| ——Michigan Libertarian—— November 2010, Volume 39: No. 11 |
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Greeting
From the Chair
From the Political Director
Stop Runaway Government
Liberty Fest Nominations
Dangerous ID
Tea Parties and Hangers On
Quote of the Month
Photo/Cartoon of the Month
Book/Movie
Past Blast
Letters
Contacts
Calendar
Welcome to the November 2010 issue of the online newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, the Michigan Libertarian. The newsletter is our main vehicle for sharing what's happening for Libertarians in Michigan. You may manage your subscription by going here or visiting our Web site www.mi.lp.org (same as www.michiganlp.org).
by Emily Salvette (chair@mi.lp.org)
THIS IS THE YEAR FOR TURNING IT AROUND!
No long message from the chair today. Just thanks to everyone who got out there and made the election of 2010 a night to remember. Good luck to all our candidates on November 2! Please report your vote totals to our Libertarian Party of Michigan Facebook page. If you’re not on Facebook, please send your totals to politics@mi.lp.org and chair@mi.lp.org and we’ll post them.
I'm going to use my space today to point to a premier Michigan LP election night party—in the hyperactive West Michigan area:
Come out and party with some fellow West Michigan Libertarians as we watch the numbers come in. The gathering will be at the University Club in the Fifth Third building,111 Lyon Street, N.W., Grand Rapids.
When parking in the Fifth Third parking lot, no payment is required if you tell the attendant you are attending the LP Election Night Party hosted by Bill Hall at the University Club.
After entering the Fifth Third building, take the elevator to the basement level and follow the LP signs to the athletic club dining room. Suggested $10 donation to cover parking and food. There will also be a cash bar. Please RSVP by Oct 27 to myself Josh Lillie (joshlillie77@gmail.com) or Dan Johnson (dan.johnson40@gmail.com).
For others holding election night parties, please send the information to the newsletter staff at e-newsletter@michiganlp.org, and we will post it in a message to our mailing list on Monday night, November 1. Also, let us know of any late-breaking candidate sensitive news you want to share with the mailing list, please be efficient, but we will send such notices—using some editorial discretion—as we receive them on a daily basis until the big day.
DON'T FORGET "VOTE" IS A VERB
by Bill Hall (politics@mi.lp.org)
vote—verb (used without object)—to express or signify
will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot:
to vote for a Libertarian candidate.
We've worked hard to get out the Libertarian message. Held candidate training sessions. Staged a nominating convention. Filed the paperwork to get on the ballot. Attended candidate forums. Put up websites and Facebook pages. Talked to the Press. Gone door-to-door. Placed yard signs. Done radio interviews. Made robocalls. Run radio ads. Done direct mail. Filmed candidate profiles. Run candidate presentations on cable TV.
All of these political activities are important. But even more important is the act of voting. Unless we vote and get out the vote for Libertarian candidates, then all our time and energy spent campaigning was a waste.
Many times I've had people tell me following an election that they didn't vote. Family. Friends. Libertarian activists. People who I'm sure would have voted for me and other Libertarian candidates, if only they had bothered to vote.
Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 2d. Now is the time we must turn all our attention to Getting Out The Vote. Concentrate on family, friends, Libertarian activists, and campaign supporters. People likely to vote for Libertarian candidates.
- Ask them. Between now and Election Day, ask any of them you see to make sure to take the time to vote.
- Email them. You can remind them all to vote with a single email.
- Call them. Whether alone, or as part of a phone bank, systematically call them to urge them to vote.
- Mail a postcard to them. Tell them you need them to vote.
Be a Libertarian activist. Take action – Vote on Tuesday, November 2d!
The author is an LP volunteer from Bloomfield Hills. Retired from a pr job at GM, she helped with LibertyFest last year..
— bw
STOP RUNAWAY GOVERNMENT
Vote Libertarian for Smaller Government and Reduced Taxes
by Nan Bailey
Big government is wrong for America. We have seen what it provides: more rules and regulations and less freedom for its citizens. Big government programs have failed. Just look at the Post Office, Medicare, and Medicaid. They are all bankrupt. $1T has been added to the debt within the last year and a half. The United States is bankrupt. We owe roughly $14T to China, a country that doesn’t like us very much. What happens when they say “enough” and call in their loan? We cannot pay it. We have lost our Triple A Rating as a nation. And, we continue to print money and devalue the dollar which has now lost 20% of its value. If we don’t stop this irresponsible behavior, we will end up pushing a wheel barrow full of money down the street to buy a loaf of bread. Yes, that is an image from Germany in the 1930s, but it can happen here too. The rioting in the streets of Greece can happen here too. We are not immune. Behaving the same way, but expecting a different outcome, is delusionary at best.
Kick the camel’s nose out from under the tent. Now is the time to stop the bus and turn it around and travel back to the Constitutional Republic that our Founding Fathers, in their wisdom, established. Below is a personal real story from a woman who put her faith in big government and it failed her. Her name has been changed to protect her privacy, but otherwise, the story is her own.
“I have been through some ups and downs and I feel the state couldn’t care less. I know they have a lot of needy families to deal with, and it can be overwhelming, but they expect us to meet so many requirements and if we don't turn them [all the paperwork] in by a certain date our benefits are cut off. It seems they keep better track of cutting people off then helping them. What I don't understand is when we meet the requirements, why are we still getting swept under the rug? I feel the government workers are not doing their jobs and getting away with it. I am a student on my way to graduating this Spring 2011 and I am working toward providing for my family without the help of the government and I feel I should not have to be stressed about food while I am studying for my future. It's so hard to look at my daughter and feel like I can't even afford to feed her when I did my part. I experienced the same situation with my cash assistance last year at this time. I finally, received a message from my [social] worker saying that it was a mistake and I would be receiving my cash in 3-5 business days, and I still have not received my cash. I would not mind if you used my story as an example and, maybe this can help another needy family in the future.” . . . . . Amy Smith, October 2010
Amy wants to use government assistance as a leg up, or a helping hand, while she works for a better future for herself and her daughter. You can see that big government has failed her. It is time to return to individual responsibility. Start with yourself and your spheres of influence including your family, your friends, and your community. Turn to your neighbor next door, down the street, and around the corner – extend your hand. Then make sure you vote on November 2nd. Vote for a smaller government, reduced taxes, and more individual freedom. Vote Libertarian.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR 2010 DEFENDER OF LIBERTY AWARDS
The 2010 Defender of Liberty Awards (Libbies) will be presented at the next LibertyFest in Flint on Saturday, February 5, 2011. These awards are given to individuals, Libertarian or otherwise, who have made notable personal efforts in the defense of liberty. Winners must live and/or work in the state of Michigan. The three categories of awards are:
- Spokesperson for Liberty – a member of the community whose patriotism and conviction have inspired contributions to the cause of liberty
- Promoter of Liberty – A Libertarian whose efforts have done the most to promote the LP and Libertarian principles
- Producer of Liberty – a dedicated, behind-the-scenes Libertarian whose quiet labors over the years exemplifies the backbone of the LP.
To nominate someone for a Libby, simply write a short (200 words or less) essay explaining why he or she deserves the award and send it to the state chair chair@mi.lp.org by January 10, 2011. A committee of three judges will evaluate the nominees to select winners.
Candidate for Michigan Secretary of State
TWO SOS CANDIDATES SIGN PLEDGE AGAINST "DANGEROUS ID"
This is the complete text of an October 7th news release
Two SoS Candidates Unite Against Dangerous ID
This is the complete content of an October 7th press release
Michigan – On the eve of an exclusive televised debate between Ruth Johnson and Jocelyn Benson, two candidates for Secretary of State have come out with a joint statement opposing what they call “dangerous ID.” All of the balloted candidates for Secretary of State were contacted, only two agreed to participate in the joint statement: John Anthony La Pietra of the Green Party and Scotty Boman of the Libertarian Party.
The statement reads: If elected we will ...
- reject the Real ID Act (before the 30 day deadline), Pass Act, or any other attempt to make State documents into De Facto National ID cards
- end the use of RFID chips in driver’s licenses and state ID
- permit a religious exemption from aforementioned data base
- minimize the collection of biometric information, at a minimal level of resolution
- destroy used or extraneous personal information that could otherwise be abused
- refuse to share information with external organizations without their citizens informed consent
Boman commented that, “I hoped all of the candidates could reach a consensus on this issue, but apparently I was too optimistic. This places a lot of responsibility on the two of us. We are the only candidates fully addressing this issue, so we need to work extra hard to warn Michiganders about this threat to their privacy and liberty.”
La Pietra said, “Greens have opposed the Real ID program since it was tucked away inside an otherwise uncontroversial 2005 spending bill -- and passed with little or no discussion. We see Real ID as offering no real benefit in security -- and the same holds for the later linked scheme to put RF ID chips in Enhanced Driver's Licenses. Even putting aside for a moment the loss of privacy and increased risk of identity theft, both these ill-conceived programs would cost citizens in time, trouble, and tax money.”
When Democrat Jocelyn Benson was contacted, Benson campaign spokesperson Mark Totten responded on September 25th: “I want to thank you for getting in touch with Jocelyn and our campaign. Jocelyn looks forward to talking about identification and other important issues over the next five weeks, but at this time is unable to participate in signing a joint statement on the topic.”
United States Taxpayers Party (AKA Constitution Party) Candidate Robert Gale refused comment on the issue, as did Republican Ruth Johnson. Both acknowledged being contacted by phone and email.
“I hope they come around and join us on this.” Said Boman, “The door is still open.”
Note: the LPM will post updates if any other candidates come around.
We received two additional articles for publication from esteemed LPMers: The first is from Mr. William Parish, vice-chair of the Tricity LPM presenting a case to Tea Party types that libertarian principles are what they need to get serious about. The second is from Dr. Erwin Haas, this year's LPM candidate for Lieutenant Governor, in which he argues for incentives to reduce inherent "parasitism" within public sector programs. In the interests of time and space, we have posted these articles unedited as PDF files on our site for download. [Titles below are not exact transcription from original.]
Message to the Tea Partiers
http://www.michiganlp.org/Files/Parish.pdfA Cure for the Michigan Economy
http://www.michiganlp.org/Files/Parasites.pdf
"If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may appoint teachers in every State, county and parish and pay them out of their public treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision of the poor; they may undertake the regulation of all roads other than post-roads; in short, everything, from the highest object of state legislation down to the most minute object of police, would be thrown under the power of Congress…. Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited Government established by the people of America.” — James Madison
Re-Elect No One
(Or just drop the "Re".)
Note: Please submit photos and cartoons for inclusion in the monthly newsletter by sending them to E-Newsletter@michiganlp.org
The following review excerpts are courtesy LPM Webmaster Brian Wright's commentary and review site, The Coffee Coaster. If you would like to submit book or movie reviews please notify the editor.
Book Review
The Patriot Toolbox
Eighty principles for restoring liberty and prosperity
by The Heartland Institute
But leaving aside for the moment the central contradiction of the right wing of the libertarian movement—corporate privilege bestowed by the state—Toolbox is a fine effort. With the above caveats, virtually all of the 80 recommendations for public policy will produce a more benevolent, prosperous, and free society for the great majority of Americans. Will the typical Tea Party-ist take the time to read and analyze material from a think tank? Maybe. Most of the Tea Party-ists I'm familiar with are more into politics than economics: they want to end the income tax, restore the 2d amendment, excise the federales from just about everything... per the Eighth and Ninth Amendments of the Constitution.
[full review ]
Movie Review
The Green Zone
First class war story, war for the truth __ 9/10
Major plot for Green Zone—from the perspective of the thinking soldier—is "Where's the friggin' WMDs?!!!" Needless to say, Miller, who exemplifies the best of our forces, is highly upset after risking his men to locate a wholly empty repository of what were the whole reason they're over here busting their butts and losing their lives... not to mention destroying thousands of innocent Iraqi people and their cities and homes. Ironically, the CIA man in Baghdad Martin Brown (Brendan Gleeson)[1] knows that the administration has lied about the WMDs and wants to do the right thing: meaning, now, at least not completely destroy the country.
[full review]
Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the October issue of 1986. Click on this link for the full PDF version of this newsletter.
Newsletter editor Greg Stempfle has compiled the entire body of available Michigan Libertarian newsletters up on this page of the LPM Website.
FEEDBACK ON A HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION
Hi Emily and Ray,
I had a great time at the Downriver H/S, the teacher and the students were polite and charming. The students took notes, asked plenty of questions, they even asked follow up question too. I believe they were sincere in their reactions to the answers, and their discovery of the Libertarian philosophy. The teacher informed me that Scotty had spoken there a few years ago too, so we are batting 2 for 2 in having good results. Yes, a good time was had by all, and I will never forget that experience.
Best regards,
Gregory Creswell
LPM Candidate for State Senate District 3
Greg responded to a teacher from Brownstown, who wanted a Libertarian Party speaker for her class. Scotty Boman had also spoken with them a couple of years ago. And it was good.]
We would like to hear feedback from you, real people, on any little thing, preferably with something short and punchy. Please voice your comments or opinions to the newsletter editor, Greg, via email by the 25th of the month... and we will post them.
LPM Leadership Webmaster – Brian Wright - brian_r_wright@yahoo.com Libertarian Executive Committee At-large Directors: Judicial Committee: Affiliate Contacts (counties served) Calhoun County LP (Calhoun) Capital Area LP (Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee) LP of Livingston County (Livingston) |
Affiliate Contacts (counties served, continued) Libertarians of Macomb County (Macomb) LP of Oakland County (Oakland) LP of SW Michigan Berrien (Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Branch, St. Joseph) LP of Washtenaw County (Washtenaw) LP of Wayne County (Wayne, Monroe) LP of West Michigan (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa) |
October 29 – MSCL and Michigan State University Young Americans for Liberty host: The Most Dangerous Politician in America. [Gary Johnson] Friday, October 29 at 7:00pm Location: South Kedzie Room 107. Contact whitewi5@msu.edu for more information.
November 2 – Election Day. Vote Libertarian!! Election night party at the University Club in the Fifth Third Building, 111 Lyon St NW, Grand Rapids. $10 suggested donation, cash bar. RSVP by Oct 27 to joshlillie77@gmail.com or dan.johnson40@gmail.com
November 3 - LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com
November 3 – LP of South West Michigan Executive Committee Meeting – 6:00 – 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome. Followed by: Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan. 7-9 pm at The Livery, 190 Fifth St, Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate. Contact Bill Bradley, wbradley@i2k.com 269-637-4525, or Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com.
November 4 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666
November 4 – Livingston County LP Monthly Meeting - 7-8:30 pm. The Livingston County LP meets the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell 48843 (non-smoking area). The meeting will have 4 parts: Mingling (over dinner, if you want), studies in liberty, news and party business. Contact Tim Keirnan mailTim@sbcglobal.net
November 8 – Great Lakes Bay Region Monthly Meeting. Tri-City LP is now the Great Lakes Bay Region LP and covers Genesee and Thumb-area counties.– (Due to Election, the normal 1st Monday date is changed for this month only) The group meets on the 1st Monday of the month. Dinner at 6, meeting at 7 at Damon’s, 4960 Towne Centre Rd, Saginaw Township, MI 48604 (off Tittabawassee, just west of I-675 at exit 6). Everyone interested in liberty from Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties is invited. Contact Al Chia, chia4senate@gmail.com or Denee Rockman-Moon, denee.rockman-moon@live.com.
November 9 – Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting – 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu
November 9 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. The LPWM meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Perkins Restaurant, 5121 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 (just off I 96). Contact Nick Sundquist, Nicholas.sundquist@yahoo.com, 231-750-5468
November 17 – LP of Oakland County Monthly Meeting – The LP of Oakland County meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile (2 blocks east of Greenfield), Berkley. Contact Jim Fulner, fulner@gmail.com
November 17 – Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting - All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend. The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com
November 17 – LP of Washtenaw County Social/Work Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com
November 23 – LP of Calhoun County Monthly Meeting - Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com
December 1 - LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com
December 1 – LP of South West Michigan Executive Committee Meeting – 6:00 – 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome. Followed by: Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan. 7-9 pm at The Livery, 190 Fifth St, Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate. Contact Bill Bradley, wbradley@i2k.com 269-637-4525, or Dan Grow, grow.daniel@gmail.com.
December 2 – Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting – 7 p.m. - Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Ray Warner, 313-598-3666
December 2 – Livingston County LP Monthly Meeting - 7-8:30 pm. The Livingston County LP meets the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell 48843 (non-smoking area). The meeting will have 4 parts: Mingling (over dinner, if you want), studies in liberty, news and party business. Contact Tim Keirnan mailTim@sbcglobal.net
December 5 – Libertarian Executive Committee Meeting – 4:00 pm teleconference. All LPM members may dial in to listen 218-844-3366, pin #576532 (long distance charges may apply). Contact Emily Salvette chair@mi.lp.org 734-645-5809.
December 6 – Great Lakes Bay Region LP - Monthly Meeting – The group meets on the 1st Monday of the month. Dinner at 6, meeting at 7 at Damon’s, 4960 Towne Centre Rd, Saginaw Township, MI 48604 (off Tittabawassee, just west of I-675 at exit 6). Everyone interested in liberty from Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties is invited. Contact Al Chia, chia4senate@gmail.com or Denee Rockman-Moon, denee.rockman-moon@live.com.
December 14 – Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting – 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu
December 14 – LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting – 6:30 pm. The LPWM meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Perkins Restaurant, 5121 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 (just off I 96). Contact Nick Sundquist, Nicholas.sundquist@yahoo.com, 231-750-5468
December 15 – LP of Oakland County Monthly Meeting – The LP of Oakland County meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile (2 blocks east of Greenfield), Berkley. Contact Jim Fulner, fulner@gmail.com
December 15 – Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly Meeting - All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend. The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com
December 15 – LP of Washtenaw County Social/Work Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@gmail.com
December 27 – LP of Calhoun County Monthly Meeting - Executive Committee, 7 p.m. Please contact Jack Worsham for location. (269) 963-2679, WORSHAM74@aol.com
February 5, 2011 – LibertyFest Dinner - Gala dinner and presentation of the 2010 Defender of Liberty Awards. Guest speaker is Charles Earl, former State Representative from Ohio and now the LP Ohio Communications Director. Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint. Tickets $50-$95 per person. Contact Denee Rockman-Moon denee.rockman-moon@live.com February 5, 2011 – LibertyFest Dinner - Gala dinner in the Flint area. Save the date! Contact Denee Rockman-Moon denee.rockman-moon@live.com
More...
For all events, see the full online calendar on the Website:
http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared Documents/Calendar.aspxThe Michigan Libertarian ONLINE is distributed on the first of each month. Send calendar events and news articles by the 25th of the prior month to:
e-newsletter@michiganlp.orgNote: The final print edition of the Michigan Libertarian is available online at http://www.mi.lp.org/Past%20Newsletters/ Michigan%20Libertarian%2038.2%20summer%202009.pdf
About the Michigan Libertarian |
The Michigan Libertarian is one of the longest-running Libertarian newsletters in the country, debuting in 1973 shortly after the founding of the Libertarian Party of Michigan. The "new" Michigan Libertarian (a predominantly online version) debuted on August 1, 2009 and replaced the monthly LPMOnline and the printed-and-mailed ML. We will post on the Website and deliver via email on the first of every month. A printed version of the new Michigan Libertarian is available:
LPM members who want a hard copy may request one be mailed to them by contacting
e-newsletter@michiganlp.org or calling the LPM toll-free number 888-Free-Now.
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