Beta
Skip to main content

Author: Michael Cloud

Advancing Liberty Is Like Driving a Car at Night

Written by Michael Cloud on . Posted in Communicating Liberty, Liberator Online. No Comments on Advancing Liberty Is Like Driving a Car at Night

(From the Persuasion Point Section of Volume 18, No. 14 of the Liberator Online. Subscribe here.) Driving at NightThere has never been a libertarian country. No time and no land has ever been fully free. Some of our ancestors made progress. Made inroads to freedom. The Magna Carta. The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution of the United States of America. But all had deep flaws, failings and shortcomings. Even in America, they allowed slavery. Or failed to recognize the rights and freedoms of women. Or violated the life, liberty, and property of native Americans. Or allowed blue laws. Or condoned Jim Crow laws. Or deprived gay men and lesbians of rights and liberties that we recognize for heterosexual men and women. Or shamelessly violated — and continue to violate — everyone’s natural or Constitutional rights — trampling on our fundamental Bill of Rights liberties. We have partial freedom. More than many, but less than we could have and should have. We must find and drive an unmarked road to full freedom. “Advancing liberty is like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” — adapted from E.L. Doctorow. The headlights keep us on the road, but the freedom road markers make sure we’re moving toward a more complete liberty. Freedom Road Marker: “Does this proposal cut government spending — AND return every penny to the taxpayers?” Freedom Marker: “Does this proposal shrink government — or not?” Freedom Marker: “Does this expand liberty — or not?” Freedom Marker: “Does this reduce the size or spending or taxing or power or authority of government — or not?” If we keep driving in the direction of small government and individual liberty, we will reach our rightful destination: a libertarian America. * * * * * * * * Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian PersuasionMichael Cloud’s brand-new book Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion is available exclusively from the Advocates, along with his acclaimed earlier book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion. In 2000, Michael was honored with the Thomas Paine Award as the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in America.

Persuasion Power Point #351: What’s the Most Important Issue in Politics Today?

Written by Michael Cloud on . Posted in Communicating Liberty, Liberator Online. No Comments on Persuasion Power Point #351: What’s the Most Important Issue in Politics Today?

Politics is priorities. What’s most important? What’s least important? Which problem is critical? And which is trivial? The next time you discuss politics with a friend or co-worker, ask: “If you could solve only one political problem — which would you choose? “Why? “Why, in your opinion, is the problem you named more pressing, more urgent than, say, the federal deficit or high taxes or government spying on us? “If you were given 5 minutes airtime on all TV and radio stations, what would you tell Americans to win them to your point of view? “What would be the huge, immediate, direct benefits of solving this problem?” Carefully listen to what he says. Thank him for sharing his opinions with you. Then, later in the day, repeat the process with another friend or co-worker. Try it with 5 or 6 people. If your friends are like mine, each one will choose a different “most important political problem.” And you’ll learn that you need to have 5 or 6 very different libertarian conversations — if you want to win them to libertarianism. You’ll need to talk about their “most important political problem” — their political priority — and discuss how and why libertarianism can relieve, reduce, and possibly remove it. When you talk in terms of their priorities, in terms of what matters most to them, they will listen and talk with you. And many of them will be receptive and responsive to our libertarian solutions. * * * * * * * * Michael Cloud’s brand-new book Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion is available exclusively from the Advocates, along with his acclaimed earlier book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion.

Gandhi’s Simple Lesson

Written by Michael Cloud on . Posted in Communicating Liberty, Liberator Online. No Comments on Gandhi’s Simple Lesson

Mahatma GandhiWould you like people to carefully listen to every word you say about liberty? Do you want them to be receptive and responsive to your libertarian ideas and evidence? Would you like people to thoughtfully consider your libertarian point of view? It may be possible — if you learn and live Mahatma Gandhi’s lesson. “Be the change you want to see in the world,” said Gandhi. Be a careful listener — and soon others will carefully listen to you. Be a receptive and responsive person — and people will receive and respond to you and your ideas. Be a reflective and thoughtful conversationalist — and you’ll find your world filled with like-minded people. “Be the change you want to see in the world,” said Gandhi. What kind of listeners do you want? Reasonable? Empathetic? Courteous? Enthusiastic? Passionate? Curious? Tolerant? Be what you want to see. You can fill your life with any kind of people you want. Provided you become what you want to behold. You can do the same with the cause of freedom. Because who you are determines what kind of people you will affect and attract into the libertarian movement. And who the new libertarians are will determine the kind of people they reach and draw in. Gandhi’s lesson is simple. But it can make a huge difference. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” * * * * * * * * Michael Cloud’s brand-new book Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion is available exclusively from the Advocates, along with his acclaimed earlier book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion. In 2000, Michael was honored with the Thomas Paine Award as the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in America.

Turn Objections Into Objectives

Written by Michael Cloud on . Posted in Communicating Liberty, Liberator Online. No Comments on Turn Objections Into Objectives

Turn Objections Into Objectives* “But if we legalize marijuana, wouldn’t millions and millions more Americans try it, become regular users, and waste their days stoned and unproductive?” * “Gun control laws aren’t perfect, but if just anyone were able to buy and own a gun, and carry it in public, wouldn’t we have radically more gun violence?” * “Legalize prostitution? You can’t be serious! Sexually transmitted diseases would skyrocket. Married men would stray more often. And crimes surrounding prostitution would go up.” Many libertarians treat objections like these as total deal-breakers to our libertarian proposals. As insurmountable obstacles to getting someone to favor expanding freedom in controversial areas. As unshakeable opinions held by those who want to limit liberty. But what if these objections are NOT total, absolute, unalterable deal-killers? What if they are instead genuine concerns to be answered, problems to be solved, or fears to be neutralized? What if we turn these objections into objectives? Into goals and targets? * Try this: “So, John, if I understand you correctly, you’re saying that before you will support legalizing marijuana, you want to make sure that marijuana use and abuse wouldn’t skyrocket. Is that a fair summary of the points you raised?” (Wait for “Yes” response.) “Would you like to look this up with me?” Then simply Google or Bing for the facts. Or go to the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). Or Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). Or another reliable source of facts on the issue. * Try this: “So, Mary, if I’m hearing you right, you have serious concerns about more Americans owning and carrying guns. You’re concerned that, even in the hands of law-abiding Americans, more guns might lead to more gun violence? Mary, is that pretty much what you’re asking?” (Wait for “Yes” response.) “Would you like to see what we can learn from reputable, knowledgeable sources?” Then search for the facts on Google. Try the Fact Sheets at Gun Owners of America (GOA). Or try GOA’s “Just for Skeptics” FAQ. Or the book More Guns, Less Crime by John Lott. * Try this: “So, Jane, you have 3 serious concerns about legalizing prostitution. Would it cause sexually transmitted diseases to skyrocket? Would it cause more married men to have sex outside their marriages? And would crimes surrounding prostitution go up?” Are these your concerns?” (Wait for “Yes” response.) “Would you be willing to look up the facts on these things online or from knowledgeable sources?” *  *  * When we turn objections into objectives, we remove a strong emotional charge from the issues, and open up the possibility that our conversation can instead be guided, influenced, and decided by the unbiased facts. And this is great for libertarians, because the facts are friendly to freedom. * * * * * * * * Michael Cloud’s brand-new book Unlocking More Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion is available exclusively from the Advocates, along with his acclaimed earlier book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion. In 2000, Michael was honored with the Thomas Paine Award as the Most Persuasive Libertarian Communicator in America.