LPM OnlineMarch 27, 2001 |
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3/20/01
In order to create a culture of credibility and success within the Libertarian Party, the Libertarian Mainstream Caucus is dedicated to implementing the following: The LMC 10 Points of Progress
1. Acting as peacemakers between factions in the LP. We believe our energies should be aimed at the two major parties and not used to attack each other perpetually. 2. Encouraging -and working toward- a program of short term, timely, public policy goals that are well researched and realistic to attain. 3. Promoting effective political action that reaches beyond literature distribution and Tax Day protests. We believe that Libertarian activists and candidates must carefully choose our fights and then focus our energies on winning. 4. Discouraging paper candidacies in favor of active campaigns whenever possible. Our short term goal should be to raise the bar of vote totals from two or three percent to five and seven percent, building our percentages each and every year. Before running a marathon, one must learn to walk in baby steps. 5. Placing more responsibility for success on our activists, candidates and leadership. We should not accept excuses for losing. Expectations, accountability and rewards for a job well done must be adhered to. 6. Working within the system and not avoiding it. We enthusiastically seek to work within the framework of government not just because we are a recognized political party, but also to become familiar with how government operates. 7. Proposing LP platform changes on the state and national level. We believe principles can be firmly adhered to while having a streamlined, friendly platform. 8. Recognize that Libertopia is an unreachable fantasy best left to fiction writers. We must realize that even the most meager gains in human liberty is a victory that should be celebrated. Politics is not an "all or nothing" proposition. 9. Welcome anyone into the Libertarian Party who is generally friendly to our political agenda. Friends are better than enemies, even if the friend has a few trepidations. Tolerance, warmth and friendly persuasion will build a stronger Libertarian than judgementalism, glassy-eyed philosophical debate and "in your face" confrontations. 10. Act like an energetic, friendly and truly human political party, not as an isolated debating society closed off to outside criticism. Train candidates, organize precincts, register voters and attend local government meetings! Taken as a whole, the LMC 10 Points of Progress provide a new path toward relevancy and credibility. It rejects the notion that the LP is primarily an educational organization in favor of real-world, effective political activity. Armchair philosophical discussions have no place in the LMC! We believe that Libertarian Party offers a fantastic vision of limited government and individual liberties. It is our desire to work tirelessly and make the Libertarian Party a viable alternative and mainstream its political agenda in America. Visit the LMC online at: http://users.ez2.net/freedom/lmc.htm
Record Attendance of Monthly MeetingOn 22 March 2001, the Berrien County LP had it monthly meeting. There was a record attendance of around 20 due to the invitation extended to the Oronoko Citizens organisation. They were invited because of our diecision to help them organise the recall of 5 out of 7 township board members. Since there are about 10 Libertarians who live in Oronoko Township, there is a mathematical possibility that we could have a legislative body with a Libertarian majority if the recall of at least 4 is successful. The actual collection of signatures has not begun due to a snag in the court house. We are waiting for a successful second attempt at getting the wording of the recall petition approved. The second hearing is set for Friday, 30 March 2001 at 8:30 am in the Berrien County Courthouse. Another interesting note is that there are a number of township board members of Coloma who are also facing possible recall as well. Their hearing for approval of the wording to appear on petitions are scheduled to take place in the Berrien County Courthouse on Friday, 30 March at 9:30. I will make an attempt to recruit Libertarians who live in Coloma to consider running for those seats once they become vacant.
The Community Activists Network (C.A.N.) is sponsoring
a Town Hall Meeting to be held on Thursday, March 29th at
the Coolidge Junior High School, 2521 Bermuda in Ferndale.
Any and all Libertarians are welcome to come and help us prepare this years convention mailing to be held this Saturday, March 31st, at the LPM Headquarters (619 East Nine Mile, Hazel Park). Many Libertarians in one room make for not only a light workload, but also can be alot of fun! Please email Jim Fitzpatrick at jfitzpatrick@webtv.net if you can attend. Any help is always appreciated!
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. Common Sense selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (adults are in charge, not kids), and it's okay to come in second. A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it- only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as Lifetime Values became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags. Finally when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. |
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