Missouri Libertarian Party Vice Chair Cisse Spragins testified before the
Missouri State House Interim Committee on State Intelligence Analysis Oversight
August 31st, 2009 in Grandview, MO.
The last MIAC public hearing will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at the
Missouri State University, Ballroom East, Plaster Student Union, 1110 East Madison Street, Springfield, MO.
Southwest Missouri libertarians plan on testifying.
Here is a video of her testimony and her written testimony which was submitted
to the committee:
August 31, 2009
To: Missouri House of Representatives 95th General Assembly, 1st Regular
Session Interim Committee on State Intelligence Analysis Oversight
Chairman Dixon and members of the committee:
Thank you for conducting these public hearings on oversight of the Missouri
Information Analysis Center. I will address three areas.
MIAC Report Misrepresents Libertarians:
The Missouri Information Analysis Center report on the “Modern Militia
Movement” Report (“the report”) described a history of violent actions by
self-described ‘militia’ groups. Libertarians do share some very limited
issue commonality with these groups, such as opposition to income taxes and
support for the 2nd amendment. However views such as white supremacy,
anti-Semitism, neo-Nazism, racism, homophobia and militant opposition to
immigration and abortion are repugnant to Libertarians. Libertarians believe
that the smallest minority is the individual. We do not blame the problems of
the nation or society on Jews, gays, immigrants or any other social or ethnic
groups. The non-aggression principle is at the foundation of Libertarian
ideology – violence is only ever justified in self-defense. The advocating of
pre-emptive hate-based violence against others is likewise reprehensible to
Libertarians. Libertarians are neither “right-wing” nor “left-wing”. We
advocate limited government in all matters, tolerance of others’ life-style
choices and peace. We do not advocate the initiation of force to attain
political or social goals. The association of these groups with Libertarians
in the report constitutes either a display of ignorance by the authors, or
intentional misinformation.
Political Profiling Inappropriate in All Cases:
Irrespective of any overlap in views on issues between any violent groups
and any legitimate political parties, it is inappropriate for a government
entity to engage in “political profiling”. Government should not use political
or issue affiliation for the purpose of law enforcement, or for any other
purpose. We are all equal under the law. The right to oppose the status quo
through involvement in politics, particularly “third party” politics is
fundamental to a free society. The report discusses “End the Fed” rallies, tax
protests and protests against bailouts. If it were written today, it might
also mention protests against further government intervention into health care.
A Department of Defense training document classifies protesters as “low-level
terrorists”. This is an abomination. The right to peacefully assemble and to
petition the government for redress of grievances is protected by both the US
and Missouri Constitutions.
The right to freedom of speech and expression is also protected in both
documents. Again, these rights are protected because they are fundamental to a
free society. If these encroachments are allowed, what will be next? Will the
government decide that a Libertarian or someone with a Ron Paul bumper sticker
is ineligible for a concealed carry permit?
Why Do We Need “Fusion Centers”?:
Libertarians do not feel threatened by foreign or domestic terrorists. We
don’t need the government to be afraid for us. And we don’t want or need the
government to undermine our freedoms and right to due process in the name of
“protecting us”. In response to the two terrorist attacks, invasions have been
launched, vast new bureaucracies have been created, travel and commerce have
been disrupted, and the Bill of Rights has been eviscerated. Hundreds of
billions of dollars have been spent. For what purpose?
Concentration of power always leads to abuse. The purpose of law
enforcement is to help keep citizens secure in their persons and property, it
is not to protect the government from the people.
Thank you.
Cisse W. Spragins, Ph.D.
Vice Chair, Missouri Libertarian Party
