Every month IPR has an open thread. This thread is for our readers. You can post any third party news, opinion columns by third party activists, upcoming events and more. In fact, feel free to post about any topic at all – even if it doesn’t relate to third parties in the slightest. This is YOUR thread!
ARVE error: need id and provider
I am a Gaston County NC business owner running as an independent in the 2016 presidential election. No I’m not crazy, I’m tired of Big Government wasteful spending, partisan politics, federal and state involvement in business’ and the federal Government not listening to the citizens of the US. I would appreciate any support you could afford a middle class, Independent! We started our campaign the first of October, and have been steadily gaining a following via Social Media, we have a long way to go, but I as well as my staff are very determined.
You can view my website along with My Radio Interview with Keith Larson from 1110 WBT Radio, and the Article about my family in the Gazette. This weekend, a interview will air from the time that I sent talking with News 14 Carolina.
Like us on Facebook as well to follow our progress!!
https://www.facebook.com/hendrixforpresident2016
http://www.hendrixforpresident2016.com
David Hendrix
704-689-7028
Hendrix for President
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9qYF9DZPdw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzY2Qcu5i2A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adgx9wt63NY
As mentioned earlier in the week, both a write-up of the LAMA State Convention, and election returns.
http://joshwevans.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/libertarian-association-of-massachusetts-state-convention-election-returns/
http://joshwevans.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/libertarians-meet-in-worcester-set-sights-on-2014/
This is from the article that Jill posted above about why there are not more female libertarians: “Compared to the general population,” the 7 percent of Americans who identify as libertarian (plus an additional 15 percent with libertarian leanings) “are significantly more likely to be non-Hispanic white, male, and young. Nearly all libertarians are non-Hispanic whites (94%), more than two-thirds (68%) are men, and more than 6-in-10 (62%) are under the age of 50.”
I mostly agree with the results of this survey, however, I would not be surprised if the 68% male figure is a little bit low if anything. I am surprised by the 62% under the age of 50 figure, since there seems to be an abundance of middle aged or older people at libertarian meetings, however, the results could be skewed by all of the younger people who were woken up by the Ron Paul campaigns of 2007-2012.
This has actually been a problem in the Libertarian Party and movement for a long time, as if the movement ever wants to be more successful it is going to have to attract more women, and more non-white people, and more young people need to keep coming in to replace and supplement all of the old libertarian dinosaurs out there.
pic.twitter.com/sEglFIBAAz
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/115410/why-arent-there-more-female-libertarians
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Green News – DC
Date: Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Subject: GP RELEASE Green Party: “60% want a third party? Let’s talk.”
To: dcsgpnews2
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
This release is online at http://www.gp.org/index.php/green-party-press-releases/details/4/648.html
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-904-7614, [email protected]
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, [email protected]
Green Party: “60% of Americans want an alternative party? Let’s talk.”
• Green Party Speakers Bureau: Green leaders available to speak on democracy and electoral reform: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-democratic.php
WASHINGTON, DC — Green Party candidates and leaders said that a recent Gallup poll shows that the recent shutdown left millions of Americans feeling betrayed by both Democrats and Republicans in Washington and open to a major new political party.
According to the poll, “Amid the government shutdown, 60% of Americans say the Democratic and Republicans parties do such a poor job of representing the American people that a third major party is needed.” (“In U.S., Perceived Need for Third Party Reaches New High” Oct. 11, http://www.gallup.com/poll/165392/perceived-need-third-party-reaches-new-high.aspx). See also “Many students would welcome third major political party” (USA Today, Oct. 19, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/19/millennials-want-political-reorganization/3013343/).
Greens called the shutdown, which might reoccur soon as Congress and the White House continue budget negotiations, an opportunity for Americans to discuss the future of U.S. democracy and ending domination by two parties.
• Joe DeMare, Green candidate for Bowling Green City Council in Ohio (http://www.joedemareforagreenfuture.org): “Americans are realizing that the shutdown is a symptom of two-party politics. The shutdown revealed Republicans as the party of irresponsible extremists, but Democrats have also moved far to the right. The solution to shutdowns, sequestration, and the politics of war and Wall Street isn’t compromise or the phony center between the Ds and the Rs. The solution is multiparty democracy and the end of two-party rule. The shutdown proved that America needs a party that refuses corporate contributions and that represents working people — including federal and state employees. That’s why we call the Green Party an imperative for the 21st century.”
• Alfred Molison, Texas Green and a federal employee: “Social Security and Medicare are in danger from both parties. Much of the Obama Administration’s agenda and accomplishments, including the Affordable Care Act and plans to slash Social Security, would have been recognized as Republican ten years ago. The individual mandate was introduced by the Heritage Foundations and promoted by Republicans until Democrats made it the basis of the ACA. The bipartisan debate over the ACA is between two factions that want to keep our health care under the control of for-profit insurance company gatekeepers. The Green Party continues to demand Medicare For All — single-payer national health care, in which patients and physicians, not corporate bureaucrats, make decisions about medical care.”
• Lynne Serpe, Green candidate for New York City Council, District 22 in Queens (http://www.serpeforcouncil.org): “The movement for an alternative party will grow as more Americans vote independently. But we also need election reforms, like Instant Runoff Voting, Proportional Representation, caps on political contributions, public funding for campaigns and repeal of election laws in many states that privilege Democratic and Republican politicians and obstruct other candidates and parties. Greens have advocated these changes since the party was founded and we’re helping to lead the struggle to make the U.S. a real democracy.”
• Marian Douglas-Ungaro, activist for statehood and equal rights in the District of Columbia and member of the DC Statehood Green Party: “Women are among those hardest hit by sequestration, austerity measures, and the recent shutdown. Women stand the most to lose from deals between the White House and Congress to shred the safety net and scale back earned benefits. Greens have different priorities: Cheri Honkala, the Green Party’s 2012 vice-presidential nominee, helped host a meeting in Philadelphia this past weekend of the World Court of Women that focused on poverty (http://economichumanrights.org/?page_id=7). Women of all backgrounds deserve a political party that we can build from the bottom up. Democrats and Republicans measure the health of the U.S. economy according to Dow Jones, the GDP, and corporate profit reports. Greens judge the economy according to how many people are lifted out of poverty.”
• Laura Wells, Green candidate for California Controller in the 2014 election (http://www.LauraWellsSolutions.com): “Richmond, California is the best example of government for the people, not corporations. It is the largest city in the U.S. with a Green Party mayor. Gayle McLaughlin is a champion of solutions for people, and stands up to the biggest corporation in the state, Chevron. Now she’s taking on Wall Street banks, intending to use eminent domain if necessary to keep people in their homes. Why did she move on that idea and other mayors did not? Because she’s a Green and takes no corporate money. My favorite election ever was in Richmond in 2010 when Chevron put $1 million into three races and lost, lost, and lost. The candidates who took no corporate money won. And the people won.”
See also:
“Green Party: After the shutdown, American people still need Medicare For All, Social Security without reductions, deep cuts in bloated military spending”
Green Party press release, October 10, 2013
http://www.gp.org/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/646.html
“The coming debt-ceiling settlement: The well-orchestrated dance 2.0”
Jack Rasmus, Federal Reserve Chair in the Green Shadow Cabinet, October 15, 2013
http://greenshadowcabinet.us/statements/coming-debt-ceiling-settlement-well-orchestrated-dance-20
“Eminent Domain and More: Green Party Mayor and Nonprofits Create Prototype”
By Rick Cohen, Nonprofit Quarterly, October 22, 2013
http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/23100-eminent-domain-and-more-green-party-mayor-and-nonprofits-create-prototype.html
“Editorial: Current discontent with two party system opens door for third party politics”
The Mirror, University of Northern Colorado, October 21, 2013
http://www.uncmirror.com/news/editorial-current-discontent-with-two-party-system-opens-door-for-third-party-politics-1.3097509
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191
• Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Ballot Access Page http://www.gp.org/2012/ballot-access.html
• Video Page http://www.gp.org/video/index.php
• Green Papers http://www.greenpapers.net/
• Discussion Forum https://secure.gpus.org/secure/GreenPartyForum
• Google+ http://www.gp.org/google
• Twitter http://twitter.com/gpus
• Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus
• GP-TV Twitter page http://www.gp.org/twitter
• Facebook page http://www.gp.org/facebook
Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog
Green Shadow Cabinet http://greenshadowcabinet.us
~ END ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPzXCacwPBY
LP: Pojunis, Cindy Lake on radio
“Is the two party system working or broken beyond repair?
My guest is Brett Pojunis
Libertarian National Committee (LNC) – Region 4 Representative
Young Libertarian National Alliance (YLNA) – Co-founder/Chairman
The Libertarian Post – Founder”
Pojunis is running for state chair of Nevada LP.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomizerradio/2013/10/22/truth-train-freedomtalk-wcindy-lake starts at around 131 minute mark.
The interviewer, Cindy Lake is the former Clark County NV Republican party chair and Ron Paul supporter who just switched to the LP in the last few days. (Clark County includes Las Vegas and about three quarters of Nevada’s entire population).
http://www.lp.org/blogs/carla-howell/elected-libertarian-levi-tappan-working-to-cut-city-spending-and-taxes
On Wed, Oct 23, 2013 at 9:55 AM, Starchild wrote:
The chairman of the New Jersey LP’s Open Government Advocacy Project was interviewed for a segment of the show “Chasing New Jersey” on Channel 9 which aired last night:
http://www.my9nj.com/story/23767035/did-christie-have-democrat-fired
Way to go, John!
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
_______________________________________________
Lnc-discuss mailing list
[email protected]
Ask Dr. Ruwart
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication. In this column she offers short answers to real questions about libertarianism. To submit questions to Dr. Ruwart, see end of column.
What will libertarians do about abusive corporate power?
Question: Corporations receive billions in government subsidies, use the government to legislate their profits and stomp on their competition, and their internal policies toward their employees are often the least generous of any institution in our society. Opening up a free market to this powerful lobby sounds scary. Any suggestions?
My short answer: A free market is the only way to control corporations! As long as government has the power to regulate business, big business will control government by funding the candidates that legislate in their favor. A free market thwarts lobbying by taking the power that corporations seek away from government.
For example, in a libertarian society, government could not give subsidies, legislate profits, or introduce legislation designed to favor big business as it does today. Today, when regulations are proposed, big business cries, “Don’t throw me in the briar patch!” More regulation means that their smaller competitors are forced out of business.
Free markets, by encouraging competition, expand the economy and create more jobs. Employees would have more choice and flexibility to move if they weren’t treated well. Without the regulation that big business wants, employees could much more easily become their own bosses. Employers who didn’t treat employees well might find themselves creating competitors!
LEARN MORE: Suggestions by Liberator Online editor James W. Harris for further reading on this topic:
* “Corporations versus the Market; or, Whip Conflation Now” by Roderick T. Long. Philosopher and libertarian theorist Roderick Long examines the often-tangled relationship between governments, corporations, and those who argue both for and against free markets.
This stimulating essay is the lead essay in a four-part series on corporatism and its relationship to free-market advocacy, entitled “When Corporations Hate Markets” and published by the Cato Institute. The other essays in the series — by political analyst Matthew Yglesias and economists Steven Horwitz and Dean Baker, are all well worth reading on this important and frequently misunderstood topic.
* * * * * * * * * *
Got questions? Dr. Ruwart has answers! If you’d like answers to YOUR “tough questions” on libertarian issues, email Dr. Ruwart
Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can’t personally acknowledge all emails. But we’ll run the best questions and answers in upcoming issues.
Dr. Ruwart’s previous Liberator Online answers are archived in searchable form.
Dr. Ruwart’s brand new book Short Answers to the Tough Questions, Expanded Edition is available from the Advocates, as is her acclaimed classic Healing Our World.
Sharon Harris review of Wes Benedict’s book
New Libertarian Book Praises Advocates and Quiz
Dear friends,
The World’s Smallest Political Quiz is also the World’s Most Popular Political Quiz. It has reached tens of millions of people around the world since the Advocates for Self-Government introduced it in 1987.
This week I was pleased to discover yet another example of the Quiz’s success in building our movement for liberty crossed my desk.
Introduction to the Libertarian Party: For Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, and Everyone Else is abrand-new book by Wes Benedict, longtime libertarian activist and former Executive Director of the national Libertarian Party.
It’s a short, personal, conversational introduction to America’s third-largest political party. In just over 100 pages Benedict covers the basics about the Libertarian Party: why it was founded, what it stands for, why it is needed, how the party is organized, challenges the party faces, how and why to run as a candidate, and much more.
Wes details his own journey from conservative to libertarian. And I’m happy to say that Wes was introduced to libertarianism by encountering the World’s Smallest Political Quiz at an OPH booth during his first week at the University of Michigan.
That mind-opening encounter inspired him to begin the journey from brand-new libertarian to successful and highly influential libertarian activist.
“I had barely heard of the word ‘libertarian’ before I took the Quiz,” Wes writes. “But shortly after I took it and found out I had libertarian political views, I joined the Libertarian Party as a dues-paying member.”
He would go from there to have an immense impact as a local and state activist, fundraiser, donor, candidate, and eventually Executive Director of the national Libertarian Party.
Wes continues: “I’m not the only person who joined the Libertarian Party after taking the Quiz. I actually think the Quiz is the Libertarian Party’s most valuable and effective outreach tool. Setting up [an OPH] booth and giving the Quiz to as many people as possible is a great project for a new Libertarian Party activist.
“I want to offer a big thanks to the Advocates for Self-Government for creating the World’s Smallest Political Quiz, and to James Hudler, the Michigan Libertarian who was manning the booth and offered me the Quiz that day I walked through the quadrangle.”
That, friends, is a perfect example of the power of the Quiz and OPH outreach! The next person you give a copy of the Quiz to may turn out to play a major role in libertarian outreach and politics — like Wes.
Wes reprints the World’s Smallest Political Quiz in his book and devotes a chapter to it. The Quiz is featured on the cover of his book as well.
And I’m pleased that he wrote the following: “Based on my years of Libertarian Party activism, I’ve found that the Advocates for Self-Government and the Cato Institute are the two most useful resources for Libertarian Party efforts.”
Thanks, Wes!
As Ron Paul noted a few years ago in the Congressional Record: “The World’s Smallest Political Quiz is responsible for many Americans’ first contact with libertarian ideas. While traveling around the country, I have often heard people say, ‘I never knew I was a libertarian until I took the Quiz!'”
Our goal at the Advocates has always been to empower libertarians to become successful communicators of the ideas of liberty, so they can build an ever-larger, ever more effective movement for liberty. Our Quiz and OPH booths are two of the ways we do this.
Follow Wes’s example: use these tools and quickly and easily discover the libertarian leaders and activists of tomorrow — today.
In liberty,
Sharon
[email protected]
* * *
From Michael Cloud in the Liberator Online from the Advocates for Self-Government
Advancing liberty is like driving a car at night
There has never been a libertarian country. No time and no land has ever been fully free.
Some of our ancestors made progress. Made inroads to freedom. The Magna Carta. The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution of the United States of America.
But all had deep flaws, failings and shortcomings. Even in America, they allowed slavery. Or failed to recognize the rights and freedoms of women. Or violated the life, liberty, and property of native Americans. Or allowed blue laws. Or condoned Jim Crow laws. Or deprived gay men and lesbians of rights and liberties that we recognize for heterosexual men and women. Or shamelessly violated — and continue to violate — everyone’s natural or Constitutional rights — trampling on our fundamental Bill of Rights liberties.
We have partial freedom. More than many, but less than we could have and should have. We must find and drive an unmarked road to full freedom.
“Advancing liberty is like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” — adapted from E.L. Doctorow.
The headlights keep us on the road, but the freedom road markers make sure we’re moving toward a more complete liberty.
Freedom Road Marker: “Does this proposal cut government spending — AND return every penny to the taxpayers?”
Freedom Marker: “Does this proposal shrink government — or not?”
Freedom Marker: “Does this expand liberty — or not?”
Freedom Marker: “Does this reduce the size or spending or taxing or power or authority of government — or not?”
If we keep driving in the direction of small government and individual liberty, we will reach our rightful destination: a libertarian America.
http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/10/quinnipiac-university-poll-for-virginia-gubernatorial-race/
http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/10/prominent-nebraska-businessman-will-run-for-u-s-senate-in-2014-as-an-independent/
http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/10/marianne-williamson-will-run-for-congress-as-an-independent/
http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/10/marshall-university-student-newspaper-editorial-suggests-new-major-party-is-overdue/
http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/10/syracuse-university-student-newspaper-editorializes-that-green-partys-campaign-activity-in-syracuse-is-beneficial/
http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/10/michigan-expects-to-respond-to-libertarian-partys-cert-petition-on-sore-loser-laws-and-presidential-primaries/
http://www.alternet.org/economy/average-american-family-pays-6000-year-subsidies-big-business
I side with Judge Napolitano here, and Stossel is a disappointment.
Judge Napolitano Vs John Stossel ~ NSA Spying Scandal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rL1mm3kQ0Q
Yes, I mentioned that a couple of comments back 🙂 and in CA it is 2/3. Meanwhile, back at the ranch….
http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/073013-665705-income-gap-grew-sharply-under-obama.htm
LP Wins Again
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/22/support-for-marijuana-legalization-spikes-to-58-percent/
This is a Gallup poll showing legalization supported with a near-20-point lead.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/164591/americans-belief-gov-powerful-record-level.aspx
http://youtu.be/2Qtx_ZcHOjw
http://reason.com/blog/2013/10/22/gallup-poll-finds-58-of-americans-suppor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk2Ne23dqrA
http://www.policymic.com/articles/60007/why-libertarianism-will-crush-conservatism
http://reason.com/archives/2013/10/22/could-robert-sarvis-open-the-door-for-vi
http://thestateweekly.com/sen-feinsteins-proposed-bill-would-incriminate-anyone-speaking-against-nsas-spying-and-courts
http://joshtolley.com/breaking-news-jesse-ventura-willing-run-libertarian-2016-presidential-race/
On The Josh Tolley Show (10/22/13) Gov. Ventura told talk-show host Josh Tolley that if the Libertarian Party would grant him ballot access he would indeed be willing to run for President in 2016.
Nice site. Hopefully the ballot access will get funded. 25k valid in 90 days with a tough verification standard is no joke.
The Julie Fox For Illinois Comptroller 2014 has a new campaign website…
http://juliefox2014.com/
It’s a great story, Stewart. I’ll put something up tonight or tomorrow, unless someone else does first.
You’ll also find background on it in the stories on IPR this summer covering the Senate 42 special election. There was also considerable discussion from May through November of last year, including my reporting that the LNCC told us that a State a House race in South Carolina was of no consequence…you can go read it. IPR got it all.
They misfiled. Their parties were told, and we have proof in their denial in the Post and Courier. The State Ethics Commission’s public website clearly shows that the candidates did not file correctly (and that Alex Thornton did it correctly), and the State Election Commission said (in writing) that they wouldn’t take action to enforce election law and that we’d have to sue them.
They got their wish.
Now if the court upholds the law the same way they did last year when over 200 candidates (including all but one of the LP’s) were kicked off…
You can guess the rest.
Jill – Stewart already posted the link http://thenerve.org/news/2013/10/21/Lawsuit-Kimpson/ …. yes, it’s an interesting story.
Stewart, I’ve been busy with family stuff, and I think your lawsuit situation completely skipped my radar. Can you send me a link, and I’ll research it from there?
Massachusetts State Convention
We elected a new State Committee. The State Committee elects its officers. The Libertarian Party of Massachusetts is pleased to announce its 2013-2014 State Committee, and Officer assignments:
David Blau (Chair)
Peter Bougioukos (Recording Secretary)
Bob Clark (Treasurer)
Cris Crawford (Archivist)
Dan Fishman (Political Facilitator, Technology Facilitator)
Dick Martin
Natalya Orlando
George Phillies (Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor)
Ken van Tassell (Operations Facilitator)
We also elected a slate of delegates to the Libertarian National convention.
So no thoughts on the suit? This is big, really big. As I pointed out here on IPR months ago, the Libertarian Party’s candidate was the only candidate who filed correctly. Alex Thornton was the only candidate who could LEGALLY WIN.
When the same thing happened in 2012, everyone ignored what I and others were saying. No one on the national committee listened. Very few listened this year. We were right then, and we’re right now.
And now it goes to court. We may have an overturned election and a LIBERTARIAN in the SOUTH CAROLINA STATE SENATE.
Most of what we see these days on IPR is “shadow government” BS and stories about who’s more “pure” politically. Wake up and cover a REAL story!
I think the Washington Whiteskins are probably by far our bigger problem.
I can’t believe people can’t see that “Redskins” is offensive. The name should have been voluntary changed years ago .It has nothing to do with being politically correct, and everything to do with basic decency.
And Wash*ngton is quickly becoming an expletive, that’s for sure.
http://libertycrier.com/obama-pushes-redskins-name-change-uses-tomahawk-missiles-apache-helicopters/
Some minor party activists and independents are supporting this petition.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/improve-representative-democracy-mandating-more-political-choices-ballot-box/Dm2Xk0Xj
How many of you would have bet against a lawsuit being filed? 🙂
http://thenerve.org/news/2013/10/21/Lawsuit-Kimpson/
I sat in on the LAMA state convention and am piecing together a small write-up for anyone interested. I also officiated as vote counter for electing officers, being an unrelated observer and non-member.
Dormant …but it still exists…. http://lpanarchist.wordpress.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/lpanarchists
https://www.facebook.com/groups/100056209203/
Speaking of Larken Rose, I do wish we had an Anarchy thread. The movement seems to be getting stronger and stronger. What do you folks think? Is anyone besides me interested in Anarchy?
I guess I should said statewide office. The VT Progressives have a State Auditor, as well as various state legislators.
Larken Rose: If Not For Government
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SNLzfrBc1Q
I thought Maine has a Green also? I could be wrong. Separate from the ex-Green Independent.
“Does any other state have a third party member who was elected as representing that third party in state office?”
Maine has four independent legislators. Virginia has one who has served longer than any other current house member, though he’s retiring this year (Lacey Putney). At one point Virginia had three elected independents in its house just 5-6 years ago. Some other states probably have independents as well. In terms of third parties though (not independents), Arkansas has an elected Green member, but I can’t think of any other examples.
What about this? It seems highly relevant to everything. Why isn’t this getting massive attention?
Reform Party Comment at http://reformparty.org/reform-party-of-california-commentary-why-ideology-is-bad-for-politics/:
A key criticism the Reform Party of California (RPCA) has repeatedly leveled at the two-party system is its heavy reliance on rigid ideology as a guide to inform and evaluate competing policy choices.[1] That flaw is a key driver of fantasy, failure and waste in governance. The RPCA is not alone in seeing ideology as a major bad actor in politics.
The magazine Scientific American published a commentary on ideology in its October 2013 issue.[2] The piece was written by Dr. Michael Shermer, a hard core libertarian who argues that when reality or science does not support belief or ideology, then the ideology needs to give way. Dr. Shermer described simple but powerful examples of how ideology distorts reality.
One example was Dr. Shermer’s slow realization that in the gun control debate he saw himself engaging in “the cherry picking and data mining of studies to suit ideological convictions.” He further explained that “We all do it, and when the science is complicated, the confirmation bias (a type of motivated reasoning) that directs the mind to seek and find confirming facts and ignore disconfirming evidence kicks in.”
Another example Dr. Shermer described related to global warming. The RPCA has used the same topic to illustrate the same corrupting influence of ideology on reality that Shermer sees.[3] There, Mr. Shermer was attending the libertarian 2013 FreedomFest conference in Las Vegas, NV. At the meeting Dr. Sherment made the unremarkable observation that “between 90 and 98 percent of climate scientists accept anthropogenic (man-made) global warming.” At that point “someone shouted, “LIAR!” and stormed out of the room.” The effect of the collision between ideology and unspun reality could not be clearer.
Conclusion
The reasonable conclusion is simple: Ideology is bad for smart, efficient politics. As Dr. Shermer put it in his commentary: “. . . not all libertarians deny science, but all of us are subject to the psychological forces at play when it comes to choosing between facts and beliefs when they do not mesh. In the long run, it is better to understand the way the world really is rather than how we would like it to be.” Those comments reflect exactly the point about ideology that the RPCA has been making over and over.[4] Ideology is powerful and usually acts subconsciously to distort reality. Recognizing that fact (not opinion) is very difficult and once recognized, it usually leads to uncomfortable conclusions about one’s own beliefs. Being a realist isn’t for the faint of heart. The RPCA cannot offer comfort on that point.
The RPCA is not alone in rejecting a major role for ideology in politics. If you want your ideology stick with it and you will get it along with the waste and inefficiency it typically generates. If you want something better, the RPCA is offering centrism grounded in non-ideological pragmatism. Take your pick.
Does any other state have a third party member who was elected as representing that third party in state office?
Vermont Progressive Party is abt to hold their 2013 state convention.
Here is their agenda, and below is a general broadcast email announcing it I received.
https://www.progressiveparty.org/blog/2013/2013-statewide-convention-proposed-agenda
+++
Join us for our 2013 Convention November 9th!
Vermont Progressive Party
7:08 AM (6 hours ago)
Dear Friends –
I’d like to invite you to join us for our upcoming Annual Convention on November 9th, at the Capital City Grange in Berlin. If possible, please plan on arriving promptly at 12:30PM to enjoy a light lunch provided by our friends at the Vermont State Employees Association.
2013 STATEWIDE CONVENTION
Capital City Grange, Berlin
November 9, 2013
Lunch & Registration – 12:30 PM
Convention – 1:00 PM
(RSVP on Facebook)
We have a very exciting agenda planned, including:
? a special video message from Prof. Bill McKibben;
? a discussion with 350.org and Student Activists about fossil fuel divestment issues;
? Progressive Legislators will present their priorities for the 2014 session;
? State Auditor Doug Hoffer will talk about his first year in office;
? and much more!
Our new State Committee will also elect five officers and six at-large members to the Coordinating Committee. If you are interested in running for the CoCo, e-mail a short bio and picture to [email protected] before October 31. These bios will be posted on our website and will be available on the day of the meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor.
Finally, I want to remind you that there are many ways to help ensure the continued financial health and success of our party. If you are not already a regular supporter, please consider establishing a monthly donation. By signing up as an ongoing contributor, you allow us to spend less time fundraising and more time recruiting and training candidates. If you already give monthly, please consider making a special, one-time donation to help us offset the costs of this year’s reorganization. Remember, unlike the other two parties, we’re an entirely people-powered party, which means we can’t do it without you!
Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing you in Berlin.
Regards,
Martha Abbott
Party Chair
PS: The Vermont Workers’ Center will be holding their 15th Anniversary Celebration Dinner that evening at 6PM at the Old Labor Hall in Barre — I hope to see you there, as well!
Paid for by the Vermont Progressive Party
PO Box 281
Montpelier, VT 05601
http://www.ballot-access.org/ohio-qualified-minor-parties-have-renewed-hope-for-staying-on-2014-ballot/
From Gary Johnson/OAI:
I think I’ll stay away from the Florida stuff. Someone else can post those.
http://wyllieforgovernor.com/an-open-letter-to-fix-the-debt/
They are also trying to mess up election laws in Montana.
Dunno. Try to buy Barbados, and hire mercenaries to stage a coup and make him the dictator if they won’t sell it to him?
It never ends.
But this really is an interesting question: What if Limbaugh really is thoroughly and totally disgusted enough with the GOP to leave? He makes a living as a political creature. What will he do next?
Mark Axin said: “Actually, the Republicans are far more destructive than just that.
Consider what they did in Pennsylvania and Michigan last year, and here in New York to some of our local candidates this summer.”
The Republican Party has also recently tried to run minor parties off of the ballot in Arizona and Ohio, plus they have been the primary ones fighting fair ballot access reform in Tennessee.
More Fun with Tom Stevens: http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2013/10/lppa-descends-into-chaos-steve-scheetz.html
Yep. They are getting more and more fearful and desperate!
Jill asked:
>”Are any of them talking third party yet, after they’ve made fun of us for years?”
Actually, the Republicans are far more destructive than just that.
Consider what they did in Pennsylvania and Michigan last year, and here in New York to some of our local candidates this summer.
http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/lp-chair-geoffrey-neale-to-address-european-libertarians-in-spain
http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/there%E2%80%99s-only-one-way-to-stop-republican-and-democratic-reckless-overspending
The Kubby article was published in the Lake Tahoe News http://www.laketahoenews.net/2013/08/opinion-public-needs-to-know-the-government-is-watching
Oh yes, Geoff Neale is taking an overseas trip, and we need to get something up about that. i guess I need to start a list.
They grumble and grumble, but they keep coming back for more.
I also see on FB that a lot of the Republican old-timers, like Limbaugh, are thoroughly disgusted with the GOP’s cave-in yesterday and are totally bad-mouthing their precious party. What will they do? Are any of them talking third party yet, after they’ve made fun of us for years?
A lot has been going on in Tennessee, which I need to look into and post another article about.
Hadn’t heard about that.
Jill, from an email from Chris today:
“Thanks for forwarding all the emails, I will be back posting on IPR soon, hopefully today. I’ve just been caught up with a lot of stuff…”
He had more to say but I don’t know if he wants to make it public. .
BTW will you be able to write the article about the National Convention Delegate Fund? I can do, but I would prefer to have someone else do it since I am involved in the story.
A lot has been going on in Tennessee, which I need to look into and post another article about. And Ohio is starting to get LOTS of attention! Plus, the Connecticut LP is having their convention this weekend.
http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/please-donate-not-for-spain-russia-tour
I’ll try to help out posting articles over the weekend. the work week has been busy, but the weekend won’t be too bad.
Chris hasn’t been around lately. I hope he’s doing some of the fun things high school kids are supposed to be doing (like, maybe he’s found a girlfriend!)
Libertarian Party of Florida Chair discusses her party
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/360329
It will, along with some of the others. I’ve posted links to.
The article posted in this thread from Kubby ought to get its own article post here.
He submitted it to IPR. We’ll put it up at some point. I don’t know what other sites he may have sent it to if any.
Was the Steve Kubby article posted above posted on any website? If so, what is the link?
http://www.ballot-access.org/new-york-city-ballots-for-november-5-2013-will-be-in-six-point-type/
http://www.ballot-access.org/georgia-newspaper-criticizes-virginia-debate-exclusion/
http://www.ballot-access.org/virginia-libertarian-party-files-brief-with-u-s-supreme-court-in-circulator-residency-lawsuit/
http://www.ballot-access.org/u-s-district-court-hears-virginia-democratic-party-voter-purge-lawsuit-on-friday-october-17/
From Steve Kubby:
If you think government surveillance isn’t political, then guess again
A WARNING TO THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES: Anything you say on the phone or write in an email can and will be used against you in a court of law.
by Steve Kubby
Information released recently in a story by John Shiffman of Reuters explained how a secretive U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration unit is funneling information from intelligence intercepts, wiretaps, informants and a massive database of telephone records to authorities across the nation to help them launch criminal investigations of Americans. Although these cases rarely involve national security issues, documents reviewed by Reuters show that law enforcement agents have been directed to conceal how such investigations truly begin – not only from defense lawyers but also sometimes from prosecutors and judges. The Reuters documents show that federal agents have been trained to “recreate” the investigative trail to effectively cover up where the information originated, a practice that some experts say violates a defendant’s Constitutional right to a fair trial. If defendants don’t know how an investigation began, they cannot know to ask to review potential sources of exculpatory evidence – information that could reveal entrapment, mistakes or biased witnesses.
The unit of the DEA that distributes the information is called the Special Operations Division, or SOD. Two dozen partner agencies comprise the unit, including the FBI, CIA, NSA, Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Homeland Security. It was created in 1994 to combat Latin American drug cartels and has grown from several dozen employees to several hundred.
Today, much of the SOD’s work is classified, and officials asked that its precise location in Virginia not be revealed. The documents reviewed by Reuters are marked “Law Enforcement Sensitive,” a government categorization that is meant to keep them confidential.
“Remember that the utilization of SOD cannot be revealed or discussed in any investigative function,” a document presented to agents reads. The document specifically directs agents to omit the SOD’s involvement from investigative reports, affidavits, discussions with prosecutors and courtroom testimony. Agents are instructed to then use “normal investigative techniques to recreate the information provided by SOD.”
With these new revelations by Reuters about the DEA’s secret SOD program, we can see how any of us can be targeted – in secret – by agents who are trained to trigger a criminal investigation against anyone. It happened to me and my family and it can happen to you as well. In our case, we believe we would never have been investigated had it not been for an anonymous letter sent to South Lake Tahoe law enforcement on July 2, 1998, during the final months of my campaign as the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor of California.
According to former Auburn Journal City Editor, Patrick McCartney, this anonymous letter may not have caught the attention of the North Tahoe Drug Task Force were it not for two key fabrications:
“First the letter claimed the authorities could ‘expect to find 1,500 to 2,000 plants.’ The exaggeration could have been a deliberate lie to pique the interest of federal DEA members of the Tahoe task force. For it is well known in criminal-justice circles that federal prosecutors are only interested in pursuing cases involving more than 500 or 1,000 plants in some jurisdictions.”
“And then the second fabrication, one conceivably meant to play on the justice system’s responsibility for protecting children from harm. ‘The other word going around is that he believes it is helpful to give pot to his two year old daughter on a regular basis.’ What allegation could outrage a police officer more than the thought that some zealot would force marijuana on his child?”
“The anonymous letter that launched the Kubby investigation was replete with innuendo and rumor, and overly aware of ‘the astonishing fact that this person is running for California Governor!”
“Did the task force seek to confirm the allegation that Kubby was selling marijuana to support himself and his political campaign? No. The narcotics officers never sought to buy marijuana from Kubby. They never stopped anyone leaving the Kubby home and searched for marijuana. They never observed any trafficking activity whatsoever.”
As a result of this anonymous letter, which we now believe was created by the DEA’s SOD program, our family was subjected to a home invasion of 21 heavily armed officers, our accounts cleaned out, our office equipment seized, resulting in us becoming bankrupted, and charged with 19 felonies that would have resulted in sentences of 40 years to life, had we been convicted. Thankfully a jury acquitted my wife. The jury refused to convict me on the marijuana charges, but I was convicted of felony possession of a mushroom stem and peyote button found in our guest bedroom. Although this conviction was later dismissed by Judge David Nelson in Mendocino County, these covert actions nearly killed me and have damaged my family terribly. Despite the narrative about drug dealers, it was our family and my political activities that ended up being secretly surveilled and targeted by the Feds. As my 17 year old daughter said, “It’s one thing to read about government surveillance, but it is another to have your life turned upside down by them.”
My family and I learned the hard way that all of us are under surveillance and even if you dare to challenge the status quo, the government can step on you and try to squish you like a bug. The good news is that it is still possible in this country to take your case before a jury and obtain justice. As Thomas Jefferson so famously observed: “I consider Trial by Jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
http://www.ballot-access.org/public-policy-poll-for-south-dakota-u-s-senate-race-shows-libertarian-kurt-evans-at-11/
Larken Rose: What Happened to 861?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhp6kzqTAHw
Here -3 as a location Paulie: Excellent response. Delete vigorously if needed.
We had this issue recently on the LPMA facebook group, where someone posted and announced that all libertarians should believe a series of opinions allegedly from Murray Rothbard. It does not occur to me that police summary execution of criminals, harassment unto extermination of street people, and compulsory Christian prayer in the schools are libertarian opinions, so the post was deleted.
From Mike Kane:
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2013-10-14/Local-Agency-Abolishes-Itself#.Ul1GnhDp4W1
Mr. Kim Hawk is a Libertarian who was elected to this board and abolished it.
http://www.lp.org/blogs/anonymous/libertarian-candidate-laura-delhomme-aims-to-end-state-income-tax-prohibitions-on
Part II is half finished. But it’s been on hold due to lack of inspiration.
I feel like some people on here, especially one person on this thread, are close-minded and fundamentally mean-spirited. They are too rigid in their views, self-righteous, and intolerant of other views. They continually claim I am not a libertarian, but the World’s Smallest Political Quiz says otherwise.
George Phillies, have you ever been wrong? New Federalist, have you ever made a substantive, logic-based comment in your life?
I have my limits and I’m not taking these stupid personal hits any longer. I’m calling out all the hypocrites. All the liars. All the smartasses.
I’d like to have a substantive policy discussion with anyone willing to be civil. Preferably, I’d like to discuss how third party candidates and Independents can win elections.
I didn’t miss it. Thanks.
CLC, we have opposite political ideologies, but I generally agree with you about the need for functional candidates. Still you are much less useful than Paulie. How’s your treatise going? I’ll admit mine is not going so well. As a statist I enjoy attempting to break up libertarian drama. If this place was unfair, how have I been able to last here for over 5 years with my outlandish behavior at times? Deran has also lasted five years even while criticizing libertarianism more than I have. How’s your treatise going? I admit mine is not going so well; probably won’t be done until January at the earliest. (Paulie this is Catholic Trotskyist; I changed my name on August 1 in case you missed it.)
http://www.thv11.com/news/article/283552/0/Libertarian-Party-submits-signatures-to-get-on-Ark-ballot-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJI2mpDPDo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF1uZr6k6Cc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtIm5EanQCQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz2fWwdvhOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMLwslRNThM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raLPHOZzAyo
https://www.facebook.com/debbie.standiford.1/media_set?set=a.741399555876288&type=1
Done.
You can remove The North Star from your blog roll. There was a putsch and the new TNS politburo has gone over to academic blather and never covers electoral politics at all.
11%…..This close to the election and with so many other polls showing this it is definitely significant.
http://www.ballot-access.org/new-virginia-gubernatorial-poll-2
Hmmmm.
Speaking of weird tech issues, it appears that facebook notifications no longer go to my gmail account. They are still turned on in facebook and I don’t see anywhere where they are blocked in gmail. I’ve checked my trash and spam folders. I tried switching my email address in facebook to [email protected], which forwards to my gmail account, but it would not accept it as a valid email address. Anyone know what’s going on with that? I think it has something to do with me taking close to 3 months break from the internet but I’m not sure how to fix it.
I tested with a couple other posts that were looking weird, if I hit “refresh” the post then looks normal
Dunno. Haven’t heard from Warren.
weird, not sure if anything was done, but that post looks totally normal, now!
Got it, thanks. Of course, I am out of the loop in being able to do anything to fix it, but I wanted to see what you were talking about. I wonder if there’s a way to have the theme “sense” what screen width the user is operating with?
emails sent!
Copy me on that too, please. And comments about site layout are fine in open thread.
I know this is related to site layout, not general discussion, but figure I’ll post it here anyways. Some of the articles are not showing up properly on my netbook. I have taken a screenshot that I can email to Warren if he’d like to see it.
http://www.lp.org/all-time-interest-in-third-party
Dear Friend of Liberty,
According to the report, “60% of Americans say the Democratic and Republicans parties do such a poor job of representing the American people that a third major party is needed.” The report points out that Republicans and Democrats equally feel that way, with independents even more so.
What can Libertarians do to take advantage of this situation, and will we get it done?
Our chair, Geoffrey J. Neale, recently reached out to conservatives at CPAC in St. Louis, and made an excellent moral case for the Libertarian Party.
Our political director, Carla Howell, is reaching a more left-leaning crowd with her work to help organize a rally to protest mass surveillance in D.C.
As executive director, my top responsibility is fundraising for the party. You’ll be hearing from me. : )
I’m constantly thinking about how to best use my time, our staff’s time, and your contributions to build a bigger party as fast as possible while interest is high. Shall I make another phone call, write another email, recruit another candidate, make a better brochure, or visit an affiliate? Which should I do first?
I do hope to raise enough money so that we can do significantly more of all of those things. But I continue to think the biggest bang for the buck you can provide is to run for office. Robert Sarvis, candidate for governor in Virginia, was recently covered in a half-page article in the Washington Post. The article was mostly positive, and probably as effective as a paid ad. I priced an ad that size not too long ago, and an ad as big as the article would have cost about $50,000. Sarvis is getting lots of earned media.
I’m already seeing candidates announce for governor for the 2014 elections in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas. And I’m hearing about lots of interest in local races as well.
I hope our national Libertarian Party can do a better job of providing tools to help you be more effective. In the mean time, I want to remind people about some of the activism tools posted on our Campaign Resources page. It needs updating, but has some useful tools for getting started.
Additionally, if you’re looking for ways to upgrade your state or local party’s tool box, take a look at the Libertarian Party of Indiana’s website. I think they have one of the best state LP sites for activists.
We’re doing our best to help you. But don’t wait on us if you have a great idea. Just take action and get it done. Now. While there’s all-time high interest in a third party.
Yours in liberty,
Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee
What I was working on the last 3 months:
http://www.ballot-access.org/two-parties-are-about-to-submit-petitions-for-ballot-status-in-arkansas/
Gary Johnson will be the guest of honor at an LPNY fundraiser, Tuesday, November 12 from 7-9pm at the Ukrainian East Restaurant, 140 Second Avenue at 9th Street, Manhattan, Big Apple, New York. $25 in advance at http://www.ny.lp.org or $40 at the door.
I hope to see many IPR readers there as we kick off the 2014 election season.
The Truth about School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAZqMaBY2MI
http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/chair-neale-makes-moral-case-for-libertarian-party-at-cpac
Republican Idiots
Stage Temper Tantrum
Having unsuccessfully campaigned against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Congress, sued unsuccessfully against it to the Supreme Court, and run an unsuccessful Presidential Campaign against it, the Republican idiots are as I write blocking continuing resolutions to fund large parts of the Federal government, all to stop one piece of Federal Legislation.
The Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid, is declining to bargain with the Republicans. He does have some amusing alternatives. For example, he could tell the Republicans they can have their amendments to the Continuing Resolution, but he gets his. Amusing and libertarian would be a Federal override eliminating state restrictions on abortion. Amusing but not libertarian would be mandatory universal firearm registration. After all, if the Republicans want to bargain, he can return the favor. (8^))
No party of capitalism supports the Republican behavior. As free-market economists regularly explain, successful business planning requires a stable legal environment. That’s the opposite of what the Republican idiots are giving America, an environment in which the activity of government varies randomly and unpredictably from day to day depending on the rants of a Florida Senator and a few of his fellow idiots.
As some readers will recall, I live in Massachusetts, where we have for some time had Romneycare, from which the ACA was borrowed. I can report that Romneycare has had extremely little by way of an effect on people who have insurance. It has moved the number of people without health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid down to about 3% of the population, but from limited reports emergency rooms are as crowded as ever. My health insurance costs are drifting up, but not very quickly. Rumors of health care armageddon are greatly overstated.
That’s an important message for Libertarian candidates: Yes, we want change. However, we want change through the processes of legislation, so that individual Americans can know what their government will or will not be doing, and make individual plans that will continue to make sense from week to week and month to month.
Libertarian politicians would also do well, for a change, to attach themselves to Libertarian ideas that most Americans support. Those are ideas like ending the Federal Security State, ending the Federal warfare state that just a few days ago invaded Somalia again, and dismantling the imperial Presidency before it dismantles all of us. And for Second Amendment people note that once again American elite forces ran into Somali patriots defending what they view to be their country’s government, and once again armed patriots willing to take casualties did more than adequately.
Libertarian politicians should leave ranting about Obamacare to the Republicans.
We have these incredible Libertarian issues that have 70% and 80% support among the American people. end the security state. end warmongering. We should stay with those issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV6U0Mud3pU
The federal government takes in almost a quarter trillion dollars in any month, but spends money so fast it must keep borrowing to “balance” its books.
As the federal government approaches the limit on its borrowing authority, Republicans in Congress are talking about fiscal responsibility. Many of these Republicans are veteran Congressmen who supported every new spending program proposed by George W Bush.
Democrats are talking about the need to hike the debt limit, to protect “the full faith and credit of the United States.” When they have voted to authorize expensive new government programs, were they concerned about “the full faith and credit of the United States”?
I have posted a brief essay on the topic @ http://calibertarianreport.com/2013/10/10/full-faith-and-credit/
You are welcome to forward this
Federal Surveillance—
Bringing the STASI to America
…an editorial from George Phillies
It is now revealed by the ACLU that the Federal Government has been using no-fly lists to turn people into Federal spies, planting them in religious institutions and community groups. For much more https://www.aclu.org/unleashed-and-unaccountable
The mechanism is simple. The Federal octopus waits until the victim has flown to a remote foreign place. He is then placed on the no-fly list. In one case, the traveler was in the Yemen, and was given the alternatives of becoming a Federal spy, or being handed over to the Yemeni authorities. In another case “After questioning (the prospective victim) about his religious beliefs and practices, FBI agents told him that is he agreed to serve as an informant for the FBI, his name would be removed from the No Fly List and he would be compensated for his cooperation.”
Decent Americans will recognize this scheme. It’s the recruiting tactic of the East German STASI, now brought to America. The important difference between the STASI and our Federal agencies is the spelling of the agency’s name.
The objective of the STASI, limited only by their primitive data handling technology (20 billion sheets of paper), was to build up a complete picture of the social network of every East German. To assist, one East German in seven was an occasional informant. For each citizen, there was a file.
The STASI Social Networking scheme has come to America.
As reported by the New York Times nytimes.com/2013/09/29/us/nsa-examines-social-networks-of-us-citizens.html.
The NSA STASI does not use hordes of informers. It uses computers. It uses telephone metadata, internet metadata, Facebook profiles, and every other social networking source to connect a social connectivity graph, who you are talking to and interacting with. How many of these graphs can they generate?
There are only 300,000,000 Americans. We interact, most of us, with at most a few thousand people. Storing for each American a list of all the times you have interacted electronically with any other American is a near-trivial programming exercise, requiring a small part of the 5 yottabyte capacity of the Utah Federal terrorist site. The biggest technical challenge in creating the graphical maps is identifying accurately which American is being referenced in a given piece of information. Given the accuracy of the TSA no-fly list, which has identified babes in arms as known terrorists, the accuracy probably leaves something to be desired.
Liberty for America October 2013 issue
Editorials
Federal Surveillance—Bringing the STASI to America
Federal Security Perjurers Caught Again, and Again, and Again
Republican Idiots Stage Temper Tantrum
State And Local News
Sarvis Polls Strongly in VA
Louisiana Elects! — Iowa Voter Fraud
Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas
International News: Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand
Web Pages: Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming
Where Your Money Went
Gary Johnson 2012
Libertarian National Committee
It’s a big, fat, hairy…back.
Paulie’s back! 🙂
When the dinosaur parties see us as a bigger threat they tend to become more vicious, including hiring people to post negative comments. It’s a good sign, actually.
It posted when I hit a carriage return, which is extremely annoying.
http://front.moveon.org/24-moveon-polls-show-gop-could-lose-house-in-wake-of-shutdown/#.UlFIaxD-unI
Shutting down large parts of the Federal government over one law goes over badly with voters.
Third Party Opportunity
I’m saying with the govt. shut down, since it’s a “national park” or what ever,can they legally keep you from going there? Would you be trespassing on public land? Thanks
Can they shut down public spaces? If’it’s “we the people” and all that shit do they really have the authority to keep us out?
Jesse Ventura is scheduled to be on Coast to Coast AM tonight to discuss his research on the JFK assassination.
US Invades Somalia.
Again.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/05/foreign-military-raid-al-shabaab-somalia
Yes, it’s more war, war, glorious war.
Heads up. Our LIO Fellows have been busy in Europe and have formed a European Libertarian-direction party. What is interesting is they feel no need to over-explain their platforms ( though e.g. the Spanish one is quite detailed, and their party is getting increasingly formidable in public attention and debate) given the growing conversancy of the public with the ideas.
I suspect we might see several people in Euro office given how the system works in due course. There is also an effort to get people in non-partisan office underway.
Here is the Utrecht Declaration.
http://www.parteidervernunft.de/sites/default/files/utrecht-declaration.pdf
Efforts are underway for similar groups in India, China, pan-Latin America and Africa.
I found this on Facebook. Apparently, a month later, J. Neil Schulman is still trying to defend his bad behavior at Libertopia:
http://networkedblogs.com/PFrAW
Apparently not, Andy. And, there’s more from Tom:
http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2013/10/lppa-judicial-committee-hands-two-more.html
“The latest from Tom Stevens:
http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2013/10/dr-tom-stevens-appointed-political.html”
Is this a joke?
Julie Fox For Illinois Comptroller is hosting a fundraiser. Please help if you can.
http://juliefox.nationbuilder.com/
Thomas Hill
Campaign Manager, Julie Fox 2014
847-507-8621
The latest from Tom Stevens:
http://drtomstevens.blogspot.com/2013/10/dr-tom-stevens-appointed-political.html
After reading a Breitbart article about a new poll in the Virginia governor’s race, I noticed that there were lots of comments bashing Robert Sarvis (the LP candidate), his supporters, and libertarians in general. I’ve never seen such a massive display of detestation towards a third party candidate in my entire life. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/09/30/Breaking-New-Poll-Cuccinelli-Now-Tied-With-McAuliffe-in-Race-for-Virginia-Governor