Federal income tax rate reductions, as well as cutting back on all state and local taxes. Making federal income tax rate reductions permanent. Scaling back of capital gains taxes, and an immediate end to estate taxes.
Stop the Over Spending
Balanced Federal Budget through spending cuts, not increased taxes. Broad cuts in rates of spending increases for all federal, state and local governmental programs. Reform of Medicare, Social Security and other entitlement programs through greater reliance on private alternatives.
Growing the American Economy
Getting the Government off the backs of small business, and corporations by scaling back OSHA, the EPA and other restrictive Federal Agencies. Right to Work legislation that protects workers and spurs economic growth. Workers' comp. reform that protects small businesses against huge lawsuits and endless litigation.
Pro Independence Energy Policy
More self-reliance. Lower gas prices through increased refining capacity and allowance for drilling for oil in Alaska and Coastlines.
Property Rights
Absolute opposition to Eminent Domain laws when used by local governments to transfer lands from one private entity to another.
Choice in Education
School vouchers and tuition tax credits. Greater emphasis on private and home schooling as an alternative to failing public schools. Opposition to affirmative action laws, and minority preferences.
Individual Liberties
An end to petty laws that harass Americans such as restrictions on free speech, bans on religious expression, unreasonable regulations of sexual lifestyles for consenting adults, clogging up our court systems with low level marijuana cases, smoking bans in restaurants/bars, and ticketing law-abiding safe drivers for not wearing seat belts. Also, no federal mandates for speed limits or drinking age laws. Repeal gambling restrictions such as internet gaming ban.
Gun Rights & Supporting Sportsmen
Full rights and protections to keep and bear arms. Protecting rights of hunters and anglers. Lessening of licensing fees. More access for off-road recreational vehicles and other sports enthusiasts on public lands.
Strong Defense
Defending our borders, and maintaining a strong and well-equipped Military to protect our nation from any terrorist or foreign state. Using the Military to fight terrorists overseas, when necessary, rather than here at home. Support for the All-Volunteer Armed Forces.
Humanitarianism
A foreign policy of diplomacy, cooperation and free trade to promote democratic ideals and freedoms around the world. Assisting with the liberation of repressed peoples from the tyranny of fascist and socialist dictators.
Protecting our Borders from Illegal Immigration through beefed up enforcement, more Border Patrol and fencing. Allowing for a Guest Worker Program for Mexicans who wish to work temporarily in the U.S., with a criminal background check. Citizenship only for those who learn English. Strict measures to stop terrorists from entering the U.S.
HEADLINES
Time Magazine declares Libertarian Party to be "ready for the Mainstream"
Time Magazine's issue for the week of July 11, features an article on the rise of the Libertarian Party. The article is titled, "Bob Barr may sink John McCain," and highlights recent poll numbers suggesting that Barr is eating into McCain's support in a number of States.
Time calls Libertarian standardbearer Barr: "the most respectable candidate it has ever had."
It ends with the following quote:
"Libertarians are getting ready for the mainstream, and mainstream America may finally be ready for them."
Time Mag. says Wayne Root, Libertarian VP candidate, is founding a new breed of "libertarian suburbanism"
Also from the Time Article, Reporter Jay Mallin:
I visited Root at his suburban Las Vegas home back in May. He is certainly well off, having built a sports-handicapping business that he says led him to politics. (The Founding Fathers "loved gambling," he says.) But politics isn't his only passion. Before we could begin talking about the Libertarian Party, he started selling me on his lifestyle. He takes 100 vitamin supplements every day. He and his kids never drink cow's milk, just rice milk and spring water. "I meditate, exercise, pray and do yoga every day," he says. "If I had a staff of 20, they couldn't do the work I do."
All that bluster makes him seem more like a telemarketer or talk-show host than a politician, and he tells me he'd at least like to get a nationally syndicated radio show out of this presidential campaign. It would be a mistake, though, to write Root off. The things he cares about--being able to gamble legally via his home computer, continuing to homeschool his kids without much interference, keeping taxes low--speak to a lot of Americans. If the old party was cobbled together from hard-line strains of voluntarianism, propertarianism and paleolibertarianism, the new Libertarian Party is more likely to build off Root's take, which is essentially suburbanarianism.
Republicans proving to be more fair to Libertarian Party, than Dems were to Nader
The Libertarian Party made the ballot in Illinois two weeks ago. There were no challenges to the petitions from the GOP as expected. This appears to be a trend for the GOP nationwide. From the Orange County Register:
If the official Republican Party is worried about Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr siphoning off enough votes in key states to deny John McCain the presidency, it’s not acting like it. When questioned about whether the party plans to challenge LP ballot access in key states, party officals expressed no particular interest. This is in contrast to 2004, when the Democrats worked hard to keep that rascal Ralph Nader off as many state ballots as it could. It’s possible thre GOP may be underestimating the potential danger Bob Barr poses, but at this point they don’t seem especially worried. Right now the LP is on the ballot in 31 states and expects to be on 48 state ballots by November.
A few names of libertarian Republicans being considered for McCain's VP
Frequently mentioned VP prospects for McCain include US Senator John Thune of South Dakota, a favorite of libertarian Republicans, former Congressman Chris Cox of California who has scored very high on libertarian voting indexes, and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin who has been a speaker at Libertarian Party events in Anchorage.
Some well known Libertarians have been hired to work on the Bob Barr for President campaign. Topping the list includes campaign strategist Shane Cory (photo). He is the former National Director for the Libertarian Party. Also, Sean Haugh of North Carolina is heading up the nationwide ballot access effort. So far, so good. The Barr/Root ticket appears well on track to gaining 49, possibly all 50 state + DC ballot status.
Finally, Stephen Gordon, Alabama Libertarian Party Chairman has been tapped to head up communications efforts.
The Campaign Headquarters for the Barr Campaign has opened in Atlanta, GA.
Mainstream Libertarians attacked
LT Nixon Rants:
Description of Attack: Eric Dondero runs the Libertarian-Republican blog and is an avid troop supporter. There are various camps within the libertarian demographic, some more extreme than others, and Eric's decision to stay moderate on many issues, like foreign policy, leaves him ripe for attacks from CHUDs on the comments portion of his blog.
Recently, Mr. Dondero sent a zinger at Lew Rockwell, who penned a silly piece lambasting McCain for using the term "gooks". This is the same Lew Rockwell who called MLK a pederast and warned of the "coming race war" in the 90s. Because these racist newsletters had Ron Paul's name on it and was exposed by The New Republic, it killed Dr. Paul's campaign. Lew is probably the last person in the blogosphere to be allowed to accuse anyone of racsism.
Yet a somone named Speculor has come to the defense of Lew Rockwell and Ron Paul with a bizarre rant about the anti-semitism of our troops:
Are you aware that some neonazis have joined the US military in order to get combat training in Iraq, love killing "non-white" Iraqi's and spraying Nazi symbols in Baghdad?
Site published by Eric Dondero of Houston, Texas at 832-896-9505
ELECTION NEWS
Club for Growth releases annual Index of Congress: Jeff Flake scores best
It's finally here! Yesterday, the Club released its 2007 Congressional Scorecard. Find out how your congressman and senators voted last year (and in previous years) by clicking here. Perfect scores were given to Reps. Jeff Flake, Jeb Hensarling, and Doug Lamborn, along with Senator Jim DeMint. Congratulations to all of them.
On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed that I wrote, titled, "In Defense of RINO Hunting." You can read it below. I think you'll enjoy it.
Also, please save the date for the Club's Annual Winter Economic Conference. It will be held March 5-7, 2009, at The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel in Florida. The registration fee is $2,250 per individual or $3,750 per couple. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to call Stacie Smith at (202) 955-5500. You can also email her at ssmith@clubforgrowth.org.
Patrick J. Toomey President, Club for Growth
Report from Allan West for US Congress in Florida
Editor's Note - Col. Allan West is an African American Iraqi War Veteran and "limited government" Conservative running in South Florida for Congress. Here was featured here at ML two months ago and was a guest on "Libertarian Politics Live."
We have had another whirlwind month! As you no doubt know by now, we qualified last week; our deepest thanks to all of you who signed petitions. We have no primary, but Mr. Klein was not as fortunate. He does have a primary challenger who will keep him busy between now and August.
We are also happy to announce that Leah Chambliss has joined our team. Those of you who have been active in the last few cycles will remember Leah from other campaigns, most recently those of Clay Shaw and Rudy Giuliani. We are lucky to have her with us to help with our fundraising efforts in particular, and our overall grassroots organization as well.
If you've tracked our website calendar and media pages, you have seen that not a day goes by that we aren't hard at work. Allen has spoken to chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs and attended a number of private events where he has been able to meet with local voters. He has also been on the Michael Savage Show, was chosen Patriot of the Month by Fred Thompson's website, The Thompson Coalition, and was contacted this week by New Republic. Please check in often at http://allenwestforcongress.com for new additions.
We are especially happy to tell you that Congressman Clay Shaw is hosting a private event at his home on May 15, where he will introduce Allen to key supporters and community leaders. We greatly appreciate his interest in our campaign and are excited to have his help!
