The Freeman's Burden:

To defend the principles of human liberty; to educate; to be vigilant against the ever expanding power of the state.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Costa Rica!



As some of you may know, I am traveling to Costa Rica for three months beginning in January. I will be taking a couple of classes in Heredia and working in San Jose with the Movemiento Libertario as they go into the home stretch of their national election in Febuary. The objective: Help PML candidates expand on the wild success the movement has already enjoyed. I have been studying up in preparation for my trip and I figured I would share (over the next few months) some of the more interesting things I learn. Today, the birth of the PML. Enjoy.

We libertarians think that Costa Rica has been stagnating for years in an economic and moral crisis. Traditional politicians drive up the cost of living, dig us deeper into debt, impose taxes without our consent, and cause the poverty, unemployment, privileges and corruption that choke us. They reward the lazy, the inept, and those who steal, and punish the capable and honest worker. The traditional political parties DO NOT have the moral authority to lead this country. (Sound familiar?)

This is what gave birth to the Movimiento Libertario (Libertarian Movement), a political party determined to bring about a moral revolution to avoid an impending national catastrophe. Our aim is to attain the highest levels of material and spiritual well being for all Costa Ricans.

On May 25, 1994 three persons, Otto Guevara, Rigoberto Stewart, and former Florida Libertarian Party chair Raúl Costales, decided to form the Movimiento Libertario. They were alarmed by the economic and moral crisis caused by a bipartisan system which alternates in public office. They were also aware that the crisis had reached levels that endanger the country's stability, and recognized that the main reason for this deterioration is the usurpation by traditional politicians of each individual's decision making.

Worried about their families' future, the founders of the Movimiento Libertario knew that it wasn't enough to complain about politicians or institutions that don't work; that nothing is achieved by abstaining from voting, that things CAN be changed; that resignation is NOT the only option.

For over 200 years, great thinkers in the fields of philosophy, ethics, psychology, politics, law, and economics, have developed the libertarian philosophy. They include intellectual giants like Frederic Bastiat, Ludwig von Mises and Ayn Rand. In many countries people are now identifying the problems affecting them and the common denominator behind those problems: the curtailment of individual liberties and the consequential increase in illegitimate functions assumed by the State. Thus, entrenched small cliques in high circles of political power increasingly violate our individual rights. We are part of a movement encompassing individuals from all over the world who share a commitment with certain ethical and political ideas regarding freedom.

The libertarian philosophy is based on a deep respect for each human being and her/his rights. We believe that this orientation, focused on freedom with responsibility, is the only way to bring about peace and prosperity, both material as well as spiritual. Ours is a true moral revolution.

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do you need to contact Raúl Costales raul@mariana.net

9:08 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home