[Mad-Scientists] FW: Liberator Online: Is Beetle Bailey's pal a libertarian?

[Michael Best]

-----Original Message-----
From: Advocates for Self-Government [mailto:Distribution at TheAdvocates.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 7:37 PM
To: Subscriber
Subject: Liberator Online: Is Beetle Bailey's pal a libertarian?

In This Issue:

Beetle Bailey's pal stands up for self-government..... U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's
sizzling speech in Congress denouncing the Iraq War..... Time to pull the
plug on PBS..... Congratulations to Lights of Liberty award winners!.....
Michael Cloud on "Four Minutes to Better Libertarian Conversations".....
Mary Ruwart is asked how we can protect children from offensive material in
a libertarian society, and if speaking out for liberty is worth all the
trouble..... Harry Browne's Soundbites for Liberty: government "solutions"
to social problems, what about the poor, and the issue of greed..... 

All this and *much much more* in the world's largest-circulation libertarian
publication... 

THE LIBERATOR ONLINE

April 13, 2005
Vol. 10, No. 7
Circulation: 68,777 subscribers in over 100 countries

Published by the Advocates for Self-Government
Edited by James W. Harris, mailto:james at TheAdvocates.org
Created by Paul Schmidt and James W. Harris
___________________________________________

"The Advocates makes invaluable contributions to the freedom cause. For
twenty years the Advocates has worked tirelessly to help libertarians better
communicate the ideas of liberty. I continue to be impressed by the
Advocates' work." 

-- U.S. Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas)
___________________________________________

CONTENTS

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
* Lights of Liberty Award winners
* Grassroots rebellion against Patriot Act keeps growing
* Liberator Online readers thanked for protesting Drug War abuses

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
* News and exciting opportunities for libertarians!

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Is Beetle Bailey's Pal a Libertarian?  
* Pull the Plug on PBS
* Congressman Ron Paul Denounces Iraq War 
* "No nation could preserve its freedom..."

PERSUASION POWER POINT # 178
* Four Minutes to Better Libertarian Conversations
         by Michael Cloud 

ASK DR. RUWART
* How can we protect our children without government censorship? 
* Is spreading libertarian ideas worth the trouble? 

HARRY BROWNE'S SOUNDBITES FOR LIBERTY
* Solving social problems
* What about the poor?
* Greed 

PRODUCT REVIEW
* Short book makes the economics of liberty easy to understand. Plus: FREE
classic libertarian book with every order! 
_____________________________________

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Dear friends,

Please join me in congratulating the winners of the Advocates for
Self-Government's 2004 Lights of Liberty awards!

We give these awards annually to all libertarians who accomplished any one
of these three vital outreach activities during the calendar year: 

* 3 or more published letters to the editor
* 3 or more speeches 
* 3 or more Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) booths 

These are exactly the kinds of grassroots activities that are vital for any
political movement to grow. And our winners took the message of liberty to
literally millions of people in 2004. 

Many of the winners went far beyond the minimum requirement for the awards.
No less than 14 libertarians even won what has been dubbed the "Libertarian
Triathlon" -- winning awards in all three categories. Wow!

And special acknowledgment to the amazing Jim Lark. This is the fifth year
in a row that Dr. Lark has won Lights of Liberty awards -- in all three
categories! He serves on the Advocates Board of Directors, on the
Libertarian Party National Committee, and does much more vital work for
liberty -- in addition to being a college professor -- yet still also finds
time to do the outreach activities that qualify for the Lights of Liberty
awards. He's an inspiration for all of us. 

I hope you'll check out the names of all our winners. Your friends and
neighbors may be on the list! You can find them here: 
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/lights-2004.html

If you know any of them, please give them your congratulations and thanks.

I hope you'll set as your goal joining them this year. Full details are at:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/lights.html

Thank you! 

* * * 
Update # 1: 

Last issue I wrote: 

"Fully 375 communities in 43 states, including the state legislatures of
Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont and Maine, have now passed pro-civil liberties
resolutions. Most of the resolutions call on Congress to bring the Patriot
Act back in line with the Constitution. In total, these communities
represent approximately 56.2 million people. That's a genuine grassroots
rebellion against too-big, too-intrusive government."

In the two weeks since then, that number has risen dramatically -- to
include another full state. A bi-partisan coalition of Montana legislators
overwhelmingly passed what Democrat senator Jim Elliott proudly said is "the
strongest statement against the constitutional violations of the Patriot Act
of any state and almost every city or county."

The latest total is five states and 373 counties --  representing a total of
57,009,591 people!

If you want to learn more about all this, I recommend the Bill of Rights
Defense Committee Web site: 
http://www.bordc.org/index.html

* * * 
Update # 2:  

Also last issue, we reported on the outrageous mistreatment of customers of
a licensed, legal nightclub in Flint, Michigan. They happened to be there
during a drug bust --  and, despite the fact they weren't using or carrying
drugs, they were ticketed and charged with "frequenting a drug
establishment," a misdemeanor offense carrying penalties of up to 90 days in
jail and a $500 fine. 

We mentioned that the Drug Policy Alliance had created a Web site where
those who object to this behavior could send an email to the Flint city
council and politely suggest to them that going out to dance should not be
viewed as criminal behavior.

Apparently many of you did just that. We received an email from the Drug
Policy Alliance:

"It's great to hear that you spread the word about what happened in Michigan
-- thanks so much! This is so outrageous, and the more people who know about
it the better. Close to 3,700 people now have taken action on this, and I'm
sure your newsletter played an important role in that!"

You can still send a letter to Flint officials --  or learn more about the
excellent work of DPA --  at:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=25203-ip

* * *
Welcome to 297 new Liberator Online subscribers this issue. Thanks for
joining our 
subscription "family" of over 68,000 liberty-loving readers in over 100
countries! 

To learn more about the Advocates and our work for liberty:
http://www.theadvocates.org
To learn more about libertarianism: 
http://www.Libertarianism.com

Enjoy this issue of the Liberator Online. 

-- Sharon Harris, President mailto:sharon at TheAdvocates.org

PS: Understanding economics is *crucial* if you want to defend the ideas of
liberty. 

Jim Cox's THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS is great if you want to quickly
grasp the essentials of free market economics --  including some of today's
hottest issues. Each chapter can be quickly read, and makes sense out of the
often-confusing world of economics. You'll never read a newspaper the same
way again after you've read this short, clear, straight-to-the-point book!

Plus: order it now, and we'll give you a FREE classic libertarian book with
your order!

Check out our Product Review section at the end of this issue for details on
these great books, and this limited-time two-for-one sale. 

Or, you can place your order now: 
http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator-online-special.html

Thank you! 
    _____________________________________

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES

* Advocates called "most important libertarian activist group in the United
States": "If you have been interested in politics on the Internet for a
while, you have probably seen the World's Smallest Political Quiz, from the
Advocates for Self-Government. If you don't know who the Advocates are, you
should take a look at their web site: they are the most important
libertarian activist group in the United States. They are the ones on the
forefront and they have the tools you need." -- Francois Tremblay,
Contributing Editor, Suite101.com. March 1, 2005. Thanks! Mr. Tremblay is
the author of several books and numerous articles. For more information,
see:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/libertarian/113228

* Quiz in Classrooms: The World's Smallest Political Quiz is being used in
hundreds, perhaps thousands, of high school and college classrooms in
America. Read about it at these links. (And if you're an educator
considering using the Quiz, contact us for free Quizzes for your
classroom!):
http://theadvocates.org/quiz-in-class.html
http://theadvocates.org/quiz-in-textbooks.html

* Want to quickly learn the basics of libertarianism -- from some of the
best minds in the liberty movement? Want to help a friend quickly learn
about libertarianism? Check out Libertarianism.com, from the Advocates:
http://www.Libertarianism.com

* Most Acclaimed Libertarian Communication Course Ever: Learn the very best
ways to persuade others of the benefits of liberty. You can get Michael
Cloud's classic 3-tape audio course "The Essence of Political Persuasion"
from us at the GIVE-AWAY price of only $7.50 -- that price includes handling
and First Class mail so you'll get it right away! We've put over 7,000 sets
into the hands of libertarian activists in the past few years! To order,
call us or see: 
http://www.theadvocates.org/epp-redirect.html
_____________________________________

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS

by James W. Harris

	Is Beetle Bailey's Pal a Libertarian?

The Sunday, April 3 edition of "Beetle Bailey," the world-renowned comic
strip by Mort Walker, was a considerable departure from the strip's usual
fare. 

It begins with Plato, Beetle Bailey's brainy philosophically-inclined G.I.
buddy, asking Beetle: "Can I borrow another marker from you?" 

"Sure," says Beetle, handing him a marker pen. Beetle then watches as Plato
goes from one wall to another, scribbling out a graffiti-style manifesto
that could have come right out of Ayn Rand or Ludwig von Mises: 

"Communism failed because it was against human nature. People want to be
rewarded for their work. They want to *own* what they *earn*.

"You can call it selfish if you want, but "self" is the center of the
universe. Even giving voluntarily to others is "selfish" in a way because
you "get" a good feeling in return.

"Dictators take power promising to help the people but soon are only helping
themselves. There's a bit of the dictator even among elected officials who
use their powers for their own interests.

"Maybe the best system is to keep turning our officials *over* before they
turn on *you*. Too long in power allows too many opportunities for
corruption.

"People are more productive with fewer laws and restrictions. Even good laws
have flaws and room should be left for exceptions, because everyone is
different with individual needs."

Suddenly gruff old Sarge interrupts Plato. 

"Are you through?!" Sarge growls. 

Unfazed, Plato responds: 

"Well, there are several walls left, and I'm still on a role."

Let's hope so!

(Source: "Beetle Bailey," April 3 2005. See the strip here: 
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/beetlebailey.asp?date=20050403 )

* * * 
	Pull the Plug on PBS

"The Public Broadcasting Service [PBS] is collapsing of its own weight.
While PBS executives and Washington politicians wring their hands over the
network's inevitable demise, we believe there is a simple solution. Let it
collapse.

    "Last week PBS President Pat Mitchell lobbied Congress for more money,
and Republicans on Capitol Hill floated ideas for keeping the increasingly
irrelevant corporation alive. No one seems to be asking this simple
question: In a world in which 85 percent of Americans pay for either cable
or satellite television, and with educational videos available in shopping
malls and Wal-Marts nationwide, what possible justification can there be for
a publicly subsidized television network?

"Every excuse for forcing Americans to pay for a television network has been
exhausted. Educational and arts programs are widely available elsewhere.
C-SPAN does a better job of informing Americans about government than PBS
ever dreamed of doing. PBS news shows are drowned out by a cacophony of
competitors who deliver news as well or better. What's left? Reruns of
British sitcoms? Simply put, PBS has no mission that cannot be realized
either in the for-profit sector or by converting the network to a private
non-profit foundation."

-- New Hampshire Union-Leader editorial, February 22, 2005. 
(Source: editorial archived [for-pay access only] at:
http://www.theunionleader.com/ )

* * *
	U.S. Congressman Ron Paul: "Who's Better Off?" 

(The following is excerpted from a much longer speech delivered before the
U.S. House of Representatives on April 6 by the great libertarian
Congressman Ron Paul, R-TX.) 

Whenever the administration is challenged regarding the success of the Iraq
war, or regarding the false information used to justify the war, the retort
is: "Aren't the people of Iraq better off?" The insinuation is that anyone
who expresses any reservations about supporting the war is an apologist for
Saddam Hussein and every ruthless act he ever committed.

How much better off are the Iraqi people? Hundreds of thousands of former
inhabitants of Fallajah are not better off with their city flattened and
their homes destroyed. 

Hundreds of thousands are not better off living with foreign soldiers
patrolling their street, curfews, and the loss of basic utilities. 

One hundred thousand dead Iraqis, as estimated by the Lancet Medical
Journal, certainly are not better off. 

One question the war promoters don't want to hear asked, because they don't
want to face up to the answer, is this: "Are Christian Iraqis better off
today since we decided to build a new Iraq through force of arms?" The
answer is plainly no. 

Sure, there are only 800,000 Christians living in Iraq, but under Saddam
Hussein they were free to practice their religion. Today, the Christian
churches in Iraq are under attack and Christians are no longer safe. Many
Christians have been forced to flee Iraq and migrate to Syria. 

But there's another question that is equally important: "Are the American
people better off because of the Iraq war?" 

One thing for sure, the 1,500 plus dead American soldiers aren't better off.
The nearly 20,000 severely injured or sickened American troops are not
better off. The families, the wives, the husbands, children, parents, and
friends of those who lost so much are not better off. 

The families and the 40,000 troops who were forced to re-enlist against
their will -- a de facto draft -- are not feeling better off. They believe
they have been deceived by their enlistment agreements. 

The American taxpayers are not better off having spent over 200 billion
dollars to pursue this war, with billions yet to be spent. The victims of
the inflation that always accompanies a guns-and-butter policy are already
getting a dose of what will become much worse. 

Are our relationships with the rest of the world better off? I'd say no.
Because of the war, our alliances with the Europeans are weaker than ever.
The anti-American hatred among a growing number of Muslims around the world
is greater than ever. 

This makes terrorist attacks more likely than they were before the invasion.
Al Qaeda recruiting has accelerated. Iraq is being used as a training ground
for al Qaeda terrorists, which it never was under Hussein's rule. 

One of the most significant consequences in times of war that we ought to be
concerned about is the inevitable loss of personal liberty. This willingness
to give up hard-fought personal liberties has been especially noticeable in
the atmosphere of the post-September 11th war on terrorism. Security has
replaced liberty as our main political goal, damaging the American spirit. 

These attitudes and fears surrounding the 9-11 tragedy, and our eagerness to
go to war in the Middle East against countries not responsible for the
attacks, have allowed a callousness to develop in our national psyche that
justifies torture and rejects due process of law for those who are suspects
and not convicted criminals. 

We have come to accept pre-emptive war as necessary, constitutional, and
morally justifiable. Starting a war without a proper declaration is now of
no concern to most Americans or the U.S. Congress. 

We have lost our way by rejecting the beliefs that made our country great.
We no longer trust in trade, friendship, peace, the Constitution, and the
principle of neutrality while avoiding entangling alliances with the rest of
the world.  

Spreading the message of hope and freedom by setting an example for the
world has been replaced by a belief that use of armed might is the only
practical tool to influence the world -- and we have accepted, as the only
superpower, the principle of initiating war against others. 

(Source: You can read the full speech by Congressman Paul at:
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2005/cr040605.htm
You can read more by Congressman Paul at his Web site, Project Freedom: 
http://www.house.gov/paul/ )

* * * 
"No nation could preserve its freedom..."

"Of all enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded
because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent
of armies; from these proceed debt and taxes. And armies, and debts, and
taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination
of the few. 

"In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended. Its
influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and
all the means of seducing the minds are added to those of subduing the force
of the people. The same malignant aspect may be traced in the inequality of
fortunes and the opportunities of fraud growing out of a state of war ...
and in the degeneracy of manners and morals engendered by both. 

"No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." 
    
-- James Madison (1751-1836), known as "the Father of the Constitution" and
fourth president of the United States (1908-1817), writing in 1795. 

* * * * * * * *  
"Good News, Bad News, Unbelievable News" is written by Liberator Online
editor James W. Harris. His articles have appeared in numerous magazines and
newspapers, and he has been a Finalist for the Mencken Award, given by the
Free Press Association for "Outstanding Journalism in Support of Liberty." 
_____________________________________

PERSUASION POWER POINT # 178

	Four Minutes to Better Libertarian Conversations

	by Michael Cloud

You just had a lively political conversation with a non-libertarian.

You made some good points, but you blew a few. Even a few really obvious
things.

Later, you think of what you could have said. What you should have said. If
only you had thought of this during the conversation. If only you had said
that.

And it bothers you.

How many times has that happened to you? A dozen times? A hundred?

It happens to every libertarian. Scholars. Writers. Spokespeople.
Candidates.

You can radically reduce the number of times you make these kinds of
mistakes.

You're only four minutes from better libertarian conversations.

Where do we find the solution?

Football.

Professional football coaching staffs videotape their games. Every play.
Wide shots and close ups.

Afterwards, they carefully review every play -- and every player's
performance.

They identify and note what each player did right and what he did wrong.
They show each player what he did well. His best plays and performance. They
"catch him doing something right." And they show him when he did something
wrong.

But when they go over the errors and blown assignments with a play, they
point out what he should have done instead.

They have him mentally practice the move he should have made. Later, they
physically practice.

They don't beat him down with, "If only you had done this, we would have
scored," or, "If only you'd have done that, we would have won."

"If only" creates frustration and guilt and regret. "If only" holds you
back.

So football coaching staffs focus on "next time." Next time creates
possibility and progress. Improvement.

"Next time, do it this way." "Next time, do it that way."

This is one reason why professional football players consistently perform
well. Why they excel.

Here's how to use this approach with your conversations with
non-libertarians.

1. Review what you said and how you said it.

2. Identify what you did right and wrong. What you did well and what you did
poorly. What you did say and what you didn't.

3. Focus on successes first. "Catch yourself doing something right," as The
One Minute Manager advises. Acknowledge yourself for doing it. Let yourself
feel good about it. Write your successes down.

4. Then go over what you said wrong, what you said poorly, and what you
failed to say. Write them down.

5. Next to each error, write down a better answer or statement. The one you
wish you had thought of during the conversation. Better yet, write down 2 or
3 better answers.

6. Rehearse the answer aloud. Several times. Say it with feeling. Say it the
way that you want to say it -- next time. Because there will be a next time.
And you will be ready.

How long does it take to review your conversational "game films," and carry
out the 6 steps.

Just 4 minutes. It's fast, easy, and fun. And it works.

Try it. You'll feel better and do better in all your libertarian
conversations.

****************** 
Michael Cloud was voted the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in
America and honored with the Thomas Paine Award at the Libertarian Party
national 
convention in July 2000.

Michael is author of the acclaimed new book "Secrets of Libertarian
Persuasion" available exclusively from the Advocates.
http://www.theadvocates.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv
____________________________________

ASK DR. RUWART

Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication. In this
column she gives readers "short answers to the tough questions" that
libertarians are frequently asked. 

Dr. Ruwart's past Liberator Online answers are archived in searchable form
at: http://www.TheAdvocates.org/ruwart/categories_list.php

* * * 
How can we protect our children without government censorship? 

Question:

"Without censorship, how can a libertarian society ensure decency in
broadcasting and publishing? How can we protect our children fromsmut
without censorship?"  

My short answer: 

"In a libertarian society, parents could limit their children's access to
'family-oriented' stations and bookstores. In my community, broadcasters
attract a loyal following by promising parents that both programming and
advertising are wholesome. I'd anticipate that the number of such stations
and bookstores would increase in a libertarian society because parents like
yourself would create a strong market. 

"My parents used such monitoring to limit our exposure to violence, which my
parents considered more pornographic than sex. Their success, in a culture
where violence in media is so pervasive, was partially due to producers,
such as Disney, who dedicated themselves to wholesome entertainment.
Parental guidance succeeds even when the culture itself sets no limits. 

"In a libertarian world of school choice and greater prosperity, parents
will also have far more ability to choose schools that closely reflect and
protect their values -- or more opportunities to pursue homeschooling.

"As you probably know, when we ask our government to censor what our
children see, they soon try to censor what *we* see --  always for our own
good, of course!"

* * * 
Is spreading libertarian ideas worth the trouble? 

Question:

"I recently called a talk show to discuss a deceptive local government
program, and I was surprised to receive a cool response from the host. He
said I was too 'negative.' Similarly, an old friend of mine published an
article criticizing the government, and he received all sorts of hostility
-- in his words, he was 'battered.' Is it worth receiving this sort of
hostility for arguably little or no gain?"

My short answer:

"Only you can decide if the gain is worth the pain.

"One of my favorite quotes on this subject comes from the German philosopher
Arthur Schopenhauer, who famously said: 

'All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Secondly, it
is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.'

"It sounds as if you are getting the 'violently opposed' feedback.

"Most of us have to hear things several times before we can really
appreciate them. Your efforts, even if spurned, clear the way for the next
libertarian spokesperson." 

"And also remember, every effort you make to effectively communicate
libertarian ideas gives you a chance to sharpen your skills and make your
future efforts more successful."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Got questions? Dr. Ruwart has answers! If you'd like answers to YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email to Dr. Ruwart at:
mailto:ruwart at theAdvocates.org

Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't personally acknowledge all emails. But we'll
run the best questions and answers in upcoming issues. 

Dr. Ruwart's outstanding books "Healing Our World" and "Short Answers to the
Tough Questions" are available from the Advocates:
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv 
_____________________________________

    HARRY BROWNE'S SOUNDBITES FOR LIBERTY

During his two Libertarian Party presidential campaigns (1996 and 2000),
Harry Browne created hundreds of "soundbites" -- short, pithy, and highly
memorable answers to the questions libertarians are most frequently asked by
the media and the public. In each issue we'll be sharing some of the best
and most relevant. Enjoy -- and put them to use for liberty! 

* * * 
Solving social problems:

"Social reformers and crime-busters try to explain away the destruction of
our freedom and civil liberties by saying these losses are the price we pay
to create a better world, a better nation, or a better community. 'After
all, you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.' But, somehow,
it's always someone else's eggs that get broken -- never theirs. And the
omelet never materializes -- only cracked shells and broken lives." 

* * * 
What about the poor: 

"What will happen to the poor in a free society? They will finally be taken
care of. 
Repealing the income and Social Security taxes will leave a trillion dollars
a year in 
the economy that is currently being sucked out by those taxes. That will buy
a job for 
everyone who can work, and charity for everyone who can't work."

* * *  
Greed:

"Is it greedy to want to keep the money you've earned -- to spend it on your
own children, to secure your own future and retirement so you won't be a
burden on others, to buy a home of your own, to provide your family with the
things that make life more enjoyable? Or is it greedy to want something for
nothing -- to want the government to confiscate money from those who have
earned it and give it to you or to your pet social project? Greed is wanting
the government to force other people to conform to your desires, to outlaw
your competitors, to remake the world in your image because you think you
know more than everyone else."

* * * * * * * * * * 
Harry Browne was 1996 and 2000 Libertarian Party presidential candidate. He
is the author of a dozen books that have sold over two million copies,
including three New York Times bestsellers. 

Browne's newest book "Liberty A to Z: 872 Libertarian Soundbites You Can Use
Right Now" is a treasury of soundbites like those in this column. It's
published by the Advocates, and you can get it at our Liberty Store:
http://www.theadvocates.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv
_____________________________________

PRODUCT REVIEW: "Two for One" special! 

THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS by Jim Cox. Large format paperback, 167
pages. Second edition with six new chapters. 

PLUS: FREE copy of legendary classic libertarian book!

Many supporters of oppressive government use widely-believed economic
fallacies to bolster their arguments. If you want to effectively defend
liberty, you must understand how the free market works, and be able to
counter the anti-free market ideas we hear every day in the media, from Big
Government politicians, and elsewhere.

That's why THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS is so very useful.

With remarkable succinctness, this short, common-sense economics handbook
packs a wealth of useful information into 37 brief, clear, and
straight-to-the-point chapters.

Humor, plain language, and vivid real-world examples help bring economic
theory to life.

This book can be quickly read and easily understood and enjoyed -- even if
you've never read a book on economics before.

Topics covered include:

    * the history of economic thought;

    * the Great Depression;

    * entrepreneurship;

    * the Federal Reserve system;

    * the superiority of markets vs. government;

    * monopolies and antitrust;

    * the minimum wage;

    * government regulations;

    * insider trading;

    * price controls;

    * unions;

    * the gold standard;

    * the importance of competition;

    * inflation;

....and much more! Virtually all major economic issues -- the ones that are
in the news, day after day -- are discussed and explained.

Especially eye-opening: Cox's iconoclastic defenses of speculators,
advertisers, corporate raiders, price-gougers and other misunderstood and
under-appreciated economic actors. (These short chapters alone are worth the
price of the book!)

Excellent references at the end of each chapter tell where to go for further
information. Solidly and unswervingly libertarian, this is a fine "first
stop" for economic enlightenment and a handy, quick reference.

Rave Reviews for THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS: 

"...recommended for candidates for political office." -- Ron Crickenberger,
former Libertarian Party Political Director.

"Cox has the rare ability of writing readable economics!" -- Brad
Linaweaver, award-winning science fiction writer ("Moon of Ice").

"...arguments are well grounded and easy to follow...very powerful points
with a minimum of verbosity. How refreshing!!! The Concise Guide has
accomplished a 'mission impossible' by making economics actually interesting
and even humorous at times while at the same time maintaining a strong line
of reasoning." -- Nancy Stroud, Ph.D., Georgia State University.

"This handy, quick reference guide saves searching through hundreds of pages
for an answer. I wish I'd had this book when I first began my study of
economics." -- Dawn Baker, Wall Street Journal Award winner, Atlanta
Economics Club scholarship recipient.

*** FREE LIBERTY CLASSIC BOOK WITH EACH PURCHASE! ***

THE CONCISE GUIDE TO ECONOMICS sells for $10.00 (plus $4.50 shipping).

But Liberator Online readers who order this book now will also get a *FREE*
copy of the wonderful libertarian classic THE LAW by Frederic Bastiat.

This short, lively, and very readable book is one of the most passionate,
inspiring defenses of the free society ever written. It demolishes the case
for government control of our personal and economic lives. Written in 1850,
it is more relevant than ever today.

Quite simply, it's one of the finest books ever written on the subject of
self-government. It's been extravagantly praised by virtually every major
libertarian thinker. Essential!

We normally sell THE LAW for $3.95 (plus shipping). Take advantage of this
limited-time offer to get this handsomely-printed classic for FREE. Great
reading -- makes a wonderful gift, too.

ORDERING

Via Web: To order this Liberator Online special, you can visit:
http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator-online-special.html

This will take you to a special page at our online store where this offer is
featured. You can order via credit card from there if you wish. Our site is
credit card secure -- you can order with the same confidence you'd feel at
your local department store. While there, you can browse our other
libertarian products and order any you wish.

You can also, of course, order by phone, mail or fax, from the address
below. 

Your order helps support the essential work of the Advocates -- thank you!

As with all Advocates products, we guarantee your satisfaction. Try it at no
risk -- if you're not completely satisfied, simply return for a full refund.

***** This offer good through April 26, 2005 *****
    _____________________________________

See you in two weeks! You can contact the Advocates at:

Snail Mail:
Advocates for Self Government
213 S Erwin St
Cartersville, GA 30120-3513
Phone: 770-386-8372; for orders, 800-932-1776
Fax: 770-386-8373
Email: mailto:info at TheAdvocates.org 
WWW: http://www.TheAdvocates.org/

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your address for receiving the
Liberator Online, visit: 
http://www.TheAdvocates.org/publications/liberator-online.html
We never send the Liberator Online unsolicited. We encourage you to forward
the Liberator Online to interested friends. And if you received this issue
from a forward, please subscribe. It's free!

Back issues: http://www.theadvocates.org/liberator/archive.html

The Advocates for Self-Government is a non-profit educational organization.
Our purpose is to: (1) present the freedom philosophy honestly and
persuasively to opinion-makers and the public so that they can encounter,
evaluate, and when ready, embrace the ideals of self-government; (2) help
libertarians become effective and powerful communicators of the ideas of
liberty; and (3) change the political map from the inaccurate and
exclusionary 'left-right/liberal conservative' line to a more accurate and
inclusive model (like that on our World's Smallest Political Quiz) that
includes libertarians and others.

Contributions to the Advocates are tax-deductible. If you would like to
support the
world-changing work of the Advocates, we *welcome* your donation. Please
see:
http://www.theadvocates.org/gifts.html
or give us a call at 1-800-932-1776. Thank you! 

"May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of
self-government." -- Thomas Jefferson, June 24, 1826.