There is plenty of evidence that this idea is still burning bright across America. Let’s not forget that Ted Cruz won the Iowa caucuses while being the only candidate to explicitly denounce ethanol subsidies, a position that was once considered deadly in agricultural states. Cruz proved that you don’t have to pander to special interests if your message is one that resonates with the people. Donald Trump is far from a libertarian, but his meteoric rise illustrates how tired and frustrated voters are with a government that has failed them, time and time again. For all the candidate’s faults, the instinct to reach for a businessman to fix problems created by lawyers, professors, and professional politicians is a fundamentally libertarian one. Marco Rubio’s strong third-place finish in Iowa, far ahead of deep-pocketed dynasty candidate Jeb Bush, demonstrates the same frustrations and desire for something different.

Just because the White House will not be occupied by a libertarian next year doesn’t mean that the movement is no longer relevant. The formation of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of about 40 representatives with distinctly libertarian tendencies, proves that the market for pro-liberty ideas is alive and well. In fact, this unique philosophy is becoming a natural part of our political system.