Karl Hess (May 25, 1923 – April 22, 1994) was an American national-level speechwriter and author. He also characterized himself as a political Philosopher, editor, welder, motorcycle racer , Tax resister, Atheist , and Libertarian activist . His career included stints on the Republican (GOP) right and the New Left when he became a left-libertarian, the latter coincident with his embrace of market Anarchism.