Rand Paul: People are Calling for a "Libertarian Moment"
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) explains that the good people of the U.S. are calling out for a "libertarian moment."
His comments came during an address to the Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas at the Texas GOP convention here. Liberty, he said, "infuses traditional conservatism with the excitement, the energy, the outreach that we need." Libertarian views and traditional conservative values complement each other, Paul added.
"The interesting thing about it is, as I go around the country, no matter who I talk to, whether it's the establishment — the wealthy who support our party sometimes — or the poor, people say it's time, time for this libertarian moment, this liberty moment," he said. "It's no longer something that scares people, it's what [makes] people say, we can't run the same-old same-old, we're not going to win with the same-old, same-old."
He was speaking to a Republican Liberty Caucus group in Texas, where he talked about his outreach plans for non-traditional Republican types.
He called for reforming the criminal justice system so it doesn't disproportionately hit minorities and poor people; school choice; and promoting policies that help economic development in poorer areas.
"You have to show up, you have to show you care, people have to believe that you care and then we'll win, be the dominant party," he said. "In Texas you are, but we're not nationally."
He's right that a GOP that becomes libertarian—more socially tolerant and inclusive and actually dedicated to limiting the size, scope, and spending of government—could become the dominant party nationally. It would also be a radically different Republican Party (and a better one).
We've written a thing or two about the Libertarian Moment here at Reason over the years. Though all signs are pointing to a Libertarian Era, amirite?
Another way of talking about this is to say, Libertarianism 3.0, you're ready for your closeup!
Hat tip: Veronique de Rugy