2024: A Leap Back, A Leap Forward
From Trump's survival to Milei's rise, liberty's fight continues into 2025.
Well, my dear readers, 2025 starts tomorrow, so let's look back at 2024. While the world seemed to have taken a few steps back, we also saw some leaps forward regarding liberty.
Politics: The Circus Continues
We'll start with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clashing in what can only be described as a battle of egos. Trump, with his usual flair, managed to survive not one but two assassination attempts, turning his campaign into a narrative straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, with her progressive policies, tried to steer the country toward what some might call "Utopia" and others would call a "nanny state on steroids."
But let's not forget Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver, who secured the Party's nomination against serious odds. Although not victorious, his campaign displayed the power of principled politics. He reminded us that there is still a voice for individual freedom in a world where the two major parties tug of war to control our lives.
Economic Rollercoaster
2024 was an economic rollercoaster where inflation decided to take a vacation from its usual hike thanks to some unexpected market adjustments and a bit of luck. Yet, the government's love affair with printing money continued unabated in 2024, which made us libertarians shake our heads in disbelief. The silver lining? The rise of Bitcoin and decentralized finance solutions proves that freedom in finance isn't just a dream—it's becoming a reality, one blockchain at a time.
Technology
Technology in 2024 brought a blend of experiences! On the one hand, we saw amazing advancements in AI, with machines stepping in to help and even outsmarting us at times (a thought that can be a bit unsettling for some but exciting for others!). Conversely, our privacy faces more challenges than ever as major tech companies and governments take on a more Big Brother role. This has sparked a growing interest in tech solutions that prioritize our privacy.
Goodbye to a Giant
We bid farewell to Jimmy Carter, whose legacy, while not always aligned with libertarian ideals, included moments of humanitarianism. His death on December 29th reminded us that he at least started the deregulation process that Reagan continued. Carter had many faults as president but perhaps became a better citizen after his presidency.
Libertarian Victories
This year wasn't all bad. Javier Milei, the Libertarian President of Argentina, has reversed the disastrous socialistic policies of the past and is making huge strides in just one year in office with these Libertarian policies. And he is showing no signs of slowing down. The Free State Project in New Hampshire continued to grow, with more libertarians moving to the state.
Looking Ahead
As we close out 2024, the world continues to be a mess, but we have hope. We are moving to fight for more freedom against government control. We'll keep advocating for a society where individuals are free to innovate, create, and live their lives without the heavy hand of government dictating their every move. Our fight is not over, and we must continue to be vocal and active in our pursuit of liberty.
So, here's to 2025, where we hope to see more people waking up insisting on more freedom in their lives, less government overreach, and perhaps, if we're lucky, a few more freedom-focused folks in positions where they can make a difference. Let's not just hope for these changes; let's work towards them. Let's stay informed, engaged, and active in pursuing our freedoms.
My friends, stay free, stay vigilant, and keep the spirit of liberty alive.
Until next year,
Karl
