Republican Liberty Caucus
From Free Talk Live
The Republican Liberty Caucus is a political organization dedicated to electing and supporting what they call "liberty-minded, limited-government individuals" within the Republican Party. It can be considered the "libertarian" wing of the Republican Party (although that's a matter of debate). It also operates a political action committee.
Founded by former Libertarian Party member and Ron Paul staffer Eric Dondero Rittberg in 1990, the RLC is a nationwide organization which claims members in every state. Membership currently includes eight members of the US House of Representatives: John Culberson (not a libertarian), Mark Foley (a conservative-libertarian), J.D. Hayworth (not a libertarian, and considered by some to be the most right-wing member of congress), Sam Johnson (not a libertarian), Ron Paul (a conservative-libertarian), John Shadegg (not a libertarian), Nick Smith (not a libertarian), and Todd Tiahrt (not a libertarian. Officers of the RLC include Bill Westmiller, chairman; John Reed, vice-chairman; and Douglas Lorenz, Advisory Board Director. Board members include Murray Sabrin.
The RLC supports free enterprise, personal freedom, and protecting individual rights.
Criticism of the Republican Liberty Caucus
Many of the candidates endorsed by the RLC have shown more anti-freedom sides of themselves. For instance, Senator Wayne Allard (an RLC-backed candidate) is the one who proposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as only bewteen one man and one woman. He didn't just support the amendment; he authored the legislation.
However, the RLC does support some candidates who are at least "Republitarians," or conservative-libertarians. Great examples are Ron Paul and Jeff Flake. But that's about it.
Mark Foley was a former member, but resigned due to the scandal involving sending sexually explicit electronic messages to former male Congressional pages.
Joseph Boner, founder and CEO of PetMeats.com, hates the RLC with a passion. He has dedicated his life to bitching about them in every FTLBBS forum post he can.
