May 2009 LPM Online Newsletter

LPM CONVENTION 2009

By Nathan Allen, Convention Chair

This year´s state convention will be held on Saturday, May 23rd in Jackson , MI . The convention will be designed as a, drive in and drive out, one day affair. Business will commence at 10am and the banquet will conclude no later than 9pm. The cash bar will remain open until midnight.

The entire convention price is $44. 

Click here: Convention announcement with a link to more detail.

Click here: Register online on this Web page.

Convention Notes:

This year our luncheon speaker will be Pat Clawson, whose topic is "Getting Positive Press."

At the banquet, Professor Harry Veryser-longtime Austrian economics scholar who has worked as a businessman and teacher for several renowned institutions, and currently serves as chairman of the Department of Economics and Finance at Walsh College in Troy, Michigan-will perform the banquet address:

"The LPM: Past, Present, and Future."

From the Chair:
SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY !

Our country is going to Hell in a hand basket.  We are suffering through a national economic crisis caused by years of increased Republican and Democrat regulation and inflation.  Our politicians in Washington (e.g., Carl Levin, Vern Ehlers, Pete Hoekstra, John Dingell) are scrambling to respond by doing something, anything - more bail outs, more regulation, more taxes.  But millions of Americans recognize their efforts for what they are - more lies.  Those politicians caused the problem, and are furiously enacting super-sized versions of the same "solutions" as they passed to cause the problems in the first place.

In Michigan , we have suffered through years of a state economic crisis fueled by decades of special breaks for large manufacturers and their unions; special "perks" that drove tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, and jobs, out of the state.  Seven years of a Michigan-only recession, capped by the idiocy of three bipartisan state tax increases, and an ensuing statewide economic depression. 

We now have a national, state and local tax and regulatory system so arbitrary, so complex, and so difficult to understand that no one - not a prospective Secretary of the US Treasury, not a US Senator, not a hard working small business owner, not an average homeowner, is capable of complying with the law.  Every one of us runs a very real risk that, at any time, our respective legal violations may be discovered and prosecuted.  Our homes and livelihoods may be arbitrarily taken.  Our families may be thrown out onto the street, penniless.  Today´s political climate is the antithesis of the Libertarian Party´s vision of a free and prosperous America .

These desperate times are scaring to action people all across Michigan .  In the past, we may have been content to leave politics to the politicians.  But their incredible incompetence and corruption is squelching even the enormous benefits of a partially-free market, now directly affecting our lives.  Over the past six months hundreds of Michiganders have contacted the LP, asking for information, and volunteering to help return our country to a path of freedom and responsibility. All of them are now receiving this e-newsletter.

I urge you, whether you are a newly-energized libertarian or a long-time activist, to contact your local affiliate and attend your local affiliate meetings. Proactively seek out and take on the hard work of running the candidates, and promoting the policies, that can turn our country and state around.  Promote freedom in Michigan by contacting the LPM´s Chair, Secretary or Webmaster (@michiganlp.org) to let them know what political, clerical, technological or organizing tasks you are willing to take on.  Financially support the LPM´s outreach and organizing efforts with your contributions.

Seize this opportunity with both hands, and run with it!  An opportunity to promote freedom and prosperity for Michigan .  The current crisis offers us the best opportunity we have had in years to grow the Libertarian Party, spread its message of freedom and responsibility, and elected pro-freedom candidates to office.

Bill Hall
Chair, LP of Michigan

DETROIT LIBERATION DAY

5/2/2009 12:00 AM

This is a non-affiliated event, but Scotty Boman is among the speakers.

Liberation Day is the global day of protest against the Civil War on drugs on every first Saturday of May. Hundreds of locations worldwide demonstrate in solidarity for cannabis liberation and an end to policies that have exacerbated the problems of hard drug addiction on a global scale. There is sure to be an event near you.  This will be Detroit ´s 11th year of participation.

For more information visit:
http://detroitliberation.org/
or Contact: Paul
Tel (313) 622-3429
Paul@detroitliberation.org

Location: Grand Circus Park is actually two parks located on the east and west sides of Woodward Avenue , between Witherell and Adams Streets, in Detroit , MI

NEW AFFILIATE IN CALHOUN COUNTY

By ´the Webmaster´ and Jack Worsham

The Calhoun County (contains Battle Creek ) Libertarian Party (CCLP) has been founded, picking its officers at an organizational meeting a week ago. Four members and a couple of activists signed on, bylaws were drafted and approved and sent to Emily Salvette the LPM Secretary. Executive committee has been initiated by email, and its first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 (and last Tuesdays of the month, thereafter). 

Chair: Jack Worsham, Vice Chair: Blaine Prior, Secretary: Roy S. Smith, Jr., Treasurer: Charles Pratt

Background notes from new CCLP affiliate leader, Jack Worsham:

Without wanting to delay you, I´ve been thinking of how to explain all that has happened here in the last month. Perhaps the best thing is just to lay it out for you and let you edit as you see fit.

I´ll begin with my own bio. I was a history professor at Kellogg Community College and Siena Heights College (mainly the former) for forty years until my retirement. Politically, I was active in various Conservative organizations at an earlier time, also serving as Calhoun County Republican Chairman, as a member of the Republican State Committee, and as a member of the Electoral College. I retreated from that involvement as the Republican Party progressively lost its way in recent years.

I became convinced of two things within the last year. First, the Libertarian Party is the one electoral force remaining for any voter who values personal freedom and fiscal responsibility. Second, the Libertarian Party has achieved a permanence and significance that no other "third party" in the last half-century has seen. And I felt that I should be involved in some way if I really do believe in what I say I do.

That leads me from my own story to that of the Calhoun County Libertarian Party.

After meeting with LPM leaders in March, I determined to see "what I could do" in my own county. If I ran into apathy or resistance, I reasoned that I could always work for the LPM as an individual. To my surprise, however, the men I turned to and asked to join me in organizing a regional affiliate were only to eager to join in. Those who became the Executive Committee of the CCLP are or have been the chairmen of several notable civic organizations here in Battle Creek . One is a former Democratic Party activist, another a retired political science professor, one a former recipient of the "Republican of the Year" award locally, and another a small businessman and political independent. All agreed that the Libertarian Party´s principles were theirs, regardless of any past political associations.

All of us felt that if we were to become active in this way, we needed to do so without delay. The LP state convention was not far in the future, the Tea Parties were being held in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and elsewhere near by with more to come, and we wanted a Libertarian candidate for the special election in the 19th State Senate race which unofficially began with the announcements of the Democratic and Republican candidates in mid-April.

In a three or four week span, everyone joined the national or state parties or both, we organized the affiliate, defined its boundaries, created and printed bylaws, elected officers, submitted our signed application with the bylaws to the LPM secretary,  created a website, and I myself met with a prospective candidate for State Senate to discuss the campaign.

In short, I think we have accomplished quite a lot in a short time and now we will turn our attention publicizing the CCLP´s activities, to the Senate race, and to a membership recruitment push. We also thank all those in the leadership of the LPM (yourself included) who have so willingly and patiently assisted us.

This is some of the most inspiring news pertinent to the LP in general that I´ve read in 37 years. Talk about street credit, talk about groundswell!! Welcome aboard Jack; stories like yours give us renewed hope that, "Now, our side will win." - ed.

FED PROTEST LIVELY IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT

By Scotty Boman

April, 25th 2009

Detroit - At 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 25, 2009 nearly 200 people picketed outside the Federal Reserve Building on E. Warren Avenue , to express their support of HR 1207: Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009.  This gathering followed a day of literature distribution at the nearby Eastern Market.  The crowd included members of the Campaign for Liberty , End the Fed Network, and the Libertarian Party.

The literature summarized the bill and called upon voters to contact their representative in Congress and ask him or her to sign on to the bill.  Petitions were also circulated with the same message.  Most of the literature was provided by the Campaign for Liberty .  Campaign for Liberty is an organization founded by Congressman (and Libertarian Party life member) Ron Paul in the wake of his unsuccessful effort to win the Republican nomination for President. 

The 1988 Libertarian presidential candidate was the author of HR 1207: Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009.  The act is "to amend title 31, United States Code, to reform the manner in which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States and the manner in which such audits are reported, and for other purposes."  Congressman Paul has introduced legislation that relates to the Federal Reserve before, but this time he is gaining support from his colleagues; the Act currently has 92 cosigners.  This act differs from others, such as HR 2755, in that it simply calls for transparency, rather than the transformation of the monetary system.

Supporters are using current events to help promote the bill.  One part of the handout being distributed reads, " In addition to our $11 trillion national debt, Congress, the Treasury Department, and the Federal Reserve have put us on the hook for almost $10 trillion in bailouts and loans. Yet, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke recently flatout said, "No" to Congress when asked to name which financial institutions have received trillions of dollars in these loans from the Fed. The Federal Reserve, the unelected central bank of the U.S. , refuses to fully disclose its operations and agreements to Congress, including details of its deals with foreign central banks and governments. To end this secrecy and deliver answers to the American people, Congressman Ron Paul has introduced H R 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act.

The Detroit event was one of many Audit the Federal Reserve rallies to be held in major cities throughout the United States .

Photo:

TAX DAY TEA PARTY IS A HIT IN PORT HURON

By Mark Byrne, Port Huron City Councilman

A large energetic crowd gathered in Port Huron on tax day this year. The Libertarian Party of St Clair and Sanilac counties were among the 1,500 to 2,000 people that gathered on April 15th in Port Huron to protest Big Government. The event attracted a wide variety of people of which many were not familar with the Libertarian Party yet. Casual conversations while waiving our signs showed them they agree with us on many issues and especially on the fiscal issues.

Many had signs saying they were Tea´d off at both the Democrats and the Republicans. A few elected officials including a State Rep, the Mayor of Port Huron and our Libertarian City Councilman in Port Huron were also in attendance.  The large crowd received a very high percentage of horn honks from the many cars going buy at rush hour. I would estimate 3 out of 4 cars honked in approval. As the crowd was sprawled out about a 1/4 mile along M-25 there were opportunities to talk to car occupants as they waited at traffic lights.  This led to few brief defenses of Big government by a few folks in their cars.

Check out the photos:

 

LEC SELECTS NATIONAL PLATFORM DELEGATE

At its April 5 teleconference meeting, the Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee chose State Chair Bill Hall to be Michigan ´s representative to the 2010 Libertarian Party National Convention Platform Committee.  Daniel Grow was named alternate. Join them in St. Louis prior at the Libertarian Party National Convention, which will be held May 27-31, 2010.

CALENDAR

May 5 - Macomb County (remember the new 1st Tuesday schedule!)

Monthly Meeting of the Libertarians of Macomb County .  All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend.  The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com

May 5 - St. Clair and Sanilac Counties

Monthly Meeting - LP group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month starting at 6 pm at Military Street Music Cafe, 1102 Military Street (downtown), Port Huron .  Contact Mark Byrne, 810-987-9856, iwantska@hotmail.com

May 6 - Washtenaw County

LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

May 6 - South West Michigan

LPSWM Executive Committee Meeting - 6:00 - 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd. , Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome.  Followed by:

Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan . 7-9 pm at The  Livery, 190 Fifth St , Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate.

Contact Bill Bradley, 269-637-4525, secretary@lpswmich.org

May 7 - Wayne County

Monthly Meeting - New location: Red Robin Ford Rd. Detroit, Dinner Orders 6:30, Meeting 7:30. Contact Ray Warnerrhwarner@webtv.net

May 12 - Capital Area

Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting - 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu

May 13 - Oakland County

Join us for our regular monthly meeting: 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila´s Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile, Berkley (2 blocks east of Greenfield on south side of 12 Mile). Please join us in planning out and implementing the next phase of our Libertarian presence in Oakland County .  Contact Jim Fulner, LPOC Chair, jim.fulner@parrot.com

May 20 - Washtenaw County

LP of Washtenaw County Social/Work Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

May 23 - Libertarian Party of Michigan

LPM State Convention in Jackson .  10 am - 9 pm. Cost: $44.  Make sure to join the LP or renew your membership so you can vote at the convention! Contact Nathan Allen, trustynathan08@yahoo.com

June 2 - St. Clair and Sanilac Counties

Monthly Meeting - LP group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month starting at 6 pm at Military Street Music Cafe, 1102 Military Street (downtown), Port Huron .  Contact Mark Byrne, 810-987-9856, iwantska@hotmail.com

June 2 - Macomb County

Monthly Meeting of the Libertarians of Macomb County .  LMC will now be meeting on the 1st Tuesday of the month. All members of the Libertarian Party, their friends and family, and anyone interested in learning more about the LP are invited to attend.  The meeting begins at 7:30 but feel free to join us for good food and conversation at 6:30 pm at the Loon River Café, 34911 Van Dyke Ave , Sterling Heights . Contact Jim Allison, jim.e.allison@gmail.com

June 3 - Washtenaw County

LP of Washtenaw County Monthly Business Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

June 3 - South West Michigan

LPSWM Executive Committee Meeting - 6:00 - 6:50 pm at IHOP, 1981 Pipestone Rd. , Benton Harbor. Guests are welcome.  Followed by:

Round Table Political Forum hosted by the LP of South West Michigan. 7-9 pm at The  Livery, 190 Fifth St , Benton Harbor. Visitors are welcome to participate.

Contact Bill Bradley, 269-637-4525, secretary@lpswmich.org

June 4 - Wayne County

Monthly Meeting - Dimitri´s on the Avenue, 41316 Michigan Ave , Dearborn 48126 , Dinner Orders 6:30, Meeting 7:30. Contact Ray Warner rhwarner@webtv.net

June 9 - Capital Area

Capital Area LP Monthly Meeting - 7 pm at former LPM office, 2722 E Michigan Ave, Ste 22, Lansing (park and enter in back). Contact Will Tyler White, 517-349-3806, whitewi5@msu.edu

June 10 - Oakland County

Monthly Meeting of the LP of Oakland County . 6:30 pm dinner, 7:30 meeting. Sila´s Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile (2 blocks east of Greenfield ), Berkley . Please join us in planning out and implementing the next phase of a Libertarian presence in Oakland County .  Contact Jim Fulner, LPOC Chair, jim.fulner@parrot.com

June 17 - Washtenaw County

LP of Washtenaw County Social/Work Meeting -7 to 9 pm at Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson (In the Parkland Plaza west of Ann Arbor). Contact James Hudler, 734-475-9792, or Larry Johnson, michlibertarian@comcast.net

More...

For more events, see the online calendar at:

http://www.mi.lp.org/Shared%20Documents/Calendar.aspx

Another Important Link.

The current Michigan Libertarian is available online at...

http://www.mi.lp.org/Past%20Newsletters/Michigan%20Libertarian%2038.1%20winter%202009.pdf

LPM ONLINE.

is distributed on the first of each month. Send calendar events and news articles by the 25th of the prior month to Emily Salvette, secretary@mi.lp.org.


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