Document:LP News 1971 November Issue 1: Difference between revisions

As of the date this Newsletter went to press (November 15th), the [[Committee to Organize a Libertarian Party|Committee]] had 63 members; this represents a doubling of membership in the last month.  We expect to continue doubling in size every month for several months, and do even better during the next few weeks, as a major feature article on the libertarian party concept will be appearing in the [[INDIVIDUALIST]] shortly.

Based on the responses received on our preliminary questionnaire, we now have a good idea of who we will be appealing to, and have been able to make certain basic decisions.  Our findings and the conclusions we have drawn from them, are as follows…

First, this will be a <U>young</U> party; the average age of those who have returned their questionnaires to date is 28, with one-fourth of the respondents being over 30, one-fourth under 20, and half in their 20s.

Our support is overwhelming drawn from people who in the past supported the GOP; over 75% are Republicans or ex-Republicans, with most of the others having no party affiliation at the moment.

Philosophically, the breakdown is: [[Objectivist]] 36%, [[Miseist]] 23%, [[Anarchist]]17%, [[Heinleinist]] 16%, with the reminder scattered.

A substantial majority of the respondents indicated that they felt that $5 or $6 was the most reasonable amount for annual membership dues; a number also indicated that there should be a graduated dues system, to permit students to join without undue financial strain.  We have therefore adopted the following dues structure: [[Student Membership]] $4, [[Regular Membership]] $6, [[Sustaining Membership]] $12.  In addition, we have created two categories of membership to recognize the contributions of major financial supporters: [[Life Membership]] ($100), and [[Life Sustaining Membership]] ($250).  In order to encourage prompt enrollment, it was also decided that anyone who pays his or her dues for 1972 on or before December 15th may deduct from his dues the $2 he paid to join the [[Committee to Organize a Libertarian Party|Organizing Committee]].

Regarding preferences for a name for our new party, there was an overwhelming margin in favor of [[Liberty Party]], among the four choices given.  However, there were many write-ins for Libertarian Party as well. For this reason, we are asking you to give us your preference between those two names; please use the attached form. <ref>This form was not attached to the newsletter when found and is still an item to be found and documents.</ref>