Frequently Asked
Questions
The Republican
Liberty Caucus (RLC) is a grassroots, nationwide organization
affiliated with the Republican Party (GOP). The goal of the RLC
is to elect liberty-minded, limited-government individuals to
office. The RLC was originally formed in 1990 in North
Carolina, and now has members in every state.
- What is the RLC?
- What does the RLC do?
- What is the RLC's platform?
- How can I join the RLC?
- Does the RLC have National Conventions?
- Why don't you just join the Libertarian
Party?
- Will the RLC support an LP candidate?
- Are any elected officials members of the RLC?
- Where is the RLC located and who are the
officers?
- I'm a student, how can I get involved?
- Is there an RLC chapter in my state?
- What is the RLC's position on abortion?
- I don't have a lot of money, how can I help?
- How can you be aligned with the "far
right"?
- You @$@% Republicans are crazy!
- What is the RLC's position on drugs?
- Are any other groups affiliated with the RLC?
- How do I get support from the RLCUSA - PAC?
- Is there another Republican group called the
RLC?
What is the RLC?
The Republican
Liberty Caucus (RLC) is a grassroots, nationwide organization
affiliated with the Republican Party (GOP). The goal of the RLC
is to elect pro-liberty individuals to office. The RLC was
founded in 1990, and now has members in every state.
RLC office:
Republican Liberty Caucus
PO Box 410045
Melbourne, Florida 32941-0045
What
does the RLC do?
The Caucus is a political action organization dedicated to
promoting the ideals of individual rights, limited government
and free enterprise within the Republican Party of the United
States of America by:
- Promoting these ideals among Party officials and its various
organizations;
- Identifying and supporting candidates sympathetic with these
ideals;
- Developing Caucus membership among Party registrants,
officials, and officeholders.
We are expanding
our nationwide base of pro-liberty Republicans, establishing
official charters or coordinators in almost every state.
We provide our members with information about campaigns, issues
and events of interest. Members are active in various campaigns
and seek to push our candidates and issues to the forefront. Our
members also attend GOP conventions and gatherings, identify
like-minded individuals in the GOP, and cultivate relationships
with them. We also maintain relationships with various
single-issue groups, e.g. gun owners, in order to combine forces
when necessary on an issue of mutual interest.
We maintain a website in order to provide information to RLC
members and attract new ones. The world wide web has proven to
be a great outreach tool, and the RLC has experienced tremendous
growth over the past several years.
What is the RLC's platform?
The RLC doesn't
have an official platform like the major parties, because it is
an independent political membership organization that is not
officially affiliated with the Republican National Committee.
Our members support like-minded candidates in GOP primaries and
general elections. A platform is not an accurate reflection of
the views of all of its members; it is a compromise between the
people who are interested enough in political theory to argue
about it. In the GOP and Democratic Party, candidates
consistently run on issues at odds with the official party line.
The RLC has officially adopted a Statement
of Principles and Positions. Various issue
Resolutions have been adopted by the National Board and
Convention Delegates. In summary, the RLC supports:
- Lower and fewer taxes
- The right to privacy
- The right to keep and bear
arms
- Balanced budgets through
spending cuts
- Educational choice
- Freedom of speech
- Protection of property
rights
- Market-based health care
- Alternatives to the drug
war
- All-volunteer armed forces
- Sound monetary policies
- Deregulation
- Phase-out of foreign aid
- Ending federal welfare
- Private options to Social
Security
- Free trade Privatization
of government functions
How can I join the RLC?
To join the RLC,
just make a monetary contribution:
-
Contribute
online by credit card or electronic check through our
encrypted secure membership
section;
-
Print out
the Donation Form and mail;
Does the RLC have National
Conventions?
The RLC has
a convention every two years, usually prior to the federal
election. Speakers include members of Congress and state
legislators, leaders of public policy organizations, and
political consultants geared to help the RLC achieve
electoral success. At the business meeting, RLC officers for
the following two years are elected. It also provides an
opportunity for RLC members to meet their comrades from
around the country, compare notes on political and policy
issues, and socialize with new and old friends.
2008 RLC National Convention
Prior Conventions:
1994 - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
1996 - Alexandria, Virginia
1998 - Las Vegas, Nevada
2000 - Atlanta, Georgia
2002 - San Antonio, Texas
2004 - Fresno, California
2006 - Orlando, Florida
Archive
of 2006 Convention Events Audio
Why
don't you just join the Libertarian Party?
Many in our
group have been LP officers and members, some still are. Past
RLC Chairmen, Professor Cliff Thies was the Treasurer of the
national LP and William Westmiller was LP National
Secretary and California LP Chairman.
Congressman Ron
Paul, an early Honorary RLC Chairman, was the LP presidential
candidate in 1988. Our Past Treasurer, Mike Holmes, was a
founding member of the LP. Another Honorary Chairman, the late
Roger MacBride, cast the only electoral vote the LP ever
received and was the LP candidate for President.
Everyone in the
RLC joined for their own reasons, but it can be presumed that
they all would agree that in many races the GOP is the best way
to go in order to actually get a libertarian elected. It can
also be said that the LP runs educational campaigns, where the
goal is not actually electing someone, but educating the public
about the libertarian philosophy. We are interested in getting
someone who holds the libertarian philosophy elected.
Will the RLC support an LP candidate?
The RLC does not
support LP candidates in a race where there is a GOP candidate.
This does not mean that individual RLC members are party line
voters. Our internal surveys show that RLC members often vote
for LP candidates, including in presidential elections. A
person's individual choice with regards to voting is not a
litmus test for participation in the RLC. In several instances,
the RLC has endorsed LP and independent candidates, as well as
candidates in non-partisan races.
Are any elected officials members of the
RLC?
Members of the
Republican Liberty Caucus Board of Advisors - US Congress:
John Culberson
(TX)
J.D. Hayworth (AZ)
Sam Johnson (TX)
Ron Paul (TX)
John Shadegg (AZ)
Nick Smith (MI)
Todd Tiahrt (KS)
All are members of the House of Representatives. There are
numerous others who are state representatives and senators, as
well as economists, journalists and other libertarian VIPs,
including Mark Skousen, Robert Poole, Martin Anderson, State
Sens. Dave Jaye - MI, Bob Hedlund - MA, Brad Gorham - RI, John
McClaughry-VT, Duncan Scott - NM, State Reps. Suzanna
Gratia-Hupp - TX, Penn Pfiffner - CO, Vic Kohring - AK, Tom
Feeney, FLA, and Brian Thomas - WA.
Where is the RLC located and who are the
officers?
Republican
Liberty Caucus Headquarters
PO Box 410045
Melbourne, Florida 32941-0045
See the Officers
and Administration information under the National Committee section
of this site.
I'm a student, how can I get involved?
E-mail us at Admin@rlc.org. Our focus
is on establishing a network of students active in College
Republicans and other groups. Like the RLC this is a way for
like minded people to find each other and work together.
Is there an RLC chapter in my state?
The are almost
20 officially chartered state organizations and RLC Coordinators
in almost every state. Find your contact in the state section of this
site.
If you would like to help Charter a state organization,
you'll need a copy of the State Charter
Application
What is the RLC's position on abortion?
We oppose
Federal funding of abortion under any circumstances. Our
official position is Neutral. This is the one issue where we are
split. We have both pro-lifers to pro-choicers, and in
between. As far as libertarian groups go, you'll find that we
are probably the most tolerant of the pro-life viewpoint. Our
immediate past chairman, Cong. Ron Paul (R-TX, 14th Dist.) is
very pro-life. Many other members are pro-choice. It is not a
litmus test, and it is not an issue that is often debated
internally. However, the California RLC website www.ca.rlc.org, has sponsored
a debate on the issue between two prominent members.
I don't have a lot of money, how can I
help?
Money is the
lifeblood of politics, but volunteers provide the sweat. There's
a great deal you can do. Get in touch with your State Chair or
Contact using the state
section of this site and ask them how you can help.
If you know
something about a piece of legislation that no one seems to be
talking about, e-mail anyone listed on this FAQ. Rep. Ron Paul
tells the story of how one vote ended up in Congress being
432-3. He knew on principle the bill was bad, and talked the two
people sitting next to him into voting against it. You could be
telling an even better story.
If enough people
take action like this, you can tell how YOU helped stop a bad
bill from becoming law. You just need to get involved with a
group that takes its politics seriously.
How can you be aligned with the
"far right"?
Consistent with
the RLC's goals, we try to build bridges to as many groups as
possible. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes not. However,
in many areas, the religious right do have some views in common
with libertarians, e.g. school choice. We try to persuade as
many Republicans as possible that we have the best ideas. The
fact that libertarianism is a unifying vision is proven by the
fact that the RLC shares members with both the Christian
Coalition and Log Cabin Republicans.
You @$@% Republicans are crazy!
We may share
some of your concerns about the party. It must be pointed
out that we are not the Republican National Committee, who can
be reached at www.rnc.org. If
you have a complaint for Republicans in general, it will be
better directed there.
What is the RLC's position on drugs?
Officially we
support "alternatives to the war on drugs."
Specifically we have supported medical marijuana and opposed
mandatory minimum sentences. Viewpoints of various people are,
obviously, various. Many support complete decriminalization,
others are skeptical of that. The group would probably agree
with the statement that the war on drugs is a failure.
Are any other groups affiliated with the
RLC?
We have an
affiliated Political Action Committee (PAC), the Republican
Liberty Caucus PAC USA. The PAC assists pro-liberty
Republicans running for office. If you would like to
directly support these pro-liberty Republicans, please visit the
PAC website.
How do I get support from the RLCUSA -
PAC?
The PAC assists
pro-liberty Republicans running for office who have been
official endorsed by the RLC. Send your campaign information to
the RLC's office or email your information to admin@rlc.org.
We will forward your information to the appropriate RLC
level. Chartered states are solely responsible for state and
local offices. Candidates for federal office have to be
confirmed by the RLC National Board of Directors.
Is there another Republican group called
the RLC?
There is another
Republican group that goes by the initials RLC, the Republican
Leadership Council. Our two groups are not affiliated.
Are there other websites about liberty
that you would recommend?
The RLC is one
part of the general liberty movement. We do not necessarily
endorse the positions of any other organization, but offer a libertarian links
page for some prominent sites.
©
1998-2008 Republican Liberty Caucus
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