Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida: Bringing Liberty Back in the Republican Party of Duval County, Clay County, St. Johns County, Nassau County, Baker County, Putnam County, Flagler County

I am a Libertarian. Not a small “l” libertarian, but a big “L” Libertarian. Even more, I am currently the Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Duval County. So why do I attend Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) meetings if I am not a Republican looking to bring the Republican Party back to its small government roots?

It is a fair question and yes, I have been asked that question by a member of RLC at one of our meetings. I will say that I am not likely to change my party affiliation to Republican any time soon. I like the Libertarian Party and its principled stand on liberty. I am not as hopeful as many RLC members that I have met that the Republican Party will ever evolve into a party about which Ron Paul could get really excited.

With that said, I believe that the RLC is an important part of the liberty movement in this country. I am sure that I will draw the ire of fellow Libertarians who believe that the Libertarian Party is the only hope for America by saying this. But I believe that if we want to win the battle against the encroachment of government into every aspect of our lives, we will need a broad based movement that transcends political parties. It must include liberty minded Republicans, Libertarians, Tea Partiers, Campaign for Liberty supporters and many others who believe in liberty. These groups may have differences over specific issues, but they have in common a preference for individual rights over “community rights” and the rule of law over arbitrary government power.

So I encourage RLCers to reach out to other liberty minded groups and not just to Republican groups. Also, I encourage RLCers to network and collaborate as much as possible with ideological allies on local, state and national issues. RLCers are certainly welcome to attend Libertarian Party meetings as I would encourage Libertarians to attend RLC meetings. The liberty movement will succeed in this country not by separate groups independently pursuing their own agendas but by these groups coming together around common goals and values.

We face difficult times as Obama pushes for the government takeover of the health care system as well as the auto and financial industries. The cap and trade bill will result in draconian cuts in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions of 83 percent by 2050 which is the level of carbon dioxide emissions of the average American in 1867 according to Pat Michaels of the Cato Institute! This is on top of state and city governments who would rather increase taxes rather than cut expenses and will likely set their sights on our wallets once the federal stimulus money starts to dwindle. We will not turn back this attempt to send our standard of living back to the Stone Age unless free market advocates of all stripes come together and send any politician who votes for anti-liberty legislation back to the private sector where he belongs. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party, I stand ready to link arms with anyone who believes in liberty regardless of party affiliation in the fight against big government. We cannot afford not to do this.

Curtis Wolf

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