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
44 Summerfield Street
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
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
44 Summerfield
Street
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
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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