Local Libertarian leader Donna Gundle-Krieg has been invited to be part of an upcoming “civil debate” to be held Thursday, April 26, at 7:00 pm at Northwestern Michigan College Milliken Auditorium in the Dennos Museum, 1701 E Front Street in Traverse City.

“That’s Debatable” is open to the public and is sponsored by the Neahtawanta Center. After the debate, there will be a reception to encourage further dialogue. This will be held at the nearby Reflection Bistro at Cambria Suites, where there will be food and drinks available for all ages.

The Teams and the Issues
Gundle-Krieg, a local Real Estate Broker, will team up with Anthony Weber, Pastor and Ethics Teacher/Professor at Northwest Community College. 

They will debate against Aage Denton and Michael Carley, two members of the Traverse City West Honors Debate Team.

The issue at hand: “Two years of civic or military service should be required of every US citizen, without exception, upon attaining the age of voting.” 

The students will argue in favor of the proposition, while Gundle-Krieg and Weber will take the “con” side of the issue.

Purpose of the Debate
The debate is the first in a series of debates on timely issues impacting the broad community. “We are hoping to establish honest dialogue in the community,” according to the organizers of the event. ”The live and in-person form of the debate…will model a vibrant community alternative to the seethings of social media.”

“That’s Debatable” is civil public discourse.

The debates are being modeled after Intelligence Squared, considered the world’s leading forum for debate and intelligent discussion. Intelligence Squared was founded to “restore civility, reasoned analysis, and constructive public discourse.”

Libertarians Happy to be Involved
“We are very impressed with the people at the Neahtawanta Center and the purpose of the debate, stated Gundle-Krieg, Congressional District 1 Representative of the Michigan Libertarian party. “It’s great that we can show our little part of the world that all sides can be respectful of each other and listen.”

Now that Libertarians have major party status in Michigan, local party members are “thrilled that our voice is being included in these events.“

Of course the Libertarians take the con side, as the party platform revolves around limited government. While it sounds great to instill volunteerism in our young people, there are many problems and concerns related to freedom, economics, government power and much more.

“Who decides what is service and what is not?” asked national Libertarian leader Mary Ruwart in her article National Service: Should Young Americans Be Forced To Serve the Government?

“Government interference, even well-intended, backfires,” Ruwart believes. “Freedom is what is good for a nation, especially one that wants to help its poor.” 

For more information about the debate, please call Sally Van Vleck, (231) 223-7315, or email center@nrec.org. There is also an Event on Facebook.