libertarian

NoteworthyLibertarian Moments of 2008

My best Libertarian moment in 2008 was my 15 minutes of fame as a defender of my “property” rights.  I had been growing watercress in the drainage ditch in front of my home for over 25 years, using it for soups, salads, pesto and sandwiches.  It’s very healthy and a free food, requiring no cultivation.

One early Saturday morning, as I sat reading my newspaper in the front yard, a silver older-issue Mercedes drove up and two women came out, pulled on rubber boots from the trunk, and proceeded to harvest the cress into plastic bags.  I said the cress was mine, and they challenged me and said it was public property, growing in a municipal ditch.  I said I planted it, and they said, NO, it just grows in ditches….Much shouting, and neighbors now on the street….but the “ladies” would not leave.  After a half hour they were gone.  I surmised they were collecting large amounts for market garden sale.

I wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper, but they felt this issue merited a story instead.  Please see:  Watercress a Popular Green in West Vancouver, Sept 14/08 front page story with a very nice photo. www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html

As a result of the story I received phone calls about others in West Van having their watercress similarly poached.

My libertarian principles at play here are essentially Locke’s inalienable rights: Right to Life, Liberty, Property & Protest.  I felt since I had planted the stuff I had mixed my labor with this “land” and had a sort of “homestead” right to it.  Since it was being usurped, I felt I had a right to defend it and protest its poaching.  That was my instinctive reaction when I jumped out that morning. 

My subsequent research brought forth the common law understanding of “riparian rights”.  From Wikipedia:

Under the riparian principle, all landowners whose property is adjacent to a body of water have the right to make reasonable use of it.
 

Answers to North Shore News Questions
1. Your age?   71
2. How long have you lived in your riding?   33 years in West Vancouver
3. What is your budget for this campaign?   $500.00
4. Should voters vote for a party or a candidate?
    Check out the party’s core values. Libertarians support freedom for the individual against the coercive, intrusive, expensive, expansive, wasteful state. Vote Libertarian for limited government.

Each individual has the right to live in whatever manner he/she chooses, so long as there is no violation of the equal rights of others.

5. Is Canada too soft on crime?       Yes. We need:
-1- Personal responsibility for violating the rights of others. Restitution to victims from fines, prison labor income, community service.
-2- Youth doing adult crime not to be excused from responsibility.
-3-.Victimless “crimes”, eg. drug-use, are health issues.
-4- Strong police forces, well-funded ,judicial systems, right to self-defense.

Those using guns in violent crimes should be punished severely, but those using guns to defend their lives and to deter aggressive criminals should never be punished for a natural response. We would repeal gun registration laws. Police who carry guns have no more rights than the public they serve.

6. What is key to protecting the Canadian economy?
Stop the progressive, incremental, steady, relentless expansion of statism.
-1- No subsidies/bailouts/favors for business.  They’re in it for the “risk”.
-2- Stop squandering taxpayer funds: for transparency, publish on-line ALL government cheques issued.
-3- Immediate use of “Sunset” provisions to eliminate redundant, antiquated laws/regulations.
-4- Reduce government spending.

We oppose government:
- intervention in the free market,
- restrictions on trade, contracts,
- monopolies  marketing boards,
- all tax-funded subsidies – whether to industry, business, education, science, arts, communication systems, individuals.
The only proper role here is to protect property rights, enforce contracts, adjudicate disputes not solved by mediation.

7. How worried are you about climate change?
I’m worried about pollution and degradation but trespass laws would rectify transgressions if private property rights prevailed.
I’m far more concerned about scare-mongering.  We need anti-indoctrination guidelines for captive school audiences. For example, 9 inaccuracies in Gore’s film must be presented along with the film in UK (see these quidelines on my website).

We reject government organized and brokered privileges, trade-offs, caps, quotas, dispensations, and other “big wink” deals that forgive polluters and degraders from accountability for pollution harming and violating individual rights.

8. Afghanistan’s occupation: Was it worthwhile?
    Libertarians stand for the sovereignty of nations.  We don’t wish to intervene in foreign affairs or adventures. We are opposed to military participation in Afghanistan.
    We believe in a strong military sufficient to defend Canada and its citizens from foreign invasion or aggression.  We oppose conscription but endorse voluntary service.

Regarding foreign despotism, Canada should use its voice to condemn violence to any peoples affected.  Canada should not prevent private persons or agencies from becoming involved in foreign aid.

9. Is Canada tied too closely to the U.S.?
    I personally have deep respect for Americans and their history. The Declaration of Independence is a masterpiece of anticolonialism. We need to beware authoritarian tendencies of both our nations if we are to continue to live in freedom from statism and coercion.  We need more friendly discourse with our neighbors.

Current American financial crises are object lessons that we learn and benefit from.  How much of the meltdown is blamed on government intervention in banking, bailouts,  and other interference with the free market?  The market has its own discipline, corrections and warning-signals that empower individuals to make responsible choices.

10. Candidate’s website ?  http:// tunya-libertarian.org

 

Capilano Courier Questionnaire

Candidate’s Name: Tunya Audain

Riding:    North Vancouver

Party Affiliation:  Libertarian

1 – Where did you attend post-secondary education and what did you study?
University of Sask, BA, (Psychology)

2 - If elected, what are your three top priorities for post-secondary education?

Libertarians do not believe in government (taxpayer) subsidies or economic favors to any sector of society.  Limited government would mainly be involved in defense, police, justice and provisions against force or fraud.  Therefore, there would not be any participation in post-secondary education.
 
3 – Post-secondary tuition fees continue to increase and the cost of living, particularly in the Vancouver area, is high. Students are taking on greater debt with high interest payments. How will you alleviate this financial burden through the student loan program and the scholarship/grant system?

If students need financial help for tuition and living expenses this should be obtained from family and friends or the private sector in the form of donations, scholarships, private vouchers, loans, charitable organization help, or other independent means such as part-time jobs.

4 – Many people, including Capilano’s President Dr. Greg Lee, have advocated that Canada needs a federal Ministry of Post-Secondary Education in order to more effectively coordinate and monitor the progress and quality control of the country’s post-secondary institutions. Do you agree? Why or why not?

If you want to shackle Post-Secondary Education in Canada, then going the Federal level would accomplish inertia, bureaucratism, intrusions, regulations, hidden agendas and an ever-increasing establishment elite that feeds off the industry of education.  Please encourage Greg Lee to back off.

5 – Course accreditation is a big concern for students completing classes at Capilano, particularly those in degree programs. Currently, Canada does not have a national accreditation body and it is difficult for Cap students to have their courses and degrees recognized outside of B.C. How would you address this problem, if elected?

I would definitely encourage participation in credible private accreditation bodies that validate authenticity and quality of degrees, diplomas, credentials, etc.  and that have national or international status and credibility.