PC Libertarians at CPAC

The PC Libertarians were well represented at the 36th annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. The largest gathering of conservative activists in the country, CPAC features speakers, workshops, and networking over the course of three days. Among this year's speakers was Rep. Ron Paul, a hero to many who support limited government. Some of the PC delegation volunteered with Campaign for Liberty, his organization, and Young Americans for Liberty, its sister group. The volunteers were also able to attend Liberty Forum, which included appearances by Rep. Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, and others.

Libertarians in general were received quite favorably at the event, with a strong sentiment toward fiscal discipline and social tolerance that has been sadly absent from American conservatism in recent years.

Below are some pictures from the trip:

Volunteers at work in the exhibition hall
Passing out literature with a fellow patriot from the Free State Project
Members of PC's College Republicans and PC Libertarians meet up
Enjoying the weather overlooking Rock Creek Park
Looking west down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol
A view of the Capitol at night
Founding member Nick Cote '08 (now employed by National Right to Work) and Joe Miller '10
Distributing Young American Revolution with volunteer Mikayla Hall of Washington
Hard at work with volunteer Bill Buran of New York
Rep. Paul addresses the crowd
Another shot of Rep. Paul's speech
Video projection of Rep. Paul speaking
Rep. Paul with Joe Miller '10 after the speech
Volunteers enjoying the Young American Revolution release party
With YAL Events Director Tim Schumann (center)
Manning the YAL booth in the exhibition hall

Quick readings on the stimulus

Here's a brief selection of readings from REASON regarding the devastating effects of the stimulus bill. It's telling that even after all the public outcry, our government completely defies the will of the people and throws still more money away.

Do the people answer to the government, or does the government answer to the people?

Fear is His Friend
Obama takes a page from Bush's crisis management book.

Here's What $800 Billion Buys Today
The final stimulus package is the final insult to taxpayers.

Why the Stimulus Plan Won't Work
And several ideas that might.

PC Libertarians Distribute Flyers, Ordered to Stop

On Tuesday, February 10, PC Libertarians passed out flyers detailing various components of the economic stimulus package that was working its way through Congress at the time (it has since passed). Despite interference from the school administration, we were able to distribute approximately 600 flyers to students and faculty.

The event was intended to be a nonintrusive, informational activity raising awareness of what we consider a misguided and irresponsible bill. Unfortunately, the Student-Activity-Involvement-Leadership (SAIL) Office at PC prohibited us from participating as long as we were on College property. This turned a straightforward actvist opportunity into a significant dispute.

A Message from Joe Miller, PC Libertarians President

At about 11:30, the volunteers went to their assigned stations throughout campus and began passing out flyers. I was outside the atrium entrance to the Concannon Fitness Center. Within 20 minutes, I was approached by our graduate assistant representative from the SAIL Office, who told me we needed to stop immediately. I asked him why we needed to stop. He replied that since this is a private institution, all materials distributed need to be approved by SAIL beforehand. I pointed out that according to the student handbook, this is not the case, as only items posted on kiosks and bulletin boards or in the residence halls are subject to that regulation. There is no mention of flyers being passed out. At this point, he told me that if I had a grievance, I would need to take it up with Sharon Hay. I said, let's go talk to her. Upon arriving back at the SAIL Office, we were told that Ms. Hay was not available. Rather than wait, I got in touch with all other volunteers and told them what was going on. We decided that instead of discontinuing the flyering, we would move out to Huxley Ave., off school property, and continue there. This proved to be uneventful, and at one point PC security verified that what we were doing was fine.

I would like to thank the members who participated, as they all dealt respectfully and professionally with what became an uncomfortable situation. The group also wishes to express its gratitude to everyone who has supported the exchange of information and attempt at dialouge on the PC campus, despite political views that are occasionally completely contrary to our own. We expect that some people will disagree with our message, but the only people who have questioned the suitability of passing out flyers are affiliated with the College. Dispute over policy issues is natural, expected, and can be healthy for everyone involved. We are very disappointed, however, by the administration's hostility toward political engagement and debate.

See pictures from the flyering.
Read the article that appeared in the Cowl, the student newspaper at PC.
Look at the actual flyer that was distributed.
Find out what's happening with the ongoing controversy.
View the original press release from before the event.

Why should irresponsible behavior lead to a bigger burden for everyone else?

LOS ANGELES – A big share of the financial burden of raising Nadya Suleman's 14 children could fall on the shoulders of California's taxpayers, compounding the public furor in a state already billions of dollars in the red.

Even before the 33-year-old single, unemployed mother gave birth to octuplets last month, she had been caring for her six other children with the help of $490 a month in food stamps, plus Social Security disability payments for three of the youngsters. The public aid will almost certainly be increased with the new additions to her family.

Also, the hospital where the octuplets are expected to spend seven to 12 weeks has requested reimbursement from Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, for care of the premature babies, according to the Los Angeles Times. The cost has not been disclosed.

Many adherents to the progressive, communitarian school of thought believe that we should all bear responsibility - both practical and developmental - for the well-being of everyone in the community. This case is one of many that illustrate why this philosophy, when applied to government policy, only encourages carelessness and irresponsible behavior. Why should the taxpayers of California have their hard-earned income taken away to accommodate the poor decisions of another? Note that Ms. Suleman is unemployed, unmarried, and relies on public aid for a variety of costs. What is the incentive for her to find a job and become a productive member of society when she can have all the children she wants and live with no sense of financial obligation whatsoever? After all, she knows that SHE won't have to pay for her extravagances and ill-advised decisions - after all, that's what the government is for, to take money away from everyone else to bail her out.

Ms. Suleman's representative, Mike Furtney, has asked the public to "consider her situation" and realize that she has been "under a tremendous amount of pressure that no one could be prepared for." The pressure is self-induced. If she was not prepared to have children - and clearly she was not - then she should not have done so. Perhaps she would not have if there was no safety net permitting her to do whatever she liked without considering the consequences of her actions. Unfortunately, we live in a society that increasingly rewards irresponsibility and demonizes those who encourage accountability on both a personal and political level.

Click here for the full AP story.