ARLP: Springing to Life

Hello, fellow libertarians in Arkansas,

My name is Tom Carpenter, and this is my very first blog.  No, I don’t mean the first blog in this forum—I mean my very first blog.

I’ve not done this before simply because there has not been a group that I was particularly interested in talking with.  But, this group is different.

I hope to read some interesting statements from fellow libertarians that will help me understand libertarian ideas more fully and also increase my knowledge of support for libertarian ideas.  And, I hope to learn about some ways that we can help make libertarian ideas more a part of public discourse in Arkansas.

I also hope to raise some issues that concern me that I hope other libertarians will find interesting.

I must say that early spring is my favorite time of the year.  One day I go outside and see a tree or shrub that looks dead.  The next day I think I see subtle changes that show signs of live.  Two days later I definitely see large buds.  And, then two day after that, there are new green leaves and beautiful blossoms.  Life has returned!

Perhaps that’s also what we’re seeing this spring concerning libertarian ideas in Arkansas.  Libertarianism had not been dead here the last few years, but it has been dormant.  Now perhaps it’s springing to life.

There’s new leadership in the party, a younger group of people with energy and commitment.  They’re gathering signatures to see that the party is on the ballot here in Arkansas.  We’re going to have a state convention with a prominent, nationally-known guest speaker.  And, there’s a membership drive to get to one hundred members.  That looks like new life to me.

And, of course, there’s now this blog for members to share their ideas.

I think we all appreciate what Rodger Paxton has done to create this forum.  Thank you Rodger.

One question I’d like to ask is:  what do other libertarians in the state think of the Tea Party movement?  I have a friend that’s trying to persuade me to become involved.  There are some things about it that I want to support, but I also have some reservations.  Are other libertarians supporting it or staying away?  I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Tom Carpenter

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