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They Said It...
 TAXATION IS THEFT -- JUDGE NAPOLITANO: "There are only three ways to acquire wealth in a free society. The inheritance model occurs when someone gives you wealth. The economic model occurs when you trade a skill, a talent, an asset, knowledge, sweat, energy or creativity to a willing buyer. And the Mafia model occurs when a guy with a gun says: 'Give me your money or else.' Which model does the government use? Why do we put up with this? " -- Judge Andrew Napolitano, "Taxation is Theft," syndicated column, April 18, 2013.
JAY LENO ON HOW TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO: "President Obama held a press conference today. He said he still wants to close th e Guantanamo Bay prison facility, but he doesn't know how to do it. He should do what he always does. Declare it a small business and tax it out of existence." -- Jay Leno, April 30, 2013.
JAY LENO ON FRNs: "The United States Treasury announced that they will put into circulation a newly designed $100 bill in October. Of course, by that time, it should be worth about 50 bucks." -- Jay Leno, April 26, 2013.
LETTERMAN ON THE BUSH LIBRARY: "The  Bush Presidential Library is beautiful, and they have a huge section devoted to weapons of mass destruction, but nobody can find it." -- David Letterman, April 25, 2013.
WHY GOOD PARENTS SHOULD SUPPORT DRUG RE-LEGALIZATION: "As a father, I sometimes find myself on the receiving end of an argument that's a perennial favorite of the hardened drug warrior: Why would I, the father of a nine-year-old girl, advocate for a society awash with legally available drugs?
"The answer is simple: My daughter is already growing up in a society in  which illegal drugs are easier to procure than alcohol. Unlike the guy behind the counter of my local liquor store, I've never known a drug dealer who checked IDs. …I truly believe that ending prohibition would protect her, not expose her to harm." -- author Tony O'Neill, "Why Good Parents Should Support Drug Legalization," AlterNet, May 4, 2013.
U.S. USED TORTURE AFTER 9/11, INVESTIGATION SHOWS: "…it is indisputable that the United States engaged in the practice of torture… the nation's highest officials bear some responsibility for allowing and contributing to the spread of torture… there is no evidence there had ever before been the kind of considered and detailed discussions that occurred after September 11, directly involving a president and his top advisers on the wisdom, propriety and legality of inflicting pain and torment on some detainees in our custody." -- from the 577-page report of the Constitution Project's bipartisan "Task Force on Detainee Treatment," a detailed analysis of the treatment of prisoners following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
 DEFEND LIBERTY AT HOME -- RAND PAUL: "Because some terrorists will battle us here at home doesn't mean we want the laws of war or martial law at home. The Bill of Rights still needs to reign supreme. Our soldiers have sacrificed life and limb for our Constitution -- it seems the least we can do is defend them in the homeland." -- Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2013.
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"They Said It..." is compiled by Liberator Online editor James W. Harris.
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Persuasion Power Point #347
by Michael Cloud
How You Can Become a Slightly Famous, In-Demand Libertarian
Specialize.
Become THE Expert in one niche of libertarianism.
Thousands and thousands of libertarians know a lot about libertarianism. They've read dozens of libertarian books, white papers, and briefings. They've joined libertarian study groups and participated in libertarian academic conferences. They subscribe to libertarian email newsletters and read libertarian blogs.
The supply of generalist libertarians is large. The demand modest.
If you or I wanted to be THE go-to, in-demand generalist libertarian  spokesperson, we would need to be radically better than libertarian academics at Harvard, Yale, or George Mason. Dramatically better than the think tank libertarians at CATO, Reason, the Independent Institute, or Heartland. We would need to write and publish and promote well-researched books on libertarianism. AND we would need to regularly write and speak and promote our expertise as much as those institutions promote their credentialed libertarians.
This competition is massive, well-funded, knowledgeable, and skilled. Your chance of coming out on top? Very slim.
But there are thousands and thousands of small, uncultivated, but very important libertarian knowledge niches. Not the huge field. One small section of it.
Freedom is a huge field. What if you specialized in freedom of assembly, or free speech, or freedom of the press? Each is narrower than freedom. But each of those specialties is still huge. What if you specialized in a part of, say, freedom of the press? What if you specialized in freedom of the press in colonial America? Or from 1800 to the end of the Civil War? Or what if you specialize in freedom of the press as an individual right -- rather than a privilege of recognized news reporters and news media?
What if you were to study, research, and blog about freedom of the press as an individual right? What if you devoted one hour each day for eighteen months? Could you become THE libertarian expert on the subject? What if you kept studying, researching, writing, and speaking on the subject for eighteen months more? In three years, could you become the undisputed libertarian authority on the subject?
Yes.
And you would be sought out, quoted, and cited by writers and news reporters who want expert information and opinion on your libertarian niche or specialty.
Consider two examples.
Jack Dean specializes in news, information, and insights on California government employee pensions. On how they compare to retirement pay in the private sector. He collects and publishes links to news reports, opinion columns, and other studies each weekday at his web site Pension Tsunami. He started doing this in 2005 -- and is the go-to, in-demand expert on California government employee pensions.
Richard Winger is THE authority on all matters concerning ballot access.
Here's what Wikipedia writes about Richard Winger: “Ballot Access News is a U.S.-based monthly online and print newsletter edited and published by Richard Winger of California, an expert on ballot access law in the United States. Published since 1985, the newsletter advocates ‘fair and equitable ballot access laws.’
“Ballot Access News reports on state and federal court decisions, compares American ballot access laws to those of other democratic nations, and documents the number of votes independent and minor party candidates receive. The newsletter also records the activities of the Coalition on Free and Open Elections, an interest group of minor party members and others working together on ballot access law reform issues. Further, the newsletter occasionally notes developments on the usage of instant-runoff voting in the United States.â€
Jack Dean and Richard Winger are specialists. They get called, quoted, and cited. Their knowledge, their expertise regularly helps the cause of liberty.
You can do this, too. In your libertarian niche. In your specialty.
Do this for 18 to 36 months and you may well become a slightly famous, in-demand libertarian.
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Michael Cloud's brand-new book Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion is available exclusively from the Advocates, along with his acclaimed earlier book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion.
In 2000, Michael was honored with the Thomas Paine Award as the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in America.
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Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion
BRAND NEW!
Click cover to see more and order.
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 Ask Dr. Ruwart
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication. In this column she offers short answers to real questions about libertarianism. To submit questions to Dr. Ruwart, see end of column.
How can we provide care and education for children of poor or irresponsible parents?
QUESTION: If some parents cannot take care of their own child, then  should we have programs in place that allow the child to be cared for at the taxpayers’ expense without necessarily taking the child away from its parents? I know this flies in the face of libertarian ideals but I am not convinced the private sector has the ability to ensure that ALL children can gain equal access to this type of program.
MY SHORT ANSWER: Neither the public nor the private sector will ever be able to ensure that ALL children have equal access to any type of program. Life just doesn’t work that way. Perhaps a more realistic question is “What is likely to give children the most access to what they need?â€
The program you describe is well-intentioned and sounds good in theory. In practice, however, parents will use the service as free day care or baby sitting if no questions are asked and will overwhelm the system. The truly needy child will be the exception rather than the rule and won’t get the attention that they need. Indeed, they might not even get accepted or well-treated, as middle-class parents are likely to tip the social workers generously (even if it’s illegal) so that their children get preferred treatment. This is how heavily socialized programs work: they are adopted to benefit the disadvantaged, but actually end up benefiting the advantaged.
For example, about 75% of the tax dollars that are targeted to welfare programs actually go to the middle-class administrators rather than the needy. In contrast, private programs give about 75% of donated dollars to the poor. Thus, the poor get more when charitable giving is private.
If parents can’t take care of their children for economic reasons, the best solution is to slash taxes, regulation, and government spending (on anything, including wasteful welfare). Why? Studies show that inefficient government spending (such as in the welfare example above) results in job destruction, especially jobs for the poor.
When government spends less, more jobs are created and the poor benefit most. More parents can take care of their children. (For examples of such studies, see my book, “Healing Our World,†especially chapters 11 and 12. You can download the 1992 version free at my website, www.ruwart.com, or buy a copy of the 2003 version there or from The Advocates.)
The few parents who can’t care for their children will be better served by the more efficient private sector. Inefficient spending means that fewer parents and their children will be helped. Diverting money to government to spend inefficiently actually makes the problem worse.
LEARN MORE: Suggestions by Liberator Online editor James W. Harris for further readings on this issue:
* “What about the Poor? What about Irresponsible Parents?†by the Alliance for the Separation of School and State.
EXCERPT: “There are already philanthropists and foundations that pay private school tuition for the poor. This would increase many-fold, in the form of scholarships and direct aid to schools so they could offer free tuition to needy students. There are also churches and charitable foundations that reach out to the poor and will branch out into the field of education with the extra money that will be available because government at all levels is no longer confiscating it for their own endeavors in the school field. …
“This is not a wishful scenario. There are already many people in the private sector working to help the children of irresponsible and of poor parents, but they're up against the stranglehold the public schools have on the children. They are trying to undo damage as it continues to be done. Freeing the children would open endless windows of opportunity.â€
* “What About the Poor?†by Chris Cardiff.
EXCERPT: “In various forms, the question ‘what do we do about the poor?’ outstrips all others as the most frequently asked question about separating school and state. The implicit assumption, only natural after 60 years of the welfare state and 150 years of government control of education, is that government is the only entity capable of looking out for the poor and educating them. Both the historical record and present conditions invalidate this assumption.â€
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Got questions? Dr. Ruwart has answers! If you'd like answers to YOUR "tough questions" on libertarian issues, email Dr. Ruwart at:ruwart@theAdvocates.org
Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't personally acknowledge all emails. But we'll run the best questions and answers in upcoming issues.
Dr. Ruwart's previous Liberator Online answers are archived in searchable form.
Dr. Ruwart's brand new book Short Answers to the Tough Questions, Expanded Edition is available from the Advocates, as is her acclaimed classic Healing Our World.
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Click cover to check out Dr. Ruwart's latest book!
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One-Minute Liberty Tip
by Sharon Harris
Robert LeFevre's Three Zones of Libertarian Communication
Robert LeFevre was one of the Founding Fathers of the modern libertarian movement.
A wonderful short lecture he gave on communication is available online,  and I recommend it to everyone who is serious about effectively communicating our ideas.
One extremely useful concept LeFevre describes is the idea that there are three "temperature zones" at which communication can occur: the Frigid Zone, the Torrid Zone, and the Temperate Zone.
This concept offers you a great way of easily evaluating how a libertarian conversation is going.
You have entered the Frigid Zone when you are pushing a lot of words, theories and information at your listener -- more than they can understand or want to understand. You may be too loud, too egocentric, too demanding. In the Frigid Zone your listener grows "cold" to you and your arguments. They don't connect with you, they are bored, they are annoyed, they want to leave.
You don't want your conversation to be in the Frigid Zone.
Then there's the Torrid Zone. Unfortunately, a lot of libertarian conversations end up here. The Torrid Zone is hot. It's a place of "heated debates" and "fiery arguments" and "burning rhetoric." You're pushing your listener's "hot buttons." There is little or no communication or persuasion in the Torrid Zone. Instead, both sides become antagonistic and aggressive. Facts, figures, and rhetoric are shot back and forth like flaming arrows. It's a fight, not a communication. In the Torrid Zone our listeners may be turned off to our ideas for good.
You don't want your conversations to be in the Torrid Zone.
Where you DO want to be is in what LeFevre calls the Temperate Zone.
The Temperate Zone is the communication sweet spot. It's a place of friendliness, give and take, and rapport. You and your listener are calm, collected. It's an honest, genuine exchange of ideas.
You are responsible for choosing which zone you are in. To be in the Temperate Zone, the zone of productive libertarian communication and persuasion, you must always be respectful of your listener. You must understand that they are sensitive and sovereign beings, people who have valued opinions of their own, people who almost certainly know a great deal more about some things than you do. People who have no obligation to accept your ideas and who are actually doing you a favor by listening to, and considering, your ideas. People who have a right to disagree.
They are, in short, people who are important and worthy of your respect and your attention. (Why else would you be speaking to them?)
To remain in the Temperate Zone, where communication and persuasion happen, you must use the classic communication rules. Listen sincerely to what they say. Be polite. Be nice. Practice good manners. Avoid arguments. Build rapport. Use the many Advocates communication techniques we've discussed in past columns.
 In the Temperate Zone conversations are neither too hot nor too cold. Communication is two-way. It is fun, educational, meaningful, joyful.
LeFevre's Three Zones of Communication gives you a great tool to instantly assess any conversation or discussion you find yourself in. Just ask yourself: Which Zone am I in right now?
You'll instantly know the answer. If you're in the Temperate Zone, great!
If you're in the Frigid Zone or the Torrid Zone, change your approach -- or leave the discussion or change the subject, and wait for a better opportunity to advance your libertarian ideas.
LeFevre's seven-minute-long talk expands on this idea. I highly recommend it. You can listen to it here.
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Sharon Harris is president of the Advocates for Self-Government.
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What's Happening with the Advocates
MAY 19, 2013: Advocates President Sharon Harris will conduct a communication workshop and deliver a keynote address at the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance (LSLA) conference in Aurora, Colorado. The conference, which will run from May 17-19, will also feature Liberator Online columnist Michael Cloud.
FREE OPH KITS FOR LIBERTARIAN STUDENT GROUPS: Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we're giving our acclaimed OPH (Operation Political Homeless) outreach kits to libertarian student groups FREE -- if they simply promise to use them a minimum of three times a year and send us photos documenting their OPH activity. OPH -- praised as the best recruiting tool in the libertarian movement -- normally sells for $50.00.
If you're in a student libertarian group, click here for more information on getting your free OPH kit.
JOIN US ON TWITTER: Twitter is the first place to learn about breaking Advocates and liberty movement news, expert communications tips, and exclusive Advocates discounts and specials. (And don't worry -- we won't bombard you with tweets. We're keeping it fun, fast, and useful.)
Go to the Advocates Twitter account and click the "follow" button below our picture. Thanks!
JOIN THE ADVOCATES ON FACEBOOK: The Advocates Facebook offers you a chance to share your ideas on liberty, meet some great people and show your support for the Advocates for Self-Government and liberty. Join us and you'll receive regular Facebook updates on Advocates news, communication tips, and special offers for our Facebook friends.
2013 AND 2014 FREEDOM CRUISES: Advocates Board Secretary and long-time libertarian leader Dr. Ken Bisson invites you to join him for a Freedom Cruise. Enjoy a wonderful trip on a luxury cruiser -- at a bargain rate! Great food and fine company. Non-libertarians welcome! There's just one stateroom left for the May 2013 "Castles Along the Rhine" cruise -- so hurry if you're interested! On January 26, 2014 the 17th Annual Freedom Cruise embarks: a 7-day Holland America voyage to excellent snorkeling destinations Grand Cayman and Cozumel, with visits to Key West and Half Moon Cay as well, all on Holland America's newest cruise ship! (These aren't Advocates events, but libertarians who have been on past cruises rave about them.) Ken offers two other February 2014 cruises as well. For photos and more details -- or to sign up for free, no-pressure, no-commitment email updates -- visit Freedom Cruises.
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President's Corner
that is justly famous as one of the greatest essays ever written about the wonders of the free market. 
They've created 
Micah Daigle of San Francisco, 
has been eliminated. 
