LPM Online

April 17, 2007

1. Upcoming Events

   April 18, 2007 - 10:00 AM

   Taxpayer Protest Rally! Everyday taxpayers need to show up at the Capitol in Lansing on April 18, bring a teabag that we will deliver to the Governor, and tell Lansing politicians to balance their budget by cutting spending and enacting reforms; NOT BY RAISING TAXES ON CITIZENS! Get to the Capitol around 10:00am. Rally starts at 11:00am, but you will need time to park. (Note: The AFT will also be there pushing for more taxes.)

   Location: State Capital Steps.

   Contact: Roger Phone: (586) 530-3298 Email: Kenneth.howe@comcast.net

   
   

   April 18, 2007 - 6:00 PM

   This will be a great place to ask questions or just sound off about libertarianism in particular of politics in general. The meeting is open to the public and we are always happy to see new faces.

   Location: The Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan will hold it's regular monthly meeting at 6:00 pm Wednesday (Yes, Wednesday) April 18 at the International House of Pancakes, 1981 Pipestone, in Benton Harbor, about 100 yards, northwest of I-94 Exit 29.

   Contact: Bill Bradley Phone: (269) 637-4525 Email: wbradley@i2k.com

   
   

   April 18, 2007 - 6:00 PM

   We are always happy to see new faces. Hope to see you there.

   Location: LPSWM (Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan)will be meeting at the IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd., in Benton Harber, just 100 yards west of I-94.

   Contact: Bill Bradley Phone: 269 637-4525 Email: wbradley@i2k.com

   
   

   April 25, 2007 - 6:30 PM

   This Event is Co-sponsored by the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Worried about identity theft? Don't believe longer lines at the Secretary of State Office will make us safer? Find out why Arkansas, Idaho and Maine have rejected "REAL ID," a dream for identity thieves and a privacy nightmare. The REAL ID Act - A REAL NIGHTMARE Join the ACLU of Michigan and the ACLU Oakland County Branch to learn about the impact of "REAL 10" on your privacy and security. Learn how to lobby and sign up to talk with your legislators about "REAL ID!" Special Guests: NOAM BIALE REAL ID Campaign Organizer - ACLU National Office SENATOR GILDA JACOBS (D-Huntington Woods). TIM O'BRIEN Executive Director- Small Government Alliance . 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Appetizers & Oakland Branch Annual Meeting "REAL 10" presentations and Q&A . Training: How to talk with legislators and sign-up for in-district lobby visits. R.S.V.P. if possible by April 23rd at www.aclumich.org or by calling us at (313) 578-6810. This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be gladly accepted. Visit: RealNightmare.org

   Location: The Community House, 380 South Bates Street Birmingham, MI 48009 P (248)644-5832 F (248) 644-2476

   Contact: ACLU of Michigan Phone: (313) 578-6810 Email: www.aclumich.org

   
   

   April 25, 2007 - 7:30 PM

   Libertarian Party of Oakland County general membership meeting. Optional dinner at 6:30. Meeting at 7:30. Nonmembers are welcome.

   Location: Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile, 2 blocks east of Greenfield, in Berkley.

   Contact: Adam Goodman Phone: 248-765-3213 Email: goodman582@hotmail.com

   
   

   May 05, 2007 - 00:00 AM

   The 2007 State Convention. Registration for the convention is free! There will be a banquet to follow in the evening (Diane Katz of the Mackinac Center)and a social event on Friday at the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game. Details can be found at www.lpwm.org/stateconvention. For details visit http://www.lpwm.org/stateconvention or register online at: https://128bit.clickandpledge.com/default.aspx?ID=13742&cid=US&a

   Location: Grand Rapids Airport Hilton. Kentwood, Michigan.

   Contact: Eric Larson Phone: 888-Free-Now Email: ellarson0@comcast.net

   
   

   May 05, 2007 - 11:30 AM

   Worldwide March for Cannabis Liberation: Education, music, and speakers on hemp legalization and utilization (Industrial and Medical). For More info call: 313-404-0619

   Location: Detroit's Grand Circus Park (Michigan Ave. and Adams)

   Contact: Jay Phone: 269-697-4521 Email: list@detroitliberation.org

   
   

   May 08, 2007 - 7:30 PM

   Capital Area Libertarians monthly meeting. Discussion of state convention, planning for the rest of the year.

   Location: LPM Lansing office at 2722 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, Suite 22. Park and enter in back.

   Contact: Will Tyler White Phone: 517 349-3806 Email: whitewi5@msu.edu

   
   

   May 23, 2007 - 7:30 PM

   Libertarian Party of Oakland County general membership meeting. Optional dinner at 6:30. Meeting at 7:30. Nonmembers are welcome.

   Location: Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile, 2 blocks east of Greenfield, in Berkley.

   Contact: Adam Goodman Phone: 248-765-3213 Email: goodman582@hotmail.com

   
   

   More...

   For more events, see the online calendar at:

   http://www.michiganlp.org/lpmonline/events.php

   
   

2. National ID Cards — by Leonard Schwartz
   
   Real ID Act Forum

   
   
   The American Civil Liberties Union is hosting a forum about the Real ID Act. The Libertarian Party of Michigan is a co-sponsor.

   
   
   Speakers:

   
   Noam Biale, ACLU

   
   State Senator Gilda Jacobs

   
   Tim O'Brien, former LPM chair

   
   
   When: Wed., April 25, at 7.

   
   
   Where: The Community House, 380 S. Bates, downtown Birmingham.

   
   
   RSVP by April 23 at www.aclumich.org or call 313-578-6810.

   
   
   For more information, go to www.aclumich.org.

   
   

   Back to Contents
   
3. Register online for the 2007 'Success 2008'! — by Scotty Boman
   
   Registration forms and information pertaining to the 2007 Libertarian Party of Michigan Convention are available at:
   
   http://lpwm.org/stateconvention
   
   This is on the Libertarian Party of West Michigan's Web page. The LPWM has been gracious enough to host this important annual gathering. The convention is on May 5th. don't miss the drama of Libertarians competing to win the officers election! This is the one time a year when all Michigan Libertarians can have a voice in the direction of their party.
   
   Register and renew membership directly online at:
   
   https://128bit.clickandpledge.com/default.aspx?ID=13742&cid=US&a
   
   Please remind your fellow Libertarians of this event; many people don't read LPM online thoroughly and may over-look this announcement.
   
   Important information for would-be delegates: "A person who has never been a member of the Libertarian Party of Michigan must become a member at least 30 days prior to a State convention before being allowed to vote at that convention."
   -LPM Bylaws-
   
   If you recently joined the national organization, you may not yet be an LPM member. So make sure to join the Michigan Party too. Dues must be current at the time of the convention to vote there.Back to Contents
   
4. Legislative Alert! Stop HB 4285 — by Scotty Boman
   
   HB 4285 has passed the State House of Representatives and is on it's way to the Michigan Senate. It would make running for office difficult and risky. It's passage by the senate would be a catastrophe to our party.
   
   Call, write and email your State Senator. Urge him or her to vote "NO" on any version of this bill.
   
   This Bill threatens to force almost ALL candidates for state office to disclose personal information. This information would be placed on the internet where it would be available to con-men and identity thieves. Worse yet, it would also require the family members of candidates to publicize their personal information as well.
   
   So how to the Republocrats get out of also complying? The maximum fine is $1000, so they can use a token amount of their huge campaign funds to pay the fine and keep their personal information private.
   
   Read it for yourself at:
   
   http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billengrossed/House/pdf/2007-HEBH-4285.pdf
   Back to ContentsBack to Contents
   
5. Taxes are Focus of April 18th Rally — by Darrick Scott-Farnsworth
   
   This coming week there is going to be multiple rallies held in Lansing Michigan on April 18th, 2007. Please read the following email and consider joining the rally with signs of support for giving power back to the family through the restoration of parental rights through Shared Parenting Legislation, Ending CPS Abuse by forcing jury trials with a clear and convincing evidence standard and the adoption of the Michigan Fair Tax. Shared Parenting allows children to be raised by both parents as they truly need, keeping children with their families rather then destroying their life and future without due-process will keep the state from abducting children to feed the foster care system and the Michigan Fair Tax will give individual families the ability to control the amount of taxes they pay and control the state’s use of their hard earned money.
   
   
   
   MI FairTaxers,
   
   
   
   1) THEME OF RALLY: TAXPAYER TEABAG PROTEST (Remember the Boston tea party?)
   
   
   
   Our April 18th tax rally will have the tea bag as our theme to draw a parallel to the Boston tea party that sparked the American Revolution. Similar to our forefathers, who had to deal with "taxation without representation", we have to contend with "taxation with misrepresentation". Some politicians tell us that they are going to tax businesses rather than tax individuals, but we are smart enough to know that we pay all businesses taxes when we buy their products. Our "Tea Party" theme will help educate the public of this big lie/misrepresentation and how we are losing our jobs because Michigan companies can't compete in the global economy with our tax inflated prices. This will be the event that sparks the MI FairTax Revolution.
   
   
   
   2) WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY "TAXSPENDERS"
   
   
   
   Last week, a Lansing reporter informed Leon Drolet, former state Rep. and spending watchdog, that a Governor’s staffer had told him that the Gov. was aware of the April 18 Taxpayer Teabag Protest planned at the Capitol - and was preparing a “surprise” for protesters.
   
   What “surprise”?
   
   Turns out that the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has moved up their lobby day in Lansing to coincide with our Taxpayer Teabag Protest. They support Granholm’s plan to mandate government preschool for all children. And they are not alone. An organization called “Artserve”, which supports more tax dollars being spent on art, has also changed the day and time of their lobby day to April 18.
   
   It appears those that demand more and more spending and higher taxes will try to outdo us taxpayers that day. According to the AFT Michigan website, they are planning to bus public school teachers in from around the state. Ironic: Paid day off for public employees to counter a citizen’s protest against higher taxes.
   
   It is now even more important than ever to spread the word to all taxpayers about the Taxpayer Protest Rally! Michigan taxpayers need to show up at the Capitol in Lansing on April 18, bring a tea bag that we will deliver to the Governor, and tell Lansing politicians to balance their budget like we citizens have to do and solve the problem for the future by enacting the MI FairTax; NOT BY RAISING TAXES and driving more companies and jobs out of Michigan! Get to the Capitol around 10:00am. Rally starts at 11:00am, but you will need time to park (or unload your bus).
   
   Tax spenders are planning to hijack this rally, and demand more and more of YOUR money, apparently not concerned with the impact on our jobs and the future of our state. We cannot allow the voices of everyday taxpayers to be drowned out. Take the day off work, clear the calendar, gather your family and friends, club members, church members, etc. and organize car pools, van pools or rent busses and head to Lansing on April 18!
   
   
   
   We will be jointly sponsoring this rally with Americans For Prosperity and the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. It will send a real message when MI FairTaxers show up in huge numbers with "MI FairTax" hand made signs. The media will be sure to give a lot of coverage to such a large demonstration and will likely put our comments on the air and in print. Frank Beckman of Michigan 's "flagship" radio station, WJR (AM 760), will be broadcasting from the event. Other radio and TV stations will likely follow suit.
   
   
   
   If the MI FairTax puts enough feet on the capitol steps, the media and the political wonks will recognize that we are a powerful political force to recon with and the MI FairTax "has legs". They will realize that the MI FairTax will be placed on the ballot so they better cover it and climb aboard the MI FairTax train or be left at a deserted station. Together we will spark the MI FairTax revolution.
   
   
   
   More information about the rally is shown below. For those of you that choose not to receive your MI FairTax messages in digest form a flyer is attached that you can print off and post where others can read about the rally. Additional information will follow.
   
   
   
   Yours in the cause,
   
   
   
   Roger
   MI FairTax Director (volunteer)
   
   And
   
   Darrick Scott-Farnsworth
   
   Executive Director www.AChildsRight.net
   
   www.daddy.typepad.com/
   
   http://www.fairtaxmi.org/Back to Contents
   
6. Detroit Cannabis Rally To Coincides With LPM Convention — by Scotty Boman
   
   While attending the Ann Arbor Hash Bash on April 6th, I found several hundred activists who were receptive to the Libertarian Message. I planned on spending the day there, passing out as many of the 300 Libertarian Brochures as I could. Instead I found myself to be empty-handed in less than an hour. People were asking for the privilege to distribute them for me.
   
   Clearly there is value to having a libertarian presence at such events. Even one guy with a hand-full of literature was able to remind hundreds of people that we are the only political party that supports their position on this issue.
   
   While there, I learned of yet another event:
   Apparently there is a "Worldwide March for Cannabis Liberation" Descending on Detroit's Grand Circus Park (Michigan Ave. and Adams) at "High noon” on Saturday May 5th. A march will follow at 4:20 PM.
   
   I won't be there. The convention is that weekend. I encourage everyone to come to the convention, but if you know of anyone who will miss the convention, but is willing to distribute LPM brochures to a friendly crowd, please send them my way. I can be reached about literature at 313-247-2052.
   
   Activists are asked to arrive at 11:30 AM.
   
   For more information about this visit:
   http://detroitliberation.org
   
   Event organizers can be contacted at:
   list@detroitliberation.org
   313-404-0619
   or call Jay at
   269-697-4521
   Back to Contents
   
7. An Invitation from West Michigan. Convention Update — by Eric Larson
   
   Dear Libertarian,
   
   The Michigan Libertarian Party State Convention is fast approaching this May 5th. We in west Michigan have been working hard to put together a fun and informative convention for this off-election year. The theme is 'Success 2008' and we will focus on laying he groundwork this year so that we will be better organized for a great run next fall. We are excited by what we have put together and hope that you enjoy the convention's first visit back to Grand Rapids in 13 years. Best of all, attending the daytime convention events are FREE!
   
   Be sure to mark your calendar and check out our agenda for a fast paced and engaging Saturday morning and afternoon. We have booked many great speakers for the event and expect that you will be as excited about them as we are.
   
   For the afternoon speaker, we have Kristy Schley from Parents for Children, a Michigan parents' right advocacy group. Their organization, which numbers well into the thousands, was extremely helpful in the last election cycle and looks to increase its involvement with the Libertarian Party.
   
   The banquet will feature a number of presidential hopefuls and Diane Katz from the Midland-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Ms. Katz will focus on Michigan 's onerous regulatory rules and how they limit our competitiveness with our natural resources, economy, and technology.
   
   Of course, if you're around Grand Rapids on Friday May 4th be sure to join us at the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game. This is a great chance to meet Libertarians outside of the convention hall and hobnob with some presidential candidates as well.
   
   For information about the agenda or to register, visit our website at
   www.lpwm.org/stateconvention or register online at www.michiganlp.org . If you
   have any questions, feel free to contact me at (616)949-2844.
   
   Hurry and reserve your room and banquet spots today. The hotel will hold its special convention rates through this week only. More importantly, the hotel is requesting a final head count for the banquet on the 18th of April (this Wednesday) so we need to hear from you today!
   
   I hope to see you there.
   Eric Larson
   State Convention Planning Chair
   LP West Michigan
   Back to Contents