New Chapter to Pursue Warner's Seat
by Robert Russo
The Fauquier Times-Democrat reports the Libertarian Party of Fauquier County is officially pursuing a candidate for Sen. John Warner's seat in 2008, when the 80-year-old senator plans to retire. This chapter is less than three months old but its plan has been in the works for many months and was the main reason behind its founding in Warrenton.* There are many contenders for this high-profile seat right now including former Gov. Mark Warner who lost to John in the so-called Warner Bros. campaign of 1996.**
The Non-Aggression Principle
It is great to have a new county board in the LPVA family. Local news reporting this announcement is explaining what libertarians are and what we stand for, so let's take a look at the Fauquier chapter in particular and send them some hits. Their primary message is the Non-Aggression Principle, which forms a preamble to their bylaws. No other local affiliate site in Virginia emphasizes the principle to this extent or outwardly states it in their bylaws that I can find, although other wording is used to convey the same ideas and there are bylaws in other states which state it plainly. It is a political statement within the party which can be interpreted in a number of good ways.
It sounds like a pledge against violence, a condemnation of our movement's less diplomatic past (or its perception as such in the public mind) from violent protests and threats by libertarians or claimants, making it good PR to show the public we are a normal party; that they are pacifist libertarians, even "progressive" libertarians in favor of the Reform Caucus. The public doesn't know that the Non-Aggression Axiom is actually a name given to our core belief "Everyone has the right to absolute freedom so long as it doesn't infringe on the freedom of others.". (Aggression in this case refers to infringement and intrusion such as taxes, zoning and confiscation.) So to libertarians this is a statement of purity, even leftism and affection for the "old platform". A newcomer to the party might interpret their explanation of this principle to mean a combination of both: As libertarians we see taxation and government intrusion as violence and therefore refuse to be violent ourselves by the same measure.
I personally have always thought that we need "complete" representation by talented individuals who feel both the passion of the extremist and the wisdom of the moderate to present our views in a way all people can respect, not by cutting out the consequentialist or "robin hood" libertarians to make us look more presentable. The political quagmire our nation has become at least necessitates aggressive words and political strategies. Our displeasure is universal, our trust in the democratic process itself shaken. Who among us would not give imperialism and oppression a crushing blow if it were in our power? It's hard to be pacifists when we've been knowingly forced into this dilemma.
I don't know if rural counties have a history of protestation that requires a disclaimer or if proud southern libertarians are in the majority, but this site is brilliantly written from both perspectives. It is a proclamation of freedom and responsibility. Most people concede that aggression is acceptable in defense, and after a point the only defense of one's rights is offense. Kudos to the Fauquier board at www.fauquierlp.org. This story can be read at http://www.zwire.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=18809269&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506066&rfi=6. Excellent articles on the Non-Aggression Principle are at http://www.lewrockwell.com/block/block26.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-aggression_principle.
*http://www.zwire.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=18809269&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506066&rfi=6
**http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Warner#Future_possibilities_and_announced_retirement
Question of the Week: Right now the LP is both a social/protest movement and a competing political party. Assuming these two will never split, how can practical political movers and hardcore purists deal with each other in a single policy that unites us? Is there such thing as a righteous, successful political party? Send your opinions to russo@richmondliberty.org.
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