Bob Barr for President

If there ever was a time that the Libertarian Party was at a crossroads – now is that time. In Denver May 2008, the LP has a chance to make itself politically relevant or continue the irrelevancy of the past.

In a state like Kansas that is a big republican state – yet very, very wary of a McCain – A Bob Barr could pull off a vote percentage similar to what Perot did in KS (18+%) but it would take a candidate with the real world credibility/respectability of a Bob Barr to make it happen.

** we have a Democrat governor as proof Kansans will walk differently than in lockstep with the majority political party here **

Here is what I am looking for in a presidential candidate in 2008; as they will not win in 2008, let’s look at the best-case scenario for a LP presidential candidate’s effect in Kansas. (Obviously my opinion)

They must relate to the real world voters to gain a high percentage of the vote count and then people will start to look at the LP much more seriously. Unlike the Reform party that only had the momentum with Ross Perot’s funding and personality -- the LP has years of hanging in there as a third political party. With the great people that have come on board in the last 3 ½ years while I have been chair, we can make a huge difference politically going forward. All the LP volunteers in Kansas have been getting ready for this new interest in an old third party.

There is only one candidate running for the LP nomination that can accomplish massive growth of the Kansas Libertarian Party – That candidate is Bob Barr.

I wholeheartedly endorse Bob Barr to be our Libertarian Presidential candidate for 2008.

As a candidate on a lower political level for the LP (State Senate), I believe that there can be a positive trickledown effect from our presidential candidate.

Having met and listened to most of our LP candidates -- I believe that our best option for the 2008 political season is Bob Barr.

I believe that we need someone who has media savvy, someone credible to those outside the LP world, someone who can debate McCain and Obama and present himself in a compassionate, reasonable and intelligent manner in representing the Libertarian Party.

I will be voting (in Denver) for Bob Barr as our Libertarian Presidential candidate!

Heartland Libertarian Conference

WHAT: The 2008 Heartland Libertarian Conference

WHEN: Friday, April 4th through Sunday, April 6th

WHERE: The Intrigue Park Place Hotel (1601 North Universal Ave., KCMO - near I-435 & Front Street)

CONTACT: Mike Ferguson at mike@mikefergusononline.com or 816.668.9495 (cell)

LP National Chair Bill Redpath, Former US Congressman Bob Barr Among Featured Speakers; Libertarian Presidential Hopefuls to Debate

(Kansas City) - One of this year's premier third-party political events will take place in Kansas City in April and will feature one of the key debates in the race for the Presidential nomination of America's third-largest political party.

The Libertarian Party of Kansas and the Missouri Libertarian Party are teaming up for the 2008 Heartland Libertarian Conference, which will feature the debate, an impressive lineup of speakers and workshops for libertarian activists and candidates.

Former US Congressman Bob Barr, best known for leading the impeachment effort against President Bill Clinton while serving as a Republican from Georgia, joined the Libertarian Party after leaving office and is now a member of the Libertarian National Committee. Mr. Barr will be the event's keynote speaker on Saturday, April 5th.

Libertarian national Chairman Bill Redpath will be among the lineup of speakers and will be available to the media both Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th.

Other speakers include Missouri LP Chair Glenn Neilsen, Kansas LP Chair Rob Hodgkinson, 2004 Libertarian Presidential nominee Michael Badnarik, 93.9 "The Eagle" (in Columbia, MO) Program Director/ talk show host and former LP Presidential candidate Gary Nolan, Mark Rutherford, Chairman of Atlas! Liberty PAC and current president of the Indiana Public Defenders' Commission, Sharon Harris, President of the Texas-based Advocates for Self Government and Libertarian candidate for Vice President of the United States Chris Bennett.

The entire lineup of speakers can be found at www.lpmo.org/heartland2008 and the schedule of events can be found at www.lpmo.org/heartland2008/schedule.htm.

On Saturday the 4th, the conference will feature a debate with the top contenders for the Libertarian Presidential nomination. The debate will be broadcast live on KCXL (1140 am) and simulcast online at www.kcxl.com.

Among the confirmed participants in the debate are:

* Professor George Phillies. Dr. Phillies is a professor of Physics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. He is also a former Congressional candidate.

* Wayne Allyn Root. Mr. Root is an entrepreneur who built successful businesses in Las Vegas, including a sports odds making enterprise and a television production company. He is a regular contributor to FOX News, CNBC and and CNN.

* Christine Smith. Ms. Smith is a freelance writer from Colorado. In 2000, she was the recipient of the Amigas Power Peace Prize for her humanitarian work.

* Mike Jingozian. Mr. Jingozian is an entrepreneur who founded AngelVision Technologies in Portland, Oregon. He and his company's success have been featured in some of America's top business magazines.

* Mary Ruwart. Ms. Ruwart is a research scientist, author, and ethicist. She is best known in the Libertarian Party circles for her libertarian primer, Healing Our World (2003 edition), which hit Amazon.com’s best-seller list in October 2005, reaching the #1 position in Amazon’s “Economic and Political Development” and “Practical Politics” categories.

This event is proudly sponsored by ATLAS! Liberty, a political action committee dedicated to electing Libertarian candidates to public office. Visit http://atlas-pac.com to learn more about this organization.

Contact Mike Ferguson (contact info listed above) with any questions about this event, with requests for technical or other accommodations needed for news coverage or to arrange interviews with speakers and/or candidates.

Mike Ferguson
http://www.missouriviewpoints.com - Public affairs television...online!
http://www.mikefergusononline.com
816.668.9495 - cell

816.817.1817 - voice mail

Big Tent KSLP

I have been amazed at the reaction to the information posted on a couple blog’s about Kansas Libertarian - Bennie Lee “Ben” Ferguson.

Kansans in general are very tolerant of others - not counting Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist clan; however, we even let them spout their nonsense while we vehemently disagree with their approach to gaining media attention.

I believe that Ben is one example that shows that the Kansas Libertarian Party is “the big tent” party that is needed and severely lacking in the Kansas political arena. Ben’s choice of clothing may indicate he has a unique personality to many in Kansas, however, I think that is a plus. Who wants to be just like everyone else?

Another thing that I think these postings show is the fact that issues are also not a dividing factor in the KSLP; we can civilly disagree without getting personal. Ben is a supporter of the Iraq war. I would bet 80% + LP’ers will disagree with that position, (I do) but, we get along fine being on opposites of this specific issue debate. I have worked side by side with Ben at our state fair outreach booth many times – because Ben and I have differing opinions it gives us a great opportunity to discuss the Libertarian Party with whomever walks up to the booth. If someone walks up to a LP booth that supports the Iraq war and you immediately tell them they are a fool – what do think will happen? They get defensive and will walk away thinking “what a bunch of SOB’s. With Ben and I both working together if someone comes to the booth and they believe that the Iraq war is a proper use of the US armed forces, they have someone who can empathize with them. What happens then is they tend to drop their initial defenses to a new concept (libertarianism) and are able to “listen and hear” all the benefits (outside their position to current war policy) that make us right for America. If someone walks up that is opposed to the war – the same empathy with my position happens. By working together to grow the LP we can cover the wide range of issues that are important to the voters of Kansas.

Does all the KSLP get along perfect in our membership? Not hardly, we (just like all LP organizations) have our group of “purists” who believe they are the only people that have the correct stance on various issues. They are a minority and have not held back the overall growth of our membership, volunteers and effective lobby efforts we have been doing the last three years.

Ben is not the first or last LP’er to have differing opinions of either a platform position or others in the LP.

Mike Kerner, our 3^rd District Coordinator and voting member of the Excom and I disagree on another possibly personally divisive issue – abortion. Mike is Pro-Life and I am Pro-Choice. Mike as a LP candidate has received the endorsement of Pro-Life groups. Mike and I also have worked well together, side by side at outreach events and we also gain the same ability to talk to anyone that walks up to us and asks about abortion. We have someone on both sides of (what could be or in reality is) a divisive issue for the person to get comfortable with initially – and then we really have the ability to reach and teach that person about the LP and how much better we are from the two big bozo parties overall.

I am so proud to be part of the freedom movement with the KSLP as my main venue to express the need to positively change the direction of our government.

The Kansas Libertarian Party is the big tent party we need to make major change for the future!

Atlas!Liberty Awards Twelve Political Scholarships

I am the Advisory Board Chair for Atlas!Liberty and below is one recent project that we are doing and can use your help with.

Please help us by donating soon - as you can see below we are spending the money wisely to help people from across the nation get political training to help the LP grow!

-- Rob --

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Atlas!PAC has changed their name to Atlas!Liberty. Their mission is to give Libertarian candidates the tools they need to win elections. Atlas!Liberty is committed to educating their members in contemporary campaigning technology and techniques. Toward this end, they have awarding scholarships to the Campaign and Elections annual seminar “The Art of Political Campaigning”. The scholarship covers the registration fee, transportation to and from Washington, DC, hotel and some incidental travel expenses. Here’s a list of twelve recent scholarship recipients:

1. Whitney Allen, Plainfield, Indiana,. Senior business major at IUPUI. Hired by MTV as part of a special program the network is launching to cover politics through the 2008 presidential elections. Created web site for Libertarian Timothy Maguire for Indianapolis City-County Council At-Large in 2006.
2. Jaenelle Antas, Rochester, Minnesota, part-time employee with Libertarian Party of Indiana. Full-time student at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Plans to attend law school in Wisconsin. Volunteer co-coordinator Tim Maguire for Council 2007.
3. Jeremiah Arn, Columbus, Ohio, VP Business Development, First Ohio Home Finance, Ohio LP Communications & Media Director and Fundraising Director . He has a background in marketing, managing budgets and overseeing customer experience projects – both short-term and long.
4. Emily Cowan, Austin, Texas. Former Cato intern and then Director of Intern Program. Campaign Staffer for Michael Badnarik in 2006 Congressional run. Founder and leader of the Libertarian Longhorns at the University of Texas.
5. Marc Goddard, Denver, Colorado, relocated to Colorado from Washington, D.C. seven years ago. Managed Libertarian gubernatorial campaign of Dawn Winkler. Currently fundraising director of Colorado LP, working on several fundraising events and is the volunteer coordinator for a City Council election for the town of Golden.
6. Allison Maguire, Indianapolis, Indiana, administrative assistant, candidate for Libertarian office, At-Large City Council in 2007, key volunteer for Tim Maguire campaign.
7. Tim Maguire, Indianapolis, Indiana, financial planner and small business owner, candidate for Libertarian office, including At-Large City Council in 2007.
8. Michael C. Munger, Durham, North Carolina, Chairman of the Department of Political Science at Duke University. For the last several years he has published four essays per year on libertarian economic principles at the Liberty Fund web site. He has been active in the Libertarian Party of North Carolina since 2004, working on obtaining signatures and fundraising on ballot access. He is seeking the Libertarian nomination for Governor of North Carolina in 2008.
9. Richard Shepard, Tacoma, Washington, attorney Shepard Law Office, P.L.L.C. Member of the LP since 1980. In 1986 helped organize the LP national convention in Seattle. In late 1980s ran for the state legislature 3 times as an (L). In the early 1990s served as State Chair for the LP of Washington State. In 1996 and in 2000 ran for State Attorney General as an (L). Has representing the LPWA for seven years in a continuing battle over Washington's primary election system. (Cases cited in the resume). He has been fully involved in all phases of the case, including most strategy sessions with the D & R attorneys, and attending US Supreme Court arguments on 10/1/07. For the 2006 election cycle he advised the Washington candidate for US Senate regarding FEC requirements.
10. Jessica Mears, Lima, Ohio, student at University of Cincinnati majoring in communications. Currently working to organize a University of Cincinnati Campus Libertarians. Actively supporting a Libertarian presidential candidate at UC.
11. Matthew Robinson, Springfield, MA, Vice-President of the Ohio State Libertarian Studies Organization before graduating with Master's in Physics in 12/06. Worked on 2006 campaign of the Libertarian Candidate for Governor of Ohio. Moved to New Hampshire with the Free State Project and started getting involved politically by attending city council and state legislature meetings. Change if jobs and moved to MA in 7/07. Organizer for the Springfield, MA Ron Paul Meetup. He’s looking to move back to NH and hopes to run for political office in next few years, starting at the local level.
12. Mike Smitley, Van Wert, Ohio, has served the Libertarian Party of Ohio as NW Region Chair, Van Wert County Development Coordinator and as Treasurer. Ran as a libertarian Republican for Congress in a special election in 2007. Attended two Leadership Institute seminars in 2007. Wants to focus Libertarian efforts on local development and creating new county parties with the means and training necessary to elect Libertarians.

A Libertarian's New Year's Resolutions

A Libertarian's New Year's Resolutions

by Harry Browne

1. I resolve to *sell* liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each
prospect, rather than *preaching* to people and expecting them to suddenly
adopt my ideas of right and wrong.

2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is
to inspire people to want liberty -- not to prove that they're wrong.

3. I resolve to *listen* when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can
help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.

4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals
someone may seek -- a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less
divisive society -- and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved
by government, but will be well served in a free society.

5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that
lead people to seek government help. I don't have to approve of their subsidies
or policies -- but if I don't acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of
helping them find a better way to solve their problems.

6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point:
how much better off the individual will be in a free society.

7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American.
Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we
have. To speak only of America's defects will make me a tiresome crank.

8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very
small government -- not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.

9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things
steal time and attention from the work that must be done.

10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the
first libertarian someone has encountered, and it's important that he get a
good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is
unattractive.

11. I resolve to remind myself that someone's "stupid" opinion may be an
opinion I once held. If *I* can grow, why can't I help *him* grow?

12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no
one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our
quest for a free society.

13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use
character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real
benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people
free -- and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals
will bring.

14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents and treat them with respect. However
anyone chooses to treat me, it's important that I be a better person than my
enemies.

Reply to a Kansas City Star Op-Ed

This is written by the Vice-Chair of the Kansas Libertarian Party - Jason Peck

*******************

In an editorial that appeared under the "as I see it" section of the 1/3/08 edition of the Star, Brandon Keing extols the virtues of our two party system.

He claims that the system is the best way for a representative democracy to function. Unfortunately, he ignores some of the facts in his argument.

First and foremost, the two party system does NOT represent everyone. The growing number of independents and third parties is proof that voters are becoming increasingly disenfranchised with both of the two major parties. Secondly, the two major parties that currently seek to represent us are supposed to have distinct philosophies, which are the left vs. the right. The reality is they represent one ideal, and that is to get themselves re-elected.

During the few times in which their philosophies truly conflict, the left tends to believe in civil liberties and social freedom but not as much economic freedom, whereas the right tends to believe in financial freedom but not social freedoms. Many, if not most Americans are neither left nor right, but believe in freedom of all kinds. Some Americans actually believe in less freedom of both kinds, and yet more consider themselves "centrist".

The fact is the two party system is a power monopoly controlled by the elite. They have, over the years, created an unlevel playing field thereby protecting their common interests by excluding any real dissent.

I would like encourage Mr. Keing, and all Americans to consider an alternative to our current system.

The Libertarian Party is the 3rd largest and fastest growing 3rd party in the nation. It seeks to promote a free market economy, civil liberties, and a foreign policy of peace, free trade, and non-intervention. We are neither left nor right, and we believe our solutions are the most effective and compassionate in the political realm today.

Sincerely,

Jason E. Peck
Vice Chair
The Libertarian Party of Kansas

Why vote for the Libertarian Party?

Let’s face reality. The two-party system is a myth; we no longer have a two party system. In name, we have the Republicans and Democrats. In practice, we have one party system where the politician’s actions belie that public spin.

The political battle between conservatives and liberals is no longer an issue worth discussing. Except for rhetoric, there is little substantive difference between them. The hype, scare tactics, and fear mongering used by both sides is merely for the purpose of raising money and electing people to positions of power. However, neither side has any real plans to change public policy or the overall direction of the country.

How long have we voters heard democrats and republicans warn us of the imminent dangers of the other party while assuring us that they and they alone can be trusted to save the country? It's the same redundant message every two years, and has been for as long as I can remember.

Increasingly, people struggle to understand the differences, if any, between the Republicans’ and Democrats’ stance on many issues. One can sometimes discern some ideological differences between the most conservative and liberal legislators, yet on the important role-of-government issues, those issues which historically have divided the two parties -- the legislative branch now falls into the "distinction without a difference" category. Indeed, while lawmakers identify themselves as Republicans and Democrats ideologically, their actions are, for the most part, indistinguishable.

We have been bombarded by the media recently with their so called “political defections” – these growing defections, are simply proof that there is no real difference between a republican and a democrat. The old retail store tag line really comes to mind when someone asks me what the difference between the two are – my response is “republican, democrat – It’s the same thing!”

Neither Democrats nor Republicans are making the tough decisions to correct inherited problems or enlightening the electorate. To get elected, politicians in both parties continue to take advantage of peoples emotional blind spots. They tell people what they want to hear. Neither party has been able to bring about effective change.

Elected Republicans and Democrats no longer seek power to advance their principles, or to help the people they represent, but simply for power. The R’s & D’s have alienated the people so much that the people have given up on the system – they no longer register with a specific political party, the second largest voting block in Kansas is now unaffiliated due to the massive discontent with both the R’s & D’s.

It’s time for “real” change. But it’s not going to happen by choosing a lesser of two evils. The Libertarian party offers you a realistic choice. You will not get real change by voting either Republican or Democrat. You will only get change if you vote Libertarian and send the message to our elected officials -- “Enough is Enough”.

Vote for Individual Liberty and Personal Responsibility --- Vote Libertarian.