FrumForum | Building a Conservatism that can win again

The Secret of Ron Paul's Success

Based on the tiny unrepresentative sample at the precinct caucus I attended: his core group are true believers, who have absorbed his message on Austrian economics and foreign policy non-interventionism. But when they communicate to the broader Iowa Republican rank-and-file, they repackage …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday January 3, 2012

In Defense of the Department of Energy (Sort of)

Before he famously stumbled in the debate earlier this week, Rick Perry said he would eliminate the Department of Energy. Ron Paul agrees. Any time one sees a bunch of libertarian minded people in a room together (heck, even libertarian-leaning liberals) the Department of Energy often ends up on …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday November 11, 2011

A Decision That Will Set Libertarians' Hair on Fire

Judge Silberman has issued another tour de force in the extremely interesting opinions generated by Obamacare. I have noted other opinions on Obamacare’s constitutionality but this one is full of interesting tidbits. The first and most interesting tidbit is who wrote it. The Honorable …

Written by John Vecchione on Tuesday November 8, 2011

Ron Paul's Spaced Out Plan

Ron Paul has unveiled a fiscal plan that would eliminate the Commerce Department, among other departments. The Commerce Department includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and one of NOAA’s functions is operating the nation’s weather satellites . Paul’s plan …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Wednesday October 19, 2011

The GOP Can't Quit Ayn Rand

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Written by Gary Weiss on Wednesday September 28, 2011

DC Interns Shine at Cato Debate

The Cato Institute held its second annual Libertarianism vs. Conservatism Intern Debate Thursday, pitting Cato interns against students interning at the Heritage Foundation (video of the debate can be found here ). This year’s event proved to be a marked improvement over last year, with the …

Written by Ajay Ravichandran on Friday July 22, 2011

Remembering Richard Cornuelle

Richard Cornuelle death was a great loss. In his writing and work, he tried to fashion a libertarianism that paid attention to the humane consequences of capitalism. Richard Cornuelle, a renegade libertarian, died on April 26—a terrible loss. Early on, Dick had been a doctrinaire free-marketeer …

Written by Jeffrey Friedman on Friday May 6, 2011

Anti-War GOP Silent About Bin Laden Death

There's still been no comment yet from Rep. Ron Paul on the killing of Osama bin Laden, and many other anti-war Republicans have chosen to stay silent as well. No comment yet from Rep. Ron Paul, a libertarian Republican and likely 2012 presidential contender, on the killing of Osama bin Laden. But …

Written by Tim Mak on Monday May 2, 2011

Red Light Cameras: The Latest Govt Rip-Off

While many libertarian battles against perceived government overreach seem excessive, the campaign against red light cameras may be a winner. Libertarians have mobilized this year against perceived government over-reach. Some of the causes seem excessive: opposition to seatbelt laws and carbon …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Sunday April 17, 2011

It's Not Cheap Being an Ayn Rand Fan

Ayn Rand's philosophy isn't just a little strange, it can also be an expensive one to get fully immersed in. Alyssa Bereznak’s account of being raised by an Objectivist father in a divorced household makes for fascinating reading. Her narrative discusses the real world consequence of having a …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Friday April 8, 2011

Regs: Sometimes There Really is a Slippery Slope

Mandating carbon monoxide detectors may not mean tyranny, but its important to remember that regulations aren't always about the public interest. Frum Forum 's Noah Kristula-Green raises an eyebrow at conservatives or libertarians who oppose mandatory carbon-monoxide detectors. Fine. Carbon-mo…

Written by Jean Granville on Monday March 14, 2011

The New Tyranny: Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

A report about repealing a carbon monoxide detector mandate set off a twitter debate and revealed how today's conservatives weigh libertarian ideas. It started as a funny short item about right-wing excess. A Montana representative introduced a bill to repeal a local law requiring landlords …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Sunday March 13, 2011

Overview for libertarianism