LPM OnlineJanuary 29, 2002 |
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News Release For Immediate Release January 24, 2002 Contact Ghazey Aleck 1-800-608-7375
ENGLER’S FAVORTISM PLAN WRONG FOR MICHIGAN WORKERS In his final State of the State address, Governor John Engler has shown his true colors. He and the Republican Party want to sell out the hard working families of this state to the highest bidder. In his speech to the joint session of the State Legislature, Governor Engler explained how he wants to extend 'special favors' to the fuel cell research and development industry. These favors will range from tax breaks, state assistance for worker training, and economic development grants costing the people of this state millions of dollars. According to the Libertarian Party of Michigan Chairman, Ghazey Aleck, "these favors it will be paid for on the backs of the regular working person and give no regard to business proprietors already employing millions of Michigan's citizens right now." With Michigan unemployment now hovering around 6%, Mr. Engler should be looking at the overall job market in Michigan. Lowering overly burdensome taxes and restrictive laws on businesses should be the focus of our elected leadership. Mr. Aleck said, "Many businesses and industries have already invested in Michigan by building and employing millions of Michigan's citizens. They are the ones employing the other 94% of the workforce and they are the ones that should get the consideration. As a state, we should create an environment where all businesses prosper, not just one industry that some politician is trying to lure here.” Mr. Aleck continued by saying, "It seems John Engler and the Republican party want to create an environment where they can sell out to the highest bidder. This is a dangerous practice. One only needs to look at the current Enron controversy to see how such favoritism can hurt the regular working person.” It appears that the corporate leadership of Enron bought 'special favors' from both the Republican and the Democratic Parties. They gave campaign contributions that ran into the tens of millions of dollars to members of both political parties for 'special favors'. What happened was nothing more than legalized bribery. All the while Enron apparently turned their backs on the hardworking families they employed. Many of whom lost their entire life savings in the collapse. Michigan deserves better. Instead of getting into a bidding war with states like New York and California, we must make a better business environment for all Michigan businesses, not sell out to the highest bidder for so called 'special favors'. The regular working person deserves to prosper by a more expansive plan for economic development, not one based on favoritism.
Membership is slipping in Michigan. Compare the following stats. A LPM mailing requesting renewal is going out this week. I am requesting that everyone talk to members,past members and potential members encouraging them to join. The chart below is out of line, but essentially the LPM has slipped from 1442 on August 31,2001 to 1,171 on December 31, 2001. This is quite significant and needs our immediate attention. Here are the stats for the top 15 states:
ST RANK 8/31 9/30 10/31 11/30 12/31
Chairman Ghazey Aleck will be on the Mark Scott Show, a cyberbroadcast, on January 31, 2002 somewhere in the 9:00 a.m.-12 noon slot along with a representative from the Reform Party. The topic will be "Where is 3rd party politics heading?" This show will be broadcast again during the 6 p.m.-9 p.m. slot. If you are interested in listening to the broadcast you must have a media player and speakers on your computer and go to www.markscottshow.com and follow the directions at the website.
Oakland Libertarians Shift from At-Large Directors to Functional Directors
The Libertarian Party of Oakland County changed its bylaws, converting its three at-large directors to functional directors.
The new officers are:
Chair: Fred Martin Vice-chair: Keith Wesselmann Secretary: Nathan Allen Treasurer: Dianne Szabla Membership director: Laurie Martin Fundraising director: Jerry Kaufman Communications director: Greg Dirasian
The shift from at-large directors to functional directors is intended to minimize two recurrent problems:
(1) Often there is important work that none of the at-large directors wants to do. They expect the chair to do the work or find volunteers to do it. Important work often is not done or is done poorly. Because the chair has too much responsibility, finding good persons to serve as chair often is difficult.
(2) Sometimes an at-large director is willing to do little or no work, but spends much time criticizing the persons who are volunteering. This discourages persons from volunteering.
These problems have been much greater at the state party level. At the next state party convention, some members will propose a similar amendment. The tentative proposal will replace the current five at-large directors with the following seven functional directors: membership director, fundraising director, communications director, newsletter director, internet director, affiliate affairs director, and headquarters operations director.
AGENDA
We all have possibilities we don’t know about.We can do
things we don’t even dream we can do. –Dale Carnegie.
I. Opening of Meeting.
II. Approval of minutes of last meeting.
III. Treasurer’s report.
IV. Unfinished business.
A. LPM Business Plan.
B. Stuart Ruley Estate.
C. Leadership Conference.
D. Convention.
E. Any other unfinished business.
V. New business.
A. Election of vice-chair.
B. Appointment to LPM committee vacancies (2).
C Newsletters, Use.
D. Membership Drive.
E. Any other new business.
VI. Announcements or Membership Concerns (10 Minutes) VII. Adjournment |
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