Category Archives: Libertarian

On Thursday, ex-FBI Director James Comey took to Capitol Hill to testify before Congress about the ongoing Trump-Russia scandal.

Over 19 million people tuned in as mainstream news outlets such as CNN and NBC streamed it live. It was anticipated to be the moment of confirmation for the lefts allegations that have been swirling around Trump the past six months. On the right, though, it was supposed to be the vindication the Republicans have long been waiting for. Which side ended up being the winner, you ask? Unfortunately, yet unsurprisingly, after all was said and done, both sides came away still clinging to their preconceived biases, regardless of what was said in the testimony. Although tiresome to those of us impartial on the matter, it did provide several notable insights, both good and bad.

Thursdays charade helped solidify the notion from libertarians that the right and left are one in the same. As if watching both parties trip over themselves as they quietly teeter-tottered with their love-hate relationship for Comey during the past few months wasnt enough. Try as they might to deny this sobering reality, though, Comeys testimony provided more than enough evidence.

Unfortunately, the bad comes as the realization that the past is repeating itself. We were forced to endure Republicans mindlessly yammering about Obamas birth certificate and Muslim background for eight years while the left venerated itself as the party of truth, incessantly pointing out the total lack of any shred of evidence. Yet, as of Thursday, we now see the exact same grandstanding from the right as Comeys testimony showed the Russia allegations contain precisely the same amount of evidence as the Obama birther stories. Simultaneously, Democrats are needlessly clinging to a story so baseless and idiotic, its on its way to make the birther movement look mundane. Meanwhile, anyone not caught up in the denigration could have honestly concluded this to be the end of the story, but as history and politics have shown us, no matter how inane an accusation turns out to be, it can be kept alive with repetitive propaganda. We should expect this case to be no different.

With Republicans and Democrats drowning themselves out in a sea of lunacy, however, we can focus on the positive takeaway of the event, which is that, sooner or later, regardless of what either party does, people will wake up to the fact that they are opposite sides of the same, incompetent coin. Both parties cant help but prop up fools time and again, and then shoot themselves in the foot as they attempt to save face for their inadequacies. Whether that be an eloquent speaker whose omnibus healthcare plan sunk faster than the Titanic, or a real-estate mogul who is showing an ability to single-handedly ruin international relations through itchy Twitter-fingers.

For those of us with the ability to objectively deduce the truth in these matters, we see that fact with each new revelation. Obama, as it turns out, was not a foreign-born Muslim bent on selling out Americas interests. Rather, he was simply a dishonest, bungling stooge, who continued the trend of a failing foreign policy, a broken healthcare system, and carelessly added to our overwhelming debt. Likewise, Trump is not a Manchurian candidate for Putin. Rather, he is simply an ill-mannered, inexperienced narcissist, who will further antagonize our broken foreign policy, fail to fix our healthcare system, and continue turning a blind-eye towards our insurmountable debt.

In the end, as much as either side tries to hide it, each time an event like this occurs it further reveals the frail, inefficient characters behind the curtain, fumbling to keep the sham in Oz I mean D.C. alive. And although the testimony failed to materialize as the perceived second coming, as neither the rapture nor salvation for either party, it did prove to be a tiny glimmer of hope for those of us looking for evidence as to why a change independent of the two-party system is not only indispensable, but inevitable, which makes us the real winners in this calamity.

This post was written by Thomas J. Eckert.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

Thomas J. Eckert is college grad with an interest in politics. He studies economics and history and writes in his spare time on political and economic current events.

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Democrats Commit Suicide by Testimony The Lowdown On Liberty - Being Libertarian (satire)

The US Libertarian Party sharply criticizedthe sentencing of a bitcoin trader on an unlawful money transmission charge this week.

In a statement, Nicholas Sarwark, who serves as chairman of the Libertarian National Committee, blasted the government's case against Randall Lord, who, along with his son Michael, was sentenced to a prison term late last month following an investigation into their alleged exchange activities.

As CoinDesk reported on 30th May, Randall and Michael Lord were sentenced to prison terms of 46 and 106 months, respectively. Both were charged with running an unlawful money transmission, while Michael Lord was also charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

Sawark said the Libertarian Party "vigorously condemns" the case against Randall Lord, who previously ran as a Libertarian for a House of Representatives seat in Louisiana during elections in 2012 and 2014.

He argued:

"Trading bitcoins is perfectly legal. Major retailers such as Microsoft, Expedia, Dell, Overstock, and Whole Foods accept bitcoins. Prosecutors targeted Lord for not being registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the US Treasury, and for not being licensed to operate as a money service business in his home state of Louisiana."

Sawark, in his statement, later took aim at the broader political system.

"The problem is overspending by federal politicians, their manipulation and regulation of currencies, and grandstanding prosecutors who get rewarded for convicting people rather than for achieving justice," he said.

He called for the sentencing to be overturned, asking supporters to add your voice to ours in demanding freedom for Randall Lord.

Lord's sentencing was a recent example of a trend of cases against bitcoin traders in the US. Similar cases have been pursued against traders in Michigan, New York and Arizona, among other states.

Image via Shutterstock

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Libertarian Party Blasts Government Case Against Bitcoin Trader - CoinDesk

Jacob Story, Treasurer, Mohave County Libertarian Party

A few weeks back, the Mohave County Libertarian Party was meeting on a Thursday night at the Black Bridge Brewery, and we were talking about the array of misconceptions about the Libertarian Party.

We decided that theres a lot of misinformation out there, so I took it upon myself as the Treasurer of the Mohave County Libertarian Party to write this for the Kingman Daily Miner to get a few things straight.

I am reminded of a time when I was having a conversation with a friend who is a member of the GOP. I love this friend like a brother, and in jest he called me a libtard, which is a term I have heard before to describe a liberal or Democrat (it should also be noted that this word is offensive to people who are developmentally disabled).

This exchange, once again, made me believe that theres a lot of misinformation. It has also been suggested that we Libertarians are in the same realm as the resistance, also known as the indivisible group. Two groups that, from my understanding, decided the Democratic National Committee was too conservative, and theyre a fringe sect to the left of conventional DNC thinking.

Often people see the word libertarian and think liberal the word libertarian actually derives from the word liberty; not so coincidentally, one of the symbols often used by the Libertarian Party is the Statue of Liberty.

Generally the Libertarian party has a platform of the following: Small or almost nonexistent government; limited, if no taxes whatsoever; unfettered individual rights; people taking individual responsibility; noninterference with foreign nations issues; and open and free markets. This is to name a few of the basic principles of the Libertarian Party. It can be boiled down even further to the following notion: We leave you alone, you leave us alone. The Libertarian Party has also been described as socially liberal, fiscally conservative, which I suppose is fair.

Our party is relatively new, formed in 1971, but were growing. The 2016 election saw many new registered Libertarians and although we didnt have any federal wins our win was the fact that we received 4.5 million votes, or in other terms, 3.2 million more votes than our last go during the 2012 general election. That speaks volumes 3.2 million fed-up voters.

We are not naive, we KNOW this is an uphill battle. It is going to be a long hard fight. But were willing to fight for what we believe in.

We are not all crazy, aluminum-foil-hat wearing conspiracy theorists (some are). You will find were the people demanding government accountability, trying to stop the corruption and entitlements.

We simply want this great Republic to once again be for the PEOPLE not the select few elected to office.

If you want to hear more about what were all about, please come join us for a beer at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at Black Bridge Brewery.

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Letter: Libertarian Party misconceptions get cleared up | Kingman ... - Kdminer

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WANE) As Indiana Democrats and Republicans get ready to study liquor laws, another party is hoping the debate will spark change heading into 2018.

This weekend, the Libertarian Party in Bartholomew and Johnson counties will host a Drink In at Rickers Gas Station in Columbus. Organizers hope the event will draw attention to whats happened to the gas company over the past couple of months.

In November, Rickers received a restaurant liquor license after it opened a made-to-order food section. Because of this, the gas station was able to sell cold beer carryout.

A lot of people are like, Howd they find a loophole, around that? Its a gas station, how are they selling cold beer, Columbus resident Dakota Kerns said.

But the excitement faded in April as Indiana lawmakers passed a bill to close the loophole. Rickers will be allowed to sell cold beer carryout until next year, but local Libertarian members dont think thats good enough.

The state government moved the goal post on this specific business, Bartholomew County Libertarian Party Vice Chair Clyde Myers said.

This is why the group is hosting the event inside the store.

Were just hoping everyone will come out and have a beer with us, and show their support for freedom of choice, Myers said.

Theres been a lot of attention on the states liquor laws this week, and not just because of this upcoming Drink In.

On Monday, the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association released a study showing 70 percent of Hoosiers support cold beer sales, and another 65 percent want to see it sold on Sunday.

Numbers Myers said could give his county party a 2018 platform. Were hoping we can make them aware that most Hoosiers support freedom of choice, Myers said. That they support free, and fair and open competition.

State lawmakers said they are aware, which is why theyre conducting a study. Its expected to last a couple years.

Which could mean Myers might be having a lot more burritos and beer as he prepares to take a stand he never saw coming.

No, I did not, but Im all for it, Myers said. Its going to be a good time.

The county Libertarian event will take place at the Columbus gas station this Sunday at 3 p.m. As for state leaders, were expected to find out soon when theyll begin their two year study looking at liquor laws.

Nick is WANEs Indiana Chief Political Bureau reporter. Follow Nick Natario on Twitter at @NNatario.

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Indiana libertarians hoping to revamp state liquor laws - WANE

The fight for free college (A.K.A the state subsidization of post-graduate education) has now come to the forefront of the 50 political battlegrounds known as state legislatures.

In 2017 alone two major states, Tennessee and New York, have passed into law their own version of tuition subsidization and they greatly vary in degree of their merits and fiscal responsibility.

Many libertarians will immediately shun the idea of supporting any such programs on principal alone. Yet, for practical reasons, we must come to terms with the shifting political climate in favor of such education policy, in order to make sure the most fiscally prudent and least government expansionist programs are adopted.

In other words, we must push for the states of America to act as Tennessee has and not as New York.

Lets start with the bad. First up will, of course, be New York. The Empire State will have a state budget deficit (this year, 2017) of approximately $3.5 billion. This new program is estimated to rack up an additional $163 million to the deficit per annum; which can of course only be funded through either more borrowing or more taxes, neither of which are highly palatable to libertarians.

The state is also being generous beyond its capacity (how easy is it to act in such a way when its not your own money) and making this program applicable to not only local community colleges or technical schools but also prestigious New York State universities; which flipping the bill for will only bloat the costs.

After all, the $163 million cost estimate was only a low-ball estimate (as some lawmakers pointed out), who knows to what level of fiscal incompetency the program could actually rise. But knowing New York, Id say its chances for failure are pretty high.

To be fair, the state places one major restriction on its tuition subsidization program by limiting it to middle class families.

Yet even this does very little in the means of restraint. By 2019, the program will apply to students in families with household incomes up to $120,000, yet the average median income in the state sits at nearly half that at $60,850. This means the limitations to the middle class are really nothing more than a marketing gimmick aimed at persuading the public that the program has fiscal restraint, where in actuality there is little to none.

Yet not all hope for stopping the further fiscal deterioration of the United States is lost. Some states, like Tennessee, are satisfying the popular demand for tuition subsidization without breaking the bank and with only marginal expansions to the state.

The tuition subsidization program recently made law in Tennessee would apply to all citizens who meet the requirements, none of which are income/needs based.

On the surface this may sound like open season for an explosion of new government spending, yet in reality the program is fiscally prudent.

This prudence is made clear through the program only being applicable to state community colleges and technical schools, institutions that already have sizably lower tuition rates than almost all state universities.

Its estimated to cost approximately $10 million per year.

Now, when adjusted for population size, the New York plan would actually cost less per-citizen than the Tennessee plan (assuming the costs of the New York plan dont skyrocket, which is highly unlikely) that is not what is actually important to take into consideration here however, the way the plans are paid for is.

In the New York plan, funding for the program would come out of the general fund of the state. Money allocated to it would not be limited except if capped by the state legislature (which seeing as New York State is a bastion of economic progressivism is highly unlikely).

Yet, the Tennessee plan specifically mandates that the new program be paid for via the proceeds of the state lottery fund, which is good for two reasons:

First, it will place a tangible cap; no more money could be allocated to the program (under current law) than is taken in by the state lottery.

Second, the program would neither increase state taxes nor create the need for more state borrowing.

A program that neither increases taxes or balloons borrowing, and has strict restraints on its applicability, is a program that, at least for all practical purposes, should be supported by conservatives, libertarians, and general government skeptics alike.

The fact is, as long as we live under a system of constitutional republican democracy, the desires of the general populace must be taken into consideration at some point and eventually addressed.

Right now the people want state subsidized tuition and it looks like (as of now) they are increasingly getting it.

Libertarians can either kick, scream, and dig in their heels at the unjustness and immorality of the system and be sidelined, as progressives push more and more New York style plans across the nation; or they can engage in pragmatic politics by supporting and advocating for a Tennessee style tuition subsidization program in states where such application of a program is viable.

This post was written by Bric Butler.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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Tennessee vs. New York: A Tale of Tuition Reimbursement Programs - Being Libertarian

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Libertarian Party of Indiana plans to hold a "drink-in" Sunday to protest a new law closing the so-called "cold-beer loophole" Ricker's convenience stores discovered.

The protest, which will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Ricker's located at 1711 25th Street in Columbus, Indiana, will object to the "unnecessary and extensively over-reaching laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages in Indiana."

"Attempts have been made to restore economic liberty in alcohol sales in the past," the party said in a statement Tuesday. "However, these attempts typically result in the laws benefiting a select group of well-funded, politically connected businesses, while excluding other businesses. Rickers was on the losing end of one such piece of recent legislation."

In May, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed HEA1496 into law, mandating that beginning May 14, "a restaurant may not sell carryout unless at least 60 percent of its gross retail income from alcoholic beverage sales is derived from sales of alcoholic beverages consumed on the premises.

At the time, Holcomb said he signed the law "with the understanding we need to review and make common-sense changes to Indiana's alcohol laws."

PREVIOUS|Indiana alcohol laws: From common sense to nonsense

On Monday, Ricker's released the results of a poll it commissioned that found 70 percent of Hoosiers surveyed believed drug, grocery and convenience stores should have the right to carry cold beer.

The poll also found Hoosiers "strongly favored allowing Sunday carryout sales."

Indiana remains the only state in the U.S. with an outright ban on alcohol sales on Sunday. Bills have been introduced during the past three sessions to lift that ban, but all three have failed.

RELATED|Ricker's finds way around Indiana law banning cold beer sales at gas stations|Indiana legislature passes bill to prevent Ricker's cold-beer sales|Package liquor stores run radio ad targeting legal loophole that allowed Ricker's to sell cold beer|Bill allowing Ricker's to sell cold beer - for now - gets Senate approval, moves to discussions|Halting cold beer sales at Ricker's trickier than expected

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Indiana Libertarian Party holding 'drink-in' to protest new cold beer law - WRTV Indianapolis

Christopher Schmidt, a political activist from Washington County, on Monday announced he has established a committee to explore running for Congress in the 21st District in 2018 on the Libertarian Party line.

Schmidt said he is hoping as soon as possible to formally announce his candidacy once his committee finishes its analysis.

The momentum is building right now. As a Libertarian in the North Country, I know I can change the narrative, he said in a telephone interview on Monday.

Schmidt, age 30, is a day laborer, writer and political activist who has been vocal on redrawing voting districts in Queensbury and Glens Falls, and in opposition to Glens Falls Police Department using tasers.

He is temporary chairman of the newly-formed Washington County Libertarian Party and was a co-founder of the Warren County Libertarian Party.

Schmidt, if he gets on the ballot, would challenge U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro.

Patrick Nelson of Stillwater, a political activist and Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, is seeking the Democratic nomination.

At least two Green Party members are seriously considering the congressional race, Matt Funiciello, the Green Party candidate in 2014 and 2016, has said.

Schmidt, in a press release, said nearly a dozen individuals are serving on his exploratory committee.

He would not identify committee members on Monday.

Theres a range of people. Im hoping that we can get our official list for the media in the future, but definitely people that have been involved in the Libertarian movement from here out to Jefferson County, even surrounding counties, he said.

At first it was going to be a write-in (campaign.) But then I got some support and now theres some people that want me to be on the ballot and theyre willing to get the 3,500 signatures, he said.

Because the Libertarian Party does not have ballot status in New York, the partys House candidates must run as independents, which requires at least 3,500 valid signatures on nominating petitions, a daunting task in comparison with established political parties.

Republican and Democratic candidates need collect only 1,250 valid signatures from enrolled party members in the congressional district to get on the ballot.

Candidates on other established ballot lines in the 21st District require from three to 1,237 signatures 5 percent of enrollment based on current enrollment statistics.

The most recent local Libertarian congressional candidate was Eric Sundwall in the 2009 special election after Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport, was appointed to the U.S. Senate.

Sundwall was disqualified from the ballot when the state Board of Election ruled that only 2,900 of 6,730 signatures on his nominating petitions were valid.

Sundwall, at the time, said the Board of Elections invalidated many signatures based on minor technicalities.

Follow staff writer Maury Thompson at All Politics is Local blog, at PS_Politics on Twitter and at Maury Thompson Post-Star on Facebook.

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Schmidt exploring Libertarian congressional run - Glens Falls Post-Star (blog)

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BATAVIA Libertarians in Genesee County know they have three Batavia City Council candidates that match their philosophy.

If the election goes their way, the party also believes it could have a working majority on most issues.

We could flip the script in how this city how things are run, said Jim Rosenbeck, the Genesee County Libertarian Partys secretary. There are people on the council that are very Libertarian at least on some issues. We could make serious changes.

Rosenbeck and Lisa Whitehead, who were endorsed for City Council at the Genesee County Libertarian Partys inaugural convention in 2013, received the same honor Monday.

Rosenbeck and Whitehead will be joined by Mark Potwora, the local partys vice chairman, in a challenge for a trio of at-large seats up for election in November. They see it as an honest one.

Were going to offer an unashamably libertarian position on the issues, without being insulting or derogative to the other people that have served, Rosenbeck said. Its simply a different view that we consider wiser heading forward.

That means a platform calling for decisive action, Whitehead told party members. And a less obtrusive one, Potwora added.

The citys managerial style is at its apex, Whitehead said, and its not generating results.

We have the mall, which is being kicked down the road, she said. Council seems to create these answers and not follow through on them. We have the police station, weve done surveys, task forces, and it falls through.

There are many issues that tend to fall through the cracks, she continued. Its a managerial issue. Going forward, we need to make a change in that spot.

Potwora said there are solutions to issues like where you park your car, or how frequently you mow your lawn.

Whatever the problems are, I think we can do it on our own, rather than the city making it a certain way, Potwora said. Help your neighbor mow their lawn, not rat them out (to the city).

Potwora, Rosenbeck and Whitehead were nominated by unanimous acclaim during a party convention at T.F. Browns on Monday, but will have to secure petitions to qualify for the ballot.

The partys status in New York determined by a below 50,000-vote turnout of its gubernatorial candidates technically makes them run as independent candidates.

Convention attendees heard from Larry Sharpe, a contender for the partys candidate for governor in 2018, and New York State Chairman Mark Glogowski.

What we need is a very clear image of what we stand for its the way you live, Glogowski said in a in-person expression of optimism about the partys growth in chapters and members.

Sharpe focused on making personal connections. Talking via Skype, he discussed the City Centre issue with the candidates.

Libertarians cant make the first response to the question be the one about taxpayers paying for it, he counseled them some people wont care.

Id want to start with that its a terrible eyesore, Sharpe said.

It diverts from improving parks and roads that people use, Potwora said. It embarrasses a community that wants its city to look its best. Let someone buy it and fix the site up.

Thats the libertarian answer, Sharpe said. Thats what you need, to have the answers, the kind of conversation that will get things moving forward at a local level. Those conversations will help tremendously.

Rosenbeck said he favored getting out of the mall business, but allowed a vision that went farther. Could the citys white elephant become, under private investment, an enlarged draw for youth hockey by replacing it with rinks and the Falletti Ice Arena replaced with a new police station adjoining the existing fire station?

I know that sounds pie in the sky, but I want us to look at big answers, Rosenbeck said. If were going to run on just who has to pay for the flowers on Main Street, go elect a Republican or Democrat. Thats not what were here for.

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City candidates: Libertarians plan to run on big ideas - The Daily News Online

UK Elections: The libertarian issues no one is mentioning Being Libertarian The quickest of skims over these policies reveals that, as is traditional, libertarians have drawn the short straw. For all the different views being presented this time round (What should happen with Brexit? What's level of immigration should Britain ... and more »

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UK Elections: The libertarian issues no one is mentioning - Being Libertarian

Being Libertarian

What are we Thinking Terror and Climate Change Being Libertarian There were a lot of people saying this was the end for any chance of combating climate change (as well as the usual hysterics we see from almost any decision Trump makes) while others including Being Libertarian's own Gary Baumgardner spoke (on his ... and more »

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What are we Thinking Terror and Climate Change - Being Libertarian