Conservatives now have a good shot of winning an outright majority

Cameron wins Third Debate

by Clifford F. Thies

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party of Great Britain, capped an improved performance in the second debate with a clear victory in the third debate. As a result, a ‘hung’ Parliament is now only slightly favored, and it would not be much of an upset were the Tories to win an outright majority.

With its multi-party system and “first past the gate” rule, the guideline in British elections is that 40 percent of the popular vote translates into a majority of the seats in Parliament. Prior to the first debate, the Conservatives seemed likely to hit the 40 percent mark and, thus, to organize the next government.

But, a strong showlng by Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, in the first debate, introduced some real uncertainty into the race. Following the first debate, no party was indicated to be in the high 30s, no less above 40.

At this time, the Conservatives have partially restored their pre-first debate position, in first place, in the mid to high 30s, and with a lead in the mid to high single digits. The Liberal Democrats appear to have established themselves as the second largest party in terms of popular votes, relegating Labour to third place. And, uncertainties about the distribution of the votes across the United Kingdom make indetermine whether the Conservatives will secure a majority of the seats in the new Parliament.

If, as it seems to be the case, almost all of the gains by the Liberal Democrats are coming at the expense of Labour, the Conservatives might be able to achieve a majority in Parliament with a popular vote below the 40 percent mark.

An interesting aspect of this possible outcome is that the national assembly of the United Kingdom would be ruled by a party whose members are almost all elected from England, with only a handful of members from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Could further devolution be in the offing?

Perhaps the socialist districts of the United Kingdom should join with the deep blue states of the United States and the Atlantic provices of Canada, to form a country known as the United Moochers of North Atlantic (UMNA). The red and purple states of the U.S. could then join in free association with the western provinces of Canada and England, leaving Quebec to consider whether it really wants to become known as North Haiti.

Arizona Libertarian for Governor Bruce Olsen: Best way to help stop Illegal Immigration - Legalize Marijuana

From Eric Dondero:

Bruce Olsen is the leading candidate for Governor of Arizona on the Libertarian Party ticket. He describes himself as from the rightside of libertarians. And he has offered a unique perspective on the raging immigration controversy.

In a statement released to Libertarian Republican, Olsen commented:

My position regarding the legalization of Marijuana is derived from several points. First, 30 years of watching and listening to this phony "War On Drugs", second the methods used by the cartels to transport it across our southern border and the human tragedies that result on the desert floor. And I could go on and on as to why prohibition on marijuana has had no more of an effect than the prohibition on alcohol had in the 30's and 40's . So lets stop wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on a failed policy. Lets end the ability of cartels use of illegals in the transportation of pot across the border. In short if I'm elected I will encourage and sign a bill properly drafted that would legalize the growing and the selling of marijuana in the state of Arizona. And make no mistake , I am a Constitutional Conservative Libertarian.

Olsen was converted to the Libertarian Party from standard conservatism by Wayne Root, after meeting him a Pro-Taxpayer Rights conference and subsequently reading his book "Conciense of a Libertarian." Now Olsen describes himself as a "Ronald Reagan libertarian."

BruceOlsen4Governor.com

Bill advances in Vermont Legislature to allow for Under 21 Drinking

According to Michael Giuliani, Executive Director, Choose Responsibility, Inc.:

The debate over the 21 year old drinking age is moving forward. We have been working hard in the state of Vermont and it paid off. Late yesterday afternoon the Vermont State Senate passed the resolution below by a vote of 14 – 13. This is a great step forward in the drinking age debate.

Giuliani also relayed to Libertarian Republican, that out of 30 members of the Vermont Senate only 7 are Republicans, and that he believes at least "two of the Republicans voted Yes for the resolution."

Vermont Senate Resolution
S.R. 17 reads in part:

Whereas, in some instances, Congress imposes funding penalties on states that effectively create federal mandates not provided for in the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, and
Whereas, federal funding penalties prevent an open public debate about the effects of the drinking age as it affects unlawful, unsupervised consumption of alcohol, and
Whereas, given the constitutional authority of states to regulate alcohol within their borders, Congress should work with the states to find solutions to address the growing problem of unsupervised, underage consumption and overconsumption of alcohol, and
Whereas, each state has unique qualities and residents that make a one-size-fits-all solution difficult and each state should have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive program that addresses its unique situation, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate of the State of Vermont urges Congress to authorize the states to address the problems associated with underage consumption of alcohol by obtaining waivers from federal law to avoid triggering federal funding penalties...

Boortz may rejoin the Libertarian Party, maybe not?

From Eric Dondero:

Atlanta-based radio talk show host, and longtime Libertarian Party member Neal Boortz, made a splash last year when he decided to move to Florida, and switch his party registration to Republican. He did it to vote for libertarian-leaning conservative Marco Rubio in the GOP primary against moderate Charlie Crist. But two developments have occured in the last few weeks to dramatically change the dynamic.

1. The Libertarian Party of Texas uninvited Boortz as a speaker, and shot out a press release announcing the snub.

2. Charlie Crist has decided to run for Senate as an independent.

Now Boortz, is in a pickle as he describes at Neals Nuze:

It looks like tomorrow Florida Republican Governor Charlie Crist will announce that he is with withdrawing from the GOP Senate primary and run for the Senate from Florida as an Independent. Here's hoping the voters in Florida will show him the error of his stimulus-bill-loving ways.

Now this does bring up my voter registration in Florida. In Florida you have to declare a party. I chose Republican for one reason ... to vote for Marco Rubio in the primary. Now that this isn't going to be an issue, should I change my registration? That would mean that I register with a "minor party" and then write Libertarian. Yes ... I'm considering this (not that it matters in the grand scheme of things), but considering the way the Libertarian Party has been behaving toward me lately ... perhaps not.

Boortz has long been identified with the Pro-Defense wing of the Libertarian Party. In 2004, he bucked the AntiWar Libertarian nominee Michael Badnarik and publicly backed "Libertarians for Bush." Boortz backed the War in Iraq at the time, and caught a great deal of criticism from Libertarian Party members for his stance.

Note - Libertarians for Bush was the precursor for LibertarianRepublican.net.

The Obama Police State: SWAT Team called in for Illinois Tea Party

Trampling on Americans' Rights to Peaceful Protest

Obama visited Quincy, Illinois yesterday for a campaign visit for local Democrats, including endangered Democrat Congressman Phil Hare.

Local Tea Party activists turned out to protest recently enacted Health Care and Over-taxation. The local Democrat Mayor of Quincy called out the SWAT Team to block the protesters, even though Tea Partiers stayed on the other side of the seat. Peaceful Tea Partiers broke out into patriotic songs, including God Bless America.

SPLC now targeting Libertarians as Potential Threats

Is this the face of a Radical Militant possible Homegrown Terrorist?

by R.S. McCain

Catherine Bleish is a 26-year-old libertarian who was a Ron Paul delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. She is a leader of the Liberty Restoration Project which, among other things, opposes the federal “War on Drugs” and denounces the Patriot Act as “an assault against the civil liberties of Americans.”

Perhaps you disagree with those views, but is Bleish dangerous?

The Southern Poverty Law Center seems to think so. In a special report called “Meet the ‘Patriots’” issued last week, the SPLC named Bleish as one of 35 people “at the heart of the resurgent movement.” The report — which also names WorldNetDaily publisher Joseph Farah and Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy in Media — describes the movement thus:

“In the last year and a half, militias and the larger antigovernment ‘Patriot’ movement have exploded, accompanied by the rapid expansion of other sectors of the radical right. … [T]he so-called Patriots [are] people who generally believe that the federal government is an evil entity that is engaged in a secret conspiracy to impose martial law, herd those who resist into concentration camps, and force the United States into a socialistic ‘New World Order.’”

Quoting Goldwater - "Extremism in the Defense of Liberty" - may now get you on a List

The SPLC’s scary references to militias and conspiracies and a “resurgent movement” very much echo Bill Clinton’s recent conflation of the tea party with Timothy McVeigh and, like Clinton, the Montgomery, Ala.-based organization singled out Rep. Michelle Bachmann, calling her an “enabler” of the Patriot movement. Also labeled “enablers” by the SPLC were Glenn Beck and Andrew Napolitano of Fox News, as well as Ron Paul, the Texas congressman whose quixotic 2008 presidential campaign helped turn Bleish into a full-time political activist.

A graduate of the University of Missouri who majored in communications, Bleish says she has postponed her graduate studies — she aims to get a master’s degree in political science — to become involved in a variety of libertarian projects. She participated in the July 2008 “Revolution March” of Paul supporters in Washington, D.C., and attended a May 2009 conference in Jekyll Island, Ga., that also included several others named in the SPLC “Patriot” report. The SPLC says that “seminal” meeting — organized by libertarian activist Bob Schulz — “helped lay the groundwork for the resurgence of the [Patriot] movement.”

Bleish says she’s not sure why the SPLC — which typically monitors hate groups like the KKK and the Aryan Nations — is now targeting libertarians like herself.

“They’re indirectly associating people who aren’t violent and aren’t racist with violence and racism, and that’s unfortunate,” Bleish said in a telephone interview.

If Bleish is considered a “conspiracy theorist,” that’s probably because of her group “Operation: De-Fuse,” which depicts the Department of Homeland Security as part of a “police/surveillance state” that is “militarizing and federalizing our police forces.”

Bleish and others say that this isn’t conspiracy theory, but conspiracy reality. The name of Operation: De-Fuse is a reference the DHS “fusion centers” such as the Missouri Information Analysis Center, which issued a controversial 2009 report identifying Ron Paul supporters and pro-life activists (as well as fans of Rambo movies and Tom Clancy novels) as potential terrorists.

“Militia members most commonly associate with 3rd party political groups,” the MIAC report said. “It is not uncommon for militia members to display Constitutional Party, Campaign for Liberty or Libertarian material.”

If DHS is identifying third-party political movements as threats, is it irrational for supporters of those movements to consider the DHS a threat?

Editor's Note - Stacy McCain is a longtime friend of the Libertarian Party, and a self-described "Libertarian-Republican." His blog is The Other McCain. Photo above of Barry Goldwater, Jr. son of legendary Barry Goldwater.

Forget Boehner for Speaker: Newly-elected Republican Reps may back Ron Paul, Jeff Flake or Tom McClintock

From Eric Dondero:

As polls continuously show the chance of Republicans regaining the House Good to Very Good, light murmerings are beginning to emerge, who will take the House leadership positions for Speaker, Majority Leader, and key Committee Chairmanships.

But how will the emerging House GOP "Liberty Caucus" vote for leadership? The question is particularly pertinent considering that a large number of libertarian Republicans are expected to win congressional seats this year.

One GOP Congressional candidate, B.J. Lawson, endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus and a self-identified "libertarian Republican," has the answer.

From an Interview with Carolina Politics On-line:

6. Who is your choice for the next Speaker of the U.S. House?

Ron Paul (TX), Walter Jones (NC), Paul Ryan (WI), Jeff Flake (AZ) or Tom McClintock (CA) (roughly in order of seniority) would all be excellent House Speakers.

McClintock is a freshman. Being in his second term may be a bit too soon for such a vaunted position. However, Jeff Flake, now heading into his 4th term, has sufficient seniority and even made a brief play for a leadership position in '09 immediately following the elections.

Ron Paul could prove to be a divisive figure among GOP ranks because of his foreign policy views. He is unlikely to garner enough support to win anything outside of Banking Committee Chairman. However, if Republicans fail to gain a convincing majority, say, a 218 to 217 slender lead, Democrats who are sometimes favorable to Paul, could make a play to gain him the Speakership.

Stranger things have happened in the world of politics. Look at the Texas House Speakership battle in 2009, when moderate Democrats rallied behind the "more reasonable" Joe Straus, ironically often referred to as a "libertarian Republican." Straus had an upset win over strident conservative and longtime incument Speaker Rep. Tom Craddick.

Vijay Kumar - A "Geert Wilders Republican" for Congress

From Eric Dondero:

Vijay Kumar is a slightly unique candidate for Congress. He is a proud Immigrant to the United States. He was born in Hyderabad, India in 1954. Fittingly, he describes his parents and upbringing in India as "conservative."

He emigrated to the United States, because "he felt uplifted by the values and possibilities inherent in the American way of life." And he has lived up to those ideals, of hard work, entrepreneurialism, and running his own small business for more than 25 years in the Nasvhille, Tennessee area.

He's been quite active in TN Republican politics volunteering for numerous local campaigns. Now Kumar is run for Congress himself.

He may have the unique distinction of being the first politician in America who has been referred to as a "Geert Wilders Republican." The obvious reference is to the dynamic Dutch libertarian politician, famous throughout Western Europe for standing up to the rise of Radical Islam.

From an interview with Ruthfully Yours; The Right News, Front and Center, Interviewer Ali Syna:

SYNA: You are running for the United States Congress from the 5th Congressional District of the state of Tennessee. Obviously, as a conservative you are concerned about the deficit, the takeover of industry by the government, health care and other issues that concern every patriotic American. However, you have said that stopping the Islamization of America is your priority. I know only of one politician with a similar platform: Geert Wilders, the founder of Freedom Party in Holland.

KUMAR: The reason I believe that the Islamization of America should be the primary concern of Americans is that Islamic imperialism poses an existential threat to the United States, and, really, to all mankind.

America was conceived as a free constitutional republic that is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Islam was conceived as a totalitarian theocracy that is of Islam, by Islam, and for Islam. The Quran is the antithesis of the United States Constitution. They are polar opposites. They are diametrically opposed. I don’t say that as some Hegelian abstraction: I mean that these two documents are ideological opposites of each other in their most basic purposes and goals.

The purpose of our Constitution is to secure and guarantee to all people the greatest possible freedom. The purpose of Islam is for all people to submit to Islam, and only Islam—not just spiritually, but politically and secularly, in every aspect of law and life.

These two purposes could not possibly be in greater opposition.

Learn more about his candidacy at Kumarforcongress.com

Jan Brewer surges to Big Lead over Democrat opponent

Post Immigration Bill signing bounce

Poll from Public Policy Polling last week (via Hedgehog):

GOVERNOR – ARIZONA (PPP)
Terry Goddard (D) 47%
Jan Brewer (R-inc) 44%

Poll from Rasmussen released last night:

GOVERNOR - ARIZONA (RASMUSSEN)
Jan Brewer (R-inc) 48%
Terry Goddard (D) 40%

Comments Rasmussen:

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state shows that 56% now approve of the way Brewer is performing her role as governor. Two weeks ago, just 40% offered their approval.

Brewer's opposition to ObamaCare also helping

Continuing:

This is the second big issue in two months to boost Brewer’s prospects for being elected to her own full-term in office. In March, Brewer trailed Goddard by nine percentage points. Then, after passage of the federal health care law, Goddard refused to file a lawsuit against the federal government challenging the constitutionality of the law. Brewer found a way around that objection, and Arizona joined other states in the legal challenge. After that, Brewer’s numbers improved to a slight advantage over Goddard.

Gordon Brown's "Joe the Plumber" moment: Prime Minister calls local constituent a "Bigot" for questioning Welfare State

Major Campaign Gaffe' by UK Prime Minister

Gordon Brown made a campaign stop to a middle-class neighborhood near Manchester Piccadilly, to meet with constituents.

According to the BBC:

Gillian Duffy, 65, had challenged him on issues including immigration.

As he got into his car, he was still wearing a broadcast microphone and was heard to say "that was a disaster".

Duffy also challenged him on welfare and government spending, saying at one point "it's crap," referring to how long people are permitted to stay on the government dole.

Continuing from the BBC:

As he went to get into his car, Mr Brown told her: "Very nice to meet you, very nice to meet you."

But off camera, and not realising he still had a Sky News microphone pinned to his shirt, he was heard to tell an aide: "That was a disaster - they should never have put me with that woman. Whose idea was that? It's just ridiculous..."

Asked what she had said, he is heard to reply: "Ugh everything! She's just a sort of bigoted woman that said she used to be Labour. I mean it's just ridiculous. I don't know why Sue brought her up towards me."

Brown has since spent the entire afternoon apologizing profusely, to Ms. Duffy, her family, and in statements to the media. But the Manchester retiree and proud grandmother, was not having anything of it. Continuing:

"I'm very upset. He's an educated person. Why has he come out with words like that?

"He's supposed to be leading the country and he's calling an ordinary woman who's come up and asked questions that most people would ask him... It's going to be tax, tax, tax for another 20 years to get out of this national debt, and he's calling me a bigot."

A very Libertarian Solution to the Burqa Ban

Simply prevent the Force and Coercion

by Eric Dondero

Out of Europe comes a unique proposal to solve the growing cultural problem of Muslim women wearing full-length burqas in public. The predicament for libertarians has long been, how do you protect individual rights, but at the same time preserve a culture of tolerance? Forcing women to wear a covering from head-to-toe, and worse, even a full-facial covering over their eyes, is wholly oppressive and runs completely counter to the West's traditions of openess and women's rights.

Belgium is considering a Burqa Ban, and ironically it's a libertarian-leaning Party who is leading the charge.

Daniel Bacquelaine, a member of the Reformist Movement party, argued in the weeks before a government crisis in Belgium took everyone’s attention off the law he had proposed. “It is necessary that the law forbids the wearing of clothes that totally mask and enclose an individual. Wearing the burqa in public is not compatible with an open, liberal, tolerant society.”

The Reformist Movement party is “liberal” in the European sense, meaning pro-business, laissez-faire, somewhat libertarian. But Bacquelaine’s position doesn’t belong to the left or right in Europe; in fact the burqa ban has united Belgian politics like no other issue. Majorities from the Green Party to the far right, from the Francophone south to the Flemish-speaking north, agree with Bacquelaine that people can and should be fined for covering their face.

Belgium Parliament Member sparks the Debate

Bacquelaine gets it almost right. In fact, it's distressing how close he's come to the solution. He expresses the problem in brillantly libertarian terms. But misses the libertarian solution by a hair.

Rather, the solution was provided by a caller to a BBC program which was discussing the Belgium Burqa Ban.

From the BBC Talk Show episode, "Are Muslims under the atttack?":

"If that’s the case, instead of making the law against a particular item of clothing, why not make the law against anyone compelling women to wear, or not wear, whatever it is they choose?"

Quite brillant, as the Brits would say.

Rather than banning personal clothing and appearance, why not ban the act of forcing another individual to wear a certain type of clothing, or dress in a certain manner in public.

Obviously, the target of the law would be Muslim immigrant men from the Middle East who force their wives to wear the burqa and the hijab.

But in practice it could apply to anyone, for example, a Skinhead boyfriend forcing his girlfriend to wear NeoFascist attire to a protest or rally.

Such a law could find acceptance from all points of the political spectrum.

Columnist Michael Scott Moore of Miller-McCune, Smart Journalism writes simply:

The logic is hard to refute; less enforceable laws have been passed in Western societies.

Photo Belgium Member of Parliament Daniel Bacquelaine.

Muslim oppression of Women: Brutal Surgical procedures now being performed to avoid loss-of-Virginity detection

by Denise Clark

We've heard the stories. Muslim women (usually of Middle Eastern descent) being killed for disgracing their family "honor". The reasons for these "honor killings" have ranged from befriending boys (the nerve!) to being too westernized, and the number of women around the globe falling victim to this neanderthal mentality continues to increase.

In order to avoid the possible death penalty for not remaining a virgin until marriage, the BBC is reporting that many women are keeping their sex lives a secret and opting for a procedure known as 'hymenoplasty', a procedure where the hymen is reconnected to restore virginity and ensure blood being spilled on the marital sheets. The cost of the procedure is approximately 2,000 Euros and is done by Dr. Marc Abecassis, an Arab doctor practicing in Paris.

Dr. Abecassis has performed the procedure in some cases because a woman needs a certificate of virginity to marry. His average patient for the procedure is approximately 25 years old and from any social background. He adds:

"She can be in danger because sometimes it's a matter of traditions and family," says Dr Abecassis. "I believe we as doctors have no right to decide for her or judge her."

Thank Heaven that there are Arab men out there who have recognized the rights of women in that culture to live their lives without judgment. He's most likely in the minority. Noor, a young professional from Damascus, has another opinion.

"I know girls who went through this restoration and they were caught out on their wedding night by their husbands," he says. "They realised they weren't virgins. Even if society accepts such a thing, I would still refuse to marry her."

Those women are better off because of your opinion, pal. You're doing them a favor by choosing not to marry them, you troglodyte.

What is it going to take for the world to acknowledge a whole underclass of women who live in fear of their lives because of a mentality that pre-dates the dinosaurs? How many more women have to attempt or commit suicide because they feel that it's their only way out of being tortured to death in the name of "honor"? And how many more women have to live with the fear that they may be found out?

Until the world starts to speak out for these women who defy custom and Sharia Law, look for the numbers to increase.

Denise's blog is the Right Stuff.

Libertarian-Conservatives on Immigration: Protect our Nation's Sovereignty First

Arizona's actions completely Constitutional

by JB Williams

The term “naturalization” appears in the US Constitution, under Article I – Section VIII – Clause IV – which assigns the federal government via the Legislative Branch, the power – “To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization;” – a legal means and method by which immigrants can gain access to U.S. citizenship via an organized and controlled naturalization process.

In Hampton v. Mow Sun Wong, 426 U.S. 88 [1976] the US Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that the power of the federal government to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization implies the federal power to regulate immigration.

As we know, federal immigration and naturalization laws exist in the United States, providing immigrants a legal means and method by which to become a citizen of the United States. Entering the U.S. without the expressed permission of the U.S. has at all times in modern history, been a “crime.” This crime has at all times had specific penalties attached, under both federal and state laws.

The INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) exists for the sole purpose of helping immigrants enter the U.S. legally. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) exists for the sole purpose of enforcing U.S. immigration, naturalization and customs laws.

Without secure borders and the right to control our borders, the United States cannot be a “sovereign nation.” All sovereign nations have geographical borders and the right to control who enters the nation, by what means, and penalize those who enter illegally.

Immigrants need to respect our Laws

I believe most “illegal immigrants” to be decent, hard working people, simply seeking the many benefits of life in the land of milk and honey. Had they entered our country legally, most would be quite welcome here, as many of them make better American citizens than some legal citizens.

Personally, I’d support keeping all twenty-million illegal Mexicans if we could deport twenty-million whiny Democratic Socialists like Obama, Pelosi and Reid in exchange. Can I get someone to second this motion - please?

But that’s not the options before us as a nation. I wish it were… Our options are to enforce or forget our borders. There is no in-between… We don’t let bank robbers go just because we didn’t get around to arresting them until their tenth bank robbery. They will be held accountable for all ten robberies.

Feds and INS ignoring their responsibilities

In recent years, federal enforcement of existing laws has been half-hearted at best. INS and ICE do indeed search for, capture, detain and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally. However, they have not done so consistently, effectively or with any vigor.

As a result, we now find that our nation has a severe illegal immigrant problem with an estimated twenty-million “undocumented immigrants” living and working in the U.S. illegally. This means that we have an estimated twenty-million “criminal invaders” living among us

States Rights and Responsibilities

What are the states supposed to do when the federal government fails? Go down with the ship?

Arizona is a border state with a unique stake in the matter of illegal immigration. They have waited for decades for the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws and the federal government clearly has no intention of doing so. In fact, the federal government intends to challenge Arizona’s right to secure their own southern border, asserting that illegal immigration is some type of new civil right.

Since Mexican President Calderón has already issued a travel warning to citizens of Mexico, I’d day that the new Arizona law is already working, before even going into effect. That was its purpose, right? To put Mexico on notice that its citizens could no longer flood across the Arizona border - trafficking drugs, murder and mayhem into the United States, as if illegal activity is some kind of bizarre civil right in America…

Illegal Immigration breaking State Budgets

The problems related to illegal immigration once only affected border states. The State of California is bankrupt mostly due to the largest population of illegal immigrants in the nation and the high cost of caring for those illegals on the taxpayer’s dime. If it weren’t for federal funding and loans, California would already be a third world country in complete anarchy, most likely fenced off from the rest of the nation.

Today, illegal immigration is bankrupting states across the country, including non-border states like Georgia, which has already announced that it will follow Arizona’s lead on illegal immigration reform. I’m sure other states will follow suit over the coming days and weeks.

The simple fact is - the federal government has failed horrifically in the matter of illegal immigration and the states do not have to sit on their hands and pay the price of that failure. They have the power, the right and a responsibility to their legal citizens, to address the problem.

At the end of the day, if the states fail to do what the federal government should but won’t do, then the people will have the right to do it themselves. I don’t think that’s how we want to resolve this problem… do you?

Khyber Club owner in Philly defends rights of Nazis to dress as they please, And he's a Jew

Even NeoNazis rights to Free Speech should be Defended

From Eric Dondero:

There isn't a blog in the entire blogosphere that is more passionately anti-Socialist, including anti-National Socialist than Libertarian Republican (besides perhaps Right Guy, and Pam Geller's Atlas Shrugs).

But being a libertarian sometimes means defending some truly disgusting and revolting behavior. We libertarians believe that individuals should be free to do as they please, so long as they are not infringing upon the rights of others. This includes wearing totally offensive attire.

Three NeoNazis were attacked after a Punk Show at the legendary Khyber Club in Philadelphia over the weekend. But the club owner expressed a rather libertarian view, defending their right to dress as they wish. Khyber's Stephen Simmons is Jewish.

From Philly.com via Conservative Focus blog:

Khyber owner Stephen Simons, who was not at the show, said he had been told that the crowd inside "largely ignored and mocked" the three men.

But after they exited the club, on 2nd Street near Chestnut, they were attacked by a group of up to 50 people, he said.

[A blogger described] "Nazi-inspired symbols" and as wearing "camouflaged combat pants; woolen, WWII-era coats adorned with SS emblems and authentic Third Reich hats with Nazi insignias emblazoned atop them."

"I guess being on 2nd Street in SS uniforms on a Friday night is a way to incite a semi-riot," Simons said.

"As a Jew, I am totally offended by them wearing the uniforms," he said. "But, as an American citizen, I totally uphold their right to dress however they want to dress."

For the record, I too am Jewish. Simons is correct. The three individuals represent a reprehensible ideology. But they should be free to wear Nazi clothes without the fear of being physically attacked.

The Libertarian Right View on Arizona's Immigration Law

"We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act. But decades of inaction and misguided policy have created an unacceptable situation." -- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer

by Jim Lagnese, Right Guy

With all the hoopla and hand wringing going on about the immigration bill just passed in Arizona, a Rasmussen poll shows that 70% of Arizonans support the bill.

This is no surprise. While the hollywood and left wing set decry the law, they do not have to live in Arizona where the consequences of illegal immigration are mote dire than getting your landscaping done cheaply.

There are real dire consequences there, like murder, rape and robbery, and also the toll on social services like healthcare and education. We are talking about illegal aliens. A wave of Obama's magic wand with amnesty will not change the negative impact on our society. All it will do is legitimize an underclass and create a constituency for democrats. No matter what they say, that is the real reason behind amnesty.

Arizona is the first to put it's foot down, with Sheriff Joe Arpaio leading the charge. I expect other states to follow suit.

For the record, I firmly believe legal immigration is a good thing. All of us got here from immigration, including so called native americans. The culture we have had was one of excellence, freedom and responsibility coupled with opportunity. This means we welcome those that take initiative, work hard, obey the laws, and live here responsibly. The reward is that people from other countries not only live a better life here and contribute, but they also move up socio-economically. This doesn't happen so well in other countries.

Furthermore, allowing illegal immigration or granting amnesty does not send the best here. There is no standard, just that if you can walk across a desert, you can come here. What about a Korean Physicist or Indian Computer Scientist that does everything by the book and has to wait years? It's hardly just or fair to give someone a leg up just because they live next door and it suits the democrats political purposes.

The bottom line is that while we need to adjust our immigration laws to allow more people to come and live here permanently, and to get the best, we also have a responsibility to those already here to ensure public safety, and justice to those who do things by the book. American Exceptionalism demands that we do so, not lay out our flag as a door mat to those who couldn't give a shit.

Libertarian Party candidate for Arizona Governor Bruce Olsen, praises opponent Republican Jan Brewer for Immigration crack-down

From Eric Dondero:

Two days ago, upon the signing of legislation cracking down on illegal immigration by Republican Governor Jan Brewer, the leading Libertarian candidate for Governor in the State, Bruce Olsen issued the following statement (via IPR):

Well, Governor Brewer , your making it tough to run against ya. Im proud to call you Governor. This will be the first step , other states must follow suit. Now its up to the county Sheriffs to do their job. The federal government will attempt to stomp on this legislation. All legal Arizonans must stand with our Governor , the legislature, and our law enforcement agencies. Its a great day for Arizona. The message is loud and clear. If your here illegally, leave. Kuddo’s Governor Brewer!

He received immediate criticism for his statement from Party insiders, including his opponent for the LP nomination, radical Libertarian and perrennial candidate Barry Hess:

Bruce displays the thought process I see all the time in disgruntled Republicans. He makes it clear that he has no interest in forwarding the libertarian philosophy...

Olsen shot back yesterday with a post on his blog, the aptly named Arizona Sentinel:

For those of you that are of the Libertarian Party, let me direct you to a book written by your VP Nominee in 2008, Wayne Allen Root. I think we can assume that since Wayne made it to the number two slot, it stands to reason that the majority of the Libertarian party agrees with his position on illegal immigration. After reading Waynes book” The Conscience of a Libertarian” I knew I had found a political home.

Let me suggest that you buy this book and pay particular attention to Chapter 21 page 223-233. Let me also suggest that you join a minuteman group, go to the border, participate in several events. After 5-6 events, I will bet a big mac and fries that your views will be different than they are today. By the way, I like mine with cheese. I can also tell you that having traveled all over the state since September collecting signatures from registered Libertarians. The views expressed above by nay sayers are not common in rural Arizona. I've received emails from registered Libertarians from all over the state, supporting border security. And the Independants are all over making our borders secure and removing illegal aliens from our states.

Olsen and Barry Hess will face off in a primary and Olsen is expected to prevail in the primary given his support statewide by constitutionalists, right libertarians and those concerned with immigration. They will face off in the primary, but not at the Libertarian Party convention.

Note - Olsen is a Veteran of the United States Military (bio). He served in both the US Navy as a crew chief and then later did a tour in the US Air Force. Hess's website bio lists no Military Service, rather he was an English major in college.

Unveiling LibertarianRepublican.net

This is Wes Messamore writing again, and I am thrilled to unveil LibertarianRepublican.net- the second generation to Eric Dondero's classic website. Sleek, smooth, clean, professional, and easy to navigate, with your help LibertarianRepublican.net is well-positioned to take the conservative, libertarian-leaning, and overall-political blogosphere by storm!

Eric and the team here are committed to providing you with ever-expanding, ever-improving, cutting-edge independent journalism, and he decided it was about time to seamlessly transition into a website that was up to the task.

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PS: I've been talking with Eric, and he has some extremely great content planned for the rest of this week, which is incredible, considering how much other work he's doing right now to advance the movement for liberty.

---

Wesley Messamore is available for hire to optimize, brand, and market your blog better. Email him here. Also: check out one of his other successes: LeftCoastRebel.com

Tea Party too "radically libertarian" for the GOP says Harvard Crimson editorial writer

Tea Party founder Eric Odom a "confused Libertarian-Republican"

by Eric Dondero

How nice that the student newspaper of one of the most liberal college campuses in America, is now out to protect the integrity of the Republican Party from the "evil" Tea Partiers.

Excerpt from Nafees A. Syed, Harvard Crimson, "Runaway Party
Tea Parties pose a revolutionary danger to the GOP":

most of the “Tea Party patriots” are staunch Republicans. However, the Republican Party would do well to steer clear of this extreme, disordered group.

What is sometimes called the “Taxed Enough Already” Party poses the danger of offering a slightly more libertarian alternative to the Republican Party. The Tea Partiers delve into strange territory with their discussions on the constitutionality of government, among other things. Their oft-regarded founder, Eric Odom, is a confused Libertarian-Republican, and his party followers seem to be the same. He has re-joined the Republican Party, it seems, only because it is currently the best avenue for the Tea Party’s cause; the Tea Parties are hardly a loyal branch or even ally for the Republicans.

Odom (photo at a recent Tea Party rally) is a former member of the Libertarian Party of Illinois. He has also been active with the Sam Adams Alliance and Americans for Limited Government.

Challenge good moderate Republicans in GOP primaries? How dare they!

Syed goes on to express shock! that Odom would dare challenge entrenched Republicans in party primaries.

In fact, Odom’s party is willing to contest the seats of current Republicans, including, it seems, Senator John S. McCain (R-Ariz.), the 2008 Republican presidential candidate and one of the most prominent and respected members of the Grand Old Party.

And she goes on to chide RNC Chairman Michael Steele for lending support to the Tea Party.

Because of the party’s hostility toward mainstream Republicans, it comes as a surprise to me that Republican Party Chairman Michael S. Steele has called himself a member along with prominent Republicans like Republican House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and former Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt L. Gingrich. Perhaps this is because the party is, at least, united with the Republican Party in their criticism of Congressional Democrats, big spending, and most importantly, President Obama.

Tea Party supporters actually call Barack Hussein Obama a "Socialist!"

Finally, Syed questions why anyone would consider Obama a "Socialist"?

Calling the president of the United States a socialist is the type of extreme language the Republican Party needs to disassociate itself from, and using similarly harsh language toward Republicans in office or the idea of government altogether is certainly not conducive to a GOP electoral victory this fall.

A skeptic might conclude that the ultra-liberal college media might have an ulterior motive; like, pushing the GOP to the squishy middle, so as to help the Party lose votes in November? Beware of liberals expressing concern for the GOP, and a longing for the days of a "responsible Republican Party."

Notably, Nafees A. Syed, is a junior at Harvard University majoring in government. She is an editorial editor at The Harvard Crimson as well as a senior editor and columnist for the Harvard-MIT journal on Islam and society, Ascent. She writes for the radical Muslim publication MuslimMatters.org. She is also an occasional contributor to liberal news network CNN.com. On Feb. 3, 2010, she wrote a column on CNN "Flying while Muslim," advocating that Muslim women should not have to remove their hijabs to comply with airport security measures. Syed is a hijab wearer. She is chairwoman of the pro-affirmative action quotas Harvard Institute of Politics Policy Group on Racial Profiling.

David Cameron uses the "libertarian" label in UK Guardian

From Eric Dondero:

The next British Prime Minister could very well be a Conservative who has an affinity for libertarian values.

The UK Guardian has a lengthy profile piece of Conservative Party standardbearer, and frontrunner to be the next Prime Minister, David Cameron. Deep in the piece there's a reference to a recent Cameron quote.

"I am an instinctive libertarian who abhors state prohibitions and tends to be sceptical of most government action," Cameron wrote in a diary for the Guardian.

And this related news from the Daily Telegraph via Freedom Association:

David Cameron today has attempted to promote the libertarian ideal of individualism in the education system by empowering the public to set up schools. Cameron spoke out against the growing state bureaucracy in the education sector.

"Mr Cameron said the idea that the bureaucrats knew what was best was "rubbish".

He added: "We should be trusting local parents and we should be breaking open the state monopoly and saying if you want to set up a great new school, if you want to provide great state education 'come on in'."

London Mayor Boris Johnson (photo with Cameron), a self-described "libertarian" is a close friend to Cameron. Johnson is regarded as the unofficial leader of the Tory's libertarian wing.

Libertarian Party's first Presidential candidate John Hospers backs Wayne Root for LP National Chair

MOVEMENT NEWS

Independent Political Report first broke the news...

The Libertarian Party will hold its National Convention in St. Louis in late May. Wayne Root is a candidate for the Party's Chairmanship.

Statement by Dr. John Hospers from (IPR):

In these precarious times, with the future of freedom, liberty and America herself hanging in the balance by the barest of threads held in the hands of self-serving enemies and traitors of this nation – I hear the voice of hope, and that of a patriot in the person of Wayne Allyn Root.

My steady support for Mr. Root’s political positions and ambitions are reinforced each time I hear him speak or read his commentaries, editorials and writings. Root’s words ring with truth, reflecting the values of libertarianism the political philosophy, as well as the well-defined original Libertarian Party principles, of which I am proud to say I helped craft long ago.

Hospers went on to comment about Root's views on National Defense:

A prime reason I’m confident in Root as compared to others seeking the office is because Root is a consistent, telegenic presence on the airwaves – where he clearly states principles with which I strongly agree. While others profess views in the name of libertarianism that ring of anarchy and other radical positions that would be suicidal for America at this time, Root is practical in his thinking. He’s not one of those who practice ‘ostrich’ politics by sticking his head in the ground on issues involving our national security in the face of dire threats from abroad.

Hospers then goes on to give a warning of sorts to the Libertarian Party membership. Continuing:

I fear the LP is running out of time. The irrational want to keep the party small so they may appear to be ‘big fish’. Between now and 2012, the LP can gain power. People want smaller government and those governing they know they can trust.

This is why I urge all right-thinking LP members to join me in giving the strongest support possible to Wayne Allyn Root, a high profile, dynamic, pragmatic voice for economic and personal freedom so desperately needed by the LP and USA.

Note - Dr. Hospers was the first Libertarian Party presidential candidate appearing with running mate Toni Nathan on two state ballots in 1972, Washington and Colorado, and as a write-in in New York, California and a number of other states. The Hospers/Nathan ticket received 1 Electoral vote. He is Professor Emeritus, USC School of Philosophy, and makes his home in Southern California.

Our current Economic Mess: In Search of a Metaphor

by Clifford F. Thies

Last year, the Obama administration was claiming credit for “slowing down the rate of job loss.” This year, it is striving for “a soft landing.” This is not a good metaphor. It creates the image of an economy whose descent has reached terminal velocity, like a skydiver whose parachute has failed, who – upon reaching terminal velocity – attempts to survive impact by achieving a soft landing.

In other metaphors that were attempted last year, we were looking for a “V”-shaped recovery as opposed to a “U”-shaped one. In a “V”-shaped recovery, the economy falls hard, and then recovers sharply. The last time we had a “V”-shaped recovery was when Ronald Reagan was President. That recovery resulted in Reagan’s landside re-election in 1984. In a “U”-shaped recovery, the economy lingers in recession for a while before beginning to recover. But, in 2009, we got neither a “V”-shaped nor a “U”-shaped recovery. Instead, we got an “L”-shaped economy. Now, with softening demand and the risk of inflation, we face the prospect of a “W”-shaped economy, sometimes characterized as a “double-dip” recession.

Also in 2009, Congress passed the trillion dollar “stimulus package” requested by the administration. This was one of a series of trillion dollar deals, including bail-outs for government agencies and private-sector financial institutions, for those behind on their mortgages and their student loans, cash for clunkers, leave no public school teacher behind, the umpteenth extension of unemployment benefits, etc., etc. These trillion dollar deals were supposed to prevent the unemployment rate from reaching 8 percent (oh my!). And, instead of the unemployment rate reaching 8 percent (oh my!), it reached 10 percent.

The “stimulus package,” I suppose, was not supposed to work like Viagra: you know, relatively quickly. Instead, it’s supposed to work like Cialis: “when the moment is right.”

Thus, the search for the right metaphor continues. Richard Nixon dealt with “inflation psychology.” Gerald Ford with “stagflation.” Jimmy Carter, “malaise.” What metaphor will characterize the economic woes of the current administration? How about the “Giant Slalom Economy,” where the economy weaves back and forth while on a downhill slide? Or, the “Chinese Water Torture Economy,” where the steady trickle of bad news turns everybody so fatalistically pessimistic that nobody is willing to invest in a new or expanding business? Or, the “Down is Up Economy,” where, after a while, double-digit unemployment becomes normal. With a “Down is Up Economy,” President Obama could be viewed as a Great President, like Franklin D. Roosevelt who demonstrated leadership during an eight-year period, from 1933 to 1941, when the unemployment rate continued above 10 percent.

If a “Down is Up Economy” seems far-fetched, simply recall the “Up is Down Economy” of 2006. Back then, the Democrats were calling an economy with only 5 percent unemployment and with no inflation, “the worst economy since the Great Depression.” That year, the Democrats took over the Congress and two years later the White House as well.

Dr. Thies is the Eldon R. Lindsay Chair of Free Enterprise & Professor of Economics and Finance, Shenandoah University, Virginia

Republican congressional candidate in Colorado cites Rand, Hayek, Hazlitt, Milton Friedman, von Mises and Peikoff as inspirations

The Choice: Liberty vs. Serfdom

Josiah Schmidt of Rightosphere has an interview with Stephen Baily, candidate for US Congress - Colorado CD 2. He is running for the GOP nomination. If he's successful, in the fall, he'll face Democrat incumbent Rep. Jared Polis.

During the interview Baily first talked of his reasons for running, and evokes a Hayekian ideal, from "The Road to Serfdom":

At the national level, the election of Obama and strong majorities of progressive Democrats in Congress has created a direct and immediate threat to our liberties and the U.S. Constitution. I received great personal motivation from the numbers and principles of Tea Party and 9-12 participants who also value freedom and constitutionally-limited government.

At the level of our congressional district, we are represented by a progressive socialist — Jared Polis. The objectives that Mr. Polis seeks are detrimental to our country and our freedoms. The people of the 2nd Congressional District deserve a choice between Mr. Polis who will use the power of the government to initiate force against its citizens and someone who reserves governmental power for use in retaliation against those who initiate force and violate the rights of others. That is, a choice between Liberty and Serfdom.

Randian Hero fighting against the Statist Machine

Later in the interview he gives a lengthy list of free market economists and philosophers as his inspirations:

I am the only candidate in this race that understands that the proper and moral purpose of government is the protection of our individual rights as Thomas Jefferson stated in the Declaration of Independence. In support of moral government and our rights, I will work to restore constitutionally limited government, reduce government spending to functions that protect our rights, reduce taxes to the minimum necessary to support these government functions and eliminate the regulatory state...

I subsequently refined my political ideology through reading the works of Ayn Rand and free-market oriented and classic liberal academics such as Milton Friedman, von Mises, Hazlett, Ridpath, Reisman, Binswanger and Peikoff in the areas of economics, philosophy and politics. I subscribed to the Wall Street Journal while taking an economics class in my early 20’s and have been a continuous subscriber since.

Baily is a Veteran of the US Air Force and an Engineer.

Gregoire and WA Dems enact Major Tax Increase on Soda, Beer, and Cigarettes

From Eric Dondero:

Washington State Democrats have gone after "sin" products once again. They've targetted convenience stores with a massive tax hike on products. Revenues will be raised by $780 million in the new budget signed by Democrat Governor Christine Gregoire.

From NewsMax:

Consumers will pay more for a basketful of convenience-store favorites: Soda, bottled water, major-brand beer, candy and cigarettes.

The tax on soda bottlers would add 2 cents to every 12-ounce container, but exempt bottlers under $10 million in volume. The higher beer tax adds 50 cents per gallon — a 28 cent-increase on a six-pack. Microbrews would be exempt, aimed at helping Washington state companies.

Out-of-state companies also were targeted for more revenue, either by recalculating how taxes are charged or shrinking certain exemptions in response to court rulings. A collection of smaller loopholes and other exemptions also were closed or downsized.

Republicans stood firmly against the tax hikes, calling for deeper cuts in spending across the board, including health care coverage and education. Continuing:

"Legislators must learn from history — you cannot tax and spend your way out of a recession, but you can dig the hole deeper with bad policies," said Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake.

Additionally, Tax Fighter and self-described "libertarian Republican" Tim Eyman (photo - right, bio and movie about Eyman), is planning another round of spending cuts initiatives.

Meanwhile, Libertarians in the State are furious with Gregoire and the Democrats. South Puget Sound Libertarian had some strong words for the Governor.

New taxes on bottled water, soda pop, cigarettes, beer and business. But the disgusting thing, in addition to the tax increase, is the governor’s reaction to proposed initiatives that would block the tax hikes and force the legislature to honor the voters’ passage of a 2/3 majority requirement for the legislature to pass tax increases. Here’s the governor:

But Gregoire told reporters in a post-session briefing that the tax increases are essential to sustaining the kind of Washington she’s willing to live in.

If Eyman’s measures get on the ballot and pass, “then you’ll see an all-cuts budget. I mean, that’s the choice,” Gregoire said. “And the consequences of that will be immediate and long-term to the state of Washington. And it is not a state of Washington that I want to be part of.”

here’s another idea. If the governor doesn’t like cutting bloated government, she can resign and leave town. Good riddance. We don’t need no steenkin’ extortionist to run state government.

SHOCK POLL!! Dino Rossi leads Patty Murray by 10 points - Washington Senate race

Still an undeclared candidate, Dino Rossi has a double-digit lead over ultra-liberal Democrat incumbent Patty Murray.

This is a Democrat-held seat that is not identified as lean Republican, or even toss-up, by any political predicters.

From Survey USA (via Hedgehog):

US SENATE – WASHINGTON STATE (Survey USA)
Dino Rossi (R) 52%
Patty Murray (D-inc) 42%

Of particular interest to Libertarian Republicans, the poll also found that Dr. Art Coday is within 4 points of Murray.

Patty Murray (D-inc) 45%
Art Coday (R) 41%

Coday is a free marketeer health care reform advocate. His media coordinator for his campaign, is Steve Beren, libertarian-conservative former congressional candidate (Seattle against Jim McDermott), and a friend of Libertarian Republican blog.

Sean Trende of Real Clear Politics says the following:

The more I look over these numbers, the more I'm struck by how bad they are for Murray. She gets clobbered by Rossi, who has run two statewide elections in the last five years, losing by ten points.

But even if Rossi doesn't run, she's stuck at around 45% against the rest of the field... These are the type of candidates who should be pulling 30% against even an unpopular three-term Senator right now, not running neck-and-neck with her.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali defends Free Speech rights of South Park creators

CNN WITH ANDERSON COOPER

Ali compares the threats to the brutal death of her friend, and partner Theo van Gogh, in the Netherlands in 2004. She says, "This is clearly a threat." Cooper seems to agree calling it a "chilling affect" on free speech rights.

Geert Wilders and Freedom Party issue Pre-Election Manifesto: Drastic spending cuts, and welfare restrictions

From Eric Dondero:

Geert Wilders, leader of the libertarian-leaning Freedom Party in the Netherlands, held a major press conference at The Hague on Friday. He issued the Party's Manifesto heading into June elections.

From Radio Netherlands:

ECONOMICS

Referring to the economic crisis affecting the Netherlands, the Freedom Party is proposing drastic cuts. Mr Wilders expects to be able to save 21,000 million euros. His main targets are what he refers to as "left-wing hobbies". Development aid [to foreign nations], for instance, should be limited to emergency aid. Drastic cuts are suggested in contributions to the EU budget, and in defence spending. Child support paid to parents whose children do not live in the Netherlands should be cut, and the number of public broadcast channels should be minimised.

FOREIGN POLICY/DEFENSE

The Freedom Party wants to make Dutch foreign policy subservient to the Netherlands' interest, to the exclusion of other considerations. Fighting Islam should be a central tenet, the Freedom Party election manifesto says. The Netherlands should be less involved in international military missions, and the savings which that yields can be transferred to the national police, to fight what the party calls "Moroccan street terrorists" in the Netherlands. The PVV also says that the Netherlands should leave the European Union if Turkey becomes a member state. Another remarkable point is the plan to refer to Jordan as Palestine, because, says the PVV, that country has been the de facto independent Palestinian state since 1946.

Radio Netherlands also reports that Wilders vowed he would not enter into a coalition government with leftwing parties under any circumstances. He did make the concession, that if PVV prevails without a clear majority, or if the Party finished 2nd or 3rd, he'd be willing to work with the Center Right Christian Democrats to form a government.

H/t LR reader Mike Zeldis

UK Conservatives back on top, Lib-Dems climb stalled

UK ELECTIONS

David Cameron and the Tories have regained the momentum. Some have credited Cameron's performance in the second live debate.

From the UK Daily Mail:

David Cameron's Conservative Party is continuing its fightback according to the latest poll, while Labour has slumped to a six-month low.

The Tories are up two points at 35 per cent, the Liberal Democrats are up one on 31 per cent while Labour is down two on 26 per cent, an ICM survey for the Sunday Telegraph shows.

Mr Cameron is beginning to open up a clear lead, but the poll appears to show they are still well short of where they need to be to win an overall majority.

From MerCo press "Tory leader Cameron gains gound in latest debate, according to polls":

a YouGov poll for The Sun showed 36% thought that the Tory leader had performed best, against 32% for the Lib Dem leader and 29% for Brown.

Cameron shrewdly lifted some of Clegg’s tactics from the first debate, lumping the Lib Dems and Labour together as the “other two parties” and, like Clegg, warning of old politics.

Georgia Republicans reach deal on Transportation budget increase; Libertarians blast away, and rightly so

by Eric Dondero

This is why we need the Libertarian Party. I'm often chided by my mainline Republican friends for maintaining my longstanding membership in the LP, and even openly supporting Libertarian Party candidates on occasion.

It's precisely because of the role of agitator the Libertarian Party plays on the GOP. They have magnificently displayed this role with the current Georgia transportation budget increase.

From WSB:

After three years of wheeling and dealing to come up with a solution to help fund transportation, the Georgia General Assembly has approved a funding plan that would let residents vote whether to tax themselves to pay for needed improvements.

House lawmakers voted 141-29 for passage of the bill after the Senate voted 43-8 to let regions decide whether to increase the 4-cent sales tax by one penny to pay for roads, bridges and transit. The bill – HB277 – now moves to Gov. Sonny Perdue for his signature, which would give voters the final say in the 2012 presidential primary.

The response from the Libertarian Party of Georgia (via Peachtree Corners Weekly Online):

Libertarian Party of Georgia Chairman Daniel N. Adams says, "Republicans have given Georgians more than enough evidence in the last four months to prove that they are the pro-tax party in this state. They are only fiscally conservative when it's politically convenient, not when it matters."

"As the Republican-controlled legislature continues to increase taxes and fees, the silence from Tea Party leaders is stunning," says Jason Pye, Legislative Director of the state Libertarian Party. "There has been only one protest against these hikes, and that was more than a month ago. There have been no promises to primary members, in fact, the local and state Tea Party leaders have endorsed legislators that voted for these hikes."

In fairness, the GA LP ignored Democrats entirely. Ironically the Dems are attacking the Republicans just as harshly for not allowing for even more tax increases.

Continuing from WSB:

Despite the measure's supporters, Democrats assailed the plan. They say it will be four years at least before Georgia ever sees any additional money and that the legislation failed to do enough to help MARTA, Atlanta's struggling mass transit system.

But that's no excuse. Republicans in the Legislature shouldn't have even considered such a tax hike. And if the GOP in the State suffers at the polls at the hands of Libertarian candidates in November, who pick off 2, 3, 4 or even 5% from their margin this November, they have only themselves to blame.

Redlich wins Libertarian Nomination for NY Gov: Kristin Davis campaign consultant Roger Stone responds

LR FOLLOW-UP

Warren Redlich, Upstate Attorney and Republican Town Councilman, has secured the Libertarian nomination for Governor of New York. Redlich also plans to seek the Republican nomination for Governor challenging four other candidates, including former Congressman Rick Lazio.

From a Redlich campaign press release:

Redlich was chosen over Sam Sloan of New York City by a margin of 27 to 17 in a vote at the LP state convention. Kristin Davis (the Manhattan Madam) had previously expressed interest. She did not attend the convention and her name was not placed in nomination.

The convention was held on Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany.

For his part, Roger Stone told Libertarian Republican:

"Redlich is the biggest asshole Ive met in 35 years and 8 Presidential campaign. A leaping, bounding screaming asshole. A self important turd. A short bald ugly little man. No wonder he can't get elected to anything. Who would vote for this swine?"

Kristin Davis issued a press release before the convention stating her strong desire to run with the endorsement of the NYLP but also expressing her intention to run for Governor under the Free Libertarian Party label if that would not be forthcoming. From the release:

My campaign manager Roger Stone is a longtime Libertarian and has written in favor of gay marriage, supply-side tax cuts, legalization of drugs, and abortion rights. He is hardly the toast of New York elitist RINOs. He knows how to win 50,000 votes for my campaign. I am the candidate. I have no other agenda other than winning 50,000 votes to send a shockwave through Albany.

Now, obscure attorney Warren Redlich, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor and also wants to be the NYLP nominee, has publicly called me a ‘whore.’ I ran an escort service. I never worked as a prostitute. I was a business women engaged in an illegal business. I paid a penalty for my offense but I do not need to be slandered by Mr. Redlich.

Because Mr. Redlich’s attacks on me appeared in the Albany Times Union, I have instructed my attorney to file suit against Mr. Redlich for defamation. Name calling has no place in public political discourse between candidates.

As an attorney, Mr. Redlich knows this slander is actionable. I really believe he owes me and every Libertarian an apology for his boorish and offensive behavior. I would be honored to be the NYLP candidate for Governor. I am prepared to finance the petition drive for myself and the entire NYLP ticket. I believe I can raise and spend up to $1 million to communicate our Libertarian agenda and win 50,000 votes.

I will petition an entire slate on to the ballot as the FREE LIBERTARIAN PARTY which was the name of the NYLP but was abandoned after 1972.

Note - the Sec. of State of New York, required the Libertarian Party to list itself on the ballot as the "Free Libertarian Party," for the first years of its existence, so as not to create confusion with the States' longstanding Liberal Party. Both were abbreviated as "LIB".

RLC National Chairman gains a key position in the local GOP

MOVEMENT NEWS

From Eric Dondero:

A hearty congratulations is in order. Dave Nalle, National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus has just been appointed Communications Director for the Travis County (Austin) Republican Party.

Readers of Libertarian Republican are aware that Dave is a friend and often contributor to this blog.

He will now have his hands full dealing with the difficult Austin media, including the Republican-skeptical Austin American-Statesman, while at the same time running a national political organization, and taking care of a loving wife and two daughters at the same time.

We wish our friend Dave all the best.

Sarah Palin appears in ad for Rand Paul, Kentucky Senate GOP Primary Race

Sarah Palin makes a brief appearance in a new tv ad for Rand Paul for Senate. Palin expresses her support for the Constitutionalist Conservative son of Texas Cong. Ron Paul.

Even my Kentucky Grandma loves Rand Paul; That's why he'll win

by Wes Messamore

The secret to Rand Paul’s success is not that he resonates with people like me, but that he resonates with people like my grandmother. I’m a young, enthusiastic libertarian Republican; she’s a traditional, conservative, Reagan Republican- and Rand Paul’s message speaks to her.

Originally from Oklahoma, my grandmother has lived in the Bluegrass State now for longer than I have been alive. Her father was a staunch Democrat and all four of his children, including my grandmother, became Republicans during the Reagan years, when the two parties experienced a major realignment.

She started listening to Rush Limbaugh during the Clinton years- and still does. She loves Glenn Beck, she voted for Bush both times, and she even has a crush on Dick Cheney (but you didn’t hear it from me). She thinks and feels like most Kentucky Republicans do about what’s best for her state and what’s best for the country.

Rand was right those many months ago when he implied that kids like me who supported his father are a poor barometer for his success in Kentucky’s upcoming U.S. Senate election. It is not the Internet that will sweep him to victory, but Kentucky’s registered Republicans like my grandmother- the perfect barometer for Kentucky opinion.

The Paul family message of fiscal conservatism, strict constitutionalism, and principle over party has reached beyond the Internet and college campuses, and swept into the hearts of the people who were inspired by the Reagan revolution of the 1980s, and that’s why he will win.

Rand Paul will be the next U.S. Senator representing Kentucky. Not because I support him, but because my grandma does. And when he gets there, he may just be the one of the very best Senators this country has ever had.

Editor's Note - Wes's blog is Humble Libertarian. Read the full-length article at Republican Liberty Caucus RLC.org

Millions pulled from DOD budget for Ted Kennedy Monument in Boston

Two GOP Rivals Team up to Support the Troops

by Stephen Maloney

GOP First District Congressional Candidates Tim Scott and Katherine Jenerette teamed up on Wednesday to decry the federal government’s decision to siphon millions of dollars away from the Department of Defense budget to erect a monument to Ted Kennedy in Boston, Massachusetts .

“I don’t know of any Taxpayer Paid shrine or mausoleum to any politician in Massachusetts or South Carolina that can stop an RPG or IED or an AK-47 round in Iraq or Afghanistan ,” said Jenerette a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and a former U.S. Congressional Aide. “But if that $20 million can help save one single American soldier’s life downrange in Iraq or Afghanistan , it’s worth it to keep it in the U.S. Defense Department budget and not siphon it off for the Sainthood of Ted Kennedy or anyone else.”

At least $19 million has been siphoned from the U.S. Defense Department budget to pay for the Kennedy shrine, which could ultimately end up costing taxpayers as much as $80 million.

“Our magnificent military is being stretched by 2 wars right now. The Pentagon, just today, requested another $33 billion towards the efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan . Wasting tax dollars is bad enough, but weakening our military in the process is absolutely inexcusable,” Scott said. “When the people of this country told Congress that it was time to start prioritizing spending – this is just the opposite of what they had in mind.”

“On matters like this Tim Scott and I see eye-to-eye,” said Jenerette, an Army Paratrooper and Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. “We already know Washington D.C. is full of political con-artists who can pull money out of one taxpayer’s pocket and stick it into another pocket without blinking an eye; so anytime we can highlight examples of ‘Pork-Gone-Wild’ in Congress I’ll be glad to work with Tim or any other member of our legislative delegation.”

Even establishment Conservatives feeling nagged by ObamaCare's nanny-ism

"Mary Poppins Syndrome" gone Mad!

From Eric Dondero:

Michael Gerson is the ultimate insider establishment Republican. Some might even call him a dreaded "NeoCon." Gerson served in various capacities in the Bush administration, including a stint as the President's chief speechwriter. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is currently a columnist for the Washington Post.

But Gerson is starting to feel the "socialist creep" of big government. From his latest WaPo column, "With health care reform, it's nag, nag, nag".

I can hardly be called a libertarian. Legalizing drugs is a foolish idea because addiction robs people of liberty. Restaurant smoking bans have improved my life and my appetite. But freedom implies some leeway for personal risk and minor, pleasurable foolishness. Democrats in particular seem to be afflicted with Mary Poppins Syndrome: They will not rest until Americans are practically perfect in every way.

This tendency has added relevance because of the passage of health-care reform. When the provision of health insurance to every American becomes a direct responsibility of government, nearly every health matter becomes a public matter. Why not regulate tanning at beaches? Wouldn't mandatory, subsidized sunscreen save billions in health costs? Why not a jelly doughnuts tax? Why not make saturated fat a controlled substance? Shouldn't children on tricycles be required to wear safety helmets?

For some of us, the problem is not the tyranny but the nagging.

Of course, we libertarians would argue that the problem is both the nagging and the tyranny. Regardless, it's nice to have Mr. Gerson on board.

New Poll: Capitalism gets a Big Boost among Americans

From 53% last year to 60% today

Rasmussen has a new survey out which suggest support for capitalism over socialism getting stronger among Americans nationwide. One demographic group still lagging for free enterprise are the under 30 crowd.

From Rasmussen:

Sixty percent (60%) of U.S. adults nationwide say that capitalism is better than socialism. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 18% disagree, while 21% are not sure.

Adults under 30 are closely divided on the question. While Republicans and unaffiliated voters overwhelmingly say that capitalism is better, just 43% of Democrats agree. Twenty-four percent (24%) of Democrats say socialism is better.

Last year at this time, among all adults, only 53% said capitalism was better.