Last updated 1994-11-02 by Tom Isenberg
Here are some gift ideas for people who are not necessarily libertarian. I have broken them down by age group. Most of them are books with some kind of libertarian themes. Many of these books can be found in either your local book store or can be ordered from Laissez-Faire Books, 1-800-326-0996. You ought to be familiar with the book before you decide to give it, of course. Make sure it's appropriate.
Songs from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (on tape, for use in the car and at home).
I've always been a big fan of Mr. Rogers, and my 2-year old son loves Mr. Rogers, as I did until the age of 6 or so. As a parent, I appreciate the topics covered in his songs. They foster genuine self-esteem: the joy of doing things for yourself, the joy of trying hard and doing your best, the importance of not hiding your true feelings, dealing with childhood fears, etc. Comedians like to make fun of Mr. Rogers, but his show is not smarmy or cloying, it is just gentle and calm. It deals with real issues of concern and interest to young children.
As a libertarian, I appreciate that Mr. Rogers, unlike other childrens' shows, actually celebrates capitalism and individual achievement by showing lots of film clips about how things are manufactured, and profiles people with special talents (Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, athletes, astronauts, etc.) One of his puppet characters is a genial factory owner who manufactures rocking chairs and is proud of his product, and one of his live characters (Mr. McFeeley) runs a private delivery service. How much more libertarian can you get? <G> Seriously, I've read "Mr. Rogers Talks With Parents" (a great book gift for parents, by the way) and thinks that it is very important for children to understand that people make and do interesting things in their lives.
Now, if only we could privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting...
Stock. Framed stock certificates from a "cool" company. Find out what product -- music, toys, candy, TV show, computers -- the kid loves and let her become an owner of the company that brings it to her: Warner Brothers, M&M Mars, Disney, Mattel, etc. (It'd be nice if you also gave a sample of their beloved product as well as the most recent annual stockholder report!) In the accompanying card (which you'll tuck into the most recent stockholder report), you include a clipping from the newspaper showing how the stock traded that day so she can then track it herself. You inscribe the card with something to the effect that she now owns the company! Finally, if you have an annoyingly leftist sister-in-law, buy her kids stock in General Electric, McDonell-Douglas, or some other defense contractor and include a cool poster of a warplane in action. <g>
Capitalism for Kids by Karl Hess (cool money-making ideas)
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Diary of Anne Frank
