Bro.Butch
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- Joined
- May 12, 2007
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A Libertarian's New Year's Resolutions
by Harry Browne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Browne -- 1996 and 2000 Libertarian Party presidential candidate, world-renowned speaker, best-selling author, and very good friend to the Advocates -- wrote these New Year's Resolutions in the late 90s. They are even more relevant today than when they were written. We hope you will add them to YOUR Resolutions, and share them with other libertarians.
1. I resolve to *sell* liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect, rather than *preaching* to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong.
2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is to inspire people to want liberty -- not to prove that they're wrong.
3. I resolve to *listen* when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.
4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals someone may seek -- a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society -- and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.
5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that lead people to seek government help. I don't have to approve of their subsidies or policies -- but if I don't acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping them find a better way to solve their problems.
6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.
7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American. Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we have. To speak only of America's defects will make me a tiresome crank.
8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very small government -- not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.
9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.
10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the first libertarian someone has encountered, and it's important that he get a good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.
11. I resolve to remind myself that someone's "stupid" opinion may be an opinion I once held. If *I* can grow, why can't I help *him* grow?
12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest for a free society.
13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people free -- and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals will bring.
14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents and treat them with respect. However anyone chooses to treat me, it's important that I be a better person than my enemies.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
THE ADVOCATES’ NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – and PROMISE TO YOU
At the Advocates, we’ve made one New Year’s Resolution -- our PROMISE to you:
We resolve to build a larger and more effective libertarian movement. We will do this by sharing the very best communication tools and training with as many libertarians as possible in 2009. We pledge to update and upgrade our ongoing activities so we can achieve this vital goal.
As you know, the ideals that you and I share have been severely attacked in the last few months. America is under siege by a growing authoritarian strain in both the left and the right that threatens to move us further away from liberty and toward tyranny.
Libertarian voices are needed desperately -– more than ever before.
INVEST in LIBERTY
I hope one of YOUR New Year's Resolutions will be to invest in LIBERTY.
If so, I'd like to ask you to make a donation to the Advocates.
The work of the Advocates is VITAL for liberty, providing libertarian activists with the tools, training and information they need to become powerful, persuasive advocates for liberty.
Get more details about our work by reading my end-of-year letter here:http://www.theadvocates.org/letter-from-sharon-november-08.html
Dollar-for-dollar, I believe support for the Advocates is the best libertarian investment you can make. Every penny will go to essential, proven programs to make the liberty movement larger and more effective, and our world a freer, more abundant place.
The financial crisis has hit the Advocates hard. Donations are way down. Many of our regular loyal supporters have been unable to give this year. We really need your support right now.
Can I depend on your help -- either with a one-time donation, or by becoming a monthly donor of $10 per month or more?
https://www.theadvocates.org/donations.html
FREE FOR YOU: RON PAUL'S "The Revolution: A Manifesto"... and other great gifts!
We'd like to say "Thank you!" for your help at this crucial time with some great thank-you gifts, including Ron Paul's best-selling modern classic "The Revolution: A Manifesto."
Details on these gifts are here:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/gifts.html
Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Please make your secure donation online now:
https://www.theadvocates.org/donations.html
OR call toll-free 800-932-1776. Or mail your donation to: 213 S Erwin St, Cartersville, GA 30120.
Thank you for your support and your dedication to liberty!
Yours for liberty,
Sharon Harris
Advocates President
by Harry Browne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Browne -- 1996 and 2000 Libertarian Party presidential candidate, world-renowned speaker, best-selling author, and very good friend to the Advocates -- wrote these New Year's Resolutions in the late 90s. They are even more relevant today than when they were written. We hope you will add them to YOUR Resolutions, and share them with other libertarians.
1. I resolve to *sell* liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect, rather than *preaching* to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong.
2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is to inspire people to want liberty -- not to prove that they're wrong.
3. I resolve to *listen* when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.
4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals someone may seek -- a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society -- and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.
5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that lead people to seek government help. I don't have to approve of their subsidies or policies -- but if I don't acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping them find a better way to solve their problems.
6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.
7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American. Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we have. To speak only of America's defects will make me a tiresome crank.
8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very small government -- not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.
9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.
10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the first libertarian someone has encountered, and it's important that he get a good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.
11. I resolve to remind myself that someone's "stupid" opinion may be an opinion I once held. If *I* can grow, why can't I help *him* grow?
12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest for a free society.
13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people free -- and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals will bring.
14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents and treat them with respect. However anyone chooses to treat me, it's important that I be a better person than my enemies.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
THE ADVOCATES’ NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – and PROMISE TO YOU
At the Advocates, we’ve made one New Year’s Resolution -- our PROMISE to you:
We resolve to build a larger and more effective libertarian movement. We will do this by sharing the very best communication tools and training with as many libertarians as possible in 2009. We pledge to update and upgrade our ongoing activities so we can achieve this vital goal.
As you know, the ideals that you and I share have been severely attacked in the last few months. America is under siege by a growing authoritarian strain in both the left and the right that threatens to move us further away from liberty and toward tyranny.
Libertarian voices are needed desperately -– more than ever before.
INVEST in LIBERTY
I hope one of YOUR New Year's Resolutions will be to invest in LIBERTY.
If so, I'd like to ask you to make a donation to the Advocates.
The work of the Advocates is VITAL for liberty, providing libertarian activists with the tools, training and information they need to become powerful, persuasive advocates for liberty.
Get more details about our work by reading my end-of-year letter here:http://www.theadvocates.org/letter-from-sharon-november-08.html
Dollar-for-dollar, I believe support for the Advocates is the best libertarian investment you can make. Every penny will go to essential, proven programs to make the liberty movement larger and more effective, and our world a freer, more abundant place.
The financial crisis has hit the Advocates hard. Donations are way down. Many of our regular loyal supporters have been unable to give this year. We really need your support right now.
Can I depend on your help -- either with a one-time donation, or by becoming a monthly donor of $10 per month or more?
https://www.theadvocates.org/donations.html
FREE FOR YOU: RON PAUL'S "The Revolution: A Manifesto"... and other great gifts!
We'd like to say "Thank you!" for your help at this crucial time with some great thank-you gifts, including Ron Paul's best-selling modern classic "The Revolution: A Manifesto."
Details on these gifts are here:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/gifts.html
Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Please make your secure donation online now:
https://www.theadvocates.org/donations.html
OR call toll-free 800-932-1776. Or mail your donation to: 213 S Erwin St, Cartersville, GA 30120.
Thank you for your support and your dedication to liberty!
Yours for liberty,
Sharon Harris
Advocates President
