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.

JJ Summerell has resigned as chair of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina to focus on his run for U.S. House District 1. The Executive Committee appointed Vice Chair Brian Irving to fill the vacancy. 

“I intend to run a serious campaign to offer the residents of the district a clear choice in November,” Summerell said in his resignation letter. “This means I will not be able to devote the time and energy required by my duties as party chair.” 

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the Libertarian Party for the past five years. I look forward to working with you in the future as U.S. Congressman from North Carolina's First District.”

In a special video message, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Sean Haugh, told his Republican opponent, incumbent Richard Burr, you "... stand up in front of everybody and defend your record. I'd like to see you try. The voters of North Carolina demand it.”

“If you want to serve the people, you have to answer to the voters of this state,” Haugh said in the latest of his signature videos. “You have to debate me to answer to all of us who are tired of your perpetual war, unsustainable debt and corporate control of our government.”

"Of all the people in the United States, the major political parties have settled on two deeply flawed and incredibly unpopular candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump,” says U.S. News in a story headline The Year of the Libertarian.

“Summer is here, and the season’s hottest trend is . . . Libertarians,” notes The Washington Post.

Nick Sarwark, Libertarian National Committee, chair thinks the 2016 election may be the “springboard to mass defections and the destruction of at least one of the old parties. It's time for the Republican Party to fall apart and go away. Or the Democratic Party. I don't really care which.”

Dissatisfaction with the establishment Democratic and Republican parties in North Carolina is rampant – and has been since 2010. Overall voter registration is up, but the number of people registering in the establishment parties continues to decline.

North Carolina will be a swing state in the presidential election. Polls also show that both the race for governor and U.S. Senator are close. And there are Libertarian candidates on the ballot in both contests.

It's clear we have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact this year. To make the most of this opportunity, we've designed unique campaign materials for our candidates, including this voting guide, yard signs, and rack cards.  We'll be distributing this material at major state events, including the State Fair and candidate campaign events.