Young Americans for Liberty
Encyclopedia
Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) is a political organization that was formed in 2008 at the end of Congressman Ron Paul's Presidential campaign
. They focus on educating their peers about various topics including libertarian
values and emphasizing the role of the Constitution
in the American government. Since its creation in 2008, Young Americans for Liberty has 220+ active groups on college and high school campuses across the United States.
, Republican
Representative
Ron Paul
stirred a large grassroots movement, especially on college campuses around the U.S. As a result of this, students began to form organizations on campus under the banner of Students for Ron Paul.
After the election, the movement continued and eventually splintered off to create Young Americans for Liberty
, which expanded into a broader effort to support liberty. Many American colleges have Young Americans for Liberty chapters.
Young Americans for Liberty has hosted several national events since its inception: Bringing Ron Paul to college campuses, protesting the War in Iraq, protesting the Transportation Security Agency --which received substantial recognition online--, hosting political boot camps, promoting the Constitution, protesting the government to reduce the National Debt, and pushing for members to attend CPAC.
Meanwhile, to raise awareness about liberty-minded beliefs, each chapter performs a variety of events on campus, including fundraising for liberty-minded causes, hosting speakers, or tabling/protesting. For example, beginning in March of 2011, Young Americans for Liberty groups protested the War in Libya. Besides protests, bringing speakers that are essential towards the liberty movement are invited by Young Americans for Liberty groups, such as Ron Paul
, Thomas E. Woods, Justin Amash
, and Gary Johnson
to name a few.
, Friedrich Hayek
, Henry Hazlitt
, Frederic Bastiat
, Murray Rothbard
, Thomas E. Woods, and Ron Paul
.
"We are the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). As Americans we recognize the God-given natural rights of life, liberty, and property set forth by our Founding Fathers. Our country was created to protect the freedoms of the individual and directed by we the people.
We recognize that freedom deserves responsibility and therefore we hold ourselves to a high moral character and conduct. Integrity emphasizes our stance towards action. Principle defines our outlook towards government. Peace and prosperity drive our ambitions towards our countrymen.
We inherit a corrupt, coercive world that has lost respect for voluntary action. Our government has failed and dragged our country into moral decay. The political class dominates the agenda with a violent, callous, controlling grip. And, for this we do not stand.
We welcome limited government conservatives, classical liberals, and libertarians who trust in the creed we set forth.
WE, as Young Americans for Liberty believe:
's book End the Fed
. YAR is edited by Daniel McCarthy, former Internet communications coordinator for the Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign and senior editor of The American Conservative
.The magazine has interviewed Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano, and has had many guest contributions from Ron Paul
, Tom Woods, Glenn Jacobs, former Rep. John Hostettler
, Justin Raimondo
, Jack Hunter
, and others.
panel, 2 Minute Activist: Saving Freedom Across America, Students For Liberty
's Alexander McCobin opened his remarks by thanking the American Conservative Union
for welcoming GOProud
as a co-sponsor of the event. California Young Americans for Freedom chairman Ryan Sorba followed with less than kind words for McCobin, Students For Liberty
, Young Americans for Liberty
's Jeff Frazee, and the American Conservative Union
condemning the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)
for inviting GOProud
.
Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2008
Ron Paul was a Republican Party primary candidate in the 2008 United States presidential election.Initial opinion polls during the first three quarters of 2007 showed Ron Paul consistently receiving support from 3% or less of those polled...
. They focus on educating their peers about various topics including libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
values and emphasizing the role of the Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
in the American government. Since its creation in 2008, Young Americans for Liberty has 220+ active groups on college and high school campuses across the United States.
History
During the 2008 Presidential electionUnited States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
stirred a large grassroots movement, especially on college campuses around the U.S. As a result of this, students began to form organizations on campus under the banner of Students for Ron Paul.
After the election, the movement continued and eventually splintered off to create Young Americans for Liberty
Young Americans for Liberty
Young Americans for Liberty is a political organization that was formed in 2008 at the end of Congressman Ron Paul's Presidential campaign. They focus on educating their peers about various topics including libertarian values and emphasizing the role of the Constitution in the American government...
, which expanded into a broader effort to support liberty. Many American colleges have Young Americans for Liberty chapters.
Young Americans for Liberty has hosted several national events since its inception: Bringing Ron Paul to college campuses, protesting the War in Iraq, protesting the Transportation Security Agency --which received substantial recognition online--, hosting political boot camps, promoting the Constitution, protesting the government to reduce the National Debt, and pushing for members to attend CPAC.
Meanwhile, to raise awareness about liberty-minded beliefs, each chapter performs a variety of events on campus, including fundraising for liberty-minded causes, hosting speakers, or tabling/protesting. For example, beginning in March of 2011, Young Americans for Liberty groups protested the War in Libya. Besides protests, bringing speakers that are essential towards the liberty movement are invited by Young Americans for Liberty groups, such as Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
, Thomas E. Woods, Justin Amash
Justin Amash
Justin Amash, , is an American attorney, politician, and member of Congress. He has been the U.S. Representative for which encompasses the Grand Rapids area, since 2011....
, and Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson may refer to:*Gary Johnson , former Governor of New Mexico and candidate for President in 2012*Gary Johnson , American politician, Wisconsin State Assembly...
to name a few.
Visualize the Debt
In March-April 2011, Young Americans for Liberty held their largest event-to-date, reminding college campuses and their local communities of the massive federal debt. Over 70+ Young Americans for Liberty chapters participated in the event, which received nationwide press.The event was designed to protest the federal government to push towards lowering the National Debt by presenting petitions to members of congress.Philosophy
Many members of Young Americans for Liberty identify themselves as liberty-minded individuals. These individuals are greatly influenced primarily by the works of Ludwig von MisesLudwig von Mises
Ludwig Heinrich Edler von Mises was an Austrian economist, philosopher, and classical liberal who had a significant influence on the modern Libertarian movement and the "Austrian School" of economic thought.-Biography:-Early life:...
, Friedrich Hayek
Friedrich Hayek
Friedrich August Hayek CH , born in Austria-Hungary as Friedrich August von Hayek, was an economist and philosopher best known for his defense of classical liberalism and free-market capitalism against socialist and collectivist thought...
, Henry Hazlitt
Henry Hazlitt
Henry Stuart Hazlitt was an American economist, philosopher, literary critic and journalist for such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, The American Mercury, Newsweek, and The New York Times...
, Frederic Bastiat
Frédéric Bastiat
Claude Frédéric Bastiat was a French classical liberal theorist, political economist, and member of the French assembly. He was notable for developing the important economic concept of opportunity cost.-Biography:...
, Murray Rothbard
Murray Rothbard
Murray Newton Rothbard was an American author and economist of the Austrian School who helped define capitalist libertarianism and popularized a form of free-market anarchism he termed "anarcho-capitalism." Rothbard wrote over twenty books and is considered a centrally important figure in the...
, Thomas E. Woods, and Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
.
Statement of Principles
The statement of principles of Young Americans for Liberty is as follows:"We are the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). As Americans we recognize the God-given natural rights of life, liberty, and property set forth by our Founding Fathers. Our country was created to protect the freedoms of the individual and directed by we the people.
We recognize that freedom deserves responsibility and therefore we hold ourselves to a high moral character and conduct. Integrity emphasizes our stance towards action. Principle defines our outlook towards government. Peace and prosperity drive our ambitions towards our countrymen.
We inherit a corrupt, coercive world that has lost respect for voluntary action. Our government has failed and dragged our country into moral decay. The political class dominates the agenda with a violent, callous, controlling grip. And, for this we do not stand.
We welcome limited government conservatives, classical liberals, and libertarians who trust in the creed we set forth.
WE, as Young Americans for Liberty believe:
- THAT government is the negation of liberty;
- THAT voluntary action is the only ethical behavior;
- THAT respect for the individual's property is fundamental to a peaceful society;
- THAT violent action is only warranted in defense of one's property;
- THAT the individual owns his/her body and is therefore responsible for his/her actions;
- THAT society is a responsibility of the people, not the government."
Leadership Team
Young Americans for Liberty began to expand and appoint individuals to its leadership team beginning in September 2010. The leadership team is composed of State Chairs and Regional Directors, whose responsibilities include starting chapters, communicating with chapters, promoting events, and helping local leadership grow.http://www.yaliberty.org/the-leadership-teamYear of Youth
In 2011 Young Americans for Liberty launched their Year of Youth project. The Year of Youth project is dedicated to help organize a grassroots movement of youth candidates, campaign managers, and volunteers in the 2012 election cycle, in order to get the youth more involved with government.Young American Revolution
Young American Revolution (YAR) is the official magazine of Young Americans for Liberty and launched in 2009. The first issue broke with the announcement of Ron PaulRon Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
's book End the Fed
End the Fed
End the Fed is a 2009 book by Congressman Ron Paul of Texas. The book debuted at number six on the New York Times Best Seller list and advocates the abolition of the United States Federal Reserve Bank.-Summary:...
. YAR is edited by Daniel McCarthy, former Internet communications coordinator for the Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign and senior editor of The American Conservative
The American Conservative
The American Conservative is a monthly U.S. opinion magazine published by Ron Unz. Its first editor was Scott McConnell, his successors being Kara Hopkins and the present incumbent, Daniel McCarthy....
.The magazine has interviewed Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano, and has had many guest contributions from Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
, Tom Woods, Glenn Jacobs, former Rep. John Hostettler
John Hostettler
John Nathan Hostettler , was a Republican candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat in the state of Indiana held by retiring Senator Evan Bayh. On December 3, 2009, Hostettler announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, but lost to former Senator Dan Coats.Hostettler served in the U.S...
, Justin Raimondo
Justin Raimondo
Justin Raimondo is an American author and the editorial director of the website Antiwar.com. He describes himself as a "conservative-paleo-libertarian."-Background:...
, Jack Hunter
Jack Hunter
- People :*Jack D. Hunter , writer*Jack Hunter *Jack Hunter , conservative radio host and columnist- Television :*Jack Hunter, character played by Ivan Sergei...
, and others.
CPAC 2010
During the February 19, 2010 CPACConservative Political Action Conference
The Conservative Political Action Conference is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States....
panel, 2 Minute Activist: Saving Freedom Across America, Students For Liberty
Students For Liberty
Students For Liberty seeks to support student groups that hold a wide-range of philosophical beliefs that all share an underlying dedication to liberty with resources like leadership training, literature, grants, and speakers...
's Alexander McCobin opened his remarks by thanking the American Conservative Union
American Conservative Union
The American Conservative Union is an American political organization advocating conservative policies, and is the oldest such conservative lobbying organization in the country.-Organization:...
for welcoming GOProud
GOProud
GOProud is an American tax exempt 527 organization representing conservative gays, lesbians, transgendered people, and their allies. GOProud advocates for small government conservatism at the level of federal public policy. GOProud was founded by Christopher R...
as a co-sponsor of the event. California Young Americans for Freedom chairman Ryan Sorba followed with less than kind words for McCobin, Students For Liberty
Students For Liberty
Students For Liberty seeks to support student groups that hold a wide-range of philosophical beliefs that all share an underlying dedication to liberty with resources like leadership training, literature, grants, and speakers...
, Young Americans for Liberty
Young Americans for Liberty
Young Americans for Liberty is a political organization that was formed in 2008 at the end of Congressman Ron Paul's Presidential campaign. They focus on educating their peers about various topics including libertarian values and emphasizing the role of the Constitution in the American government...
's Jeff Frazee, and the American Conservative Union
American Conservative Union
The American Conservative Union is an American political organization advocating conservative policies, and is the oldest such conservative lobbying organization in the country.-Organization:...
condemning the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)
Conservative Political Action Conference
The Conservative Political Action Conference is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States....
for inviting GOProud
GOProud
GOProud is an American tax exempt 527 organization representing conservative gays, lesbians, transgendered people, and their allies. GOProud advocates for small government conservatism at the level of federal public policy. GOProud was founded by Christopher R...
.