Category Archives: Organization

Starting a New Firestorm of Liberty

by Karl Jackson, LEC at Large
brokarl@msn.com

KarlbobI think there is a great opportunity that libertarians passionate about liberty in Michigan are missing . I see the other party’s and groups taking this idea, running with it and having great success with it. Its not a new idea. What they are doing is just consciously utilizing their local party’s most fiery people, and then watching them develop into well seasoned activists and sometimes very strong government officials. These parties rally around their own . They work together to heavily promote THEIR OWN. This kind of endorsement allows the activist to then be able to go out to speak to all their party affiliates all around the country, starting these huge motivational fires for all their issues that seem to never stop. Its amazing to watch and see how informative their discussions can be. This is something that I believe the Libertarian Party should be doing as well. I also believe we can be just as successful at doing it.

We too have people in the Libertarian party that are oozing with passion like that, only the message we cry is one of true liberty. We also have affiliates based in counties throughout Michigan already in place to host audiences to be made up by their surrounding communities. We just need an organizer to bring it all together with 6 or 7 of those fiery libertarians, who can commit to hold a group discussion. Those 6 or 7 can talk about party organization, the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, same sex marriage, the fight against minimum wage increase (one of my personal passions), or whatever libertarian issue they’re most passionate about. Whatever it is, just use it. Promote the activists. Invite and educate the surrounding communities to hear and then just sit back watch the firestorm breakout all over.

Organizing and promoting something like that is something I’d personally involve myself in. We’d then just need the 6 or 7 and within a matter of weeks we can start a huge fire storm of what I call “liberty breakout”. By its promotion it’ll greatly effect the outreach of LPM affiliates all around Michigan. From there it would move on and begin to put the party firmly in position to promote its 2016 candidates in ways it hasn’t effected the elections in many years. It’s time and having a good, well structured promotional plan that has proved itself successful by next year, is a sure way to guarantee the success we’re looking forward to in our next election. Its also a way to keep us on par and in the ring with the competing parties. At some point, we’ve got to stand up and stop them from taking away our liberties. As we’ve heard the words of Benjamin Franklin over and over again SO many times ”Those who sacrifice liberty for security, deserve neither.”

I’ve been in the LP now just 2 and half years. I served on the LEC over the last year and in my serving I’ve become really excited seeing the great potential of our party.I’m even become more excited about the things I personally plan to do to utilize that potential. One of things I’d like very much to do to help bring about change,is to hold one of the chair positions that will become available at next months LPM convention.I am also seeking the office of Chairman of our LPM Oakland affiliate. It’s a new day.We need some new faces and strategies. The days of old are gone. And with your aid in these efforts and events you can help bring those new things on.

Let us ….”Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”. The Apostle Paul, Galatians 5:1

The Let Liberty Live Affiliate Rallies

This summer all the Affiliates of the Libertarian Party of Michigan will join together in a joint effort to grow the party by staging ” Let Liberty Live Affiliate Rallies” all across the state. Some of the rally’s will feature liberty minded candidates running in local elections in different areas, Activist promoting different causes, keynote speakers, journalist, different times, different places. Some will have park picnics, some will be on city grounds there’ll be raffles and all kinds of things. All being planned to help build our local affiliates and ultimately grow the Libertarian Party. So stay tuned and if you are not on our mailing list now is the time to sign up so your local affiliate can contact you with more information and solicit your support for the effort. Donations given will all go towards making this years summers libertarian outreach and “Let Liberty Live Rallies” a huge success.

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2015 State Convention

Convention 2015 in Kalamazoo, Saturday May 9
“Let’s Grow Liberty”

Kzoo1We have an exciting convention in the works for LPMers and guests this year, in the original home of Gibson guitars and major player in founding the modern American craft beer movement: Kalamazoo. In fact, Friday night (5/8) the Libertarian Party of South-West Michigan will host a pub crawl! [Meet time and place, 6:00-6:30 p.m. at the hotel lobby to catch the hotel shuttle, which will take 2-3 trips to downtown. Instructions will be given at check-in. For $20 you get a snazzy LPM t-shirt, august company, and transportation to downtown and back to the hotel… which is the Holiday Inn West.]

Convention speakers are:

This is the ‘in between’ convention year, with officers and bylaws/platform up for reconfiguration. Please don’t miss what promises to be a fertile event… one for the books. We’re trying to keep costs down in these trying times on the threshold of ‘rEvolution.’ So come one, come all. Here is the price schedule:

  • Full Package:                                      Before 5/7: $60, After 5/6: $80
  • Convention + Luncheon w/Carrick   Before 5/7: $35, After 5/6: $50
  • Convention Only:                               Before 5/7: $25, After 5/6: $40
  • Banquet Only:                                    Before 5/7: $30, After 5/6: $50
  • Luncheon with Neil Carrick               Before 5/7: $20, After 5/6: $25

Proceed here to register: http://michiganlp.org/?p=3961

Agenda:

PubFriday, May 8: Pub Crawl

In downtown Kalamazoo’s vibrant restaurant and brewery district. The fee for this event will be $20 (includes an LPM newly designed custom t-shirt and transportation to Downtown Kzoo and back to the Holiday Inn West, at the end of the evening. (Drinks not included.) The t-shirt (logo at right) enables pub crawlers to get into all participating bars without a cover charge. The Pub Crawl is separate from the convention, so we have a separate payment button below:


Kzoo Pub Crawl and T-shirt 5/8
Enter Size shirt: S,M,L,XL,XXL



Saturday. May 9th: Business and Banquet

8-8:45AM – Registration
8:45AM – Call to order
8:50AM – Welcome to Kalamazoo and officer reports
9:30AM – Keynote speaker: C. Michael Pickens
10:15AM – Breakout sessions: Brian R. Wright and others.
11:15AM – Platform committee
12:15-1PM – Lunch
1-1:45PM – Pastor Neil Carrick
1:45-3PM – Bylaws committee
3-4:30PM – Election of new LEC officers
4:30-5PM – Outgoing and Incoming officers meeting (breakout session)
5PM -Cocktail reception
6:30- 7:30PM – Dinner speaker: Darryl W. Perry

Details

Cover_Leaving_Sandbox_Front_ReducedLeaderBusiness begins at 8:00 a.m. lasting ’til 5:00 p.m. Includes election of party officers and central committee, as well as any revision of platform and bylaws. Kim Moore hosts bylaws: please send any revisions for bylaws to Kim at kmoore_libertarian@ymail.com. James Weeks II hosts platform committee: please send revisions to his attention here: j.weeks@riseup.net. Convention keynote speaker is C. Michael Pickens. Breakout session(s): Brian Wright (and others).

DuopBuffet style banquet: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., banquet speaker is Darryl W. Perry.

Details as they develop.

You must be a current Libertarian Party of Michigan member to vote on party business.

Accommodations

HIHoliday Inn West will be offering a special room rate of $105 (Limited time only. Early reservations required).

Address:
2747 South Eleventh Street
Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, US
Book By Phone: 269.375.6000

HI West Website here.

Special Notice of Roadwork Near Hotel

We didn’t plan for this, but road construction has the exit ramp to the Holiday Inn West completely closed. It’s going to be closed all summer long. Anyone coming here via I-94 should use this route to get to the convention.

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Leadership Brainstorming Session 3/14/2015

Approximately 20 individuals attended including speakers Brian Wright discussing some new ideas for creating a better model (Satyagraha Liberty) (http://brianrwright.com/satlib.pdf) and David Chandler presenting on his County Sovereignty concepts. We moved through some goals and objectives brainstorming processes, establishing a foothold. And the consensus is that regular such brainstorming sessions going forward will be a boost to the organization.

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A Big Disappointment

After the historic losses of Democrats in the 2014 election…

… politicians from both major parties are suddenly in a hurry to get something done. Establishment types are doing their best to both undermine the incoming class of Republican law makers and quietly get home to enjoy the holidays. After years of gridlock and a so called “do nothing congress”, we are expected to believe there is a renewed interest in doing the people’s business.

A search of Google shows that April 29, 2009 was the last time Congress passed an actual budget. Research a little more and you will find that even that was not a true budget. This kind of funding is known as an omnibus spending bill. The last time America operated under a true budget was in 1997 during the Clinton-Gingrich era. The country has been operating on continuing resolutions ever since.

The most recent omnibus bill funds the government through most of 2015. Consider this action exhibit ‘A’ that the major parties could care less what the voters have to say. With a clear mandate to stop reckless spending and government encroachment, the establishment made sure to get what it wanted signed, sealed, and delivered before the new congress was seated. Strange how after all these years of gridlock, when it came to funding state mandated health care and corporate welfare, R’s and D’s suddenly felt the urge to “get something done”.

Less than 2 months after running against the issue and winning big, lame duck Republicans funded government health care for another year. Why would they do this? One possibility is that it’s a strategic move designed to keep government funded health care alive and well. Republicans are now positioned to use the appropriations process over the next 2 years to nibble at the edges of law’s funding. This also creates a series of well-timed photo ops leading up to a presidential election. If all you cared about was getting your party back into full control, this would be a great plan. Libertarians see this situation through a different lens. Big government rarely gives back power that it seizes. This funding legislation also gives the establishment another year to socialize government run health care and make it acceptable to the masses.

It didn’t take long for the Republican Party to disappoint. Should we be surprised? Libertarians and other pro-freedom advocates have been pointing out this kind of hypocrisy for years. Unfortunately the message is only being heard by a small audience. With nearly 2 years of political drama still to come before the 2016 election, Libertarians will certainly have more opportunities to show a fed up electorate a better way. Let’s not waste them.

Jason Brandenburg
Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan

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The Year of the Disgruntled Voter

ScottyHomeComments in light of the recent election

A ‘100 year sweep’, ‘Republican landslide’, ‘Dems may never recover’. While the Republican tidal wave is significant, let’s not forget this recent election unfolded with the backdrop of historically low opinion polls of all sides at all levels. Before Republicans become too smug in their 2014 victory, they would be wise to remember they are one messianic snake oil salesman away from becoming irrelevant (see 2008).

Every two years both major parties do an excellent job of turning literally one half of America against the other. In 2016 the spin machines spew forth all kinds of nasty stuff yet again, much of it true. Years of ugly rhetoric from all forms of media has left the modern voter going to the polls, not to vote FOR something, but rather voting against the party they believe to be the “bad guys”. Every four to eight years one side manages to win enough seats to push back on the other and stakes are raised yet again.

It’s funny how incoming lawmakers are more than happy to leverage the very issues they just blasted the other side for during the campaign. The cleverest politicians keep a public distance between what they say and what they do. Some Republicans have already started tempering expectations for actions against the Affordable Care Act. Obama did essentially the same on Iraq, national debt, spying on Americans, and any number of other unconstitutional pet projects he had waiting to deploy.

Rightly so, Americans just do not trust politicians to do what they say. The voter is fed up with power self serving plutocrats claiming they will fix everything if only we elect them. Need some evidence? As reported by Larry Kudlow, consider this question and answer from Edison Research. This polling company interviewed 18,000 voters around the country as they left the polls on November 4 asking the following:

Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a good president?
Yes: 42 percent. No: 52 percent.

Do you think Jeb Bush would make a good president?
Yes: 29 percent. No: 59 percent.

Do you think Chris Christie would make a good president?
Yes: 24 percent. No: 64 percent.

Do you think Rand Paul would make a good president?
Yes: 26 percent. No: 60 percent.

Do you think Rick Perry would make a good president?
Yes: 24 percent. No: 62 percent.

In the 2016 presidential election, for whom would you be more likely to vote?
Hillary Clinton (Dem): 24 percent. The Republican candidate: 40 percent.

Not only does a yet-to-be-named Republican beat Hillary, but those polled turned their nose up to every Republican name that was dropped. This does not sound like a public ready to anoint another mythical political hero of any stripe.

You can reference Kudlow’s article here:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/392341/2016-hillary-had-worst-night-larry-kudlow

Does the very fact that a Clinton and a Bush both appear on a poll of this nature turn your stomach? It does mine. Maybe the public is willing to endure another campaign season featuring a Clinton and a Bush on the top ticket? Public opinion is a fickle thing, but this Libertarian wonders if 2016 will be the year a fed up public finally looks to cast a protest vote.

What are the chances that American is ready for the real “other” party? Maybe 2016 will be a true 100 year election for big L’s. The time has never been riper for a real conversation about reducing the reach and influence of government. Libertarians have been champions of this approach since the party was founded in the early 1970’s. Unlike Republicans and Democrats, Libertarians have generally not participated in the every two year mud throwing contest that goes on at a national level. The Libertarian party has credibility and history on its side. What it does not have is a great track record of electoral success.

The time has never been better to remind this republic of the freedoms and healthy economy it used to enjoy. Issues like personal privacy, endless taxes and fees, federal over spending, industry crushing regulation, a constant state of war, these are all things that Libertarians are on the right side of. The list is so long now there is opportunity to reach voters all over the political spectrum. Big government has been a disappointment to both conservatives and liberals, albeit for different reasons. If polls such as the one cited above are accurate, making the case to reduce the reach of government should really be a matter of marketing the pro-freedom message.

Presented in the right context, a pro-freedom campaign would be a breath of fresh air to a usually stale process. If 2016 does turn out to be the year of the disgruntled voter, the Libertarian party should be on their minds when they cast their vote. The Libertarian party could potentially make big gains if the public only knew who they were. Being active in the public debate is one way to let the voter know what the real alternative is. A pro freedom agenda holds viable solutions to the issues of these times. The American voter deserves to hear that a smaller more accountable government is the best way to start mending that which is broken.

Jason Brandenburg

Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party

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Liberty in Action 10/25/2014

Liberty in Action, Lansing, October 25, 2014

IMG_20141025_093406Enthusiastic and educational day for activists in the capital. LPM leaders attend a vital seminar focused on reigniting membership and fundraising, bringing to bear several speakers of statewide and national libertarian experience.  Many thanks to Treasurer Kim Moore and all the speakers, including Dan Johnson of the effective IMG_20141025_135244grassroots organization People Against the NDAA (PANDA). We learn what does and does not work in building effective and well-funded organizations for liberty.

Photos from top to bottom:

Dan Johnson.

Jeff Phillips of the Schoolboard of a Thumb Area school district.

IMG_20141025_152548Greg Creswell speaking on his campaign in the 9th Congressional District.

Greg also noted the upcoming Liberty Fest and decried our countrymen’s descent into wanting the government to do everything for everyone. I especially appreciated his statement that, when he dies, he is going to have his headstone engraved:

“Don’t blame me. I tried to warn y’all.’

Or words to that effect.

Announcement Post:

Liberty in Action to be held in Lansing, October 25, 2014

LemonadeEverywhere you look someone is promoting Liberty.  Much of it is through education or protests. These are a great base, but when it comes down to it, we need to change policy.  At this fundraiser we will introduce groups that have had impacts on policy, whether preventing it, changing it, or enacting it.  We don’t only want to help your group with ideas, we want to help it have the presence it needs to have an impact.  We also want to share with you our ideas, as Libertarians, on our plans of actions by introducing a number of our 2014 candidates. Please join us for this event featuring Daniel Johnson of P.A.N.D.A. (People against the NDAA) as our keynote speaker. Also speaking:

  • Jeff Phillips, Liberty Minded School Board Member in the Thumb Region
  • David Dudenhoeffer, Campaign for Liberty
  • Brian Wright, author and publisher, on his Good Neighbor Libertarian project
  • Any LPM candidates wishing to speak, please contact Kimberly at address below

We are soliciting a $20 registration fee. Liberty in Action will be held at the Capitol Area Headquarters, 2722 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 22, Lansing (East of US-127). Starts at 9:00 a.m., expected to run thru 3:00 p.m.To register, please proceed to payments page here. Agenda posted here. Contact Kimberly Moore for details: kmoore_libertarian@ymail.com

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2013 Platform

(As revised in convention, June 15, 2013)

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE:

The Libertarian Party does not believe in or advocate the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals.

PREAMBLE:

Libertarians seek a society based on personal liberty and responsibility—a society in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives. This most desirable method of organizing society is the natural order that arises when the inalienable rights of individuals to life, liberty and property ownership are respected and protected.

People have the right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and pursue happiness in whatever manner they choose so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal rights of others. Libertarians welcome the peace, prosperity, and diversity that freedom brings.

The essential precondition for a free society is that people follow their own dreams in their own ways without government interference. This precondition allows that the only legitimate function of government is the protection of the inalienable rights of its citizens. To that end, government at all levels should be strictly limited to the essential services necessary to uphold individual rights, maintain public order, and adjudicate disputes. Government at the state and federal level should be involved only in issues not best handled by local or regional government.

I. STATE GOVERNMENT

1. Federalism. To restore a necessary check on federal power, we advocate the repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

2. Federalism. We endorse the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reserves to our state and its people all powers not expressly delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, or prohibited from the states or the people by the U.S. Constitution.

3. In the absence of a declaration of war by the United States Congress, we oppose any use of Michigan troops by the federal government for any purpose other than natural disaster relief.

4. Individuals have the right to defend themselves and others. Article I, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution states: “Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.” We oppose any law that dilutes the right of a law-abiding person to own a firearm or other means of self-defense.

4. We oppose any form discrimination by government based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or any other group identification. Each person has the same inalienable rights that the State has a duty to protect.

5. State government should be removed entirely from the licensing process, including occupational licensing. It has produced no better results than private licensing and amounts to another tax. For example, marriage licenses are contracts between individuals and should be left to the individuals, their attorneys and religious officials, without the need to pay the state for a stamp of approval.

6. We support returning to a part-time legislature, which is sufficient to carry out the legislative duties as prescribed by our State Constitution.

7. We advocate a sunset law requiring an automatic end to most government offices, agencies, departments, laws, regulations, taxes, and expenditures within ten years if not reauthorized.

8. We oppose immunities for any public officials or employees for illegal acts or omissions. Like any citizen, they should be subject to criminal prosecution and held liable for any injuries caused by their actions.

9. There should be maximum separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers.

II. ELECTIONS

1. The only electoral duty of the State government should be providing for fair and efficient conduct of elections. Political parties, like any private voluntary group, should be free from government control and allowed to establish their own rules for nomination procedures and conventions. All taxpayer-funded subsidies to candidates for public office and political parties, including primaries and conventions, should be eliminated.

2. We support the addition of the alternative “None of the above is acceptable” to all ballots. We further propose that in the event that “None of the above is acceptable” receives a plurality of votes in any election, a new election shall be held for which none of the losing candidates shall be eligible. Other forms of voting should also be considered, such as instant runoff voting or proportional representation.

3. Campaign finance laws are unwarranted restrictions of free speech or association and should be repealed.

4. The time during which voters may circulate any statewide petition should be extended to two years.

5. Voters should have the power of referendum on all existing or new legislation.

III. COURTS

1. The current practice of forced jury duty should be replaced by volunteer juries.

2. The common law authority of a trial by jury preceded our constitution and is the foundation of our legal system. If a jury of peers deems a law unjust, oppressive or inappropriately applied, it has the right and duty to acquit the defendant. We support the right of defendants to a fully informed jury, which would require judges to instruct jurors of their authority to judge not only the facts, but also the justice of the law according to their own good consciences.

3. We support restitution for victims of crimes or civil infractions at the expense of the perpetrator. The victim should have the right to pardon the perpetrator, provided the victim is not threatened or coerced.

4. Private adjudication of disputes by mutually acceptable judges or mediators should be encouraged.

5. No-fault laws should be repealed because they deprive the victim of the right to recover damages from those responsible for causing harm.

6. The right of trial by jury should be allowed in all civil or criminal cases.

7. The use of civil asset forfeiture to enforce laws circumvents constitutional protections and should be ended.

8. Random police roadblocks and other searches without probable cause bypass constitutional protections and should be prohibited.

9. We support equal treatment and oppose sexual discrimination in any judicial proceeding adjudicating a parental right, privilege or obligation concerning his or her child.

IV. PUBLIC SAFETY

1. Law enforcement cannot guarantee individual safety. Self protection is a personal responsibility. All individuals have the right to defend themselves and to possess the means to do so, as guaranteed by the State Constitution Article I, Section 6.

2. State prison facilities should be used only for the incarceration of individuals who have proven themselves a threat to others.

3. Curfew laws should be repealed as the behavior of children is the responsibility of the parent, not the state.

4. Laws requiring the use of seat belts and helmets are misguided, paternal, and should be repealed. Individuals must assume responsibility for their own safety.

V. VICE LAWS

1. Government should confine itself to protecting individuals from aggression, coercion and deceit. We oppose all laws and regulations that attempt to protect individuals from the consequences of their own behavior. While not necessarily condoning such activities, we advocate the repeal of all laws criminalizing gambling, possession and sale of drugs and alcohol, and sexual relations between consenting adults. All those presently incarcerated or ever convicted solely for the commission of these victimless crimes should be pardoned and their records expunged.

2. Voluntary communities may enforce rules that prohibit certain activities to which all members subscribe, such as substance-free dorms.

VI. TAXES

1. The legislature should find more voluntary means of supporting state services, such as lotteries and user fees.

2. The personal income tax should be repealed.

3. Taxation of privately owned real property should be eliminated. In effect, it makes the state the owner of all lands by forcing individuals to pay rent to the state or forfeit their title.

4. The personal property tax on Michigan businesses should be repealed.

5. Tax favoritism should be illegal. Abatements, subsidies, credits, or other incentives to businesses based on geographical area, job creation, or any other criteria deny equal protection under the law.

6. Sales tax on used merchandise that is resold results in double taxation and should be eliminated.

7. Adding sales tax to products already subject to specific state taxes, such as gasoline and cigarettes, should be ended. This practice results in double taxation, as consumers are paying a tax on a tax.

8. We oppose any sales or use tax on the Internet.

VII. ECONOMY

1. We believe in the free market, thus the complete separation of the economy and the state.

2. No commercial enterprises should be granted legal monopoly status, including the so-called natural monopolies of electricity, natural gas, water supplies, telephones, and cable television. The Michigan Public Service Commission should be abolished and all rate regulation in these industries ended. The right to offer such services in the marketplace should not be curtailed. We also call on the legislature to end the state monopoly on lotteries.

3. State regulation of industries such as insurance and communications, and professions such as medicine and law, should be ended. They should be regulated by trade or consumer groups.

4. The condemnation of private property for public use should only be allowed when necessary for the protection of the rights of the citizens.

VIII. WELFARE and CHARITY

Providing for the needy by forcibly taxing others is contrary to the legitimate function of government, which is to protect the rights of everyone. Disbursing charity from a welfare system costs society more than it gains. It is inefficient, open to fraud and abuse, and creates resentment. Traditional, voluntary sources of emergency support from families, churches, and private charities have always been more humane, more effective, and willingly borne by the givers. Therefore, until the income tax is repealed, we advocate dollar-for-dollar tax credits for all charitable contributions to encourage a transition from public welfare to private support.

IX. EDUCATION

1. Education is a parental responsibility and best handled at the most local level. While we advocate the separation of school and state, regional cooperation in funding and administration should be encouraged for economies of scale.

2. Because parents are best situated to decide what is in their own children’s best interests, we support all measures that enhance the educational choices available, such as charter schools, tax credits for private school tuition, and home schooling.

3. Compulsory attendance and truancy laws should be repealed. Students cannot be forced to learn, and teachers should not be forced to act as juvenile delinquency officers.

4. All individuals, regardless of age, are entitled to the protections of the constitutions of the United States and Michigan. Random drug tests, locker searches without probable cause, censorship of student publications, corporal punishment, or any similar actions violate those rights.

5. All votes relevant to school operations, including millage proposals, bond issues and school board elections, should be placed only on the regular, biannual ballot.

X. ENVIROMENT

1. Aside from public safety, there is no greater concern for the people of Michigan than having a safe, healthy environment. We look forward to the day when all property not required for police and court functions is returned to private ownership and control.

2. We call for the restoration of every individual’s ancient, common law standing to sue for trespass any individual, business, government or other group that pollutes his or her property.

3. We oppose creation of new government parks or wilderness and recreation areas. Such parks and areas that already exist should be transferred to non-government ownership. Pending such transfer, their operating costs should be borne by their users rather than by taxpayers.

4. We support efforts to hold all individuals, businesses and governments accountable for the pollution they cause. With respect to so-called orphan sites, where those responsible for contamination of ground or water either cannot be found or cannot be made accountable for the damage they caused, we support the use of the Natural Resources Trust Fund currently earmarked for expansion of State parks to be redirected to clean up.

XI. HEALTH CARE

1. The most fundamental property right is an individual’s right to own and control his or her own body. All individuals have the right to determine their own health care needs and treatment. Exercise of this right does not remove the moral obligations not to violate the rights of others. We recognize the state, when it exists, has a duty to protect the rights of others, particularly those in society who are the most vulnerable, including: the very old, the very young, and the mentally handicapped. The state, where it exists, does have a duty to protect the life of all individuals, and should prosecute those who utilize force or fraud to end life.”

2. The right of people to extend or end their lives with dignity should not be infringed. We support the freedom to use living wills and durable medical powers of attorney.

XII. SECESSION

We recognize the right to political secession. Exercise of this right, like the exercise of all other rights, does not remove legal and moral obligations not to violate the rights of others.

XIII. INCLUSION

The Libertarian Party of Michigan ratifies and hereby includes in this document the platform of the national Libertarian Party.

XIV. OMISSIONS

Our silence about any other particular government law, regulation, ordinance, directive, edict, control, restriction, regulatory agency, or activity should not be construed to imply approval.


RESOLUTIONS

[Resolutions are statements of opinion on timely issues, and are adopted as described in our bylaws. They are not permanent planks of the LPM platform.]

2013 Resolutions Approved

Resolution: Grand Juries

We support grand juries investigating and indicting, ‘willful misconduct in office by public officers.’

Resolution: United States Federal Government, Status of Authority

Since the attacks of 9/11 and the illegal wars of aggression by the United States federal government (USG) in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere; the Patriot Act; the practice of torture and rendition, mass imprisonments without trial or notice; summary executions by the US president, intentional killings of civilians thru US military drone strikes, and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provisions for indefinite detentions without trial; prosecutions and incarcerations of whistle blowers who expose government torture and atrocities, the coordinated national police-state crackdown on protest (esp. the Occupy Movement), and escalation of violence against the people via the Travel Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); the recent buildup by National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct 24/7 surveillance and universal record keeping on all civilians, federal black operations (black ops) upon the people via (probable and provable) staged massacres of Americans in further pursuance of an absolute police-military juggernaut, and resultant federal plans to confiscate guns; and routine Cartel machinations such as exempting Monsanto and other biotech firms from the rule of law, conduct of geoengineering and weather modification programs for profit and warmaking, the neverending atrocity known as the War on Drugs, and thru secret programs exposing billions of people worldwide to unconscionable environmental and biological toxins—not to mention Obamacare, the UN’s Agenda 21, and Common Core educational edicts; the bailouts and giveaways to insider financial powers, expansion of the traditional welfare state, and debauchery of the currency via the central banks; and, finally, creation of an artificial burden of unfathomable debt, expropriation and suppression of individual wealth and production, and a host of other grossly unconstitutional acts—it has become clear the current USG has become nothing less than a psychotically vicious and illegal criminal enterprise.

Accordingly, we the undersigned, no longer recognize this incarnation of the USG as valid or legitimate, we withdraw moral sanction and (to the extent each individual considers prudent) material support—until such time, as a minimum, all of the above unconstitutional acts of aggression are ended and remedied. Nor shall we the undersigned be sitting still waiting for compliance; we shall pursue all effective strategies that restore libertarian self-government to individuals within their states and communities, and nullify all federal breaches of authority—as stated clearly in the Tenth Amendment, “if it ain’t in here, the USG don’t got it.” To those in the current USG: You’d better get cracking… otherwise your time is up.

Resolution in Respect of David Irons David Irons

A steadfast member of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, David C. Irons passed away at his home on May 25, 2013 of a heart attack. He spent most of his life in the Lansing area and was a welcome presence at the meetings of the Capital Area Libertarian Party. His intellectual curiosity and probing mind brought many hours of thoughtful conversation to the discussions.

An independent streak flowed throughout his life and led him to become a building inspector, vending machine operator, carpenter and overall Jack-of-all trades. Despite the demands of his family life and career, David was able to juggle his responsibilities well enough to enable him to run as a candidate for public office in several elections. His friendly, well-spoken demeanor allowed him to present the libertarian viewpoint in a way that opened the eyes of others to his message.

The energy, insightfulness and sense of humor David contributed to the Libertarian Party will be missed. Our sincere condolences and thoughts of cherished memories go out to his wife Nancy, his son Anthony and their extended family.

Sincerely,

Capital Area Libertarian Party
Box 27065
Lansing MI 48909-7065
www.calparty.org


Prior LPM Platforms

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Pat Heller to Address Capital Libertarians

Special Guest Speaker Patrick Heller this Monday!
He will discuss the Libertarian funded and themed movie “Alongside Night”
See his resume and out the recent posts on our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/125733945162/

Everyone is invited to the monthly meeting of the
CAPITAL AREA LIBERTARIAN PARTY
this MONDAY, April 14, at 7 pm

 in the Lansing Libertarian office at
2722 E Michigan Ave., suite 22,

just west of US-127 in the lower level of the building.
Parking lot and entrance are in back.

The informal meeting starts at 7:00 pm. – BYO refreshments

General public and nonmembers are welcome to attend – bring a friend!
Interesting political conversation and topical discussions are always on the agenda!

Agenda:

  • Introductions
  • State & National Conventions
  • Outreach to 2nd Amendment March April 29th
  • Patrick Heller discusses GoldMovie Alongside Night being shown in Lansing
  • Open discussion

To be removed from this list, reply to this email with “remove” in the subject line
For more information, contact:
Chair: Bob Broda bob_broda@att.net
Treasurer: Will Tyler White whitewi5@msu.edu
www.calparty.org

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Rockman-Moon Steps Down As LPM Executive Committee At-Large Director; Welch Appointed

For Immediate Release
February 16, 2014

Rockman-Moon Steps Down As LPM Executive Committee At-Large Director; Welch Appointed

(Lansing, MI) —   Denee Rockman-Moon, long-time Libertarian Party of Michigan member, as well as its past Chairwoman, has resigned from her At-Large Director and Membership Director positions with the LPM’s Executive Committee.  Citing overwhelming family and personal responsibilities, Rockman-Moon says it is necessary to give her family her full attention. The LPM is grateful for all the time and effort she’s given to serve the Party.

Appointed to replace Rockman-Moon on the LEC is Kipp Welch II.  Kipp, who lives in Norton Shores, is currently the Secretary and Facebook Content Manager for the Libertarian Party of West Michigan.

Welch says, “I’ve been a libertarian most of my life and I am finally comfortable with the platform the LP has. I look forward to serving the board and our members and forwarding liberty as much as I can.”

LPM Chair Mary Buzuma says, “Welch’s appointment is temporary until new LEC members are elected at the state convention May 17th.”

Join us in congratulating Kipp!

Mary Buzuma
Libertarian Party of Michigan Chair

— 30 —

 

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LPM Marketing Meeting March 8, Lansing

SAVE THIS DATE!

What: Marketing for Liberty Conference.
Where: 2722 E Michigan Ave. [Old Headquarters, Current Capital Area Office]
When: Saturday March 8 10AM to 5PM
Who:

  • Pat Clawson Frequent guest on TV talk shows & Former CNN Reporter
  • Tim Obrien Advertising consultant / LPM Membership growth expert
  • Helena Blakemoore Videographer – Movie Producer
  • Derek Magill Campus Activist and Organizer
  • Bill Gelineau Election result analyst
  • Heather Richards-Wodrich Media Relations consultant
  • Brian Wright: Author and LPM Cofounder
  • Greg Marshall Radio Talk Show Host to TEA Party Market
  • And more!

Why: Libertarian ideas are more popular then ever, but interest in the Libertarian Party is at an all-time low. We must re-package the Libertarian Party of Michigan, in order to attract the thousands of libertarians in Michigan. Read more here: http://www.michiganlp.org/ENewsletters/201310/201310_ML.html#64 Check back for details and how to RSVP

Let Us Know: Please sign the form on upper right side of this page to give your email address and let us know you’re coming. Also, contact organizer Scotty Boman here (scottyboman@hotmail.com) with how definite you are about your intentions to attend… also give him your thoughts on strategy and whether or not you think this sort of event is worthwhile.

 

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