A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions
Posted in LFA Flashback by R Lee Wrights on December 30th, 2010 by Harry Browne
1. I resolve to *sell* liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect, rather than *preaching* to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong.
2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is to inspire people to want liberty — not to prove that they’re wrong.
3. I resolve to *listen* when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.
4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals someone may seek — a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society — and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.
5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that lead people to seek government help. I don’t have to approve of their subsidies or policies — but if I don’t acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping them find a better way to solve their problems.
6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.
7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American. Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we have. To speak only of America’s defects will make me a tiresome crank.
8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very small government — not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.
9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.
10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the first libertarian someone has encountered, and it’s important that he get a good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.
11. I resolve to remind myself that someone’s “stupid” opinion may be an opinion I once held. If *I* can grow, why can’t I help *him* grow?
12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest for a free society.
13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people free — and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals will bring.
14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents and treat them with respect. However anyone chooses to treat me, it’s important that I be a better person than my enemies.
Originally published by Harry Browne in 1998.
Harry passed away in March of 2006, and we greatly miss him. If enough of us follow Harry’s advice, we can make 2011 the best year yet for the libertarian movement. There could be no greater tribute to Harry Browne.
A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions | Adult Society said,
December 30, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
[...] See original here: A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions [...]
Liberty For All » Blog Archive » Wrights’ Resolutions for 2011: A declaration of peace said,
December 31, 2010 @ 1:02 am
[...] Texas - All libertarians should take time at the beginning of the new year to read and reflect on A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions written by the late Harry Browne, said R. Lee Wrights, libertarian writer, activist and potential [...]
Wrights’ resolutions for 2011 a declaration of peace | Lee Wrights for President 2012 said,
December 31, 2010 @ 1:07 am
[...] – All libertarians should take time at the beginning of the new year to read and reflect on A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions written by the late Harry Browne, said R. Lee Wrights, libertarian writer, activist and potential [...]
Wrights’ resolutions for 2011 a declaration of peace | Liberty Point said,
December 31, 2010 @ 1:20 am
[...] – All libertarians should take time at the beginning of the new year to read and reflect on A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions written by the late Harry Browne, said R. Lee Wrights, libertarian writer, activist and potential [...]
A Liberty Resolution « The Fr33 Radical said,
December 31, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
[...] 31) – All libertarians should take time at the beginning of the new year to read and reflect on A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions written by the late Harry Browne, said R. Lee Wrights, libertarian writer, activist and potential [...]
Twitter Trackbacks for Liberty For All » Blog Archive » A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions [libertyforall.net] on Topsy.com said,
December 31, 2010 @ 10:58 pm
[...] Liberty For All » Blog Archive » A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions libertyforall.net/?p=5337 – view page – cached 1. I resolve to *sell* liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect, rather than *preaching* to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong. [...]
LIBERTY: A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions by Harry Browne « Reinke Faces Life said,
January 1, 2011 @ 1:02 am
[...] http://www.libertyforall.net/?p=5337 [...]
A Declaration of Peace for the New Year | LibertarianChristians.com said,
January 1, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
[...] 31) – All libertarians should take time at the beginning of the new year to read and reflect on A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions written by the late Harry Browne, said R. Lee Wrights, libertarian writer, activist and potential [...]
a libertarian’s new year’s resolutions said,
January 2, 2011 @ 9:30 pm
[...] be found here. May we all heed the advice. (HT: libertarianchristians.com.) This entry was posted in [...]
Lee Wrights: Resolutions for 2012 | Independent Political Report said,
December 31, 2011 @ 12:02 am
[...] could understand what libertarianism is all about. One of the finest examples of this is his essay A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions. That’s why I always re-read and reflect on it at this time of year, and urge all [...]
Wrights Resolutions for 2012 | Lee Wrights for President 2012 said,
December 31, 2011 @ 1:05 am
[...] could understand what libertarianism is all about. One of the finest examples of this is his essay A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions. That’s why I always re-read and reflect on it at this time of year, and urge all [...]
independentsforkerry.org » Blog Archive » Lee Wrights: Resolutions for 2012 said,
January 1, 2012 @ 9:53 pm
[...] could understand what libertarianism is all about. One of the finest examples of this is his essay A Libertarian’s New Year’s Resolutions. That’s why I always re-read and reflect on it at this time of year, and urge all [...]