Members of the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) set up a simulated version of the Berlin Wall this week on the library bridge to commemorate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and to criticize the recent actions of the U.S. government.

On the 13’ x 8’ plywood wall, students used markers to write criticisms of the government’s actions on issues ranging from gun control and gay rights to ACORN, Association of Community Organization Reform Now, and the pending health care reform. Timothy Rogers, president of the YAL, said the idea was originally pitched by the YAL’s national organization, and the Clemson chapter decided to move forward with it.

Vice President Chris Lewis said the wall represented the contest between capitalism and socialism. “In this context we’re asking the question as to where we draw the line between what we’ve held to for the last 270 years in this country — capitalism, individual liberties and freedom — versus what we’ve been against for the last 60, 70 years in this country — socialism,” he said.

Senior Amanda Carey said the most common concern is health care, especially the bill passed over the weekend by the House of Representatives. “It’s not just the single issue of health care,” she said. “But it’s how it’s going to impact the entire economy because the economy, on a broader scale, is the biggest issue right now.”

The Young Americans for Liberty began in 2008 as a grassroots movement on college campuses to support then-presidential candidate Ron Paul. According to its Web site, “Our goal is to cast the leaders of tomorrow and reclaim the policies, candidates and direction of our government…We welcome limited government conservatives, classical liberals and libertarians who trust in the creed we set forth.”

Libertarians should not be confused with Republicans; the two differ greatly on social issues, as evidenced on the wall by phrases like “What did gay people do to you?” and “Legalize marijuana.”

“We try to make a stand on principle, and we think that’s something that the Republican Party has failed to do,” said Rogers. “I like to use the term ‘Libertarian Republican’ because I believe that is the roots of the Republican Party…we’d like to get it back to there.”

Rogers said the YAL is working on bringing Libertarian speakers such as Ron Paul and Tom Woods to Clemson. The YAL meets at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Student Union.