Kudos to you for seeing through Perot from the start. Almost everyone I know, of any political persuasion, has told me they briefly backed Perot that first time around (though he only hit 40% in the polls, so obviously not everyone did). It’s like that Simpsons episode: “Someone else! Someone else!” “I’M someone else!” “Hey, he’s right!”

1st. I think most people who identify themselves as libertarian have evolved to their belief; either through a sense of dis-satisfaction with the majors or through a process of thoughtful change.

2nd I don’t feel that it’s an effective strategy to use our presidential candidate to “educate” the public about libertarianism. He should present libertarian views in a manner in which the “uninformed” libertarian leaning voters can handle.
3rd. In doing the above, many people who hear his/her views will begin to identify with the LP and a percentage will feel strongly enough to join the LP. A fraction of those who join will be willing to contribute financially. Finally, a fraction of the new financial supporters will contribute significant amounts to the party and its candidates as well as contributing time and resources. Eventually the LP gains credibility with the voters and our candidates are elected.
That is how a sustainable party is built.

Me, for example.

I’m not that old. 2004 seems like a LONG time ago to me. In that time, I’ve gone back to and graduated from college, changed careers, started several businesses, and had a child. My life has changed a lot more in non-political areas than it has in political matters.

Editor’s Note: Although the letter is co-signed by Mr. Austin Wilkes and Ms. Shana Kluck, Ms.Kluck has expressed her intent to stay in the Libertarian Party. Many of the statements in the letter use the singular “I” pronoun, despite it being signed by two individuals.

At one time or another, I’ve been a member of four political parties — both majors, the LP, and the Socialists. (I have a certain respect for the Socialist Party, which is more practical and less prone to using stilted leftospeak in its public pronouncements than its peers on the far left.) I also supported Perot for about three days in 1992 — but who didn’t?

You = Working to expand the party

Them = Not.

The pledge says what it says. If you interpret it to mean something other than what it literally says, then that’s on you.

The pledge does not hold one to anarchism. It just opposes coercive taxation. I believe that libertarianism, the philosophy, is limited to those who believe in no government and those who believe in a minimal government extending not beyond the provision of police, national defense, and court services; voluntarily funded by user fees or charity. That does not mean I do not welcome camaraderie with liberty-minded fellows such as you, so don’t twist my words to say that’s what I’m saying.

G.E. – What on earth are you talking about, with the “framers” vs. the “ratifiers”. The core of the Constitution was ratified almost immediately after it was written, and there’s not any evidence of all the States saying, “We interpret this 180-degrees opposite from what those at the convention have to say about it.” If you interpret the LP pledge as being an axiom which requires all members to be anarchists, then hurray for you and your own personal “ratification” there. However, that is YOUR personal ratification… and is neither mine nor the founders who wrote it… so don’t try to hold it over others’ heads as a litmus test.