Why I Joined the Boston Tea Party

A libertarian political party should be (a) transparent, (b) bottom-up and not excessively hierarchical, (c) structurally free of common causes for infighting and schisms (like the platform), and (d) member-oriented.

This is true of the Boston Tea Party. Sadly, this is not true of the Libertarian Party of 2008.

Parallels with the Free State Project

I'm researching the Free State Project and recently found out about Wyoming. I learned that Wyoming is, today, considerably freer than New Hampshire and that Wyoming has fewer citizens registered to vote and a smaller percentage of which who actually vote, compared to New Hampshire. Essentially, Wyoming is not only substantially further along the liberty continuum than New Hampshire but it's also more easily influenceable than New Hampshire.

BTP is Farther along than the LP

This is similar to the situation we face today when selecting a libertarian party. When applying the criteria I named above, the Boston Tea Party is considerably further along the continuum than the Libertarian Party.

Why Fight in the LP for what the BTP Already has?

Why would one spend possibly years fighting within the LP, just to get where the Boston Tea Party already is today?

I'm not leaving the LP or giving up on it. But I'm very interested in seeing how far we can go together in the Boston Tea Party.

Submitted by georgedonnelly on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 14:15
»

Comments

1

tweek:

The only thing I respectfully disagree with you on is the notion that we can do anything good in the LP or try to do any good to the LP but either then that I'm very happy you joined and I hope I have your vote for At-Large National Committee member!

10/23/2008 - 00:33
2

planetaryjim:

George, what you say about Wyoming is very true. I have lived in both states, and find Wyoming to be far more easygoing. What's more, it has its own Free State Wyoming (FSW) project, though I am no longer involved with them. I know many fine people in Wyoming who are dedicated to making it a more free place. There's also a guy named Ken Royce who heads the FSW project, not such a fine guy, but he writes under the pen name Boston T. Party.

I am involved with two companies in Wyoming, one called Reliable Distributors, the other Sovereigns of the High Frontier Society. It would be great to work with others in Wyoming to form a new state affiliate for Boston Tea Party. Sovereigns www.hisovs.org is having a costume dance party in Gillette on Saturday 6 December.

Your idea of working together seems perfect. There's no reason for anyone to leave another party, if they feel they can accomplish something in the GOP, DNC, or LP. We have, this year, endorsed many candidates from the LP, many independents, and one GOP candidate. Of course, BTP candidates are also welcome, and on our voter guide.

10/23/2008 - 00:00
3

jasongatties:

There are times when I have disagreed with George, but he's a fantastic activist.

Welcome aboard.

10/22/2008 - 18:51
4

planetaryjim:

It is well then that these aren't those times. -grin-

10/23/2008 - 00:02