Mises Caucus

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Not to be confused with the Mises Institute.
Mises Caucus
Libertarian Party Mises Caucus
Mises Caucus logo.png
AbbreviationLPMC[1]
Named afterLudwig von Mises
Formation2017
FounderMichael Heise
TypeParty caucus
Registration no.C00699785[2]
Legal statusPolitical action committee
PurposePolitical realignment of the US Libertarian Party behind Austrian economics; anti-"wokeism"
HeadquartersNorristown, Pennsylvania[2]
  • Michael Heise (Chair)
  • David Hynes (Secretary)
  • Steven Clyde
  • Aaron Harris
  • Jeff Douglas
  • Whitney Davis
  • Luke Ensor
  • Angela McArdle
  • Tom Woods[3]
Revenue (2020)
Increase US$74,811[4]
DisbursementsIncrease US$73,076[4]
Websitelpmisescaucus.com

The Libertarian Party Mises Caucus (LPMC) is a caucus within the United States Libertarian Party that promotes a more radical version of libertarianism and opposition to "wokeism" among libertarians. It was founded in 2017 by Michael Heise, mainly in opposition to Nicholas Sarwark's position as party chairman, and the more pragmatic faction of the party associated with the presidential campaigns of Gary Johnson.[5] It is named after classical liberal economist Ludwig von Mises.[6]

The caucus has support of some libertarians, such as comedian Dave Smith,[7] political commentator Tom Woods,[7][8] and former U.S. congressman Ron Paul.[9] As of 2021, the caucus is considered to be a powerful faction of the Libertarian Party, controlling several state affiliates.[10]

History[]

2017–2018[]

In August 2017, a feud between the Libertarian National Committee and the Mises Institute occurred in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally.[5] LNC chairman Nicholas Sarwark criticized Mises Institute President Jeff Deist for an article he wrote for the think tank weeks before the rally that positively mentioned the term "blood and soil",[5][11] and criticized Tom Woods for defending Murray Rothbard's paleo strategy.[5][12] Other members of the LNC called the Mises Institute "white nationalist"[13] and said "there's no room for bigots and racists in the party".[14] Along with strong anti-Bill Weld sentiment in the party,[15] and many Ron Paul supporters believing the Libertarian Party became more politically correct and pro-identity politics, this all led to the formation and rise of the Mises Caucus.[5]

The newly-formed caucus endorsed LNC At-large member Joshua Smith for party chairman,[16] but lost to Sarwark in a landslide at the 2018 Libertarian National Convention 65–22%.[17]

2019–present[]

In 2019, the Caucus launched a political action committee, Mises PAC, to raise money for Libertarian candidates.[18]

The caucus supported Jacob Hornberger's campaign in the 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries.[19] Hornberger came in second behind nominee Jo Jorgensen at the 2020 Libertarian National Convention.[20]

The caucus once again endorsed Joshua Smith for party chairman,[21] but lost to Joe Bishop-Henchman.

In June 2021, the Mises-controlled New Hampshire affiliate made controversial tweets calling for "legalizing child labor", repealing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and re-opening Gitmo "so that Anthony Fauci and every governor that locked their state down can be sent there".[22][10] LPNH Chair Jilletta Jarvis in response took control of the state party's digital assets and Twitter account, and along with LNC chairman Bishop-Henchman, tried to disaffiliate LPNH and form a new state party, in an effort to kick the Mises Caucus out.[6][10] This move was widely condemned by many in the caucus, and many in the party outside the caucus, including 2020 VP nominee Spike Cohen and former U.S congressman Justin Amash. Both Jarvis and Bishop-Henchman resigned from their positions after the LNC rejected their motion.[6][10][23]

Political positions[]

The Libertarian Party Mises Caucus follows the laissez-faire Austrian school of economics.[24] It supports private property rights, and rejects socialism, corporatism, and mainstream monetary policies, such as central banking and state issued currency.[24] The caucus supports decentralization, including secession and localism, "all the way down to the individual".[24] The caucus strongly rejects identity politics, political correctness, and "wokeism", denouncing it as antithetical to individualism.[24][10]

The caucus has stated that their goal is for "real libertarians" to "takeover" the party, and "fix" it by bringing "economic literacy and sound messaging".[24] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the caucus strongly opposed lockdowns,[25] mask mandates, vaccine passports and vaccine mandates,[26][23] and criticized the wider party for being silent and "not taking a stand".[27][10]

Criticism[]

The Mises Caucus has been highly controversial within and outside the Libertarian Party.[5][10] The caucus has been accused by many of harboring racists,[10] anti-semites,[28] and transphobes,[10][23] although the caucus strongly denies this.[10]

In his resignation letter as LNC chair, Bishop-Henchman accused the Mises Caucus of having a "toxic culture" and "bad actors" that is "destroying and driving people away from the party".[6][10][23] In June 2021, former congressman Justin Amash criticized the Mises-controlled New Hampshire affiliate for "edgelording" and being unprofessional in their messaging.[29][30]

Former New Hampshire legislator Caleb Dryer criticized the caucus for claiming neutrality in the culture war "while picking the right-wing side", and called it disingenuous.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ Rozsa, Matthew (15 February 2021). "Marjorie Taylor-Greene's anti-Semitism is as American as apple pie (but Trump made it worse)". Salon. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Statement of Organization – Mises PAC" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Team". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Mises PAC Report of Receipts and Disbursements – Year-End 2020". Federal Election Commission. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Libertarian Party Rebuffs Mises Uprising". Reason.com. 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  6. ^ a b c d Bulletin, Annmarie Timmins N. H. "The unraveling of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire". SentinelSource.com. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  7. ^ a b Molinari (2018-07-13). "Tom Woods, Dave Smith, and Jason Stapleton Join the Libertarian Party". The Libertarian Republic. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  8. ^ "Tom Woods, Matt Welch, and Michael Malice Discuss Libertarian Infighting". Reason.com. 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  9. ^ Ron Paul's Message to the Mises Caucus. LP Mises Caucus. 2021-01-17. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Inside the Battle Over the Soul of the Libertarian Party". Reason.com. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  11. ^ Ryan (2017-07-28). "For a New Libertarian". Mises Institute. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  12. ^ Sarwark, Nicholas [@nsarwark] (2017-08-14). "TFW all you learned from Murray Rothbard was his worst political strategy ever. t.co/5qm0sNFCvP t.co/i01xYrjR7d" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Nicholas Sarwark, Arvin Vohra call out Jeff Deist and the Mises Institute's "blood and soil" politics". Independent Political Report. 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  14. ^ "Libertarians Tell White Nationalists, Racists to Leave Party". IVN.us. 2017-08-18. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  15. ^ "Libertarians Denounce Bill Weld". Reason.com. 2016-11-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  16. ^ "Libertarian Party Mises Caucus Endorses Joshua Smith for LNC Chair". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  17. ^ Libertarian National Convention New Orleans July 2, 2018 Live Stream. LibertarianParty. 2018-07-02. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "Mises PAC Launch". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  19. ^ Welch, Matt (12 May 2021). "The Libertarian Party Critique of Justin Amash". Reason. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  20. ^ Doherty, Brian (23 May 2020). "Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination". Reason. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  21. ^ Libertarian Party Mises Caucus [@LPMisesCaucus] (2019-12-11). "Fed up with Libertarian Party leadership? The LPMC is endorsing @JoshuaAtLarge to replace Nick Sarwark. Joshua is traveling to as many state conventions as he can to build relationships and ultimately gain delegate votes to become chair. Lets get him there t.co/hEdhIkCXqE" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Fordham, Evie (2021-06-09). "New Hampshire Libertarian Party draws backlash for calling to end child labor laws". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  23. ^ a b c d Jr, Lou Chibbaro (2021-08-18). "Gay D.C. Libertarian Party leader resigns as nat'l chair". Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  24. ^ a b c d e Clyde, Steven. "Platform". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  25. ^ O'Donnell, Kyle. "Abolish Lockdowns". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  26. ^ Libertarian Party Mises Caucus [@LPMisesCaucus] (2021-09-10). "Libertarians must be steadfast in saying NO to Biden's recent corporatist vaccine mandate EO. Any who support, excuse, justify, or rationalize it are feckless embarrassments carrying water for the regime and should never be taken seriously. #MassNonCompliance #WeNeedToSecede" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Libertarian Party Mises Caucus [@LPMisesCaucus] (2021-01-06). "So right-wing violence aimed at the empire's seat of power gets a swift condemnation, but left-wing violence (riots and lockdowns) aimed at small businesses gets silence I'm not saying @LPNational is run by controlled opposition, but if they were what would be different? t.co/QfcbTvd8IL" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "Marjorie Taylor-Greene's anti-Semitism is as American as apple pie (but Trump made it worse)". Salon. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  29. ^ Amash, Justin [@justinamash] (2021-06-16). "With that said, we need more professionalism and accountability from state affiliates. Official social media accounts are for advancing the party's mission of organizing libertarians, not for personal experiments in edgelording" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Justin Amash on How To End the Civil War in the Libertarian Party. ReasonTV. 2021-06-25. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via YouTube.

External links[]

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