Probably the best place to start is with a copy of the
Declaration
of Independence, the Constitution
of the United States and The
Bill of Rights. These documents are remarkably clear and to
the point. Throw out all of your preconceptions and read the actual documents
themselves, ignoring what somebody says they mean. It's also worthwhile
reading a copy of the little known "Anti-Federalist
Papers," which will bring home the concerns and objections
raised at that time to the formation of a Federal Government, most of which
have come true, and will help you understand the philosophical rationale
behind The Bill of Rights.
BOOKS
(most books listed are available from Laissez Faire
Books, see end of booklist for address)
"Libertarianism-
A primer" - David Boaz. A recent welcome addition to the ever
growing library for freedom lovers. Boaz does a commendable job of explaining
the history and philosophy of Libertarianism.
"Libertarianism in one Lesson,"
David Bergland. An excellent introduction This book also contains
an extensive list of Libertarian books and organizations that might interest
you.
"Restoring the American Dream," Robert
Ringer. Now out of print although you should be able to obtain a copy at
a used-book store.
"Why
Government Doesn't Work," Harry
Browne. St. Martins Press 1996. A short book laying out Harry's plan to
get the Federal Government back to the Constitution, if he were elected
President.
"Healing
Our World- The Other Piece of the Puzzle," Dr. Mary Ruwart.
Dr. Ruwart has been called "the Ayn Rand of the nineties," and
her excellent book, designed mostly to appeal to so-called "liberals",
shows how Government violence in all its hidden forms, has almost destroyed
our society, from health-care and welfare to the environment. This
book is highly recommended to everyone, as it clearly shows how
you and I unknowingly use violence to try to achieve our objectives, and
how these attempts ultimately fail. Sunstar Press, PO Box 342 , Kalamazoo,
MI.49005-0342.
"Atlas Shrugged," Ayn
Rand.The book that probably more than any
other, is responsible for "converting" people to Libertarianism,
although Rand herself detested Libertarians. Almost anything she has written,
including "Capitalism-the
Unknown Ideal," and "The
Virtue Of Selfishness"(whose chapters on Mans
Rights, Objectivist Ethics, and the functions of Government, form the
basis of many a libertarians' viewpoint), is well worth reading. Her biggest
contribution is her defense of pure, laissez-faire Capitalism on moral
grounds. Her moral defense is a departure from the Classical Economist's
more scientific, utilitarian defense of Capitalism, and it is probably
also responsible for the Libertarian Party pledge that everyone has to
sign upon joining the party, whereby one pledges not to INITIATE force(legally
or otherwise),against another human being. This pledge is unique among
political parties.(See item no.1 of the SCCLP "Principles and Objectives.")
"The Anti-Capitalist Mentality," "Socialism,"
"Planning For Freedom," "Bureaucracy," "Planned
Chaos," and for the serious economics student, "Human
Action," Ludwig Von Mises.
All of these books and more display Von Mises’ mastery of economics, history,
philosophy and science. His books, building on the work of Eugen von Bohm-Baewerk
and Carl Menger, tower above his competitors in defending Capitalism. They
offer the most complete refutation of the ideas of Marx, who attempted
to destroy the vulnerable teachings of the Classical Economists. Von Mises
saw Marx's ideas as being capable of completely destroying Capitalism and
Western society and dedicated his life to the intellectual demolition of
every last shred of Communist, Fascist, and Socialist economic thought,(all
variations on the same theme), in whosoever work it appeared. He is an
intellectual giant of the 20th Century. Marx's defenders are still strangely
silent on the criticisms that Von Mises has repeatedly raised.
"The
Discovery of Freedom," Rose
Wilder-Lane. Another giant of Liberty, Rose Wilder-Lane is less well
known than her mother, Laura Engals-Wilder who "wrote" "The
Little House on the Prairie" series. These books, containing Libertarian
themes of independence, resourcefulness, individual sovereignty and charity,
were in fact written in large part by Rose, who put her mothers ideas into
book form for her. Incidentally, "The Discovery of Freedom" was
published the same year as two other libertarian classics, "The
Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand, and "The
God of the Machine" by Isabel Paterson, all written by
women in 1943. Three cheers for the ladies, where would we be without them?
"Economics
in One Lesson," Henry Hazlitt.(1997 50th Anniversary edition
now available.) If there is one book on economics that you read, this should
be it. It is short, but with an ability to write that few economists have
exhibited, Mr. Hazlitt mercilessly exposes the fallacies so prevalent in
economic theory today His two books show-casing the critics of "Keynesian"
economics, (including a Mr. David McCord-Wright,
from Savannah Georgia), are also very
good, if somewhat more technical. Available from Laissez Faire books.
"Economic Sophisms," "Political Economy"(including
the essay "The
Law") Frederic
Bastiat.Bastiat, a 19th Century French economist, had a truly remarkable gift
for simple clear explanation through comic example. His for the most part
theoretically sound economic essays are also masterful demonstrations of
his wit and sarcasm. Perhaps his best work is contained in his essay "The
Law," which is as relevant today as when it was written, and clearly
shows why it is just as destructive for you to get the government to steal
from your neighbor as it is if you do it yourself. Available from The Foundation
For Economic Education, address below.
"What Has Government Done to Our Money?,"
Murray Rothbard.A disciple of Von Mises, Professor Rothbard shows how government interference
with the money supply has caused all of the symptoms that are routinely
blamed on the Capitalists and "greedy" businessmen. All of Professor
Rothbards’ books are worth reading for the serious economics student. He
was,in recent years, the leading American exponent of the Austrian School
of Economic theory. Available from the Ludwig Von Mises Institute, address
below.
"Separating
School and State," Sheldon Richman. The author clearly
demonstrates how the problems we have today in education can be directly
attributed to government control. Probably the best discussion of the educational
system that there is available. Available from Laissez Faire Books, address
below.
"Whatever
Happened to Justice?," Richard J. Mayberry. An easy to
understand highlighting of the difference between the common law, which
is designed to stabilize a society, and political law which results in
chaos and uncertainty. An essential book(along with "The Law"
by Frederic Bastiat) for anyone who wishes to understand what law currently
is, as opposed to what it could be.
"The
Federal Mafia," "How Anyone can Stop Paying Income Taxes,"
"The Biggest Con,"
and other titles-Irwin Schiff.Freedom Books
4616 W. Sahara Av. Suite 340. Las Vegas, NV. 89102. 702-877-2833.
YOU MUST READ THESE BOOKS! (or at least, "The
Federal Mafia") It appears that we nearly always look to our
past when we talk about heroes of liberty. Names like Lysander
Spooner, and Patrick
Henry, etc. invariably come up. But one day in the dim future, TODAYS
heroes of liberty will be recognised as such. No-one deserves this title
more than Irwin Schiff. But why wait untill he's dead to recognise him?
In "The Federal Mafia," his most recent book, Mr. Schiff irrefutably
proves that the US Constitution provides for the funding of the Federal
Government strictly through the authorised imposition and collection of
indirect (excise, impost, alchohol, tobacco etc.) taxes. These were supposed
to fund the day to day functions (very limited, by the same Constitution)
of the Federal government. DIRECT TAXATION of citizens was only supposed
to occur when the nation was threatened. In order for the Federal government
to directly tax the citizens of the various states, a certain procedure
had to be followed. First of all the Federal government had to announce
how much money it needed to raise. Then it had to conduct a census in
each state to count the number of residents of that state. Then, it had
to apportion the amount to be collected from each state towards
the announced total, dependant on the population of each state. The whole
point of making such a long winded procedure a part of the Constitution
was to make it next to impossible for the Feds to raise money through direct
taxation! Mr. Schiff then shows that the 16th. Amendment, usually considered
to be the Federal Government's legal precedent for the collection of the
"income " tax, has in fact been ruled by the Supreme Court (Brushaber
vs. Union Pacific RR, 240 US 1, Jan 24 1916) to contain "nothing that
changed the Constitution" or, "gave the government any new taxing
powers." (! ) It ruled that an "income " tax was an excise
tax (eg an indirect tax,) to be levied on "income seperated from its
source" (only applicable to corporations.) What we have today is a
DIRECT tax on wages, NOT an income tax as defined by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court was obviously well aware that a ruling otherwise ( ie.
finding FOR direct taxation under the 16th Amendment, with wages defined
as income,) would make the 16th. Amendment unconstitutional. Needless to
say, that is how the 16th amendment is presently interpreted by the lower
courts and the IRS and just about everyone else. Mr Schiff further demonstrates
how the IRS Code was
written around the Constitution, so that it would not violate the 5th Amendment
and others, through the use of language designed to mislead a reader into
believing that filing, witholding etc. are mandatory when Constitutionally
speaking, they are not. (Filing of so-called "income tax" returns
has to be voluntary or it violates the 5th. Amendment protection against
being compelled to be a witness against oneself.) Of course all witholding
is completely unlawful as well. He also shows how the IRS repeatedly violates
its own code in the pursuit of revenue, while the Justice Department, the
Treasury Department,and the Judiciary and establishment lawyers turn a
blind eye. Highly educational, highly entertaining, you'll laugh and cry
at the same time - someday they'll make a movie about Irwin Schiff, like
they did about William Wallace ("Braveheart") A
REAL, LIVE AMERICAN HEROE!
"Smoke and Mirrors - The War on Drugs and
the Politics of Failure," Dan Baum. Little Brown & Co.
Dan Baums' excellent book traces the drug war from the Nixon Administration
onwards, and shows how the Bill of Rights has been systematically destroyed
to buy votes. The nice thing about this book is the almost complete lack
of political bias,(he is not a Libertarian). Mr. Baum lets the facts speak
for themselves. The only criticism I have is that it does not show that
the war on drugs had its beginnings long before the Nixon era. Everyone
should read this book, Libertarian or otherwise, before they vote again.
Compelling stuff.
This list is VERY incomplete, missing many great books and authors who
have made substantial contributions to the cause of Liberty. It serves
only as an introduction.
These provide Libertarian commentary on current issues,
humor, movie reviews, book reviews etc.
Liberty
PO Box 1181 Port Townsend, Washington 98368. (800) 854-6991
Reason PO Box 526 Mount Morris,
Illinois 61054 (815) 734-1102 After recent overly Republican leanings,
Reason Magazine appears to once more be in the forefront of Libertarian
outreach . Highly recommended.
National
Review PO Box 688 Mount Morris, Illinois 61054 (More Conservative but
has libertarian perspective quite frequently. Also very funny.)
Freedom
Daily The Future of Freedom Foundation, PO Box 9752, Dept. M.
Denver, CO. 80209. 703-934-6101 (The newest and most uncompromising on
its Libertarian positions.)
ORGANIZATIONS
These organizations all promote libertarian ideas.
(See also the Libertarian Links on our Home Page)
Here is a listing of movies that usually appeal to
Libertarians. You might have to search around to find a video rental store
that carries some of these titles. Try "Blockbuster." This list
is based on a similar one, compiled by investment analyst and economist
Mark Skousen, which appeared in "Liberty"
magazine (link and address above) a few years back.
"SHENANDOAH," JAMES STUART. A classic
Civil war tale.
"THE AMERICANIZATION OF
EMILY,"JAMES GARNER.
I haven’t seen this, if you find a store which rents
it, or you see it coming up on the TV, let me know. (912 236-7375)
"HOMBRE," "COOL-HAND LUKE","SOMETIMES
A GREAT NOTION" (ALTERNATIVE TITLE : "NEVER GIVE AN INCH")
- PAUL NEWMAN. This actor has made more movies with libertarian
themes than any other to date, as far as I know. I haven’t seen the last
one listed so tell me if you find a copy for rent or it comes up on TV.
(912 236-7375)
"THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD(1938) ERROL
FLYNN. Have not seen.
"THE MARK OF ZORRO"(1940)-TYRONE
POWER. A great swashbuckling anti-tax movie-highly enjoyable.
"CASH McCALL," JAMES GARNER.
This is a great pro - capitalist movie. It comes up on Cinemax occasionally.
"BEN HUR," CHARLTON HESTON. A
classic.
"DARK OF THE SUN," ROD TAYLOR.
Have not seen, would love to.
"THE FOUNTAINHEAD," GARY COOPER.
The classic adaptation of Ayn Rands' great novel about creativity and the
human spirit.
"THE BALLAD OF CABAL HOGUE," JASON
ROBARDS. Have not seen. (912 236-7375.)
"McCABE AND MRS. MILLER," WARREN
BEATTY. Have not seen.
"THIEF," JAMES CAAN. Have not
seen, you know what to do.
"OTHER PEOPLES MONEY," DANNY
DEVITO. A great pro - capitalist movie, the only one I know of besides
"Cash McCall." Very funny and accurate with Gregory Peck playing
the Corporation owner who will not face the truth about his failing business
because of his anti-capitalistic mindset.
"BRAVEHEART," MEL GIBSON. Overlong
but has a definite libertarian streak. "Freedom!"
"BRAZIL," Produced by Terry Gilliam
of Monty Python fame, this dark comedy of a statist future world. Features
ROBERT DE NIRO as a black market electronics technician. Similar in outlook
to the book "1984" by George Orwell, although ultimately less
dark in it’s conclusion.
'THE MAGNIFICENT 7" Yul
Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson etc. A direct copy of the Japanese
classic "The Seven Samurai." Hardworking Mexican farmers are
terrorized by a band of robbers (government?) until they pool their savings
to hire a private security force. Uneven, but it has it's moments.
