The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Resident elected to top seat for county Libertarians

By Justin Berton

Marvin B. Rudin got frustrated being stuck in the middle.

"I wasn't satisfied with the Democrats because they weren't concerned with economic freedoms, and I wasn't satisfied with the Republicans because they didn't believe in social freedoms," he said.

In 1980, he found his political brethren within the Libertarian party, "despite the fact it was a small party," Rudin said.

Last month the Sunnyvale resident of 30 years was elected chairman of the Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County, the second-largest chapter in the state.

"I think Marv will make an excellent chairman because of his entrepreneurial spirit," said Paul Rako, Libertarian candidate for the District 22 state Assembly seat.

"He might have some strong opinions which party members might disagree with, but he wants to help the party grow in every way possible," Rako said.

Rudin said Libertarians want a minimum number of laws because laws force people into doing things. Libertarians also want a maximum number of free-market solutions because the free market uses voluntary agreements to reach solutions.

"The only thing we're against is murderers, violent people, people who cheat and liars," he said.

Critics of the party say a society designed under the principles of free-market solutions and few laws would result in chaos.

There are 4,614 registered Libertarians in the county; 436 live in Sunnyvale, the Registrar of Voters said. There are nearly 100 times more registered Republicans and Democrats in the county.

Rudin's first goal is to increase membership--a task he's taken on by writing a book. Titled Libertarians Informing Friends Efficiently (LIFE), it is having an impact, Rudin said. He test-marketed the book with 25 residents in Shasta County and said six people registered as Libertarians after reading the book.

"That's pretty good," Rudin said.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 13, 1998.
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