While I was thinking up the bullet point list of reasons why anyone would not wish to sign the pledge I suddenly thought of why someone would, or at least should. I was too undiscriminating.
A person who seeks office should have a strong bond to their party's ideals, and all others (voters) should know what that is. A Libertarian person seeking office is a candidate who must be a member of the organization; a dues paying member. Dues paying members are more likely to be involved in the organization than non-dues, just plain registered libertarian folks. Someone whom is not a dues paying member the Libertarian Party (local or state) can still gain ballot access through petition. They can also be appointed to complete someone else's term. In any case where they are not confirmed at the state convention, they still may become candidates or appointed to elected office. Without signing the pledge. Candidates confirmed at the state convention that are from within the party and its ancillaries, will be dues paying members and will have either signed the pledge or provided a letter of similar context with LPCO executive approval. Thus they are members and have pledged not to do the exact thing that candidates and politicians do every waking moment of their lives. Initiating force. So the flip of my wanting to be rid of this stinking liberty limiting pledge, is that every LP candidate for office should bring focus to it. All candidates should think about the pledge and how it applies and be trained by speaking it every day. Complete brainwashing. Could be a good thing. Paul Tiger
