"There's really only one reason why liberals and conservatives are at each others' throats: government. Now that government has claimed the power to regulate every aspect of our lives, y'all are locked in a death match over who gets to control that power."

- Sean Haugh, Libertarian for U.S. Senate

The LPNC Executive Committee recently named three new volunteer staff members. Amy Lamont is now Volunteer Coordinator, Blake Hoarty is the new Outreach Director, and Marsalis McQueen is University Relations Director. 

Amy has degrees in criminal justice and electronics engineering technology. She lives in Oxford with her husband David, a retired National Guardsman, three rabbits, and two cats. 

Blake will graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill in December with a degree in political science. He's a Daily Tar Heel staff writer and has experience as a legislative staffer and in nonprofit fundraising. 

Marsalis is starting his first year at NC State.

Jacki Cole, 50, of Charlotte is the Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor. The state Libertarian Party's executive committee named her to replace J.J. Summerell, who is now running for U.S. House District 1. 

Although a newcomer to politics, Mrs. Cole is a lifelong believer in libertarian principles. 

“One of the responsibilities of the lieutenant governor is to head the state board of education,” Cole notes.

“I'm happy to bring my unique background to the role of lieutenant governor. I’m the child of a teacher and an accountant, and I’ve worked as a substitute teacher, counselor and marketing/sales professional.” 

by Ken Penkowski

Whenever libertarians advocate for privatization of government services, critics invariably breathlessly ask, "But who will build the roads." They think the question will stump us. Our usual answer is, "The same people who build them now. Government doesn’t build the roads. Governments hire contracting companies to build the roads for them." But what government does do, and will probably continue to do however the roads are built, is illustrated in this story from Russia. 

A recent report of a man who built a road (Russian Man Builds His Own Road When No One Else Would) is such a great example of how individuals are greater than governments. Here are eight things we should learn from Magomed Kebedov.

1. There was no good road between Kebedov's town and the next. Takeaway: Government does a poor job at identifying actual needs and allocating resources to meet those needs.

2. So Kebedov built a road. Takeaway: It is absolutely possible for individuals or private groups to supply the services that we assume only government can supply.