Originally posted to California Libertarian Women’s Caucus
Written by Laura Brown
January 21, 2013
For freedom-loving women, the place to be Saturday, January 18 was Ontario, California for the 5th annual Southern California Libertarian party conference. An inspiring group of speakers, singer/performer Jordan Page, and an after party with bands and dancing…Libertarian women were well represented, including speaker Stephanie Butts, organizer of California College Libertarians, and Susan Marie Weber, recently elected city council member in Palm Desert. For $35, attendees got access to all of the speakers, snacks, drinks, game cards, and admission to an after party with bands and dancing. Mark your calendars to go to the conference next time if you missed it this year!
Author Leon Weinstein regaled about 60 attendees with stories of living in his native Russia under communism, “a ‘workers’ paradise’ unable to supply basic necessities.” To those who criticize America’s flaws, he asked why more than a million people try legally and illegally to immigrate here every year, while few try to leave. He said we have lost more control over our lives due to socialist policies such as the nanny state, the drug war and redistribution of wealth, which mainly benefits government middlemen.
Radio host Ernie Hancock played up his anarchist leanings, saying that if he believed he could be elected president, he wouldn’t run, because the atmosphere among voters at that point would already support freedom. He singled out the issue of vaccinations, stating that anyone should have the right to opt out. “Is what’s in my own skin mine?” he asked, pointing to his torso. “Is this, at least, mine?” A person’s right to treat their body as they please is paramount, he said, down to allowing an unlicensed doctor to do brain surgery: “It might be Doogie Howser.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Adrian Moore of the Reason Foundation followed up with research which he said showed that young people want more freedom (however along with less responsibility). In an informative speech ranging from Bitcoins to E-cigarettes, Moore unloaded some fascinating facts, such as: California has the highest state income tax, the highest sales tax, and is home to 33 percent of the nation’s welfare recipients, though it has only 1/12 of the population. Not surprisingly, Moore said that he is planning to move his family to Florida “because I can save $20,000 a year.”
In between speakers, liberty-oriented singer Jordan Page sang songs he had written with a freedom theme. “Where else can you hear lyrics about hyperinflation?” asked Ted Brown from Region 63. The conference seemed to offer what libertarians go for: lots of choices in speakers and entertainment. Nice job, San Bernardino County LP!
Laura Brown is a teacher and a long-time activist. She lives in Pasadena with her husband Ted and loves to swim at the Rose Bowl pool.
All photos by Alan Pyeatt
Photos, from top:
Glynda Perrotte, Southern Vice-ChairAdrian Moore of Reason (left); Judy Schrader and Glynda (right)Ernie Hancock (left); Adrian Moore (right)
Glynda and Bill Lopez
Janine Kloss, CA LP Secretary
Jordan Page
Jordan Page
Jose Castaneda, Vice-Chair of LP Los Angeles County
Ray Fostore
Group scene, with Scott Lieberman front left (Alternate At-Large Rep to the LNC)
