Editors note: Yahoo News asked young libertarian-minded voters to share why theyre drawn to the either the Libertarian Party or to libertarian political principles in general. Heres one first-person account we received this week.

FIRST PERSON | For me, the interest in politics started in high school. I had a Political Science teacher who was a liberal Democrat, and directly across the hall was our Economics teacher, who wouldnt reveal his political convictions to students. In between classes, they would have friendly arguments back and forth while we walked by. Our teachers may not have realized it, but many students picked sidesand I later learned that the side I picked was libertarian.

My economics teacher let me borrow some books about the Austrian School of economics, which promotes free markets. As I read those books, something clicked. It often seemed like the books elaborated on ideas I'd already held. That was the inception of my passion for promoting free market economics.

I believe that liberty has proven to be the most effective way to improve quality of life for people of all economic classes. Today we hear so much about progress and moving forward, but the policies promoted by people using these slogans achieve the opposite effect. It is not progress to expand the size and scope of government. It is not progress to centralize power. The idea that a small, elite group of people can make more informed decisions than individuals about their lives is an ancient one, and it has been proven time and time again not to work.

By comparison, liberty is a young concept. It isn't a coincidence that in the past 300 years weve seen more progress (real progress equating to higher quality of life) than in all prior years combined. Yet, most politicians advocate more centralized control and less individual libertypolicies that are directly antithetical to the cause of the (relatively) recent enormous economic boom.

The simplicity of the free market system allows all individualsnot just the elitesto thrive. The most essential element to a free market system is the idea that you keep what you earn. Without this simple concept, economies wither and die. Unfortunately, government keeps getting bigger and bigger. Every expansion of government takes a little bit of liberty from individuals.

In 2007 a friend of mine told me that there was a guy running for president that he thought Id like. My response: I doubt it. That guy was Ron Paul, and he turned out to be just as committed to economic liberty as I am. Dr. Paul's candidacy further inspired me to do all I can to advance the principles of sound money, free markets, and individual liberty. I got involved with Young Americans for Liberty, which grew out of Paul's 2008 campaign, and I've been engaged in political activism ever since. YAL's training made me a more effective activist, leading to my work as a Field Director on Ron Paul's 2012 campaign.

I'm now 25, and Ive been focused on working within the political system to advance these ideals. I still believe that they resonate with everyday Americans. I think most people would agree that we should follow the Constitution. I think most people agree that they deserve to keep what theyve worked hard to earn. I think most people believe in taking personal responsibility for their defeats and enjoying their successes. And I think that consensus is what will ultimately put us on track to greater liberty and better lives.

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Early Adherence to Libertarian Ideas Leads to Political Activism

Editors note: Yahoo News asked young libertarian-minded voters to share why theyre drawn to the either the Libertarian Party or to libertarian political principles in general. Heres one first-person account we received this week.

FIRST PERSON | Not many people under the age of 35 can admit to reading the landmark copyright case Kelly v. Arriba (2003) for fun, but my path to libertarianism started with my questions about intellectual property as a photographer.

As a digital native coming of age in the late 90s, I grew up in an Internet culture that was freewheeling and unbounded in creativity. When I took up photography in 2005, this culture I was so accustomed to was suddenly in conflict with the culture of copyright restriction enjoyed by photographers.

Cognitive dissonance set in as I attempted to reconcile these two cultures I was straddling. I knew there was something wrong about copyrights, but I did not know what it was. As I researched this question, I ended up reading Stephan Kinsellas "Against Intellectual Property," which introduced me to the basic ideas underpinning libertarianism for the first time.

After that introduction to the ideas of liberty, it was unquestionably Ron Paul who who made me political. Id been against war since my combat deployment to Iraq, but Ron Pauls high profile candidacy gave voice to those views. As a fellow veteran, I felt that he made it acceptable for mea Marine and a 29-year-old Iraq War veteranto hold antiwar views.

Thanks to Ron Pauls impact on our national, political conversation, it is now permissible for me to not want my brothers and sisters in the armed forces to have to die for a lie. Its because of my experience in the militarynot because Im ignorant or nave about what war entailsthat I dont want my brothers and sisters in the armed forces to have their minds destroyed by mental trauma, their hearts broken by grief, and their consciences ravaged by guilt in their participation in a moral injustice.

The principles of libertarianism to which I was introduced when figuring out my views on intellectual property made perfect sense when applied to our foreign policy and interactions with other nations. The libertarian foreign policy isnt isolationism; its an understanding that if we are aggressive toward others, theyll respond with aggression toward us.

And this foreign policy based on peace and prosperity resonates deeply with my own convictions and experience in Iraq, in sharp contrast to the neoconservatism of the Republican Party during the Bush years (defined by the two costly and horrible wars, one of which is still raging to this day) and the macabre liberalism of the Democratic Party under Obama (epitomized by the Kill List, drone strikes, and military interventions in over 40 countries).

All in all, Ive had a something of a weird but good journey to the Liberty Movement: Questions about copyright made me libertarian, Ron Paul made me political, and opposition to aggressive war made me a radical.

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A Libertarian Foreign Policy Is Based on Peace

Editors note: Yahoo News asked young libertarian-minded voters to share why theyre drawn to the either the Libertarian Party or to libertarian political principles in general. Heres one first-person account we received this week.

FIRST PERSON | Eight years ago, I was a high school junior in Columbus, Ohio. I was 16 years old, and a very proud and outspoken liberal. A handful of hot political issues influenced my thinking: among them was the idea that war sounded unpleasant, women and homosexuals should be able to make their own decisions, and my bleeding heart loved the idea of providing free healthcare and education to one and all.

I really admired two of my teachers at the timeone taught English; a kind, eloquent Democratic who reminded me of Jon Stewart in both wit and mannerisms. The other, a lively and informed young Republican history teacher who was charming and persuasive. I found myself agreeing with each on different topics, which really confused mewas I a Democrat? A Republican? A little of both? And if it was the latter, what did that mean when it came time to support a political candidate?

I let those questions (along with my political interest) slide until the 2008 presidential election when I found myself in college, thinking about these issues once again, unsettled with my candidate options. Walking home from class one day, I saw a chalk scribbled Google Ron Paul on the sidewalk. And so I did.

Less than ten minutes of research confirmed that I had found a candidate whose stances resonated with my own on nearly every issue. But more importantly, this man had been consistent for years about the importance of civil liberties, of a limited, constitutional government, of free market Austrian economicsand just how far politics and policy in America had strayed from those tenets.

War is still unpleasant when we are engaged in unconstitutional, unsustainable, and costly foreign intervention. I still believe in the rights of women and homosexualsnot because they belong to those groups, but because they are individuals and should be treated as such. And my bleeding heart hasnt hardened, but a deeper understanding of free market economics had led to the knowledge that limiting government and encouraging private charity are the best way to help those in need. Im 24 years old now, and have recently moved to the Bay area from Washington DC. My passion for advancing the cause of liberty has led me to work for the largest pro-liberty student group in the country, a non-profit organization called Young Americans for Liberty, which came out of the original Students for Ron Paul group.

Weve come a long way since Ron Paul introduced these ideas to the mainstream, but we have a long way to go. Understanding that principles should matter over party affiliation, and that the fight is not between the left and right, but between the power of the state against the individual, is the key to furthering this cause. The growing libertarian wing of the Republican Party is exciting and inspiring and acts as a vehicle to bring these ideas to the mainstream media and to the public eye over time.

Examining alternatives to the often disheartening and unsatisfying solutions offered by the status quo Republicans and Democrats, libertarian thought is gaining more traction every day; for many, including myself, it is a source of hope and a reason to be optimistic for the survival and growth of our country.

See the original post here:

Libertarian Thought a Source of Optimism

By Paul Takahashi (contact)

Thursday, March 28, 2013 | 5:32 p.m.

Are teacher email addresses a matter of public record?

That's the question at the crux of Nevada Policy Research Institute's latest lawsuit against the Clark County School District. The lawsuit was filed Thursday morning.

In June 2012 and again this February, the libertarian think tank submitted formal requests with the district for a list of email addresses for nearly 18,000 Clark County schoolteachers.

NPRI communications director Victor Joecks argues teacher email addresses are public records. Joecks said NPRI was not interested in the content of teacher emails just the addresses.

"These are government-provided emails addresses, provided to government employees to do their government jobs," Joecks said. "It's public information. The School District doesn't get to act as a gatekeeper to public information."

The School District has repeatedly refused to grant NPRI's requests for a directory of teacher email addresses, arguing it is not a matter of public record.

School District email addresses are part of an employee's personnel records and therefore must be "safeguarded," district attorneys stated in letters to NPRI.

Additionally, the email directory "falls within the definition of a non-record given that it is similar to a book or pamphlet," district attorneys said. Nevada's public records laws don't apply to "non-records," which include "books and pamphlets printed by a government printer."

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Libertarian think tank sues School District for access to teacher email addresses

Published: Monday, March 25, 2013 at 4:59 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, March 25, 2013 at 4:59 p.m.

Ron Paul, whose campaigns for president on the Libertarian and Republican tickets galvanized voters seeking limited government and individual freedoms, will be speaking at the University of Florida on April 15.

Paul, a physician and former congressman, will be at the O'Connell Center as part of the ACCENT Speaker's Bureau, it was announced on Monday.

Long known for his strong support for a limited role of government and protection of personal freedoms, Paul will speak to the UF audience about how his ideologies have developed over the years.

Paul, 77, served in the House representing Texas districts from 1976 to 1977, from 1979 to 1985 and from 1997 until January 2013.

In 2011, Paul announced that he would not seek re-election to his House seat in order to focus on his presidential bid. His campaign never gained sufficient traction during the Republican primary season and he went to the convention with 190 delegates.

Paul previously ran for president in 1988 as the Libertarian Party candidate and again in 2008.

The program will include a question-and-answer session.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and admission is free and open to the public.

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Libertarian leader Ron Paul to address UF audience

BELLINGHAM - The city will host the 2013 convention of the Libertarian Party of Washington State, and attendance is free during the speeches of nationally prominent party figures.

Speakers include national vice presidential candidate Jim Gray, national party Executive Director Carla Howell, former state Supreme Court Judge Richard Sanders and Sumas Mayor Bob Bromley.

Rob Stratton, a member of the county Libertarian Party and the gun rights group Open Carry, will speak on the Second Amendment, according to Jason Del Wraa, county party chairman.

Also scheduled to speak is Robin Koerner, Huffington Post blogger and the person who launched the Blue Republican campaign, which recruited liberals to join the GOP in 2012 to nominate Ron Paul.

The campaign reached Whatcom County, Del Wraa noted, as dozens of Paul supporters filed for Republican Party officer elections in May 2012.

The party's business meeting is also free, although participants must be approved members to vote. The state Libertarians will elect its officers at the convention, which takes place Saturday, April 20, in Fox Hall at Hampton Inn, 1661 W. Bakerview Road.

Leaders at the convention will consider whether to allow the party to endorse candidates from other parties whose views align with the principles of libertarianism - limited government and personal and economic freedom.

Fees must be paid for lunch and the evening banquet. Early registration is encouraged, as rates will increase on Monday, April 1. Registration is also required for the free sessions. People can register and get more information at lpwa.org/convention-2.

Reach Ralph Schwartz at 360-715-2289 or ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com. Read his politics blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.

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Libertarian Party to hold state convention in Bellingham

Beverly Libertarian Daniel Fishman has suspended all campaign activity and will not be submitting signatures to the Secretary of State for placement on the ballot in advance of the April 3 deadline, said the Fishman for Senate campaign Sunday.

When I first entered this campaign there were no Republicans officially announced and the three most prominently mentioned Republicans had all removed their names as potential candidates, said Fishman in a press release. I was concerned that given the short period of time to gather signatures no Republican would be able to get on the ballot, and the Senator for Massachusetts would be chosen via the closed Democratic primary.

Fortunately in support of the democratic process, three Republicans did stand up to run and successfully made it onto the ballot. I would like to thank Dan Winslow, Gabriel Gomez and Michael Sullivan for undertaking this largely thankless task, Fishman continued.

The support that my campaign has received has been buoying. In particular as my awareness grew of the burgeoning liberty movement in Massachusetts, I felt a tie back to the proud heritage of our state in leading on issues of Liberty. On the campaign trail, whether at a GOAL rally in Boxborough or gathering signatures on the street at Faneuil Hall, I was constantly approached by people in Massachusetts who thanked me for stating the obvious: Congress is completely broken. And it will not be fixed by electing the same sort of politicians to office, he said.

In the past I have run because I did not perceive a significant difference between the Republican and Democrat in their concern for the civil liberties of private citizens. I have however recently become satisfied that there is a candidate in the race who will give voice to those who fear a tyranny of the majority, said Fishman.

In his final remarks he said, With the conclusion of this campaign I will return to my day job and consider options for 2014.

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Beverly Libertarian Daniel Fishman withdraws from Senate race

Speaking to the Sacramento Press Club this month, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R- Bakersfield, opined that "[t]he Republican Party should embrace a little bit of our libertarianism." If the GOP intends an ascent from the doldrums of powerlessness in California and great electoral victories elsewhere, Republicans should heed the congressman.

In fact, had Republicans taken such advice during last year's presidential election, the Grand Old Party may have elected a few more Republicans to the Senate. In Montana, for example, Republican Danny Rehberg lost by just more than 18,000 votes, while a Libertarian Party candidate won nearly 32,000 votes. Had Republicans corralled some of those libertarian votes, the outcome would have been different.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), right, jokes with House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as House Republican leaders address the media after a party conference on March 19, in Washington, D.C.

GETTY IMAGES

To do this, the Republicans must hold the line on economic issues by rejecting bailouts, subsidies, crony capitalism and corporate welfare, but must also change their tone on immigration reform and personal-freedom issues like gay marriage and marijuana legalization.

Yet when pressed on gay marriage and marijuana legalization at the Press Club event, Mr. McCarthy dulled his libertarian luster, citing his support for what he termed traditional marriage and concerns with illegal marijuana farming in his district. While we disagree with his positions, to his credit, the way in which he discussed the issues was respectful.

Even so, there is ample justification for Republicans to embrace principled stances on these issues within party doctrine. In fact, modifications on such positions only strengthen the GOP narrative that it is the party of liberty. A party that prides itself on promoting individual freedom and personal responsibility doesn't need to employ government to define marriage or deny personal consumption.

While California voters passed 2008's Proposition 8 defining marriage as one-man, one-woman, and voted down 2010's Prop. 19 legalizing marijuana, Field polls last month showed 61 percent of Californians support gay marriage and 54 percent favor the outright legalization of marijuana. The debate on these issues is far from over but, as new generations of Americans come of age, it is more likely that public opinion will continue to shift in favor of ending government prohibition on gay marriage and marijuana.

On principle, Republicans ought to focus on being advocates for liberty both economic and social and common-sense policy reform, over policing against moral turpitude. Mr. McCarthy was right in his instincts about a libertarian shift, but the party has to actually embrace some libertarian philosophy if it wants to move forward.

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Editorial: GOP should embrace its inner libertarian

HOUSTON Most old school Republicans remind me of a man running for mayor on a platform of outlawing dancing at the high school prom. Obama reminds me of the guy you have dinner with who orders an expensive wine and then makes sure he's in the bathroom when the bill comes.

What if there was a party that espoused fiscal responsibility and minimal government, like the GOP says it wants, and kept its nose out of your personal business as the Democrats purport to? There is.It's called the libertarian party.

Republicans did an autopsy on why they keep losing to Democrats.Theysay they need to re-brand. I suggest the libertarian brand; it is currently not being used.

Instead of staying with an agenda of minimal government and concentrating on economic issues, the GOP always gets itself in the weeds on social issues and drives moderates and libertarians back to the "undecided" camp.

Republicans seem judgmental and odd, finding themselves out of touch with more and more Americans as they attempt to appease those social conservatives of their party who vote in primaries. The early straw polls are taken at the Iowa State Fair, presumably by Iowa fairgoers. They are given a choice while attending the fair: get in line to pick the GOP presidential candidate or buy a corn dog. Most decide what to do by which line is shorter.

Old school Republicans need to step aside or defer to fresher ideas instead of rejecting anyone or anything new. John McCain resented Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., calling him a wacko bird when Paul took a principled stand on the use of drones against U.S. citizens on American soil.

Perhaps Sen. McCain was just envious of Rand Pauls delivering a 13-hour filibuster speech without going to the restroom. It was a feat the aged "Flomax" McCain, whose Senate seat is located nearest the Senate mens room, could only imagine. Rands filibuster was one the ACLU and Democrats, if they had any intellectual integrity, should have staged.

Strom Thurmond still holds the record with his filibuster against the Civil Rights Act. Strom went on for 24 hours, stopping only briefly to father his biracial baby and demonstrate his sense of irony. Strom was nothing if not Jeffersonian.

Libertarians have the better argument on almost all issues. The Democrats are no longer a party with principles. They have turned into a Chicago-style political machine that rewards friends and punishes enemies under the pretense of high-minded ideology.

Obamas entire national defense strategy seems to be drone spying and bombing, combined with threatening not to pay anyone back on our debts. He is determined to destroy capitalism, successful people, and the free market system. Yet he is so bad at it, the stock market has attained new highs.

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GOP rebranding: Fire up the libertarian iron

For starters, Bitcoins are as cyberpunk as William Gibsons wildest dream: a form of monetary exchange invented in 2009 by a mysterious character who called himself Satoshi Nakamoto but then disappeared from view after unleashing his virtual currency upon the world. Bitcoins are undeniably cool: marvelously mined from the ore of computer processing power and electricity; more ready for prime time than any previous experiment in purely digital money. And Bitcoins, increasingly, are a success. At a Thursday afternoon all-time-high valuation of $72 per Bitcoin, there werearound $700 million worth of Bitcoins in circulation. People are using Bitcoins to buy real goods and services, to hedge against European financial calamity, and to score drugs. Thats money.

Over the years, Bitcoin has experienced ups and downs; the currency has been targeted by hackers and thieves and botnets and been victim to more than one embarrassing software glitch. But it has persevered, and this week, one can fairly say that Bitcoin came of age. On Monday, the U.S. Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) released its first guidance as to how de-centralized virtual currencies should fit into the larger regulatory regime under which currencies of all kinds are required to operate. The word Bitcoin is never mentioned in FinCENs release, but thats just a technicality. Everyone in the Bitcoin community knew who the guidance was aimed at. Bitcoin is a big boy now. The State is paying attention.

But while some observers have applauded FinCENs guidance as acknowledgment that Bitcoin isnt illegal or considered a threat by the government, not everyone is cheering the news. Because theres a problem here. Bitcoin isnt just an elegant way to create money using peer-to-peer networks and cryptography. Bitcoin is a currency with an ideology. From the beginning, Bitcoin was envisioned as a form of monetary exchange that didnt need third-party financial institutions or central banks or even governments to validate it or back it up. Bitcoin is the fulfillment of a libertarian dream, a currency created out of the workings of the free market, unaffiliated with any state authority, respectful and protective of user privacy and anonymity, and designed to resist inflationary pressures. By its very nature, Bitcoin is made for people who dont want other people to know what they are doing.

Bitcoin, says financial pundit Max Keiser, is the currency of resistance.

Thats all fine and dandy, but then here comes the government with its strong suggestion that any organization that facilitates the exchange of Bitcoins into other non-virtual currencies needs to register with the proper authorities and start keeping a lot of bureaucratic paperwork. How does that fit in with the idea of resistance?

Not very well, as we can learn from one Redditor who chastised his fellow Bitcoin fans for celebrating the legitimacy conferred upon Bitcoin by FinCENs guidance.

From this situation to total government tracking of money flows and zero possibility to escape their theft, it is but a small step. The tax farmers have co-opted all of you into even more total servitude. But you celebrate that. How servile.

Sigh. Slave-minded idiots, nearly all of you, naively happy because the eye of Sauron has finally locked its sight on you, celebrating defeat as if it was a victory, cheering like mad cows as your farmers line all of you up at the slaughterhouse. May you get the cages you foolishly cheered for.

Mr. Eye of Sauron might be a little overheated, but theres a nugget of sense buried in his rage. Theres a contradiction at the heart of Bitcoin. The more popular Bitcoin gets, whether as a symbol of resistance or a perceived safe haven in financially troubled times, the more government attention it will inevitably draw, and the more inexorably it will be sucked into existing regulatory structures. Incomes denominated in Bitcoins will be taxed. Efforts at money laundering will be cracked down upon. Its the price of success. Resistance is futile.

* * *

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A libertarian nightmare: Bitcoin meets Big Government

Talk about irony. The party that assured Sen. Evie Hudak another term at the state legislature has joined a recall effort to get the Westminster Democrat out of office.

The Libertarian Party of Colorado is backing a recall effort spearheaded by Fire Arms for Colorado and ignited by the introduction and passage of Democratic-sponsored gun control measures.

Hudak narrowly won reelection last November against Republican challenger Lang Sias 47.2 percent to 46.2 percent. And, Libertarian candidate Lloyd Sweeny, received 6.7 percent of the vote.

Political analysts have said Libertarians tend to take more votes from Republicans than Democrats in elections.

Since Democrats introduced and passed stricter gun laws, several have been subjected to recall petitions, despite polls that note public support for some new firearms laws.

Two other lawmakers, Rep. Mike MacLachlan, D-Durango, and Sen. John Morse, also have been threatened with recalls.

Hudak drew criticism during the gun debate when in a committee hearing on a measure to ban concealed weapons on college campuses, she told a rape victim statistics are not on your side even if you had had a gun.

She later apologized.

Firearms for Colorado plans to hold an organizing meeting on the recall effort next week.

Follow Kurtis on Twitter: @kurtisalee

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Libertarian Party that helped Hudak to victory now wants lawmaker out of office

The medias sudden embrace of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as a plausible 2016 presidential candidate may be pushing the outspoken and maverick lawmaker back toward his libertarian roots.

During an appearance on CNNs The Situation Room, Paul appeared to waver from his previously professed belief that all abortion should be illegal, because it is tantamount to killing a living human being. In fact, the senator who, like his father former Rep. Ron Paul, is a physician only last week introduced a so-called personhood bill that would completely outlaw abortion in the U.S. by declaring that human life begins at conception.

But Pauls commitment to the personhood agenda apparently faltered when asked if he believes there should be exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.

What I would say is there are thousands of exceptions, Paul responded. Im a physician, and every individual case is going to be different. Everything is going to be particular to that individual case and what is going on that mother and the medical circumstances of that mother. I think it is important we not be flippant one way or the other and pigeonhole and say this person doesnt believe in any sort of discussion between family and physician.

Paul added that there are a lot of complicated things the law may not ultimately be able to address in the early stages of pregnancy that would have to be part of what occurs between the physician and the woman and the family.

A call to Paul's Capitol Hill office was not immediately returned.

As a person who often identifies as a libertarian, Pauls comments appear to support the idea that a womans personal health should not be dictated by the government. But his Life at Conception Act would declare what most Americans believe and what science has long known that human life begins at the moment of conception, and therefore is entitled to legal protection from that point forward.

In a fundraising video for the National Pro-Life Alliance last year, Paul said the legislation could somehow outlaw abortion without contravening the U.S. Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision, under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. But that clause technically applies only to state governments.

And yet, in his CNN appearance, Paul not only seemed to make the case that outlawing abortion could undermine a womans health and well-being. He also implied it could violate doctor-patient confidentiality.

Paul was wrong, however, when he implied most of the country agrees with his personhood agenda. Forty-eight percent of Americans consider themselves to be pro-choice, according to a recent Gallup analysis. The numbers suggest that even those who identify themselves as pro-life believe there are exceptions although the organization reports only 28 percent of voters said they believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances.

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Rand Paul Makes Libertarian Case For Abortion Rights Less Than A Week After Sponsoring Personhood Bill

"At CPAC, the Future Looks Libertarian," read a dispatch on Time magazine's website. "CPAC: Rand Paul's Big Moment," proclaimed The Week magazine. Meanwhile, the New York Times headlined its story about the annual conservative political action conference "GOP divisions fester at conservative retreat."

George Will, a man who actually knows a thing or two about conservatism, responded to the NYT's use of the word "fester" on ABC News' "This Week." "Festering: an infected wound, it's awful. I guarantee you, if there were a liberal conclave comparable to this, and there were vigorous debates going on there, the New York Times' headline would be 'Healthy diversity flourishes at the liberal conclave.'"

Will went on to note that social conservatives and libertarian free-market conservatives in the GOP have been arguing "since the 1950s, when the National Review was founded on the idea of the fusion of the two. It has worked before with Ronald Reagan. It can work again."

Will was right as far as he went, but I would go further. Fusionism was an idea hatched by Frank Meyer, a brilliant intellectual and editor at National Review. An ex-communist Christian libertarian, Meyer argued that freedom was a prerequisite for virtue and therefore a virtuous society must be a free society. (If I force you to do the right thing against your will, you cannot claim to have acted virtuously.)

Philosophically, the idea took fire from all sides. But as a uniting principle, fusionism worked well. It provided a rationale for most libertarians and most social conservatives to fight side by side against communism abroad and big government at home.

What often gets left out in discussions of the American right is that fusionism isn't merely an alliance, it is an alloy. Fusionism runs through the conservative heart. William F. Buckley, the founder of the conservative movement, often called himself a "libertarian journalist." Asked about that in a 1993 interview, he told CSPAN's Brian Lamb that the question "Does this augment or diminish human liberty?" informed most of what he wrote.

Most pure libertarians and the tiny number of truly statist social conservatives live along the outer edge of the Venn diagram that is the American right. Most self-identified conservatives reside in the vast overlapping terrain between the two sides.

Just look at where libertarianism has had its greatest impact: economics. There simply isn't a conservative economics that is distinct from a libertarian one. Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Henry Hazlitt, Ludwig von Mises, James M. Buchanan & Co. are gods of the libertarian and conservative pantheons alike. When Pat Buchanan wanted to move America towards protectionism and statism, he had to leave the party to do it.

Libertarian and conservative critiques of Obamacare, the stimulus and other Democratic policies are indistinguishable from one another. On trade, taxes, property rights, energy, the environment, intellectual property and other issues, I'd be hard-pressed to tell you the difference, if any, between the conservative and libertarian positions.

On the Constitution, there are some interesting debates, but both factions are united in rejecting a "living Constitution." The debate on the right is over what the Constitution says, not what liberals think it should say.

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Jonah Goldberg The right's libertarian -conservative fusion is nothing new

New York Officials react to Libertarian Candidates.
Joan Kennedy Taylor and the Rediscovery of Libertarian Feminism Part 2 | by Jeff Riggenbachby libertyinourtime 269 views; 140. Watch Later Lena Dunham Your First Time PARODYby tokenlibertariangirl 271883 views; 240. Watch Later Behind the Scenes of Miss America 2013 Prepping for the Big Showby abcnews51 94 views; 627. Watch Later Bernanke speaks market reaction insidetheexchangecom July 17 2012by Lina Cagossi 29 views; 119. Watch Later Faculty stunned by NY moms actions Fox ...

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New York Officials react to Libertarian Candidates. - Video

Washington Post columnist George Will proclaimed the rise of the libertarians in the conservative movement, as evidence by the crowd at CPAC this year, as one of the biggest things to happen to the conservative movement in a long time. Will said this ascendancy will lead impact policy and opinions across the right-leaning world.

Will did have some harsh criticism for the way the New York Times recognized the libertarian ascendancy at CPAC.

Heres The New York Times headline on the CPAC conference, GOP divisions fester at conservative retreat, Will said. Festering an infected wound, its awful. I guarantee you, if there were a liberal conclave comparable to this, and there were vigorous debates going on there The New York Times headline would be Healthy diversity flourishes at the liberal conclave.

Republicans have been arguing, social conservatives and libertarian free-market conservatives, since the 1950s, when the National Review was founded on the idea of the fusion of the two. It has worked before with Ronald Reagan. It can work again, Will told This Week fill-in host Martha Raddatz.

The rise of libertarianism at CPAC is leading to push back on the traditionally hawkish foreign policy held by conservatives as well as embrace of an attitude that Will called live and let live on things like drugs and gay marriage.

Watch the clip below from ABC

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George Will Proclaims Libertarian Ascendance At CPAC, Trashes New York Times Coverage Of Conference

A fourth York City resident is throwing his hat in the ring for the chance to be mayor.

David Moser said he's hoping to offer an alternative choice to the three Democrats who will compete in the May 21 primary for their party's nomination.

Among his opponents is current Mayor Kim Bracey, who is seeking re-election.

"A lot of people are upset with the current administration," Moser said. "I think I can do better."

Moser, a Libertarian, has until Aug. 1 to collect 100 signatures and file a petition with the county elections office so his name can appear on the ballot in November.

As he collected signatures Friday on Continental Square, Moser said he's planning to file his petition next week.

His competition in November will be the winner of a Democratic primary that pits Bracey against York City Council President Carol Hill-Evans and newcomer Joe Beltrante. Other candidates could also emerge.

Moser, 35, is no stranger to local politics. He serves as chairman of the York County Libertarian Party.

He ran last year for the 95th state House District against then-incumbent Rep. Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat.

DePasquale won re-election, defeating Moser with nearly 83 percent of the vote. (DePasquale later resigned to take over as the state's auditor general, triggering the need for a special election scheduled for May 21.)

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Libertarian plans to run for mayor in York

Rand Paul and His Libertarian Brand: Nothing Heroic About It
Note: Filling in for Sam Seder in this clip is Majority Report producer Michael Brooks. Cliff Schecter joins Majority Report producers Michael Brooks and Mat...

By: SamSeder

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Rand Paul and His Libertarian Brand: Nothing Heroic About It - Video

GRAND RAPIDS, MI Despite glowing praise of U.S. Rep. Justin Amash's two-year tenure in Congress, one libertarian blogger thinks he should stay out of the race for retiring Michigan Sen. Carl Levin's seat.

Ron Davis, writing on the libertarian blog United Liberty, urges Amash to stay planted in his 3rd Congressional District because he'd have an uphill battle.

Amash has not said whether he'll run for Senate, but earlier this week indicated he was "certainly open" to the possibility.

A number of heavy-hitting prospective Republican candidates have been named since Levin's March 7 announcement he would not seek a seventh term.

They include West Michigan politician and former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and Scott Romney, older brother of Mitt.

Davis, writing on Amash for United Liberty, started his column with effusive praise for the "actively and openly accountable" sophomore congressman from Cascade Township.

"I wish my Congressman were more like Justin Amash," Davis wrote. "I wish every member of Congress were more like Justin Amash."

Still, Davis contends, multiple factors work against an Amash Senate run. He pointed to 2012's race against "self-funded" Democrat Steve Pestka, saying Amash's campaign had to dash to ensure they'd eke out a win.

Amash still bested Pestka by 9 percent in the November general election, but that was the least of Davis's arguments:

Amash doesnt yet have the statewide name recognition (and the reputation thats sure to follow) necessary to win in a statewide election. If hes still at the point where hes - as the incumbent - concerned about a Democrat with a pile of cash, hes not ready to be running for a seat in the Senate.

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Rep. Justin Amash should stay out of race for Carl Levin's seat, libertarian blogger says

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Published: 3/14/2013

BY TOM TROY BLADE STAFF WRITER

Recently retired city employee Michael Konwinski on Tuesday announced his candidacy for Toledo mayor on the Libertarian Party ticket, and mayoral candidate Opal Covey has switched her political affiliation from independent to Republican.

Mr. Konwinski, 57, of West Bancroft Street, retired in December after 30 years with the city, including in water distribution, environmental services, and the finance department. When he retired, he was involved as an analyst in converting the citys payroll from a third-party provider to an in-house software program, he said.

He said his goal would be to use his experience to lower the cost of city government, and ultimately the city payroll tax, by reducing unnecessary administrative and managerial positions and reorganizing some city divisions. If we can cut costs, that makes Toledo more attractive to people to move here, he said.

He received a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Toledo in 1978.

Whatever ails the city of Toledo can be traced to poor and ineffective middle management [workers], many of whom were promoted due to factors other than their managerial ability, Mr. Konwinski said.

Emil Gravelle, Lucas County Libertarian Party chairman, said the party is proud to support a candidate with such a detailed history and experience with the practical workings of the city of Toledo. It is time to reduce the size of government by refocusing on its core missions and eliminate waste. Michael Konwinski knows how.

Ms. Covey, an evangelist and minister who says she is a prophetess of God, spoke Feb. 28 to the Greater Toledo Republican Club.

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Libertarian announces bid for mayor

Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday took a swipe at critics of his lengthy filibuster, saying that he spoke for nearly 13 hours with young people in mind and calling on the GOP to take a more tolerant approach.

Last week, a Senate colleague of mine said that when I questioned whether or not the president could order a drone strike on American citizens on American soil, I was just catering to libertarian kids in their dorm rooms, Paul wrote in an op-ed posted at Policymic.com, referencing barbs he took from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Standing up for the Bill of Rights and the Fifth Amendment was not a political stunt designed to appeal to certain audiences. I took an oath to protect the Constitution and it is an oath I intend to keep.

But we do need a Republican Party that addresses the concerns of young people. We need a different kind of GOP, a party that speaks to the rising generation, who may have unique interests and concerns, Paul (R-Ky.) continued.

(WATCH: Rand Paul: Pro-done GOP on the "wrong side of history")

Paul, the libertarian-leaning freshman, last week took to the Senate floor for hours, demanding answers from the administration about drone strikes that could target Americans on U.S. soil. In his Wednesday op-ed, titled I Filibustered to Defend Millennials, Paul turned to politics, saying the GOP should take a big-tent approach to woo younger voters.

I believe a Republican Party that is more tolerant and dedicated to keeping the government out of peoples lives as much as possible would be more appealing to the rising generation, he wrote. Most young people I encounter simply have no desire to tell other people what to do or how to live.

The Kentucky senator, considered a possible pick for a 2016 presidential run, said a hands-off approach to governing would appeal to young people, a demographic with which the GOP has struggled in the last several elections.

(WATCH: Rand Paul considering 2016 run)

There are blue parts of the country where Republicans havent fared well, and yes, a more libertarian-Republican might be able to start winning in those areas, he wrote. The youth vote could play an integral part in this.

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Paul stands up for ' libertarian kids'