We checked to see if your claim has merit. The 32 issues of Freedom Flyer published from January 1, 1984 to October 1997 contain 514 pages, of which 8 are devoted to drug laws, representing 1.56% of that newsletters' content. The 30 issues of Consent (28 regular issues plus two specials) published from March 1988 to December 1997 contain an additional 324 pages, of which 6.5 pages (two essays) are devoted to drug laws, representing 2% of the space in Consent. Whether or not this represents an undue degree of focus on this particular issue we will leave to our readers to decide. We also checked your second assertion and you are quite correct; we have received no donation from you.

However, judging by the tone of your comments, that may be a tragedy. We certainly appreciate that many of our members and supporters do not agree with each and every Freedom Party policy, nor would we expect them to. But the fact that you feel it's "too bad" that there is an issue with which you experience discomfort, seems to indicate that you otherwise support most of Freedom Party's policies. What you have in effect told us is that you are unwilling to support the other 98% of our activities because of the 2% you disagree with.

We aren't hung up on drugs. We're hung up on freedom. To simply ignore the disastrous consequences of drug prohibition and the effect that such laws have on individual freedom, privacy, and justice, would be to betray the principles upon which Freedom Party is founded. But the significant point is this: the principles upon which we base our condemnation of drug laws are the very same principles upon which we base ALL of our policies and activities --- including the 98% of issues with which you apparently agree.

Whether or not you choose to contribute to Freedom Party is, of course, your choice. But money offered or withheld for the purpose of trying to influence our policies cannot have any effect because the simple fact is that our principles are not for sale. If anyone truly wishes to influence Fp policy, then such influence should be exerted by discussion, argument, and reference to the principles on which the party is founded. No cash required. Our doors are always open to the free market of ideas.

Where cash IS required, however, is in all those areas of political activity where ACTION must be taken to effect change. If everyone withheld 100% of their support over a 2% disagreement, 98% of the work they'd want to see done would simply never get done.

Hmmmm. Perhaps there's a lesson here somewhere. [rm]

Originally published: Freedom Flyer 33