The Freedom Report

Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come. -Vow of the Night's Watch

Today's episode of the Freedom Report podcast delves into the philosophical underpinnings of the philosophy of minarchy. Most people would probably have a basic idea of what it might mean to be an anarchist, but how do you think people would react if you told them you were a minarchist? They'd probably scratch their heads and ask, "what's that?"

A minarchist state, or a "night watchman" state, is a term to describe a sect of libertarianism which advocates for a minimal government, dedicated solely to the protection of individual rights. In this libertarian republic, there would be constrained government power, minimal spending, and minimal levels of intervention.

The name "minarchist" originated out of the anarchist movement, and was coined by anarchist philosopher Samuel Edward Konkin III. The ideas were popularized in the 60's and 70's by Robert Nozick, whose seminal work "Anarchy, State, & Utopia" attempted to explain what a minarchist form of government would look like.

Nozick believed that full anarchy, such as that defended by Konkin or Murray Rothbard, was a utopian ideal that could not, and should not exist. Why? Because to be a full anarchist is to believe that the non-aggression principle is optional, and that an anarchocapitalist system will eventually develop institutions having the same effect as a state.

Nozick's nightwatchman state would have just enough power to prevent the violation of individual rights.

Our main conclusions about the state are that a minimal state, limited to the narrow functions of protection against force, theft, fraud, enforcement of contracts, and so on, is justified; that any more extensive state will violate persons’ rights not to be forced to do certain things, and is unjustified; and that the minimal state is inspiring as well as right. Two noteworthy implications are that the state may not use its coercive apparatus for the purpose of getting some citizens to aid others, or in order to prohibit activities to people for their own good or protection. — Robert Nozick

Today's Freedom Report goes into detail about the type of philosophy that we at The Libertarian Republic believe should be the ideal. If you've ever felt alienated by anarchist's dreams of utopia, or that the big government philosophy of conservatism and liberalism are defunct, then this podcast is for you.

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The Libertarian Republic's Freedom Report podcast just turned 200, with over 10 million downloads, and tens of thousands of daily listeners. How is our website doing out there with all the competition. Has TLR gone full clickbait? What's been the impact of the new writers that have come along? And now that we've been listed on Google News, what does that mean for libertarian ideas as whole? 

Today's podcast is a vanity venture, discussing the state of The Libertarian Republic news website, where we're at, where we're going, and what we need to get there. We hope you enjoy our show!

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Ashley Bell

Attorney Ashley Bell has a long history of public service as a Democrat. But that changed when in 2010 he left the Democratic Party and joined the Republicans. Tired of all the big spending politicians of the left, Bell joined the fight for limited government just as a certain Tea Party politician started making waves in Kentucky. Bell's endorsement of Senator Rand Paul may come as a shock to some, but for Bell, he's always been a stalwart conservative in his heart.

Still, Bell's endorsement of Paul raises eyebrows, being an African American. What does Mr. Bell think of the controversy surrounding Senator Paul and his comments about the 1964 Civil Rights Act? Bell tells how that was the first question he asked Paul before he endorsed. He also talks about what he thinks of Senator Paul's record of outreach to minority communities, and what his position is on the War on Drugs.

Also, Bell weighs in on the Indiana Religious Freedom Act. Does he believe in free association of business owners to discriminate on the basis of sex... or even race?

And what does Mr. Bell think is going to happen if Senator Paul has to face off with Hillary Clinton now that the media is painting him as a sexist. Does Paul need to tone down his rhetoric or calm himself down before interviews?

Lastly, what does Mr. Bell think about Senator Paul's foreign policy? As a member of AIPAC and strong supporter of Israel, does Mr. Bell believe that Paul's reductionist approach to military spending will be enough to maintain the security of our own nation, and of the Middle East?

All that and more on this special episode of the Freedom Report podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to Ashley Bell's twitter by clicking here!

Johnny Adams of the Johnny Rocket Launch Pad show joins the Freedom Report podcast to discuss what it means to be a sexy libertarian. Johnny is a libertarian and a certified BAMF, who's trying to help bring the beer-drinking crowds to the party, so we can get more people interested in free market ideas.

RELATED: Yes libertarians, it's possible to be both smart and sexy! 

When Kelley Paul was asked whether she thought her husband Rand Paul was a sexy libertarian, she said "of course I think he's hot." Then, she was asked what she thought about some of the other men on our sister site Liberty Viral's hottest libertarian men list... specifically Jeff Scully... "Mmmmm," she said. And "I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with most of them. But good for Rand. I'm proud of him."

A booze-swilling, leather jacketed, motorcycle driving lover of liberty himself, Johnny enjoys freedom, liberty, and kicking ass. Subscribe to the Freedom Report on iTunes for more amazing shows just like this one.

Happy Tax Day, serfs! It's the one day of the year when every American becomes a libertarian and hates government... right before they go back to sleep doing whatever they do while not caring about the leviathan welfare/warfare state that's bleeding us all dry. But is there a way that we could fund all these glorious public services without government stealing half of our wealth before we even see it? 

As it turns out, there actually is! 

Today's episode of the Freedom Report podcast looks at six ways we could fund public services without an income tax. Some of these options are admittedly better than others, but they're all better than an income tax. Listen in and despair that we don't live in a freer society that some of these options could provide if only we could all come together to adopt the necessary policy changes that would make them work. 

And if you prefer the income tax... look at your bill today to the IRS and repeat after me... "I am free..." 

Yeah right! You'd be freer if you listen to my advice, subscribe to the Freedom Report on iTunes, and leave us a 5-star review! 

Libertarian And Objectivist Debate Problems With Radical Islam

Director of Advocacy at The Atlas Society

Dr. Edward Hudgins of the Atlas Society joins the Freedom Report podcast to discuss libertarians and the problem of Iran. Is Iran an existential threat to the United States? And what about ISIS? How can we defend ourselves without creating even more problems for ourselves in the region? 

Hudgins, an objectivist and former director of regulatory studies of the Cato Institute, argues that radical Islam poses a sincere threat, but that sanctions are probably not the answer. Although Hudgins is more hawkish than most libertarians, he believes that free trade and capitalism are the best way to undermine hostile regimes. 

Dr. Hudgins argues that Enlightenment values are the difference between fighting regimes such as Nazi Germany, and ISIS, with the latter never having come into contact with classical liberal ideas. Hudgins believes that the Middle East freeing up their markets would be a good disincentive for Islamists to engage in peaceful cooperation rather than violence and force. 

We also discuss Dr. Hudgins' new book "The Republican Party's Civil War," and how libertarians can successfully continue to have their ideas embraced in the GOP. 

Listen to today's Freedom Report podcast and subscribe to us on iTunes for more great interviews just like this one. 

Senator Rand Paul's long awaited announcement was greeted with high hopes that real change might come to America. Supporters of the presidential candidate gathered in Louisville, Kentucky to begin a long, slow march towards bringing more free market ideas to America. Libertarians and Tea Party types have pinned their aspirations on a man whose record defending liberty is nearly spotless, but nevertheless spots were there. 

RELATED: Top 10 Reasons Rand Paul Should Be Elected President

Today's episode of the Freedom Report podcast breaks down Rand Paul's chances to win the presidency. The Washington Post's Chris Cilliza thinks Rand Paul can win, and so does Carl Cameron of Fox News. But can he win if libertarian insurgents in the GOP proceed with the strategy of "Rand Paul or None At All"? Or do freedom fighters need to change their tactics and be more discreet if they want to win the nomination? Our podcast today interviews a group of hopeful young liberty lovers to discuss their thoughts on the best way to advance our ideas while working to destroy the machine... from inside the machine. 

Listen to today's show andsubscribe to us on iTunes for a no-holds-barred discussion of the liberty movement's insurgency in the Republican Party. 

Julie Borowski has gone rogue! She's left her position at FreedomWorks to strike out on her own with a new project that's sure to be weird, whacky, and wonderful. This episode of the Freedom Report podcast features Julie talking about what her future plans are in advancing her ideas and the philosophy of liberty. 

Now that she's able to freely speak her mind, we ask Julie what she thinks about the impact of the presidential candidacies of Senator Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, and her thoughts will likely surprise you! Although she's widely known as the "Token Libertarian Girl," Borowski has decide to rebrand herself so as to be more effective in spreading her ideas. Her new tagline "Politics, Culture, Weirdness" is fairly apt for a quirky personality whose videos have been viewed millions of times by people all over the world. 

Julie's original commentary will be featured at her new website, Julieborowski.com, where you can sign up for her email list for exclusive contests and information about her new projects and latest videos. Listen in to today's Freedom Report podcast to hear more about what Julie is up to, and why she's decided to strike out on her own. 

Is climate change going to kill us all? Today's Freedom Report welcomes back one of our favorite guests the Science Babe, a research chemist and debunker of all things woo. Science Babe and The Libertarian Republic's editor spar over the best solutions to combat the problem... and whether climate change is really a problem at all.

For years, central planners have been terrifying the populace into believing that all manner of evil would result from "global warming," and yet many of those dangers have failed to materialize. Now after an extreme branding makeover, it's no longer global warming, but "climate change." Why the change? Science Babe has answers.

How should scientific consensus shape our policy making? Sure, vaccines save lives, but it's a lot easier to get a shot than to pass legislation demanding carbon taxes and expect that to actually have some sort of meaningful impact. So if that's the case, and if climate change is dangerous, what should be the solutions? Listen in and don't forget to subscribe to the Freedom Report on iTunes and leave us a 5-star review! 

 

Libertarian Talk Show Host Jason Stapleton

Libertarian talk show host Jason Stapleton joins the Freedom Report podcast to discuss Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and liberty's chances in 2016. Is this the last stand for freedom lovers? Our show today focuses on the presidential aspirations of the two tea party types, and pits the ideas of libertarianism against the real world realities we freedom lovers will have to face. 

The liberty movement is clearly at a crossroads, with the failed presidential candidacies of Congressman Ron Paul igniting a stronger movement whose hopes are pinned on the potential nomination of his son Senator Rand Paul. Many believe that this is the high water mark for the liberty movement, and wonder if we don't win this election whether there may ever be a better chance to advance our common principles. 

Is 2016 the last stand? Stapleton, a father, former Marine, currency trader, and libertarian activist weighs in. Listen in and find out, and don't forget to subscribe to the Freedom Report on iTunes, and subscribe to Jason Stapleton's show on Youtube.