Peter Crysdale

Host

The Libertarian Party

Apr 4, 2013·33 visitors

Tom Stevens

Cohost

Stage· 130 messages

Apr 4, 2013

Peter Crysdale · 9:30 PM

Hi Tom and welcome to the Tawk!

Tom Stevens · 9:30 PM

Thank you Peter! I am glad to be here.

Peter Crysdale · 9:31 PM

Thank you for joining us today.

Peter Crysdale · 9:31 PM

I feel as though I should start with an introduction:

Peter Crysdale · 9:32 PM

Dr. Tom Stevens is the Pennsylvania State chair of the Libertarian party

Peter Crysdale · 9:32 PM

He has been a major force in various aspects of the party and I'll defer to him to tell us more

Peter Crysdale · 9:33 PM

Tom - Please tell us a little more about your involvement in the party in your own words

Tom Stevens · 9:34 PM

I served two terms on the Judicial Committee of the national Libertarian Party. I am State Chair of the LPPA and I am the Membership Director, State Representative and Political Director for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.

Peter Crysdale · 9:35 PM

How are you able to juggle roles in both New York and Pennsylvania?

Tom Stevens · 9:36 PM

I attended the national Libertarian Party Conventions in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012

Tom Stevens · 9:36 PM

There are many other positions I hold as well.

Tom Stevens · 9:36 PM

That's not a problem.

Tom Stevens · 9:36 PM

I live in Philadelphia and maintain a Law Office in Nassau County, New York.

Peter Crysdale · 9:37 PM

How do you divide your time?

Tom Stevens · 9:37 PM

I schedule meetings so I can attend them

Tom Stevens · 9:37 PM

I do what I need to in order to make things happen.

Tom Stevens · 9:38 PM

I want to continue to make a difference

Tom Stevens · 9:38 PM

To promote liberty in any way I can

Peter Crysdale · 9:39 PM

So you are obviously a busy man!

Tom Stevens · 9:39 PM

I would say so.

Peter Crysdale · 9:39 PM

What part of your professional life do you consider most important in your mission of promoting liberty?

Tom Stevens · 9:40 PM

Helping to develop the political experience of younger activists so they can go on and make a difference themselves. A multiplier effect in essence.

Peter Crysdale · 9:41 PM

An interesting point.

Peter Crysdale · 9:41 PM

There is a war for the attention of youth these days

Tom Stevens · 9:42 PM

True. Many pro-liberty activists were first inspired by Dr. Ron Paul.

Tom Stevens · 9:42 PM

But of course he is a Republican now.

Peter Crysdale · 9:43 PM

Was he ever a member of the Libertarian party?

Tom Stevens · 9:43 PM

Yes, he ran for President as a Libertarian.

Peter Crysdale · 9:44 PM

I didn't realize that, but he certainly espouses a lot of Libertarian ideals

Tom Stevens · 9:44 PM

1988

Peter Crysdale · 9:44 PM

What do you think youth find inspiring about a comparatively old politician?

Tom Stevens · 9:45 PM

He's not a typical politician. He says what he really thinks and young people find that refreshing.

Peter Crysdale · 9:47 PM

Do you think that reflects the Libertarian party as well?

Peter Crysdale · 9:47 PM

Can youth draw a line between his honesty and the ideals of libertarianism?

Tom Stevens · 9:47 PM

Yes in the sense that many former Ron Paul supporters have become active in the LP

Tom Stevens · 9:48 PM

Ron Paul is more of a States' Rights/Constitutional guy. The LP is more of a respect for individual rights party.

Peter Crysdale · 9:49 PM

Can you talk more about that distinction?

Tom Stevens · 9:49 PM

Sure

Tom Stevens · 9:50 PM

Ron Paul is very concerned about limitations on federal government power but he might think it's O.K. for a state to act in a way that may compromise a person's right to life, liberty and property.

Tom Stevens · 9:51 PM

as long as that act is constitutional

Tom Stevens · 9:51 PM

in other words, within the power of a state to act

Peter Crysdale · 9:51 PM

When you say constitutional in this case, you are refering to a state constitution.

Tom Stevens · 9:51 PM

Tom Stevens · 9:52 PM

I am saying the U.S. Constitution grants certain powers to the federal government and all remaining power belongs to the states and to the people

Tom Stevens · 9:52 PM

Whether an act violates a state constitution is another story.

Peter Crysdale · 9:53 PM

aha, thats an interesting point

Peter Crysdale · 9:54 PM

It is interesting that you bring up the phrase "Life, Liberty and Property"

Tom Stevens · 9:54 PM

Why is that interesting to you?

Peter Crysdale · 9:55 PM

This obviously harkens from John Locke's writing

Tom Stevens · 9:55 PM

and others.

Peter Crysdale · 9:55 PM

Would you say that John Locke's political philosophy is foundational to the Libertarian Party?

Peter Crysdale · 9:55 PM

What others would you cite?

Tom Stevens · 9:56 PM

No government act, even if constitutional should infringe on your individual right to life, liberty and property.

Tom Stevens · 9:57 PM

The issue of individual rights was blended with utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill but I am not concerned about who started recognizing the limited role of government as I am with where we are today

Peter Crysdale · 9:58 PM

Ok, let's talk about today. What is the state of the Libertarian Party today?

Peter Crysdale · 9:58 PM

Is it fair to say that it has had a resurgence since the the beginning of the Obama administration?

Tom Stevens · 9:58 PM

The same as it has been for decades. Not in very good shape.

Tom Stevens · 9:59 PM

The same infighting that goes on in all parties

Tom Stevens · 10:00 PM

But there are also totally Toxic Libertarians, Anarchists and Vote for Nobody folks

Tom Stevens · 10:00 PM

and a handful of bad people can chase away dedicated activists who just don't want to put up with the infighting

Peter Crysdale · 10:01 PM

These are difficulties that could arise in any organization, political or not

Tom Stevens · 10:01 PM

Even Gary Johnson with his name recognition only got around 1% of the vote - again!

Tom Stevens · 10:01 PM

True

Tom Stevens · 10:02 PM

But if you can moderate the lists and remove the few Toxic People, then you have a chance

Tom Stevens · 10:02 PM

There were two bad people in Queens chasing away all the new members. We re-wrote the bylaws so they would have to get approved to renew

Tom Stevens · 10:03 PM

They didn't even apply and now the Queens LP is the largest in New York State.

Tom Stevens · 10:03 PM

That was in 2006

Tom Stevens · 10:03 PM

Peace has prevailed since

Peter Crysdale · 10:03 PM

Wow. You must have played a major role in that growth.

Tom Stevens · 10:03 PM

I did

Tom Stevens · 10:03 PM

I think most people who say that as well

Peter Crysdale · 10:04 PM

Can you tell us a little about how the Queens LP grew?

Tom Stevens · 10:04 PM

There is no secret to that. I started scheduling interesting speakers, luncheons after the general meeting and social events and people got more involved

Tom Stevens · 10:05 PM

I also followed up with new members and made them feel welcomed

Peter Crysdale · 10:05 PM

Are their specific tools that you found effective for organizing people?

Tom Stevens · 10:06 PM

No specific tools. Just give the new people an experience they feel is valuable to them.

Tom Stevens · 10:06 PM

Tell them how they will benefit from involvement.

Peter Crysdale · 10:07 PM

What about meetup.com? How do you go about finding new members?

Tom Stevens · 10:07 PM

People obviously find our meetup group on their own by searching meetup BUT I also send meetup links to new prospective members as I did for you.

Peter Crysdale · 10:08 PM

Great!

Peter Crysdale · 10:09 PM

I'd like to take a moment to touch on the future as well.

Tom Stevens · 10:09 PM

Sure

Peter Crysdale · 10:09 PM

What do you see in the future of the Libertarian Party?

Tom Stevens · 10:09 PM

More of the same.

Tom Stevens · 10:09 PM

But that is good because our candidates get out a message

Peter Crysdale · 10:09 PM

Are there specific issues or demographics that could be considered "high growth"

Tom Stevens · 10:10 PM

I personally focus on the young. When I was College Outreach Coordinator for the New York LP, I formed 26 College LP Chapters in 6 months

Tom Stevens · 10:10 PM

But when I left the position, things fell apart.

Tom Stevens · 10:11 PM

I also had a Libertarian Freedom Council for charismatic pro-liberty activists and now I formed a Facebook Group called Libertarian YOUTH GONE MAD

Tom Stevens · 10:12 PM

Mad at the growth of government, high taxes, etc.

Peter Crysdale · 10:12 PM

There was a lot of hype in the last presidential election about social media. Since you bring up Facebook, how do you think the LP is embracing technology and social media as a whole?

Tom Stevens · 10:13 PM

I think it is doing a good job. I certainly use Facebook a lot but many of my members refuse to join because of privacy concerns

Peter Crysdale · 10:14 PM

There is some irony in trying to organize people who are loath to share information

Tom Stevens · 10:15 PM

Yes there is and it is often said that organizing libertarians is like trying to herd cats

Peter Crysdale · 10:16 PM

That must be a major roadblock to becoming a successful party.

Peter Crysdale · 10:16 PM

Come to think of it, what is your definition of success as a party?

Tom Stevens · 10:16 PM

The real roadblock is ballot access and the freezing out of 3rd parties from debates

Tom Stevens · 10:17 PM

The traditional message of success is getting candidates elected to public office but enlightening people is also a worthy goal

Tom Stevens · 10:17 PM

measure not message

Peter Crysdale · 10:19 PM

But you don't see expansion in the LP's future?

Peter Crysdale · 10:19 PM

You said the future holds "more of the same"

Tom Stevens · 10:20 PM

I really don't see expansion in the LP itself. It gets frustrating when all your candidates usually get from 0-4% of the vote in most races

Tom Stevens · 10:20 PM

Many find other pro-liberty groups to join and I think that is group

Tom Stevens · 10:20 PM

great not group

Tom Stevens · 10:21 PM

The more voices for liberty, the better

Peter Crysdale · 10:21 PM

It must be difficult to raise funds for a race that no one expects to win

Tom Stevens · 10:21 PM

That's true but it is even difficult to raise the money to pay paid petitioners to get you signatures to just get on the ballot.

Tom Stevens · 10:22 PM

We usually don't have enough volunteers to get the large number of signatures that are required.

Peter Crysdale · 10:23 PM

At the end of the day, politics really does seem to come down to how much money you have.

Tom Stevens · 10:23 PM

I'd say resources instead of money

Tom Stevens · 10:23 PM

A large number of dedicated activists can make a difference

Peter Crysdale · 10:23 PM

fair enough.

Peter Crysdale · 10:24 PM

excellent point

Peter Crysdale · 10:25 PM

Well, it is time for us to start wrapping up.

Tom Stevens · 10:25 PM

O.K.

Peter Crysdale · 10:25 PM

This has been an excellent exploration of the Libertarian Party and I appreciate you taking the time to do this interview

Tom Stevens · 10:26 PM

It is my pleasure. Thank you for inviting me. There is so much we didn't touch on.

Peter Crysdale · 10:26 PM

Indeed!

Peter Crysdale · 10:26 PM

We will have to dig deeper in future sessions.

Tom Stevens · 10:27 PM

Certainly!

Peter Crysdale · 10:27 PM

Do you have any final thoughts for this Tawk?

Tom Stevens · 10:27 PM

Only that to make a difference, people need to become active and to learn how to be productive. That is what I am here to do.

Tom Stevens · 10:28 PM

See, I have already made a new friend on Facebook.

Tom Stevens · 10:28 PM

The power of the social media!

Peter Crysdale · 10:29 PM

That is a great closing thought. No matter what your ideology it is important to be active and make your voice heard!

Tom Stevens · 10:29 PM

Agreed!

Peter Crysdale · 10:29 PM

The power of social media indeed

Tom Stevens · 10:29 PM

We will tawk again soon, I am sure!

Tom Stevens · 10:29 PM

Have a good evening.

Peter Crysdale · 10:30 PM

You as well