LPM Online

March 27, 2001

Contents

  1. Upcoming Events
  2. Hang Up on Cell Phone Legislation Libertarians Say
  3. Libertarian Mainstream Caucus formed
  4. Berrien County LP Updates
  5. FOIA & OMA Town Hall Meeting
  6. LPM Convention Mailing Party
  7. Obituary for Common Sense

  1. Upcoming Events

    March 27, 2001 - 7:00 PM
    The monthly meeting of the Ottawa County Libertarian Party
    Location: The Yellow Jacket Inn. 12011 Lake Michigan Dr. West Olive, MI
    Contact: Jason C. Miller Phone: (616) 669-2851 E-mail: jcmiller@egl.net

    March 28, 2001 - 7:00 PM
    Libertarians of Macomb County Committee planning meeting.
    Location: Home of Keith and Marnie Edwards. 28960 Jane St., St. Clair Shores
    Contact: Diane Barnes Phone: (810) 774-1625 E-mail: vicechair@michiganlp.org

    March 31, 2001 - 11:00 AM
    LPM 2001 Convention Mailing Party.
    Location: LPM Headquarters 619 East Nine Mile Rd. Hazel Park 248.591.FREE
    Contact: Jim Fitzpatrick Phone: (517) 781 7767 E-mail: jiftzpatrick@webtv.net

    April 3, 2001 - 7:00 PM
    Kalamazoo Libertarian Party General Meeting
    Location: TGI Friday's Restaurant, 5650 W. Main St., Oshtemo MI
    Contact: Tim Miley Phone: (616) 668-3951 E-mail: thmiley@yahoo.com

    April 3, 2001 - 7:30 PM
    Wayne County LP meeting. Barbara Goushaw, Jon Coon campaign manager and founder of the LP campaign managers association will be speaking at the April meeting. We would like to have a large crowd for her. All candidates who are running for political office (or even just expect to sometime in the future) should attend.
    Location: La Trattoria restaurant 13736 Michigan Ave.,Dearborn
    Contact: Heather Pauli Phone: (313) 538-8208 E-mail: HeatherPauli@hotmail.com

    April 9, 2001 - 7:00 PM
    CLARE-GLADWIN LIBERTARIAN PARTY MEETING. Refreshments provided. Review success of St.Patrick's Day Parade, discuss the State Convention and Ballot Access Petitioning.
    Location: MID MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ROOM 167.
    Contact: Ghazey Aleck Phone: (517) 386-2699 E-mail: ghazey@alecklawfirm.com

    April 9, 2001 - 7:00 PM
    LP of Livingston County invites you to our monthly meeting. Dinner is at 7 p.m. and business begins at 8 p.m.
    Location: Mexican Jones Restauante, 675 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI.
    Contact: George Sise Phone: (734) 498-3298 E-mail: sise_george@hotmail.com

    April 11, 2001 - 6:30 PM
    Libertarians of Macomb County monthly meeting. Drinks and dinner at 6:30 PM, business begins at 7:00 PM.
    Location: Miles World Resturant, 17689 Masonic, Fraser, MI 48026, 810-415-4500.
    Contact: Diane Barnes Phone: (810) 774-1625 E-mail: dbarnes98@aol.com

    April 16, 2001 - 4:00 PM
    Libertarians of Macomb County Tax Protest Event! Meet outside the post office and distribute literature to the poor souls mailing their tax returns.
    Location: Sterling Heights Post office (corner of Metro Parkway and Van Dyke)
    Contact: Paul Soyk Phone: (810) 977-3523 E-mail: paulsoyk@flash.net

    April 16, 2001 - 6:30 PM
    Tri-City Libertarian Party of Michigan. 6:30 PM Dinner Club 7:00 PM Guest Speaker 7:30 PM Regular Business Meeting and Election of Oficers
    Location: Howard Johnson restuarant M-81 and I-75 Saginaw MI
    Contact: Clint Foster Phone: (517) 671-TCLP E-mail: cooljay@triton.net

    More
    For more events, see the online calendar at:
    http://www.michiganlp.org/lpmonline/events.php

  2. Hang Up on Cell Phone Legislation Libertarians Say by Press Release

    3/20/01
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    CONTACT: Tim O'Brien
    (313) 562-5778
    (248) 591-3733

    DEARBORN. "This new proposal to give motorists a second ticket for being on the phone while committing a driving infraction reminds me of that great, old line by Yogi Berra," said Libertarian Party of Michigan chair Stacy Van Oast, "It's deja vu all over again!"

    According to sponsor Bruce Patterson (R-Canton), House Bill 4158 would impose a secondary $25 fine and one point on the record of any driver whose use of a cell phone "causes" him or her to commit a traffic violation.

    "Obviously," Van Oast continued, "it's impossible to prove -- or, more to the point for accused motorists, disprove -- what 'caused' a traffic offense. So, if this bill passes," she asked, "how long will it be before the legislature is back wanting to simply make cell phone use while driving a 'primary' offense?

    "Remember when the seat belt bill was sold to a wary public on the promise that the ticket would only be written if the motorist was stopped for having committed some other violation and also found not to be 'buckled up'? It took barely a decade for the nanny-state politicians to break their promise and make 'failure to wear a seat belt' a primary offense.

    "The biggest difference between the seat belt rule and this new cell phone proposal is that they aren't even bothering to lie about their long-term agenda," she added. "So, instead of ten years it will probably be more like one or two before they want to outright prohibit motorists from enjoying the convenience and efficiency of cell phone technology."

    She said the LPM will urge its nearly 2,000 members to contact their legislators and oppose HB 4158.

    "We've seen this trick before," Van Oast concluded. "And in the words of another great phrase maker: We don't get fooled again!"

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  3. Libertarian Mainstream Caucus formed by Jason C. Miller

    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

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  4. Berrien County LP Updates by Glenn Whitt, Secretary

    Record Attendance of Monthly Meeting


    On 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.
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  5. FOIA & OMA Town Hall Meeting

    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.

    Beginning at 7PM, the meeting will feature an informal discussion of local government focusing on provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and the Michigan Open Meetings Act.

    Special guests will be two members of the Michigan House of Representatives, Dave Woodward of Royal Oak and Gilda Jacobs from Huntington Woods.

    The meeting is open to the general public. A special invitation is offered to students interested in the workings of local government.

    Light refreshments will be served.

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  6. LPM Convention Mailing Party by Jim Fitzpatrick

    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!

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  7. Obituary for Common Sense by Keith Brumley

    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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