On March 10, 2011, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County unanimously adopted the following resolution, which contains a "strong recommendation" to LPQC members NOT TO ATTEND the New York Libertarian Party's State Convention scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Suffolk County:
The New York Libertarian Party and its State Committee continues to disrespect the Queens Libertarian Party, its largest and most active chapter and has rejected out-of-hand the many compromises that have been offered to heal the growing rift between the two organizations. The State Party and the State Committee have denied Queens LP members the right to decide who shall represent them on the State Committee and have successfully silenced the voice of Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC's State Representative, who raised important questions and demanded professionalism from those involved in leadership positions in the State Party.
While the main culprits behind attacking the Queens LP and Dr. Tom Stevens (our unanimously elected State Representative) have been Blay Tarnoff, Gary Donoyan and M Carling (the same people behind the 2006 de-chartering of the Queens LP), they could not have accomplished these goals without the support of others serving on the State Committee. Instead of NYLP State Committee members holding the Queens LP up as an example of how to run a successful local chapter, our organization is constantly under attack. This has frustrated Queens LP members who have demanded from the State Committee substantive and immediate reversals of the actions taken against our chapter and its leadership as well as formal apologies to John Procida, our former LPQC Chair; Dr. Tom Stevens, our elected but unrecognized State Representative; Sam Sloan, an active LPQC member who sued the State Party to expose the rigged gubernatorial nomination process that took place at the last State Convention; and all Queens LP members who have been distracted by this ongoing nonsense.
The Executive Committee recognizes that each Queens LP member may decide for him or herself whether to attend the upcoming NYLP State Convention on April 30, 2011. However, in light of the many actions taken against the Queens LP and its officers, it is the strong recommendation of the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that Queens LP members boycott the upcoming State Convention in protest to the actions taken against it as a chapter during this past year.
It is our sincere hope the situation can be rectified and that peace can be achieved so the NYLP and the LPQC can work together in harmony for the sake of liberty. It disappoints us that many State Committee members continue to fail to exercise sufficient self-criticism to understand how their actions and votes have damaged the State Party and have insulted and alienated the Queens LP, NYLP's largest and most active chapter.
Until such time that our concerns have been substantively and fully addressed, we will not rest nor falter in our resolve.
No Justice! No Peace!
In the months leading up to this action, John Clifton, LPQC Chair, proposed two bylaws amendments to change the State Bylaws, the sum and substance of which would have allowed duly chartered chapters to elect a Chair and State Representative of their own choosing, without regard to whether those individuals were State Party members. Dr. Stevens, the duly elected LPQC State Representative, had his Life Membership in the State Party suspended and John Procida, the LPQC Chair, resigned after a movement was started to suspend his State Party Membership.
Mr. Clifton had informed the State Party that if his compromise amendments were adopted, the Queens LP would give up all of its other demands, which have included the reversal of the illegal membership suspensions of Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens, apologies to Stevens, Sloan, Procida and Queens LP members; restoration of the Life Membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, and a full public apology to the Queens LP for the continued attacks on it by the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party.
On Sunday, March 6, 2011 at a State Committee teleconference, John Clifton's proposed amendments were defeated and rejected for consideration and possible adoption by the delegates who shall be in attendance at the upcoming State Convention. At that point, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County decided that the only logical step to take would be to boycott that upcoming State Convention, which resulted in the adoption of the above noted resolution.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Matthew Montis Appointed OPPA President
On February 1, 2011, Matthew Montis was appointed President of the Objectivist Party of Pennsylvania by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party.
The Objectivist Party of Pennsylvania was chartered on June 8, 2008.
It has had six Presidents, who have been:
Michael W. Reid Jr. - 6/8/08 through 9/23/08
John Breig - 9/23/08 through 11/18/08
Timothy Michael Schaible - 11/18/08 through 12/22/09
Michael Nitikman - 12/22/09 through 7/15/10
Joshua Roy Dean - 7/15/10 through 2/1/11
Matthew Montis - 2/1/11 to Present
Matthew Montis formally served as Executive Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Pennsylvania from September 28, 2010 through February 1, 2011.
The Objectivist Party of Pennsylvania was chartered on June 8, 2008.
It has had six Presidents, who have been:
Michael W. Reid Jr. - 6/8/08 through 9/23/08
John Breig - 9/23/08 through 11/18/08
Timothy Michael Schaible - 11/18/08 through 12/22/09
Michael Nitikman - 12/22/09 through 7/15/10
Joshua Roy Dean - 7/15/10 through 2/1/11
Matthew Montis - 2/1/11 to Present
Matthew Montis formally served as Executive Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Pennsylvania from September 28, 2010 through February 1, 2011.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Jacob E. Gold Appointed OPME President
On January 28, 2011, Jacob E. Gold was appointed President of the Objectivist Party of Maine by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party.
The Objectivist Party of Maine was chartered on July 21, 2008.
It has had five Presidents, who have been:
Thadius Bruce Main Jr. - 7/21/08 through 7/2/09
Thayne Michael Ormsby - 7/2/09 through 1/7/10
Tyler James Washburn - 1/7/10 through 8/12/10
Seth Michael Adams II - 8/12/10 through 1/28/11
Jacob E. Gold - 1/28/11 to Present
Jacob E. Gold formally served as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Massachusetts from August 10, 2009 through January 28, 2011.
The Objectivist Party of Maine was chartered on July 21, 2008.
It has had five Presidents, who have been:
Thadius Bruce Main Jr. - 7/21/08 through 7/2/09
Thayne Michael Ormsby - 7/2/09 through 1/7/10
Tyler James Washburn - 1/7/10 through 8/12/10
Seth Michael Adams II - 8/12/10 through 1/28/11
Jacob E. Gold - 1/28/11 to Present
Jacob E. Gold formally served as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Massachusetts from August 10, 2009 through January 28, 2011.
Objectivist Party Governing Board Terminates Membership Of Seth Michael Adams II
On January 28, 2011, the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party voted to remove Seth Michael Adams II from his position as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine and to terminate his membership in the party.
This action was taken only after many efforts were made to reach out to Mr. Adams to discover why he had abandoned his duties and responsibilities as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine. No response was received to e-mails and phone messages left for him and the final straw happened when he hung up after hearing that an officer of the Objectivist Party was calling him.
Before taking this extreme action, Mr. Adams was given an opportunity to resign, which he refused to do. He also failed to submit Status Reports for his affiliate and failed to communicate with his members. The Governing Board found him guilty of "malfeasance" before removing him from his position and terminating his membership.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, said:
It is regrettable that Seth Michael Adams II chose to abandon his duties in this manner. He was given more than a reasonable time period during which he could have chosen to resign but instead he clung onto his position and chose to cease communication with party officials and to abandon the responsibilities he freely accepted.
Seth Michael Adams II served as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine from August 12, 2010 until his removal by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party on January 28, 2011.
This action was taken only after many efforts were made to reach out to Mr. Adams to discover why he had abandoned his duties and responsibilities as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine. No response was received to e-mails and phone messages left for him and the final straw happened when he hung up after hearing that an officer of the Objectivist Party was calling him.
Before taking this extreme action, Mr. Adams was given an opportunity to resign, which he refused to do. He also failed to submit Status Reports for his affiliate and failed to communicate with his members. The Governing Board found him guilty of "malfeasance" before removing him from his position and terminating his membership.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, said:
It is regrettable that Seth Michael Adams II chose to abandon his duties in this manner. He was given more than a reasonable time period during which he could have chosen to resign but instead he clung onto his position and chose to cease communication with party officials and to abandon the responsibilities he freely accepted.
Seth Michael Adams II served as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine from August 12, 2010 until his removal by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party on January 28, 2011.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Dr. Tom Stevens Elected To Serve As LPQC State Representative To The New York Libertarian Party
At the Annual Convention of the Libertarian Party of Queens County held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Bohemian Hall in Astoria, New York, Dr. Tom Stevens was unanimously elected to serve as the LPQC State Representative to the New York Libertarian Party.
Dr. Stevens served as LPQC State Representative from April 24, 2004 to June 27, 2010, when he resigned his Life Membership in the New York Libertarian Party. John Clifton then served in that capacity from June 27, 2010 through November 13, 2010 when Carl E. Person was elected State Representative to serve until the next LPQC Annual Convention.
Because of ongoing political battles within the New York Libertarian Party, Dr. Stevens will not be able to vote on the State Committee. However, the Libertarian Party of Queens County continues to protest the lack of due process that led to the current impass and has formally taken the position that Dr. Stevens should be recognized as a voting member of the NYLP's State Committee.
This is the second time attacks on the Libertarian Party of Queens County have prevented its State Representative from voting on the NYLP State Committee. The first such instance occurred from December 3, 2006 when the State Committee de-chartered the LPQC to April 28, 2007 when the delegates in attendance at the 2007 NYLP Annual State Convention re-chartered it.
Dr. Stevens served as LPQC State Representative from April 24, 2004 to June 27, 2010, when he resigned his Life Membership in the New York Libertarian Party. John Clifton then served in that capacity from June 27, 2010 through November 13, 2010 when Carl E. Person was elected State Representative to serve until the next LPQC Annual Convention.
Because of ongoing political battles within the New York Libertarian Party, Dr. Stevens will not be able to vote on the State Committee. However, the Libertarian Party of Queens County continues to protest the lack of due process that led to the current impass and has formally taken the position that Dr. Stevens should be recognized as a voting member of the NYLP's State Committee.
This is the second time attacks on the Libertarian Party of Queens County have prevented its State Representative from voting on the NYLP State Committee. The first such instance occurred from December 3, 2006 when the State Committee de-chartered the LPQC to April 28, 2007 when the delegates in attendance at the 2007 NYLP Annual State Convention re-chartered it.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Lackluster Libertarian Party Candidates For New York State Comptroller Obtain .23% to .98% Of The Total Votes Cast In The Past Five Elections
John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller in 2010, obtained a total of 27,897 votes, which was .62% of the 4,475,335 total votes cast. This was a 31.07% decrease from the 40,472 votes obtained by John J. Cain, the New York Libertarian Party's candidate for Comptroller in 2006.
Election results for Libertarian Party candidates for New York State Comptroller have shown no particular trend during the past five (5) statewide elections, with candidates obtaining .23% to .98% of the total votes cast in each particular election. The only thing that can be said is that the LP's candidates lacked direction, political expertise, charisma, a fundraising strategy and the ability to attract media attention. The results reflected this reality.
In 2006, John J. Cain obtained a total of 40,472 votes, which was .98% of the 4,134,973 total votes cast. In 2002, James Eisert obtained a total of 19,235 votes, which was .46% of the 4,157,487 total votes cast. In 1998, Robert M. Goodman obtained a total of 10,310 votes, which was .23% of the 4,421,252 total votes cast. In 1994, Richard L. Geyer obtained a total of 17,986 votes, which was .38% of the 4,642,028 total votes cast.
Dallwyn Merck, Vice-Chair of Downstate Libertarians (a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians), reflected on these results as follows:
Too many candidates run for elective office because of an inflated sense of self-worth and to feed their own egos instead of running to inform voters of the practical and beneficial effects of applying libertarian principles to find practical solutions to the real problems facing our state and nation.
Often, these candidates not only have no idea how to run an effective campaign but they also have no idea how to fund raise. This year, John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller, often posted requests for campaign contributions but he failed to mention how he intended to use the money or to provide the potential contributor with any insight with respect to his campaign strategy, if he had one at all.
A poor electoral outcome is no surprise when the Libertarian Party runs inexperienced, ego-driven candidates for statewide office instead of highly principled, motivated, charismatic candidates willing to finance a race for all the right reasons.
In the 2010 race for Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,272,722 votes for 50.78% of the total vote. Harry Wilson (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 2,070,247 votes for 46.26% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 104,469 votes for 2.34% of the total vote. John Gaetani (Libertarian) obtained 27,897 votes for .62% of the total vote.
In the 2006 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,349,578 votes for 56.82% of the total vote. J. Christopher Callaghan (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,612,270 votes for 38.99% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 117,908 votes for 2.85% of the total vote. John J. Cain (Libertarian) obtained 40,472 votes for .98% of the total vote. Willie Cotton (Socialist Workers) obtained 14,745 votes for .36% of the total vote.
In the 2002 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,095,913 votes for 50.41% of the total vote. John Faso (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,933,104 votes for 46.50% of the total vote. Garifalia Christea (Right To Life) obtained 61,464 votes for 1.48% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 47,771 votes for 1.15% of the total vote. James Eisert (Libertarian) obtained 19,235 votes for .46% of the total vote.
In the 1998 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Independence, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,862,903 votes for 64.76% of the total vote. Bruce A. Blakeman (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,423,086 votes for 32.19% of the total vote. Douglas H. Harknett (Right To Life) obtained 70,397 votes for 1.59% of the total vote. Dean Venezia (Marijuana Reform) obtained 39,423 votes for .89% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 15,133 votes for .34% of the total vote. Robert M. Goodman (Libertarian) obtained 10,310 votes for .23% of the total vote.
In the 1994 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,404,404 votes for 51.80% of the total vote. Herbert I. London (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now, Right To Life) obtained 2,155,759 votes for 46.44% of the total vote. Laureen A. Oliver (Independence Fusion) obtained 53,801 votes for 1.16% of the total vote. Richard L. Geyer (Libertarian) obtained 17,986 votes for .38% of the total vote. Brock Satter (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,078 votes for .22% of the total vote.
Election results for Libertarian Party candidates for New York State Comptroller have shown no particular trend during the past five (5) statewide elections, with candidates obtaining .23% to .98% of the total votes cast in each particular election. The only thing that can be said is that the LP's candidates lacked direction, political expertise, charisma, a fundraising strategy and the ability to attract media attention. The results reflected this reality.
In 2006, John J. Cain obtained a total of 40,472 votes, which was .98% of the 4,134,973 total votes cast. In 2002, James Eisert obtained a total of 19,235 votes, which was .46% of the 4,157,487 total votes cast. In 1998, Robert M. Goodman obtained a total of 10,310 votes, which was .23% of the 4,421,252 total votes cast. In 1994, Richard L. Geyer obtained a total of 17,986 votes, which was .38% of the 4,642,028 total votes cast.
Dallwyn Merck, Vice-Chair of Downstate Libertarians (a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians), reflected on these results as follows:
Too many candidates run for elective office because of an inflated sense of self-worth and to feed their own egos instead of running to inform voters of the practical and beneficial effects of applying libertarian principles to find practical solutions to the real problems facing our state and nation.
Often, these candidates not only have no idea how to run an effective campaign but they also have no idea how to fund raise. This year, John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller, often posted requests for campaign contributions but he failed to mention how he intended to use the money or to provide the potential contributor with any insight with respect to his campaign strategy, if he had one at all.
A poor electoral outcome is no surprise when the Libertarian Party runs inexperienced, ego-driven candidates for statewide office instead of highly principled, motivated, charismatic candidates willing to finance a race for all the right reasons.
In the 2010 race for Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,272,722 votes for 50.78% of the total vote. Harry Wilson (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 2,070,247 votes for 46.26% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 104,469 votes for 2.34% of the total vote. John Gaetani (Libertarian) obtained 27,897 votes for .62% of the total vote.
In the 2006 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,349,578 votes for 56.82% of the total vote. J. Christopher Callaghan (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,612,270 votes for 38.99% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 117,908 votes for 2.85% of the total vote. John J. Cain (Libertarian) obtained 40,472 votes for .98% of the total vote. Willie Cotton (Socialist Workers) obtained 14,745 votes for .36% of the total vote.
In the 2002 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,095,913 votes for 50.41% of the total vote. John Faso (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,933,104 votes for 46.50% of the total vote. Garifalia Christea (Right To Life) obtained 61,464 votes for 1.48% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 47,771 votes for 1.15% of the total vote. James Eisert (Libertarian) obtained 19,235 votes for .46% of the total vote.
In the 1998 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Independence, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,862,903 votes for 64.76% of the total vote. Bruce A. Blakeman (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,423,086 votes for 32.19% of the total vote. Douglas H. Harknett (Right To Life) obtained 70,397 votes for 1.59% of the total vote. Dean Venezia (Marijuana Reform) obtained 39,423 votes for .89% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 15,133 votes for .34% of the total vote. Robert M. Goodman (Libertarian) obtained 10,310 votes for .23% of the total vote.
In the 1994 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,404,404 votes for 51.80% of the total vote. Herbert I. London (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now, Right To Life) obtained 2,155,759 votes for 46.44% of the total vote. Laureen A. Oliver (Independence Fusion) obtained 53,801 votes for 1.16% of the total vote. Richard L. Geyer (Libertarian) obtained 17,986 votes for .38% of the total vote. Brock Satter (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,078 votes for .22% of the total vote.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Carl E. Person, LP Candidate For New York State Attorney General, Obtained More Votes & A Higher Percentage Of The Total Vote Than LP Candidates Who Ran In 2006, 2002, 1998 & 1994
Carl E. Person, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Attorney General in 2010, obtained a total of 36,547 votes, which was .82% of the 4,443,423 total votes cast. This was the highest vote total and a higher percentage of total votes than was obtained by Libertarian Party candidates for Attorney General in 2006, 2002, 1998 & 1994.
In 2006, Christopher B. Garvey obtained a total of 29,413 votes, which was .68% of the 4,303,350 total votes cast. In 2002, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 23,213 votes, which was .56% of the 4,131,437 total votes cast. In 1998, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 19,864 votes, which was .46% of the 4,325,396 total votes cast. In 1994, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 19,202 votes, which was .41% of the 4,656,483 total votes cast.
At the most favorable rate of percentage increase, I have calculated the Libertarian Party will be able to obtain just over 50% of the vote for New York State Attorney General in the year 2154. Of course, all elections are unique so the New York State Libertarian Party may be able to elect its candidate to the office of Attorney General at a time sooner or later than this estimated date.
In the 2010 race for Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,479,464 votes for 55.80% of the total vote. Dan Donovan (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,909,284 votes for 42.97% of the total vote. Carl E. Person (Libertarian) obtained 36,547 votes for .82% of the total vote. Ramon J. Jimenez (Freedom) obtained 18,128 votes for .41% of the total vote.
In the 2006 race for Attorney General, Andrew M. Cuomo (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,509,311 votes for 58.31% of the total vote. Jeanine Pirro (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,692,580 votes for 39.33% of the total vote. Rachel Treichler (Green) obtained 61,849 votes for 1.44% of the total vote. Christopher B. Garvey (Libertarian) obtained 29,413 votes for .68% of the total vote. Martin Koppel (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,197 votes for .24% of the total vote.
In the 2002 race for Attorney General, Eliot L. Spitzer (Democratic, Independence, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,744,302 votes for 66.43% of the total vote. Dora Irizarry (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,234,899 votes for 29.89% of the total vote. John J. Broderick (Right To Life) obtained 78,268 votes for 1.89% of the total vote. Mary Jo Long (Green) obtained 50,755 votes for 1.23% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 23,213 votes for .56% of the total vote.
In the 1998 race for Attorney General, Eliot L. Spitzer (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,084,948 votes for 48.20% of the total vote. Dennis C. Vacco (Republican, Conservative) obtained 2,059,762 votes for 47.62% of the total vote. Catherine Abate (Independence) obtained 81,439 votes for 1.88% of the total vote. Robert W. Dapelo (Right To Life) obtained 60,399 votes for 1.40% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 19,864 votes for .46% of the total vote. Johann L. Moore (Green) obtained 18,984 votes for .44% of the total vote.
In the 1994 race for Attorney General, Dennis C. Vacco (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now) emerged victorious obtaining 2,294,528 votes for 49.28% of the total vote. Karen S. Burstein (Democratic, Liberal) obtained 2,206,188 votes for 47.38% of the total vote. Alfred I. Skidmore (Right To Life) obtained 85,649 votes for 1.84% of the total vote. James M. Hartman (Independence Fusion) obtained 37,500 votes for .80% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 19,202 votes for .41% of the total vote. Nancy H. Rosenstock (Socialist Workers) obtained 13,416 votes for .29% of the total vote.
In 2006, Christopher B. Garvey obtained a total of 29,413 votes, which was .68% of the 4,303,350 total votes cast. In 2002, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 23,213 votes, which was .56% of the 4,131,437 total votes cast. In 1998, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 19,864 votes, which was .46% of the 4,325,396 total votes cast. In 1994, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 19,202 votes, which was .41% of the 4,656,483 total votes cast.
At the most favorable rate of percentage increase, I have calculated the Libertarian Party will be able to obtain just over 50% of the vote for New York State Attorney General in the year 2154. Of course, all elections are unique so the New York State Libertarian Party may be able to elect its candidate to the office of Attorney General at a time sooner or later than this estimated date.
In the 2010 race for Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,479,464 votes for 55.80% of the total vote. Dan Donovan (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,909,284 votes for 42.97% of the total vote. Carl E. Person (Libertarian) obtained 36,547 votes for .82% of the total vote. Ramon J. Jimenez (Freedom) obtained 18,128 votes for .41% of the total vote.
In the 2006 race for Attorney General, Andrew M. Cuomo (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,509,311 votes for 58.31% of the total vote. Jeanine Pirro (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,692,580 votes for 39.33% of the total vote. Rachel Treichler (Green) obtained 61,849 votes for 1.44% of the total vote. Christopher B. Garvey (Libertarian) obtained 29,413 votes for .68% of the total vote. Martin Koppel (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,197 votes for .24% of the total vote.
In the 2002 race for Attorney General, Eliot L. Spitzer (Democratic, Independence, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,744,302 votes for 66.43% of the total vote. Dora Irizarry (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,234,899 votes for 29.89% of the total vote. John J. Broderick (Right To Life) obtained 78,268 votes for 1.89% of the total vote. Mary Jo Long (Green) obtained 50,755 votes for 1.23% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 23,213 votes for .56% of the total vote.
In the 1998 race for Attorney General, Eliot L. Spitzer (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,084,948 votes for 48.20% of the total vote. Dennis C. Vacco (Republican, Conservative) obtained 2,059,762 votes for 47.62% of the total vote. Catherine Abate (Independence) obtained 81,439 votes for 1.88% of the total vote. Robert W. Dapelo (Right To Life) obtained 60,399 votes for 1.40% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 19,864 votes for .46% of the total vote. Johann L. Moore (Green) obtained 18,984 votes for .44% of the total vote.
In the 1994 race for Attorney General, Dennis C. Vacco (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now) emerged victorious obtaining 2,294,528 votes for 49.28% of the total vote. Karen S. Burstein (Democratic, Liberal) obtained 2,206,188 votes for 47.38% of the total vote. Alfred I. Skidmore (Right To Life) obtained 85,649 votes for 1.84% of the total vote. James M. Hartman (Independence Fusion) obtained 37,500 votes for .80% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 19,202 votes for .41% of the total vote. Nancy H. Rosenstock (Socialist Workers) obtained 13,416 votes for .29% of the total vote.
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Divided New York Libertarian Party Fails To Obtain 50,000 Votes
Mark Axinn, NYLP Chair, reported the following on December 13, 2010:
The Board of Elections has certified the total votes cast for Libertarian candidates Warren Redlich and Alden Link at 48,386 -- only 1614 shy of the 50,000 required for ballot status.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest chartered chapter in New York State, provided the following comment:
This is a disappointing but not unexpected result. In a year when the New York Libertarian Party should have finally obtained ballot access, that opportunity was lost through the actions of those who placed their own personal interests above those of the party.
In the pre-NYLP State Convention stage, those pushing for the nomination of Warren Redlich as the LP's gubernatorial candidate denied Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan, two other contenders, from being able to communicate with the 400+ state party members eligible to vote at the State Convention. Without the ability to campaign and to encourage those individuals to attend the State Convention, the nomination was handed to Redlich with only 27 delegates voting for him. Then to make matters worse, the actual vote on the gubernatorial nomination was conducted on the "honor system" and actual evidence of fraud was uncovered. Ms. Davis ended up running for Governor on the Anti-Prohibition Party line obtaining more than 22,000 votes. Sam Sloan chose a legal remedy and started two actions that were ultimately dismissed on technical grounds.
In the post-NYLP State Convention stage, the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party suspended the memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan, the unanimously elected State Representatives for the Queens LP and the Manhattan LP, respectively. These actions alienated the memberships of both chapters, the largest and second largest LP chapters in New York State, causing many of its members to provide lukewarm support for the candidacy of Warren Redlich and for other LP nominated candidates. Two Congressional Candidates and Three New York State Assembly Candidates nominated by the Queens LP and Manhattan LP failed to obtain a sufficient number of petition signatures to qualify for a place on the November ballot.
Another result of this division was coordinated action that took place between Sam Sloan and the Kristin Davis campaign with Roger Stone crediting Mr. Sloan for providing him with the information Mr. Stone ultimately used against Redlich in flyers mailed out by an independent organization dealing with Mr. Redlich's alleged defense of adults having sex with minors. Mr. Redlich's campaign claimed the flyers were defamatory but no lawsuit has yet been instituted by Warren Redlich against those who put out the flyers.
Had the New York Libertarian Party not been divided, I have no doubt this is the year the LP in New York State would have obtained 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial race and ballot access for the next four (4) years.
On November 11, 2010, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest LP chapter in New York State, unanimously adopted the following statement regarding why, in its opinion, the NYLP failed to obtain 50,000 votes in this gubernatorial election:
It is the formal opinion of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that one of the main reasons the New York Libertarian Party failed to obtain 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election in 2010 is because of intentional flaws built into the gubernational nomination process and due to the fact that the party was split after the State Committee took action to suspend the State Party memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens (Queens LP State Representative) and Sam Sloan (Manhattan LP State Representative).
The gubernatorial nomination process was flawed in two ways: first, gubernatorial nomination contenders Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis were denied the opportunity to communicate with the 400+ potential voting delegates to promote their candidacies with them and to encourage them to attend the NYLP State Convention in April, 2010. As a result, Kristin Davis did not attend the NYLP State Convention (eventually running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party) and Sam Sloan instituted a number of law suits to expose the rigged nomination process. Warren Redlich was handed the gubernatorial nomination with only 27 delegates voting in his favor. In addition, the election process itself was run on the "honor system" where anyone could place one or more votes into a passing hat regardless of whether they were legally entitled to vote. Evidence of actual fraud had been collected by Sam Sloan but his lawsuits were dismissed on technical grounds and the validity of his substantive arguments were never litigated.
Had the process been fair, it is possible Kristin Davis would have been the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nominee or she might have agreed to run for another statewide position on our slate. In that case, she would not have formed her own pro-libertarian Anti-Prohibition Party and a good portion of the 22,000+ votes she got on the Anti-Prohibition Party might have been cast on the Libertarian Party line giving us the extra 5,000 votes we needed to obtain "minor party" status and permanent ballot access for the next 4 years. In addition, all the negative publicity that resulted from Sam Sloan's lawsuits and from the anti-Redlich flyers and e-mails would not have materialized.
For pointing out flaws in the gubernatorial nomination process and for highlighting the lack of professionalism present in the State Party, the State Party memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens (Queens LP State Representative) and Sam Sloan (Manhattan LP State Representative) were suspended by the State Committee. The Manhattan LP also suspended the membership of Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens was asked to resign. These unwarranted actions by the State Party and the Manhattan LP resulted in a major split within the party that destroyed the unity that would have been necessary to take maximum advantage of the potential this election held for us to obtain 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election. This unique potential existed for three reasons: first, the fact that minor party candidates were included in the gubernatorial debate; second, the new ballots made finding the LP candidates easier; and third, since Andrew Cuomo's victory was a lock, there was no 'wasted vote" syndrome that influenced how people voted. Yet, because of the disunity, many people were turned off to the LP, costing the NYLP much bad publicity and certainly the loss of a number of votes.
The Libertarian Party of Queens County believes that once again, the dysfunctional leadership of the State Libertarian Party laid the groundwork for yet another lost opportunity.
The next chance the New York Libertarian Party will have to obtain 50,000 votes and permanent ballot status for four (4) years will be in 2014.
The Board of Elections has certified the total votes cast for Libertarian candidates Warren Redlich and Alden Link at 48,386 -- only 1614 shy of the 50,000 required for ballot status.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest chartered chapter in New York State, provided the following comment:
This is a disappointing but not unexpected result. In a year when the New York Libertarian Party should have finally obtained ballot access, that opportunity was lost through the actions of those who placed their own personal interests above those of the party.
In the pre-NYLP State Convention stage, those pushing for the nomination of Warren Redlich as the LP's gubernatorial candidate denied Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan, two other contenders, from being able to communicate with the 400+ state party members eligible to vote at the State Convention. Without the ability to campaign and to encourage those individuals to attend the State Convention, the nomination was handed to Redlich with only 27 delegates voting for him. Then to make matters worse, the actual vote on the gubernatorial nomination was conducted on the "honor system" and actual evidence of fraud was uncovered. Ms. Davis ended up running for Governor on the Anti-Prohibition Party line obtaining more than 22,000 votes. Sam Sloan chose a legal remedy and started two actions that were ultimately dismissed on technical grounds.
In the post-NYLP State Convention stage, the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party suspended the memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan, the unanimously elected State Representatives for the Queens LP and the Manhattan LP, respectively. These actions alienated the memberships of both chapters, the largest and second largest LP chapters in New York State, causing many of its members to provide lukewarm support for the candidacy of Warren Redlich and for other LP nominated candidates. Two Congressional Candidates and Three New York State Assembly Candidates nominated by the Queens LP and Manhattan LP failed to obtain a sufficient number of petition signatures to qualify for a place on the November ballot.
Another result of this division was coordinated action that took place between Sam Sloan and the Kristin Davis campaign with Roger Stone crediting Mr. Sloan for providing him with the information Mr. Stone ultimately used against Redlich in flyers mailed out by an independent organization dealing with Mr. Redlich's alleged defense of adults having sex with minors. Mr. Redlich's campaign claimed the flyers were defamatory but no lawsuit has yet been instituted by Warren Redlich against those who put out the flyers.
Had the New York Libertarian Party not been divided, I have no doubt this is the year the LP in New York State would have obtained 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial race and ballot access for the next four (4) years.
On November 11, 2010, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest LP chapter in New York State, unanimously adopted the following statement regarding why, in its opinion, the NYLP failed to obtain 50,000 votes in this gubernatorial election:
It is the formal opinion of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that one of the main reasons the New York Libertarian Party failed to obtain 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election in 2010 is because of intentional flaws built into the gubernational nomination process and due to the fact that the party was split after the State Committee took action to suspend the State Party memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens (Queens LP State Representative) and Sam Sloan (Manhattan LP State Representative).
The gubernatorial nomination process was flawed in two ways: first, gubernatorial nomination contenders Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis were denied the opportunity to communicate with the 400+ potential voting delegates to promote their candidacies with them and to encourage them to attend the NYLP State Convention in April, 2010. As a result, Kristin Davis did not attend the NYLP State Convention (eventually running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party) and Sam Sloan instituted a number of law suits to expose the rigged nomination process. Warren Redlich was handed the gubernatorial nomination with only 27 delegates voting in his favor. In addition, the election process itself was run on the "honor system" where anyone could place one or more votes into a passing hat regardless of whether they were legally entitled to vote. Evidence of actual fraud had been collected by Sam Sloan but his lawsuits were dismissed on technical grounds and the validity of his substantive arguments were never litigated.
Had the process been fair, it is possible Kristin Davis would have been the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nominee or she might have agreed to run for another statewide position on our slate. In that case, she would not have formed her own pro-libertarian Anti-Prohibition Party and a good portion of the 22,000+ votes she got on the Anti-Prohibition Party might have been cast on the Libertarian Party line giving us the extra 5,000 votes we needed to obtain "minor party" status and permanent ballot access for the next 4 years. In addition, all the negative publicity that resulted from Sam Sloan's lawsuits and from the anti-Redlich flyers and e-mails would not have materialized.
For pointing out flaws in the gubernatorial nomination process and for highlighting the lack of professionalism present in the State Party, the State Party memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens (Queens LP State Representative) and Sam Sloan (Manhattan LP State Representative) were suspended by the State Committee. The Manhattan LP also suspended the membership of Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens was asked to resign. These unwarranted actions by the State Party and the Manhattan LP resulted in a major split within the party that destroyed the unity that would have been necessary to take maximum advantage of the potential this election held for us to obtain 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election. This unique potential existed for three reasons: first, the fact that minor party candidates were included in the gubernatorial debate; second, the new ballots made finding the LP candidates easier; and third, since Andrew Cuomo's victory was a lock, there was no 'wasted vote" syndrome that influenced how people voted. Yet, because of the disunity, many people were turned off to the LP, costing the NYLP much bad publicity and certainly the loss of a number of votes.
The Libertarian Party of Queens County believes that once again, the dysfunctional leadership of the State Libertarian Party laid the groundwork for yet another lost opportunity.
The next chance the New York Libertarian Party will have to obtain 50,000 votes and permanent ballot status for four (4) years will be in 2014.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Stonewall Libertarians New York Accuses Libertarian Party In New York State Of Anti-Gay Bias, Discrimination & Defamation
Dallwyn Merck, President of Stonewall Libertarians New York, wrote to Mark Axinn, Chair of the New York Libertarian Party, on December 6, 2010 asking him to take steps to end bias, discrimination and defamation against Gays in the New York State Libertarian Party that has taken place for nearly a decade.
In a resignation letter to Mark Axinn, New York State Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, Dallwyn Merck wrote:
I am sickened by the anti-gay comments and bias exhibited privately and expressed publicly during the past decade by a number of individuals in leadership positions in the New York State Libertarian Party and the Manhattan Libertarian Party. I can no longer in good conscience remain silent while these activities continue to take place. This has been the primary reason I have not re-joined the State Party and as of today, I am resigning my membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
I am sure you are aware of the bias, discrimination and defamation of which I speak since I am not the first person to raise this issue. Up until now, the only response you and the NYLP leadership have given again and again over the years is to deny that any such discrimination is taking place.
A number of single men who have been active in the gay rights movement have been viciously attacked and driven from their positions in the New York State Libertarian Party. In private back-water e-mails and in public party forums, such men, who were assumed to be gay, have been routinely called child molesters and pedophiles. They have been driven from youth leadership positions within the party on the grounds that their contact with young people might "open the party to possible liability" and when one such individual sought the nomination of the New York Libertarian Party for the office of Attorney General, party leaders explicitly spread rumors that said individual could harm the party and bring it bad publicity. These rumors were again based on the assumption that those perceived to be gay are all potential pedophiles and child molesters.
There has been a concerted effort over the years to harass these intelligent and charismatic individuals and drive them from the party. The fact that they stayed as long as they did in the party is a testament to their thick skin and their commitment to the cause of liberty.
I know your response will be the same response you have always given. Deny. Deny. Deny. You will point to one "pet gay" and say, 'See, we treat that one in a friendly manner', or else you will claim that actions taken against Gay members of the party can be justified on some objective grounds. What you cannot do, however, is to deny the public defamatory statements that have been posted over the years to public party lists.
Just to give you one recent example, Christopher Cantwell, an At-Large Representative of the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party who is currently in jail, said the following about a completely innocent individual active in the Queens LP who is perceived to be gay:
"If X was directly accused of raping little boys while he was in fact keeping company with little boys...I'd say this is rather serious. And given X's record in the LP of aggression, fraud, dishonesty, slander, and general sociopathic tendencies, I'm rather alarmed that we have kept company with him for so long. Maybe X's idea of Liberty is lubricating young Republicans. I also want to know if X has been using his position in the LP...to lure underage children into sexual encounters with him. So what is it X? Are you just a lying, cheating, sociopath? Or are you in fact a raping murdering agent provocateur too? In either case, this man is so filthy, his proximity to us alone is a serious problem...he needs to be shunned, we need to let the public know that we don't take kindly to raping, murdering, lying, cheating, agent provocateur, sociopaths who...make up organizations...for the purpose of luring innocent children into sexual encounters. In the end, it doesn't matter if X is a child raping murderer, or just a fraud and extortionist, he is a dangerous criminal with serious psychological problems either way."
This is only one example of hundreds that have been posted publicly over the years. You must take responsibility for this continuing discrimination and finally do something about it.
Jeff Grizlo, Executive Vice-President of Rising Action and a former member of the NYLP and LPQC, responded to Dallwyn Merck's allegations by stating:
I am very pleased that someone has finally spoken out about the extreme discrimination that has been faced by Gays in the New York Libertarian Party.
I served as President of Stonewall Libertarians New York from August 4, 2006 until July 27, 2009 at which point Dallwyn Merck took over as President of the New York Chapter. During the time I was both a member of the New York Libertarian Party and Stonewall Libertarians, I personally observed the anti-Gay comments that were publicly made and I can confirm all of the facts that have been relayed by Mr. Merck to NYLP Chair Mark Axinn. However, I do want to say that Mr. Merck has whitewashed the situation as it existed and presently exists in the New York Libertarian Party. The fact is that the situation is far worse than he has described it to be. The defamation I have seen is actionable and the only reason people don't sue is, in my opinion, because they don't wish to bring further public attention to such outrageous claims and allegations.
I couldn't take it any longer and resigned my membership in the New York Libertarian Party. I have no idea how any Gays can stand being around such despicable people. This is the 21st century and intolerance of this magnitude belongs in the dustbin of history.
Stonewall Libertarians, founded on April 20, 1996, is an independent organization of libertarians who believe in being politically active to promote smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom. It exists to reach out to all libertarians who are perceived to deviate from the norms of society and to promote tolerance and equality in the Libertarian Party and in society at large. Stonewall Libertarians seeks to be a catalyst to expand the base of the libertarian movement in the United States by bringing together a vast coalition of those who believe in personal freedom.
In a resignation letter to Mark Axinn, New York State Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, Dallwyn Merck wrote:
I am sickened by the anti-gay comments and bias exhibited privately and expressed publicly during the past decade by a number of individuals in leadership positions in the New York State Libertarian Party and the Manhattan Libertarian Party. I can no longer in good conscience remain silent while these activities continue to take place. This has been the primary reason I have not re-joined the State Party and as of today, I am resigning my membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
I am sure you are aware of the bias, discrimination and defamation of which I speak since I am not the first person to raise this issue. Up until now, the only response you and the NYLP leadership have given again and again over the years is to deny that any such discrimination is taking place.
A number of single men who have been active in the gay rights movement have been viciously attacked and driven from their positions in the New York State Libertarian Party. In private back-water e-mails and in public party forums, such men, who were assumed to be gay, have been routinely called child molesters and pedophiles. They have been driven from youth leadership positions within the party on the grounds that their contact with young people might "open the party to possible liability" and when one such individual sought the nomination of the New York Libertarian Party for the office of Attorney General, party leaders explicitly spread rumors that said individual could harm the party and bring it bad publicity. These rumors were again based on the assumption that those perceived to be gay are all potential pedophiles and child molesters.
There has been a concerted effort over the years to harass these intelligent and charismatic individuals and drive them from the party. The fact that they stayed as long as they did in the party is a testament to their thick skin and their commitment to the cause of liberty.
I know your response will be the same response you have always given. Deny. Deny. Deny. You will point to one "pet gay" and say, 'See, we treat that one in a friendly manner', or else you will claim that actions taken against Gay members of the party can be justified on some objective grounds. What you cannot do, however, is to deny the public defamatory statements that have been posted over the years to public party lists.
Just to give you one recent example, Christopher Cantwell, an At-Large Representative of the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party who is currently in jail, said the following about a completely innocent individual active in the Queens LP who is perceived to be gay:
"If X was directly accused of raping little boys while he was in fact keeping company with little boys...I'd say this is rather serious. And given X's record in the LP of aggression, fraud, dishonesty, slander, and general sociopathic tendencies, I'm rather alarmed that we have kept company with him for so long. Maybe X's idea of Liberty is lubricating young Republicans. I also want to know if X has been using his position in the LP...to lure underage children into sexual encounters with him. So what is it X? Are you just a lying, cheating, sociopath? Or are you in fact a raping murdering agent provocateur too? In either case, this man is so filthy, his proximity to us alone is a serious problem...he needs to be shunned, we need to let the public know that we don't take kindly to raping, murdering, lying, cheating, agent provocateur, sociopaths who...make up organizations...for the purpose of luring innocent children into sexual encounters. In the end, it doesn't matter if X is a child raping murderer, or just a fraud and extortionist, he is a dangerous criminal with serious psychological problems either way."
This is only one example of hundreds that have been posted publicly over the years. You must take responsibility for this continuing discrimination and finally do something about it.
Jeff Grizlo, Executive Vice-President of Rising Action and a former member of the NYLP and LPQC, responded to Dallwyn Merck's allegations by stating:
I am very pleased that someone has finally spoken out about the extreme discrimination that has been faced by Gays in the New York Libertarian Party.
I served as President of Stonewall Libertarians New York from August 4, 2006 until July 27, 2009 at which point Dallwyn Merck took over as President of the New York Chapter. During the time I was both a member of the New York Libertarian Party and Stonewall Libertarians, I personally observed the anti-Gay comments that were publicly made and I can confirm all of the facts that have been relayed by Mr. Merck to NYLP Chair Mark Axinn. However, I do want to say that Mr. Merck has whitewashed the situation as it existed and presently exists in the New York Libertarian Party. The fact is that the situation is far worse than he has described it to be. The defamation I have seen is actionable and the only reason people don't sue is, in my opinion, because they don't wish to bring further public attention to such outrageous claims and allegations.
I couldn't take it any longer and resigned my membership in the New York Libertarian Party. I have no idea how any Gays can stand being around such despicable people. This is the 21st century and intolerance of this magnitude belongs in the dustbin of history.
Stonewall Libertarians, founded on April 20, 1996, is an independent organization of libertarians who believe in being politically active to promote smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom. It exists to reach out to all libertarians who are perceived to deviate from the norms of society and to promote tolerance and equality in the Libertarian Party and in society at large. Stonewall Libertarians seeks to be a catalyst to expand the base of the libertarian movement in the United States by bringing together a vast coalition of those who believe in personal freedom.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
John Clifton, LPQC Chair, Resigns Manhattan LP Membership In Protest Over Its Treatment Of Stevens & Sloan
John Clifton, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Queens County who previously served three terms as New York Libertarian Party State Chair and was the 2010 NYLP Candidate for United States Senator against Kirsten Gillibrand, announced his resignation as a member of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, effective November 30, 2010, in protest of its treatment of MLP members Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens.
In a resignation letter to Mark Axinn, New York State Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, John Clifton wrote:
Upon reflection on the recent statements of Alden Link upon his resignation from the Manhattan Libertarian Party, I have also decided to resign from the MLP effective today, due to disappointment with, among other things, how members of its executive committee handled issues surrounding Sam Sloan's removal from the elected position as their representative to the LPNY state committee, and Tom Stevens' resignation from MLP. These were proud members of MLP, and are proud members of LPQC. I feel that we have treated members of our family badly.
I have heard both sides of each matter, and tend to side with MLP officers on the substance of their complaints about Sam, but feel it was not the call of the executive committee to remove him by an
internal vote, or to support the use of the suspension procedure used by the State Committee to expel him. I specifically advised this past summer that as an elected officer of MLP, under the county bylaws, it would require a convention vote to properly replace him as state rep.
I recommended a special convention be held if they wished to accomplish this quickly, but this option was ignored. Sloan also offered ways to de-escalate the matter that were rejected. The urge to punish and remove Sam appears to have superseded following a process that was within the bylaws, that would accept peace offerings short of punishment, or one that would allow the body to determine the fate of the state rep they elected.
As for Stevens, I am in agreement with a statement he has already widely distributed about the circumstances of his resignation from MLP, and call for the same remedies he identified as needed.
Although some would state it is time to "move on," I would reply that it is always easier to say that from the perspective of the truck driver, after running over pedestrians a mile back. So long as the same dynamic is in place that created the run over, nothing has truly "moved on."
I urge the executive committee to move forward and correct the matter by apologizing to Sam and Tom, and inviting them to rejoin.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded to John Clifton's resignation as follows:
There is no reason why the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the Manhattan Libertarian Party, the first and second largest LP chapters in New York State, respectively, should not be peacefully cooperating in productive ways to advance the cause of liberty.
Whatever political and personal problems existed between individuals on a statewide level, there were no problems between the Manhattan LP and the Queens LP until the MLP Libertarian Ruling Junta (a.k.a. MLP County Committee) decided to illegally remove Sam Sloan as the MLP's unanimously elected State Representative through the back door of suspending his membership and decided to declare war on the Queens LP by asking its Political Director to resign as an MLP member.
Both Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens were proud members of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. Dr. Stevens served multiple times as its elected State Representative. Neither individual took any action against the Manhattan LP, its purposes or objectives. The MLP started this war and it is within their power to end it. Mark Axinn continues to speak about moving on but there can and will be no moving on. No Justice! No Peace!
Alden Link, LPQC Member and the Libertarian Party's candidate for Lt. Governor of New York State in 2010, resigned his membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party on November 23, 2010.
In a resignation letter to Mark Axinn, New York State Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, John Clifton wrote:
Upon reflection on the recent statements of Alden Link upon his resignation from the Manhattan Libertarian Party, I have also decided to resign from the MLP effective today, due to disappointment with, among other things, how members of its executive committee handled issues surrounding Sam Sloan's removal from the elected position as their representative to the LPNY state committee, and Tom Stevens' resignation from MLP. These were proud members of MLP, and are proud members of LPQC. I feel that we have treated members of our family badly.
I have heard both sides of each matter, and tend to side with MLP officers on the substance of their complaints about Sam, but feel it was not the call of the executive committee to remove him by an
internal vote, or to support the use of the suspension procedure used by the State Committee to expel him. I specifically advised this past summer that as an elected officer of MLP, under the county bylaws, it would require a convention vote to properly replace him as state rep.
I recommended a special convention be held if they wished to accomplish this quickly, but this option was ignored. Sloan also offered ways to de-escalate the matter that were rejected. The urge to punish and remove Sam appears to have superseded following a process that was within the bylaws, that would accept peace offerings short of punishment, or one that would allow the body to determine the fate of the state rep they elected.
As for Stevens, I am in agreement with a statement he has already widely distributed about the circumstances of his resignation from MLP, and call for the same remedies he identified as needed.
Although some would state it is time to "move on," I would reply that it is always easier to say that from the perspective of the truck driver, after running over pedestrians a mile back. So long as the same dynamic is in place that created the run over, nothing has truly "moved on."
I urge the executive committee to move forward and correct the matter by apologizing to Sam and Tom, and inviting them to rejoin.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded to John Clifton's resignation as follows:
There is no reason why the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the Manhattan Libertarian Party, the first and second largest LP chapters in New York State, respectively, should not be peacefully cooperating in productive ways to advance the cause of liberty.
Whatever political and personal problems existed between individuals on a statewide level, there were no problems between the Manhattan LP and the Queens LP until the MLP Libertarian Ruling Junta (a.k.a. MLP County Committee) decided to illegally remove Sam Sloan as the MLP's unanimously elected State Representative through the back door of suspending his membership and decided to declare war on the Queens LP by asking its Political Director to resign as an MLP member.
Both Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens were proud members of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. Dr. Stevens served multiple times as its elected State Representative. Neither individual took any action against the Manhattan LP, its purposes or objectives. The MLP started this war and it is within their power to end it. Mark Axinn continues to speak about moving on but there can and will be no moving on. No Justice! No Peace!
Alden Link, LPQC Member and the Libertarian Party's candidate for Lt. Governor of New York State in 2010, resigned his membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party on November 23, 2010.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Alden Link Appointed Vice-Chair of New York State's Personal Freedom Party
On December 1, 2010, Alden Link was appointed Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party. Alden Link is currently Chair of Hudson River Valley Libertarians (covering Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia & Greene counties in New York State). Hudson River Valley Libertarians is a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians.
The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus is to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State and to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 with the goal of obtaining 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under New York State's election law.
On November 5, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party announced its support for the:
Legalization of Marijuana
Decriminalization of Prostitution
Legalization of Gambling
Lowering of the Voting Age
Legalization of Gay Marriage
Elimination of Excessive Taxation
Elimination of Excessive Regulation
On November 11, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party adopted the following Slogan:
Tell Your Children! Fight The Menace! Kill The Devil! Save The Country!
The phrase was used in the song "Reefer Madness" from Reefer Madness: The Musical, which is a musical satire of the 1938 cult movie classic Tell Your Children (now commonly referred to as Reefer Madness).
In announcing the appointment of Alden Link as Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party, Dr. Tom Stevens, Personal Freedom Party Founder, said:
The appointment of Alden Link as Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party allows him to lend his considerable political experience and wisdom to our organizing efforts. Not only is Mr. Link a successful businessman and aviator, he was also the Objectivist Party's Vice-Presidential Candidate in 2008 and the New York State Libertarian Party's Lt. Governor Candidate in 2010.
The Personal Freedom Party is currently active in New York State. It is chaired by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens, who currently serves as the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens also founded Libertarian Patriots and Empire State Libertarians and recently served two-terms on the LPUS's Judicial Committee (2006-2010).
The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus is to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State and to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 with the goal of obtaining 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under New York State's election law.
On November 5, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party announced its support for the:
Legalization of Marijuana
Decriminalization of Prostitution
Legalization of Gambling
Lowering of the Voting Age
Legalization of Gay Marriage
Elimination of Excessive Taxation
Elimination of Excessive Regulation
On November 11, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party adopted the following Slogan:
Tell Your Children! Fight The Menace! Kill The Devil! Save The Country!
The phrase was used in the song "Reefer Madness" from Reefer Madness: The Musical, which is a musical satire of the 1938 cult movie classic Tell Your Children (now commonly referred to as Reefer Madness).
In announcing the appointment of Alden Link as Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party, Dr. Tom Stevens, Personal Freedom Party Founder, said:
The appointment of Alden Link as Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party allows him to lend his considerable political experience and wisdom to our organizing efforts. Not only is Mr. Link a successful businessman and aviator, he was also the Objectivist Party's Vice-Presidential Candidate in 2008 and the New York State Libertarian Party's Lt. Governor Candidate in 2010.
The Personal Freedom Party is currently active in New York State. It is chaired by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens, who currently serves as the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens also founded Libertarian Patriots and Empire State Libertarians and recently served two-terms on the LPUS's Judicial Committee (2006-2010).
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Libertarian Party Selects Las Vegas As The Host City For Its 2012 National Convention
The Libertarian Party's National Committee voted on November 21, 2010 to hold the Libertarian Party's next National Convention from May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is located 11 miles from the Las Vegas Strip at 11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135. The Hotel provides free shuttle service to and from McCarran International Airport (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and to and from the Hotel and the Fashion Show Mall just off the Las Vegas Strip (11:40 a.m. to 9:40 p.m.). The shuttles run every two hours although the hotel has promised to increase the frequency of its shuttle to and from the airport during the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nominating Convention. If you choose to take a taxi to or from the airport, the ride will cost you approximately $60.00 not including tip. The hotel has a pool that is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The negotiated discounted price for the hotel rooms have not yet been announced.
A number of individuals have expressed their happiness with the selection of Las Vegas as the site of the next LPUS National Convention but felt the hotel selected should have been on or just off the Las Vegas Strip so delegates could take full advantage of the buffets and entertainment Las Vegas has to offer. In response, Aaron Starr, the former Treasurer of the Libertarian Party, wrote:
Members of the LNC toured both the Paris and Bally’s hotels in Las Vegas back in July. I attended those tours. There was one location where the ceiling was too low (you want it to be at least 20 feet). It would have been bad for folks at the back of the room (the jumbo screens in front wouldn’t fit) and it would be less than ideal from the view of the media’s camera lens. There was also the sense that these hotels were actually too large for us to be a significant presence and our ability to negotiate a good package would be diminished.
The really nice hotels are not at all willing to deal. The price for our delegates would have been outrageous. Others inquiries were made with other hotels a year earlier and many were not willing to deal with us because our size was insignificant.
Alden Link, a contender for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2008, said:
I agree with Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Libertarian Patriots and former two-term LPUS Judicial Committee Member (2006-2010), that the host hotel for the Libertarian Party's 2012 National Convention should have been on or just off the Las Vegas Strip. I do not doubt some effort was made to find a hotel on the Strip that could accommodate our needs. However, I believe the LNC gave up too soon. There are scores of hotels located on or just off the Las Vegas Strip that host conventions of our size every day. I am confident an appropriate venue could have been found that would have allowed attending convention delegates to wander out onto the Strip during breaks for food and fun.
The Libertarian Party will select its Presidential Candidate during the upcoming May 4-6, 2012 National Convention. Listed here are former Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates together with the year they ran, their popular vote total and the percentage of the total vote they garnered:
1972 John Hospers (3,674) <0.1%
1976 Roger MacBride (172,553) 0.21%
1980 Ed Clark (921,128) 1.1%
1984 David Bergland (228,111) 0.3%
1988 Ron Paul (431,750) 0.5%
1992 Andre Marrou (290,087) 0.3%
1996 Harry Browne (485,759) 0.5%
2000 Harry Browne (384,431) 0.4%
2004 Michael Badnarik (397,265) 0.32%
2008 Bob Barr (523,686) 0.4%
The Libertarian Party was formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the home of David Nolan on December 11, 1971.
The Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is located 11 miles from the Las Vegas Strip at 11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135. The Hotel provides free shuttle service to and from McCarran International Airport (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and to and from the Hotel and the Fashion Show Mall just off the Las Vegas Strip (11:40 a.m. to 9:40 p.m.). The shuttles run every two hours although the hotel has promised to increase the frequency of its shuttle to and from the airport during the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nominating Convention. If you choose to take a taxi to or from the airport, the ride will cost you approximately $60.00 not including tip. The hotel has a pool that is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The negotiated discounted price for the hotel rooms have not yet been announced.
A number of individuals have expressed their happiness with the selection of Las Vegas as the site of the next LPUS National Convention but felt the hotel selected should have been on or just off the Las Vegas Strip so delegates could take full advantage of the buffets and entertainment Las Vegas has to offer. In response, Aaron Starr, the former Treasurer of the Libertarian Party, wrote:
Members of the LNC toured both the Paris and Bally’s hotels in Las Vegas back in July. I attended those tours. There was one location where the ceiling was too low (you want it to be at least 20 feet). It would have been bad for folks at the back of the room (the jumbo screens in front wouldn’t fit) and it would be less than ideal from the view of the media’s camera lens. There was also the sense that these hotels were actually too large for us to be a significant presence and our ability to negotiate a good package would be diminished.
The really nice hotels are not at all willing to deal. The price for our delegates would have been outrageous. Others inquiries were made with other hotels a year earlier and many were not willing to deal with us because our size was insignificant.
Alden Link, a contender for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2008, said:
I agree with Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Libertarian Patriots and former two-term LPUS Judicial Committee Member (2006-2010), that the host hotel for the Libertarian Party's 2012 National Convention should have been on or just off the Las Vegas Strip. I do not doubt some effort was made to find a hotel on the Strip that could accommodate our needs. However, I believe the LNC gave up too soon. There are scores of hotels located on or just off the Las Vegas Strip that host conventions of our size every day. I am confident an appropriate venue could have been found that would have allowed attending convention delegates to wander out onto the Strip during breaks for food and fun.
The Libertarian Party will select its Presidential Candidate during the upcoming May 4-6, 2012 National Convention. Listed here are former Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates together with the year they ran, their popular vote total and the percentage of the total vote they garnered:
1972 John Hospers (3,674) <0.1%
1976 Roger MacBride (172,553) 0.21%
1980 Ed Clark (921,128) 1.1%
1984 David Bergland (228,111) 0.3%
1988 Ron Paul (431,750) 0.5%
1992 Andre Marrou (290,087) 0.3%
1996 Harry Browne (485,759) 0.5%
2000 Harry Browne (384,431) 0.4%
2004 Michael Badnarik (397,265) 0.32%
2008 Bob Barr (523,686) 0.4%
The Libertarian Party was formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the home of David Nolan on December 11, 1971.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
USS Rebel Crusader Mentioned In Wall Street Journal Article Covering Brooklyn Chili Takedown
The USS Rebel Crusader, a Star Trek/Sci-Fi fandom ship associated with the Pride Power Imperium, was mentioned in an article published in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. The article dealt with a Brooklyn Chili Takedown that took place in Park Slope on Sunday, November 21, 2010.
The article, entitled "In Brooklyn, a Chili in the Air" by Andy Battaglia, can be found at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704243904575630872363195574.html
The relevant quotation from the article is the following:
Tom Stevens, a lawyer from Queens, learned about the event by way of a "Star Trek"/science-fiction "fan ship" on the internet called the USS Rebel Crusader, for which he serves as Commanding Officer. "My mom is always watching the food channels, so I think that influenced me," Mr. Stevens said of his decision to attend his first food competition. "But I'm very egotistic. I make my own judgments." Asked how he felt after eating so much chili, he replied, "I'm a little hot right now."
The USS Rebel Crusader is a Star Trek/Sci-Fi/Action Hero fandom ship associated with the Pride Power Imperium. It is a time ship equipped with ablative armour, phase cloaking and stealth technology. All members of its genetically enhanced crew have a life span of between 200-250 years and have enhanced strength, intelligence, health, virility and looks. The male members of the crew are also particularly well-endowed. The USS Rebel Crusader holds meetings, sponsors events, goes to movies, attends conventions, and shares sci-fi information as well as hard science news.
The ship's Yahoo Group is located at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/USS_RebelCrusader
The USS Rebel Crusader's slogan is "Semper Erectus". Its motto is "Never Go Off Half-Cocked" and its adopted quotation is "Wrong thinking is punishable; Right thinking will be as quickly rewarded!" (The Keeper - Talos IV)
The article, entitled "In Brooklyn, a Chili in the Air" by Andy Battaglia, can be found at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704243904575630872363195574.html
The relevant quotation from the article is the following:
Tom Stevens, a lawyer from Queens, learned about the event by way of a "Star Trek"/science-fiction "fan ship" on the internet called the USS Rebel Crusader, for which he serves as Commanding Officer. "My mom is always watching the food channels, so I think that influenced me," Mr. Stevens said of his decision to attend his first food competition. "But I'm very egotistic. I make my own judgments." Asked how he felt after eating so much chili, he replied, "I'm a little hot right now."
The USS Rebel Crusader is a Star Trek/Sci-Fi/Action Hero fandom ship associated with the Pride Power Imperium. It is a time ship equipped with ablative armour, phase cloaking and stealth technology. All members of its genetically enhanced crew have a life span of between 200-250 years and have enhanced strength, intelligence, health, virility and looks. The male members of the crew are also particularly well-endowed. The USS Rebel Crusader holds meetings, sponsors events, goes to movies, attends conventions, and shares sci-fi information as well as hard science news.
The ship's Yahoo Group is located at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/USS_RebelCrusader
The USS Rebel Crusader's slogan is "Semper Erectus". Its motto is "Never Go Off Half-Cocked" and its adopted quotation is "Wrong thinking is punishable; Right thinking will be as quickly rewarded!" (The Keeper - Talos IV)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Alden Link Resigns MLP Membership In Protest To Its Treatment Of LPQC Members Sam Sloan & Dr. Tom Stevens
On November 23, 2010, Alden Link, the Libertarian Party's Candidate for Lt. Governor of New York State in 2010, resigned his membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party in protest to the way it and the New York Libertarian Party has treated Libertarian Party of Queens County members Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens.
In an e-mail to Mark Axinn, New York Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, Alden Link wrote the following:
I am saddened by the dispute between the LPQC and the MLP, with Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan in particular being victimized by the NYLP and MLP.
I feel my continued membership in the MLP is not in my best interests or that of the LPQC. Therefore, I hereby tender my resignation from the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
Should the two groups reconcile their differences with apologies to Tom and Sam, I would certainly reconsider this decision.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded as follows:
I appreciate Alden Link ending his association with the Manhattan Libertarian Party. The MLP's County Committee declared war on the Queens LP by asking its Political Director to resign his membership and by suspending the membership of Sam Sloan, a prominent LPQC member, who was unanimously elected by the MLP membership to be its State Representative. In addition to that, Mark Axinn, as NYLP Chair, spoke in favor of forming a Special Committee to investigate charges against John Procida, the former LPQC Chair, as a prelude to taking action to suspend Procida's State Party membership, as was just done to former LPQC State Representative Dr. Tom Stevens, and LPQC member Sam Sloan, who the LPQC endorsed as its candidate for governor.
Mark Axinn believes the insults and injuries to the LPQC can just be swept under the rug and that by taking no further aggressive actions against the Queens LP leadership, that all will simply be forgiven. This will not happen!
I can confidently say the Libertarian Party of Queens County seeks peaceful, friendly relations with the Manhattan Libertarian Party. All that is required to restore good relations is an apology to Sam Sloan and myself with an invitation extended to us to rejoin the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
Mark Axinn and the County Committee of the Manhattan Libertarian Party created this situation and it is within their power to resolve it. However, without justice, there can and will be no peace!
Alden Link is a member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and is Chair of the Hudson River Valley Libertarians (covering Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia & Greene counties), a chapter of Empire State Libertarians.
In an e-mail to Mark Axinn, New York Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, Alden Link wrote the following:
I am saddened by the dispute between the LPQC and the MLP, with Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan in particular being victimized by the NYLP and MLP.
I feel my continued membership in the MLP is not in my best interests or that of the LPQC. Therefore, I hereby tender my resignation from the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
Should the two groups reconcile their differences with apologies to Tom and Sam, I would certainly reconsider this decision.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded as follows:
I appreciate Alden Link ending his association with the Manhattan Libertarian Party. The MLP's County Committee declared war on the Queens LP by asking its Political Director to resign his membership and by suspending the membership of Sam Sloan, a prominent LPQC member, who was unanimously elected by the MLP membership to be its State Representative. In addition to that, Mark Axinn, as NYLP Chair, spoke in favor of forming a Special Committee to investigate charges against John Procida, the former LPQC Chair, as a prelude to taking action to suspend Procida's State Party membership, as was just done to former LPQC State Representative Dr. Tom Stevens, and LPQC member Sam Sloan, who the LPQC endorsed as its candidate for governor.
Mark Axinn believes the insults and injuries to the LPQC can just be swept under the rug and that by taking no further aggressive actions against the Queens LP leadership, that all will simply be forgiven. This will not happen!
I can confidently say the Libertarian Party of Queens County seeks peaceful, friendly relations with the Manhattan Libertarian Party. All that is required to restore good relations is an apology to Sam Sloan and myself with an invitation extended to us to rejoin the Manhattan Libertarian Party.
Mark Axinn and the County Committee of the Manhattan Libertarian Party created this situation and it is within their power to resolve it. However, without justice, there can and will be no peace!
Alden Link is a member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and is Chair of the Hudson River Valley Libertarians (covering Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia & Greene counties), a chapter of Empire State Libertarians.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sam Sloan Shafted By The Manhattan LP's "Libertarian Ruling Junta"
What happens to a State Representative elected by the membership of the Manhattan Libertarian Party when he is not a member of and chooses to ignore the advice of the MLP's "Libertarian Ruling Junta"? The answer? He gets shafted, suspended and spirited out the door! That is what happened to Sam Sloan, who was unanimously elected by the membership of the Manhattan Libertarian Party at its Annual Convention held in January, 2010 at the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant located in Manhattan.
In late January, 2010, Sam Sloan announced he would run for the gubernatorial nomination of the Libertarian Party against Warren Redlich and Kristin Davis. When Davis and Sloan were denied the opportunity to communicate with the 400+ eligible voting delegates to encourage them to attend the NYLP Annual Convention and to support their candidacies, Kristin Davis dropped out of the "rigged" process and formed her own party, eventually running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party. After 27 delegates handed Warren Redlich the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nomination in an election run by Mark Axinn on the "honor system", Sam Sloan instituted two lawsuits, which were eventually dismissed on technicalities.
Ron Moore - Manhattan LP Chair and Mark Axinn - MLP Secretary/Treasurer consider themselves part of the entrenched leadership of the Manhattan LP and refer to themselves affectionately as the Libertarian Ruling Junta reflecting their perception of themselves as an entrenched anti-democratic force. They requested that Sam Sloan, the elected MLP State Representative, terminate his lawsuits, that he stop criticizing Warren Redlich, and eventually that he resign. Sam Sloan sought advice from Dr. Tom Stevens, the elected State Representative from the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens told Sam Sloan that he was elected by the membership and that he is answerable only to them. Dr. Stevens reminded Mr. Sloan that the County Committee of the Manhattan Libertarian Party did not select him to be the MLP State Representative and that they could not dictate to him what stands he should take, what words he can speak and certainly cannot force his resignation. Article VI, Section 7 of the MLP bylaws provide a procedure for an "officer" to be impeached for good cause by a 3/4 vote of the County Committee but the State Representative is not an "officer" according to the MLP bylaws and is therefore not subject to this provision. Dr. Stevens advised Mr. Sloan to do as he saw fit and to represent MLP members to the best of his abilities and according to his own judgment.
The County Committee then voted to "suspend" Sam Sloan's membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party, effective August 11, 2010, as a back-door method of shafting him and removing him from his position as the elected State Representative. In an e-mail to Dr. Stevens, Mark Axinn set forth the grounds for Sam Sloan's suspension.
Mark Axinn said:
He was suspended in part because he refused to resign as State Committee rep. when requested to do so. I believe the by-laws are ambiguous on whether the State rep. can be removed like other officers can be, and that is something we must clean up at the next Convention.
Justification for Sam's removal is crystal clear and, unlike the State Committee action against you, I personally supported it without hesitation. I have helped Sam and defended him against others for a long time and his response was to sue the LPNY and me. He has caused me to spend over $5000 of my own time on his two bullshit lawsuits, which even if the claims therein were true (which they are not) does not justify his use of the State against me, the LPNY and its duly nominated choice for Governor.
I warned Sam about a million times what was happening and he ignored me and flouted my advice, perhaps taking the wrong advice from others and perhaps on his own initiative. That was his decision.
The problem is that Article IV, Section 3 of the MLP bylaws allows only three grounds for the suspension of the membership of an MLP member and Sam Sloan was in violation of none of those provisions. The three grounds are:
1. follows a continued public course of action which they should reasonably know to be contrary to the Objectives and Principles of the MLP as set forth in Articles II and III of these By-Laws;
2. claims to represent the MLP while they should reasonably know they have no such authority; or
3. knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupts meetings or activities of the MLP.
Clearly Sam Sloan did not represent the MLP without authority and he certainly did not disrupt any meetings or activities of the MLP so what about following a "continued public course of action" contrary to the Objectives and Principles of the MLP? Well let's look at Articles II and III:
Article II: Objectives
The MLP is a political organization that has as its primary objective the extension of individual freedom to its furthest limits, subject to reasonable prohibitions to prevent the initiation of force and perpetration of fraud. In recognition of the fact that the initiation of force by government has been an instrument for the expropriation of individual rights and freedom, which has in turn caused or enable much unnecessary suffering in human society, the MLP enters the political arena for the avowed purpose of limiting the intervention of government to the prevention or violence against person and property, as well as fraud, and the development and protection of property rights.
Article III: Principles
1. That each individual possesses the inalienable right to life, liberty, justly acquired property and the pursuit of happiness.
2. That no person or institution, public or private, has the right to initiate the use of physical force against another absent the justifications mentioned herein.
3. That all individuals are entitled to choose their own lifestyles, as long as they do not forcibly or unduly impose their values on the property or person of others.
4. That the only moral basis of politics is the development, preservation and protection of individual rights.
5. That the voluntary and unrestricted exchange of goods and services is fundamental to a peaceful and harmonious society.
Sam Sloan, the elected State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, clearly did not engage in a "continued public course of action...contrary to the Objectives and Principles of the MLP" and in fact, you could argue that by instituting lawsuits to expose fraud, he was acting in a manner consistent with the Objectives and Principles of the MLP. In addition, his failing to resign when the Libertarian Ruling Junta asked him to provides no grounds for his membership suspension under the MLP bylaws.
Despite these facts, a Suspension Hearing was held. Majoritarian Tyranny voted to Shaft Sloan and by suspending his membership, the County County effectively removed him as the State Representative of the Manhattan LP, appointing in his place Eric Sundwall, a resident of the Capital District LP, who also was serving as the Campaign Manager of Warren Redlich.
Abuse of power should be condemned especially when it takes place in a Libertarian Party organization. Sam Sloan and the membership of the Manhattan Libertarian Party are owed a formal apology for the authoritarian actions taken by the County Committee of the MLP in violation of the provisions of their own By-Laws.
In late January, 2010, Sam Sloan announced he would run for the gubernatorial nomination of the Libertarian Party against Warren Redlich and Kristin Davis. When Davis and Sloan were denied the opportunity to communicate with the 400+ eligible voting delegates to encourage them to attend the NYLP Annual Convention and to support their candidacies, Kristin Davis dropped out of the "rigged" process and formed her own party, eventually running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party. After 27 delegates handed Warren Redlich the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nomination in an election run by Mark Axinn on the "honor system", Sam Sloan instituted two lawsuits, which were eventually dismissed on technicalities.
Ron Moore - Manhattan LP Chair and Mark Axinn - MLP Secretary/Treasurer consider themselves part of the entrenched leadership of the Manhattan LP and refer to themselves affectionately as the Libertarian Ruling Junta reflecting their perception of themselves as an entrenched anti-democratic force. They requested that Sam Sloan, the elected MLP State Representative, terminate his lawsuits, that he stop criticizing Warren Redlich, and eventually that he resign. Sam Sloan sought advice from Dr. Tom Stevens, the elected State Representative from the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens told Sam Sloan that he was elected by the membership and that he is answerable only to them. Dr. Stevens reminded Mr. Sloan that the County Committee of the Manhattan Libertarian Party did not select him to be the MLP State Representative and that they could not dictate to him what stands he should take, what words he can speak and certainly cannot force his resignation. Article VI, Section 7 of the MLP bylaws provide a procedure for an "officer" to be impeached for good cause by a 3/4 vote of the County Committee but the State Representative is not an "officer" according to the MLP bylaws and is therefore not subject to this provision. Dr. Stevens advised Mr. Sloan to do as he saw fit and to represent MLP members to the best of his abilities and according to his own judgment.
The County Committee then voted to "suspend" Sam Sloan's membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party, effective August 11, 2010, as a back-door method of shafting him and removing him from his position as the elected State Representative. In an e-mail to Dr. Stevens, Mark Axinn set forth the grounds for Sam Sloan's suspension.
Mark Axinn said:
He was suspended in part because he refused to resign as State Committee rep. when requested to do so. I believe the by-laws are ambiguous on whether the State rep. can be removed like other officers can be, and that is something we must clean up at the next Convention.
Justification for Sam's removal is crystal clear and, unlike the State Committee action against you, I personally supported it without hesitation. I have helped Sam and defended him against others for a long time and his response was to sue the LPNY and me. He has caused me to spend over $5000 of my own time on his two bullshit lawsuits, which even if the claims therein were true (which they are not) does not justify his use of the State against me, the LPNY and its duly nominated choice for Governor.
I warned Sam about a million times what was happening and he ignored me and flouted my advice, perhaps taking the wrong advice from others and perhaps on his own initiative. That was his decision.
The problem is that Article IV, Section 3 of the MLP bylaws allows only three grounds for the suspension of the membership of an MLP member and Sam Sloan was in violation of none of those provisions. The three grounds are:
1. follows a continued public course of action which they should reasonably know to be contrary to the Objectives and Principles of the MLP as set forth in Articles II and III of these By-Laws;
2. claims to represent the MLP while they should reasonably know they have no such authority; or
3. knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupts meetings or activities of the MLP.
Clearly Sam Sloan did not represent the MLP without authority and he certainly did not disrupt any meetings or activities of the MLP so what about following a "continued public course of action" contrary to the Objectives and Principles of the MLP? Well let's look at Articles II and III:
Article II: Objectives
The MLP is a political organization that has as its primary objective the extension of individual freedom to its furthest limits, subject to reasonable prohibitions to prevent the initiation of force and perpetration of fraud. In recognition of the fact that the initiation of force by government has been an instrument for the expropriation of individual rights and freedom, which has in turn caused or enable much unnecessary suffering in human society, the MLP enters the political arena for the avowed purpose of limiting the intervention of government to the prevention or violence against person and property, as well as fraud, and the development and protection of property rights.
Article III: Principles
1. That each individual possesses the inalienable right to life, liberty, justly acquired property and the pursuit of happiness.
2. That no person or institution, public or private, has the right to initiate the use of physical force against another absent the justifications mentioned herein.
3. That all individuals are entitled to choose their own lifestyles, as long as they do not forcibly or unduly impose their values on the property or person of others.
4. That the only moral basis of politics is the development, preservation and protection of individual rights.
5. That the voluntary and unrestricted exchange of goods and services is fundamental to a peaceful and harmonious society.
Sam Sloan, the elected State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, clearly did not engage in a "continued public course of action...contrary to the Objectives and Principles of the MLP" and in fact, you could argue that by instituting lawsuits to expose fraud, he was acting in a manner consistent with the Objectives and Principles of the MLP. In addition, his failing to resign when the Libertarian Ruling Junta asked him to provides no grounds for his membership suspension under the MLP bylaws.
Despite these facts, a Suspension Hearing was held. Majoritarian Tyranny voted to Shaft Sloan and by suspending his membership, the County County effectively removed him as the State Representative of the Manhattan LP, appointing in his place Eric Sundwall, a resident of the Capital District LP, who also was serving as the Campaign Manager of Warren Redlich.
Abuse of power should be condemned especially when it takes place in a Libertarian Party organization. Sam Sloan and the membership of the Manhattan Libertarian Party are owed a formal apology for the authoritarian actions taken by the County Committee of the MLP in violation of the provisions of their own By-Laws.
Dan Halloran - The 1st Governor Elected On The Libertarian Party Line?
New York City Council Member Dan Halloran represents 161,000 constituents and is the highest elected Libertarian Party official in the nation elected from a single district in a partisan race. He ran as a fusion candidate and appeared on the ballot in 2009 as the candidate of the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Libertarian Parties. He credits the Libertarian Party for giving him the votes he needed to win since the number of votes he received on the Republican Party line alone were insufficient to beat his Democratic opponent. What is the next step for Dan Halloran and how might he end up becoming the first Libertarian Party candidate to be elected Governor of a state?
On Saturday, November 13, 2010, Dan Halloran was the guest speaker of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. During that meeting, he mentioned his commitment to serve as a New York City Council Member for only two terms even though he is eligible to serve for three terms under the grandfather clause attached to the amendments to the New York City Charter, which were approved this year. He also mentioned during his speech that he may be called upon to run for State Senate in the 11th Senatorial District since 38 year incumbent Republican Party member Frank Padavan lost that seat this year. If he does run for the State Senate, he will be able to do so in 2012 without risking his City Council seat, which is up for re-election in 2013.
If Dan Halloran won the State Senate seat in 2012, he could run for Attorney General of the State of New York in 2014 and then run for Governor in 2018, at the earliest. While my time line may be off, I believe the path I have spelled out is a reasonable one to give Dan Halloran a shot at becoming Governor of the State of New York. While addressing the Libertarian Party of Queens County, Mr. Halloran stated he believed the Libertarian Party's first Governor would be an individual running as a fusion candidate with our endorsement. Of course, Queens LP members shouted they'd like that person to be Dan Halloran himself.
Dan Halloran is a member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the national Libertarian Party. He attended the Libertarian Party's National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010 as a delegate from New York State.
On Saturday, November 13, 2010, Dan Halloran was the guest speaker of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. During that meeting, he mentioned his commitment to serve as a New York City Council Member for only two terms even though he is eligible to serve for three terms under the grandfather clause attached to the amendments to the New York City Charter, which were approved this year. He also mentioned during his speech that he may be called upon to run for State Senate in the 11th Senatorial District since 38 year incumbent Republican Party member Frank Padavan lost that seat this year. If he does run for the State Senate, he will be able to do so in 2012 without risking his City Council seat, which is up for re-election in 2013.
If Dan Halloran won the State Senate seat in 2012, he could run for Attorney General of the State of New York in 2014 and then run for Governor in 2018, at the earliest. While my time line may be off, I believe the path I have spelled out is a reasonable one to give Dan Halloran a shot at becoming Governor of the State of New York. While addressing the Libertarian Party of Queens County, Mr. Halloran stated he believed the Libertarian Party's first Governor would be an individual running as a fusion candidate with our endorsement. Of course, Queens LP members shouted they'd like that person to be Dan Halloran himself.
Dan Halloran is a member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the national Libertarian Party. He attended the Libertarian Party's National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010 as a delegate from New York State.
Friday, November 12, 2010
John Procida Resigns As LPQC Chair Calling The New York State Libertarian Party "Worthless, Good-For-Nothing & Ineffectual"
John Procida, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, resigned from his position as LPQC Chair on Saturday, October 9, 2010 after the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party failed to provide him with the written apology he had demanded. Mr. Procida was upset that the State Committee had formed a Special Committee to investigate whether to suspend his membership in the State Party.
John Procida was the third member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County to be targeted in this manner since June, 2010. Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC State Representative, was the first LPQC member to have his State Party membership suspended by the State Committee. In response, Dr. Stevens resigned his Life Membership in the New York Libertarian Party. Sam Sloan, an LPQC member who also was the elected State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, was the second LPQC member who was targeted. His membership was also suspended and he chose not to appeal that decision.
After not receiving the apology he requested, Mr. Procida decided to sever his ties with the State Party, which necessitated his resignation as LPQC Chair since maintaining his State Party membership is a requirement for his serving in that position. When announcing his resignation, he called the State Party "worthless", "good-for-nothing" and "ineffectual".
John Procida announced his resignation as LPQC Chair at the Executive Committee Meeting of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that was held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at Bohemian Hall in Astoria, New York.
John Procida was the third member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County to be targeted in this manner since June, 2010. Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC State Representative, was the first LPQC member to have his State Party membership suspended by the State Committee. In response, Dr. Stevens resigned his Life Membership in the New York Libertarian Party. Sam Sloan, an LPQC member who also was the elected State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, was the second LPQC member who was targeted. His membership was also suspended and he chose not to appeal that decision.
After not receiving the apology he requested, Mr. Procida decided to sever his ties with the State Party, which necessitated his resignation as LPQC Chair since maintaining his State Party membership is a requirement for his serving in that position. When announcing his resignation, he called the State Party "worthless", "good-for-nothing" and "ineffectual".
John Procida announced his resignation as LPQC Chair at the Executive Committee Meeting of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that was held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at Bohemian Hall in Astoria, New York.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Personal Freedom Party Adopts Slogan
On November 11, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party adopted the following Slogan:
Tell Your Children! Fight The Menace! Kill The Devil! Save The Country!
The phrase was used in the song "Reefer Madness" from Reefer Madness: The Musical, which is a musical satire of the 1938 cult movie classic Tell Your Children (now commonly referred to as Reefer Madness).
The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus is to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State as well as to seek out pro-liberty individuals willing to serve in leadership positions.
The Personal Freedom Party's main objective is to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 and to obtain 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under the election law of the State of New York.
Tell Your Children! Fight The Menace! Kill The Devil! Save The Country!
The phrase was used in the song "Reefer Madness" from Reefer Madness: The Musical, which is a musical satire of the 1938 cult movie classic Tell Your Children (now commonly referred to as Reefer Madness).
The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus is to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State as well as to seek out pro-liberty individuals willing to serve in leadership positions.
The Personal Freedom Party's main objective is to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 and to obtain 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under the election law of the State of New York.
Stevens Will Not Organize For Ron Paul This Presidential Election Cycle
Given the high probably that Ron Paul will again seek the nomination of the Republican Party for President in 2012, Dr. Tom Stevens has announced he will not serve as an Organizer or Coordinator on behalf of the Ron Paul Campaign in any official or unofficial capacity.
In 2007 and 2008, Dr. Stevens served as Political Consultant and New York Coordinator for the independent Paul For President Coalition. In that capacity, he formed scores of Ron Paul Meetup Groups throughout the country and ran them until local activists could take them over. He then formed additional Ron Paul Meetup Groups and repeated the process. He provided critical political expertise that resulted in developing extensive grassroots support for the candidacy of Ron Paul. Press Releases were sent out, Conference Calls were held. Yahoo Groups were formed and County Coordinators were appointed throughout the nation. Major fundraising competitions were held and new activists were trained in how to be effective getting out the message to potential voters.
Dr. Stevens also formed the Paul Power organization and Ron Paul's Liberty Corps to promote the Ron Paul Presidential Campaign. These two groups provided the Ron Paul Campaign with many local activists and staffers and they worked to promote the numerous Money Bombs that proved to be so important in getting the message out to potential voters during the Presidential Primary Season.
When making this announcement, Dr. Stevens said:
I do not want my decision to be interpreted as a lack of support for another Ron Paul candidacy. If Dr. Paul won the Republican Presidential Nomination, which is possible, I believe that would be a great advance for pro-liberty political forces in this country. I originally got involved in 2007 to support Ron Paul at a time when no grassroots organization existed. I offered my time and political expertise to build support for his candidacy and in this regard, I believe I made a significant contribution. During this Presidential Election Cycle, I can focus my attention on other political activities I am committed to and can do so with the confidence that others are now in place to do what will be necessary in the weeks and months ahead.
Dr. Tom Stevens is a registered Republican Party member residing in New York State. He is the Founder of Empire State Libertarians and Libertarian Patriots. He is also the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
In 2007 and 2008, Dr. Stevens served as Political Consultant and New York Coordinator for the independent Paul For President Coalition. In that capacity, he formed scores of Ron Paul Meetup Groups throughout the country and ran them until local activists could take them over. He then formed additional Ron Paul Meetup Groups and repeated the process. He provided critical political expertise that resulted in developing extensive grassroots support for the candidacy of Ron Paul. Press Releases were sent out, Conference Calls were held. Yahoo Groups were formed and County Coordinators were appointed throughout the nation. Major fundraising competitions were held and new activists were trained in how to be effective getting out the message to potential voters.
Dr. Stevens also formed the Paul Power organization and Ron Paul's Liberty Corps to promote the Ron Paul Presidential Campaign. These two groups provided the Ron Paul Campaign with many local activists and staffers and they worked to promote the numerous Money Bombs that proved to be so important in getting the message out to potential voters during the Presidential Primary Season.
When making this announcement, Dr. Stevens said:
I do not want my decision to be interpreted as a lack of support for another Ron Paul candidacy. If Dr. Paul won the Republican Presidential Nomination, which is possible, I believe that would be a great advance for pro-liberty political forces in this country. I originally got involved in 2007 to support Ron Paul at a time when no grassroots organization existed. I offered my time and political expertise to build support for his candidacy and in this regard, I believe I made a significant contribution. During this Presidential Election Cycle, I can focus my attention on other political activities I am committed to and can do so with the confidence that others are now in place to do what will be necessary in the weeks and months ahead.
Dr. Tom Stevens is a registered Republican Party member residing in New York State. He is the Founder of Empire State Libertarians and Libertarian Patriots. He is also the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Personal Freedom Party Adopts Platform
On November 5, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party, founded by Thomas Robert Stevens, announced the adoption of a Platform it intends to use as a candidate recruitment tool and as the basis for future campaigns for public office.
The Personal Freedom Party Platform includes support for the:
Legalization of Marijuana
Decriminalization of Prostitution
Legalization of Gambling
Lowering of the Voting Age
Legalization of Gay Marriage
Elimination of Excessive Taxation
Elimination of Excessive Regulation
The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus will be to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State as well as to seek out pro-liberty individuals willing to serve in leadership positions.
The Personal Freedom Party's main objective is to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 and to obtain 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under the election law of New York State.
The Personal Freedom Party Platform includes support for the:
Legalization of Marijuana
Decriminalization of Prostitution
Legalization of Gambling
Lowering of the Voting Age
Legalization of Gay Marriage
Elimination of Excessive Taxation
Elimination of Excessive Regulation
The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus will be to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State as well as to seek out pro-liberty individuals willing to serve in leadership positions.
The Personal Freedom Party's main objective is to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 and to obtain 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under the election law of New York State.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, Endorses Tom Tancredo In The Colorado Gubernatorial Race
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder and Chair of the Objectivist Party, has endorsed Tom Tancredo for Governor of Colorado. Mr. Tancredo is running as the candidate of the American Constitution Party against John Hickenlooper, the Democrat, and Dan Maes, the Republican.
Dr. Stevens has encouraged all Objectivist Party members living in Colorado to cast their gubernatorial votes for Tom Tancredo, in light of the fact that the Objectivist Party of Colorado decided not to run a candidate for Governor this year and because of Tom Tancredo's stands on the issues, namely his support for lowering taxes, limiting state spending, protecting 2nd Amendment Rights and ending illegal immigration.
For more information, visit Tom Tancredo's website at: http://www.tancredoforgovernor2010.org/
Dr. Stevens has encouraged all Objectivist Party members living in Colorado to cast their gubernatorial votes for Tom Tancredo, in light of the fact that the Objectivist Party of Colorado decided not to run a candidate for Governor this year and because of Tom Tancredo's stands on the issues, namely his support for lowering taxes, limiting state spending, protecting 2nd Amendment Rights and ending illegal immigration.
For more information, visit Tom Tancredo's website at: http://www.tancredoforgovernor2010.org/
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Warren Redlich Set To Lead NYLP To Humiliating Defeat
I hope that when Warren Redlich, the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of New York State, comes in 7th place and possibly 11th place (which is last place) on Election Day that those responsible for this disaster recognize their own political ignorance and inexperience and do the honorable thing, which in my opinion would be to resign from their leadership positions in the Libertarian Party of New York.
From the very beginning, I have vocally opposed the nomination of Warren Redlich because I believed he was lying to us about actively contesting for the Republican Party nomination, which was the basis of the argument of his supporters regarding why he would be a viable candidate and this in the face of his promise not to spend a dime of his own money on his own campaign.
Since then, his supporters and the leaders of the LP in New York State have been lying to you about his chances, saying that momentum is building, telling national this is our best chance in years to obtain 50,000 votes, posting videos that might get him elected President of the Student Council at a High School but certainly not Governor of the State of New York. The response to my criticisms was to attempt to silence my voice on the State Committee, as if that would somehow undermine the legitimacy of my concerns.
We only get one shot every four years to make a mark and to take the Libertarian Party to the next level and yet for over 36 years, the New York Libertarian Party leadership has absolutely failed to obtain "minor party" status for the Libertarian Party and during those years they blew smoke up your ass, lied to you either intentionally or out of ignorance and in so doing, disrespected you.
Let me share with you my political opinion about what I think will happen on Election Day 2010. Warren Redlich will lead the Libertarian Party to a humiliating defeat. He will most certainly come in at least in 7th place and possibly 11th (last) place.
The following six (6) parties will get more votes than he does:
Democrat
Republican
Independence
Conservative
Working Families
Green
Now it's possible he could come in 7th but I think Charles Barron's Freedom Party is poised to do very well in this election. Jimmy McMillan of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party is a very colorful candidate and may beat out Redlich. Kristin Davis of the Anti-Prohibition Party is the only woman in the race plus she's Boobalicious! She is also the only candidate speaking like a true Libertarian. Finally, Carl Paladino's Taxpayer Party line is a complete wild card. If people associate it with the Tea Party, it may do well but if they don't, I think it will fall short of obtaining a significant number of votes.
So there you have it! Warren Redlich will, in my opinion, at least come in 7th place and possibly last place! Will those responsible for this disaster resign from their positions in shame? Don't count on it! You will end up hearing some bullshit excuse for why things turned out the way they did. Don't buy it! This result was predictable from the very beginning for anyone with an ounce of political experience, which excludes most of the leadership of the Libertarian Party in New York.
In Liberty,
Dr. Tom Stevens
Political Director
Libertarian Party of Queens County
From the very beginning, I have vocally opposed the nomination of Warren Redlich because I believed he was lying to us about actively contesting for the Republican Party nomination, which was the basis of the argument of his supporters regarding why he would be a viable candidate and this in the face of his promise not to spend a dime of his own money on his own campaign.
Since then, his supporters and the leaders of the LP in New York State have been lying to you about his chances, saying that momentum is building, telling national this is our best chance in years to obtain 50,000 votes, posting videos that might get him elected President of the Student Council at a High School but certainly not Governor of the State of New York. The response to my criticisms was to attempt to silence my voice on the State Committee, as if that would somehow undermine the legitimacy of my concerns.
We only get one shot every four years to make a mark and to take the Libertarian Party to the next level and yet for over 36 years, the New York Libertarian Party leadership has absolutely failed to obtain "minor party" status for the Libertarian Party and during those years they blew smoke up your ass, lied to you either intentionally or out of ignorance and in so doing, disrespected you.
Let me share with you my political opinion about what I think will happen on Election Day 2010. Warren Redlich will lead the Libertarian Party to a humiliating defeat. He will most certainly come in at least in 7th place and possibly 11th (last) place.
The following six (6) parties will get more votes than he does:
Democrat
Republican
Independence
Conservative
Working Families
Green
Now it's possible he could come in 7th but I think Charles Barron's Freedom Party is poised to do very well in this election. Jimmy McMillan of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party is a very colorful candidate and may beat out Redlich. Kristin Davis of the Anti-Prohibition Party is the only woman in the race plus she's Boobalicious! She is also the only candidate speaking like a true Libertarian. Finally, Carl Paladino's Taxpayer Party line is a complete wild card. If people associate it with the Tea Party, it may do well but if they don't, I think it will fall short of obtaining a significant number of votes.
So there you have it! Warren Redlich will, in my opinion, at least come in 7th place and possibly last place! Will those responsible for this disaster resign from their positions in shame? Don't count on it! You will end up hearing some bullshit excuse for why things turned out the way they did. Don't buy it! This result was predictable from the very beginning for anyone with an ounce of political experience, which excludes most of the leadership of the Libertarian Party in New York.
In Liberty,
Dr. Tom Stevens
Political Director
Libertarian Party of Queens County
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Rashi Grewal Appointed OPNC President
On October 17, 2010, Rashi Grewal was appointed President of the Objectivist Party of North Carolina by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party.
The Objectivist Party of North Carolina was chartered on October 1, 2008.
It has had four Presidents, who have been:
Robert R. Roland, Jr. - 10/1/08 through 1/7/09
Jason Christopher Cockrell - 1/7/09 through 1/12/10
Marcus B. Bechtol - 1/12/10 through 10/17/10
Rashi Grewal - 10/17/10 to Present
Rashi Grewal formally served as Secretary of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey from January 17, 2010 through September 20, 2010.
The Objectivist Party of North Carolina was chartered on October 1, 2008.
It has had four Presidents, who have been:
Robert R. Roland, Jr. - 10/1/08 through 1/7/09
Jason Christopher Cockrell - 1/7/09 through 1/12/10
Marcus B. Bechtol - 1/12/10 through 10/17/10
Rashi Grewal - 10/17/10 to Present
Rashi Grewal formally served as Secretary of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey from January 17, 2010 through September 20, 2010.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Endorses Carl Paladino In New York State Republican Primary
Empire State Libertarians has endorsed Carl Paladino over Rick Lazio in the New York State Republican Gubernatorial Primary scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 14, 2010. This endorsement was made to provide guidance to libertarians in New York State who have not decided whether to vote for Paladino or Lazio in the primary.
If elected Governor of the State of New York, Carl Paladino has promised to:
1) CUT INCOME TAXES BY 10% BY JUNE 2011: New Yorkers are taxed way too much. Carl won't cap taxes, he'll cut taxes. Capping is gutless; cutting takes courage.
2) CUT THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT BY 20% BY DECEMBER 2011: New York State government is far too big and spends too much. He'll cut by eliminating entire agencies and departments and trimming unnecessary staff across the government.
3) CUT MEDICAID BY $20 BILLION IN HIS FIRST BUDGET: New York offers more gold-plated Medicaid optional benefits than any other state and this is killing our taxpayers. Carl will cut these optional benefits back to California levels - still the second most expensive Medicaid state in America - saving New Yorkers $10 Billion in taxes.
4) CUT BUSINESS TAXES TO ENCOURAGE JOB RETENTION AND GROWTH: Carl will give New York's existing manufacturers, farmers and other businesses a tax holiday if they reinvest this money to keep or create jobs.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Empire State Libertarians, said:
Carl Paladino was not given the opportunity to agree with our Candidate Endorsement Statement for 2010. However, after Warren Redlich, the New York State Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Candidate, came out and endorsed Rick Lazio, I thought it important for Empire State Libertarians to weigh in with its own opinion as to who most represents libertarian political philosophy in that very important race. There is no doubt in my mind that Carl Paladino is that candidate. I encourage all registered Republicans to vote for him in the New York State Republican Gubernatorial Primary.
Dr. Tom Stevens serves as Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and is the Founder of Libertarian Patriots.
If elected Governor of the State of New York, Carl Paladino has promised to:
1) CUT INCOME TAXES BY 10% BY JUNE 2011: New Yorkers are taxed way too much. Carl won't cap taxes, he'll cut taxes. Capping is gutless; cutting takes courage.
2) CUT THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT BY 20% BY DECEMBER 2011: New York State government is far too big and spends too much. He'll cut by eliminating entire agencies and departments and trimming unnecessary staff across the government.
3) CUT MEDICAID BY $20 BILLION IN HIS FIRST BUDGET: New York offers more gold-plated Medicaid optional benefits than any other state and this is killing our taxpayers. Carl will cut these optional benefits back to California levels - still the second most expensive Medicaid state in America - saving New Yorkers $10 Billion in taxes.
4) CUT BUSINESS TAXES TO ENCOURAGE JOB RETENTION AND GROWTH: Carl will give New York's existing manufacturers, farmers and other businesses a tax holiday if they reinvest this money to keep or create jobs.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Empire State Libertarians, said:
Carl Paladino was not given the opportunity to agree with our Candidate Endorsement Statement for 2010. However, after Warren Redlich, the New York State Libertarian Party's Gubernatorial Candidate, came out and endorsed Rick Lazio, I thought it important for Empire State Libertarians to weigh in with its own opinion as to who most represents libertarian political philosophy in that very important race. There is no doubt in my mind that Carl Paladino is that candidate. I encourage all registered Republicans to vote for him in the New York State Republican Gubernatorial Primary.
Dr. Tom Stevens serves as Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and is the Founder of Libertarian Patriots.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Endorses Alex Powietrzynski For The New York State Assembly From The 28th A.D.
On August 31, 2010, the Governing Board of Empire State Libertarians endorsed Alex Powietrzynski, who is the Republican Party Nominee for New York State Assembly from the 28th A.D.
Alex Powietrzynski received the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians after indicating to the Governing Board his full agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
Mr. Powietrzynski also agreed to place the fact of his endorsement by Empire State Libertarians and the Candidate Endorsement Statement on his website. Those references are located at:
http://www.alexforassembly2010.com/latest-news/
After receiving the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians, Mr. Powietrzynski said:
I am proud to be endorsed by Empire State Libertarians. With the national and local calamity in the economy, we are exposing serious problems with the way our government is run. We need to re-examine government involvement in the economy and allow for greater freedom for the private sector in the economy. More importantly, we need to re-examine the level of government involvement in our everyday lives. Our Constitutional rights are paramount and we must ensure that the government respects our rights and does not impede on them through restrictions and regulations. Addressing the structural problems with government involvement in the economy and our individual rights must be our first priority and Empire State Libertarians stands for those priorities.
Alex Powietrzynski has also promised to support:
Lower Taxes
Policies To Create Incentives For Businesses To Hire New Yorkers
Alternatives To The Current Public Education System
A Fiscally Responsible State Government
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Empire State Libertarians, said:
I am very pleased that Empire State Libertarians chose to endorse Alex Powietrzynski for New York State Assembly. He is a charismatic, knowledgeable, intelligent leader who can make a great contribution to the cause of liberty.
Dr. Tom Stevens founded Empire State Libertarians on July 4, 2010.
Alex Powietrzynski received the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians after indicating to the Governing Board his full agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
Mr. Powietrzynski also agreed to place the fact of his endorsement by Empire State Libertarians and the Candidate Endorsement Statement on his website. Those references are located at:
http://www.alexforassembly2010.com/latest-news/
After receiving the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians, Mr. Powietrzynski said:
I am proud to be endorsed by Empire State Libertarians. With the national and local calamity in the economy, we are exposing serious problems with the way our government is run. We need to re-examine government involvement in the economy and allow for greater freedom for the private sector in the economy. More importantly, we need to re-examine the level of government involvement in our everyday lives. Our Constitutional rights are paramount and we must ensure that the government respects our rights and does not impede on them through restrictions and regulations. Addressing the structural problems with government involvement in the economy and our individual rights must be our first priority and Empire State Libertarians stands for those priorities.
Alex Powietrzynski has also promised to support:
Lower Taxes
Policies To Create Incentives For Businesses To Hire New Yorkers
Alternatives To The Current Public Education System
A Fiscally Responsible State Government
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Empire State Libertarians, said:
I am very pleased that Empire State Libertarians chose to endorse Alex Powietrzynski for New York State Assembly. He is a charismatic, knowledgeable, intelligent leader who can make a great contribution to the cause of liberty.
Dr. Tom Stevens founded Empire State Libertarians on July 4, 2010.
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