From: szabo@techbook.com (Nick Szabo)
Newsgroups: alt.politics.marrou,alt.politics.elections
Subject: Andre Marrou on Larry King
Date: 24 Jul 92 11:05:04 GMT
Organization: TECHbooks --- Public Access UNIX --- (503) 644-8135

I listened to Andre Marrou tonight (Friday 7/24, 12-1am) on the Larry King
radio show.  Contrary to my expectations, Marrou exuded charisma.
He spoke in a strong, calm voice that communicates a potential for great 
leadership.  The intellectual vitality of the Libertarian Party was vividly 
shown: Marrou had a concrete answer to every question Larry King and the 
callers put forth, on issues ranging across taxes, the deficit, civil rights, 
the L.A. riots, defense, health care, drugs, the homeless, and much more.  
Marrou put forth a clear vision of the U.S. in the post-Cold War world; the 
contrast between this Libertarian vision and the confusion reigning in the 
Democrat and Republican parties is quite startling.

Here are some specific points discussed (this may not be a complete
list):

* Marrou's original goal was to get votes in the 7 digits (millions);
  Libertarian support is growing rapidly and there may now be a possibility 
  of 8 digits.
* Bill Koch (1980 LP VP candidate?)'s brother recently won the America's
  Cup yachting race.  His contribution allowed TV ads which sparked the 
  stronger 1980 showing.  There will be some TV ads this year targeted
  at New Hampshire and perhaps some other states.
* Discussed Perot's appeal; Marrou noted that Perot had money and the
  aura of success. 
* Listed the points in the Libertarian platform (I didn't get every
  point; some of these are discussed further below)
	* Abolish IRS and personal income tax (1/3 of government
	  revenue), reinvigorating the economy by putting $hundreds
	  of billions into the hands of consumers, savers, and
	  investors.
        * Reduce national government size 7-10% per year, by attrition of
	  federal employees; no layoffs needed.
 	* Stop paying to defend Germany and Japan
	* Charitize welfare
	* Pro-choice, in reproduction, education, and economic decisions.
* King challenged him on civil rights.  Marrou emphasized that the right to
  vote is fundamental, but there is no right to demand service from
  private owners; he asked King if people should have a right to go on 
  his show or if King has the right to choose who goes on his show;
  King ducked the question.
* King gave out the Libertarian 800 number (1-800-682-1776), not
  one but five (count them 5!) times during the show.
* Marrou said his running mate (doctor, attorney and business
  owner Nancy Lord) would love to debate Quayle and Gore.  He
  also challenged his competitors to take IQ tests.  :-)
* Marrou opposed U.S. intervention in Yugoslavia/Serbia, saying that
  the purpose of defense is to protect our own liberties, not to
  force our ways on others.
* King asked Marrou "have you inhaled?", and Marrou replied "yes
  I have inhaled", but only a few times since he didn't enjoy it.
  He noted that marijuana was legal in his home state of Alaska for 
  c. 15 years.  He favors decriminalizing drugs to reduce the profit 
  incentive and drug-related crimes.  He noted that both alcohol-related 
  crimes and alcohol consumption itself declined after Prohibition was 
  revealed, and predicted that the same thing would happen for other 
  drugs.
* Marrou expressed his disapproval of the treatment of Rodney King,
  and said that a Libertarian police force would have reacted more
  quickly than Darryl Gates and Pete Wilson  to the riot, to protect
  lives and property.  Surprisingly, he did not mention how Koreans 
  who had their own guns were able to defend their own property and come 
  out of the riot intact.
* He said that much of the national debt could be paid off by
  selling government property that has high real estate value but is 
  going to waste, including the Presidio and Camp Pendelton.
* Marrou said he is strongly pro-choice, noted that abortion was
  legal when the U.S. was founded.  He suggested four ways
  that abortions could be reduced, including reducing FDA interference
  that prevents use of effective birth control like Norplant and 
  RU-440.  
* A caller asked Marrou how he would tackle the homeless problem.
  Marrou said the problem was caused by zoning, restrictive 
  electric/plumbing codes, and other regulations that are designed for 
  the middle class and drive up the cost of housing beyond what the poor
  can afford.  If home builders were free from regulation, they 
  could build affordable housing and homelessness would be greatly 
  reduced.
* He noted that the basic philosophy of the LP is individual
  liberty: liberty of time, body, and money.
* King asked Marrou how he would handle Congress.  Marrou said
  if he was elected there would also be many Libertarian Representatives 
  and Senators elected.  He noted that from his experience in the Alaskan 
  Legislature, even one or two articulate Libertarians in Congress
  can make a big difference.
* Marrou said both former Perot and Buchanan supporters are moving
  over to support his campaign.  A caller accused him of "trying
  to draw votes" from both the parties; he and King laughed and
  he heartily agreed.  He also said that he wants to get the
  majority of Americans who don't vote back into politics.

All in all, Marrou communicated a platform of specific change
that puts the Libertarians in the forefront of shaping the new
ideas of the 21st century.  Whether or not this show or this 
election put the Libertarians in the limelight, they are 
here to stay.


-- 
szabo@techbook.COM  Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks
Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 644-8135 (1200/2400, N81) 
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