MICHIGAN LIBERTARIAN
June 2020
In This Issue:
- Historic Zoom Nomination to be Followed by State Convention and LNC 2.0
- Post Historic National Convention part 1
- Status of National Convention part 2, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, July 9th-12th
- Status of Michigan State Nominating Convention at Treetops Report, Gaylord, July 18th
- Videos of all three days of the historic virtual convention
- Libertarian Beliefs Tested, Appreciated During Pandemic
- Officers & Staff
- Upcoming Events
Thank you for all of the articles. Keep them coming with careful attention to our guidelines. We are now on a monthly publication schedule. Articles for the next issue of the Michigan Libertarian must be submitted to chair@michiganlp.org, newsletter@michiganlp.org and vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org no later than the 20th of each month. This allows for publication on the first of each month.
The Libertarian Party of Michigan depends on contributions to carry out it's mission Please Visit us at MichiganLP.org and scroll down to the bottom of our homepage to gain access to our contribution form.
Historic Zoom Nomination to be Followed by State Convention and LNC 2.0
Greg Stempfle, Chair
Editor's note: The Historic nomination portion of the Libertarian Party National Convention transpired over three days starting on Friday May 22nd and adjourning on Sunday May 24th. It is scheduled to continue in Orlando Florida on July 9th. The historic three days are posted in their entirety as three long videos on YouTube (Call to order and preliminary business, Presidential nomination & Vice Presidential nomination). This is the First time a national political party has selected it's Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate in a virtual convention involving almost a thousand people.
Our Presidential nominee is Jo Jorgensen, and our Vice Presidential nominee is Spike Cohen.
What follows is a look forward by Libertarian Party of Michigan Chair Greg Stempfle.
Post Historic National Convention part 1
A big thanks again to everyone who participated in both the actual historic convention and in the discussions on the Michigan Libertarians Slack channel. As a delegation, we successfully cast 34 votes on all seven rounds of balloting, in a very timely manner. We easily finished in under half the time that the last states to report needed. It was fun to sit back in the Slack channel and make fun states like Virginia and Ohio for their chronic slow voting!
Special thanks again go to Andrew Chadderdon for running our LimeSurvey polls. He had to update the list of poll recipients and help troubleshoot all while screen streaming the results live as they came in for full transparency.
Below are the results from the Michigan delegation. I know many of you were very passionate supports of candidates that did not receive our nomination. I was going to urge those delegates not to be discouraged. Fortunately, since the convention adjourned,, I have seen nearly our entire delegation pull together online to rally support for our ticket!
Status of National Convention part 2, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, July 9th-12th
This is my current understanding of things as of Tuesday May 26th ...
- The same 34 delegates and 47 alternates that were selected at our April 4thconvention (for the historic virtual convention) will be our delegates to the July 9th-12th Orlando convention. This is apart from a few people who permanently ceded their position.
- The Libertarian National Committee and Convention Oversight Committee met on Monday night to discuss the convention contract. From what I gather, the contract needs one more review from legal counsel before being presented to the LNC chair for his signature by Friday.
- Here is the latest from the Rosen Single Creek Resort website.
- While I have expressed doubts this event will occur, I intend to be in Orlando to chair our delegation, unless I am subject to any future travel restrictions.
- There is no current plan to allow remote participation. That would still require a bylaw change in Orlando. I am not optimistic such a bylaw would pass. The ability to manage both delegates present in a physical room and on a video conference adds to the complexity of running the convention. Also a demonstrable method of proceeding this way must exist before we vote on such a bylaw. I hope to work with the LNC or state chairs in any discussions or trial runs at including remote participation. Furthermore, I will keep Michigan delegates up to date with the latest information I have.
- If you are 100% sure you do not want to be a delegate or alternate to the Orlando convention, even if the possibility of remote participation exists, please let me know so that we may move up alternates and help make everyone's travel plans easier
Status of Michigan State Nominating Convention at Treetops Report, Gaylord, July 18
This is my current understanding of things as of Tuesday May 26th ...
- According to a May 23 update on their website, Treetops Resort will begin opening on May 28, with limited options. They anticipate being able to accommodate a safe socially distanced state convention.
- We have not changed our convention plans and we are still planning to hold an in-person convention as previously called.
- A number of members have indicated to me that they will not be traveling to Treetops for the state convention. This is either due to health concerns or because Orlando is the previous weekend. We face the exact same questions national faces, but at least ours is on a smaller scale. At this time we have not ruled out the possibility of remote participation and are aware of the concerns of our membership. A hybrid convention will make deliberations extra challenging. Also our state party bylaws don't directly address this. There is also lot of paperwork at a nominating convention that needs to be signed, double checked, and distributed to various election officials across the state. These are not necessarily prohibitive concerns, just ones we will need to properly addressed as we proceed.
Videos of all three days of the historic virtual convention
May 22nd Business Starts
May 23rd Presidential Nomination
May 24th Vice Presidential Nomination
Libertarian Beliefs Tested, Appreciated During Pandemic
By Donna Gundle Kreig
Many aspects of the Libertarian Party's platform have been tested during this crisis, especially our core beliefs of self-responsibility and limited government. In addition, financial conservatism, property rights, and the freedoms to move, assemble and worship have all come into play these past months.
Self-responsibility and limited government are central to the Libertarian Party platform, which states that "Individuals have the freedom and responsibility to decide what risks they accept to their own health, finances, safety, or life." Our Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) states that "no individual, group, or government may rightly initiate force against any other individual, group, or government."
We understand the contagious nature of the coronavirus and trust the experts, who caution that it takes a community effort to protect the vulnerable. Being self-responsible includes voluntarily following guidelines of the medical professionals.
Of course, not everyone will be self-responsible. We have all seen the pictures of people congregating and violating the orders. These pictures are used when trying to prove the necessity of restrictive laws. However, what the snapshots really prove is that "mandatory orders" don't work. There will always be a certain part of the population that rebels, and acts in unhealthy ways, regardless of the law.
By taking away our self-responsibility, the governor's order took away important freedoms such as freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and freedom of movement. While some might argue that public safety is more important than our freedoms, the Constitution does not allow for such exceptions.
Right to Exercise Religious Beliefs
Restricting people from attending church and meetings is clearly against the First Amendment to the Constitution, and freedom of movement has been recognized as a Constitutional right since 1823, in Corfield v. Coryell.
Both freedom of movement and property rights are impacted by Governor Whitmer's "Shelter-At-Home" order forbidding people to travel to (and take care of) their second homes. The Libertarian Party Platform addresses property rights in its platform: "the freedom to contract to obtain, retain, profit from, manage, or dispose of one's property must also be upheld. Libertarians would free property owners from government restrictions on their rights to control and enjoy their property, as long as their choices do not harm or infringe on the rights of others."
Our most serious concerns about freedom were predicted by economist Ludwig von Mises, in the aftermath of Prohibition. "Once the principle is admitted that it is the duty of government to protect the individual against his own foolishness, no serious objections can be advanced against further encroachments."
The government also took away our right to make a living by arbitrarily deciding who and what is essential. While the virus is a concern, the decision to shut down the economy has a huge and long-term negative impact on mental and physical health.
For example, "suicide rates rise about 1% for every 1% increase in unemployment," according to Aaron Reeves from Oxford University.
Domestic violence is also affected. "Trapped at home with their abusers, some domestic violence victims are already experiencing more frequent and extreme violence," stated Katie Ray-Jones of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The economic impact was made worse by the fact that Americans are not self-responsible when it comes to saving money. In fact, 50% of Americans have less than one month of their income saved for emergencies, according to Dave Ramsey, financial guru who specializes in getting people out of debt.
"The decision to go into debt alters the course and condition of your life. You no longer own it. You are owned," according to Ramsey.
The government does not set the example for living within its means, nor does it save money. Before the $2 trillion "Coronavirus Stimulus Package," the US debt was $23 trillion, which is $68,400 per citizen and $183,000 per taxpayer. The Libertarian party's platform states that "Government should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent. We support the passage of a 'Balanced Budget Amendment' to the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not by raising taxes."
Since we believe in saving and getting rid of debt, it should not surprise anyone that Libertarians do not agree with the $32 billion in grants received by the airline industry, or the $25 million to support the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.. In fact, the Libertarian platform states that "We oppose all forms of government subsidies and bailouts to business, labor, or any other special interest. Government should not compete with private enterprise."
After watching our leaders bicker, waste trillions of dollars, and take away our freedoms, many voters are anxious for another option beyond the two parties. The coronavirus crisis has shown Republicans how much of our freedoms we continue to lose, while Democrats should now be disturbed and awakened by the lack of security that comes from trusting our leaders with so much power and money.
Whitmer's Wacky Rules
By Leonard SchwartzGovernor Whitmer eliminated all penalties for houses of worship and attendees long before she started to gradually reduce other mandatory closures and stay-at-home orders.
Houses of worship can have unlimited attendees, jammed shoulder-to-shoulder, without face masks. Executive Order 2020-77, section 16, issued May 7th.
Officers & Staff
General Contact: Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone: 888.FREE.NOW.Chair: Greg Stempfle. chair@michiganlp.org
First Vice Chair: Ben Boren. vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org
Second Vice Chair: Jamie Lewis vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org
Secretary: Wendi Parker. secretary@michiganlp.org
Treasurer: Norman Peterson. treasurer@michiganlp.org
District 1 Rep: Dana Carver. dist1rep@michiganlp.org
District 2 Rep: Andrew Hall. dist2rep@michiganlp.org
District 3 Rep: Nathan Hewer. dist3rep@michiganlp.org
District 4 Rep: Will White. dist4rep@michiganlp.org
District 5 Rep: James Harris dist5rep@michiganlp.org
District 6 Rep: Shane Allen. dist6rep@michiganlp.org
District 7 Rep: Jason Rees. dist7rep@michiganlp.org
District 8 Rep: Jeff Wood. dist8rep@michiganlp.org
District 9 Rep: Mike Saliba. dist9rep@michiganlp.org
District 10 Rep: Jim Fulner. dist10rep@michiganlp.org
District 11 Rep: Jerry Bloom. dist11rep@michiganlp.org
District 12 Rep: Lawrence W. Johnson. dist12rep@michiganlp.org
District 13 Rep: Andrew Chadderdon. dist13rep@michiganlp.org
District 14 Rep: Tim Yow. dist14rep@michiganlp.org
Judicial Committee Members
Kerry Morgan. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.orgKen Proctor. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Katie Nepton. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Volunteers
Webmaster: James Weeks III. Webmaster@MichiganLP.orgNewsletter Editor: Scotty Boman. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Ciculation Director: Catherine Filus. catherine@catherinefilus.com
Deputy Editors: Norman Peterson & Mary Buzuma. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Social Media Director: Connor Nepomuceno cjnepo1@gmail.com
Historical Committee Chair: Emily Salvette esalvette@gmail.com
Affiliate Contacts
Capital Area: Luke Sciberras, Chair. 248-302-1064, capitalarealp@gmail.comhttps://capitalarealp.wordpress.com
Genesee County: Chair James Harris, jharris@umbinc.us or call (810) 542-1423.
https://www.facebook.com/LPGCMI
Huron-Raisin: James Hudler, (734) 475-9792, james.hudler@gmail.com or contact Larry Johnson at: michlibertarian@gmail.com
https://lpwc.wordpress.com
Jackson-Hillsdale: Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net
https://www.jhlp.org
Livingston County: James Weeks II, (810) 422-8769, j.weeks@riseup.net
http://livingstonlibertarians.org
Macomb County: Mike Saliba, chair@macomblp.org
https://macomblp.org
Northeast-Lower: Zach Boyle, 989-255-4521, livovivo@gmail.com
Northern Lower: Dana Carver, danacarver103@yahoo.com
Northwest Michigan: Peter Biskupski. nwmichiganlibertarians@gmail.com
www.nwmichiganlibertarians.org
Oakland County: Connor Nepomuceno, Cjnepo1@gmail.com or Vice Chair Ben Carr at 248-919-8152
http://lpocmi.org
Southwest Michigan: Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
https://swmlp.com
Straits Area: Chair Andy Evans, (231) 625-8403, . amevans_1968@yahoo.com
straitslp.com or facebook.com/StraitsAreaLP
Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party: Chair Ryan Roberts, (906) 420-2995, . ryan_r03@hotmail.com
Wayne County: Scotty Boman, (313) 247-2052, scottyboman@hotmail.com
https://michiganlpwayne.wordpress.com
West Michigan: Jamie Lewis. (616) 254-9014, Email Jamie Lewis at jkl620@yahoo.com
http://lpwm.org Back to Contents
Upcoming Events
For reasons that require no repetition, the regular meeting venues of these affiliates will be closed. The Michigan Libertarian is including the dates of meetings since some affiliates may chose a virtual alternative. Please contact local affiliate officers to learn how to get involved in their meetings.Some events are also posted by their hosts at the Meetup.com site. The Michigan Libertarian recommends contacting an affiliate officer or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice. Contact information connected to most events can be found by expanding the item on the "Agenda view" of the Events page of our website.
June 2, 2020 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party (SWMLP) Monthly Membership meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The SWMLP Normally meets at The Crew Family Restaurant, but these aren't normal circumstances.
For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
June 3, 2020 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For more information, contact James Hudler at 734-475-9792 or email james.hudler@gmail.com
June 4, 2020 - Livingston County Michigan Libertarians Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email j.weeks@riseup.net
June 10, 2020 - Libertarians of Macomb County Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ike's Restaurant. 38550 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.
FYI, LMC in addition to is meeting in place at Ike's the actual business will be conducted via videoconference. https://meet.jit.si/LMC
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at macomblp@gmail.com
June 10, 2020 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
This meeting will be held via Zoom teleconference.
For more information, contact Scotty Boman at (313) 247-2052 or email ScottyBoman@hotmail.com
June 14, 2020 - Straits Area Affiliate Convention, 3:00 PM CHEBOYGAN, EMMET, OTSEGO, PRESQUE ISLE
Rusty Saw North Smokehouse. 3459 US-31, Brutus, MI 49716
For more information, contact Chair Andy Evans, (231) 625-8403, . amevans_1968@yahoo.com
straitslp.com or https://www.facebook.com/StraitsAreaLP/
June 16, 2020 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party (SWMLP) Affiliate Convention. BERRIEN, BRANCH, CALHOUN, CASS, KALAMAZOO, ST. JOSEPH, VAN BUREN, 6:30 PM
The SWMLP will conduct this convention by Zoom video conference.
For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net or call 586-491-8853.
June 17, 2020 - Northwest Affiliate Convention. ANTRIM, BENZIE, CHARLEVOIX, GRAND TRAVERSE, KALKASKA, LEELANAU, MANISTEE, MISSAUKEE, WEXFORD, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM.
Whisper Cafe. 105 Industrial Drive, Buckley MI 49620
Event Facebook Post For more information, contact Peter Biskupski. nwmichiganlibertarians@gmail.com
www.nwmichiganlibertarians.org
June 17, 2020 - Jackson-Hillsdale Libertarian Party Affiliate Convention. HILLSDALE, JACKSON, 7:00 PM.
Zoom video conference
Event Facebook Post For more information, contact Norman Peterson. norman.peterson@comcast.net
https://www.jhlp.org
June 17, 2020 - The Libertarian Party of Oakland County Affiliate Meeting, Dinner ar 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:30 PM.
Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern 30450 Telegraph Rd Bingham Farms, MI.
More information posted at lpocmi.org Details subject to change
For more information contact Connor Nepomuceno, Cjnepo1@gmail.com or Vice Chair Ben Carr at 248-919-8152
June 21, 2019 - Capital Area Affiliate Meeting CLINTON, EATON, INGHAM, SHIAWASSEE, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
CALP monthly business meeting, to be held over Discord teleconfelerence app.
or in person at Harpers Bar Restaurant and Brew Pub. 131 Albert Ave, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Contact Luke Sciberras at 248-302-1064 or email lpsciberras@gmail.com for event details and instructions to join.
Times and locations of business meetings may very from month to month.
June 24, 2020 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Affiliate Convention. Order dinner at 6:30 PM. Business 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Leon's Family Dining. 23830 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, 48124.
For more information, contact Scotty Boman at (313) 247-2052 or email ScottyBoman@hotmail.com
June 25, 2020 - Unaffiliated regions, 7:30 PM For those living in the following counties, the Executive Committee will host a caucuses on June 25 @ 7:30 pm via Zoom video conference.
June 27, 2020 - Libertarian Party of West Michigan (LPWM) Affiliate Convention, 1:00 PM
The fountain in front of the Gerald R Ford Museum. Ah-Nab-Awen-Park. 299 Pearl St NW. Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.
More details are posted here.
For more information, please contact Jamie Lewis at jkl620@yahoo.com.
June 28, 2020 - Libertarian Party of Genesee County Affiliate Convention, 7:00 PM
Zoom video conference.
More details are posted here.
For more information, please contact James Harris at jharris@umbinc.us or call (810) 542-1423.
July 1, 2020 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, LENAWEE, MONROE, WASHTENAW 7:00 PM
Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill. 39 E Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
For more information, contact Larry Johnson at 734-475-9792 or email michlibertarian@gmail.com or call (734) 320-7237
July 3, 2020 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For more information, contact James Hudler at 734-475-9792 or email james.hudler@gmail.com
July 2, 2020 - Livingston County Michigan Libertarians Affiliate Convention, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Zoom video conference
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email jamestweeks@outlook.com.
July 2, 2020 - Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party Affiliate Convention, 8:00 PM ALGER, BARAGA, CHIPPEWA, DELTA, DICKINSON, GOGEBIC, HOUGHTON, IRON, KEWEENAW, LUCE, MACKINAC, MARQUETTE, MENOMINEE, ONTONAGON, SCHOOLCRAFT
Zoom video conference
For more information, contact Ryan Roberts at (906) 420-2995 or email ryan_r03@hotmail.com.
Back to Contents
If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, http://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Other issues are preserved in our historical archives here: http://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.
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