Call to Action
Being involved in politics can mean many things to many people. For some it’s merely voting, for others, a regular involvement on social media. For fewer, it is helping an issue advocacy organization, or volunteering for a political party. For fewer still, being involved in politics means working for a campaign, or even running for elected office.
I can tell you that the more involved you are in the more time consuming and intense levels of politics, the more lonely it feels. At the same time, the group with whom you’re working is more tightly knit, more dedicated because if you’re running for office, working for a campaign, or serve in a leadership position in a party, you’re sacrificing some of the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, or maybe advance a career. There is real camaraderie in that sacrifice.
Yet, it’s worth it. Notice I’m not saying that I believe it’s worth it, it objectively IS. The human being is meant to be free, in every way. Free to live, choose, and suffer for those choices. Free with rights and responsibilities. Free to be an individual, not a member of a category, not a blank face in a herd. Any infringement on that freedom is immoral, evil and wrong.
Everyone reading this, at whatever level of political involvement you’re currently undertaking, knows this is true, and knows and can easily observe that the situation is getting worse. Not only is government legalized violence, but it has also ceased to be representative on the federal level. Even if the people could be persuaded to rediscover the love and importance of liberty, their votes rarely matter anymore. It’s past time to expect results through the current system- even dissenters within the two big parties are cast aside.
I call you to witness to the truth, to get involved. Stand up, and stand out. Get involved in your local affiliate, and if there isn’t one in your area, start one. That’s a start, but it is not enough. We must also get involved with issue groups that might contain (gasp!) non-libertarians. Join 2A groups, anti-tax groups, NORML. Join the close MSDF protests. Join ABATE, promote Clean Slate, help the homeless: whatever you can do, do it, and identify yourself as a libertarian who cares, while you’re doing it.
It’s not easy to belong to a small movement, but it IS easy to sit around in our small groups and echo chamber social media circles and feel good about being right.
I’m calling you to go beyond that, to be a force for good and liberty and truth among the people. Let your light shine so that others may see it.
Phil Anderson
Phil is a past party chair and a past candidate for governor. He is still active in the party. If you need any advice about where best to volunteer he can be reached at: 4philanderson@gmail.com |