It isn’t easy to be a good parent.  Most parents hope to teach their kids to be respectful and productive human beings.  They hope to equip their children to be independent adults.

You can tell your kids things until you’re blue in the face.  What you say may or may not stick.  If you really want to teach something to your kids, the best way to do it is to set a good example.

You can tell your kids not to smoke, but if they ever see you smoking, then there is a good chance they will follow.  You can tell your kids not to curse in public, but if they hear you doing it, then they are likely to follow your example.  And good luck telling your kids to eat their vegetables if you don’t have a serving on your own plate.

And so it goes for teaching others the benefits of liberty.  You can talk all day long about the latest government boondoggle.  You can do your best to explain good economics.  But often the best way to exert your libertarian influence is to simply just set a good example.

Setting Examples

During COVID hysteria times, I didn’t wear a mask anywhere unless I was explicitly told.  I remember walking around Publix (the grocery store) and being the only person not wearing a mask.  While it might have made a few people mad, I hope it inspired some others to be brave and also not wear one.  (The Publix employees were always very kind, and I was never once questioned about not wearing a mask.  I can’t say the same for Whole Foods.)

You can preach all day long about how the government shouldn’t be involved in education.  But if you actually homeschool your own children, it will show others that it can be done.  They might even talk to you about it and explain their fears of doing it.

The Best Example

The best way to set a good example is to just be a good person.  Also, it helps to be a somewhat normal person.  Some libertarians like to act as outcasts of society, and it is certainly their right to do so.  But it doesn’t do any favors for selling liberty.

It’s ok to fit in to society in many aspects, even if you believe in a minimal or no state society.  You aren’t selling out your libertarian principles by watching the Super Bowl or enjoying a concert at your local park.  In fact, the more you fit in, the more likely that others will listen to you when it comes to your politics (or maybe I should say anti-politics), as long as you aren’t overbearing.

There are many great things in our society in spite of a massive state.  We should embrace those great things and join others in embracing them, even if those other people are not completely on our political team.  You may find you have more influence when you embrace these things and generally are a happy person.  Other people want to be around happy and friendly people, and that is how you will have the most influence.