Hello Liberty Lovers of Riverside County!
If you would like an essay featured in the Liberty Letter, or if you read or watched something awesome that you think should be in the Suggested Reading of one of these newsletters, reach out to us at admin@rclp.us and let’s chat!
These emails may be too long for some email inboxes. If so, scroll to the bottom to find a link to read them in your browser (and don’t be afraid to click through to like and comment at Substack directly). All the contact information you need is also at the bottom.
From the Chair
Last month, Braver Angels came through Riverside. For those unaware, this is a group set on reducing the political friction between the “sides” of US discourse by getting people together to work through a series of thought exercises and objective discussion. Curious to see how they thought they might accomplish that, I signed up to participate. I learned (and re-learned) a few things that have broader implications for the fight for liberty and libertarian principles, particularly this: neither of the mainstream sides recognizes that government itself is the cause of most of the problems they’re yelling at each other about. But there are some other important lessons I’d like to share with you from my experience at this meeting. These are things we need to be aware of as we try to promote liberty among our neighbors.
In signing up to participate in the Braver Angels meeting, I first had to choose to either participate or observe. Since observers were forbidden from interacting with the participant panel, and since I’m temperamentally predisposed to speak up, I chose to participate. I mention this because it means this was a group already influenced by self-selection bias. Anyone who would be called on to say anything at the meeting had already volunteered to say something. This will matter as my story proceeds.
After choosing “participant”, I had to choose a side. Lean Red or Lean Blue were the only choices available. I appreciated that they were looking to avoid direct party or ideological labels, though I was disappointed that there was no Gold option. In fact, if you insisted on signing up as an “independent” you could only observe, not participate. Blue was all filled up and this event seemed to be struggling with filling up the red side, so I signed up to be part of that team for this meeting. Maybe if they come back through town I’ll be blue, just to see. This is an important thing for each of us as libertarians to remember. Libertarian thought can be approached from many directions.
See those blue and purple boxes inside the gold outline? Those are things Libertarians can talk about with anybody. We can sit with either team and find common ground. What do we do with that common ground? We gently pull them into the sweet sweet liberty position.
The fact is, almost everyone values their individual freedom. But the hardest thing about freedom is wrapping your head around the idea that someone is going to use their freedom to do something you think is stupid (or objectionable, or even self-destructive). Getting people to accept that truth is hard. Sadly, almost no one at the Braver Angels meeting was ready to hear that. Even sadder, a few people were so far from that realization they couldn’t even understand it.
After some red-team/blue-team activities, we were seated red-blue-red-blue all the way around a horseshoe formation to listen to a spokesperson from each side summarise what each team had discussed. Each team had spent some time considering the way they perceived themselves as stereotyped, what the truth might have been behind the stereotype, and how their side’s behavior might actually contribute to the stereotype. Each team seemed to make a little progress. Team Red determined that there is a strange and off-putting emergence of “militant-looking nationalism” emerging on the red side. Team Blue seemed prepared to concede that “the pronoun thing has gone too far”.
Then, there in our every-other seating arrangement, we were invited to share our impressions of those summaries with the “other team’s guy” seated next to us. So Jim (not his real name), an old Team Blue gent from Palm Springs, turned to me and said “It just boggles my mind that you guys don’t believe in science.” I sighed in my mind.
After 20 minutes of exercises built to try and open the participants’ minds to objective consideration, Jim led with the thing he had clearly come here to say no matter what: the climate emergency was proven science and anybody who didn’t think so was just appallingly, willfully stupid. I almost laughed out loud at the deployment of such a classically absurd soundbite masquerading as a well-reasoned argument. Jim had self-selected into participation in a forum clearly and energetically advertised as a place where people were going to be asked to consider their ideas objectively instead of going to ideological war. And yet, here he was, banging his drum about how silly “you guys” were with no hesitation.
However, as a Libertarian, I did what we as libertarians must always do when confronted with a ludicrous partisan talking point: steer the conversation into explaining that the real problem is government power. So we talked about life choices, and freedom, and the freedom to disagree, the freedom to live your life your way, and how important it was to not use government to force your neighbor to pretend to agree with you. After all, I explained, you *can’t* force your neighbor to agree with you; it’s impossible. The best you can do is force them to *pretend* to agree with you, and that’s a pretty awful way to treat your neighbor, isn’t it?
And then came one of the most amazingly sad moments of my libertarian activism. I watched, in real time, as Jim’s thinking ground to a halt. He had *never in his life* encountered the idea that using government force against his neighbor was what he was in fact suggesting. That all his “proven science” talking points were operating in service to tyranny. He couldn’t conceive of that. I watched the light go out of his eyes as his brain crashed trying to compute the concept.
I don’t hold this against Jim, nor should you. I feel sad for him. What I realized is that the Braver Angels format is asking strident partisans to take the babiest of baby steps toward objectivity and understanding. At least half the room couldn't do it. Unfortunately, we live in a time when strident partisanship is all some folks know how to do. *All they’ve ever done.*
Fortunately, we’re here, libertarians. We’re here to shine the light on the actual causes of the problems facing our communities, not just complain about the symptoms. We’re here to have those conversations. We’re here to help our neighbors find their way out of the darkness. We’re holding the torch they can rally to. That won’t be easy, but the best things never are.
It’s going to take more than one conversation for Jim to learn that government restrictions on freedom are never for the greater good. Freedom *is* the greater good. Like Jim, your neighbors and friends living in your town need to hear about freedom. Those conversations won’t be easy. They will probably even be maddeningly frustrating. But those conversations must be had. You must speak in defense of liberty, anywhere you find yourself.
Talk to the people around you. Meet them where they are, and build patiently from there toward freedom. It won’t be easy, but the best things never are.
–Loren Dean
In the News: FreedomFest (and Volunteer Opportunities)
Hi Riverside Libertarians,
I’m Valerie Durham, CEO of FreedomFest, and I’m beyond excited that this year, the world’s largest gathering of free minds is coming to your backyard in Palm Springs, right here in Riverside County! As proud Californians fighting for liberty in your communities, you represent exactly the kind of grassroots energy that makes FreedomFest so special.
That’s why I’d like to extend a personal invitation to you to join us at FreedomFest 2025: “Oasis of Liberty,” June 11–14 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Read on for details, and don’t miss the exclusive offer for Riverside Libertarians at the end.
FreedomFest brings together more than 100 renowned speakers each year, including leading voices from culture, philosophy, business, science, and politics, engaging in powerful discussions and groundbreaking debates. Confirmed speakers include visionaries like Steve Forbes, Adam Carolla, Ross Ulbricht, Kat Timpf, Ryan Holiday, Bret Weinstein, Spike Cohen, Matt Kibbe, Peter Schiff, Renato Moiciano, Andrew Gruel, and many others, all hosted by our dynamic emcee, Kennedy.
Discover innovative ideas, cutting-edge technologies, and valuable investment opportunities at the world’s largest liberty-focused trade show, featuring 150+ exhibitors. Here you'll meet grassroots organizations and visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to advancing freedom.
Experience unmatched entertainment and cultural enrichment through our exclusive programming, including:
Anthem Film Festival: The only film festival dedicated exclusively to libertarian and freedom-oriented films, showcasing compelling stories that challenge conventional narratives.
Punching Up Comedy Show: A bold, hilarious celebration of free speech, delivering sharp-witted satire and unforgettable performances.
Vibrant Networking & Social Events: Connect deeply with like-minded individuals through lively social events, exclusive receptions, and live music performances.
Ready to Learn More? There’s a whole lot more to discover at FreedomFest 2025! Visit our website for full event details, plus ticketing options for locals including day rates, film festival passes, local excursions, and more.
Special Offer for Riverside Libertarians: Use discount code RIVERSIDE50 when you register to receive an additional $50 off the Palm Springs area local rate.
Attend Free by Volunteering: If you’d like to be even more involved, we’ll comp your full registration if you sign up to volunteer for a few shifts during the event! Just fill out the quick volunteer application and we’ll be in touch!
I warmly invite the Riverside Libertarians to join us at FreedomFest in Palm Springs. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow freedom-lovers from around the nation, engage in stimulating discussions, and proudly represent our shared values right here in Southern California.
I hope to see you there!
In Liberty,
Valerie
More Suggested “Reading” This Month
(It’s not always reading; it’s the internet, you know how it is)
An essential reading list from John Miltimore:
Chris Bray on the problem with soundbite news and twitter-feed politics:
While I was at Braver Angels, there was a lot of discussion on the Team Blue side about finding a “better strategy”. Jesse Singal has some thoughts:
What happens after the school system is blessedly demolished? Voluntary merit.
https://news.lp.org/ is the website for the Libertarian Party news portal. Check it out, subscribe there for updates, and check out how to contribute yourself!
Calendar Notes
As always, bookmark and regularly check our website for the most up-to-date event details: https://rclp.us
11-14 June 2025: FreedomFest
The premier meeting of the liberty movement, this year happening in Palm Springs, right in the heart of Riverside County. The RCLP will have exhibit space to welcome freedom lovers from all over the country (and world) to the Inland Empire. Want to help us man the table? Email us and let’s see what we can do. Want to volunteer more generally? You can work the convention (which isn’t hard) and get in basically for free. If you’ve ever thought about going, this year is the year! Find registration info at
12 July 2025: Q3 Central Committee meeting
Save the date! Details TBD.
26-27 July 2025: LPCA Convention
The convention site is UP! Find it here: https://ca.lp.org/2025-convention/
A new venue has been found. Thanks go to LP donor Chris Rufer for offering the use of his hotel’s convention space (Hotel Mission de Oro in Santa Nella). Individual action in action! Get the date on your calendar, and register ASAP so the credentials committee has ample time to verify you (it will save you time in line on the day of).
Voter Registration and Party Membership
If you vote, be sure your registration is Libertarian. Whether you vote or not, stay abreast of your registration details on the California Secretary of State page at this link: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/cavoter
Being a registered Libertarian voter certainly allows you to call yourself a real libertarian. However, there is more you can do. You can join the national Libertarian Party as a “sustaining member" by signing the membership application statement and paying dues to the national organization. Note that while paying dues at the state level (California) makes you a local "central committee member," national membership is separate.
If you aren't a dues-paying member at all, you can join as a national member AND as a state/county member using a single online form:
Combined National/State/County Membership Form
Join us in taking a stand for a world set free!
Find us on the web at https://rclp.us
Email us at admin@rclp.us
LPCA Discord server: https://discord.gg/wfXzapGsTd
LNC Discord server: https://discord.gg/fxdH2bre