are
frequently asked.
If you’d like Dr. Ruwart to craft effective answers to YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at:
mailto:ruwart@TheAdvocates.org
Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can’t personally answer or acknowledge all email
queries. But we’ll run the best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart’s answers -- in
upcoming issues.
Dr. Ruwart’s past Liberator Online answers are archived in searchable form at:
http://www.theadvocates.org/ruwart/categories_list.php
* * *
How could private companies replace government mail services?
"I am 15 years old and quickly becoming a libertarian. I have heard that
libertarians don't believe in having a government-run postal service. What would
be the solution? How could private companies meet a nation's postal needs?"
My short answer:
"Before government took over the mail, private companies delivered it
(e.g., the Pony Express). Today, private companies have taken over mail delivery
in New Zealand, Sweden, and the Netherlands. In New Zealand, private postal
service increased on-time delivery from 84% to 99% and transformed an annual
loss of $37 million to a *profit* of $76 million. This profit was made at lower
consumer costs when the savings from tax subsidies were taken into account.
Private postal service is both faster and cheaper!"
* * *
Is Switzerland the most libertarian country?
"I've been told that libertarians hold up Switzerland as the most
libertarian country in the world. But I've also heard that it is incredibly
socialist. What's the straight scoop on this?"
My short answer:
"Switzerland adopted a constitution similar to that of the U.S. in the
mid-1800s. Their federal government is still small; many of the elected
officials are part-timers who support themselves with additional jobs. Few Swiss
even know their president's name, because his power and prestige is limited,
just as his job is.
"The Swiss focus on true defense (bomb shelters, universal military
training, no nuclear "deterrent," neutrality in both World Wars,
refusal to join the United Nations). The Swiss vote often on issues that
bureaucrats would decide in the U.S. Because federal government power and
expenditure is so limited, the Swiss have enjoyed economic freedom and
prosperity comparable to the U.S.
"On the other hand, the canton (state) governments continue to grow in
power. Moving to a different canton is possible, but my Swiss friends tell me
that freedom is going fast. This trend toward socialism is already threatening
Swiss prosperity.
"If you'd like to keep track of each country's *economic* freedom, check
out
http://www.freetheworld.com
Researchers rank Hong Kong as the nation with the most economic freedom,
followed by Singapore and the United States. Switzerland is still in the top
10."
* * *
Hooray! The brand-new revised edition of Dr. Ruwart’s book "Healing Our
World" is here! It has over 100 new pages and it presents persuasive
arguments for liberty, backed with over 1,000 references all showing how liberty
works.
Dr. Ruwart is also the author of "Short Answers to the Tough
Questions" -- an essential guide for anyone wanting to become a better
libertarian communicator.
Both Mary Ruwart books are available from the Advocates:
http://preview.theadvocates.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv
|
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|
PERSUASION POWER POINT
PERSUASION POWER POINT # 146
Henry Hazlitt's Lesson for Libertarians
by Michael Cloud
In "Economics in One Lesson" Henry Hazlitt taught us that, "The
art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the
longer effects of any government act or policy; it consists in tracing the
consequences of that government policy not merely for one group, but for all
groups."
He warned us against the "fallacy of overlooking secondary
consequences" of a government program or policy.
Henry Hazlitt noted that good economists connect government action to its market
consequences. Not just the consequences to Special Interests or targeted
beneficiaries, but economic consequences to *all* groups. Direct and indirect.
Immediate and secondary.
Good economists track consequences -- and consequences of consequences.
Henry Hazlitt's Lesson is brilliantly simple economic wisdom.
And it's a vital Persuasion Power Point for libertarians.
When examining a Big Government program or policy, we must follow its rippling
waves of consequences. We must look beyond the "intended consequences"
and "target" of the Big Government program or policy.
What are the consequences to un-targeted groups? Direct and indirect? Immediate
and secondary? What are the consequences of the consequences?
What is the impact of the Big Government program on this group or that? Does the
cost of the program make their lives better or worse? Do the consequences and
consequences of the consequences make their lives better or worse? Exactly how?
What kind of behaviors does the Big Government program reward or penalize,
encourage or discourage?
How will people in each group respond to these costs and consequences? Will
their behavior stay the same -- or change? And what will be the consequences of
that?
Ticking off 7 bad consequences of Drug Prohibition can shake people awake.
Trotting out 6 dangerous results of anti-gun laws can make people stop, look,
and listen.
Listing 8 nasty outcomes of government-mandated Single-Payer Medical Care can be
pure oxygen for a listener.
Counting off 5 harmful consequences of raising minimum wage laws can put many
brains into the ranks of the employed.
To expand on Henry Hazlitt's Lesson: Good libertarian communicators track
consequences of Big Government's actions -- and consequences of consequences.
But AFTER we apply and illustrate this lesson, we must ask our listener one of
Michael Cloud's Personal Impact Questions:
"How do you feel about that?"
Or: "Is that what you want?"
Or: "Is that acceptable to you?"
Then offer the Libertarian Alternative. The Freedom Solution. And the
dramatically better consequences that Liberty causes -- and makes possible.
******************
Michael Cloud is Persuasion columnist for the Liberator Online and The
Libertarian Communicator. In July 2000, at the Libertarian Party national
convention, Cloud was voted the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in
America and honored with the Thomas Paine Award.
Michael Cloud is creator of "The Essence of Political Persuasion," the
classic 3-tape libertarian communication course, available exclusively from the
Advocates at the give-away price of only $7.50 postpaid (includes shipping and
postage!). For more information, or to order, click here:
http://www.theadvocates.org/epp-redirect.html
|
PRODUCT REVIEW:
Short Book Makes Economics Easy to Understand! PLUS --
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Second edition with six new chapters.
Many supporters of oppressive government use widely-believed economic fallacies
to bolster their arguments. If you want to effectively defend liberty, you must
understand how the free market works, and be able to counter the anti-free
market ideas we hear every day in the media, from Big Government politicians,
and elsewhere.
That's why this book is so important.
With remarkable succinctness, this short, common-sense economics handbook packs
a wealth of useful information into 37 brief, clear, and straight-to-the-point
chapters.
Humor, plain language, and vivid real-world examples help bring economic theory
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This book can be quickly read and easily understood and enjoyed -- even if
you've never read a book on economics before.
Topics covered include:
* the history of economic thought;
* the Great Depression;
* entrepreneurship;
* the Federal Reserve system;
* the superiority of markets vs. government;
* monopolies and antitrust;
* the minimum wage;
* government regulations;
* insider trading;
* price controls;
* unions;
* the gold standard;
* the importance of competition;
* inflation;
....and much more! Virtually all major economic issues -- the ones that are in
the news, day after day -- are discussed and explained.
Especially eye-opening: Cox's iconoclastic defenses of speculators, advertisers,
corporate raiders, price-gougers and other misunderstood and under-appreciated
economic actors. (These short chapters alone are worth the price of the book!)
Excellent references at the end of each chapter tell where to go for further
information. Solidly and unswervingly libertarian, this is a fine "first
stop" for economic enlightenment and a handy, quick reference.
Rave Reviews for THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS:
"...recommended for candidates for political office." -- Ron
Crickenberger, Libertarian Party Political Director.
"...a valuable addition to the growing libertarian-Austrian economics
library." -- David Bergland, 1984 Libertarian Party presidential candidate.
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employees!"-- Lloyd Bird, owner, Belco Electric.
"...arguments are well grounded and easy to follow...very powerful points
with a minimum of verbosity. How refreshing!!! The Concise Guide has
accomplished a 'mission impossible' by making economics actually interesting and
even humorous at times while at the same time maintaining a strong line of
reasoning." -- Nancy Stroud, Ph.D., Georgia State University.
"This handy, quick reference guide saves searching through hundreds of
pages for an answer. I wish I'd had this book when I first began my study of
economics." -- Dawn Baker, Wall Street Journal Award winner, Atlanta
Economics Club scholarship recipient.
*** FREE $10 BONUS GIFT WITH EACH PURCHASE! ***
THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS sells for $10.95 (plus $4.50 shipping).
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"All That Glitters" is vintage Michael Cloud -- a great speaker at his
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government -- as well as reasons to be optimistic about the future of liberty.
Some of the classic Cloud tales and metaphors you'll find in this speech:
* The Weight Watchers' Test for Liberty
* Tiffany's vs. Joe's Zirconium Shop
* Your invitation to the First Libertarian Presidential
Inaugural Ball.
…and so much more. This is a great speech from one of the best communicators
in the libertarian movement. It is packed with laughs, insight, humor and
communication wisdom.
Michael Cloud knows communication -- he's the mastermind behind the acclaimed
"Essence of Political Persuasion" audio learning course, purchased by
thousands of libertarians.
We normally sell this 45-minute cassette tape for $10.00 (plus shipping). But
order THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS from this issue -- and hear a master
libertarian speaker at his best for FREE.
*** HOW TO ORDER ***
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Just mention the Liberator Online with your order to get this special discount.
Your order helps support the essential work of the Advocates -- thank you!
As with all Advocates products, we guarantee your satisfaction. Try it at no
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** This offer is good through Wednesday, August 20, 2003 **
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