I was pleased to receive an email from Wes Benedict, executive director of the Libertarian Party, indicating that the LP has become concerned about infiltration by racists and
has issued a formal statement. I have copied his email, which includes a
link to the statement, and part of the statement:
From: Wes Benedict
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2017 7:08 PM
To: Mitchell Langbert
Subject: Re: Anti-Semitism, Racism, and the LP
Hi Mr. Langbert,
Did you see the piece I put out last
week?
I think that makes it clear we're
aware of some racists and anti-Semitism in and close to the Libertarian Party
and we are driving them out.
Thanks for your support.
Wes
Benedict, Executive Director
The statement starts as follows:
The Libertarian Party condemns bigotry as irrational and
repugnant, and offers its condolences to the family of the woman killed in
Charlottesville, Va.
There is no room for racists and bigots in the Libertarian
Party. If there are white nationalists who — inappropriately — are members of
the Libertarian Party, I ask them to submit their resignations today. We don’t
want them to associate with the Libertarian Party, and we don’t want their
money. I’m not expecting many resignations, because our membership already
knows this well.
The
Libertarian Party Platform states, “We condemn bigotry as irrational and
repugnant. Government should neither deny nor abridge any individual’s human
right based upon sex, wealth, ethnicity, creed, age, national origin, personal
habits, political preference, or sexual orientation.”
The Libertarian Party is tolerant and accepting, supporting
civil liberties, gay marriage, and freedom of religion for all, including Jews,
Muslims, Christians, and atheists. The Libertarian Party supports open borders,
civil liberties, racial diversity, and free trade — things that white
nationalists abhor.
I think many people in America are worried about jobs and
security, and feel compelled to do something about it. Years of inflammatory
messaging from Republican and Democratic leadership have poisoned the well of
civil discourse, and unfortunately, much of what the extremists on both the
left and right are asking for will make matters worse.
Republican leaders have demonized immigrants and free trade,
and have scared people into thinking that free trade and immigration will cost
current citizens their jobs and their standard of living. Yet countries with
free trade and immigration have the highest standards of living in the world,
and those without freedom of movement and exchange have the lowest. If
politicians are truly interested in improving American prosperity, they need to
brush up on their understanding of “gains from trade” and “comparative
advantage,” then stop goading their supporters into supporting
counterproductive policies. Protectionist policies are irrational and cowardly,
and will make America weaker.
