FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WALNUT CREEK, CA -- California Libertarians mourn the passing of former President Ronald Reagan, a great champion of individual liberty, personal responsibility and, arguably, the most libertarian-leaning President in modern history. Libertarians applauded Reagan for his attempts to control the size and power of government. As he said in his first inaugural address, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem.”

Reagan knew the dangers of government run amok, quipping “We don't have a $1 trillion debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a $1 trillion debt because we spend too much.” Libertarians pine for the days of “only” a $1 trillion debt; today, the officially reported debt is well over $7 trillion and climbing by over $500 billion per year. In a statement consistent with the Libertarian view, Reagan said, “You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order -- or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism, and regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would trade our freedom for security have embarked on this downward course.”

Reagan’s ultimate victory against totalitarianism was exemplified by his famous 1987 speech in Berlin: “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” By the end of the year Reagan left office (1989), the dream of millions came to fruition with the crumbling of the Berlin wall.

Aaron Starr, chairman of the Libertarian Party of California proclaimed, “On behalf of Libertarian Party members in California and liberty loving people everywhere I honor the memory of this great man, this great freedom fighter, and extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and her family.”

About the Libertarian Party of California
The Libertarian Party of California has more than fifty public officeholders statewide. Libertarians believe in personal freedom in both social and economic spheres, and in government small enough to protect those freedoms.