| ——Michigan Libertarian—— September 2013, Volume 42: No. 09 |
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Greeting
From the Chair(s)
LPM Response to SnyderCare
Bring justice to Scotty Boman's Wayne County police attackers
LPM News
Image of the Month
Quote of the Month
Past Blast
Letters
Book and Movie Reviews
Contacts
Calendar
Welcome to the September 2013 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 Website www.michiganlp.org).
From Mary
chair@michiganlp.org
“Nobody can hear you and nobody cares about you. Nothing will come of this.”
Rep Francis J. Underwood (Kevin Spacey)
to a protester in the
Netflix series “House of Cards”
Many Republican voters woke up the morning of August 28th to discover that fantasy was indeed reality. As you all know by now the state Senate passed HB4714, “The Social Welfare Act” (SnyderCare) which is an essential mechanism of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (ObamaCare).
Libertarians knew that this bill was never about giving more people access to health care or helping them afford it, this bill was all about power, growing an already big government and favors to special interests that keep them in power. Therefore, this was a done deal. The margin was small (20-18), so all the protests, town halls, telephone calls, letters and emails did accomplish something; but Libertarians know that once the big government train, fueled by money from special interests and the Federal Government gets rolling that it’s hard to stop.
The next big government item is “Common Core”, which in my opinion may already be a done deal. However, one thing could have derailed HB4714. If you paid attention to the sequence of events, two or maybe one Senator with an “L” after his or her name would have made a difference. Think about that for a second. More fantasy?
Maybe, but I think it’s more possible now than ever before. Right now we have a candidate, Pat Clawson, who’s running for State Senate in 49th District, an area not known for small government initiatives. There is no large Libertarian Party presence there, so he could use our help. Contact him at patrickclawson@comcast.net. By working together (LEC along with engaged Affiliates and Membership) putting an “L” after a candidate’s name does not have to be a kiss of death. By the way, it’s the Republicans that are saying this!
Hmmmmm, Mary
The Libertarian Party of Michigan was on top of the opposition to HB 4714 with a media release before passage and an open letter following passage. The backlash against the Republican senators who let this welfare bill for the big insurance and pharmaceutical companies become law is going to be EXCITING! We have been keeping breaking news like this front and center on our newly revamped Website and invite your comments. Here are the open letter from vice chair Steve Mace and the initial analysis to the media from media director Heather Richards-Wodrich
Open Letter to the Betrayed Constituents of Several Michigan Republican Legislators
by Steve Mace
The executive board and members of the LPM fully understand that many of you woke up this morning feeling exceptionally betrayed – betrayed by Representatives and Senators who deceived you into believing that they opposed government waste. They told us they were fiscal conservatives.
They destroyed that ‘promise’ last night when they voted to massively expand an extremely broken system as the state Senate passed HB4714, aka ‘SnyderCare’ – an essential mechanism of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA), aka ‘ObamaCare.’ [Read full open letter here.]
LPM: Strictly by the Numbers: Why Michigan’s ObamaCare Won’t Work
by
LPM Media Dir. Richards-Wodrich
The Michigan Legislature’s two-month summer break is almost over, and a vote on Medicaid expansion is likely to be voted on when the full Senate returns for regular session on August 27th. HB4714, or “The Social Welfare Act” that was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives earlier this summer, is the Republican answer to the Affordable Care Act, or “ObamaCare” as it’s more commonly known.
The bill proposes an expansion of the current Medicaid prerequisites to extend the definition of the medically indigent to allow more people to qualify for benefits. While it may sound good, the numbers tell the real story. LPM news release here.
Editor's Note: The liberty Republicans are madder than hornets about the RINOs in Lansing selling them down the river. They will be running liberty candidates (to the best of their ability) to defeat the Gutless Eight at the August 4 primary in 2014. Here is a news source for the Republicans in the SE Michigan neck of the woods. We Libertarians can tap into this passion—and if the liberty Republican should lose in the primary—we need to be prepared to offer a strong Libertarian senate candidate instead. This is huge opportunity to draw functional libertarians into the LP and create a Libertarian revolution in 2014.
Detroit, MI. From the Independent Political Report.
As was posted earlier in the month by Krzysztof Lesiak, Libertarian Scott A. Boman was assaulted by police and arrested when he arrived at a debate for the city clerk position in Detroit, Michigan. You can read the story here. I asked him for an update, and he sent me quite a bit of information. Here is his response:
It looks like you have covered what I have released regarding the incident itself quite fully (Though it would be interesting to see what the other players would say if you asked them about it). There were some other developments that followed from my efforts to document the incumbents signage. I won that battle, though there is the ongoing matter of the trespassing charge against me, and bringing those who violated my rights to justice. I made a formal complaint. That press release was published on the LPM webpage: Here is the link.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections Affirmed part of my complaint! This is posted on my blog here. I also have a story where I summarize the successes of my unsuccessful campaign: Here is that link. Where the part I emphasize relates to the complaint about our City Clerk's illegal signs: “From this point forward, the City Clerk will no longer have special signage privileges at taxpayers expense. From this point forward, the City Clerk will no longer be able to include ballot instructions that prompt people to vote for her. This change doesn’t just affect this City Clerk, but future clerks as well.”
Petition Drive to Prosecute Police Attackers and Leave Scotty Alone
On July 30th a college professor was attacked and injured by a few campus police officers, shortly after teaching a math class. His crime? Taking pictures and handing out campaign literature. To this day authorities have refused to prosecute, or even investigate, his attackers. Meanwhile, he continues to be prosecuted for trespassing even though he wasn’t breaking any law, and he was at his place of employment in an area open to the public.
Come on, Libertarians. Sign the petition. Let's stand up for one of our own against local goons who may have left Scotty with permanent injuries. If they can get away with that on Scotty, think what they can do to you!
For more information contact:
Scotty Boman
http://scottyboman.org
313-247-2052
http://boman4clerk.com/
Election Results of Libertarians
In the Livingston County Commission race, Michael Brennan received 176 votes, 9% of the total. Scotty Boman in the race for Detroit City Clerk received 4,451 votes or 5% of the vote (4th place). In the campaigns for citiy commissioner of Kentwood, William Wenzel won 217 votes or 12% of the vote (4th place). Erwin Haas is running for Kentwood city commissioner in the November 5, 2013, election. Similarly, Pat Clawson (49th District of the Michigan State House—special election) and Alex Fera (city council of Novi) are running in the November 5, 2013, general election.
Derek Magill leads newly invigorated Campus Outreach program
Speaking up at the 8/18/13 LEC meeting, LPM member Mr. Derek Magill, of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) and a student at the University of Michigan, outlined the latest recruitment of college libertarians he has spearheaded under auspices of YAL and College Libertarian banners. Thanks to his initiative, the LPM now has associated student groups—or at least contacts—at UofM, UofM Dearborn, Michigan State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and Hillsdale. Derek also heads the libertarian Students for Concealed Carry at UofM. Please visit our Campus Groups page for complete information and contact Derek to lend a hand or take part in the American youth liberty movement.
LP of Oakland Country conducting major membership drive
On August 25th 2013 the Libertarian Party of Oakland County launched its 1st Annual "Let Liberty Live" Membership and Fundraising Campaign with the goal of introducing thousands of Oakland County residents to the message of Liberty. In this direct mail effort we will be familiarizing Oakland county residents with a little of the work of the LP, nationally and here in Michigan. Details of the campaign are found on this link. We'll also be inviting those we reach to our upcoming LPOC "Let Liberty Live" Fall Open House. You can help us reach this goal by enrolling as a member of LPOC for 1 year before August 25th 2013, as every new enrollment this year gives us funding to reach close to 100 more residents in Oakland County. Especially if you are a resident of Oakland County, let's use this campaign to get active in a big way. Contact Brother Karl Jackson: MembershipDirector@lpocmi.org
Maobama: Our Exalted Imperial Potentate
(will be falling from his pedestal shortly... snicker, snicker)
George Orwell, 1984: "The two aims of the Party are to conquer the whole surface of the earth and to extinguish once and for all the possibility of independent thought."
Take a stroll down memory lane with this excerpt from one of the longest-running state Libertarian newsletters. Today, check out the wayback machine of the September issue of 1975! Believe it or not, some of us were alive and Libertarian that long ago.
Former editor and LPM archivist Greg Stempfle has compiled the entire body of available Michigan Libertarian newsletters up on this page of the LPM Website (we still haven't copied all the files to our Webpages, so if you have a particular issue you're interested in and it doesn't show up on the page, please contact Webmaster@michiganlp.org).
Reminder to sign petition against the Detroit police state...
Dear Friends,
Please take a moment of your time and look at this story. I know Mr. Boman, and can't imagine what he did to deserve this treatment. I pray you will sign the petition. Thanks and best regards. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/828/669/441/dont-prosecute-victim-of-rogue-cops/
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,
Nicholas Sundquist
[Submissions of reviews are solicited for this Michigan Libertarian Movie and Book Review feature.
Please contact us via webmaster@michiganlp.org -- ed.]
Movie Review
Moneyball (2011)
Gentle, confident tribute to the game ___ 8/10
Reviewed by Brian Wright
Peter Brand: Billy, this is Chad Bradford. He’s a relief pitcher. He is one of the most undervalued players in baseball. His defect is that he throws funny. Nobody in the big leagues cares about him because he looks funny. This guy could be not just the best pitcher in our bullpen, but one of the most effective relief pitchers in all of baseball. This guy should cost $3 million a year. We can get him for $237,000.
Let’s come right out and state what will be obvious after watching the first few scenes of Moneyball: it’s a guy thing. [Robin Penn Wright may appear second in the credits, but as the protagonist's ex-wife she occupies about a frame; you're not sure it's her and then she's off camera.] More specifically, it’s a jock flick. Even more specifically, it’s a unique and thought-provoking statement about America’s mythic sport: baseball. It’s also a real life story about the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt). [Full Review]
Book Review
Breakthru Strategy (2010)
Grand and petite strategies for success
by Brian Wright (reviewed by the author)
The 5th installment in the SNaP series is Breakthru Strategy, which discusses the so-called Grand Strategy for dispelling the Barrier Cloud, by moving along all three liberation axes, particularly overcoming mind control. The module describes lesser, or petite, strategies, as well, for achieving a society of reason and liberty in the context of modern Western culture. Then the book talks about several “Home Run” solutions, which lead to the street-level tips of Module #6: Productive Action. [Full Review]
LPM Leadership Capital Area LP (Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee) Kalamazoo Area LP *Jim Fulner prefers you contact him at: |
Affiliate Contacts (counties served, continued) LP of Livingston County (Livingston) LP of West Michigan (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa) |
Note: The party site has now officially moved to a Wordpress platform at michiganlp.org.
September 4 LP of Washtenaw County — 7 pm - 9 pm, Monthly Meeting The LP of Washtenaw County meets on the first Wednesday of every month. You can see more announcements and information regarding the LPWC at its new website, http://lpwc.wordpress.com, or its Facebook page—“like” us at Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County! Cheers, Lawrence Johnson Chair, Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County.
September 5 Wayne County LP — 7 pm - 9:30, pm Monthly Meeting Current topics regarding liberty will be discussed. Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Raymond Warner Chairman 313.598.3666
September 5 Livingston County Libertarians— 7 pm - 9 pm, Note: Greater detail is provided at http://www.livingstonlibertarians.org/ Our monthly social meeting is the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub in Howell, from 7PM-9PM. Those meetings have three parts:
Guest speaker this month is Brian Wright. The title of his talk is "On the path of the authentic swing... and some thoughts on political strategy." Please contact us at chair@livingstonlibertarians.org for details. Current contact: Chair Rodger Young: 517-548-5868
September 9 Capital Area Libertarians — 7 pm - 9 pm, Capitol Area Libertarian Party Monthly meeting – 7 pm on the second Monday of the month at the 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
September 10 LP of West Michigan — Meeting replaced with a September 19 event, at Grand Valley State, a free screening of Sundance Film Festival winner The House I Live In.
September 11 Livingston County Business Meeting — 7 pm - 9 pm, The LPLC will hold it's monthly business meeting Wednesday 7 PM at the home of Karl Kiefer in downtown Howell. All are welcome. On the agenda: Please send any other items you want on the agenda to our LPLC Chair Rodger Young at chair@livingstonlibertarians.org or to the Secretary at the address in the signature below, or just show up! Karl Kiefer Contact for directions: Secretary, Libertarian Party of Livingston County Secretary@LivingstonLibertarians.org 517-980-6300
September 15 Libertarian Executive Committee — Meeting 4 pm - 6 pm, Telephone conference. Call 218-844-3366, access code#576532 (long distance charges may apply depending on your phone plan). Contact Mary Buzuma: chair@michiganlp.org The state executive committee meets the 3rd Sunday of every month.
All LPM members may dial in to teleconferences or attend face-to-face meetings, when the location has been determined. Party Mailing Address and Phone Number: Libertarian Party of Michigan Box 27065 Lansing, MI 48909-7065 Phone: 1-888-FREENOW (373-3669)
September 18 Libertarians of Macomb County— 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Monthly meeting of the All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited for good food and conversation on the third Wednesday of every month. Contact Keith Edwards: keithmarni@wowway.com
September 18 Libertarian Party of Oakland County— 7:30 pm - 10 pm, meeting 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila´s Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile, Berkley (2 blocks east of Greenfield on south side of 12 Mile). Contact Jim Young, LPOC Chair, lpocmi@lpocmi.org.
September 19 Libertarians of West Michigan — Join us! Thursday, September 19 at 6:30pm at GVSU's Eberhard Center, we're sponsoring a Free showing of the movie "The House I Live In". As America remains embroiled in conflict overseas, a less visible war is taking place at home, costing countless lives, destroying families, and inflicting untold damage on future generations of Americans. This film is a Sundance Film Festival winner on the devastation of the War on Drugs. Produced by Brad Pitt, Danny Glover, Russell Simons, and John Legend. Here's the Facebook page. For more info contact Mary Buzuma, mary.buzuma@att.net, 616-607-7064.
September 25— Deadline for Submittal to Michigan Libertarian Newsletter Deadline for submittal of articles or material to be included in the Michigan Libertarian Newsletter, one of the longest-running Libertarian newsletters in the country.
September 26 Kalamazoo Area LP Founding Meeting (on hold)— William Holden, Temp. Chair, williamkholden@gmail.com Contact William--or Jack or Daniel below--to help out with invigorating our sterling WM affiliate. The new Kzoo group will be handling the former Calhoun County and Southwest Michigan LP for counties: Calhoun, Berrien, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, Cass, and Van Buren. Jack Worsham (worsham74@aol.com), Daniel Grow (grow.daniel@gmail.com), Bill Bradley and other leaders of the former affiliates will be working with the Kzoo affiliate. Formerly has met in Benton Harbor or in Calhoun County.
October 2: LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Meeting. 7 pm - 9 pm. The LP of Washtenaw County meets on the first Wednesday of every month. You can see more announcements and information regarding the LPWC at its new website, http://lpwc.wordpress.com, or its Facebook page—“Like” us at Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County! Lawrence Johnson Chair, Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County
October 3: Wayne County LP Monthly Meeting. 7 pm - 9:30 pm. Current topics regarding liberty will be discussed. Kiernans Steak House, 21931 Michigan Ave, Dearborn (at Monroe). Contact Raymond Warner Chairman 313.598.3666
October 3: Livingston County Libertarians. 7 pm - 9 pm. Note: Greater detail is provided at http://www.livingstonlibertarians.org/ Our monthly social meeting is the first Thursday of each month at Cleary's Irish Pub in Howell, from 7PM-9PM. Please contact us at chair@livingstonlibertarians.org for details. Chair Rodger Young: 517-548-5868
October 8: LP of West Michigan Monthly Meeting. 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. The LPWM will be having a meeting the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. The meeting is at Brann's Steakhouse & Grille. 401 Leonard Street NW. Grand Rapids, MI 49504 till further notice. The LPWM has several events coming up in the next few months, please join them to find out more. Contact Mary Buzuma, mary.buzuma@att.net, 616-607-7064
October 9: Livingston County Business Meeting. 7 pm - 9 pm. The LPLC will hold its monthly business meeting Wednesday 7 PM at the home of Karl Kiefer in downtown Howell. All are welcome. Please send any other items you want on the agenda to our LPLC Chair Rodger Young at chair@livingstonlibertarians.org or to the Secretary at the address in the signature below, or just show up! Karl Kiefer. Contact for directions: Secretary, Libertarian Party of Livingston County, Secretary@LivingstonLibertarians.org, 517-980-6300.
October 14: Capital Area Libertarians. 7 pm - 9 pm. Capitol Area Libertarian Party Monthly at the 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 Monthly
October 16: Meeting of the Libertarians of Macomb County. 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm.All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited for good food and conversation on the third Wednesday of every month. Contact Keith Edwards: keithmarni@wowway.com
October 16: Libertarian Party of Oakland County meeting. 7:30 pm - 10 pm. 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila´s Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile, Berkley (2 blocks east of Greenfield on south side of 12 Mile). Contact Jim Young, LPOC Chair, lpocmi@lpocmi.org.
October 20: Libertarian Executive Committee Meeting. 4 pm - 6 pm. Telephone conference. Call 218-844-3366, access code#576532 (long distance charges may apply depending on your phone plan). Contact Mary Buzuma: chair@michiganlp.org The state executive committee meets the 3rd Sunday of every month. All LPM members may dial in to teleconferences or attend face-to-face meetings, when the location has been determined. Party Mailing Address and Phone Number: Libertarian Party of Michigan Box 27065 Lansing, MI 48909-7065 Phone: 1-888-FREENOW (373-3669)
October 24: Kalamazoo Area LP Founding Meeting (on hold). William Holden, Temp. Chair, williamkholden@gmail.com. Contact William--or Jack or Daniel below--to help out with invigorating our sterling WM affiliate. The new Kzoo group will be handling the former Calhoun County and Southwest Michigan LP for counties: Calhoun, Berrien, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, Cass, and Van Buren. Jack Worsham (worsham74@aol.com), Daniel Grow (grow.daniel@gmail.com), Bill Bradley and other leaders of the former affiliates will be working with the Kzoo affiliate. Formerly has met in Benton Harbor or in Calhoun County.
October 25: Deadline for Submittal to Michigan Libertarian Newsletter. Deadline for submittal of articles or material to be included in the Michigan Libertarian Newsletter, one of the longest-running Libertarian newsletters in the country. Submit to Webmaster@michiganlp.org.
More... For all events, see the full online calendar on the Website:
http://old.michiganlp.org/?page_id=61 The 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://old.michiganlp.org/Past%20Newsletters/
Michigan%20Libertarian%2038.2%20summer%202009.pdf
About the Michigan Libertarian |
The Michigan Libertarian is published/posted on the first of each month. Send calendar events and news/articles to e-newsletter@michiganlp.org by the 25th of the prior month. 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 weekly LPMOnline and the printed-and-mailed ML. We will post the newsletter on the Website and deliver via email on the first of every month. A printed version of the new Michigan Libertarian will be sent free to anyone who signs up, which you may do at the LPM web site www.michiganlp.org (or www.mi.lp.org).
LPM members who need 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 (888-373-3669).
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