LPM Online

June 26, 2007

1. Upcoming Events

   June 26, 2007 - 7:00 PM

   The Michigan Taxpayers Association has invited national recall experts from Wisconsin's Citizens for Responsible Government to help train Michigan citizen activists on the art of recalling public officials who raise taxes. Citizens for Responsible Government has successfully recalled 15 of the 20 politicians they targeted in Wisconsin. The Boot Camps are open to any citizen interested who shares the MTA's goal of no new taxes.

   Location: Trappers Cove Apartment complex's community center in Lansing off I-496 Jolly Road exit.

   Contact: Michigan Taxpayers Alliance Phone: (586) 354-5432 Email: Leon@MITaxpayers.org

   
   

   June 27, 2007 - 7:30 PM

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

   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

   
   

   July 10, 2007 - 7:30 PM

   Capital Area Libertarian Party monthly meeting. Office organization and membership drive planning. All are welcome. Bring your own food and drink.

   Location: LPM Lansing office at 2722 E Michigan Avenue, Ste. 22, lower level. Park and enter in back.

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

   
   

   July 29, 2007 - 2:00 PM

   Libertarian Executive Committee meeting by conference call. If LPM members would like to listen in to the call, contact Bill Hall.

   Location: Teleconference

   Contact: Bill Hall, Chair Phone: 616-460-9516 Email: chair@michiganlp.org

   
   

   August 03, 2007 - 7:00 PM

   Region 3 Convention - Aug. 3-5. Friday night - socializing with Libertarians from LNC Region 3(Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan).

   Location: Holiday Inn Dayton - South 2455 Dryden Rd Moraine, Ohio 45439

   Contact: Emily Salvette, LNC Rep-Region 3 Phone: 734-668-2607 Email: registration@lpr3.org

   
   

   August 04, 2007 - 08:30 AM

   Region 3 Convention - Aug. 3-5. Saturday - Training seminars in Grass Roots Organizing and Fundraising by the Leadership Institute of Arlington, VA. State of the Party address by Libertarian Party National Chairman, Bill Redpath. Banquet speaker: Dr. James Lark.

   Location: Holiday Inn Dayton - South 2455 Dryden Rd Moraine, Ohio 45439

   Contact: Emily Salvette, LNC Rep-Region 3 Phone: 734-668-2607 Email: registration@lpr3.org

   
   

   August 05, 2007 - 09:00 AM

   Region 3 Convention, Aug. 3-5 Sunday - Seminar on legal issues facing party organizations by Bill Hall.

   Location: Holiday Inn Dayton - South 2455 Dryden Rd Moraine, Ohio 45439

   Contact: Emily Salvette, LNC Rep-Region 3 Phone: 734-668-2607 Email: registration@lpr3.org

   
   

   More...

   For more events, see the online calendar at:

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

   
   

2. Michigan Taxpayer Alliance is in the news again — by Leon Drolet
   
   Friends,
   
   The Michigan Taxpayer Alliance is in the news again.
   
   First, today's Detroit Free Press ran an article about the MTA's "Recall Boot Camps" that we will be holding next week in Livonia and Lansing. The MTA has invited national recall experts from Wisconsin's Citizens for Responsible Government to help train Michigan citizen activists on the art of recalling public officials who raise taxes. Citizens for Responsible Government has successfully recalled 15 of the 20 politicians they targeted in Wisconsin.
   
   The Boot Camps are open to any citizen interested who shares the MTA's goal of no new taxes. One was on June 25 at the Livonia Best Western hotel on Six Mile Road just east of I-275. It was a standing room only crowd!
   
   Tonight, June 26 there will be another such boot camp at the Trappers Cove Apartment complex's community center in Lansing off I-496 Jolly Road exit. Both start at 7:00pm and will last two hours. Please make every effort to attend!
   
   Read the Free Press article by clicking on this link:
   
   http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706190411
   
   Also, State Rep. George Cushingberry's 'town hall' meeting at Macomb Community College, Monday, was supposed to be a forum for Rep. Cushingberry to build support for his 15% state income tax increase bill. Thanks to members of the MI Taxpayers Alliance, it didn't work out so well for him. Read The Macomb Daily story here:
   
   http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/061907/loc_taxes001.shtml
   
   Finally, if you read this email in time, tune into WJR 760's Frank Beckmann's show at 10:30 to hear more news about the MTA Recall Boot Camps. This figures to be a big week in Lansing. Once again, the House Speaker is talking about pushing the income tax through the House. Are we, the citizen taxpayers of Michigan ready to respond?
   
   Leon Drolet
   MI Taxpayers Alliance
   www.mitaxpayers.orgBack to Contents
   
3. Last Week for Region 3 Convention Savings — by Emily Salvette, LNC Rep-Region 3
   
   Register for the Region 3 Convention at www.lpr3.org by Sunday to save $25! The convention is August 3-5 at the Holiday Inn Dayton-South. The weekend will be as fun and information packed as a national convention but closer to home for volunteers, activists and candidates in Region 3: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky.
   
   The Leadership Institute of Washington D.C. (www.leadershipinstitute.org) will do 6 hours of training on Saturday in grass roots organizing and fundraising. National LP Chairman Bill Redpath will give a State of the LP address on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, our own LPM Chair Bill Hall will give a seminar on legal issues, and the Saturday night banquet speaker will be LP College Coordinator and former National Chair Dr. James Lark.
   
   The convention is open to everyone and especially geared toward local and state party officers, LP candidates and campaign managers. Throughout the weekend you'll learn a lot, network with LP leaders from other states, and have the chance to share what you know with others.
   
   The cost for the weekend training is only $75 ($50 for students), which includes the Saturday night banquet. On July 2 prices rise to $100 and $75 for students. You may register at the Region 3 website www.lpr3.org. The room rate at the Holiday Inn Dayton-South is only $69 plus tax per night. The block is available through July 13, so I encourage you to reserve today. Call the hotel at 937-294-1471 and ask for the group rate: Libertarian Party Region 3.
   
   This is the first-ever regional LP convention, so come be part of history! Contact me with questions at registration@lpr3.org. I look forward to seeing you in Dayton.
   Back to Contents
   
4. Libertarian Party Returns to Boys State
   
   This past Thursday, June 21, Lansing businessman and LPM Executive Board Member Will White spent 1 and 1/2 hours at Boys State in East Lansing, telling the assembled delegates "the other, Libertarian, side of the story." John Sturk of Michigan State University Boys State contacted LPM Chair Bill Hall to request that the LPM send a speaker, because last year's speeches by LPM Governor candidate Gregory Creswell and US Senate candidate Leonard Schwartz were such a hit with the delegates. LPM Speakers Bureau coordinator Jim Allison contacted and arranged for Will White to speak. Boys State is an annual one week conference at MSU sponsored by the American Legion to educate high school aged boys in government and the political process and draws delegates from all across Michigan. If you have a speaking opportunity for an LPM speaker, particularly to a high school or college aged audience, or would like to assist our Speakers Bureau, please contact Jim Allison at 586-817-0395, marthos1776@comcast.net.Back to Contents
   
5. Ron Paul — by Scotty Boman
   
   It may seem ironic that I have heard the "L" word more in the mainstream media this month, than the whole previous year. It may also seem ironic, that this is due to the efforts of a Republican. Of course this isn't just any Republican, it is Ron Paul.
   
   For those who are not familiar with the man, he is an incumbent Congressman from Texas who was also the 1998 Libertarian candidate for President. As a Congressman he has voted the libertarian party line on almost everything, earning him the nick name "Dr. No."
   
   So here is the dilemma, do I vote for a Republican after condemning the two party biopoly for almost than half my life? Do I ignore the most viable voice for liberty to arrive on the political scene in years?
   
   I have decided that this dilemma is resolve-able. Of course Libertarians are independently minded and will do whatever they want. Here is what I am doing about this.
   
   The Libertarian Presidential Nominating Convention is months after the Republican Primary. So what harm is there in promoting Ron Paul meanwhile? He will get the libertarian (small "l" intended) message out in venues where Libertarians (big "L" intended) are routinely excluded. He has already done so. The more support he gets (I mean actively campaigning) the more he will spread the word. We can count on him not to water down the message since he has already proven to be ideologically stubborn in political office (and get reelected).
   
   If he looses the presidential nomination, we can encourage him to return home to the Libertarian Party, and seek our nomination. If he wins, then we have a problem. He would likely take votes away from our libertarian candidate.
   
   Well if we can get a major party to nominate someone who is libertarian on almost everything (I stress almost), then what is the problem? Even with his non-libertarian (IMHO) position on immigration, he is more libertarian than many of the candidates seeking the Libertarian nomination.
   
   Naturally, I am speaking as a member and not an officer (it's nice not being chair). The LPM can't and shouldn't endorse the candidates of other political parties, but we are all individuals.
   
   PS: One other possibility. What if the GOP nominates a total statist, who then chooses Ron Paul as a running mate? WWRPD?
   
   
   
   
   
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