Op-Ed Columns 2001

Tim O'Brien, former Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Michigan and noted libertarian author and lecturer, has offered this regular opinion column free to Michigan newspapers. The monthly column will present the libertarian position on issues of the day -- both state and national. See the press release on this subject.

ATTENTION EDITORS: Feel free to reprint the articles listed below, please inform the author, Tim O'Brien (at tobrien3211@home.com) when doing so, thank you.

October 2, 2001 - Gothic Foreign Policy

The search for who was behind the horrifying terrorist attack on our country a few weeks ago is actually more problematic than the current thirst for retribution will long tolerate. [continue]

August 10, 2001 - A Fairy Tale of Two Cites

Once upon a time the American ideal for governance was what has been called the "Night Watchman" state. Government as nothing more than an impartial arbiter. A protector against force and fraud that, otherwise, left citizens free to buy and sell their goods and services in the voluntary marketplace. [continue]

July 3, 2001 - An Important Day

As we celebrate our country's 225th birthday with pomp and circumstance, parades and picnics and fireworks, it's worth taking at least a few moments to reflect on some of the facts (and misconceptions) surrounding our nation's birth announcement, the Declaration of Independence. [continue]

as published in the Detroit News

June 5, 2001 - Selling Us a Sales Tax Bill of Goods (Add 6%)

If there is one, universal, defining characteristic of politicians, it would have to be: covetousness. ... [continue]

May 22, 2001 - Child Support and Responsibility

The sound and fury continue over the problem of what self-proclaimed children's advocates used to alliterate "Deadbeat Dads," but have now politically corrected to the much less lyrical "Deadbeat Parents." (Mere posturing, really -- only 3% are "Deadbeat Moms.")... [continue]

as published in the Detroit News

February 16, 2001 - Civics Lessons

A group of Allen Park high schoolers got a wonderful, real-world lesson in how government works when they went on a field trip to a recent meeting of our city council.

As luck would have it, there happened to be an item on the agenda that was of particular interest to these young citizens. [continue]

as published in the Detroit News