The message below which I just received from a local non-profit
group is an example of why it's good to have a detailed party
platform -- if the Libertarian Party had more to say about art, we
would have been quoted more extensively here. As it is, we got three
sentences, compared with around 20 for the Green Party. But, I am
glad to see this group, which typically lobbies for more government
funding of the arts, at least publicizing our existence.
Beyond saying government shouldn't fund art, what more could the LP
say about it, you may ask? Plenty! For instance, we could start out
with a statement like this:
"The Libertarian Party recognizes the importance of art as a weapon
against tyranny. The artistic spirit is anti-authoritarian, and
stands in sharp contrast to the nature of bureaucracy, which is the
nature of big government. Bureaucracy is deadening, art is
enlivening. Bureaucracy upholds authority, art questions authority.
Bureaucracy stands for repression, art for expression. Bureaucracy
crushes the human spirit, art uplifts it. Bureaucracy is boring, art
is passionate ("boredom is counter-revolutionary -- always").
Bureaucracy encourages conformity, art encourages nonconformity. The
bureaucrat values law and order, the artist values freedom. Again and
again throughout history, artists have played key roles in motivating
people to stand up for their freedom and resist government
oppression. The Statue of Liberty, and the poem by Emma Lazarus that
graces its base, "Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses,
yearning to breathe free..." are both works of art which have
inspired millions, and today Lady Liberty serves as the unofficial
symbol of our party. The following are a few of the artists who have
made notable contributions to the cause of freedom:
[list historical and contemporary examples here]
"We salute these men and women of the arts, and stand in steadfast
opposition to the kinds of laws and policies which stand in the way
of such creative expression, or degrade it and strip it of its
dignity by funding it with blood money gained through government
aggression."
This was just off the top of my head. We could find lots more to say
about art and freedom if we put our creative energies to work on it.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))