How We Get There

by: AuGeo

Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 19:26:10 PM MST

We start moving in the right direction by putting our Libertarian party on the New Path, the path to Libertarian Renewal.

Just imagine if every election campaign included a Libertarian candidate.  Just imagine if we were the majority party. Just imagine if our sound social and financial policies restored true American greatness, the greatness of being the country that offers its people more freedom and more prosperity than anywhere else.  Just imagine if our wise foreign and domestic policies made America once again that shining city on the sunlit hill, the country whose very existence signified peace, liberty, and opportunity.

That's wonderful to imagine.  How do we get there?

Every journey begins with a first step.  The journey may be long.  Some of us may not live to reach our destination.  But if we do not take the first steps on our journey, none of us will ever reach it.

The New Path, the path to Libertarian Renewal, is a commitment to take some of those first steps.   The New Path starts by fixing our National Party, so that it plays an effective positive role in the greater Libertarian political movement.

Statement Concerning Floor Fees for LP National Conventions

by: AuGeo

Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 19:21:11 PM MST

A floor fee will restrict the delegates' participation in party business, hindering their ability to carry out their responsibilities to the state parties.

Given that the anticipated revenue from the floor fee amounts to only one percent of the LNC's 2-year budget, it seems unreasonable that the LNC should be unable to earmark 1% of its annual budget to cover expenses for a required event.

If we allow the LNC to circumvent the By-laws and Convention Rules in this seemingly small regard, we may find it difficult to keep it from running roughshod over the By-laws in more controversial matters in the future.

The statement above has been endorsed by the following individuals:
George Phillies - candidate, LNC Chair
Carolyn Marbry - candidate, LNC Vice Chair
Rob Power - candidate, LNC Secretary
James Oaksun - candidate, LNC Treasurer
Mary Ruwart - candidate, At-Large
R. Lee Wrights - candidate, At-Large
Rachel Hawkridge - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Michael Seebeck - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Jake Porter - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Scott Williamson - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Charles Wilhoit - candidate, LNC Regional Alternate
Eva Kosinski - 2008 National Convention Team

What my friends and I did for Massachusetts Libertarians

by: AuGeo

Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 19:16:14 PM MST

How LAMA has changed since the 2006 State Convention - and all for the better.

In 2006, the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts was in sufficient straits that its regular yearly convention, which should have been called for April, did not occur.  The State Committee had not met for three-quarters of a year.  Finally, in May the outbound State Chair to his great credit asked Carol McMahon and I to organize and hold the next State Convention, which due to Bylaws constraints could be held no earlier than September.

We held the Convention, an almost entirely new State Committee being elected.   Carol and I were re-elected.  Long time Membership Secretary Jeff Chase was elected as a voting member; long-time Treasurer Walter Ziobro came back.

Diary Deleted

by: AuGeo

Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 20:01:32 PM MST

Slate of LNC Candidates

by: AuGeo

Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 20:00:25 PM MST

And here are some choices at http://www.libertyforamerica.com/ , seen in the New Path section.  There's even a partial list of LNC Candidates, some or many of whom you might want to consider supporting:

George Phillies -- National Chair
Carolyn Marbry -- National Vice Chair
Rob Power -- National Secretary
James Oaksun -- National Treasurer
Joe Kennedy -- At-Large
Jim Remmert -- At Large
Rachel Hawkridge -- Regional Representative
Jake Porter -- Regional Representative
Scott Williamson -- Regional Representative
Charles Wilhoit -- Regional Alternate

And note other fine candidates:
Michael Seebeck -- Regional Representative
Mary Ruwart -- At-Large
Lee Wrights -- At-Large

Each and all of us would be delighted to have endorsements from fine Libertarians such as those here.

Oaksun Announces for National Treasurer

by: AuGeo

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 20:39:14 PM MST

Take a look at this chart. Take a good look.

Does this look like a picture of a vibrant, healthy, growing organization?

When I first started writing this statement, I wrote that the Libertarian Party was having a midlife crisis.  But that's not right.

We're having an existential crisis.  And the ship of liberty needs an immediate and radical change in direction.

I'm announcing my candidacy for LNC Treasurer.  And I ask for your help and support as we work - together - to build a new and dynamic Libertarian Party of which we and an ever expanding cadre of newcomers can be proud.

Root Makes Clear He Is Chair Candidate

by: AuGeo

Sun Feb 07, 2010 at 21:21:15 PM MST

A few weeks ago, CA Libertarian Party Judicial Committee Chair  (and LNC Chair candidate) Mark Hinkle circulated to some number of libertarians a formal statement on behalf of the Judicial Committee of the Libertarian Party of California.  The statement read:

"For Immediate Release:

On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, the Judicial Committee of the Libertarian Party of California issued a ruling that overturned the suspension of a member by a vote of 5-0.  While Robert's Rules of Order prevents the Judicial Committee from revealing the details of the proceedings, the Judicial Committee finds that it may comment on certain inaccurate information circulating about this case.  The suspension of the member by the Executive Committee was not for the commission of any crime, the Judicial Committee was not asked to render a decision that depended on the determination of whether or not the member had committed any crime, and the statements of the causes for suspension that were submitted to the Judicial Committee did not pertain to any such crime.

The Judicial Committee recognizes that the Executive Committee acted within the authority granted to it by the Party Bylaws to vote to suspend a member for a specific cause or causes.  The member also acted within the Bylaws by appealing the suspension to the Judicial Committee.  The Judicial Committee met the time lines delineated by the Bylaws and held an extensive hearing during which both parties had the opportunity to present their cases and call witnesses.  Following the hearing, the Judicial Committee carefully reviewed the statement of the causes, and the evidence and arguments, which had been submitted to it.  The Judicial Committee concluded that neither the Executive Committee nor the member presented their respective cases effectively.  The Executive Committee not having met the burden of proof on the causes as stated, and the Judicial Committee not being empowered nor inclined to extend or substitute for the stated causes, the Judicial Committee accordingly rendered a decision to overturn the suspension and restore the individual's membership as provided for under Section 6 of Bylaw 5.

Privacy considerations which are described in Robert's Rules of Order, as well as past precedents from membership suspensions by the Executive Committee, prevent the members of the Judiciary Committee from making any more specific comments with regard to this case.  Individual members of the Judicial Committee are of course always free (as is any member of the Party) to advocate for improvements in such things as declarations of Party membership requirements and the quality of administrative procedures, but such advocacy should not be assumed to reflect on the merits of this individual case.

The Judicial Committee has reviewed and affirmed its decision of Tuesday, January 26, 2010."

Wayne Root's response appears below the fold.

Poll: Vote for National Chair

by: AuGeo

Sat Feb 06, 2010 at 11:45:33 AM MST

Vote for any or all.

Liberty for All: In opposition to Floor Fees

by: AuGeo

Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 20:16:45 PM MST

We strongly oppose the imposition of a floor fee by the LNC for credentialing of national delegates. The By-laws and Convention Rules are quite clear in saying that delegates are chosen by the states and do not allow additional requirements to be added by the national party.

A floor fee will restrict the delegates' participation in party business, hindering their ability to carry out their responsibilities to the state parties.

Given that the anticipated revenue from the floor fee amounts to only one percent of the LNC's 2-year budget, it seems unreasonable that the LNC should be unable to earmark 1% of its annual budget to cover expenses for a required event.

If we allow the LNC to circumvent the By-laws and Convention Rules in this seemingly small regard, we may find it difficult to keep it from running roughshod over the By-laws in more controversial matters in the future.

The statement above has been endorsed by the following individuals:

George Phillies - candidate, LNC Chair
Carolyn Marbry - candidate, LNC Vice Chair
Rob Power - candidate, LNC Secretary
James Oaksun - candidate, LNC Treasurer

Mary Ruwart - candidate, At-Large
R. Lee Wrights - candidate, At-Large

Rachel Hawkridge - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Michael Seebeck - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Jake Porter - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Scott Williamson - candidate, LNC Regional Representative
Charles Wilhoit - candidate, LNC Regional Alternate

Eva Kosinski - 2008 National Convention Team

Root Announces for Chair

by: AuGeo

Sun Jan 31, 2010 at 09:34:14 AM MST

The text of the letter reads:

This matter has been off my radar as I run multiple businesses, do hundreds of media interviews about Obama, Obamacare, and "state of the union", and run a family of 6. I try to stay out of LP affairs- especially on the state level. This was for California to handle. I just cannot get involved in every intra-party issue.

But now that these results are public, I may very well weigh in.

All I can say without knowing all the facts yet, is this is precisely why I'm going to run for National Chairman.

I'm sure you are well aware of how I felt about the opinions written in a book by a potential LP candidate for President in 2008. Those opinions on the topic of "age of consent" shocked and sickened me. I was the ONLY major LP figure that spoke out loudly.

This decisions sounds even worse.

I will look into it and do whatever I can to fight it, reverse it, and/or prevent it from ever happening again.

But the whole incident highlights the problems and disconnect from reality that have held this party back for 39 years... and why I'm running for National Chair- TO DRAMATICALLY CHANGE "business as usual."

"The incident" refers to a matter now covered on Independent Political Report

James Oaksun: Where Did the Money Go?

by: AuGeo

Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 08:44:51 AM MST

The 2009 ballot question on gay marriage in Maine was the most expensive initiative campaign in Maine history, and the third most expensive statewide political campaign in the state's history. More than $7 million was spent on both sides. Only the U.S. Senate races of 2002 and 2008 were more costly.

This report will examine where the money got spent, on both the "Yes" (anti-equality) and "No" (pro-equality) sides. There were some significant differences in how the funds were allocated among different sources. Brief synopses will be provided on the major vendors on both sides. Finally, some suggestions for future equality campaigns will be offered. [More Below Fold]

Why Gold?

by: AuGeo

Sat Dec 19, 2009 at 07:28:09 AM MST

Democrats are Blue, Republicans are Red, and what color should the networks show when we sweep all 50 states?  See above for our answer.  Patriots will immediately think Red, White and Blue, but red and blue are taken, and white is the color before a state is called for any party. Green is legitimately claimed by the Green Parties.

What colors remain? Orange? Lemon? Violet? Purple?

Certainly, metallic gold would have been wonderful -- Libertarians, the Gold Standard of political excellence -- but metallics display poorly on-screen.  There is a PurpleMassGroup.com, but they wisely fled from the thought of an all-purple web site.  After some search, we found a reasonable alternative.

If you are curious, the color is actually Goldenrod (#DAA520), chosen to be near gold but not blinding lemon yellow.  

LNC Agenda, December 2009 Meeting

by: AuGeo

Sat Nov 28, 2009 at 13:05:42 PM MST

December 5-6, 2009 Meeting Agenda

Nashville, Tennessee
Saturday, December 5, 2009 & Sunday, December 6, 2009

Call to Order 8:30 AM

Moment of Reflection 1 minute
Opportunity for Public Comment 10 minutes
Credentials Report and Paperwork Check (Secretary) 5 minutes
Report of Potential Conflicts of Interest 5 minutes
Approval of the Agenda 5 minutes

Standing Reports
Chair's Report 15 minutes
Treasurer's Report 30 minutes
Secretary's Report 10 minutes

Staff Report
Staff Reports 60 minutes
Counsel's Report 30 minutes

Reports Previously Submitted in Writing
Campus Organizing Report (Lark) 5 minutes
Various Regions 5 minutes per

Action Items
Goals (Lark) 30 minutes
Conventions 2010 & 2012 (Colley) 30 minutes
Ballot Access 2010 Report (Redpath) 30 minutes
Budget 2009 (Starr) (already submitted in writing) 120 minutes
Policy on EPCC Responsibilities (Karlan) 15 minutes
Policy on Merit-Based Relationships (Karlan) 15 minutes
Policy on Hiring and Termination (Karlan) 15 minutes
Bylaws Committee Report (Karlan) 10 minutes
Policy on Convention Speakers (Karlan) 15 minutes
EPCC Replacement for Admiral Colley (Redpath) 10 minutes
LNC Budget Review Process (Ruwart) 20 minutes
Updating Promotional Materials (Porter) 15 minutes
Policy Update on the APRC (Flood) 15 minutes
Donor Disclosure Committee Recommendation (Hinkle) 15 minutes
Policy on Publicizing Libertarian in the Media (Starr or Karlan) 15 minutes
Policy on Definition of Notice (Starr or Karlan) 15 minutes
Policy Update on Membership Benefits (Starr or Karlan) 15 minutes
Policy Update on Life Membership (Starr or Karlan) 15 minutes
Metrics for Office (Starr or Karlan) 15 minutes
Amicus Brief in Illinois Gun Case (Redpath/Flood/Hawkridge) 15 minutes
Resolution on Standards to Hold Positions of Libertarian Leadership (Starr) 15 minutes
Opportunity for Public Comment 10 minutes

Adjournment

Liberty for America -- The Monthly Magazines

by: AuGeo

Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 11:12:58 AM MDT

Libertarian Strategy Monthly
Herding Cats Since May 2009
Volume 1  Issue 6  October 2009
http://LibertarianStrategyMont...

In This Issue
Opinion What The Next LNC Chair Should Do
Opinion Advocating 'Good Government' Laws To Promote Liberty
Opinion The Future of Limited Government
News & Analysis MacBride's 1976 Campaign Analysis
News & Analysis LibertarianStrategyMonthly.com Launches
News & Analysis  LPIA Active Donors Up 12
Libertarian Joe Kennedy Runs For U.S. Senate

Liberty for America
Volume 2, Number 5 October 2009
http://LibertyForAmerica.com

In This Issue
New Hampshire Chooses First Delegate
Massachusetts State Organization Changes Name
A Monthly Step Toward Victory
Understanding a Public Hearing
Party Finances --The Massachusetts Plan
LNC Finances Continue Weak
LNC Redefines Membership Benefits
LNC Membership Keeps Dropping
LNC Membership Report from Our Anonymous Sources
     - see month by month for the past 18 months

George Phillies on Fixing LNC Finances

by: AuGeo

Thu Oct 08, 2009 at 18:41:24 PM MDT

Forwarder forwards George Phillies' scheme for rectifying National Party finances, as originally published at Lee Wrights' most excellent Liberty for All LibertyForAll.net.  Phillies writes:

For the past year, Massachusetts libertarians have worked with a new method of organizing their organization's finances.  Our objective was simple: Make sure that money is spent where it should be spent, on doing real politics.

Our approach to managing spending put the controls where they belong: at the front end.

LNC Passes Motion on Memberships

by: AuGeo

Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 20:20:05 PM MDT

Against:
Pat Dixon
Lee Wrights
Mary Ruwart
Tony Ryan
James Lark
Jake Porter
Rachel Hawkridge

Abstain Bill Redpath

War With Somalia

by: AuGeo

Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 18:07:06 PM MDT

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/0...

Some confusion as to the identity of the country invading Somalia at first arose, with the French finally denying that it was their invasion.

The alleged government of Somalia, which controls a modest number of city blocks in its capitol, has been provided with the United States with tons of munitions, which it is believed to have used as a revenue source, namely the weapons were promptly sold on the open market.

Gold America Group's expert military commentator notes that war with Somalia would provide an excuse for the United States to withdraw from the Occupation of Afghanistan.  Afghani patriots fighting against the current set of foreign invaders from NATO, as opposed to the last set from the Soviet Union or prior sets going back to Britain and Alexander the Great, have apparently substantially severed NATO supply lines north from Pakistan, leaving forces in Afghanistan significantly dependent on air supply and shipments through Russia and intervening nations.
    ...hat tip to Debra Dedmon for spotting the story.

There is no Libertarian Here

by: AuGeo

Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 11:39:53 AM MDT

Mr. Root has published a 368 page campaign book, which in the reviewer's opinion should substantially eliminate any suspicion that Root is an acceptable Presidential candidate for our party.  It should also substantially eliminate any suspicion that he is a libertarian rather than - as he entirely honestly says on a regular basis - a conservative of a particular sort.  Not a bad sort....if you want a conservative President, Wayne would be a lot better than most of the other conservatives out there.

Independent Libertarian Joe Kennedy for Senate

by: AuGeo

Fri Sep 04, 2009 at 18:39:40 PM MDT

Gold America Group has learned that political independent and National Libertarian Party member Joe Kennedy is vigorously exploring a run for U.S. Senate in the Massachusetts Special Election this January.  Financial, Legal, petitioning, and web page development steps are said to be under way. The web page http://JoeKennedyForSenate.com is appearing soon.  A major obstacle is still out there: Getting on the ballot in Massachusetts as an independent for U.S. Senate requires tens of thousands of dollars to pay petitioners.

Libertarian Party supporter Joe Kennedy is not related to the late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, whose tragic death led to the special election now under way.

Surprise!

by: AuGeo

Sun Jun 14, 2009 at 19:53:40 PM MDT