Group 42-Sells Out! - The Information Archive/Group 42 Sells Out (Group 42) (1996).iso/faqs/aliber.txt

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Archive-name: libertarian/faq
Version: 1.5
Last-modified: 11 Apr 1995


              FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIBERTARIANISM

     _________________________________________________________________

   Many USENET readers encounter libertarianism for the first time on
   USENET. The following is a list of answers to many of the frequently
   asked questions about libertarianism.

   These answers have been compiled from several sources. Most of the
   answers are derived or quoted from writings by David Bergland
   including "Libertarianism in One Lesson" and "America's Libertarian
   Heritage." Quotes were used with permission from David Bergland and
   the Advocates for Self-Government as long as proper credit was
   retained. All quoted answers will be marked and the source referenced
   in the bibliography.

   If you want more information about libertarian ideas and the Advocates
   for Self-Government, send your postal mail address and phone number to:

   [e-mail]

   or

   Advocates for Self-Government
   3955 Pleasantdale Road, #106A
   Atlanta, GA 30340
   <URL:http://www.self-gov.org/>
   [phone]



Contents:

    1. What is libertarianism?
    2. Are libertarians liberal or conservative?
    3. How do libertarians approach the issues?
    4. What is the libertarian position on the military draft?
    5. Should the government regulate radio, TV, or the press?
    6. Why do libertarians want to repeal regulations on sex by
       consenting adults?
       6a.  Does this apply to prostitution also?
    7. Does libertarian support of personal liberty extend to drug use?
       7a.  But if drugs were legalized, wouldn't there be millions more
            drug addicts?
    8. Do libertarians support gun ownership as a personal liberty?
    9. How do libertarians want to handle immigration?
   10. What position do libertarians have on subsidies for farm and
       business?
   11. Are people better off with free trade than with tariffs?
   12. What position do libertarians take on minimum wage laws?
   13. What about the poor?
   14. Don't we need affirmative action to keep bigoted employers from
       refusing to hire minorities and women?
   15. How do libertarians feel about taxes?
       15a. I'm for cutting taxes, but as a practical matter, how do we
            do it?
   16. Aren't you going too far?
   17. Won't these ideas work only if everybody is good?



1. What is libertarianism?

   Libertarians want a win-win world of peace and plenty. And we believe
   that the only way to get it is through self-government... NOT others-
   government.

   Self-government is the combination of personal responsibility and
   tolerance. Responsibility means you govern yourself. Tolerance means
   you don't force your values on peaceful, honest people.

   Today, however, others-government is giving us insecurity, conflict
   and poverty. Let's revitalize our heritage of self-government to
   create a win-win world where everyone comes out ahead. [4] -- Carole
   Ann Rand



2. Are libertarians liberal or conservative?

   You have a better choice than just left or right. The libertarian way
   gives you more choices, in politics, in business, your personal life,
   in every way. Libertarians advocate a high degree of both personal and
   economic liberty. Today's liberals like personal liberty but want
   government to control your economic affairs. Conservatives reverse
   that, advocating more economic freedom but wanting to clamp down on
   your private life.

   Libertarian positions on the issues are not "left" or "right" or a
   combination of the two. Libertarians believe that, on every issue, you
   have the right to decide for yourself what's best for you and to act
   on that belief so long as you respect the right of other people to do
   the same and deal with them peacefully and honestly.

   Today's liberals and conservatives have rejected America's heritage of
   liberty and personal responsibility. They want to put us all in their
   straitjacket. Americans built a great country without shackles. It's
   time to take them off again. Break free of the useless left right
   spectrum. Think freedom on all issues. Think libertarian. [2]



3. How do libertarians approach the issues?

   Libertarians use a caring, people centered approach to politics.
   Politicians too frequently forget that their laws and regulations
   affect real, live human beings. Libertarians never lose sight of that
   fact. We see each individual as unique, with great potential. We want
   a system which encourages all of us to discover the best within
   ourselves and make the most of it. A system which encourages the
   development of the most harmonious relationships among all people.

   In dealing with political issues, libertarians focus on the people
   involved. Who is having a problem? What is it? What is the government
   doing already, if anything, and might that be the cause of the
   problem?

   Most importantly, Libertarians ask: is anyone violating another's
   rights? Is someone committing murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud,
   embezzlement, arson, trespass, etc.? If so, then it's proper to call
   on government to help the victim against the wrongdoer. But, if not,
   the government should not get involved.

   In most instances, people are better off if allowed to work out their
   own problems through voluntary cooperation without introducing the
   coercive tool of government. [3]



4. What is the libertarian position on the military draft?

   History shows that free people can be counted on to defend their homes
   and their country. But the draft is slavery, and slaves make lousy
   defenders of freedom.

   I like knowing I'm being protected by people who are in the military
   because they want to be there, not because they were forced against
   their will to be there.

   A military focused on defending America instead of policing the globe
   would reduce manpower needs and further eliminate any reason to have a
   draft or draft registration.

   Let's let free people defend freedom. [3]



5. Should the government regulate radio, TV, or the press?

   America's free press is envied by freedom-starved people everywhere.
   Dictators use a controlled press to silence opposition and to feed
   lies to their citizens.

   Americans would not like it if the government here owned or controlled
   the newspapers. Why should we like government control of TV and radio
   any better? As with printed words, broadcast words can and should be
   regulated by the free market.

   Americans should be able to freely choose what they will watch or
   listen to, without Big Brother making those decisions for them. [3]



6. Why do libertarians want to repeal regulations on sex by consenting adults?

   Nothing is more personal than the way people chose to shape their
   sexual relationships. Government has no business intruding into
   people's bedrooms.

   This doesn't mean we must personally approve of the sexual behaviors
   of others. It simply means that as long as the participants are
   consenting adults, no one has the right to use the force of government
   laws to try to stop or punish them.

   There is no justification for throwing peaceful Americans in jail
   because of their sexual choices. Let's respect people's right to
   control their own bodies. [3]



6a. Does this apply to prostitution also?

   Every day millions of adult Americans agree to make love. There is no
   justification for throwing them in jail. These are peaceful voluntary
   agreements between consenting adults. A tiny fraction of these involve
   money.

   Criminal penalties do not stop prostitution. They just create real
   problems. One study showed it costs taxpayers two thousand dollars
   every time a prostitute is arrested. Let's respect people's right to
   control their own bodies.

   Decriminalize sex, and let it be a private affair. [3]



7. Does libertarian support of personal liberty extend to drug use?

   Alcohol prohibition tore America apart once. Now it is the war on
   drugs. Harsh laws and the threat of jail and fines will not stop drug
   use. All they do is make it harder to help people. And just as
   Prohibition created organized crime, today's drug laws keep organized
   crime alive -- with all the violence and corruption that goes along
   with it.

   Before drugs were illegal, Americans handled them with few problems.
   Let's respect the right of people to control their own bodies.

   Decriminalize drugs, help those who need it, and let the police spend
   their time protecting us from real crime. [3]



7a. But if drugs were legalized, wouldn't there be millions more drug addicts?

   I, too, want to live in a society where people are healthy and
   productive, not destroying their lives with addictive drugs.

   All of the hard drugs were legal before 1914, and there were few
   addicts. Studies show that even addicts can be productive, and also
   that they do not engage in crime when they can get their drugs
   inexpensively.

   We have addicts today despite drug criminalization. We also have the
   violence that is caused by drugs being illegal. Let's decriminalize
   drugs so we stop the violence and get help to those who need it. [3]



8. Do libertarians support gun ownership as a personal liberty?

   Libertarians,, like other Americans, want to be able to walk city
   streets safely and be secure in their homes. We also want our
   Constitutional rights protected, to guard against the erosion of civil
   liberties. In particular, Libertarians want to see all people treated
   equally under the law, as our Constitution requires. America's
   millions of gun owners are people too.

   Law-abiding, responsible citizens do not and should not need to ask
   anyone's permission or approval to engage in a peaceful activity. Gun
   ownership, by itself, harms no other person and cannot morally justify
   criminal penalties.

   A responsible, well-armed and trained citizenry is the best protection
   against domestic crime and the threat of foreign invasion. America's
   founders knew that. It is still true today.



9. How do libertarians want to handle immigration?

   People have the right to travel anywhere, and to take any job offered
   them, so long as they do it at their own expense and without violating
   the rights of others.

   A way to help the poor is to let them go where the work is, regardless
   of borders. Studies show that immigrants don't take jobs from others,
   they add to the economy and help create more jobs.

   America was built by immigrants who came here seeking nothing but
   opportunity and freedom -- and created the greatest, most productive
   society ever.

   Respect for human rights and compassion for the world's poor require
   that we relax immigration restrictions. [3]



10. What position do libertarians have on subsidies for farm and business?

   All business people, including farmers, should be able to offer their
   products in a free market without being subsidized by others. The way
   to help both producers and consumers is to remove government programs
   and restrictions which have damaged America's free enterprise system.

   Subsidies are harmful and unfair. Why should some businesses be taxed
   to give handouts to others? Why should you pay higher prices to
   support government favored businesses?

   Let's stop this nonsense. Then business could operate in a free market
   and all of us could be better fed, clothed and housed at lower cost.
   [3]



11. Are people better off with free trade than with tariffs?

   Free trade provides consumers with better goods at lower prices. Trade
   restrictions produce the opposite: shoddy goods and higher prices.

   With free trade, consumers pay lower prices for products and thereby
   have more money left to spend on other goods, domestic as well as
   foreign.

   Free trade also helps the cause of world peace. In the 1920's and
   30's, trade barriers went up everywhere, directly contributing to the
   outbreak of World War II. If goods don't cross borders, armies will.

   Let's end all trade restrictions and free the world's resources to be
   allocated in the most efficient and productive manner. [3]



12. What position do libertarians take on minimum wage laws?

   Skilled, experienced workers make high wages because employers compete
   to hire them. Poorly educated, inexperienced young people can't get
   work because minimum wage laws make them too expensive to hire as
   trainees. Repeal of the minimum wage would allow many young, minority
   and poor people to work.

   It must be asked, if the minimum wage is such a good idea, why not
   raise it to $200 an hour? Even the most die-hard minimum wage advocate
   can see there's something wrong with that proposal.

   The only "fair" or "correct" wage is what an employer and employee
   voluntarily agree upon. We should repeal minimum wage now. [3]



13. What about the poor?

   I want to break the chains of poverty and help the disabled. First
   remove laws that prevent work. Second, privatize welfare.

   Permits, licensing, zoning, labor laws. They all stop people who want
   to work, especially minorities. Repeal those laws. Private charity is
   more compassionate and delivers the goods better than the government
   welfare plantation.

   We can't make a perfect world. We can do more for the poor by
   replacing inefficient government programs with effective voluntary
   assistance. [1] -- David Bergland



14. Don't we need affirmative action to keep bigoted employers from refusing to
hire minorities and women?

   Libertarians want to see people of all types working in the most
   harmonious relationships. "Affirmative action" refers to laws which
   force people into relationships whether they want them or not. Not too
   many years ago, there were laws in many states which prevented people
   of different races from doing a variety of things together, working,
   eating, marriage, etc. Libertarians oppose all such laws because the
   people involved have the right to decide for themselves whether or not
   to enter a relationship or association.

   An old saying states: "it takes two to tango." Relationships or
   associations require at least two people. We cannot justify using
   force to keep people out of voluntary relationships and we cannot
   justify forcing private citizens into relationships against their
   will.

   Government employment is a different case. The only criteria for
   employment or advancement in government work should be merit. The
   Constitution requires that we all be given equal treatment under the
   law. Since governments are created by law, they are Constitutionally
   required to be absolutely even handed. Private citizens or companies
   on the other hand have the right to be stupid and suffer the
   consequences.

   Attempts to correct bigotry with affirmative action haven't worked
   very well. Such laws are easy for bigots to circumvent and people tend
   to think minority employees did not earn their positions on merit even
   if they did. They also make it possible for bigots to harass
   minorities by demanding employment at minority owned businesses. [2]



15. How do libertarians feel about taxes?

   Americans already obtain a host of services from private providers.
   There is every reason to think that other services, from postal
   delivery to education to road building and maintenance, could be
   provided more efficiently and at lower cost by the private sector.

   We should support all moves to reduce and repeal taxes because taxes
   are obtained immorally, by force. The income tax is particularly evil,
   since it penalizes productivity and forces all of us to expose our
   private affairs to government snoopers.

   We had no income tax before 1914 and America prospered. Replacing the
   income tax with voluntary methods for financing services should be our
   goal, and we should begin right now. [3]



15a. I'm for cutting taxes, but as a practical matter, how do we do it?

   Think of government as a conglomerate of service businesses. The
   providers of those services do not have to be government employees,
   and the services do not have to be paid for with tax dollars. Whether
   it is education, security, transportation, charity, energy, or
   whatever, the private sector is already doing it for less. To cut
   taxes, we must allow private service providers to replace inefficient
   bureaucracy. Market competition will give us better service at lower
   cost, and put the consumers in control. [3]



16. Aren't you going too far?

   I want you to be able to govern yourself. The libertarian way lets you
   decide how much independence is good for you and lets others decide
   for themselves.

   Replacing political controls with self-government will only go as far
   as you let it. So let's experiment. Cut foreign aid. Deregulate
   transportation. Repeal one drug law. Cut farm subsidies. Cut taxes.

   As you gain self government, you will probably want more. That's for
   you to decide. No one can force you to be free. [1] -- David Bergland



17. Won't these ideas work only if everybody is good?

   You don't have to believe people are always good for freedom to work.
   Most people, most of the time, deal with each other on the libertarian
   premise of respect for the rights of others. You don't want to be
   pushed around or to push your neighbors around. You don't steal, cheat
   or mug people. Very few among us commit all the crime. Society would
   collapse if most people were evil most of the time.

   If people are basically evil, the last thing you'd want is a big
   government staffed by those evil folks exercising control over you.
   [1] -- David Bergland



Bibliography:

   [1] "Liberty Communicator Course," Advocates for Self-Government,
   1988.

   [2] Bergland, David, "America's Libertarian Heritage: The Politics of
   Freedom," Orpheus Publications, 1773 Bahama Place, Costa Mesa, CA
   92626, [phone], 1991.

   [3] "The Liberator," Spring 1992, pp. 18-19, Advocates for Self-
   Government, 3955 Pleasantdale Road, No. 106-A, Atlanta, GA 30340,
   [phone].

   [4] "The Liberator," Summer 1993, p. 13, Advocates for
   Self-Government.

Archive-name: libertarian/organizations
Version: 2.13
Last-modified:  11 Apr 1995


                       LIBERTARIAN FAQ: ORGANIZATIONS
     _________________________________________________________________

   This posting contains a list of libertarian oriented organizations.
   Some organizations included may not be libertarian, but share a common
   view on one or more issues. Sources have included: "The Liberator,"
   published by the Advocates for Self-Government, publications by
   International Society for Individual Liberty, "Solutions" from the
   Knowledge Network Foundation, Daniel C. Ust of the Central Jersey
   Objectivists, Stuart Reges from the Libertarian Party, Andrew "Sasha"
   Volokh from the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Daniel R. McCloskey,
   Brian McInturff, Eric Rittberg, Brian Taylor, John McPherson, Ben
   Power, Carol Moore, James A. Donald, Thomas Gramstad, Michael Moratta,
   Ian Geldard, Barry Fagin, Tom Isenberg, Marcus Albro, Steve Ertelt,
   Jennifer Palonus, Art Gulick, and Dena L. Bruedigam. Thanks for your
   efforts!

   Comments, corrections, and additions are always welcome. You can
   contact me by E-Mail at [e-mail].

   If you want more information about the libertarian ideas and the
   Advocates for Self-Government, send your postal mail address and phone
   number to:

   [e-mail]

   or

   Advocates for Self-Government
   3955 Pleasantdale Road, #106A
   Atlanta, GA 30340
   <URL:http://www.self-gov.org/>
   [phone]

Contents:

   Major Libertarian Organizations
   Abortion
   Affinity Groups
   Book, Tape, and Video Stores
   Children and Families
   Communities
   Computer Mailing Lists
   Conservative Organizations
   Drug Policy
   Education
   Employment
   Environment
   Free Market
   Free Speech
   Gun Policy
   Health Policy
   Legal
   Miscellaneous
   Objectivism
   Political
   Publications
   Taxes
   Term Limits
   Think Tanks



Major Libertarian Organizations

   Advocates for Self-Government. 3955 Pleasantdale Rd., Suite 106A,
   Atlanta, GA 30340. 800-932-1776. Fax: [phone]. E-Mail:
   [e-mail]. <URL:http://www.self-gov.org/>  Educational
   institute. Offers conferences and programs encouraging people to
   encounter, evaluate and embrace the ideas of liberty and improve
   communications; publishes Liberator newsletter.

   CATO Institute. 1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC
   20001-5403. 202-842-0200. Fax: [phone]. E-Mail: [e-mail].
   <URL:http://www.cato.org/main/home.html>. Public policy research
   foundation; publishes Cato Journal, books, monographs and policy
   analysis material; conducts seminars, conferences and symposia.

   Foundation for Economic Education (FEE). 30 S. Broadway,
   Irvington-On-Hudson, NY 10533. 914-591-7230. Non-political,
   educational champion of private property, the free-market and limited
   government. Publishes The Freeman magazine.

   Future of Freedom Foundation. Suite 800, 11350 Random Hills Road,
   Fairfax, VA 22030. 703-934-6101. Educational foundation. Publishes
   Freedom Daily, containing articles on current issues from a
   libertarian and classical liberal perspective.

   Institute for Humane Studies (IHS). 4084 University Drive, Suite 101,
   Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. 703-934-6920. Fax: [phone]. Educational
   institute. Searches for moral arguments and scholarship which support
   the free society; discovers, encourages and supports scholars in the
   social sciences.

   International Society for Individual Liberty (ISIL). 1800 Market St.,
   San Francisco, CA 94102. 415-864-0952. Fax: [phone]. Compuserve:
   71034,2711. <URL:http://www.portal.com/~chan/libertarian/isil/" >
   Promotes international exchange of information and ideas on
   competitive economic systems with internal conferences; promotes
   campus libertarian organizations; publishes Freedom Network News and
   position papers.

   Libertarian Party of U.S.A., 1528 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC
   20003. 202-543-1988. New member info only: 800-682-1776. Fax:
   202-546-6094. Runs candidates for public office; publishes Libertarian
   Party News; holds bi-annual convention.

   Liberty Magazine. PO Box 1167, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Bimonthly
   review of libertarian and classical liberal thought, culture and
   politics; contributors include major libertarian movement figures.

   Reason Magazine/Reason Foundation. 3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 400,
   Los Angeles, CA 90034. 310-391-2245. Fax: [phone]. Educational
   foundation. Educates public on principles of free society; publishes
   Reason Magazine; publishes policy studies, op-ed articles and daily
   economic education and radio program.



Abortion

   Libertarians for Life, 13424 Hathaway Dr., Wheaton, MD 20906.
   301-460-4141. Formed to show why abortion is aggression under general
   libertarian principles. Reasoning is expressly philosophical rather
   than religious.



Affinity Groups

   Association of Libertarian Feminists, PO Box 20252, London Terrace,
   New York, NY 10011. 212-924-4345. Seeks to provide a libertarian
   alternative to those aspects of the wonen's movement that discourage
   independence and individuality. Publishes ALF News and discussion
   papers.

   Libertarian Futurists Society, 89 Gephard Rd., Penfield, NY 14526.
   716-248-3112. Futurists and science fiction fans who share a concern
   for individual freedom. Sponsors the Prometheus Award for the best
   libertarian SciFi novel of the year. Publishes quarterly libertarian
   science-fiction newsletter.

   Libertarians for Animal Rights, 7829 Cayuga Ave., Bethesda MD, 20817.
   Individuals who support and promote the philosophy of animal rights
   libertarianism. (Also supports heightened respect for unborn life).

   Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns, PO Box 447, Chelsea, MI
   48118. Group to create a network for gay libertarians, create
   awareness of gay concerns within the libertarian movement, to provide
   libertarian outreach to gays and lesbians. Publishes LCLC Newsletter.



Book, Tape, and Video Stores

   Audio Forum, 96 Broad St., Rm. E-609, Guildord, CT 06437.
   800-243-1234. Supplier of taped lectures and courses by prominent
   libertarian thinkers.

   Conservative Book Club, 15 Oakland Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528. Book
   club of interest to conservatives.

   Freedom's Forum Bookstore, 1800 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102.
   415-864-0952. Sells wide selection of libertarian books, especially
   dealing with social issues; store and mail order; publishes books
   under name of Cobden Press.

   ICS Press, 720 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. 800-326-0263.
   Promoting the self-governing and entrepreneurial way of life. Prints
   studies from the Institute for Contemporary Studies.

   Knowledge Products, PO Box 305151, Nashville, TN 37230. 615-742-3858.
   Offers audio classics introducing historical figures such as Tom
   Paine, Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, John Stuart Mill, John Locke, and
   more.

   Laissez Faire Books. 942 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94103.
   800-326-0996. E-Mail: [e-mail]. Widest available selection of
   libertarian, history, philosophy, economic and Randian books, tapes,
   videotapes; publishes informative monthly book catalog with book
   reviews.

   Liberty Tree Network. 134 Ninety-Eighth Ave., Oakland, CA 94603.
   800-927-8733. Mail order purveyor of products for life, liberty and
   prosperity; books, audio and video tapes, games, gifts and
   collectibles. Free catalog available.

   Loompanics Books, PO Box 1197, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Carries
   unusual, controversial, and hard-to-find books. Catalog banned in some
   countries.

   Second Renaissance Books. 110 Copperwood Way, PO Box 4625, Oceanside,
   CA 92052. Biggest outlet of material written by Ayn Rand and other
   Objectivists. Orders ($20 min): Continental US only: 1-800-729-6149,
   Fax: [phone], Info: 619-757-6149.

   Turney Audio and Video. PO Box 36564, Richmond, VA 23235.
   804-276-9255. World's largest collection of video and audio tapes of
   libertarian/free-market conferences, conventions, speakers,
   presentations, etc.

   World Research Institute (& WRI Films), PO Box 9359, San Diego, CA
   92169. 619-456-5278. Produces liberty-based educational films on
   economics, inflation, social justice, poverty, etc.



Children and Families

   Libertarian Familist, PO Box 4826, El Paso, TX 79914-4826.
   915-755-6940. Family oriented children's rights advocates. Publishes
   Libertarian Familist.



Communities

   Abapa Freer, PO Box 759, Veneta, OR 97487. Sampler of areas having
   attraction for libertarians. ($1 cash preferred.)

   Freedom Now, (Mary Margaret Glennie), 1317 Lakewood Dr., Fort Collins,
   CO 80521. Attracting libertarians to Ft. Collins, CO. Send $1 and SASE
   for more info.

   Galt's Gulch, PO Box 73203, Fairbanks, AK 99707. Creating a real-life
   Galt's Gulch, based on the principles of Randian Objectivism.

   Port Watson Project, 4651 Bensel Road #5, West Palm Beach, Fl 33417.
   407-688-6523 (voice). Creating an intentional (libertarian) resort
   community on a small, privately owned island in the Bahamas....
   economy will be based on tourism, hydroponic agriculture and
   information-age technologies (telecommuting).



Computer Mailing Lists

   CEI list: Run by the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Includes their
   op-ed pieces and other items of interest.
   Subscription: Alexander "Sasha" Volokh at [e-mail]

   LIBFEM-NEWS: news, informaiton items, and original posts on feminism
   and liberty. Low-volume list.
   Subscription: [e-mail].

   LIBFEM-TALK: comments and discussion on feminism and liberty. Includes
   all posts to LIBFEM-NEWS.
   Subscription: [e-mail].

   LIBERNET: Intended to be a forum for high-quality, real-world oriented
   presentation of information of interest to classical liberals,
   libertarians, objectivists, and anyone else interested in applying the
   philosophy of liberty to the problems of our day.
   Admin, subscription, etc.: [e-mail]
   Postings to the list: [e-mail]
   List-owner: Barry Fagin


   LIBERNET-D: Users interested in a more opinion and idea-oriented forum
   may wish to subscribe to Libernet-d (the "d" stands for discussion and
   debate). Admin, subscription, etc.: [e-mail]
   Postings to the list: [e-mail]
   List-owner: Barry Fagin


   Libertarian Student Email Network: Mailing list for college
   libertarian clubs (from one member to many) to share ideas for
   outreach, share experiences, spread news, assist new groups, and build
   a sense of comradarie and community.
   Subscription: John McPherson, [e-mail], one
   representative from each club.




Conservative Organizations

   Committee for the Restoration of the Republic, 127-01 101st Ave.,
   Richmond Hill, NY 11419. Phone [phone]. Politically
   conservative individuals who "work to return to the first principles
   upon which the U.S. republic was founded."



Drug Policy

   American Anti-Prohibition League, 4017 SE Belmont St., Box 103,
   Portland Oregon, U.S.A. 97214. 503-235-4524.

   Drug Reform Coordination Network, P.O. Box 381813, Cambridge, MA
   02238-1813 [phone]; [phone] (fax); E-mail:
   [e-mail]

   Drug Policy Foundation, 4455 Connecticut Ave. NW, #B500, Washington,
   DC 20008-2302. 202-537-5005. 800-388-DRUG. Fax: [phone].
   Advocates legalization of drugs and humane treatment of addicts.
   Conferences, books, videos. Newsletter: Drug Policy Newsletter.

   Families Against Mandatory Minimums, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, #200S,
   Washington, DC 20004. 202-457-5790.

   Legalise Cannabis Campaign, BM Cannabis 2455, London, WC1N 3XX. +742
   425122 or [phone]. They publish a magazine (The Hookah) and have
   information on Cannabis & the Law/Health/Economics/etc.

   National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), 1001
   Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1119, Washington, DC 20004. 202-483-5500.
   E-Mail: [e-mail]. Advocates legalization of marijuana.
   Newsletter: The Leaflet.

   National Drug Strategy Network, 2000 L St., #702, Washington, DC
   20036. 202-835-9075. Devoted to circulating information about the
   debate over illicit drugs. Newsletter Newsbriefs.

   Religious Coalition for a Moral Drug Policy, 3421 M St. NW, Suite 351,
   Washington, DC 20007.



Education

   Education Project of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, PO
   Box 67398, Los Angeles, CA 90067.  310-843-3699.  Fax: [phone].
   Publishes The Report Card.

   Seperation of School and State Alliance, 4578 N. First #310, Fresno,
   CA 93726. 209-292-1776. Fax: [phone].  Grass-roots organization
   to inform Americans how education can be improved -- especially for
   the poor -- by full seperation of school and state.



Employment

   Employment Policies Institute (EPI), 607 14th Street Northwest, Suite
   1110, Washington, DC 20005. 202-347-5178. Fax: [phone]. Research
   organization dedicated to expanding employment opportunities at all
   levels of America's economy.



Environment

   Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE), 4900
   25th Ave. NE, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98105. 406-585-1776. Promotes
   public policy reform supporting conservation & wise use of natural
   resources based on property rights, reliance on market processes.

   Political Economy Research Center (PERC), 502 S.19th Ave., Suite 211,
   Bozeman, MT 59715. 406-587-9591. Specializes in natural resource
   economics, hazardous waste policy, Native American issues; publishes
   PERC Reports, books & op-ed pieces.

   National Wilderness Institute (NWI), 25766 Georgetown Station,
   Washington, DC 20007. 703-836-7404. dedicated to the wise management
   of natural resources and stresses need for a private sector
   stewardship without unnecessarily inhibiting economic growth.



Free Market

   Adam Smith Institute (USA), 305 9th St., SE, Washington, DC 20003.
   202-544-8071. Educational and research institute based in England.
   Publishes studies on privatization and deregulation, and suggests free
   market policy applications.

   Atlas Foundation, 4084 University Drive, Suite 103, Fairfax, VA 22030.
   703-352-0525. Expounds principle that economic actions have economic
   consequences; helps set up new free-market think tanks; publishes
   Highlights & Atlas Report.

   Center for the Study of Market Alternatives, 2285 University Dr.,
   Boise, ID 83706. Conducts free-market seminars for teachers and the
   general public, and debate seminars for high schools. Publishes CSMA
   Newsletter.

   Center for Market Processes, George Mason University, 4084 University
   Drive, Suite 208, Fairfax, VA 22030. 703-993-1142. Group of academics
   and graduate students who apply market process analysis to problems
   and organizations.

   Citizens for a Sound Economy, 1250 H. St. NW, #700, Washington, DC
   20005. 202-488-8200. Free market public interest advocacy
   organization; lobbies for free-market legislation (e.g. Individual
   Retirement Accounts, free trade, privatization & deregulation).

   Competitive Enterprise Institute, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite
   1250, Washington, DC 20036. 202-331-1010.
   <URL:http://www.portal.com/~chan/libertarian/cei/cei-list">
   Explores free-market solutions to environmental problems, antitrust
   reform & trade; sponsors Jefferson Group pro-market information
   exchange forum.

   Fraser Institute, 626 Bute Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V6E 3M1.
   604-688-0221. Public policy research with free-market orientation;
   publishes books & studies on economic effects of government policy.

   Free Market Foundation: Russia, PO Box 27251, Tucson, AZ 85726-7251.
   602-325-0598. Public policy foundation; publishes newspapers in
   Moscow.

   Free Market Foundation of Southern Africa, PO Box 52713, Saxonwood,
   South Africa 2173. 642-4407. Promotes privatization, deregulation &
   the free-market; publishes books & studies; sponsors conferences.

   Heartland Institute, 634 S. Wabash Ave., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60605.
   312-427-3060. Provides privatization and deregulation studies and
   conferences aimed at Midwest news editors, news directors and
   legislative aides.

   Independent Institute, 134 98th Ave., Oakland, CA 94603. 510-632-1366.
   Public Policy institute. Sponsors non-political studies into critical
   public issues; publishes books & the Independent; conducts
   conferences.

   John Locke Institute, 4084 University Drive, Suite 102, Fairfax, VA
   22030.

   Knowledge Network Foundation, 14307 23rd Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98166.
   206-248-0510. Fax: [phone]. Not-for-profit educational foundation
   whose goal is to disseminate market-oriented research.

   Ludwig Von Mises Institute, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849.
   205-844-2500. Promotes Mises' principles with seminars, books;
   publishes The Free Market and Austrian Economics Newsletter.

   Manhattan Institute, 52 Vanderbelt Ave., New York, NY 10017.
   212-599-7000. Promotes the free market with books, symposia &
   Manhattan Report for scholars, officials & the public.

   Pacific Research Institute, 177 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94108.
   415-989-0833. Fax: [phone]. Publishes studies & books on market
   solutions to social, economic, environmental issues.

   Young America's Foundation, 110 Elden St., Herndon, VA 22070,
   703-318-9608. Fax: [phone]. Voice for liberty and free markets
   on college campuses. Sponsor free-market speakers for college
   students.



Free Speech

   American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 132 W. 43rd St., New York, NY
   10036. 212-944-9800. Gopher: "gopher://aclu.org:6601/" Defends free
   speech, fights the draft, and supports civil liberties.

   Electronic Frontier Foundation, 666 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 303,
   Washington, DC 20003. 202-544-9237. Public policy/civil liberties
   organization that works to empower individuals in the new information
   society. Thus, it promotes policies that support such things as
   freedom of speech, privacy, encryption, and access to the information
   infrastructure.

   Feminists Against Censorship: Founded in 1989 by women to campaign
   against censorship from a feminist perspective. BM Box 207, London
   WC1N 3XX. Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone].

   Free Press Association, PO Box 15548, Columbus, OH 43215.
   614-291-1441. Professional organization to encourage excellence in
   libertarian journalism and develop an international communications
   network among libertarian professionals. Newsletter: Free Press
   Network.

   Individual Rights Project, Center for the Study of Popular Culture,
   12400 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604. 800-538-3152.



Gun Policy

   Gun Owners of America, 8001 Forbes Pl., Suite 102, Springfield, VA
   22151. 703-321-8585.

   Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, 2872 South Wentworth
   Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207. 414-769-0760. Membership open to all
   law-abiding firearms-owners.

   National Rifle Association of America, 1600 Rhode Island Ave. NW,
   Washington, DC 20036. 202-828-6000.
   <URL:http://www.nra.org/welcome.html>

   Second Amendment Foundation, 12500 NE 10th Place, Bellevue, WA 98005.
   206-454-7012. Literary research and publishing organization. Publishes
   Gun Week.



Health Policy

   National Center for Policy Analysis, 12655 N. Central Expwy., #720,
   Dallas, TX 75243. 214-386-6272. Research foundation dedicated to the
   study and understanding of mechanisms by which a free society properly
   functions. Specializes in social and health policy. Newsletter:
   Executive Alert.

   National Health Federation, PO Box 688, Monrovia, CA 91017.
   818-357-2181.



Legal

   Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies, 1700 K St. NW,
   Suite 901, Washington, DC 20006. 202-822-8138. Promotes the principles
   of limited government and a limited judiciary within the legal
   community.

   Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (F.E.A.R.), PO Box 5424,
   Somerset, NJ 08875-5424, 908-873-1251, EMAIL: [e-mail].
   Group fighting asset forfeiture.

   Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA), PO Box 59, Helmville, MT
   59843. 406-793-5550. Promoting the revival of the power of jurors to
   decide the merits of the law. Lobbying to pass an amendment to state
   constitutions that requires judges to inform jurors of their full
   rights. Newsletter: FIJA Activist.

   Help Abolish Legal Tyranny (HALT), 1319 F St. NW, Washington, DC
   20004. 202-347-9600.

   Institute for Justice (IJ), 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 200S,
   Washington, DC 20004-2505. 202-457-4240. Fax: [phone]. Advocates
   economic liberty, educational choice, and private property rights as
   three of the most powerful forces for positive change in the inner
   city.

   Libertarian Law Council, c/o Manuel S. Klausner, 555 S. Flower St.,
   29th Fl., Los Angeles, CA 90071. 213-680-2222.

   Pacific Legal Foundation, 2700 Gateway Oaks Dr., Suite 200,
   Sacramento, CA 95833. 916-641-8888.



Miscellaneous

   Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, 161 Ottawa Ave
   NW, Suite 405K, Grand Rapids, MI 49502-3404. 616-454-3080. Fax:
   616-454-9454. Promotes a contemporary understanding of the Classical
   Liberal philosophy of liberty and free markets.

   American Justice Federation, 3850 S. Emerson Ave., Suite E.,
   Indianapolis, IN 46203. 317-780-5204. Fax: [phone]. Produced
   "Waco, The Big Lie" video.

   American Motorcyclists Association, PO Box 61114, Westerville, OH
   43081. 800-262-5646.

   Center for the Study of Public Choice, George Mason University, 4400
   University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030. 703-993-2330.

   Center for Libertarian Studies (CLS), PO Box 4091, Burlingame, CA
   94011. 800-325-7257. 415-692-8456. Holds conferences, seminars &
   symposia for "scholarly business people." Publishes In Pursuit of
   Liberty Newsletter and Journal of Libertarian Studies.

   Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, 1401 I Street, NW, Suite 300,
   Washington, DC 20005. 202-842-4616. Fax: [phone]. Private charity
   that seeks to advance the understanding and appreciation of the value
   of a free society in advancing the well-being of mankind. Offers
   grants and programs to support the development and application of
   market-based solutions to pressing social problems.

   Citizens Against Corruption, 2201 East Willow Street, D-333, Signal
   Hill, California 90806-2143. [phone].

   Citizens for Safe Government, Inc., PO Box 80949, Atlanta, GA 30366.
   404-841-9057. Southeastern constitutional rights organization and is
   not affiliated with any political party.

   Constructive Action, Inc., c/o Herbert A. Philbrick, PO Box 312, Rye
   Beach, NH 03871. Seeks to support and strengthen "the ideals of
   American liberty" represented in the Declaration of Independence and
   Constitution.

   Free Nation Foundation, 111 West Corbin Street, Hillsborough, NC
   27278. Advancing the day when coercive institutions of government can
   be replaced by voluntary institutions of civil mutual consent.
   Publishes "Formulations".

   The Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco
   (FOREST): 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH, United Kingdom. Tel:
   [phone] Fax: [phone].

   Freedom School Seminars, 4415 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, CA
   92663. 714-650-5259. Runs 40-hour seminars teaching the principles of
   freedom.

   Institute for Liberty and Community, Concord, VT 05824. 802-695-2555.
   Research institute engaged in public policy, research and publication
   dealing with preservation of individual liberty, restoration of the
   small scale human community, and changing federal, state, and local
   tax policies.

   The Libertarian Alliance. 25 Chapter Chambers, Esterbrooke Street,
   London SW1P 4NN, United Kingdom. [phone]. Fax: +44
   71-834-2031. Email: [e-mail] - Affiliated to the
   International Society for Individual Liberty: The Libertarian
   International. Publishes Free Life: A Journal of Classical Liberal and
   Libertarian Thought, numerous occasional papers and conducts seminars,
   conferences and symposia.

   Liberty Fund/Liberty Press, 8335 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 500,
   Indianapolis, IN 46250. 317-842-0880. Fax: [phone]. Educational
   foundation to encourage study of the ideal of a society of free and
   responsible individuals.

   National Endowment for Liberty, 18333 Egret Blvd., Suite 265, Houston,
   TX 77058. 713-333-1988.

   National Motrists Association, 6678 Pertzborn Road, Dane, WI 53529.
   [phone]

   National Secular Society: Founded in 1886 and asserts that
   "supernaturalism is based upon ignorance and assails it as the
   historic enemy of progress." Details from NSS, 702 Holloway Road,
   London N19 3NL, United Kingdom.

   Rampart Institute (RI), PO Box 22231, Carmel, CA 93922. 408-626-8417.
   Seeks to foster public awareness of libertarian/individualist ideas.
   Publishes Rampart Individualist.

   Social Philosophy and Policy Center, Bowling Green State University,
   Bowling Green, OH 43403. 419-372-2536.

   Society for Libertarian Life, PO Box 4, Fullerton CA 92632.
   714-979-5737. To educate people towards the Libertarian and
   voluntarist ideals of personal and economic liberty.



Objectivism

   Ayn Rand Institute, 4640 Admirality Way, #715, Marina del Rey, CA
   90292. 310-306-9232.

   Central Jersey Objectivists, Daniel C. Ust, 321 Maple St. #49, Perth
   Amboy, NJ 08861-4109.

   Front Range Objectivist Group, Lin Zinser, 8700 Dover Court,
   Westminster, CO 80005.

   Institute for Objectivist Studies, 82 Washington St., Suite 207,
   Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. 914-471-6100.

   The New Intellectual Forum, Marsh Enright, 9400 South Damon Ave.,
   Chicago, IL 60620.

   The Objectivist Club of Michigan, David Overly, 2317 Starr Rd., D-1,
   Royal Oak, MI 48073.

   Seattle Ayn Rand Discussion Group, Michael Maikowski, 23454 - 25th
   South Ave., Seattle, WA 98198-8717.

   Washington Metropolitan Study Group, Mark Lerner, 2384 Hunters Square
   Court, Reston VA 22091.



Political

   Libertarian Party of Canada, 11 Yorkshire Ave. #1004, Toronto,
   Ontario, Canada M4W 1L3. 416-323-0020. Runs candidates for public
   office; conducts an annual convention.

   Libertarian Party of U.S.A., 1528 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC
   20003. 202-543-1988. New member info only: 800-682-1776. Fax:
   202-546-6094. Runs candidates for public office; publishes Libertarian
   Party News; holds bi-annual convention.

   Liberty Amendment Committee of the U.S.A, PO Box 20888, El Cajon, CA
   92021. Phone [phone] Purpose is to promote the passage of a
   Liberty Amendment (repeatedly introduced in Congress as H.J. Res. 23)
   and "to reduce the size and cost of the federal government to those
   functions specified by the Constitution."

   Republican Liberty Caucus, 1717 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 434,
   Tallahassee FL 32301. 904-552-2424. Compuserve: 71562,120. Libertarian
   wing of the GOP; works to elect libertarian-oriented Republicans to
   office at all levels; publishes newsletter and has an affiliated
   Political Action Committee.



Publications

   Access To Energy, PO Box 1250, Cave Junction, OR 97523. A Pro-Science,
   Pro-Technology, Pro-Free Enterprise Monthly Newsletter.

   American Enterprise, 1150 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
   202-862-5800.

   Anumeralist, PO Box 2084, Norristown, PA 19404. Bimonthly publication
   against government serial numbers. $5/year (cash only).

   Aristos, PO Box 1105 -- Radio City Station, New York, NY 10101. Bills
   itself as a "journal of aesthetics." Newsletter style. Previous issues
   have included critical discussions of Rand's theory of art. $20/yr (6
   issues).

   Atlantis, PO Box Box 94332, Seattle, WA 98124-6632. An aesthetics
   magazine written by Objectivists.

   Ballot Access News, PO Box 470296, San Francisco, CA 94147.
   415-922-9779. Newsletter of the struggle to end official USA
   government discrimination against alternate political parties. $7/yr
   (13 issues).

   Claustrophobia, 400 N. High St. #137, Columbus, OH 43215. EMAIL:
   [e-mail]. Monthly newsletter for those interested in
   individual liberty and the philosophy behind politics. $10/yr.

   The Connection, PO Box 3343, Fairfax, VA 22038. Formerly "The
   Libertarian Connection." Articles written by subscribers debating
   current topics. $20/yr (8 issues).

   Critical Review, PO Box 25068, Chicago, IL. 312-348-2960. Fax:
   312-348-3201. Journal of clssical liberal thought with emphasis on the
   modern state and its implications for economics, politics, and
   culture.

   Ethnic Enterprise News: A bi-monthly review concerned with ethnic
   groups and the market economy. Details from Ethnic Enterprise News, 16
   Warren Lane, London SE18 6BW, United Kingdom.

   The Exchange, 711 15th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. 319-364-1597.
   North America's Libertarian Culture Magazine. Sample issues $5.

   EXTROPY: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought. Extropy Institute, PO
   Box 57306, Los Angeles, CA 90057-0306. 213-484-6383. EMAIL:
   [e-mail]. High-IQ publication with deep thoughts on futurist
   topics. $13.50/3 issues.

   The Freethinker: Britain's oldest freethinking monthly journal. A
   forthright secular view of the world. Further details from G.W. Foote
   & Company, 702 Holloway Road, London N19 3NL, United Kingdom.

   Full Context, The Objectivist Club of Michigan, 2317 Starr Rd., D-1,
   Royal Oak, MI 48073. Contains interviews of prominent libertarians,
   book and movie reviews, letters and notes of interest. $20/yr (10
   issues).

   The Guillotine, National monthly libertarian paper, Guillotine, P.O.
   Box 442, Binghamton , NY 13902-0442. For more information about
   Guillotine and a free sample, send a 52 cent self-addressed envelope.

   Heterodoxy, 12400 Ventura Blvd., Suite 304, Studio City, CA 91604. The
   Free Market Environmentalist, 1572D Sycamore Ave., PO Box 329,
   Hercules, CA 94547. 510-758-3731.

   Living Free, PO Box 29F, Hiler Branch, Buffalo, NY 14223. Newsletter
   promotes self-liberation. $8/6 issues.

   LP NEWS, P.O. Box 3391, Gainesville, GA 30503. 404-536-5234. Fax:
   404-287-0800. CompuServe: 71610,3614. Official newspaper of the
   Libertarian Party of the United States.

   New Humanist: Quarterly journal of the Rationalist Press Association.
   Details from RPA, 14 Lamb's Conduit Passage, London WC1R 4RH, United
   Kingdom.

   Objectivity, 3023 N. Clark St., Suite 238, Chicago, IL 60657.
   Objectivist-leaning philosophy journal. $18/6 issues.

   Pragmatist, PO Box 392, Forest Grove, PA 18922.

   The Reality Check, 34518 Warren, Suite 152, Westland, MI 48185.

   Reason Papers, Tibor R. Machan, Department of Philosophy, Auburn
   University, AL 36849. A libertarian-run philosophy journal. $15/issue.


   Regulation, 224 2nd St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. 202-546-0200.

   Republican Liberty, RLC, 1717 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 434,
   Tallahassee, FL 32301. 904-552-2424. Free sample copy.

   SALON: A Journal of Aesthetics, 305 West Magnolia, Ste. 386, Fort
   Collins, CO 80521.

   Taking Children Seriously (TCS), 23 Whitley Road, London N17 6RJ. +44
   81 808 3200. EMAIL: [e-mail]. One of the only
   libertarian magazines worldwide that focuses on issues affecting
   children. It provides a forum for discussing ideas challenging
   traditional wisdom about how children learn and how they should be
   treated.

   The Voluntaryist, PO BOX 1275, Gramling, SC 29348. Bimonthly
   publication explores non-political strategies for achieving liberty.



Taxes

   All-County Taxpayers Association, PO Box 177, Star Route, Glens Falls,
   NY 12801. 518-656-3578.

   Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, 1301 Connecticut Ave.,
   NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. 202-467-5300.

   Institute for the Research on the Economics of Taxation (IRET), 1331
   Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 515, Washington, DC 20004. 202-347-9570.
   Non-profit policy research and educational organization devoted to
   informing the public about policies that will promote economic growth
   and efficient operation of the free market economy.

   Lead or Leave, 1100 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1300, Washington, DC
   20036. 202-857-0808. 800-44-CHANGE. Non-profit organization focusing
   on deficit spending and the national debt to make them the most
   important issue in Washington.

   National Taxpayers Union, 713 Maryland Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002.
   202-543-1300. 800-TAX-HALT.



Term Limits

   T.H.R.O., 4127 W.Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33607.

   US Term Limits, 666 11th St. NW, Suite 840, Washington, DC 20001.
   800-733-6440.



Think Tanks

   American Enterprise Institute, 1150 17th St., NW, Washington, DC
   20036. 202-862-5800. Private research organization dedicated to
   preserving and improving open and competitive private enterprise,
   limited and public spirited government, and strong and well-managed
   defense and foreign policies.

   Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002.
   202-546-4400. Public policy research institute designed to make the
   voices of responsible conservatism heard.

   Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University,
   Stanford, CA 94305-6010. 415-723-1754.

   Independence Institute, 14142 Denver West Pkwy #101, Golden, CO 80401.
   303-279-6536. Fax: [phone]. Free-market think-tank, dedicated to
   the principles of individual liberty expressed in the Declaration of
   Independence.

   John Locke Foundation, PO Box 17822, Raleigh, NC 27619. 919-847-2690.
   Fax: [phone]. Non-profit policy institute to conduct research,
   disseminate information, and advance public understanding of society
   based on individual liberty, voluntary exchanges of a free market
   economy, and limited government.