The Root of the Issue
By Robert Ringer
If there’s one thing that Wayne Allyn Root excels at, it’s getting people’s attention. In an age of politically correct tiptoeing, Wayne dishes out the truth, sans sugarcoating. That’s what has made him a frequent guest on such shows as Neil Cavuto’s Your World and The Glenn Beck Program.
Now, with his just-released book, The Conscience of a Libertarian, Wayne covers the entire spectrum of political and social issues. And in doing so, he manages to stay focused on the root of the issue: liberty. Covering everything from abortion to government bailouts to health care, what makes him stand out from reach-across-the-aisle conservatives is his consistency. It is a trait for which I enormously respect him.
The title The Conscience of a Libertarian is, of course, a play on Barry Goldwater’s famous book, The Conscience of a Conservative. It’s no coincidence that Goldwater is one of Root’s heroes. What’s interesting is that when Goldwater ran for president in 1964, many thought of him as a right-wing zealot. And, as a result, he lost in landslide to incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson.
The truth? Barry Goldwater was a libertarian-centered conservative, cut in the mold of the Founding Fathers. For example, Root points out that Goldwater called it “conservative” to not want government in your bedroom. As one of his other heroes, Ronald Reagan, said, “The very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism.” Had Goldwater written his book today, he might very well have named it The Conscience of a Libertarian.
One of the more important aspects of Root’s book is that he takes former Columbia classmate Barack Obama to task — head on. No niceties or political correctness, thank you — just the bold, raw truth. It’s understandable he says that some might refer to him as “the Anti-Obama.” I would go one step further and say that The Conscience of a Libertarian is the ultimate anti-Obama book.
In this fast-paced work, Root disrobes just about every Obama scheme the president has pulled off to date, and, even more important, the schemes he is still trying to sell to the American Public. One of the points I especially appreciated in this regard is when he said:
“Once the clear-cut majority of people either work for government, or collect a paycheck from government, the majority will vote for higher and higher taxes on the minority (those who earn their own keep, create jobs, risk their money to build business). Why not? Taxes aren’t painful, as long as someone else has to pay them.”
He later warns, “Giving government power is always a dangerous idea. Today government may use that power on your behalf. You may applaud government’s decision. But tomorrow government may change sides and decide to use the power you have given them … against you. The best solution is to never give the government that authority, power, or control in the first place — simply because (drum roll please) it’s none of the government’s darn business.” Amen.
I was happy to see Wayne define the term Libertarian as someone who “is fiscally conservative, socially tolerant, pro freedom, pro constitution, standing for more rights for the individual, and reducing the size, scope, and power of government.” He goes on to say that if you word it that way, the LP has the potential to attract a majority of U.S. voters.”
For me, he nailed it with these words. I have always believed that there are millions of conservatives who don’t realize that they are very much aligned with libertarianism — in other words, the kind of conservatism that Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan believed in.
Those of us who believe that liberty is the key issue — that it must be given a higher priority than all other objectives — need to stop the infighting and academic debates and join arms. The enemy — progressivism — is relentless. Progressives love it when the other side brawls internally and surely would hate the thought of conservatives and libertarians joining forces. Wayne Root has it right — libertarian right.
Finally, true to his bold, relentless nature, Root closes out his 350-page book by making it clear that he is the man to lead the Libertarian Party to first-class status in 2012. Had he not done so, he wouldn’t be Wayne Allyn Root. He is a bold leader who is prepared to fight to return America to its libertarian-centered conservative roots.
It’s almost a cliche to call a book required reading, but it’s definitely true of The Conscience of a Libertarian. It is a rare combination of important, factual content conveyed in an entertaining, easy-to-understand style. Wayne’s writing is both breezy and pithy, which makes you anxious to see what’s coming on the next page. There is not a dull spot anywhere along the way, so fasten your seat belt.
If you would like to “hear” a knowledgeable voice cover all of America’s ills — and offer workable solutions in a consistently pro-liberty manner — you will absolutely love The Conscience of a Libertarian.
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Copyright © 2012 Robert Ringer
ROBERT RINGER is a New York Times #1 bestselling author and host of the highly acclaimed Liberty Education Interview Series, which features interviews with top political, economic, and social leaders. He has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business, The Tonight Show, Today, The Dennis Miller Show, Good Morning America, The Lars Larson Show, ABC Nightline, and The Charlie Rose Show, and has been the subject of feature articles in such major publications as Time, People, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Barron's, and The New York Times.
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I looked into the Libertarian party years ago, but as soon as I saw that they were for open borders, I was turned off. I believe they also supported legalizing drugs such as marijuana.
With those two platforms, I assumed that they are too kooky for me.
If the Libertarian Party wants to grow or replace the Republicans, they have to drop a few of their strange platforms.
At least that’s my opinion.
Nice plug for your friend’s book. I’ll have to get a copy.
It is all very nice and well to rail about the Federal Government, but the biggest and most serious power-grab is at the state and local levels.
I live in West Virginia and almost everything is controlled from the State capital, Charleston. County and municipal government have not nearly the control that the state government has.
The state legislature and governor have centralized control over the counties and municipalities, which can enforce only that which the state has permitted.
Anything that is not permitted is prohibited.
The more rural regions have local governments that have not yet implemented all the controls that have been authorized. For instance ZONING.
The county in which I live, Berkeley, has rejected draconian zoning ordinances TWICE in the past 12 years, but the “progressives” keep beating the drums to bring the “benefits of big-city zoning” to a rural county.
Another instance: The Berkeley County Board of Health has the authority to declare all “public places” (including business establishments) to be TOBACCO-FREE areas. I think they actually can make the same declaration for private residences, but right now they don’t dare. Does “private property” have meaning anymore?
The point is we have been living in a fascist system for a long period of time and people don’t know or understand that. When citizens “hold title” to a piece of property but government controls every detail of its use, that’s fascism.
Ownership is actually and really vested in the person or persons who control the property, not the person who has a piece of paper that says he owns it. The County commissioners actually own my land since they can force me to get a building permit and submit highly-detailed plans for any improvements I wish to undertake.
Instead of going along to get along, real libertarians must “RAISE HELL” at EVERY level of government until we can back them down to where they belong, PROTECTING OUR PROPERTY AND RIGHTS.
The Old_Curmudgeon
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Yes, Root wrote a book or two. But, unlike Barry Goldwater, Root has no experience as an office holder. Hoever, libertarian leaning ex-Governors Gary Johnson and Jesse Ventura have. (Ventura also wrote a book.) Maybe they should be the people to bring the libertarian movement into the limelight.
Thanks for your insightful article. I have not read the book, but based on the definition of “Libertarian,” I would say I am DEFINITELY one! However, I have traditionally voted Democrat, as most of the “conservatives” I know (and CERTAINLY those in government), are the antithesis of the above definition. In my experience, people who label themselves as “conservatives” are (in contrast to the definition above) fiscally irresponsible, socially intolerant, pro freedom for themselves (anti- for everyone else), pro corporations, standing for more rights for the rich, and paying lip-service to reducing the size, scope, and power of government, while actually doing the contrary (see George W. Bush).
Run a strong Libertarian candidate, and I’ll vote for them! (P.S. I was definitely pro-Ron Paul, but didn’t seem like he had a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected….)
The Biblical description of the Tower of Babel, and the desires of the people that produced it, has always struck me as a worthy metaphor for the current incantation of government, not just here in the US, but in much of the world.
We somehow believe that we can create this all powerful entity, that will be subject to the whim of the governed, and it will vanquish all of our problems. The fulfillment of the Utopian Dream in a world that isn’t Utopia; this is a certified contradiction in terms.
People tend to support this creation because they don’t comprehend the nature of power and it’s propensity to grow and to consume everything in it’s path.
As much as we might want to believe that the problems of runaway government are contained within the construct of government itself, it’s far more a problem of human desire run amok.
I, too, was a Goldwater Conservative. By that, I mean I was (and still am) a fiscal conservative and a social liberal.
There was a time when the Republican party stood for those same principles, until abortion became the rallying cry for the party. How does the abortion issue lend itself to “socially conservative”?
You are correct, I’m sure, that the majority of Americans are Libertarian at heart, but if they must take the Religious Right’s stand on abortion, they find themselves unable in clear conscience to support the conservative cause.
I wonder how many Democrats the Religious Right has created?
He’s not going to make it to the Oval Office. The people want their “entitlements.”
Mark my words.
Recall that Barry was defeated due to the huge scare tactic that he would use the Atomic Bomb against Russia. The “folks” still can’t be confused with the facts. As Pogo opined: We have met the enemy and they is us.
Just purchased the book The Conscience of a Libertarian. Here is an interesting article … I thought you would enjoy.
Thank you. Robear
You say You Want a Revolution?
By Russell McDougal
Americans should have been in the streets to reclaim the country long ago. Patrick Henry and his fellow patriots are turning over in their graves about the present day USA. The savvy folks I talk to on a regular basis are exceedingly pessimistic that our blessed republic can pull out of this present financial, economic and political tailspin. The US as we have known it is on the ropes.
Our third President and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, long ago stated …”Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies”.
He also declared …“If Americans ever allow banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children will wake up homeless.”
Hello.
A second American Revolution is now at least as necessary as the first one was though few citizens have an overall understanding of the problems we face. Anything short of a complete house cleaning will be mostly a waste of time and effort. The elitist banking entities running and ruining this country must be shown the highway. Nothing less will suffice!
Who exactly am I talking about? The Federal Reserve is exhibit one. Their partners in financial crime like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, et al absolutely must be excised like the cancer they are.
“Tea Parties” are once again on the horizon. Lots of citizens are awakening and protesting. How keen is their focus going to be?
Those that put the preponderance of blame on President Obama, ex-President Bush, the Liberals, the Conservatives, the Trial lawyers, the unions or any other distraction will never accomplish anything worthwhile. The rot is deep, systemic and centered on money and the banking system.
Those that demonize Republicans and worship Democrats, or vice versa, have been suckered into a divide and conquer plan. My expectation is to never again vote for a Republican or a Democrat in their present form. The Demopublicans must go.
The Fed is a serial bubble blower. Their funny money products initially line the pockets of their cronies closest to the trough. From there it is directed towards distorting prices in stocks, real estate or the latest manipulated craze. Economies without foundation inevitably collapse. Our central planners need to take an indefinite overseas vacation.
America’s biggest exports over the last decade have been toxic and fraudulent financial products. The creators of this crap are the ones who have brought us to the present disaster – yet they remain in charge of sweeping changes designed to perpetuate their power and imprison us.
All of these Wall Street entities and the lackey politicians who support them must hit the road. Those behind the scenes pulling the strings have to be stripped of their illicit power.
Surely you heard about Goldman Sachs’ record second-quarter earnings of $3.44 billion? Making money hand over fist comes fairly easy when you get to implement official policy. Records follow when front running is the name of the game. They may get their bonuses now but ours will be even larger when tar and feathers once again hold sway.
Congressman Ron Paul has sponsored a bill to audit and put congressional oversight on the Federal Reserve. 261 representatives have so far signed on to this meaningful element of true change. A similar Senate bill is just getting started. Knowledgeable citizens seriously doubt the Fed could withstand an audit because of its shady dealings. This is one bill that holds some promise.
The huge majority of US citizens are really peeved, justifiably so. That anger will certainly play out in the coming months and years. The tea parties could even spill into the streets. You can rest well assured that nothing will be accomplished without a purposeful and focused anger.
Concerned Americans have a critical choice. We can rid the system of all the parasites and malignancies or just stay home and continue to get our reality through television.
Live Free and Resourcefully,
Rusty