This piece was started with questions that I have heard in the past. If you have some that are not answered, comment them and they will either be answered in the comments or added to the list itself. If you would rather keep it private, please email them to misescaucusohio@gmail.com.
Why did you join the Mises caucus?
Read the first piece in the series, here:
What does the Mises caucus plan to do in Ohio?
Read the second piece in the series, here:
Have you enjoyed your time in the Mises caucus?
Yes it’s been great. It is a fun and energetic group that is still growing quickly.
Are you all bigots and right wingers?
No.
But seriously, tell the truth. I’ve seen tweets from people with the Mises caucus banner on Twitter.
There are a few levels to this if you want a spelled out answer:
People who are on the fringe, like bigots and creeps, will attach onto whatever new group they can that doesn’t know who they are yet. The only guy trying to join the Mises caucus who tried to debunk the Holocaust to me was already in the party and had been for years.
Another level is that we have no control over who borrows our logo on Twitter. Some people that we don’t want associated with us have tried to ride our bandwagon, to hurt our reputation or benefit from us politically.
The social media phenomena is also different from real in person interactions, especially since we are, in part, made up of people who like more abrasive messaging and trolling. Meet us in person. Meet the people who are actually affiliated with the caucus as an organizer. Twitter makes everyone into worse people.
Do you condemn bigotry as irrational and repugnant?
Yes, bigotry is irrational and repugnant. No matter what race, sexuality, etc. it is against.
Then why are you upset about “we must not just be not racist but actively anti-racist”?
Because similar to “all lives matter” the phrase on its own makes sense and is good, but the political surroundings and associated ideas are not.
Have you seen any bigotry in the Mises caucus?
No. I am also not on Twitter but in Discord, talking to people in person, and on online meetings, I have never seen any. My husband is trans and I am Jewish, and if anything, I am welcomed too quickly because they are excited to see the diversity. I don’t know the numbers, but considering how white and male the LP as a whole is, I believe the caucus is actually more diverse than the party at large, on average.
That is not to say that there aren’t bigots in the caucus. There probably are, like there are in most groups. But if nothing else, saying a bad word about muslims means a lot less to me that adocating for bombing or jailing them.
Should the Mises caucus be the only voice in the party?
No. We are happy to work with others, and most of the party is great. Also, not all groups appeal to all people. Division of labor is real, and the outright caucus, or Waffle House caucus can reach people that the Mises caucus can’t. I want the MC to shift the party a fair bit (because any party endorsing Bill Weld is going wildly in the wrong direction) but I don’t want the MC to be the sole driver. Just to have a seat at the table (and preferably a big one, since I think that it is the best so far).
What about the flyers I saw calling you all racists, it had quotes and stuff?
A lot of things have been taken out of context or are not true. I am happy to answer any questions, but would honestly rather not have it all written out because it will give the attacks more reach to people who haven’t heard them yet. But enough people ask, I can respond individually, or at least link to where the accusations have been responded to before by others.
Are you all just a bunch of Republicans?
No. The Republicans are awful, though not the same as the Democrats. They are both awful in their own different ways and the party that is worse varies by year.
With that said, we are Libertarians and people who are just Republicans trying to overhaul the LP don’t last. It has been really convenient: they will join and promise a lot, then within 3 months they decide the LP is too slow and leave to join the GOP. I do hope that they increase liberty using that party as a vehicle (though I wouldn’t hold my breath).
Long story short, Republicans and right wing edgelords may join for a bit, but they generally see themselves out pretty quickly.
Is the MC a right wing caucus?
No. It is a caucus that doesn’t take a position on controversial issues dividing Libertarians (abortions, borders, etc.) in favor of fighting the big battles where we all agree, like ending the drug wars and bringing the troops home. Coalitions is the name of the game and the MC works with left and right wingers both inside and outside the party. We are Libertarians, plain and simple.
If anything, I think that our relatively high percentage of right wing Libertarians is due to other caucuses rejecting them and us being willing to coalition.
What is your stance on borders?
Fully open borders. Even under the current system. But I also think that disagreeing with that position doesn’t make you “not a libertarian”. I am an anarchist, but am happy to have constitutionalists in the party. Why would a stance on one issue be so disqualifying?
What is the end goal of the Mises caucus?
End the wars, end the FED, end the drug war, privatize the police, end the lockdowns, and just set the people free. Abolish so many more agencies, regulations, and laws that listing them would take a book. Our end goal is something between anarchy and the US constitution, depending on which MC member you talk to.
I am a local candidate for office, how do I apply for MC National Funding
Use this link here: https://lpmc.us/apply/22
Someone is the Mises Caucus is doing awful stuff/I am a Mises Caucus member and someone it trying to shut me out/I am fighting with someone who is just being an asshole in general.
Sometimes internet fights happen and everyone involved just needs some food and sleep, or people are talking past each other. Other times, someone is being a legitimately awful person. Feel free to reach out to Drake on the Rocket Chat, or text me at 614-260-7324. I cannot solve all of the problems, but I can at least mediate and help call balls and strikes.
I also am not a dictator and cannot do that much to “fix” things, but there have been people removed from the Ohio MC for their behavior, and there are people within the LP who the Ohio MC will explicitly run people against whenever possible due to their past actions. I will try to smooth out any unnecessary conflict, and resolve any real disputes, though I cannot promise a lot.