Libertarian Party Fights Back Against

NEW Republican Party Attacks

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Dear Fellow Libertarian,
Today, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Senior Judge James Gardner Colins is expected to rule on the Republican Party’s final attempt to nullify the Libertarian Party’s hard-won ballot status for 2012.
How did the Republicans try to nullify LP ballot status? They falsely claimed that we falsified thousands of petition signatures.
The truth? According to legal testimony and documents filed with Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, Pennsylvania Republicans hired Reynold Selvaggio, “a private investigator to pose as an FBI officer and visit people who had gathered signatures for the Libertarian Party, offering them $2,000 in exchange for saying in court that the petitions they had gathered were falsified.”
Bribery? Suborning perjury to knock the Libertarian Party off the ballot?
That’s what we’ve been up against. That’s what we have to overcome.
Do you think that’s the end of the Republican Party’s Dirty Tricks to undermine and sabotage the Libertarian Party during this 2012 Election?
Not hardly.
Republicans have mounted a targeted stealth campaign to neutralize, compromise, and con our voters into staying home – or voting for Mitt Romney.
Which voters? Libertarian Party members, Ron Paul supporters, fiscal conservative independents, and True Blue Tea Party loyalists in razor-close Tipping Point states – New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Nevada, Colorado – and even Montana.
Hundreds of these stealth Republicans, pretending to be Libertarians or Ron Paul activists, are regularly calling into Talk Radio shows, and telling listeners why they just can’t, can’t let Obama win – why they must, must vote for Mitt Romney.
These Republican Judas Goats are trying to use ‘Social Proof’ – a manipulation strategy – to trick liberty lovers into voting for Big Government Mitt Romney for President.
We have reports from Colorado and Montana of boiler room telephone operations – with fakers, counterfeits, and imposters pretending to be ‘tormented,’ ‘struggling,’ and ‘torn’ over whether to vote for Gary Johnson or Mitt Romney…and deciding that they must, must vote for Republican Mitt Romney.
Are YOU torn between voting for Libertarian Presidential candidate, Governor Gary Johnson – and Republican Mitt Romney?
Me neither!
Then there’s the direct mail flood from “Libertarians” for Romney, “Ron Paul Activists” for Romney, “Tea Partiers” for Romney.  All trying to wear you down. Trying to convince us that Big Government Mitt Romney is really on our side. Trying to plant doubts, undermine our resolve, weaken our efforts – so we give up and stay home, or, vote Republican.
Talk Radio, phone calls, direct mail – and, of course, all over the Internet and Social Media.
Lies, half truths, and cons to talk our supporters out of voting Libertarian. To shut us up, grind us down, and demoralize us during these last 4 weeks before Election Day.
Republicans are working hard to drive down voter turnout for Libertarian Party candidates up and down the ticket.
The Mitt Romney Republicans will say anything and do anything to silence your voice for liberty. Your vote for liberty. And the votes of everyone that you and I win over to the cause of freedom.
Especially to push down the votes and turn out for our Libertarian Presidential Ticket: 2-Term Governor Gary Johnson and 25-Year Superior Court Judge Jim Gray.
Fight back. Help us fight back. We only have 28 days left.
Are you able to donate $10,000 or $5,000 to help us cancel out the Republican lies to Libertarian voters? Will you please step forward and donate now?
Or, are you a libertarian who can contribute $2,500 or $1,000 to help us revitalize Libertarian supporters and voters this election? Will you please donate it now?
Or, do you have a budget that would allow you to give a one-time $500 or $250 donation now to make sure that hundreds of thousands of Americans hear our freedom message? Will you, please?
Or could you possibly give $150 or $85 or $50 or $25 today – to take advantage of this only-once-every-four-years opportunity?
Please either click and donate now or mail your donation to the address below with "Fight Back 2012" in the memo.
Thank you.
Yours in liberty,

Carla Howell, Executive Director
Libertarian Party

P.S. Don’t let the Republican Dirty Tricks Gang get away with it. We only have 28 days. Please help our Libertarian Party candidates get publicity, get news coverage, and get votes - NOW.  Will you please donate $25 or $50 or $150 or $1,000? Your donation is our budget.                                  

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Just Think What Would Happen If They Let Him In The Debates!

What Role Will Gary Johnson Play in the Election? by Becket Adams

from The Blaze:

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson probably won’t win the presidential election this year — but that’s not to say he won’t have an effect on its final outcome.
Johnson, who briefly participated in the Republican presidential primaries before switching over to the Libertarians, is polling at about 5 percent nationwide, according to Fox News. However, despite a poor showing in nationwide polls, he does have some pull in key battleground states, including New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada.

“He was rating at 13 percent in New Mexico and 9 percent in Arizona in recent polling — not enough to win, but certainly enough to disadvantage whichever major-party candidate he’s drawing votes away from,” Joseph Weber writes for FoxNews.com.

The Johnson campaign has recognized this as a definite possibility.
“Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gov. Gary Johnson Could Deprive Mitt Romney of 5 battleground states, 74 Electoral Votes, 27% of the Electoral Votes needed to win in 2012,” The Libertarian Party said in an email earlier this week.
Although no one can say for certain what, if any, effect Johnson will have on the election, we can look to historical examples to see how this might play out.
“In 1992, third-party candidate Ross Perot won roughly 19 percent of the popular vote, which many people think cut into GOP incumbent George H.W. Bush’s take and put Democratic candidate Bill Clinton in the Oval Office with just 43 percent of the vote,” Webers writes.
True, Johnson isn’t even close to having the type of support Perot did, but considering the fact that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Obama are only separated by a single digit in a few battleground states, Johnson’s 5 percent might be enough to turn a state blue or red.
But here’s something else: Unlike Perot, some analysts believe Johnson’s run has the potential to damage both Republicans and Democrats. While most think Romney will bear the brunt of Johnson’s campaign, the left-leaning Public Policy Polling believes the Libertarian candidate will hurt President Obama in Colorado.
“He’s going to be a problem for somebody, somewhere,” writes political strategist and Fox News contributor Joe Trippi. “We don’t yet know which candidate he might harm the most … both campaigns should be looking over their shoulders at that guy almost nobody is talking about.”
But all polling numbers and speculation aside, Libertarian Party executive director Carla Howell maintains that Johnson is a legitimate candidate for the highest office in the country and not just some guy who might affect the other candidates.
“This is an election between two very similar candidates … Gary Johnson is a real choice for what people really care about,” she said.
“He stands for a lot of things that a lot of people want,” she added.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter
All photos courtesy the AP.

Kansas Libertarian party signals challenge to Prairie Village open carry ban

from the Prairie Village Post

The Kansas Libertarian Party on Tuesday signaled its intent to challenge the constitutionality of Prairie Village’s ban on the open carry of firearms in public places.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Ron Shaffer, member of the City Council, City Administrator Quinn Bennion and City Attorney Catherine Logan, Libertarian Party leaders assert that their review of the city’s firearms ordinance finds it “is in violation of the Kansas Constitution.”
The Libertarians argue that an opinion issued by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt implies that cities and counties cannot regulate in any way citizens’ ability to carry unloaded firearms. Download the entire letter here.
“The Libertarian party is requesting that Prairie Village respond with proposed, simple changes to your City weapons ordinances to reflect the above interpretations of State firearm laws and the opinions of the Kansas Attorney General. Wichita and Overland Park have recently changed their weapons ordinances to comply with Kansas state laws and constitutional mandates,” the letter reads. “Furthermore, we believe, if forced to do so, the State of Kansas would support us in this constitutional matter because of its effect on such a large population group. Obviously, should the District Attorney or Attorney General find they agree with our assessment, they would have the opportunity to take necessary corrective action.”
The Prairie Village City Council last week adopted a standard set of language defining crimes in the city, which continued the city’s existing ban on open carry.

 

From USA Today

Gary Johnson, the libertarian presidential candidate, gives his answers to Wednesday night's debate questions.

4:13PM EST October 4. 2012 - Third-party candidates were not invited to participate in the presidential debates. USA TODAY invited them -- and their vice presidential candidates -- to provide answers to one question from each debate. Here's Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson's answer to what he would do about the federal deficit:

Everyone, including President Obama and former governor Mitt Romney, gives lip service to reducing the deficit. But when you do the math -- whether it be Obama's, Romney's or even Paul Ryan's -- there is no plan for eliminating deficits that adds up. When a politician, Republican or Democrat, tells you we can balance the budget while not reducing Medicare costs or while spending even more for defense, it simply cannot be done. And they know it can't be done.

Americans deserve the truth. The truth is that our deficits are not only unsustainable, but represent a very real threat to this nation. And of the $16 trillion in debt our government in Washington has racked up, it is almost equally split between Republican and Democrat administrations.
It doesn't have to be that way. I will submit a balanced budget in 2013. Yes, that budget will call for spending reductions of 43% -- the reductions necessary to match revenues without raising taxes.
If, as I suspect will be the case, Congress cannot muster the courage for such cuts, I will veto any legislation that mandates deficit spending. As governor of New Mexico, I vetoed 750 bills and thousands of budget line-items -- and left the state with a healthy surplus after my two terms, even with a Democrat legislature.
Our economic condition is too precarious for us to nibble around the edges. We must dramatically reduce not only what government costs, but what it does.
Only then will prosperity return and opportunity be real.

In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes diverse opinions from outside writers, including our Board of Contributors.

From Our Friend In Liberty, John Todd:

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY--KANSAS

Wichita Area Chapter Meeting

Monday, October 8, 2012

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Spangles Restaurant (Meeting Room)

612 S. Broadway (Kellogg & Broadway Downtown)

Wichita, Kansas 67202

Dave Trabert, President

Kansas Policy Institute    

School Funding, Student Achievement,

 and Needed Reforms in Kansas

Todd Davidson, Fiscal Policy Analyst

Kansas Policy Institute    

Dynamic Analysis of Kansas’ Tax Reforms

Presentations followed by Q & A and discussion.

For additional information please contact:

John Todd, Wichita AFP volunteer coordinator

john@johntodd.net, (316) 312-7335 cell

Or

Susan Estes, AFP Field Director, Kansas

sestes@afphq.org, (316) 681-4415

The Kansas Chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP-KS) is committed to advancing every Kansan's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP-KS is an organization of grassroots citizen leaders who engage in spreading the message of fiscally responsible government, free market ideals and regulatory restraint to policymakers on the local and state levels.

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An Open Letter to the
Commission on Presidential Debates

October 1, 2012

Dear Members of the Commission:
On behalf of the 6% of likely voters nationwide who plan to vote for the Libertarian Presidential Ticket of Governor Gary Johnson and Judge Jim Gray this November 6th (Polled 9/21 by Princeton Survey Research International),
On behalf of the 2% to 10.6% of likely voters polled in the razor-close Tipping Point States of New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Nevada, and Colorado -- who plan to vote for Libertarian Presidential candidate, 2-Term Governor Gary Johnson,
On behalf of the 26,192 individuals (as of 10/1/12) who signed the petition for you to include Libertarian Presidential candidate, Governor Gary Johnson in the Presidential Debates with Democratic Presidential candidate, President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential candidate, Governor Mitt Romney,
 2-Term Governor Gary Johnson is Qualified to be Included in these Presidential Debates

• Successful entrepreneur, business executive and leader who created 1,000 private sector jobs.
• Two-term governor. Re-elected by voters of New Mexico. Neither Mitt Romney nor Barack Obama has been re-elected.
• Has 8 years chief executive experience in government -- as much as Mitt Romney and Barack Obama combined.
• As governor, he vetoed over 750 unnecessary bills - more than all other governors combined. Only two vetoes were overridden. This saved taxpayers billions of dollars.
• Is already on the ballot in 48 states plus D.C. and is challenging the last two states for ballot access in federal court.

25-Year Superior Court Judge Jim Gray is Qualified to be Included in the Vice-Presidential Debate

• Juris Doctor, USC
• Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica
• JAG Defense Attorney in the US Navy
• 25-year California Superior Court Judge
• Champions the cause of legalizing marijuana, re-classifying it the same as wine and beer                                                                                                                     

Relevant: Libertarian Presidential Candidate Governor Gary Johnson’s votes in one or more of the key Tipping Point States – New Hampshire(4), Virginia(13), North Carolina(15), Florida(29), Ohio(18), Iowa(6), Nevada(6), and Colorado(9) – could shift as many as 100 Electoral Votes this November 6th …and could determine the outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election.
Shouldn’t the voters in these 8 Tipping Point states get the opportunity to compare and contrast Libertarian Presidential candidate Governor Gary Johnson against the republican and Democratic Presidential candidates in the nationally-televised Presidential debates – BEFORE they decide who to vote for?
Most Americans need an Electron Microscope to find real differences between most actions and policies of President Obama and Governor Romney.
Excluding Libertarian Presidential candidate Governor Gary Johnson from the Presidential Debates guarantees that real differences don’t get debated. For example:
Federal Spending:
Both Obama and Romney will add $1.2 Trillion more to the federal debt in their first year alone. President Gary Johnson will cut spending in Year One by 43% to balance the budget.

Bailouts:
Obama and Romney supported bailouts for banks, corporations, foreign governments and state governments. President Gary Johnson will veto all bailouts.

Medical Insurance:
Obama will preserve, protect and expand Obamacare. Romney will replace it with Romneycare. President Gary Johnson will repeal Obamacare completely and return medical choices to families and doctors.

Foreign Intervention:
Romney and Obama will keep 550,000 U.S. troops stationed in foreign countries and drag on the war in Afghanistan. President Gary Johnson will radically draw down U.S. troops in foreign countries and immediately bring our troops home from Afghanistan.

Drug War:
Obama and Romney will continue the failed Marijuana Prohibition.
President Gary Johnson will end the Prohibition and free the many who suffer from cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, migraines, and other serious disease to seek relief from pain and disability.
What if you put on a Presidential Debate and nobody watches? That’s the direction you’re headed by excluding qualified candidates like 2-Term Governor Gary Johnson.
10 million to 20 million fewer Americans will watch your 2012 debates than the 2008 debates – UNLESS you include the other qualified Presidential candidate, Libertarian 2-Term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Why? His viewpoint and proposals are dramatically different from Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. He attracts a different segment of American voters. He brings in new viewers to the debates.
Do the right thing, the good thing, the smart thing:
Invite and include Libertarian Presidential candidate Governor Gary Johnson and Vice-Presidential candidate Judge Jim Gray in the 2012 Debates.
Yours for open debates and elections,

                                  

Geoffrey J. Neale                                             Carla Howell
Chair, Libertarian Party                                 Executive Director, Libertarian Party

SIGN THE PETITION

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Press Release

October 1^st, 2012

OPEN CARRY OVERLAND PARK

The Libertarian Party of Kansas publically challenged the unconstitutional ban on the open carry of firearms in Overland Park, KS last February of 2012 with the full support of The Kansas State Rifle Association. On September 24, 2012 the Overland Park City Council voted 11-1 to recognize the constitutional rights of Overland Park citizens to bear arms.

With the passage of the constitutional amendment to the Kansas Bill of Rights in 2010, every Kansas resident has an undeniable right to bear arms. The Kansas constitution states - ‘A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose’. In addition to the amendment, the Kansas open carry law (K.S.A. 12-16,124) is clear that counties and cities may regulate open carry but not institute a complete ban.

We appreciate those who did the right thing by supporting individual rights, and current Kansas law, irrespective of personal gain.  We appreciate the sustained support of The Kanas State Rifle Association, the fortitude of Johnson County Sheriff Frank Denning, the Overland Park police department, city management and legal team.  Finally, we are grateful to the City Council for upholding the public trust and voting to accept the rule of law.

Even with the recent actions of Wichita and Overland Park recognizing their citizens’ constitutional rights, there are still cities in Kansas who continue infringing on their residents’ ability to exercise their God given/natural rights in the face of Kansas law. Wyandotte County Unified Government, Kansas City, KS, continues to ignore communications from the Libertarian Party, and opinions of the Kansas Attorney General, related to its own unconstitutional ban on open carry.

This denial of inherent truth will not stand!  Our efforts will continue until all law abiding citizens in Kansas have the unassailable freedom to exercise their 2^nd Amendment right to bear arms by open carry.

The Libertarian Party openly and activity fights daily for individual rights/liberties of the citizens of Kansas. The legal right to personal security of life and property at all times are paramount.

CONTACTS:

Al Terwelp
State Chairmanbigalkansas@gmail.com
785-665-7581


Earl McIntosh
Second Amendment Chairetmcintosh@cox.net
785-213-1715

The Libertarian Party of Kansas
Individual Liberty, Personal Responsibility
P.O. Box 2456
Wichita, KS 67201
1-800-335-1776www.lpks.org