Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Faith In Human Action...

"The spirit of Capitalism is based on a faith in human action, personal ambition, and individual voluntary contribution. Let’s show the central planners that free markets, free minds, and a common pursuit cannot be defeated."

http://reteaparty.com

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Liberty Asheville


Check out what our mountain friends are up to at Liberty Asheville. They are setting the bar mighty high as far as local activism goes.

Hat's off to Liberty Asheville!

Tax Day Tea Party

Below is information concerning North Carolina Tax Day Tea Party efforts. Please take part if you can.

State Coordinator:

Melodye Aben

raleightaxdayteaparty@gmail.com

TaxDayTeaParty.com Page: http://taxdayteaparty.com/teaparty/north-carolina

Additional website: www.raleighteaparty.com

Tea Party Organizers:

Raleigh - Melodye Aben - mmaben@nc.rr.com or raleightaxdayteaparty@gmail.com phone #(919) 523-5217

Charlotte - email charlottetaxdayteaparty@gmail.com - website http://charlotteteaparty.webs.com/

Asheville - http://www.ashevilleteaparty.com

Edenton - deanstephens@asllabs.net

Greensboro - Melissa Pechan - http://gsoteaparty.wordpress.com/ & gsoteaparty@gmail.com

Franklin - Bobby Coggins - http://franklin-nc.net

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Worth Repeating...




...the Statement of Principles guiding Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty...

Americans inherit from our ancestors a glorious tradition of freedom and resistance to oppression. Our country has long been admired by the rest of the world for her great example of liberty and prosperity—a light shining in the darkness of tyranny.

But many Americans today are frustrated. The political choices they are offered give them no real choice at all. For all their talk of "change," neither major political party as presently constituted challenges the status quo in any serious way. Neither treats the Constitution with anything but contempt. Neither offers any kind of change in monetary policy. Neither wants to make the reductions in government that our crushing debt burden demands. Neither talks about bringing American troops home not just from Iraq but from around the world. Our country is going bankrupt, and none of these sensible proposals are even on the table.

This destructive bipartisan consensus has suffocated American political life for many years. Anyone who tries to ask fundamental questions instead of cosmetic ones is ridiculed or ignored.

That is why the Campaign for Liberty was established: to highlight the neglected but common-sense principles we champion and reinsert them into the American political conversation.

The U.S. Constitution is at the heart of what the Campaign for Liberty stands for, since the very least we can demand of our government is fidelity to its own governing document. Claims that our Constitution was meant to be a "living document" that judges may interpret as they please are fraudulent, incompatible with republican government, and without foundation in the constitutional text or the thinking of the Framers. Thomas Jefferson spoke of binding our rulers down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution, and we are proud to follow in his distinguished lineage.

With our Founding Fathers, we also believe in a non-interventionist foreign policy. Inspired by the old Robert Taft wing of the Republican Party, we are convinced that the American people cannot remain free and prosperous with 700 military bases around the world, troops in 130 countries, and a steady diet of war propaganda. Our military overstretch is undermining our national defense and bankrupting our country.

We believe that the free market, reviled by people who do not understand it, is the most just and humane economic system and the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known.

We believe with Ludwig von Mises, Henry Hazlitt, and F.A. Hayek that central banking distorts economic decision making and misleads entrepreneurs into making unsound investments. Hayek won the Nobel Prize for showing how central banks' interference with interest rates sets the stage for economic downturns. And the central bank's ability to create money out of thin air transfers wealth from the most vulnerable to those with political pull, since it is the latter who receive the new money before the price increases it brings in its wake have yet occurred. For economic and moral reasons, therefore, we join the great twentieth-century economists in opposing the Federal Reserve System, which has reduced the value of the dollar by 95 percent since it began in 1913.

We oppose the dehumanizing assumption that all issues that divide us must be settled at the federal level and forced on every American community, whether by activist judges, a power-hungry executive, or a meddling Congress. We believe in the humane alternative of local self-government, as called for in our Constitution.

We oppose the transfer of American sovereignty to supranational organizations in which the American people possess no elected representatives. Such compromises of our country's independence run counter to the principles of the American Revolution, which was fought on behalf of self-government and local control. Most of these organizations have a terrible track record even on their own terms: how much poverty have the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund actually alleviated, for example? The peoples of the world can interact with each other just fine in the absence of bureaucratic intermediaries that undermine their sovereignty.

We believe that freedom is an indivisible whole, and that it includes not only economic liberty but civil liberties and privacy rights as well, all of which are historic rights that our civilization has cherished from time immemorial.

Our stances on other issues can be deduced from these general principles.

Our country is ailing. That is the bad news. The good news is that the remedy is so simple and attractive: a return to the principles our Founders taught us. Respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, individual liberty, sound money, and a non-interventionist foreign policy constitute the foundation of the Campaign for Liberty.

The True Nature Of Earmarks...

Ron Paul With The Judge...

LPNC Weekly Update

================================================
Libertarian Party of North Carolina Weekly Update March 11, 2009
================================================

CONTENTS

1. New “Weekly Update” – needs a name!

2. 2009 State Convention — Next Move: Building on Success

3. LPNC Reaction to Perdue’s State of the State Address

4. 2010 Census: Snooping In Your Neighborhood

5. Fellow Travelers: StopNCAnnexation

6. Libertarian Voter Registration Update: 4,500+!

7. Elevator Pitch: Gun Control

8. LPNC Resources

================================================
1. New “Weekly Update” – needs a name!
================================================

This week we start a new weekly email update for those on the LPNC's
email list. It will be short, but with lots of great of information on
the LPNC's meetings, people, and activities, plus tools you can use as
a libertarian activist.

Have a story idea? Affiliate news? Feedback on this update? Send it
to Susan at Susan.Hogarth@lpnc.org

Can you think of a better name than the rather lame "Weekly Update"?
If you can, please send it to Susan at Susan.Hogarth@lpnc.org. The
contributor of the name chosen will receive a prize and recognition.
Send your best ideas!

================================================
2. 2009 State Convention — Next Move: Building on Success
================================================

http://lpnc.org/convention.php

Join the Libertarian Party of North Carolina as we ponder our Next
Move: Building on Success at our annual State Convention in Burlington
April 17-19, 2009. As we look forward to the next several years
without the onerous task of collecting signatures for ballot access,
what strategy should we adopt to help move the LPNC toward future
successes?

The convention is a combination of business and fun. Activities begin
on Friday evening with a Friends and Family gathering. Saturday
morning and early afternoon will be devoted mostly to the Bylaws
Committee report. Our Saturday morning session will include a panel
discussion 'What Would You Have Done with Your $80K'? On Saturday
afternoon, we'll have a special communications workshop presented by
Michael Cloud, well known libertarian communicator. You certainly
don't want to miss the Saturday evening banquet. Michael Cloud will
deliver our keynote address. The evening concludes with our
Libertarian awards and the now infamous annual liberty auction. If you
have items you would like to donate for the auction, please contact
auction@lpnc.org. Convention delegates will elect a new Executive
Committee Sunday morning and hear Mike Munger offer his 'Reflections
from the Campaign Trail'.

For information on attending, tickets, and the convention hotel, check
out the Convention '09 website: http://lpnc.org/convention.php

================================================
3. LPNC Reaction to Perdue’s State of the State Address
================================================

(contributed by Brian Irving)

Governor Bev Perdue's first address to the General Assembly contained
no surprises, as predicted, but North Carolina Libertarians were
pleased to hear some familiar themes in the speech.

"We applaud Governor Perdue's tough statement that she will reduce and
cut state programs," said Barbara Howe, state party chair. "We're glad
she finally is on board with what Libertarians have been saying all
along and anxiously await to see if she has muscle behind her decision
to cut the fat."

Libertarians were slightly disappointed that the only specific action
Governor Perdue promised was to drive a truck to South Carolina to
pick up Federal recovery funds.

"The governor is an educated woman, so I'm sure she realizes there's
no 'pot at the end of the rainbow.' Those funds are taxpayer funds
from her fellow North Carolinians and all Americans."

But Libertarians were heartened to hear the governor say that "cutting
the fat" didn't go far enough and that the budget she'll present next
week will reduce and cut state government programs and services the
state simply cannot afford. "We can't wait to see that budget," Howe
said.

Governor Perdue's call to "stand up to the sweet seductions of special
interests, the temptations of politically popular pork barrel
spending, and end the practice of back room dealing" also echoed
Libertarian values.

The governor said that education is the engine that drives the
economy, is essential for economic recovery and would not be
sacrificed. "We hope that means she'll be open to genuine 'out of the
box thinking' to improve our educational system," Howe said.

For example, the governor said no parent has a free pass from the
responsibility to be fully involved in their child's education.
"Libertarians would add that this means parents should have authority
to school their children as they see fit — for example at home or in
charter or private schools," Howe said.

================================================
4. 2010 Census: Snooping In Your Neighborhood
================================================

(reprinted from Old Dominion Liberty Letter, Issue #7, courtesy of Marc Montoni)

During previous Census years, Libertarian Party activists and others
championed a 'Constitutional response' to nosy Census questions: As
the Constitution specifies, tell the Census how many people live at
your address. And that's it!

While our government ramps up its Census-taking bureaucracy for the
decennial Census, it will be fighting low compliance, anger at the
intrusiveness of its questions, and other hurdles. Libertarians have
a solution that will eliminate most of the heartache for everyone
involved, bureaucrats and citizens alike: Get rid of the long form,
get rid of the short form, and eliminate the extra-intrusive American
Community Survey (ACS) -- and replace them all with a "Census
Postcard".

Libertarians have just one question for the Census Bureau. Since the
U.S. Constitution requires just a count of the population, why doesn't
the Census ask just one question: How many people live in your home?
Such a Census-on-a-postcard would save time, address Americans'
concerns about privacy, save taxpayers billions of dollars, and cause
the compliance rate to soar. All the Census has to do is follow the
old motto: Keep it simple, stupid.

Boycott the Census:

http://www.erichsmith.com/census.html

The Intrusive ACS

http://www.nolanchart.com/article6074.html

The Census Scam:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/garris1.html

The 'race' question on the U.S. census is racist -- why this is so and
what to answer instead:

http://www.sodabob.com/Constitution/Census.asp

Don't Trust the Census:

http://www.toad.com/gnu/census.html

"Postcard Census" LP Media Release from March, 2000:

http://multiracial.com/site/content/view/847/2/

================================================
5. Fellow Travelers: StopNCAnnexation
================================================

[“Fellow Travelers” is a regular feature spotlighting groups in North
Carolina and beyond who help further the libertarian cause in one or
more directions. If you have a group you’d like to share with fellow
Libertarians for this feature, please send it to Susan at
Susan.Hogarth@lpnc.org]

Stop NC Annexation

http://www.stopncannexation.com/

StopNCAnnexation is organized to help victims of forced annexation
learn about the annexation process and connect with others across
North Carolina who are also fighting forced annexation. The goal is to
inform each group about the others, about what the laws say about
forced annexation, how to fight it, and how to work together to lobby
our State lawmakers to change this law. It was also created to be an
internet resource of information regarding what others have done in
their fight against annexation; their court challenges, fundraising,
and experiences with the annexing municipalities.

Starting in 2004, StopNCAnnexation has held a yearly 'Rally in
Raleigh' event to bring information and the voice of the citizens to
the legislators on the same day that the cities are lobbying to
preserve forced annexation laws at the NC League of Municipalities
'Town Hall Day' event. These have grown in impact and success with
each year. LPNC activists attend this rally - watch this newsletter
for upcoming information on this year's rally!

================================================
6. Libertarian Voter Registration Update: 4,500+!
================================================

http://lpnc.org/libs_by_county.php

Wake County is in the lead with over 600 registered Libertarians!
(Take THAT, Mecklenburg!!)

New Hanover County has the highest percentage of registered
Libertarians, at nearly 0.15%

================================================
7. Elevator Pitch: Gun Control
================================================

[An ‘elevator pitch’ is an overview of an idea for a product, service,
or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be
delivered in the time span of an elevator ride - for example, thirty
seconds and 100-150 words. This week’s ‘pitch’ is really a collection
‘escalator pitches’ – one-liners which can be tossed into a
conversation to spark thought or interest.]

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do
not." ~ Thomas Jefferson

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.

What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?

The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.

64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

Guns only have two enemies: rust and politicians.

911: government-sponsored Dial-a-prayer.

Assault is a behavior, not a device.

Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer and easier.

If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.

Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to disarm them.

When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.

The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

================================================
8. LPNC Resources
================================================

Join the LP!
http://lpnc.org/join_choose.php

Keep in Touch:
LPNC Announcement List (includes this Weekly Update and Special Announcements)
http://lpnc.info/mailman/listinfo/announce

LPNC Activist/Discussion List – Connect with Fellow Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lpnc/

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Pledge To Party...

Punishing Charity...

[Thanks to the Rational Review for the link]

"The federal government budget proposed by the president imposes
higher taxes on incomes above $250,000. One of the provisions is that
charitable donations would no longer be tax deductible. ... Without a
tax deduction, charitable donations get tax punished. When the
beneficiaries of donations are the poor and other good causes, these
suffer from fewer gifts. A tax on charitable donations hurts the
homeless, the hungry, the wildlife that does not get preserved, the
ignorant who do not get educated, and all humanity which loses
knowledge and more of its natural legacy. When government taxes the
rich like this, it taxes the poor."
Fred E. Foldvary

http://www.freeliberal.com/archives/003735.html