Annual Convention of Delegates in February 2008

Registration for the annual Libertarian Party of California (LPC) Convention will soon be open!

A summary of the agenda, including the speaker program and other non-business meetings, is posted on the convention website. Five at-large representatives and Judicial Committee members will be selected by this convention.

The convention will be held at the Marina Village Conference Center, located on Mission Bay in San Diego. The main business sessions are scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, February 23rd and 24th, with some committee meetings, the opening gavel of the convention, and a reception on Friday the 22nd. Keep those dates open!

Visit often for updates as more information about registration becomes available. Buy your convention package online.

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2008 Libertarian Candidates for Public Office

Sixty-three California Libertarian candidates have declared their intention to run for partisan offices (State Assembly, State Senate, and U.S. Congress) in the 2008 election cycle. It's not to late to become a candidate yourself. If interested, contact Ted Brown.

Not ready for Congress or the State house, yet? Perhaps a non-partisan race such as city council or school district board is more to your liking. The Libertarian Party of California is looking for qualified candidates for local races. Join the dozens of elected Libertarians making a difference right now in their communities. If service to your community is of interest to you, contact your appropriate LPC Vice-Chair. In Northern California that would be Richard Newell, and in Southern California (San Luis Obisbo, Kern and San Bernardino counties, and all points south) you should contact Zander Collier.

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California Freedom is the official print newsletter of the Libertarian Party of California.

The January issue is online for your reading pleasure (pdf). 

Contents:

• Ron Paul Fans Meet-Up
• Libertarians Impress Mission Viejo Youth
• State Official Silences Ray Bradbury
• From the Chairman: Liberty Needs Your Time and Money
• From the Editor: Ron Paul Drank Our Coffee
• Letters to the Editor
• U.S. Double Standard on "Democracy
• "Impeach for Peace," Say Monterey Libertarians
• JSA Youth Outreach
• Top 10 Reasons Ron Paul R3VOLutionaries Should Attend a Libertarian Party Convention
• Growing Activity for a Growing Party
• LPC Shares the Wealth With Counties
• San Bernardino LP Unified and Vibrant

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Letter of Support for AB43

The Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of California (LPC) unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Chair to write a letter in support of AB 43, Assembly Mark Leno's bill establishing marriage equality for gay and straight people. download letter The governor subsequently vetoed this bill.

Prop. 92: Community Colleges. Funding. Governance. Fees

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. (Feb 5, 2008 ballot)

The LPC Executive Committee voted to oppose this initiative primarily due to the increased cost to the taxpayer, and the added layers of beauracracy called for.

Prop. 93: Limits on Legislators’ Terms in Office

Initiative Constitutional Amendment. (Feb 5, 2008 ballot)

Although the shorter term limits aspect of this initiative is attractive, the grandfathering of currently seated legislators, allowing them to run for up to three more terms, is intolerable. The ExComm voted to oppose this proposition.

Government Acquisition, Regulation of Private Property

Initiative Constitutional Amendment. (Nov 4, 2008 ballot)

Also known as the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act, it will be on the Nov. general election ballot, pending confirmation of signatures already submitted. The ExComm unanimously expressed support for this excellent initiative backed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association. It makes condemning of property for reassignment to a private user more difficult, as was done in the infamous 'Kelo' Supreme Court case. It also phases out rent control in California.

 

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Op-Ed Columns

Click the title or thumbnail picture to read the full article.

To receive The Libertarian Perspective each week, along with all LPC Press Releases and Media Advisories, you may subscribe to the LPC media list.

Abolish Presidential Elections

We are so used to voting for president that most folks regard doing so as a normal part of democracy. But technically, Americans don't vote directly for the president. From a logical perspective, it is madness for a mass of voters to elect presidents they know little about and whom they cannot control once in office. We should therefore abolish presidential elections rather than seek to reform our inherently dysfunctional mass democracy. (Mon, 24 Dec 2007)

A Private Solution to State's Public Infrastructure Problems

California's infrastructure has deteriorated dramatically over the years. To his credit, Gov. Schwarzenegger is seeking to address the state's problems by soliciting proposals from private-sector firms to design, build, and/or operate public projects. If private companies can do at least as good a job as government employees for cheaper, or can provide needed services that otherwise could not or would not be funded, why shouldn't they be encouraged to do so? (Mon, 10 Dec 2007)

Carbon Emissions, States Rights, and Double Standards

Often, national regulators benefit private interests by quashing local regulation. But people must decide: Should environmental matters be sorted out as locally as possible or by a national leviathan? People who favor states' rights applaud California's leadership in this area. But their arguments are undercut by their hypocracy concerning other regulations. (Mon, 12 Nov 2007)

The Myth of a Risk-Free Life

In life there are risks. The task of the law of a free society should only be to make sure that those taking the risks bear the cost of any loss they encounter in the process. Let no one be able to dump the loss he or she incurs on others who decide to live less risky lives. But trying to ban risk taking is futile. (Wed, 7 Nov 2007)

Tax Dollars Burn During California's Wildfires

Government policies had catastrophic consequences during the wildfires that erupted last week in Southern California. Government regulations, land management and disaster programs have created a more dangerous situation for the growing number of residents who live in fire-prone areas. As long as politicians promote government solutions to government-caused problems, things will continue to get worse. (Tue, 30 Oct 2007)

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To receive The Libertarian Perspective each week, along with all LPC Press Releases and Media Advisories, you may subscribe to the LPC media list.

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Libertarians Say The Governor's Call For Budget Reductions Is Too Little, Too Late

News release with a statement from the party chair about how poor fiscal management, government overspending and inaccurate revenue projections has forced the state to confront a looming $11 billion budget deficit.

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Marin LP Douses “Car Wash Ban”

On October 3, the Fairfax town council convened to discuss a proposal to criminalize residential car washing. Marin LP Secretary Paul Kelley (a Fairfax resident) spoke against the plan. Most attendees opposed it, including Fairfax Mayor Larry Bragman, who recommended the town consider adopting “best management practices” to address creek pollution without assigning criminal penalties. One of the lone supporters of the bill was a Fairfax car wash owner. Its adoption was postponed pending further study.

Thomas Jefferson was correct about eternal vigilance being the price of liberty. Thanks to Marin LP activism, Fairfax residents may continue to wash their cars without becoming criminals.

Monterey Conference Affirms Freedom in America

Anthony Gregory, Dr. David Henderson
& Mark Carbonaro (from left to right)

On October 13, three diverse libertarian speakers convened at the Monterey Mini-Convention to address the question: “Is freedom dead in America?” Anthony Gregory, research analyst at the Independent Institute, galvanized the audience with his “Prospects for Peace and Liberty,” decimating the notion that either Left or Right would defend freedom. Dr. David Henderson, research fellow with the Hoover Institution, demonstrated that the economic costs of war are underestimated. Mark Carbonaro, host of “Wake Up Monterey,” recounted how he broadcast libertarian philosophy to conservatives through one of the few libertarian radio shows in California.

JSA Convention

Jim Eyer (pointing) & Brian Darby
(in background) giving the World's Smallest Political Quiz to a student

Libertarians were a strong presence at the biannual Junior States of America (JSA) convention at the Santa Clara Marriott on November 17, 2007. The event is geared to attract high school students with an interest in political science. The broad spectrum of political activists participating over the years, trying to sell their brand of politics to youth, have included animal rights activists, the Christian Coalition, the Green Party, and the John Birch Society. Yet the LPC has one advantage — it has historically benefited from preferential treatment at the JSA (more tables than the other groups), because it helped revive the JSA political fair some six years ago.

Riverside LP Helps Eject Home Wrecker

Defense of property rights and opposition to eminent domain was a central issue in the non-partisan Riverside City Council election held November 6, 2007. In Ward 1, Libertarians worked to defeat Councilman Dom Betro, who has actively promoted the use of eminent domain in Riverside's Redevelopment projects.

All local registered Libertarian party members were informed by direct mail that his opponent, Mike Gardner, pledged to oppose use of eminent domain for redevelopment. This must have made the difference, as incumbent Betro was defeated by just seven votes!

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Volunteers needed

Volunteers of all skill types and levels are always in demand. Right now, we are especially looking for a new editor for this eFlyer. If interested in voluteering specifically for this position, please contact Richard Newell. For all other opportunities, please fill out our inquiry form.

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• Last Day to Register to Vote for the Presidential Preference Primary
  Tuesday, January, 22, 2008

• Presidential Preference Primary
  Tuesday, February 5, 2008
  Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• 2008 Libertarian Party of California Convention
  February 22-24, 2008 (Fri-Sun), San Diego, CA
  Link to California Convention Website

• 2008 Libertarian Party National Presidential-Nominating Convention
  May 22-26, 2008 (Thu-Mon), Denver, CO
  Link to National Convention Website

• Direct Primary
  Tuesday June 3, 2008

• General Election
  Tuesday November 4, 2008

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• Election Night parties
  Tuesday, February 5, 2008
  Many county parties are holding events the night of the Presidential Preference Primary. Contact your local county party to inquire about their plans.

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• County Conventions
  Many county affiliates are holding their county conventions in January to elect local officers and to select delegates for the February state convention. Here are a few:
  
  

  Click for website:		Click for map:
  Contra Costa	Tues. Jan 8	7:00pm
  San Mateo	Thu. Jan. 17	6:30pm
  Santa Clara	Thu. Jan. 17	6:30pm
  San Luis Obispo	Tue. Jan. 22	6:30pm
  Fresno	Wed. Jan. 23	6:30pm
  Riverside	Thu. Jan. 24	7:00pm
  San Diego	Sat. Jan. 26	9:00am

  
  Check your local county Libertarian Party website for those counties not listed.

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