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"Successful OPH @ Bard College"
Written by John Reed 
(Published in FreeNY, August 1998) 

At the New York Libertarian web site (LPNY (Young Libertarians)), it states, "USA Today declared, 'Many of the 41 million members of Generation X are turning to ...libertarianism, a mixture of liberal views on social issues and a conservative bent on pocketbook concerns'...  In order to take advantage of the libertarian sentiments held by members of Generation X, the Libertarian Party of New York is organizing "Young Libertarian" groups.  The purpose of these groups will be to seek out students and other young people who are disenchanted with both the Republicans (over their social intolerance) and the Democrats (over their fiscal irresponsibility), and hopefully give them a home in the LP.  Of course, a secondary purpose is to have some fun! The Libertarian Party is, after all, the party of joy and prosperity--not duty and sacrifice."  

Cisewski, representing Region II on the Libertarian National Committee, served as state party vice chair in Wisconsin as well as state chair in the District of Columbia (Gene Cisewski's views on the National LP).  He states at his site, "We also have to act on growing libertarian sentiments on campuses. Most folks adopt life-long politics in their late teens to early twenties.  It's more cost efficient bringing people into the party when they are receptive than waiting until they're stuck in a rut.  Young folks don't represent the biggest voting block or great potential for donors in the short term, yet their life-long contributions will keep our party alive and growing."  

At Bard College on Saturday, May 16th, John Holowatch (Bard College student), Jason Gagnon (SUNY-New Paltz student), Meghan Smith (Carnegie Melon University student), and I (UT-Edinburg graduate) set up an Operation Politically Homeless booth.  We were 
there from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  We set up in front of the Cafeteria.  We had a table, some signs, Libertarian literature, and the big Nolan Chart.  

I was surprised by the number of students that came by to take the political quiz.  The number was 101!  This was twice the number compared to the Million Marijuana March-Phase I, back on May 2nd.  

This OPH would not have been this successful without the four of us there.  It really does go much smoother with more Libertarians at the booth.  If you look at the time we were there, three people were quizzed every seven minutes.  
 
Out of the one hundred and one students quizzed:  
31% scored Libertarian (with 8% border line around Libertarian)  
36% scored Liberal  
11% scored Centrist  
0% scored Conservative  
4% scored Authoritarian  
(note: the other 18% were at border lines)  

We also asked each student what they considered themselves politically  
before we gave them their score.  
52% had claimed to be Independent  
45% had claimed to be Democrat  
2% had claimed to be Republican  
1% had claimed to be Socialist  

We gave a Definition sheet for what Libertarian, Liberal, Centrist, Conservative, and Authoritarian means (from the Advocates Quiz/definitions site) and this flyer "TOWARD PEACE AND FREEDOM -The Libertarian Challenge Around the World" to everyone that came by the booth.  This helped everyone understand that Libertarians are real and that there is legitimacy in libertarianism.  For the students that scored Libertarian, we got their names and addresses to invite them to events this Fall and send them Libertarian information.  

We plan on finding more Libertarians and spreading the ideas of liberty to the students at Bard College and SUNY-New Paltz this Fall. There is a definite acceptance of Libertarianism among these students.  

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