Michael Sparks ✨ 😶🌫️🗽⚡ on Nostr: From a fellow libertarian Bill Cox. Being an antistatist I'm more for decentralizing ...
From a fellow libertarian Bill Cox.
Being an antistatist I'm more for decentralizing everything, but I do see the need to incorporating libertarian ideas into what the Populist are trying to accomplish.
"The LPPA Convention was this past weekend and I was lucky enough to have an article published in it.
Why Libertarians Need to Embrace and Influence the Populist Movement
In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, a unique opportunity has emerged for libertarians: the rise of populism. Across the political spectrum, Americans are uniting against a corrupt, unaccountable government that serves corporate elites and entrenched interests rather than the people. This growing populist movement, which is the backbone of the Kennedy24 campaign and the broader Unity Coalition, is an avenue through which libertarians can not only advance their ideals but also fundamentally reshape American governance.
Populism, in its purest form, is a demand for government to serve the people rather than special interests. While populist movements have historically emerged from both the left and right, they share a common thread: frustration with a system that prioritizes bureaucracy, corporate dominance, and endless foreign intervention over individual rights and national well-being. Libertarians have long stood for limited government, personal freedom, and an end to crony capitalism—principles that align with the grievances fueling today’s populist revolt. The challenge, however, is ensuring that this movement does not veer into statism, authoritarianism, or blind nationalism. Instead, libertarians must take an active role in shaping populism into a force for true individual liberty, decentralization, and economic freedom.
While traditional libertarianism has often been portrayed as an ideology of rigid individualism, modern libertarians recognize that real change requires coalition-building. The Unity Coalition that is bringing together disaffected Democrats, conservatives, independents, and libertarians—is a prime example of this necessary collaboration. These groups share many goals. Both libertarians and populists want to end the warfare state, recognizing that military adventurism and endless foreign conflicts serve the interests of the elite rather than the American people. They also share a deep distrust of corporate influence over government. From Big Pharma to military contractors, special interests control policy at the expense of small businesses and working Americans. The Unity Coalition provides a path to fight corporate welfare and restore a truly free market.
Another key area of agreement is the defense of civil liberties. The COVID era exposed the dangers of unchecked government power—lockdowns, censorship, and forced medical interventions were stark reminders of what happens when individual rights are sacrificed for centralized control. Populists and libertarians can unite in opposition to government overreach, mass surveillance, and attacks on free speech. Additionally, both groups recognize that the two-party system is designed to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo. Supporting independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a direct challenge to that corrupt system. There is also common ground in the push for local governance. While populists may not fully embrace libertarian decentralization, they do understand that Washington, D.C., has become too powerful and unaccountable. Together, libertarians and populists can advocate for a return to local decision-making rather than top-down federal control.
Despite these shared values, there is a risk that populism could become just another form of statism—one that replaces corporate elites with government-driven solutions that ultimately infringe on individual freedom. Libertarians must work from within the movement to ensure that populist policies remain grounded in personal liberty and economic freedom. For example, while populists may support breaking up Big Tech through government intervention, libertarians should emphasize market-based solutions, such as removing legal protections that shield these companies from competition. Similarly, while populists may favor tariffs and economic protectionism, libertarians should advocate for policies that promote free and fair trade without corporate manipulation.
The rise of populism in America is not a passing trend, it is a seismic shift in the political landscape. For libertarians, this is a moment that cannot be ignored. By actively engaging in the populist movement and the Unity Coalition, libertarians can prevent the movement from falling into the traps of nationalism and government overreach while ensuring that its energy is directed toward meaningful reforms that uphold individual freedom. Rather than remaining on the political fringes, libertarians must seize this opportunity to influence policy, challenge corruption, and restore the principles of self-governance. This is not just a battle for the future of libertarianism, it is a battle for the soul of America." ~Bill Cox
Being an antistatist I'm more for decentralizing everything, but I do see the need to incorporating libertarian ideas into what the Populist are trying to accomplish.
"The LPPA Convention was this past weekend and I was lucky enough to have an article published in it.
Why Libertarians Need to Embrace and Influence the Populist Movement
In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, a unique opportunity has emerged for libertarians: the rise of populism. Across the political spectrum, Americans are uniting against a corrupt, unaccountable government that serves corporate elites and entrenched interests rather than the people. This growing populist movement, which is the backbone of the Kennedy24 campaign and the broader Unity Coalition, is an avenue through which libertarians can not only advance their ideals but also fundamentally reshape American governance.
Populism, in its purest form, is a demand for government to serve the people rather than special interests. While populist movements have historically emerged from both the left and right, they share a common thread: frustration with a system that prioritizes bureaucracy, corporate dominance, and endless foreign intervention over individual rights and national well-being. Libertarians have long stood for limited government, personal freedom, and an end to crony capitalism—principles that align with the grievances fueling today’s populist revolt. The challenge, however, is ensuring that this movement does not veer into statism, authoritarianism, or blind nationalism. Instead, libertarians must take an active role in shaping populism into a force for true individual liberty, decentralization, and economic freedom.
While traditional libertarianism has often been portrayed as an ideology of rigid individualism, modern libertarians recognize that real change requires coalition-building. The Unity Coalition that is bringing together disaffected Democrats, conservatives, independents, and libertarians—is a prime example of this necessary collaboration. These groups share many goals. Both libertarians and populists want to end the warfare state, recognizing that military adventurism and endless foreign conflicts serve the interests of the elite rather than the American people. They also share a deep distrust of corporate influence over government. From Big Pharma to military contractors, special interests control policy at the expense of small businesses and working Americans. The Unity Coalition provides a path to fight corporate welfare and restore a truly free market.
Another key area of agreement is the defense of civil liberties. The COVID era exposed the dangers of unchecked government power—lockdowns, censorship, and forced medical interventions were stark reminders of what happens when individual rights are sacrificed for centralized control. Populists and libertarians can unite in opposition to government overreach, mass surveillance, and attacks on free speech. Additionally, both groups recognize that the two-party system is designed to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo. Supporting independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a direct challenge to that corrupt system. There is also common ground in the push for local governance. While populists may not fully embrace libertarian decentralization, they do understand that Washington, D.C., has become too powerful and unaccountable. Together, libertarians and populists can advocate for a return to local decision-making rather than top-down federal control.
Despite these shared values, there is a risk that populism could become just another form of statism—one that replaces corporate elites with government-driven solutions that ultimately infringe on individual freedom. Libertarians must work from within the movement to ensure that populist policies remain grounded in personal liberty and economic freedom. For example, while populists may support breaking up Big Tech through government intervention, libertarians should emphasize market-based solutions, such as removing legal protections that shield these companies from competition. Similarly, while populists may favor tariffs and economic protectionism, libertarians should advocate for policies that promote free and fair trade without corporate manipulation.
The rise of populism in America is not a passing trend, it is a seismic shift in the political landscape. For libertarians, this is a moment that cannot be ignored. By actively engaging in the populist movement and the Unity Coalition, libertarians can prevent the movement from falling into the traps of nationalism and government overreach while ensuring that its energy is directed toward meaningful reforms that uphold individual freedom. Rather than remaining on the political fringes, libertarians must seize this opportunity to influence policy, challenge corruption, and restore the principles of self-governance. This is not just a battle for the future of libertarianism, it is a battle for the soul of America." ~Bill Cox