By Christy Lafave
Indiana Daily Student
Indiana U.
Hollinden, president of IU Libertarians and chair of the Libertarian Party of Monroe County, urged students to look beyond the Republican and Democratic parties for leadership in the 21st century. The 2000 Libertarian presidential candidate is Harry Browne.
Noting that critics have described this year's presidential race as a choice between two evils, Hollinden said, Voting for one of two evils is still evil.
About 25 people attended the introductory meeting. Although the Monroe County Libertarian Party has been around for several years, an IU-specific Libertarian group has existed only on an off-and-on basis, largely dependent upon graduation of its leaders. Freshman Leanne Dodge is coordinating this new group.
The meeting introduced students to Libertarian ideas, which center around personal and economic liberties. The Libertarian platform supports free trade, private rather than government control of property, repeal of drug laws and elimination of Social Security.
The main idea behind this third party's philosophy is that the United states will manage itself best when individuals are left to make all their own decisions. According to an official national Libertarian party pamphlet, Government's only role is to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud.
Junior Adrian Bisson said an example is how Libertarians treat environmental questions. He said individuals treat their own property better than they treat public property, so federally held lands should be sold as private property. You don't go out and throw garbage on your own lawn, he said. But national parks and forests are some of the most polluted places in the country.
Dodge said she wants to focus her efforts on informing students about this and other Libertarian issues, rather than on electing candidates this year. The first mass meeting of IU Libertarians will not be until after the Nov. 7 elections.