Libertarian Talking Points: Department of Education

In this series called "Libertarian Talking Points," we pose a talking point that aims for the heart of an issue - avoiding the "politically safe" answer to actually try and convince people of both the moral and effectual justifications for liberty.

You argue its effectiveness, or propose how to rephrase it to win hearts and minds.

If a gotcha attempt occurs, questioning a candidate's belief in the elimination of the Department of Education...

"I'm afraid you're confusing the elimination of the Department of Education with the elimination of education itself. The Department of Education didn't come into existence until 1980.
And its removal would eliminate the guidelines, requirements and mandates that prevent individual states, districts and schools from implementing pedagogical tactics they believe might create dramatic improvements in learning. Now, if you are able to present me with evidence that the Department of Education has improved education standards in the slightest since its inception 30 years ago, I would be more than happy to reconsider my proposal. But then you must also convince me that this annual cost of $77.8 billion dollars is the single greatest use of that funding in terms of improving our children's education."

Eric Olsen,
Regular Columnist, THL
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A New Debate Each Day

My 2011 Trip

Hey Patriots! Hope your New Year is off to a good start! I am multitasking my head off to prepare for a trip around the country of indefinite length and scope starting next week. I'll be headed for Colorado first where I'll investigate medical cannabis laws and their effects; then I'll be flying out to Washington DC for the month of February to attend CPAC and ISFLC; and after that I'll move north to New Hampshire to spend March hanging with members of the Free State Project and learning more about it. I'm not positive what's next after that, but I've got a general inkling, and it might involve venturing overseas to learn a little more about the broader world around us and relay everything I see to you readers here at The Humble Libertarian ! Wish me luck and keep your eye out for updates as I travel. Peace, Wes Wes Messamore , Editor in Chief, T H L Articles | Author's Page

I've Been an Outspoken Critic of Censoring Conservatives, But I'm Not Leaving Patreon Over Sargon of Akkad's Ridiculous Remarks

By: Wes Messamore The Humble Libertarian Photo: Gage Skidmore

Occupy Mordor or Destroy the Ring?

There has been mixed responses to Occupy Wall Street by libertarians. Some see the movement as a positive, while others see them as little more than lazy hipsters. But libertarians must be sensitive to why people feel the way they do about issues. The occupiers point out a legitimate concern that "the 1%" control vastly more power and wealth than "the 99%", and corporations have accumulated more power and privilege than is healthy for an open society. Some other concerns and demands are absurd, but the heart of the matter is on track. The question is why has this happened? While many on the left are quick to blame a nebulous thing called "greed", or lack of regulation, the matter is more complicated than that. This calls for a Lord of the Rings metaphor. Let's say that Sauron, the big cheese bad guy of Lord of the Rings, is the corporate hegemony. The 1%. Most people in Middle Earth agree that this is a problem, but there are a few differ...

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