by: Paul Darr, LP National Vice Chair

The constant negativity among my friends in the Libertarian Party has become a troubling trend that is doing more harm than good. While it’s understandable to have frustrations and concerns, this persistent culture of pessimism is not only unhelpful but also counterproductive. It undermines the party’s goals, alienates potential supporters, and demoralizes its own members. It’s time we recognize this pattern for what it is and commit to replacing it with a culture of optimism, constructive action, and determination.

No one is denying that there are serious problems within the Party. These concerns are real and valid. However, the way they are being communicated is where the breakdown occurs. Instead of offering solutions or working toward meaningful change, too often these frustrations are expressed in a way that feels directionless and counterproductive. Pointing out problems without presenting a plan for fixing them serves little purpose beyond venting. Worse still, this negativity is frequently injected into conversations where it does not belong. Shoe-horning grievances into unrelated topics doesn’t amplify the message; it dilutes it, alienating both allies and neutral observers who might otherwise be receptive to the party’s ideas.

The consequences of this negativity are significant. For starters, it drains the morale of party members. When people feel surrounded by pessimism, it’s hard to remain motivated or hopeful. If the message they constantly hear is that the Libertarian Party is broken, hopeless, or failing, why would anyone want to invest their time, energy, or support into it? This environment doesn’t inspire action; it fosters apathy and resignation. Those who might otherwise step up and contribute may instead step back, discouraged by the rhetoric and unsure of where to focus their efforts.

Negativity also alienates neutral individuals or those who are still forming their opinions. Whether at events, in conversations, or on social media, a barrage of complaints and criticism does not make the party look like a viable or inspiring option. Instead, it creates the impression of disarray, further reinforcing skepticism from outsiders. Worse still, this kind of rhetoric strengthens opposition. When we air our frustrations in such an unproductive way, we make it easier for opponents to dismiss us. They don’t need to challenge our ideas or values because we’re already doing the work of undermining ourselves.

So how do we change this? First, we need to shift our mindset. It’s time to replace this culture of pessimism with a culture of optimism and action. Optimism does not mean ignoring problems or pretending everything is fine. Instead, it means recognizing challenges while maintaining faith that meaningful change is possible. Optimism is what motivates people to roll up their sleeves and get to work. It inspires confidence, attracts supporters, and creates momentum. If we want to see progress, we need to believe that it can happen—and then take the steps to make it happen.

This leads to the second point: we need to focus on solutions, not just problems. When you identify an issue within the party, don’t stop there. Think about what can be done to fix it. Communicate your concerns in a way that is constructive and actionable. Offer ideas, propose strategies, and be willing to collaborate with others to implement them. Complaints on their own may spark frustration, but solutions inspire action. The more we focus on building pathways forward, the more energy we’ll create for real change.

Finally, we need to put in the work. Talking about change is not enough—action is required. There is so much work to be done within the Libertarian Party, from local organizing to outreach, education, and advocacy. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining, we need to dig in and commit to the work. If we truly care about the issues we’re raising, then we need to step up and be part of the solution. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it doesn’t happen at all if we don’t take that first step.

It’s time to ask ourselves: What kind of party do we want to be? Do we want to be known for our constant infighting and complaints, or do we want to be a party that inspires people with a vision for change? Do we want to push people away with negativity, or do we want to attract supporters with a message of hope, determination, and progress?

We have a choice to make. The problems we face are real, but so are the opportunities before us. We can sit back and complain, or we can rise up and work for the change we want to see. Let’s choose optimism. Let’s choose action. Let’s be the agents of change our party, and our principles, deserve.

Read the original posting of the article and get to know Paul by checking out his blog here. 

How We Subsidize Corporate Farm Monopolies

by: Jon Warren, LPNC

There is a monopoly on Food Production in the U.S. by "Big" Agribusiness and U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill of $20–$30 billion per year in farm subsidies. Here are the top 5 consumers of our tax dollars:

1. Corn – 35–40%
2. Soybeans – 20–25%
3. Wheat – 10–15%
4. Cotton – 5–10%
5. Rice – 3–5%

Farm subsidies in the U.S. are distributed through various programs, primarily managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

1. Crop Insurance Subsidies (40-50%) The government pays a significant portion (60-70%) of farmers’ crop insurance premiums. Corn and soybeans receive the most crop insurance subsidies.
2. Commodity Program Payments (20-30%) Price Loss Coverage (PLC): Pays farmers if market prices fall below a set threshold. Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC): Covers revenue losses due to price drops or yield losses. These programs mainly benefit corn, wheat, and soybeans.
3. Conservation Payments (10-15%) Funds programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), where farmers are paid to leave land fallow to prevent soil erosion. Mostly impacts wheat and marginal farmland crops.
4. Disaster Relief Payments (5-10%) Direct aid for extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, or floods. Distributed on a case-by-case basis, benefiting various crops depending on the disaster.
5. Marketing Assistance Loans (5-10%) Provides low-interest loans to farmers, allowing them to store crops and sell later when prices improve. Primarily used for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice.

But protecting the American Food supply is important, right?

WRONG. Just like with most Government programs that start out with good intentions, they eventually morph into giant bureaucracies that consume more and more tax dollars with more red tape that only benefit the few at the "top of the food chain" (pun intended) that can afford to lobby for themselves.

Most Subsidies Go to Big Farms: About 70% of subsidies go to the top 10% of farm owners—large agribusinesses or corporate farms. Bigger farms use subsidies to expand operations, buy more land, and outcompete smaller farms. Subsidies increase farmland values, making it harder for new or small farmers to buy land.

Where and how did crop insurance begin?

On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to establish the United States Department of Agriculture and two and a half years later in his final message to Congress, Lincoln called USDA "The People's Department." Congress first authorized Federal crop insurance in the 1930s to help agriculture recover from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.

Initially, the program was started as an experiment, and crop insurance activities were mostly limited to major crops in the main producing areas. Crop insurance remained an experiment until passage of the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1980. In 1994, the program was made MANDATORY for farmers under the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994.

In 1996, Congress repealed the mandatory participation requirement. However, farmers who accepted other benefits were required to purchase crop insurance or otherwise waive their eligibility for any other disaster benefits. These provisions are still in effect today.

Participation in the crop insurance program BOOMED following enactment of the 1994 Act. Go figure.

According to estimates by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 1998, about two-thirds of the country's total planted acreage of field crops was insured under the program. The liability (or value of the insurance in force) in 1998 was $28 billion, the largest amount since the inception of the program. (Government force will do that.) The total premium, which includes subsidy, and the premium paid by insured persons (nearly $950 million) were also record figures.

This is how the U.S. Government created a monopoly on the American Food supply.

So who Benefits the Most?

Large Agribusinesses Corporate farms dominate subsidy payments.

Crop Insurance Companies: The government pays private insurers billions to manage subsidized crop insurance.

Livestock, Processed Food Industries: Cheap corn and soybeans benefit meat producers and food manufacturers (e.g., high-fructose corn syrup).

In 2022, the federal government allocated approximately $17.3 billion to the crop insurance program. This amount covered various costs, including $12 billion in premium subsidies for policyholders, averaging about 62% of the total premiums, and payments to insurance companies for program delivery and underwriting gains.

• Top 10% of Recipients: Receive approximately 56% of all crop insurance subsidies.
• Top 1% of Recipients: Collect about 27% of commodity payments, with an average payment of over $2 million per recipient between 1995 and 2023.

This concentration suggests that larger, well-capitalized farming operations are the primary beneficiaries of federal crop insurance subsidies. The transparency from the USDA is opaque to say the least. The overall objective of the USDA is to support business as usual with "Big Agri". The USDA has little interest in challenging corporate farming.

How can we move forward and challenge "Big Agri" and the USDA?

Grow your own food!

Eliminate them from the equation. You can buy heirloom and NON-GMO seeds to plant. You can design and cultivate your own garden to your desires. (Native Americans used the three sisters method.) A raised garden bed can fit the smallest yard or apartment balcony for those living in more Urban areas. Find a local community garden to volunteer at. The best part? No government needed.

The next level would be to support your local Farmers market! If you have a car, there are many farms that sell direct outside Charlotte. In Union County, NC the local government has partnered with the County Farmers Market for farmers to sell their goods online. 

As policy, eliminating the unfair practice of the Government picking winners and losers is vital. In North Carolina, creating an agricultural "sandbox" for Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Vertical farming, Regenerative farming and other alternative farming practices would be a great start to begin a new "space race" of farming capabilities that could feed more people with healthier foods that require less water, less land and less need for "Big Agri."

It will always be challenging to take on the establishment. For our own health, we need to do this.

by Joshua D Glawson

Living in North Carolina is a unique and wonderful experience. After living in California for nearly 13 years and coming back to my home state of North Carolina, I have a renewed sense of perspective and appreciation for the traditions, history, people, geography, and everything else that makes NC the best place to live in the world. There is a lot to be thankful for in my own life, and there is a lot we can all give thanks to in North Carolina. 

I’m grateful for North Carolinians leading the way in many fields and industries that the rest of the country and world now enjoy. I’m thankful for the North Carolinian adventurous spirit in starting the first gold rush in North America.

I’m grateful for the ingenuity the state brings, including the first airplane. I’m amazed that North Carolina Chapel Hill was the first public university in the United States.

I’m in awe of North Carolina continuing to be the leading producer of things like furniture and craft beer. I’m sure most Americans are thankful for North Carolina’s sweet potatoes since NC is the number one grower of them.

I’m dedicated to and thankful for the country’s leading sound money policy group - Money Metals Exchange’s The Sound Money Defense League - based in Charlotte, North Carolina.   

Even in fields where North Carolina is second in the country including Christmas trees, hogs, and turkeys, there is plenty to be thankful for!

Sometimes it is a good idea to step away from politics and remember to assess the things around us that are good.

North Carolina’s pristine Outer Banks and their magnificent lighthouses; the beauty found in the changing leaves of the Blue Ridge Mountains; the diverse parks and forests; the mild weather; the rich history of mining and human flourishing; the athletics and sports around the state, and so much more, are things to be thankful for. 

For many outsiders, they may not get the privilege of ever seeing these things and appreciating them the way we North Carolinians do. Perhaps Canadian snowbirds and New Yorkers who move to Cary, N.C., (humorously called “Cary: Containment Area for Relocated Yankees”) are the most common outsiders to enjoy the state in appreciation of its natural beauty. 

As a former Californian, the beauty in North Carolina is most certainly found in nature and the forests. I often find myself thinking about North Carolina’s nature the way Henry David Thoreau saw nature - a source of inspiration, wisdom, beauty, and spiritual awakening. If only we could follow his steps and not pay taxes, haha! 

As we enter into spring of 2025, with so much opportunity at our fingertips, take a moment to think about what you are thankful for and express your gratitude out loud to those you love. Thank you, Libertarian Party of North Carolina, I’m certainly thankful for you and your ongoing promotion of liberty in the state and around the country. Thank you.

by Nathan Hohensee, LPNC Communications Intern

The government response to Hurricane Helene has been absurdly deficient. The failure to help people are as similar at the state and federal level as they are devastating to those in dire need. If only we had a similar situation from recent history that could've predicted how badly this would go.

Recovery efforts remain frustratingly slow for the residents of Western North Carolina who saw their homes, towns, families, livelihoods, and more destroyed by Hurricane Helene barely two months ago. As snowfall marks the onset of winter in the Carolina mountains, people who remain without shelter, power, heat, running water, and more are struggling for their very survival while our state and federal government devolve into another round of finger pointing, blaming, and political posturing to cover up egregious failure and ineptitude.

While recovery efforts of this scale are naturally a long process, at this point it seems like we should expect basic response measures - like shelter with heat and potable water, medical supplies, and funding set aside for this exact situation - to have been distributed to those in need as expeditiously as possible. Unfortunately, too many of the victims of Helene remain without stable shelter, basic resources, answers, or any idea of how much the government will prolong their suffering. If previous North Carolina storm relief efforts are any indicator, those waiting for assistance should expect neither the state nor federal government to provide any meaningful relief in the near future.

Helene is the third major storm to affect North Carolina in recent years, following the widespread destruction of Hurricanes Matthew and Florence on the eastern side of the state, and history as an indicator of future actions does not bode well for recovery efforts in the mountains. Rebuild NC, a program founded from Governor Roy Cooper’s installation of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) in the wake of Hurricane Florence, is sitting on a $221 million deficit with several victims of that storm still seeking the help they were promised. 

The program and restoration effort was spearheaded by Laura Hogshead, who was removed this week as director of the program, a position which she had held since 2018, following disastrous testimony (pun intended) revealing her grossly incompetent “oversight” of the recovery program. Hogshead took responsibility for the deficit, stating (the painfully obvious) that she had not been "watching the money closely enough." The North Carolina General Assembly was allegedly not notified of the fact that extra funds were needed for eastern NC until October of this year.

The current worst-case scenario is that Rebuild NC needs another $264 million to finish building homes in eastern NC - from the last hurricane six years ago. Not only is there no more money to build future houses, there are currently 57 contractors who have completed jobs for Rebuild NC and have not received any compensation or pay for the work they have already completed. Altogether, there were about 10,000 people who applied for help from Rebuild NC during an application window that was left open for several years. Of those applications, roughly 4,420 applications were withdrawn and around 1,600 were found ineligible. The number of those who have not been helped still exceeds the number of homes that have been built by Rebuilt NC and, again, it has been six years since Hurricane Florence landed in North Carolina.

So far, this program has been its own disaster on a scale greater than those for which it is supposed to provide relief. In fact, $150 million is needed to keep NC Rebuild afloat for ongoing projects. Meanwhile, reports are that the houses that have been built are subpar and often fall into disrepair as soon as families move in. Complaints ranging from doors falling off of their hinges to broken windows and floors caving in are the hallmarks of a program that continues to spend around $2.1 million a month for displaced eastern NC families. In fact, the program has spent around $76.5 million on temporary housing which might have gone towards giving 270-280 families new homes, except it is taking Rebuild NC between 600 and 800 days to build a modular home. Normally, a typical modular home takes anywhere from 60 to 120 days to fully construct. NC Rebuild is working at about 10 percent of expected speed, which is actually surprisingly good for a government entity built on a pattern of abject failure. 

The NC government has been consistently ineffective when it comes to helping its people bounce back from these horrendous storms and the devastation they have caused. Pryor Gibson, who previously served in the NC House - District 69, has been tapped as interim director of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency. In his joint testimony with Hogshead, he stated that bureaucratic issues can make it difficult for people to bounce back from a storm. While finger pointing and the political blame game is the prominent narrative in the news cycle, people continue to suffer serious consequences from the inability of the government to help its citizens. Even Hogshead acknowledged that efforts are different in western NC depending on where governments “allow” building, and the news that continues to find its way through the smokescreens is increasingly horrifying. 

FEMA apparently had an unofficial policy to not help people with Trump signs, but what they do have is a backlog of trailers that has been sitting for weeks because FEMA will not place them where they are needed, based on an arbitrary “floodplain” designation. Instead of providing people with the shelter and protection they are supposed to receive in return for dutifully complying with the theft we call “taxes,” FEMA is offering buyouts to the residents who have lost everything and are facing utter desperation, which would provide immediate relief but often result in substantial loss against the overall value of their property and possessions. 

There is a lot happening here in NC following these hurricanes that just does not add up - or maybe it does when taking the inherent inefficiencies of government into account. The great Thomas Sowell said, “You will never understand bureaucracies until you understand that for bureaucrats procedure is everything and outcomes are nothing.” Rebuild NC has seven or eight accountants among the many employees who make upwards of above $100,000 a year, and yet they still could not keep up with all of their budget problems. Leave it to government officials to somehow profit during a crisis while NC residents, who have paid their taxes believing that would ensure the government would be there when they were in need, are learning a hard truth. 

The government is, on its best day, grievously inadequate at most everything except spying on us and creating bureaucratic nightmares. If people are paying into a system expecting responsiveness when they are at their greatest need, and that expectation is proven to be false hope time and again, it begs the question of why do we keep paying into the system. This is not a political game to win elections. People’s lives are in the balance. 

If you want to help with disaster recovery efforts, a number of people and organizations are providing real help to those in need in WNC, including Samaritan's Purse.

If you want to let your local representative know what you think of the disaster recovery efforts and demand better, instructions are here. 

This article was derived from reporting by Cassie Clark, NC historian, culture preservationist, and founder and steward of the Where the Dogwood Blooms blog and podcast. 

by: Phil Jacobson

Recently (October 5, 2024), I attended a protest rally at Moore Square in Raleigh NC, held in recognition of the fact that one year had passed since the events which initiated the current state of conflict between the State of Israel and Hamas, which quickly thereafter engulfed the entire civilian population of Gaza.  Attendance at the protest was estimated at around 4,800 persons. 

The main themes of the rally were a call for a ceasefire and an end to the unrestricted military aid from US taxpayers to Israel.  While not endorsing the initiating actions of Hamas, the protesters strongly condemned the highly disproportionate responses against civilian targets by the Israeli military.  Sympathy was with the plight of Palestinian civilians and against the blanket support given to the current Israeli regime by the current regime of the USA.  Sponsors of this protest included a wide variety of groups, from Palestinians and other Arab-Americans to Muslim, Jewish, Christian and secular Americans, as well as adherents of a variety of political persuasions.  The most advertised political grouping being left leaning, from the Green Party to open advocates of socialism.  Many of the attendees there, especially those with a direct connection to Palestine, were not affiliated to specific political parties.  However, in general, Arab and Muslim Americans have natural leanings towards libertarian philosophy, especially regarding the ideas of free enterprise and non-violence in global affairs (be it proxy wars or otherwise).

As a Libertarian, I was a rare attendee.  In addition to my personal desire to show support for the human rights of all concerned, I distributed copies of the Position Paper on this subject which was issued this year by the LPNC.  (https://www.lpnc.org/position_paper_funding_foreign_wars_and_the_situation_in_israel_and_palestine)  I was also able to convey verbally that the same sentiment has been expressed by our candidate for US President, Chase Oliver. Few of the attendees seemed aware of the Libertarian position on this topic.  But I had to balance my efforts between my personal sentiments and the policies of the LP. 

The LP likes to be seen as opposing conscription in all its forms.  We praise the adoption of voluntary cooperation as a means of addressing community concerns. We question the value of relying on conscripted funds used by professional government bureaucrats. This virtue is often seen at its best when communities react to natural disasters.  Governments with large budgets can provide critical aid, to be sure. But the voluntary contributions of individuals are often more effective, more essential - especially as a first response - than the work of professional government bureaucrats.  

The topic can be a little tricky, however, regarding the topic of armed self-defense, especially with regard to foreign affairs.   The people of Gaza have been living in a concentration camp created in 1967.  They are not at war with the State of Israel.  Their land, in which they have lived for centuries, has been occupied by force by the State of Israel.  As such, any resistance to occupation is not a declaration of war against the occupier, but a legitimate right of any oppressed people.  Israel cannot claim that their response to this resistance is a matter of self-defense - not morally, nor according to international law.

 (as noted by Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur here: https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/francesca-albanese-says-israels-right-to-selfdefence-non-existent-and-is-committing-war-crimes/news-story/99514e7f7928ec92fd68e9a470a5cf27.

And in a more formal and detailed document by Anna Qiang, of Columbia University:
https://www.culawreview.org/journal/the-self-defense-principle-re-examined-the-israel-palestine-conflict-in-international-law

While there were not armed forces patrolling Gaza, as was the case in the West Bank, Israeli military forces patrolled and controlled all access in and out of Gaza, land, sea, and air, which is just another form of occupation.

The LP explicitly, passionately, and unconditionally opposes the use by our government of conscripted soldiers or conscripted dollars to take sides in conflicts between foreign belligerents.  But many individual Libertarians would and do gladly volunteer their own private resources to aid foreign peoples whose lands have been invaded.  Sometimes the most important private resource a Libertarian might give is vocal moral support.  And yet, as a Libertarian, one would not want to mistakenly argue, while expressing sympathy for an oppressed foreign community, that one’s own government should actively join the conflict.  

I felt that I did not cross that delicate line at this event.  But I wish to remind my fellow libertarians that we do believe in the right of self defense - to include armed resistance to initiated force, as do many of the those who attended the rally.  While all pacifists are, by definition following the libertarian doctrine of refusing to initiate force, libertarianism as a philosophy also recognizes the right to retaliate.  Thus, when considering this issue, as a libertarian and as an individual, I heartily endorse one of the most important slogans which was repeated many times at this rally:  

“Resistance is justified when people are occupied.”  

Each situation must be judged by each individual on its own merits. But as for myself, as a libertarian but not as a Libertarian, I have to say at this time, on this issue, as I did at the rally, I do take a side.  I stand with the people of Palestine. 

by: Matthew Kordon, Libertarian Candidate for NC House - District 11

A humbling misstep running for office came in September when, in my naivety, I planned to divert time to a side goal. I wanted to convince voters to choose the smaller-government option for an upcoming Cary housing bond. I announced my decision no sooner than my treasurer discussed with me the logistics. Concerned, I pivoted to research whether this would be difficult or discordant with the law, and it was both.

Upon reflection, I realized a candidate committee is entrusted to focus on the advocacy of that candidate; the people of my district are stakeholders. I owe it to them to stay focused. Embarrassed, I swiftly announced that the project was canceled.

Then one week later, my incumbent rival Allison Dahle permanently stretched the purpose of her candidate committee: On September 26^th, she announced that she took all remaining funds and redistributed them to other Democrats running for offices including Kamala/ Walz.

By opaquely redirecting thousands entrusted to her, what she did was unethical, maybe illegal. There should be a price for such malfeasance! What we know about her behavior is disgraceful; when I requested to know more about her decision, she only repeated her announcement and claimed what she did was not illegal. She even spun the situation as no different than if she had spent the money!

By redirecting those funds, she betrayed the donors who distinctively choose not to give that money to others. Maybe for them, the issues at the State-level matter most. Maybe they only donated because they know her enough to judge her character in contrast to the out-of-state Kamala Harris. Their choice was to a specific cause, in hundreds of dollars by some, but that action was overridden entirely.

My conversation with her was brief but exhibited astonishing contrast! I was courteous and transparent in my desire to know more. Her written response was blunt. She asserted that redistribution was not for “other causes.” In response, I then addressed the fact that Rep. Dahle had just told everyone a lie and pleaded with her one final time to share details. Instead, she went silent, not even accepting an offer to speak in private. Much like when my Republican opponent was accused of bigotry in April, my inquiry to get to the truth was stonewalled.

These days I uphold the Golden Rule; I believe people are foremost individuals with the birthrights Enlightenment figures spoke of, thus I refer to her as “Representative” or “Rep. Dahle” and not “Allison” because I grant her and hers humanizing respect. I believe there are no shortcuts: either you aspire to be just and it reflects in your actions, or not. That the Representative behaves unjustly reveals her true character, which flows downstream to the authoring of bills and voting.

If the Representative broke financial law, it was not the first time! In July, Dahle’s treasurer recorded funds redirected to her Party as an operational expense, seven thousand dollars. Dahle then waited a month before the election to offload most remaining money and her final financial report will not be public until it is too late to affect her reelection. If what she did was as “above board” as she claims, why hide? Should not politicians be an open book? The Republicans are already pursuing greater secrecy in finances and disclosure requests so it is disheartening to see a Democrat display the same corruption.

Lastly, Representative Dahle broke an unspoken promise with her donors. One PAC donated more than the size of my biweekly paycheck. Many individuals gave contributions in the hundreds of dollars! I, by contrast, take my fiduciary responsibility seriously for each person who gives me anything; I not only backed away from my bond project, I wrote a newsletter to my donors to get their feedback after.

Campaign season is a trial period to discover a candidate’s professionalism, thus Allison Dahle demonstrated that she cannot be trusted with money she promises to spend. But that should not surprise anyone who knows her record: only 1/6th of bills she attaches her name to as a major or minor contributor have gotten a vote by the Republican majority, and even fewer of those bills pass or have a dollar amount. Allison has almost-always failed to keep her money promises!

Over 150 people reacted positively to the announcement on Facebook, but what is seemingly popular is not always moral. Engagement on social media is lethargic —not the same as 150 people in a crowd cheering. I ask you, if 150 people smiled at a painting of Satan, would that suddenly make him any less evil?

I align with her agenda 40% of the time, and I will try a new approach at coalition building across aisles with a focus on consensus to yield results for overlapping agenda items the Representative halfheartedly pursues. In light of her sordid character, would not voting for me be better?

Yesterday I went to Canton, NC, with Cassie Clark of Where the Dogwood Blooms fame, to drop off some supplies and try to help victims of Hurricane Helene. I got a first-hand look at what is going on, at least in the area just beyond Asheville, and I wanted to share that.

Things are both better and worse than everyone thinks. In Canton, some people were hurting, and there was damage, but they had running water and power. Once you got past Canton, people didn’t have water or power yet, but they did have roads to travel to aid sites.

The good news is, people, including local officials and cops, were all working together to get needed food, water, and other supplies to those in need. The supply center where we brought our contribution was humming, with people coming in to drop things off and pick up what was needed, and it was well staffed and well stocked.

The bad news is that there are still a ton of people who are out of reach with no communication. Roads completely washed out – and you could see some of them and just how utterly impossible transportation is in some areas – and the people on the other side of those roads are trapped, sometimes without power, water, medical supplies, and other things they need to live.

As far as the government helping, I saw no evidence. I asked several people, and only one had seen FEMA anywhere. Apparently, there was a station set up where bottled water was distributed, but only for people in cars, meaning if you couldn’t get gas or your car was flooded out, you couldn’t get water.

I did hear rumors of FEMA and other officials preventing people from carrying out rescue and support operation, but nothing I could substantiate as true or false. The people in Western NC are angry – and understandably – which, to be fair, creates a fertile environment for rumors to spread.

One thing that seemed to really irk people was Biden surveying the damage, as all rescue flights were grounded while he was in the air (and he then forgot that he had taken the flight a few hours later).

The LPNC is working to help provide some aid as well, if you would like to donate, please give here: Libertarian Mutual Aid.

Marky Mark is a Funky Chump

As we near the gubernatorial election in November, I think it bears importance to highlight some of the candidates' positions. For the first entry, I’m going to be looking at Lt. Governor Mark Robinson.

Robinson recently unveiled part of his "public safety" plan at a news conference in Statesville. Robinson claims to stand behind law enforcement and law and order in the state, but my question is what is his opinion on the unconstitutional arrest of Joshua Rohrer and the brutal assault of his VA service dog Sunshine? I'm guessing that he would see it as police "taking care of business" and "handling the dregs of society," based on statements he’s made previously showing his unquestioning support for law enforcement.

Also, let's take a look at another statement he made at the Statesville conference, claiming he would “reinstate the death penalty for those that kill police and corrections officers. Firstly, the death penalty wasn’t banned in NC, it was simply placed on a moratorium due to legal challenges. Secondly, the fact that an African-American man has the audacity to advocate for the death penalty when so many African-Americans were unjustly and unconstitutionally executed by the government in the years prior is mind boggling, and should clearly tell you that Mark Robinson isn’t standing up for the civil rights of anyone except the elite who he rubs shoulders with.

For my final point, let’s look at his statement to work with the General Assembly to enact a measure to require law enforcement to hold jail inmates thought to be in the country illegally and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Let me make this plain and clear. The current system of holding aliens suspected of entering unlawfully for indeterminate periods of time is a violation of the due process of law guaranteed by the US Constitution, and extended to aliens, including illegal ones, by the Supreme Court. Any cooperation by state and local authorities should be viewed as a direct violation of their oaths to protect and defend the constitution of the United States, and North Carolina.

In summary, while Mark Robinson hides his sadistic, authoritarian opinions behind a mask of "law and order" and models himself as "one of the people" it is clear to those who read between the lines that he is no better than Cooper, or Stein, or Harris, or Trump, and is just another power-hungry elite frothing at the mouth to crush the people of this great state beneath the boot of D.C. and Raleigh. I urge every North Carolina to vote for the only candidate that will push back against the tyrants in Raleigh and D.C.: Mike Ross!

#FiretheUniparty

by: Dan Johnson, LPNC

Much of politics is about predicting the future.

Choosing what issues to focus on, choosing who to reach out to, and choosing when to run for office have a bigger impact on your success as a candidate than all the hard work you can put in, and that gets worse the higher of an office you run for.

If you had correctly guessed that the mood of the country in 2016 would be righteous anger, a special hatred towards DC and its politicians, then you would have come out on top running a campaign that tapped into that anger. 

Likewise, if you had correctly guessed that the mood of the country in 2020 would be a disgust with chaos, a desire for a return to normalcy, and that the level of stress that the average American felt that was worse than the beneficial economic policies of the Don, your campaign would have gotten a major boost.

Most everyone, except rabid partisans, can see it when it is happening. Kamala Harris is rising, not because of her policies, positions, or a good debate performance, but because the country is so thrilled to not have a contest between two old men with dementia. Predicting it, however, gives you a chance to prepare your campaign to take advantage of it.

With that said, here are some Macro-Political trends Libertarians should be aware of.

There’s a cease-fire in American rhetoric, not a peace deal.

The Biden campaign in 2020 and the Harris campaign now have brought with them a seeming return to normalcy in politics. Both campaigns avoided touting radical progressive agendas and focused more on heartland issues. However, the normalcy is a mirage.

The issues underlying the Charlottesville, January 6th, and Black Lives matter protests and riots haven’t been resolved. The issues underlying the shooting of several at a Republican Congressional baseball game, including Rep. Steve Scalise, have not been resolved. The recent shooting of Donald Trump proves that.

You cannot resolve political violence without resolving the issues that caused it in the first place. Inflation is making American consumers pay 20-30% more just to live the life they lived 10 years ago. Online censorship is still rampant. Technology is still advancing fast. Once the hope fades and the underlying economics takes their toll, people will be angry again. And this time, they will burn even hotter, as revenge for the false hope that is being granted to them now.

Political tribalism is going to get worse, not better. 

Humans are naturally social creatures - to the extent that we find it difficult to work with others who don't share many similar values. The old bonds that held us together - nation, freedom, opportunity - they are no longer working. Less young people go to church, where they once got their values, than ever before. We are less tied into our neighbors and have less in common with them when we do talk.

Historically, we have gotten our social identity from two very large tribes, church and nation. With these two no longer being sufficient, a lot of people will default to their core political identity in other areas of their lives.

You already see this happening with for profit companies dedicated to one ideology (Ultra Right Beer, Angel Films), nonprofits (Mutual Aid Societies, LGBT-exclusionary adoption agencies) and you will see it more as the people someone is most comfortable with are those who share their political identity. 

You also see this with trends of where people choose to live. More than the economic opportunity, more than the natural beauty or the weather, politics is becoming how we decide where we live. As it becomes more a part of our core identity, it becomes more a part of making us, us.

Political identity is not going away, despite the rise of independent voters. Political identity is just transcending party.

We are transitioning from a Big/Small government divide to a Good/Bad government divide. 

This shift has been evident in the data for a while now. The National Citizenship Survey has asked people what it means to be a good citizen for decades. For the first few years of its life, it was clear that there was a strict divide in America between those who believed in big and those who believed in small government. I.e. Liberals and Conservatives.

However, millennials and other generations don’t see the government as inherently evil, or inherently good. We see the government as having a place, and being good at some things and being bad at others.

This means the old rhetoric of “government bad” appeals to a smaller, and smaller group of people.

We must instead recognize what government is bad *at* and present ways that those things can be addressed without using the force of the state. 

A perfect example is the Cajun Navy.

The Cajun Navy started as a ragtag band of Louisanans who were sick of FEMA leaving their people to die during floods. They took their shallow bottom boats and saved them, lots of them. When they helped their neighbors in Houston during Hurricane Harvey, they rescued over 3,000 people for 1/100th the price of the U.S. Coast Guard.

We need policies and practices that allow more Cajun Navies and less Hurricane Katrinas.

If you’d ask me, that's what Libertarians should be advocating for.

Dan Johnson was the Communications Director for the Lars Mapstead campaign, and is an active Libertarian in North Carolina, where he lives with his Fiance’ and two children, Alex and Leo (+1 on the way).

Mises Club of the Carolinas - Sugar Mountain 2024

by: Joshua D Glawson, LPNC Strategic Communications Adviser

August 9 through August 11, 2024, the Mises Club of the Carolinas met at Sugar Mountain Resort in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. The discussions focused on sound money, education, and entrepreneurship in North Carolina, the United States, and the world.

The event, led by Kent Misegades, had a variety of speakers including some prominent libertarians, classical liberals, conservatarians, and conservatives. Those in attendance included Ulli Misegades, Paul Cwik (pictured below), Andrew Jochl, Franklin Sanders, Justin Sanders, Trey Carson, Jared Wall, Kerubo Wall, Winston Brady, Doug Newell, Mark Brody, Pierre Lawson, Ken Silva, Joshua D Glawson, Jim Brunner & The Walker Family (family of Bena Bien Greaves), and others.

Many others attended including an appearance by Bob Luddy, Robert Napolitano, Matthew Bianco, Vann Walters, Cheryl Nester, and more.

The family-friendly event was a success because it met all expectations and exceeded them by educating more people outside of the liberty sphere about the key topics of sound money (i.e. gold and cryptocurrency), education, and entrepreneurship. This Mises Club of the Carolinas conference had around 60 people in attendance - an audience filled with smiling faces and inquisitive minds.

For most people, they ae not necessarily intrigued by ideas of individual liberty, limited government, personal responsibility, and sound money. However, the Mises Club of the Carolinas does an excellent job of getting people of various backgrounds and interests together, starting a much-needed public dialogue, and sparking ideas of liberty in the minds of witnesses.

There may be political events that occur throughout the state that claim the name of “liberty,” but so far only the Mises Club fits the bill aside from the Libertarian Party of North Carolina.

In this article, I will tell you about three parts of the event that enjoyed. You can see the presentation slides here.

Starting off the event was yours truly, Joshua D Glawson (Strategic Communications Adviser of the LPNC), representing Money Metals Exchange and the Sound Money Defense League. These two organizations embody the philosophy of Mises and put his philosophy into human action. In this opening presentation, I discussed what sound money is, the failures of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, and the success stories of the Sound Money Defense League in 2023 and 2024.

(From Left to Right: Franklin Sanders, Justin Sanders, Andrew Jochl, Joshua D Glawson, Trey Carson, Mark Brody)

I was also a part of the sound money panel discussion that was led by the liberty martyr and legend Franklin Sanders. This is a giant of a man who bravely stood up to government tyranny in the name of sound money and suffered through jail time because he refused to bow to the government’s tyrannical overreach and unconstitutional actions. One of the assistant US attorneys called Franklin Sanders, “The most dangerous man in the mid-south,” yet he was kind, intelligent, peaceful, and principled.

Another presentation I enjoyed was that of Ken Silva, an award-winning investigative reporter for Headline USA. Silva discussed a few of his findings over the years, including how the FBI starts various fringe groups (e.g. white supremacists, neo-Nazis, white nationalists, and various “hate groups”) to incite social instability, chaos, and violence all to entrap unsuspecting targets and build government power.

A third presentation that I enjoyed was that of Jared Wall of the Monroe, NC, area (pictured with his son, Ron Paul). Jared has been heavily involved in the Liberty Movement since the days of Ron Paul where he worked on Dr. Paul’s campaign and helped to edit works by Libertarian Institute’s Scott Horton. Jared’s wife, Kerubo, is a children’s book author, who also promotes ideas of liberty in her work. Together, they promote international entrepreneurship - in the U.S. and Kenya. The Walls’ presentation highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, personal responsibility, and the liberty gained through these efforts.

The Mises Club Carolinas Meetup #10 - Sugar Mountain, NC - August 9-11, 2024, was a fantastic time and a great break from the summer heat. If you are interested in learning more about liberty in North Carolina, networking with liberty-minded professionals, and getting involved in the North Carolina liberty movement, I highly recommend attending a Mises Club of the Carolinas event. For more information visit the Mises Institute.