Christine Smith's Blog

My Plans for 2009

I am in receipt of quite a number of email inquiries asking what my plans may be for the coming year.

First, let me express my appreciation to those who have written. Although I am unable timewise to always send reply messages, I take this opportunity to thank you for your interest and your expressions of support.

In the past two weeks alone (not to mention the numerous inquiries over the last several months) my inbox has received more inquiries as to what my plans in regards to my work for liberty might be. Those plans, like all I decide to do in life, are interrelated to everything going on in my life.

Tomorrow, January 16, is my birthday. I’ve never been one to give much thought to it. Age, time, distance…all are meaningless measurements useful only to human plans and synchronization of activities, but irrelevant to spirit. What matters is what you do in the life you are given. What matters is who you are.

I like this quote: “A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip.” I am enjoying the trip! In fact, though my chronological age is 42, I feel like a girl in every way and it is how I perceive myself. I take delight in life, in learning, seeing and experiencing new things. I love life!

Thus, I share with you my plans for 2009:

Public office?

A number of you continue to ask and strongly suggest I run for public office, perhaps in Colorado (or otherwise). I have no plan or interest in doing so. I believe the political parties and the electoral process in this nation to be spiritually corrupt. Rather than a field of ideas being debated, examined, and brought forth, it is a snake pit where few can be trusted and to get ahead often requires selling out your principles and values (which many are more than willing to do). Truth is not valued or cherished. Anyone who would compromise matters of such importance never truly held those ideals or beliefs to begin with; it was merely a convenient means to use for whatever personal/social/or power agenda one wanted to gain. Political parties and elections in this nation have little to do with differing ideas being presented as a means to make things better, and everything to do with worship of and gaining of power. It is an area dominated by those who believe in lies, deceit, betrayal, sabotage, and all other manner of unethical practices.

I feel my efforts are better utilized for our cause through other areas rather than running for any office. I thank those who continue to write offering both financial and other support if I were to choose to seek elected office. Your libertarian values, and belief in my ability to bring them to the public as a candidate, is appreciated. But it is not the course I wish to take at this time. I choose instead to work for liberty in other ways which I feel will be more effective based on my own experience and observation.

Articles

I love writing. What a wonderfully gratifying experience it is to do what one loves and make your living at it. Although (to pay the bills) I actually work on a variety of general interest freelance pieces, it is the writing of articles from my heart that are most gratifying. For it is there my voice can make the most difference.

As I seek to grow in my life, it gives me great satisfaction to realize that what I write can help other people grow in their understanding of liberty and what it means to be free. I frequently receive email letters expressing appreciation for certain articles I’ve written. It means so much to me when someone takes their time to let me know that they found something I wrote to be valuable or insightful to them. I am happily continuing to write articles sharing libertarianism in both print and online publications.

 New Book

I am also currently working on a book – political, libertarian, and with a subject unlike any other book I’m aware of.  After my presidential campaign, I received a couple offers from publishers telling me they were interested in publishing a book from me. I did not take them up on it, as it was not the right time for me.

Now, I am motivated, inspired and stronger than ever in not only expressing my political views and perspectives in writing, but in my conviction that doing so makes a difference. I am happy when I write pieces that may open people to new ways of looking at things and which challenge false concepts. The book I am writing will be powerful in elucidating matters not previously addressed in the libertarian movement before. Right now, I am focused on the book development and writing so as to prepare it and its synopsis to submit to possible publishers in the future. I will continue to write freelance articles, but in addition, as time permits, I will be working on my new book.

 The Unknown

And I am one who remains open to yet unknown possibilities and opportunities that may also manifest in my life. I’ve learned in life that unexpected and unanticipated developments can arise which may alter plans or add new ones. Sometimes these can be both wonderful and miraculous. Knowing when to continue, deviate, or adjust to new situations is wisdom. The destination will be reached as more and more of us place truth as our priority and commit to doing that which we can. I will courageously and boldly use my heart and mind together to help be part of restoring our republic through whatever means presents itself and seems good to pursue. I will pray for guidance, and follow where I am led.

Dissemination of Ideas

I believe the key to advancing liberty in this nation lies not (yet) in the voting booth, but in the dissemination of ideas. Until it becomes the will of the people to hold tight claim to the freedom they were born with, elections are for the most part meaningless. While we have our work cut out for us as libertarians, we do have an opportune time to boldly share our convictions with others. People are hungry for solutions and are becoming fed up with the problems being exacerbated by the very politicians who continue to claim they’ll make things better.

The greater headway we make in the sharing of libertarian ideas, the more apt larger numbers of the populous will begin to actively reject statism in the voting booth in candidates and policy.

Nothing will have greater overall impact on where this nation is headed than more and more people from all walks of life embracing liberty and thereby courageously standing up for it right where they live and work. The power of this idea alone, of liberty, is enormous. It must be elucidated so most begin to look at it not as some distant ideology to which one gives lip service, but as the prerequisite to any happiness one may hope to enjoy. Once people begin to associate principles of libertarianism with every aspect of their daily life and make the link that only through it might they really live to the fullest, unrestrained, unhindered, unburdened, both economically and personally, will they heartily join us.

I am dedicated to disseminating the truth through my daily life, writing, public speaking, radio appearances, local activism, and supporting the work of others whom I believe and trust have the same commitment (they are rare). I also welcome and seek to learn from the work, experience and advice of other libertarians.

Different people process ideas and learn differently, and this is why it is essential that all libertarians share their perspective at every opportunity. You will never know how your unique expression, your words, your way of explaining something will reach someone who relates to the message as it could have been delivered only by you.

This nation has strayed so far from its founding principles it takes each and every one of us to be involved in sharing the libertarian philosophy and its real world benefits with all.  This is why all my activities will focus upon the dissemination of ideas.