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We receive dozens of news releases each day in the newsroom from national political organizations. Most are a waste of time; a scant few are helpful.
This one, from the Libertarian Party, caught my eye. Whether you are for 'em or agin' 'em, their origins are interesting. I'm reposting it in total, except for a few tweaks to bring it more-or-less in line to newspaper style:
40th anniversary of Nixon speech that led to Libertarian Party
WASHINGTON - On August 15, 1971, President Richard Nixon gave a speech announcing what would be known as his "New Economic Policy." The speech led directly to the formation of the Libertarian Party.
In the speech, Nixon announced two measures that were of particular concern to libertarians. First, a government-imposed freeze on wages and prices. Second, and end to the convertibility of dollars to gold.
Nixon said, "I am today ordering a freeze on all prices and wages throughout the United States for a period of 90 days."
Libertarians saw both of these actions as betrayals of the principles on which the United States was founded.
This speech has often been cited as the critical moment that ignited the formation of the Libertarian Party.
In his history of the libertarian movement, “Radicals for Capitalism,” Brian Doherty writes that the late David F. Nolan "was working for an ad agency in Denver and happened to have a handful of libertarian-minded friends over that day when Nixon hit the airwaves with his wage and price controls announcement. They all agreed: It was time for a third party...a Libertarian Party."
Nolan and several others formally created the Libertarian Party in Colorado Springs on Dec. 11, 1971.
Libertarian Party Chairman Mark Hinkle said, "Taking the dollar off the gold standard has allowed the Federal Reserve to manipulate and devalue the dollar, and that's one reason our economy is in such trouble today. That, coupled with foolish wars and an unsustainable entitlement system supported by both the Democrats and Republicans, is why the Libertarian Party is more important today than ever before."
Eric Fodor covered local politics and the court system since 2001 for the Daily Register/Daily Journal -- until he recently became an employee of Saline County. Before that, he dipped his toe in the water in Carrier Mills village politics, first as a village board member, then as mayor from 1996-1998. He then came to his senses and went back to college before joining the newspaper. While no longer an employee of the newspaper, he has indicated he intends to continue blogging from time-to-time.
