It now looks like Nassau County residents will go to the polls on August 1, 2011 and reject the referendum authorizing Nassau County to borrow 400 million dollars through the issuance of bonds over the next 30 years to build a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Minor League Baseball Stadium near the site of the current home of the New York Islanders in Uniondale, New York. The anticipated "No" vote is being influenced by the current national debate over whether to and under what circumstances to raise the debt limit, a growing general objection to big government and the lack of a concrete plan and revenue sharing agreement to make certain Nassau County taxpayers don't end up having to pay for shortfalls in anticipated revenue.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Long Island Libertarians Chair, stated:
There is no question the 39 year old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is in a state of disrepair and I would not blame the New York Islanders if they left Nassau County to find a new home when their lease expires in 2015. While it is true that approval of this 400 million dollar bond issue will keep the New York Islanders in Nassau County and build a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Minor League Baseball Stadium, it comes with considerable risks to the taxpayers of Nassau County.
Nassau County residents need to see a viable redevelopment plan and revenue sharing agreement providing a high degree of confidence that revenue generated by the county will be able to repay these bonds with interest without leaving Nassau County taxpayers holding the bag. Ed Mangano, Nassau County Executive, and Charles Wang, Islanders' owner, need to sit down and work out an agreement that is acceptable to the Islanders while raising enough revenue to not only cover the bonds but also to bring a profit to Nassau County residents that will ultimately bring down property taxes and solve the fiscal crisis the county currently faces.
Mangano & Wang could write a new agreement increasing the percentage of revenue the county is expected to get or it could add new sources of revenue such as letting the county run the parking lot. However, I favor a grand redevelopment plan that would not only include the building of a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Minor League Baseball Stadium but also the building of a Convention Center and a Casino with restaurants, buffets, high-end shopping and on-site entertainment venues such as a Comedy Club and a Cabaret. Such a Casino (with an aviation theme) would create new jobs and a guaranteed revenue stream to finance the building of the Coliseum, Stadium and Convention Center. Other revenue-generating world-class entertainment and sports complexes could also be build over a period of years.
The most important point is that if Nassau County intends to redevelop this site, it must do so with Nassau County taxpayers' best interests in mind.
Long Island Libertarians is a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians and is active in Kings County, Queens County, Nassau County and Suffolk County.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The Future Of The Libertarian Political Movement Conference In Manchester, New Hampshire Draws Few Attendees & Offers No Solutions To Revitalize The Libertarian Party
A one-day conference entitled The Future Of The Libertarian Political Movement was recently held on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Highlander Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire. George Phillies organized the conference, co-sponsored by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire and the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts, and promised to cover any losses. He had support from his State Committee, Angela Keaton and Rich Tomasso.
The conference keynote speaker was Judge John Buttrick of Arizona who spoke at the luncheon. Other featured speakers included Angela Keaton of AntiWar.com and Outright Libertarians; Joe Kennedy, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate; Ernest Hancock, publisher of Freedom’s Phoenix; Mary Ruwart, author of “Healing our World” and member of the Libertarian National Committee, and Don Gorman, past LNC at-large representative, former Libertarian N.H. state representative and the most-elected libertarian in the country.
The conference featured the following panels and sessions, which were divided into two tracks:
■ Electronic Security and Activism in the Age of Anonymous
■ Campaigns for Congress and running large-scale campaigns
■ Future Outreach to Youth and Students
■ Future Outreach to the GLBTQ Community
■ Libertarians and the anti-war movement
■ Recruiting Candidates
■ New Hampshire Politics and the Free State Project
■ The State of the States and reviving state parties
The conference also featured the first debate of candidates seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012. To qualify for participation in the debate, candidates needed to prove they had an extended continuous record of Libertarian Party activism, completed their FEC filings and had a substantial campaign team in place. Three candidates qualified for participation: R. Lee Wrights of Texas, Carl Person of New York and Roger V. Gary of Texas. George Phillies moderated the debate.
The Massachusetts delegation promised to award one LPUS 2012 National Convention Delegate to the candidate who won the Straw Poll of attendees after the debate. Twenty-two people voted in the Straw Poll: 12 voted for R. Lee Wrights, 7 voted for Carl Person and 3 voted for Roger V. Gary. Wrights won the Massachusetts Delegate. The New Hampshire delegation caucused separately eventually committing one delegate to N.O.T.A. and one delegate to Albert Max Abramson, who declared his candidacy for the LP Presidential Nomination at the convention. Mr. Abramson was not permitted to participate in the debate and failed to mention to the convention attendees that he is currently a candidate running for State Representative in the Republican Primary in an upcoming Special Election.
Mary Ruwart, a member of the Libertarian National Committee, reported to conference attendees that membership in the Libertarian Party has recently been flat and only went up slightly during the past few months because Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian National Committee, has been personally calling former members to ask them to renew. She stated most of the LNC is in denial about membership. George Phillies personally told me "a highly reliable source" told him Mark Hinkle. LP Chair, "is aware of the (membership) decline and blames it on Wayne's (Wayne Allyn Root) bizarre and very public political stances".
Despite the low attendance and the failure of conference attendees to offer possible solutions to address the decline in Libertarian Party membership, George Phillies was very positive about what the conference was able to accomplish. He said:
The convention was a fantastic success. We had better speeches, and more choices of panel, than you will see at any other libertarian convention this year.
Carl Person, one of the Presidential Debate Participants, had this reflection about the conference:
George Phillies was a gracious host. He treated early-arriving participants to dinner on Saturday night and did an excellent job moderating the debate. The main point I walked away with is that the Libertarian Party must start to capture members from the ever-increasing number of voters who agree with libertarian principles and who are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Future Of The Libertarian Political Movement conference was held on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Highlander Inn located near the airport in Manchester, New Hampshire. Registration for the conference, which included meals, cost $100.00, although a half-day fee of $50.00 was also available.
The conference keynote speaker was Judge John Buttrick of Arizona who spoke at the luncheon. Other featured speakers included Angela Keaton of AntiWar.com and Outright Libertarians; Joe Kennedy, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate; Ernest Hancock, publisher of Freedom’s Phoenix; Mary Ruwart, author of “Healing our World” and member of the Libertarian National Committee, and Don Gorman, past LNC at-large representative, former Libertarian N.H. state representative and the most-elected libertarian in the country.
The conference featured the following panels and sessions, which were divided into two tracks:
■ Electronic Security and Activism in the Age of Anonymous
■ Campaigns for Congress and running large-scale campaigns
■ Future Outreach to Youth and Students
■ Future Outreach to the GLBTQ Community
■ Libertarians and the anti-war movement
■ Recruiting Candidates
■ New Hampshire Politics and the Free State Project
■ The State of the States and reviving state parties
The conference also featured the first debate of candidates seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012. To qualify for participation in the debate, candidates needed to prove they had an extended continuous record of Libertarian Party activism, completed their FEC filings and had a substantial campaign team in place. Three candidates qualified for participation: R. Lee Wrights of Texas, Carl Person of New York and Roger V. Gary of Texas. George Phillies moderated the debate.
The Massachusetts delegation promised to award one LPUS 2012 National Convention Delegate to the candidate who won the Straw Poll of attendees after the debate. Twenty-two people voted in the Straw Poll: 12 voted for R. Lee Wrights, 7 voted for Carl Person and 3 voted for Roger V. Gary. Wrights won the Massachusetts Delegate. The New Hampshire delegation caucused separately eventually committing one delegate to N.O.T.A. and one delegate to Albert Max Abramson, who declared his candidacy for the LP Presidential Nomination at the convention. Mr. Abramson was not permitted to participate in the debate and failed to mention to the convention attendees that he is currently a candidate running for State Representative in the Republican Primary in an upcoming Special Election.
Mary Ruwart, a member of the Libertarian National Committee, reported to conference attendees that membership in the Libertarian Party has recently been flat and only went up slightly during the past few months because Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian National Committee, has been personally calling former members to ask them to renew. She stated most of the LNC is in denial about membership. George Phillies personally told me "a highly reliable source" told him Mark Hinkle. LP Chair, "is aware of the (membership) decline and blames it on Wayne's (Wayne Allyn Root) bizarre and very public political stances".
Despite the low attendance and the failure of conference attendees to offer possible solutions to address the decline in Libertarian Party membership, George Phillies was very positive about what the conference was able to accomplish. He said:
The convention was a fantastic success. We had better speeches, and more choices of panel, than you will see at any other libertarian convention this year.
Carl Person, one of the Presidential Debate Participants, had this reflection about the conference:
George Phillies was a gracious host. He treated early-arriving participants to dinner on Saturday night and did an excellent job moderating the debate. The main point I walked away with is that the Libertarian Party must start to capture members from the ever-increasing number of voters who agree with libertarian principles and who are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Future Of The Libertarian Political Movement conference was held on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Highlander Inn located near the airport in Manchester, New Hampshire. Registration for the conference, which included meals, cost $100.00, although a half-day fee of $50.00 was also available.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Republican Warren Redlich Will Not Consider Supporting A Libertarian Presidential Candidate Until Ron Paul Fails To Obtain The Republican Nomination For President In 2012
Warren Redlich, the New York Libertarian Party's nominee for Governor in 2010, has stated in an e-mail to Carl Person, who is seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012, that he's "a Ron Paul guy" and will only consider focusing on the LP candidate "if Ron Paul does not get the GOP nomination".
On June 17, 2011, Carl Person sent an e-mail to Warren Redlich and, in part, wrote:
Anyway, the purpose of this e-mail is to request your personal endorsement for my candidacy for the LP nomination for President.
A few e-mails regarding strategy were exchanged and on June 18, 2011, Warren Redlich responded to Carl Person's request as follows:
I certainly encourage you to pursue this further.
As for an endorsement, I'm a Ron Paul guy. I think he's the best shot to promote libertarian ideas and I'm focused on him for now. While he's not the favorite to get the GOP nomination, I don't agree that it's "very unlikely". More important, he's building a libertarian faction within the GOP. His son got elected and also Justin Amash.
If Ron Paul does not get the GOP nomination, I will very likely focus on the LP candidate at that time, and I hope that's you.
Sam Sloan, who ran against Warren Redlich for the NYLP's gubernatorial nomination in 2010, often criticized Warren Redlich for being a Republican whose "Stop Wasting Money" campaign theme failed to address any substantive libertarian issues.
As recently as June 25, 2011, Sam Sloan wrote:
I remain disappointed that you chose to have a non-Libertarian as the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of New York State when you could have had a Libertarian instead.
and on June 27, 2011, Sam Sloan wrote:
Recall that I would have been the Legitimate Libertarian Party candidate for New York Governor, had not a ruthless gang of anti-Libertarians hijacked the State Convention in Albany last year.
Sam Sloan is referring to the fact that he and Kristin Davis, who were seeking the New York Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nomination in 2010 were not permitted to contact the 400-500 eligible voting delegates in advance of the convention to encourage them to show up to support them resulting in Warren Redlich being handed the gubernatorial nomination with less than 30 votes. In addition, Sam Sloan argued in his two lawsuits, which were dismissed on technical grounds, that the voting process for the gubernatorial nomination was itself rigged in that attendees, whether eligible to vote or not, were permitted to collect other people's votes and to drop their votes, written on scrap paper, into passing hats. Mr. Sloan had collected evidence of actual fraud having taken place and had two witnesses willing to testify had the case been tried on its merits.
On June 17, 2011, Carl Person sent an e-mail to Warren Redlich and, in part, wrote:
Anyway, the purpose of this e-mail is to request your personal endorsement for my candidacy for the LP nomination for President.
A few e-mails regarding strategy were exchanged and on June 18, 2011, Warren Redlich responded to Carl Person's request as follows:
I certainly encourage you to pursue this further.
As for an endorsement, I'm a Ron Paul guy. I think he's the best shot to promote libertarian ideas and I'm focused on him for now. While he's not the favorite to get the GOP nomination, I don't agree that it's "very unlikely". More important, he's building a libertarian faction within the GOP. His son got elected and also Justin Amash.
If Ron Paul does not get the GOP nomination, I will very likely focus on the LP candidate at that time, and I hope that's you.
Sam Sloan, who ran against Warren Redlich for the NYLP's gubernatorial nomination in 2010, often criticized Warren Redlich for being a Republican whose "Stop Wasting Money" campaign theme failed to address any substantive libertarian issues.
As recently as June 25, 2011, Sam Sloan wrote:
I remain disappointed that you chose to have a non-Libertarian as the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of New York State when you could have had a Libertarian instead.
and on June 27, 2011, Sam Sloan wrote:
Recall that I would have been the Legitimate Libertarian Party candidate for New York Governor, had not a ruthless gang of anti-Libertarians hijacked the State Convention in Albany last year.
Sam Sloan is referring to the fact that he and Kristin Davis, who were seeking the New York Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nomination in 2010 were not permitted to contact the 400-500 eligible voting delegates in advance of the convention to encourage them to show up to support them resulting in Warren Redlich being handed the gubernatorial nomination with less than 30 votes. In addition, Sam Sloan argued in his two lawsuits, which were dismissed on technical grounds, that the voting process for the gubernatorial nomination was itself rigged in that attendees, whether eligible to vote or not, were permitted to collect other people's votes and to drop their votes, written on scrap paper, into passing hats. Mr. Sloan had collected evidence of actual fraud having taken place and had two witnesses willing to testify had the case been tried on its merits.
Carl Person, Candidate For The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination In 2012, Publishes Introductory Biography
Carl Person, a Harvard Law Graduate who founded the Paralegal Institute and who is seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012, has published the following biography to provide some insight regarding his background and experiences:
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Carl Person and I am a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for President in 2012.
High school did not stimulate me, and I found ways to avoid going to class, such as by volunteering to run the school’s projector, and sometimes by not showing up for school.
I already knew about work, having had one job or another since the age of 9, when I had a newspaper delivery route (by bicycle) in North Platte, Nebraska.
When I moved back east, to East Northport, Long Island, New York, I worked while in school in the local bowling alley setting up pins (before pin-setting machines were installed), delivering milk for a local dairy (and learning how to hold 7-8 quart bottles of milk in my hands at one time); and as a potato peeler, dishwasher and later a substitute short order cook in our town’s all night diner.
Being experienced in making enough money to get by, I really saw little need to learn any French. And my French teacher in the 10th grade made an offer to me – “Promise not to take French again and I’ll give you a passing mark.” I told her to give me whatever I deserved, and she gave me an F. I didn’t care because I did not plan to go any further in high school. I wanted to be free and have a good time.
I had learned how to make money starting at age 9 and when dropping out of high school (at age 16) I knew that I could always make money. My father wasn’t happy about what I did, but there was little he could do about it. He went to work each day in NYC and I did what I wanted to do while he was gone.
I landed a job with Firestone driving a pickup truck to help start cars which their owners couldn’t start or to fix or change flat tires. Also, I drove a small Ford tractor for a home construction company. I made ammunition boxes for the Korean war effort as a drill press operator, and will never forget when the union shop steward came up to me and said, “Look, I know that you’re new here, but you’re working way too fast, and are making the rest of us look bad. You’d better slow down or else.” I understood immediately, and complied, and reduced my effort about 50% and got along fine.
Instead of the good time I was seeking, I wound up doing various menial tasks to earn the few dollars I needed (while living rent free with my father).
Within one year from freedom from high school, it became clear to me that I was heading nowhere, and decided with my best friend to join the Army, for a 3-year hitch. My father wasn’t happy, but went with me to a Post Office to sign the necessary forms allowing me to join, as a high school dropout – not a very promising introduction into the armed services.
My friend and I were taken by bus to Fort Dix, New Jersey for introductory processing, including the taking of various tests. My friend went to a Signal Corps school to learn how to string telephone lines on telephone poles and I was sent to become a high speed radio operator, learning how to read, send and transcribe Morse Code at 25 words per minute.
After my training was over, at which I learned how to type and shoot a rifle and pistol (the only useful skills I took with me from the Army), I was assigned to Okinawa, and was transported there by a huge military ship with thousands of other soldiers thrown closely together for a 17-day journey, as I now recall. Talking, sleeping, gambling and looking for moments of privacy took up most of our time.
Finally, we landed at Okinawa, and were taken by “deuce-and-a-half” or 2-1/2 ton truck to Machiminato, a base near the capital city of Naha, for orientation and assignment, and later I moved to the Headquarters Company in Sukiran, and started my stint as a ship-to-shore radio operator, working the midnight shift in an Okinawan town known as Shimabuku. My call sign was ADD2 (di dah, dah di dit, dah di dit, di di dah dah dah) and for almost two years I was listening for any ships sending out an S-O-S for any reason, to pass on the S-O-S to those who might be of help to the ship in distress.
Life in a foreign country (actually, an island 70 miles long and 7 miles wide) for a 17-19 year old with little spending money was not very exciting, and most of us could only wait until we became “short timers”, meaning that we had fewer than 100 days left on “The Rock”. I learned that the Army had an early release program for those who wished to attend college, and I asked my father to find a college willing to accept me.
This proved to be quite difficult, and my father found only one college, Long Island University. I obtained my early release, enabling me to start summer school at LIU. The Director of Admissions who admitted me in spite of my drop out status and lack of a GED diploma hired me as his assistant within several weeks after my admission, and 1-1/2 years later I became President of the Student Body, and a leading student academically.
I remember the first day in college, when entering the elevator for the first time, I asked the elevator operator “Who is the brightest student at LIU”. He and others told me it was “Hollister Brewster”, who in a few weeks became one of my best friends at LIU. He came in 1st and I came in 3rd. He obtained entrance to Cornell Medical College on a full scholarship (one of a class of about 65 students) and I was admitted to all law schools to which I applied, and chose to go to Harvard Law School, from which my father had graduated 36 years earlier.
I worked harder than anyone at law school but wasn’t able with all that effort to take any honors. It seemed that they went to students who for some reason didn’t have to study very hard, such as Richard Posner (7th Circuit Court of Appeals) who came in first.
Nevertheless, I was appointed to become law clerk to the Chief Judge of the United States Tax Court in Washington D.C., which I declined because of the low compensation and high cost of living in Washington, and instead accepted a position with a NYC law firm to which Richard Nixon and John Mitchell were going to become partners.
I worked for several years as a Wall Street lawyer doing securities work, trusts and estates, taxation, and corporate law, and went out on my own to become an individual practitioner and small business owner in 1968.
Because of my self employment, I was able to commence lawsuits that would have had me fired if I had been working for a major law firm. I used my legal skills to try to limit government regulation and government spending. For example, I sued to legalize lawyer advertising; to legalize all gambling in NYS; to stop government financing of NYC ball parks; and to stop payments to major media for not moving their offices out of NYC.
I created the paralegal field, and owned and ran the Paralegal Institute for 18 years. I know first hand about the crippling effect of government regulation on education and small business, and tried to do something about it, by two lawsuits seeking to reduce the regulation of for-profit vocational schools in NYS, so that their regulation would be no more stringent than the regulation of competing vocational programs offered by NYU and other degree-granting universities.
Because of my exposure to extreme regulation of education for 18 years, I am in a position to know what needs to be done to reduce or eliminate such regulation and the benefits to be obtained. Regulation slows down if not stops the ability and willingness of schools to create and maintain a cutting-edge curriculum. For example, when I ran the Paralegal Institute, it took me several years and various compromises to be able to obtain state approval for a program I designed to create a new field of employment I called a "Personal Assistant" or "Business Assistant" to the owner of a small business. If, earlier, I had not started the Paralegal Institute before licensing was required, I would never have started the school. Regulated schools find it too difficult to create new types of programs and let their existing programs deteriorate into obsolescence and irrelevance with the predictable inability of graduates to get meaningful jobs while at the same time being stuck with massive student loans they are unable to pay off, with hundreds of billions of dollars in loan losses paid by taxpayers. Get rid of regulation of education and you’ll reduce the costs of government in a variety of ways and get a better, competitive educational system, and create more jobs for Americans.
After the time the Paralegal Institute closed its doors, I became a political activist. I’ve learned that meaningful, permanent jobs can’t be created by government programs. For job creation the government needs to end as much regulation of small business as possible, and let small business create and improve their educational offerings and let the free market select which ones are the best, and which should fail or be improved.
I am anti-war (which would save trillions of dollars in so many different ways and help to create a sound, sustainable economy through ending all unnecessary wars and bringing our troops back home); I want to end the war on drugs and legalize victimless crimes. If we end the stifling regulation of small business, healthcare issues can be solved in a free market without federal intervention. Social Security can be phased out and replaced with a more workable model. Also, we need to end the Federal Reserve, without further weakening our currency.
I have been active in the Libertarian Party of Queens County for nearly a decade and in 2010, I ran for New York State Attorney General and came in third, with the highest number of votes for that office ever received by a Libertarian Party candidate.
I intend to use my candidacy to spread the message of libertarianism to those open to the message of liberty, both on the right and left, and in so doing, strengthen the Libertarian Party at the state and national level. I intend to raise and spend a considerable sum to accomplish these goals. I ask for your support.
You may contact Carl Person (pronounced pier-son) by phone at 1-212-307-4444 or by e-mail at CarlForPresident2012@yahoo.com
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Carl Person and I am a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for President in 2012.
High school did not stimulate me, and I found ways to avoid going to class, such as by volunteering to run the school’s projector, and sometimes by not showing up for school.
I already knew about work, having had one job or another since the age of 9, when I had a newspaper delivery route (by bicycle) in North Platte, Nebraska.
When I moved back east, to East Northport, Long Island, New York, I worked while in school in the local bowling alley setting up pins (before pin-setting machines were installed), delivering milk for a local dairy (and learning how to hold 7-8 quart bottles of milk in my hands at one time); and as a potato peeler, dishwasher and later a substitute short order cook in our town’s all night diner.
Being experienced in making enough money to get by, I really saw little need to learn any French. And my French teacher in the 10th grade made an offer to me – “Promise not to take French again and I’ll give you a passing mark.” I told her to give me whatever I deserved, and she gave me an F. I didn’t care because I did not plan to go any further in high school. I wanted to be free and have a good time.
I had learned how to make money starting at age 9 and when dropping out of high school (at age 16) I knew that I could always make money. My father wasn’t happy about what I did, but there was little he could do about it. He went to work each day in NYC and I did what I wanted to do while he was gone.
I landed a job with Firestone driving a pickup truck to help start cars which their owners couldn’t start or to fix or change flat tires. Also, I drove a small Ford tractor for a home construction company. I made ammunition boxes for the Korean war effort as a drill press operator, and will never forget when the union shop steward came up to me and said, “Look, I know that you’re new here, but you’re working way too fast, and are making the rest of us look bad. You’d better slow down or else.” I understood immediately, and complied, and reduced my effort about 50% and got along fine.
Instead of the good time I was seeking, I wound up doing various menial tasks to earn the few dollars I needed (while living rent free with my father).
Within one year from freedom from high school, it became clear to me that I was heading nowhere, and decided with my best friend to join the Army, for a 3-year hitch. My father wasn’t happy, but went with me to a Post Office to sign the necessary forms allowing me to join, as a high school dropout – not a very promising introduction into the armed services.
My friend and I were taken by bus to Fort Dix, New Jersey for introductory processing, including the taking of various tests. My friend went to a Signal Corps school to learn how to string telephone lines on telephone poles and I was sent to become a high speed radio operator, learning how to read, send and transcribe Morse Code at 25 words per minute.
After my training was over, at which I learned how to type and shoot a rifle and pistol (the only useful skills I took with me from the Army), I was assigned to Okinawa, and was transported there by a huge military ship with thousands of other soldiers thrown closely together for a 17-day journey, as I now recall. Talking, sleeping, gambling and looking for moments of privacy took up most of our time.
Finally, we landed at Okinawa, and were taken by “deuce-and-a-half” or 2-1/2 ton truck to Machiminato, a base near the capital city of Naha, for orientation and assignment, and later I moved to the Headquarters Company in Sukiran, and started my stint as a ship-to-shore radio operator, working the midnight shift in an Okinawan town known as Shimabuku. My call sign was ADD2 (di dah, dah di dit, dah di dit, di di dah dah dah) and for almost two years I was listening for any ships sending out an S-O-S for any reason, to pass on the S-O-S to those who might be of help to the ship in distress.
Life in a foreign country (actually, an island 70 miles long and 7 miles wide) for a 17-19 year old with little spending money was not very exciting, and most of us could only wait until we became “short timers”, meaning that we had fewer than 100 days left on “The Rock”. I learned that the Army had an early release program for those who wished to attend college, and I asked my father to find a college willing to accept me.
This proved to be quite difficult, and my father found only one college, Long Island University. I obtained my early release, enabling me to start summer school at LIU. The Director of Admissions who admitted me in spite of my drop out status and lack of a GED diploma hired me as his assistant within several weeks after my admission, and 1-1/2 years later I became President of the Student Body, and a leading student academically.
I remember the first day in college, when entering the elevator for the first time, I asked the elevator operator “Who is the brightest student at LIU”. He and others told me it was “Hollister Brewster”, who in a few weeks became one of my best friends at LIU. He came in 1st and I came in 3rd. He obtained entrance to Cornell Medical College on a full scholarship (one of a class of about 65 students) and I was admitted to all law schools to which I applied, and chose to go to Harvard Law School, from which my father had graduated 36 years earlier.
I worked harder than anyone at law school but wasn’t able with all that effort to take any honors. It seemed that they went to students who for some reason didn’t have to study very hard, such as Richard Posner (7th Circuit Court of Appeals) who came in first.
Nevertheless, I was appointed to become law clerk to the Chief Judge of the United States Tax Court in Washington D.C., which I declined because of the low compensation and high cost of living in Washington, and instead accepted a position with a NYC law firm to which Richard Nixon and John Mitchell were going to become partners.
I worked for several years as a Wall Street lawyer doing securities work, trusts and estates, taxation, and corporate law, and went out on my own to become an individual practitioner and small business owner in 1968.
Because of my self employment, I was able to commence lawsuits that would have had me fired if I had been working for a major law firm. I used my legal skills to try to limit government regulation and government spending. For example, I sued to legalize lawyer advertising; to legalize all gambling in NYS; to stop government financing of NYC ball parks; and to stop payments to major media for not moving their offices out of NYC.
I created the paralegal field, and owned and ran the Paralegal Institute for 18 years. I know first hand about the crippling effect of government regulation on education and small business, and tried to do something about it, by two lawsuits seeking to reduce the regulation of for-profit vocational schools in NYS, so that their regulation would be no more stringent than the regulation of competing vocational programs offered by NYU and other degree-granting universities.
Because of my exposure to extreme regulation of education for 18 years, I am in a position to know what needs to be done to reduce or eliminate such regulation and the benefits to be obtained. Regulation slows down if not stops the ability and willingness of schools to create and maintain a cutting-edge curriculum. For example, when I ran the Paralegal Institute, it took me several years and various compromises to be able to obtain state approval for a program I designed to create a new field of employment I called a "Personal Assistant" or "Business Assistant" to the owner of a small business. If, earlier, I had not started the Paralegal Institute before licensing was required, I would never have started the school. Regulated schools find it too difficult to create new types of programs and let their existing programs deteriorate into obsolescence and irrelevance with the predictable inability of graduates to get meaningful jobs while at the same time being stuck with massive student loans they are unable to pay off, with hundreds of billions of dollars in loan losses paid by taxpayers. Get rid of regulation of education and you’ll reduce the costs of government in a variety of ways and get a better, competitive educational system, and create more jobs for Americans.
After the time the Paralegal Institute closed its doors, I became a political activist. I’ve learned that meaningful, permanent jobs can’t be created by government programs. For job creation the government needs to end as much regulation of small business as possible, and let small business create and improve their educational offerings and let the free market select which ones are the best, and which should fail or be improved.
I am anti-war (which would save trillions of dollars in so many different ways and help to create a sound, sustainable economy through ending all unnecessary wars and bringing our troops back home); I want to end the war on drugs and legalize victimless crimes. If we end the stifling regulation of small business, healthcare issues can be solved in a free market without federal intervention. Social Security can be phased out and replaced with a more workable model. Also, we need to end the Federal Reserve, without further weakening our currency.
I have been active in the Libertarian Party of Queens County for nearly a decade and in 2010, I ran for New York State Attorney General and came in third, with the highest number of votes for that office ever received by a Libertarian Party candidate.
I intend to use my candidacy to spread the message of libertarianism to those open to the message of liberty, both on the right and left, and in so doing, strengthen the Libertarian Party at the state and national level. I intend to raise and spend a considerable sum to accomplish these goals. I ask for your support.
You may contact Carl Person (pronounced pier-son) by phone at 1-212-307-4444 or by e-mail at CarlForPresident2012@yahoo.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thomas Robert Stevens, Objectivist Party Candidate For President, Files Statement Of Candidacy With Federal Election Commission
Thomas Robert Stevens has formally declared his candidacy for President of the United States in 2012, by filing a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) with the Federal Election Commission on June 13, 2011. He was assigned Candidate ID #P80005655.
The Objectivist Party held its National Convention from May 29-30, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The first session was held on Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. at Show-Me's on The Landing located at 724 North First Street. The second session was held on Sunday, May 30, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Kitchen Buffet & Bistro (inside Lumiere Place Casino) located at 999 North Second Street. The delegates unanimously selected Thomas Robert Stevens (New York) as its candidate for President in 2012 and unanimously selected Alden Link (New York & Florida) as its candidate for Vice-President in 2012.
The candidate bio for Thomas Robert Stevens on the Objectivist Party website lists the following information:
Dr. Tom Stevens is an educator, attorney & political activist. He has appeared as an expert or to discuss current events and/or topics on over 200 national talk shows and for two and a half years, he produced and hosted “In Focus”, his own cable television show. Dr. Stevens is a graduate of New York University (where he served as Freshman Representative, Sophomore Representative & as President of the Student Council) and Hofstra University School of Law (for which he twice served as President of the Hofstra University School of Law Alumni Association).
During the past few years, he has taught the following courses on a college level: American History I, American History II, American Legal Systems, Business Ethics, Business Law I, Business Law II, Civil Law, Criminal Justice System, Criminal Law, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Developmental Reading Skills, Drugs In The Community, Elder Law, Environmental Science, Ethics, Gender Crime & Justice, Industrial Organizational Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Management, Introduction to Philosophy, Introductory Psychology, Jurisprudence, Juvenile Justice, Law & Evidence, Law Enforcement, Math Skills Workshop, Medical Law & Ethics, Microeconomics, Principles of Business, Private Security, Professional Development, Small Business Management, Sociology, and The Sociology of Crime & Deviance. He has introduced the philosophy of Ayn Rand to many students who have gone on to read her books and to appreciate the philosophy of Objectivism.
Dr. Stevens is the Founder & Chair of the Objectivist Party. He started the following holidays: Free Trade Day (May 8th), Space Exploration Day (July 20th), Skyscraper Appreciation Day (August 10th) and Individual Rights Day (August 29th). He has led the Beaux Arts Society, Knights of the Republic, Spartan Brotherhood, and Knights of Scorpius, the International Leadership Honor Society. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board & Vice-President of Concerned Citizens Speak. He created Applause! Applause!, a publication that reviewed cabaret shows and off-Broadway plays for which he served as a Critic and Editor-In-Chief. He conceptualized the Leonardo daVinci Award, which recognized James Franco early in his acting career.
Dr. Stevens was elected to the Judicial Committee of the Libertarian Party in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. He served as a New York State Delegate to the Libertarian Party’s National Convention in Atlanta in 2004, Portland in 2006, Denver in 2008, and St. Louis in 2010. He currently serves as Political Director, Membership Director and State Committee Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County. In the 2007-2008 Republican Presidential Primary Season, he was a supporter of Ron Paul and served as Political Consultant and New York State Coordinator for the independent Paul For President Coalition.
Dr. Stevens is a true adventurer. He has visited 49 of the 50 states (all but Alaska) and has travelled to Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, The Kingdom of the Netherlands and Vatican City. During those trips, he has jet skied, gone para sailing, white water rafting, speed boating and deep sea fishing. He has visited countless Native Nation reservations, taken Eco-Tourism Excursions in Oregon, been on a number of Photo Safaris in Sabi Sabi, South Africa, visited the natural wonders of 5 Hawaiian Islands (which included a small plane fly-by of the leper colony on Molokai), hiked through the Black Hills of South Dakota (in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt), skied in the Swiss Alps, spotted elk in Banff, saw the fallout of the eruption of Mount St. Helens first hand, and risked arrest meeting anti-government political leaders in secret locations in the rural areas of the Republic of South Africa while on a diplomatic trip to that country.
Dr. Tom Stevens lives his life in accordance with the philosophy of Ayn Rand. In her words, “the question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me!”
The Objectivist Party website is located at: http://www.objectivistparty.us/
The Objectivist Party held its National Convention from May 29-30, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The first session was held on Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. at Show-Me's on The Landing located at 724 North First Street. The second session was held on Sunday, May 30, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Kitchen Buffet & Bistro (inside Lumiere Place Casino) located at 999 North Second Street. The delegates unanimously selected Thomas Robert Stevens (New York) as its candidate for President in 2012 and unanimously selected Alden Link (New York & Florida) as its candidate for Vice-President in 2012.
The candidate bio for Thomas Robert Stevens on the Objectivist Party website lists the following information:
Dr. Tom Stevens is an educator, attorney & political activist. He has appeared as an expert or to discuss current events and/or topics on over 200 national talk shows and for two and a half years, he produced and hosted “In Focus”, his own cable television show. Dr. Stevens is a graduate of New York University (where he served as Freshman Representative, Sophomore Representative & as President of the Student Council) and Hofstra University School of Law (for which he twice served as President of the Hofstra University School of Law Alumni Association).
During the past few years, he has taught the following courses on a college level: American History I, American History II, American Legal Systems, Business Ethics, Business Law I, Business Law II, Civil Law, Criminal Justice System, Criminal Law, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Developmental Reading Skills, Drugs In The Community, Elder Law, Environmental Science, Ethics, Gender Crime & Justice, Industrial Organizational Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Management, Introduction to Philosophy, Introductory Psychology, Jurisprudence, Juvenile Justice, Law & Evidence, Law Enforcement, Math Skills Workshop, Medical Law & Ethics, Microeconomics, Principles of Business, Private Security, Professional Development, Small Business Management, Sociology, and The Sociology of Crime & Deviance. He has introduced the philosophy of Ayn Rand to many students who have gone on to read her books and to appreciate the philosophy of Objectivism.
Dr. Stevens is the Founder & Chair of the Objectivist Party. He started the following holidays: Free Trade Day (May 8th), Space Exploration Day (July 20th), Skyscraper Appreciation Day (August 10th) and Individual Rights Day (August 29th). He has led the Beaux Arts Society, Knights of the Republic, Spartan Brotherhood, and Knights of Scorpius, the International Leadership Honor Society. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board & Vice-President of Concerned Citizens Speak. He created Applause! Applause!, a publication that reviewed cabaret shows and off-Broadway plays for which he served as a Critic and Editor-In-Chief. He conceptualized the Leonardo daVinci Award, which recognized James Franco early in his acting career.
Dr. Stevens was elected to the Judicial Committee of the Libertarian Party in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. He served as a New York State Delegate to the Libertarian Party’s National Convention in Atlanta in 2004, Portland in 2006, Denver in 2008, and St. Louis in 2010. He currently serves as Political Director, Membership Director and State Committee Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County. In the 2007-2008 Republican Presidential Primary Season, he was a supporter of Ron Paul and served as Political Consultant and New York State Coordinator for the independent Paul For President Coalition.
Dr. Stevens is a true adventurer. He has visited 49 of the 50 states (all but Alaska) and has travelled to Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, The Kingdom of the Netherlands and Vatican City. During those trips, he has jet skied, gone para sailing, white water rafting, speed boating and deep sea fishing. He has visited countless Native Nation reservations, taken Eco-Tourism Excursions in Oregon, been on a number of Photo Safaris in Sabi Sabi, South Africa, visited the natural wonders of 5 Hawaiian Islands (which included a small plane fly-by of the leper colony on Molokai), hiked through the Black Hills of South Dakota (in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt), skied in the Swiss Alps, spotted elk in Banff, saw the fallout of the eruption of Mount St. Helens first hand, and risked arrest meeting anti-government political leaders in secret locations in the rural areas of the Republic of South Africa while on a diplomatic trip to that country.
Dr. Tom Stevens lives his life in accordance with the philosophy of Ayn Rand. In her words, “the question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me!”
The Objectivist Party website is located at: http://www.objectivistparty.us/
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Mark Axinn, NYLP Chair, Endorses Carl Person For The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination
On June 22, 2011, Mark Axinn, Chair of the New York Libertarian Party, endorsed Carl Person for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2012. In his public statement, Mr. Axinn wrote the following:
It is with great pleasure that I write to endorse my friend and fellow freedom-lover, Carl Person of New York City, for the Libertarian Party 2012 Presidential nomination.
Last year, I worked closely with Carl as he ran for New York State Attorney General. His campaign was so effective that he received over 36,500 votes in the general election -- our best showing for that position in the history of the LPNY.
Carl is an attorney, an urban-dweller and a dedicated libertarian. He has fought against the State and entrenched powers for decades. I believe that he will be a fine candidate to bring our message of limited government and personal freedom to the sheeple of America.
The Libertarian Party's National Convention will be held May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa located at 11011 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89135.
It is with great pleasure that I write to endorse my friend and fellow freedom-lover, Carl Person of New York City, for the Libertarian Party 2012 Presidential nomination.
Last year, I worked closely with Carl as he ran for New York State Attorney General. His campaign was so effective that he received over 36,500 votes in the general election -- our best showing for that position in the history of the LPNY.
Carl is an attorney, an urban-dweller and a dedicated libertarian. He has fought against the State and entrenched powers for decades. I believe that he will be a fine candidate to bring our message of limited government and personal freedom to the sheeple of America.
The Libertarian Party's National Convention will be held May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa located at 11011 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89135.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Carl Person Adopts First Draft Of Campaign Platform In His Bid To Seek The Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination
On June 16, 2011, Carl Person, who is seeking the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, published on his website (http://www.carlperson.org/) the first draft of his Campaign Platform, which is the following:
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. Private companies will create jobs and our economy will flourish when corporate and individual income tax rates are lowered, when bureaucratic and regulatory red tape is eliminated, and when the capital gains tax is significantly reduced and/or abolished. As the founder of the Paralegal Institute, I know how to create jobs and I know that an unshackled and privatized educational system can provide students with the skills and training they need to find jobs in the 21st century. I would push for the immediate adoption of my "First Three Are Free" Plan, which would eliminate all government regulation as to the first 3 employees of any business or household. This would itself create millions of new jobs in a few months.
END THE FED – ESTABLISH A SOUND CURRENCY. The Federal Reserve Bank needs to be abolished -- and all the assets it purchased with the "funny money" it printed need to be seized and sold to private, non-governmental entities – with the proceeds being used to pay down the debt. When future currency is needed, the government should print it but always with an eye towards holding down inflation and making the dollar a reliable and sound currency. A sound economy is needed for a sound dollar.
BRING THE TROOPS HOME. Unless the immediate security of the United States is threatened, we should not be getting involved abroad militarily. The money saved should be used to pay down the debt and reduce taxes. The lives, injuries and misery avoided will add to the growth of a real economy.
ENFORCE THE TRUE MEANING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS. Defending the rights of Individuals and of the States is my highest priority. I would repeal the Patriot Act, end intrusive TSA Screenings, support the 2nd Amendment robustly and enforce the true intention of the 10th Amendment.
ENDING REGULATION OF EDUCATION AND OF SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING. The regulation of financing of small business acts as a prohibition of any financing for most small businesses. By eliminating all regulation of small business financing, and creating a free market for such financing, a substantial amount of needed financing of small business will take place, with resulting creation of millions of new jobs. Also, if the regulation of education is ended, an amazing variety of new, high-quality and low-cost training programs will become available to small businesses and enable them to grow and create millions of new jobs.
Carl Person announced his intention to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination on June 5, 2011. In his race for New York State Attorney General in 2010, Carl Person came in third on the Libertarian Party line, obtaining a higher vote total and a higher percentage of total votes than was obtained by the Libertarian Party candidates who ran for Attorney General in 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1994. Carl Person is a member of the national Libertarian Party, the New York Libertarian Party and is an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. Private companies will create jobs and our economy will flourish when corporate and individual income tax rates are lowered, when bureaucratic and regulatory red tape is eliminated, and when the capital gains tax is significantly reduced and/or abolished. As the founder of the Paralegal Institute, I know how to create jobs and I know that an unshackled and privatized educational system can provide students with the skills and training they need to find jobs in the 21st century. I would push for the immediate adoption of my "First Three Are Free" Plan, which would eliminate all government regulation as to the first 3 employees of any business or household. This would itself create millions of new jobs in a few months.
END THE FED – ESTABLISH A SOUND CURRENCY. The Federal Reserve Bank needs to be abolished -- and all the assets it purchased with the "funny money" it printed need to be seized and sold to private, non-governmental entities – with the proceeds being used to pay down the debt. When future currency is needed, the government should print it but always with an eye towards holding down inflation and making the dollar a reliable and sound currency. A sound economy is needed for a sound dollar.
BRING THE TROOPS HOME. Unless the immediate security of the United States is threatened, we should not be getting involved abroad militarily. The money saved should be used to pay down the debt and reduce taxes. The lives, injuries and misery avoided will add to the growth of a real economy.
ENFORCE THE TRUE MEANING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS. Defending the rights of Individuals and of the States is my highest priority. I would repeal the Patriot Act, end intrusive TSA Screenings, support the 2nd Amendment robustly and enforce the true intention of the 10th Amendment.
ENDING REGULATION OF EDUCATION AND OF SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING. The regulation of financing of small business acts as a prohibition of any financing for most small businesses. By eliminating all regulation of small business financing, and creating a free market for such financing, a substantial amount of needed financing of small business will take place, with resulting creation of millions of new jobs. Also, if the regulation of education is ended, an amazing variety of new, high-quality and low-cost training programs will become available to small businesses and enable them to grow and create millions of new jobs.
Carl Person announced his intention to seek the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination on June 5, 2011. In his race for New York State Attorney General in 2010, Carl Person came in third on the Libertarian Party line, obtaining a higher vote total and a higher percentage of total votes than was obtained by the Libertarian Party candidates who ran for Attorney General in 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1994. Carl Person is a member of the national Libertarian Party, the New York Libertarian Party and is an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Carl Person To Seek Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination
Carl Person, the New York Libertarian Party's Candidate for Attorney General in 2010, informed Liberty Lion on June 5, 2011 of his decision to seek the nomination of the Libertarian Party for President of the United States in 2012. Carl Person (pronounced "pier-son") is a graduate of Harvard Law School who works as an attorney in Manhattan. He also founded the Paralegal Institute, which was a pioneer in its field.
In announcing his candidacy to Liberty Lion, Carl Person said:
My message is very convincing and needs to be heard. I’m in this election to win. It is my intention to lead the way in creating jobs and opportunity in the United States, through the free market system and without any help or interference from the federal, state or county governments. We don’t need any new statutes and can do this starting now. A free market solution for individuals and small businesses – to create more choice, higher quality and lower prices through competition -- will restore this country to the greatness we have lost in recent years.
Some edited highlights from Carl Person's website when he ran for Attorney General follows:
Background: High school dropout (Northport HS, Suffolk County); served 3 years in the Army as a high speed radio operator; graduate of LIU and then Harvard Law School. Worked for several Wall Street law firms, then became an individual practitioner. I created the paralegal field starting in 1972, the fastest growing career field for 15 straight years.
Legal Experience: 40+ years experience in federal and state litigation relating to fraud, misrepresentation, business, securities, trade regulation, intellectual property (trademarks and copyrights) and civil rights. In two highly publicized cases, I took away the MONOPOLY game trademark from Parker Brothers/Hasbro, and recovered (for two group members) the copyright to the hit song WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE – Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
My Pro Se Lawsuits May Define Me Better than My Words:
(1) To stop all subsidies given by NYC to sports, financial, and media corporations – as a violation of NYS Constitution;
(2) To legalize all gambling in NYS and have gambling be subject only to laws prohibiting fraud;
(3) To permit 50,000 votes for AG or Controller to qualify the Green Party and other “parties” (such as LP) for “party” status under NY Election Law and obtain primary right for GP and LP candidates receiving at least 25% of convention vote;
(4) To declare unconstitutional the NYS statutory prohibition against paying petitioners on a per-signature basis;
(5) To declare that lawyers have the right to advertise their services (the first such law suit in the U.S.); and
(6) To declare unconstitutional the professional disciplinary rule which prohibits lawyers from assisting clients in selling shares in their lawsuits (to raise the money needed to defend their property interests) and to declare that clients have a right to sell shares in their lawsuits.
Economic Reform Available on a Self-Help Basis: Self Employment for Unemployed and Underemployed – I have created an internet, keyword based Task Marketplace to help create prosperity for residents of NYS towns and villages by offering the unemployed and underemployed an opportunity to offer and sell their goods and services as small businesses while waiting (with ever-diminishing expectations) for large corporations and government to provide jobs to them as they did in the past. The country needs more small businesses generating self employment and employment and this seems to me to be the best if not obvious solution.
Issues to Attract Voters:
Decriminalize victimless crimes - Reduce government bureaucracy - Reduce government spending
Right of people to associate freely
Right of voters to register in the party of their choice - Stop the destruction of party registration databases
Creation of Millions of New Jobs in US by My 1st 3 ARE FREE Proposal: A simple legislative enactment would put millions of Americans to work. Congress needs to pass a statute permitting every employer to designate up to 3 employees as “independent contractors” as to whom there would be no withholding or other regulatory compliance by the employer. This would enable small businesses and households to hire up to 3 employees without having to have workmen’s compensation insurance, disability insurance, payroll withholding, trust fund compliance and audits by tax agencies and insurance companies. These barriers have been effective to prevent 10 million small businesses from hiring millions of employees, resulting in the inability of small business to grow and create needed jobs.
*************************************************************
In his race for New York State Attorney General in 2010, Carl Person came in third on the Libertarian Party line, obtaining a higher vote total and a higher percentage of total votes than was obtained by the Libertarian Party candidates who ran for Attorney General in 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1994.
Carl Person is a member of the national Libertarian Party, the New York Libertarian Party and is an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Visit his website at http://www.carlperson.org/
In announcing his candidacy to Liberty Lion, Carl Person said:
My message is very convincing and needs to be heard. I’m in this election to win. It is my intention to lead the way in creating jobs and opportunity in the United States, through the free market system and without any help or interference from the federal, state or county governments. We don’t need any new statutes and can do this starting now. A free market solution for individuals and small businesses – to create more choice, higher quality and lower prices through competition -- will restore this country to the greatness we have lost in recent years.
Some edited highlights from Carl Person's website when he ran for Attorney General follows:
Background: High school dropout (Northport HS, Suffolk County); served 3 years in the Army as a high speed radio operator; graduate of LIU and then Harvard Law School. Worked for several Wall Street law firms, then became an individual practitioner. I created the paralegal field starting in 1972, the fastest growing career field for 15 straight years.
Legal Experience: 40+ years experience in federal and state litigation relating to fraud, misrepresentation, business, securities, trade regulation, intellectual property (trademarks and copyrights) and civil rights. In two highly publicized cases, I took away the MONOPOLY game trademark from Parker Brothers/Hasbro, and recovered (for two group members) the copyright to the hit song WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE – Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
My Pro Se Lawsuits May Define Me Better than My Words:
(1) To stop all subsidies given by NYC to sports, financial, and media corporations – as a violation of NYS Constitution;
(2) To legalize all gambling in NYS and have gambling be subject only to laws prohibiting fraud;
(3) To permit 50,000 votes for AG or Controller to qualify the Green Party and other “parties” (such as LP) for “party” status under NY Election Law and obtain primary right for GP and LP candidates receiving at least 25% of convention vote;
(4) To declare unconstitutional the NYS statutory prohibition against paying petitioners on a per-signature basis;
(5) To declare that lawyers have the right to advertise their services (the first such law suit in the U.S.); and
(6) To declare unconstitutional the professional disciplinary rule which prohibits lawyers from assisting clients in selling shares in their lawsuits (to raise the money needed to defend their property interests) and to declare that clients have a right to sell shares in their lawsuits.
Economic Reform Available on a Self-Help Basis: Self Employment for Unemployed and Underemployed – I have created an internet, keyword based Task Marketplace to help create prosperity for residents of NYS towns and villages by offering the unemployed and underemployed an opportunity to offer and sell their goods and services as small businesses while waiting (with ever-diminishing expectations) for large corporations and government to provide jobs to them as they did in the past. The country needs more small businesses generating self employment and employment and this seems to me to be the best if not obvious solution.
Issues to Attract Voters:
Decriminalize victimless crimes - Reduce government bureaucracy - Reduce government spending
Right of people to associate freely
Right of voters to register in the party of their choice - Stop the destruction of party registration databases
Creation of Millions of New Jobs in US by My 1st 3 ARE FREE Proposal: A simple legislative enactment would put millions of Americans to work. Congress needs to pass a statute permitting every employer to designate up to 3 employees as “independent contractors” as to whom there would be no withholding or other regulatory compliance by the employer. This would enable small businesses and households to hire up to 3 employees without having to have workmen’s compensation insurance, disability insurance, payroll withholding, trust fund compliance and audits by tax agencies and insurance companies. These barriers have been effective to prevent 10 million small businesses from hiring millions of employees, resulting in the inability of small business to grow and create needed jobs.
*************************************************************
In his race for New York State Attorney General in 2010, Carl Person came in third on the Libertarian Party line, obtaining a higher vote total and a higher percentage of total votes than was obtained by the Libertarian Party candidates who ran for Attorney General in 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1994.
Carl Person is a member of the national Libertarian Party, the New York Libertarian Party and is an active member of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Visit his website at http://www.carlperson.org/
Friday, May 27, 2011
Lou Jasikoff, LPPA Chair, Asks Dr. Tom Stevens To Help Recruit & Organize Libertarian Inclined Youth
When Lou Jasikoff told me of his intention to run for Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, I was excited about the prospect and proud to nominate him for that office at the LPPA State Convention held April 29-30, 2011 in Franklin, PA. Mr. Jasikoff shared with me his desire for people to take a proactive role in making things happen so immediately after his election, I offered to help him in any way I could. He shared with me his desire to identify pro-liberty activists on college campuses, to run registration drives on those campuses and of his hope that many of the individuals we recruited might also join the LPPA. Mr. Jasikoff asked me to take the lead in this effort.
On May 18, 2011, I formed the LPPA Liberty Action Student Network. The "LPPA" portion of the name clearly links it to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. The "Liberty Action" portion refers to the type of action we will be taking as a group and the "Student Network" portion of the name is broad enough to include High Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools. On that day, I formed a LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Group and a LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Page. I announced I was seeking Campus Coordinators and started contacting individuals who might be interested.
The LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Group is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/home.php?sk=group_226201244060988&ap=1
The LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Page is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/LPPA-Liberty-Action-Student-Network/163401653722190
I then did some research and discovered there was no Pennsylvania College Libertarians presence on Facebook. On May 24, 2011, I formed a Pennsylvania College Libertarians Facebook Page "to help identify and coordinate the pro-liberty activities of libertarian students in High Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools in Pennsylvania".
The Pennsylvania College Libertarians Facebook Page is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Pennsylvania-College-Libertarians/164846746911935
It is my intention to use all the contacts I have in pro-liberty circles to promote this effort to reach out to libertarian inclined youth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I have been a member of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania since 2010. I was elected to serve on the national Libertarian Party's Judicial Committee from 2006 to 2010 and attended past Libertarian Party National Conventions in Atlanta (2004), Portland (2006), Denver (2008) and St. Louis (2010).
On May 18, 2011, I formed the LPPA Liberty Action Student Network. The "LPPA" portion of the name clearly links it to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. The "Liberty Action" portion refers to the type of action we will be taking as a group and the "Student Network" portion of the name is broad enough to include High Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools. On that day, I formed a LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Group and a LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Page. I announced I was seeking Campus Coordinators and started contacting individuals who might be interested.
The LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Group is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/home.php?sk=group_226201244060988&ap=1
The LPPA Liberty Action Student Network Facebook Page is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/LPPA-Liberty-Action-Student-Network/163401653722190
I then did some research and discovered there was no Pennsylvania College Libertarians presence on Facebook. On May 24, 2011, I formed a Pennsylvania College Libertarians Facebook Page "to help identify and coordinate the pro-liberty activities of libertarian students in High Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools in Pennsylvania".
The Pennsylvania College Libertarians Facebook Page is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Pennsylvania-College-Libertarians/164846746911935
It is my intention to use all the contacts I have in pro-liberty circles to promote this effort to reach out to libertarian inclined youth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I have been a member of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania since 2010. I was elected to serve on the national Libertarian Party's Judicial Committee from 2006 to 2010 and attended past Libertarian Party National Conventions in Atlanta (2004), Portland (2006), Denver (2008) and St. Louis (2010).
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jordan Stella Appointed OPIN President
Effective May 5, 2011, Jordan Stella was appointed President of the Objectivist Party of Indiana by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party.
The Objectivist Party of Indiana was chartered on October 10, 2008.
It has had three Presidents, who have been:
Marc Oestreich - 10/10/08 through 11/12/09
Sam Varriano - 11/12/09 through 5/5/11
Jordan Stella - 5/5/11 to Present
Jon Persinger currently serves as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Indiana. He was appointed to that position on January 22, 2010.
The Objectivist Party of Indiana was chartered on October 10, 2008.
It has had three Presidents, who have been:
Marc Oestreich - 10/10/08 through 11/12/09
Sam Varriano - 11/12/09 through 5/5/11
Jordan Stella - 5/5/11 to Present
Jon Persinger currently serves as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of Indiana. He was appointed to that position on January 22, 2010.
Kevin Jones Appointed OPNC President
Effective May 5, 2011, Kevin Jones 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 five 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 through 5/5/11
Kevin Jones - 5/5/11 to Present
Kevin Jones served as Executive Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of North Carolina from December 20, 2010 through May 5, 2011 at which time he was appointed President.
The Objectivist Party of North Carolina was chartered on October 1, 2008.
It has had five 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 through 5/5/11
Kevin Jones - 5/5/11 to Present
Kevin Jones served as Executive Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of North Carolina from December 20, 2010 through May 5, 2011 at which time he was appointed President.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Meagan Parker Appointed OPNJ President
Effective May 4, 2011, Meagan Parker was appointed President of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey by the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party.
The Objectivist Party of New Jersey was chartered on June 9, 2008.
It has had four Presidents, who have been:
Alex Fitzsimmons - 6/9/08 through 7/21/08
Scott Christopher Baier - 7/21/08 through 12/29/08
Neil McGettigan - 12/29/08 through 5/4/11
Meagan Parker - 5/4/11 to Present
Meagan Parker joined the Objectivist Party on July 22, 2008. She served as Secretary of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey from November 10, 2008 through January 22, 2009 and as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey from January 22, 2009 through May 4, 2011.
The Objectivist Party of New Jersey was chartered on June 9, 2008.
It has had four Presidents, who have been:
Alex Fitzsimmons - 6/9/08 through 7/21/08
Scott Christopher Baier - 7/21/08 through 12/29/08
Neil McGettigan - 12/29/08 through 5/4/11
Meagan Parker - 5/4/11 to Present
Meagan Parker joined the Objectivist Party on July 22, 2008. She served as Secretary of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey from November 10, 2008 through January 22, 2009 and as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of New Jersey from January 22, 2009 through May 4, 2011.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Libertarian Party Of Pennsylvania Annual Convention & Liberty Banquet Held April 29-30, 2011 On Liberty Street In Franklin, PA
The Libertarian Party of Venango County hosted the LPPA Annual Convention & Liberty Banquet on April 29-30, 2011 and choose the perfect location for it: the Quality Inn & Convention Center located on Liberty Street in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The hotel's restaurant is even called Benjamin's! The staff was friendly, the hotel room rates were reasonable ($79.00) and free transportation was available to and from Venango Regional Airport.
I arrived on Friday afternoon around 5:00 p.m., dropped my bags in the room and headed over to the Registration Table to check in. The friendly local volunteers from the Libertarian Party of Venango County had everything in order. They handed me my badge and a bag full of goodies, which included:
Pennsylvania Annual Convention & Liberty Banquet 20-Page Directory
Libertarian - More Freedom, Less Government (Bumper Sticker)
Repeal ObamaCare (Bumper Sticker)
Libertarian Party 1971 (Bumper Sticker)
Get Involved...The World Is Run By Those Who Show Up (Bumper Sticker)
Libertarian Party - Government Gone Wild (Brochure)
Northwest Savings Bank Note Pad & Letter Opener
Wiegel Brothers Marine Key Chains
and displayed on the table for us to take were also:
The Declaration of Independence/U.S. Constitution (Booklet)
Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Franklin, PA Tourist Brochure
Oil Region Official Guide
DeBence Antique Music World Museum (Brochure)
Barrow Civic Theatre (Brochure)
in addition to many other documents and invitations.
I went immediately to the Friday Reception where Meatballs, Fried Zucchini and Fried Vegetables were being served up along with great conversation contributed to by many intelligent pro-liberty activists. I sat next to Leo Knepper, who is the PA State Director of Heritage Action For America, and Timothy L. Havener, Central Chapter President of Firearms Owners Against Crime, who was sporting a semi-automatic Glock for self-protection. It was a sleek and handsome firearm! This reception provided delegates an excellent opportunity to network and make new friends. I stayed until 9:30 p.m. and then went to bed but for those younger and more energetic than I, there was a Hospitality Suite being hosted by Montgomery County that started at 9:00 p.m. ($17.76 cover for Friday or Saturday; $35.00 cover for both nights) featuring Complimentary Munchies, Liquid Refreshment and Door Prizes.
On Saturday, April 30, 2011, things started up early at 7:00 a.m. for a breakfast buffet and a presentation by Timothy A. Russell, who was elected Emlenton Boro Mayor. The LPPA Convention was expertly and professionally chaired by Michael J. "Mik" Robertson, LPPA Chair. The morning session featured Officer and Committee Reports. The Strategic Planning Committee made a presentation and the Chair of that Special Committee recommended the LPPA "avoid controversial hard dogma and positions without sacrificing libertarian principles", "soft-pedal heated political philosophical debates", and focus on the following three positions, which most LPPA members are in agreement with: "Constitutionally Limited Small Government with Low Taxes, Fiscally Responsible Balanced Budgets, and Free Market Economy and Sound Money". The Platform Committee recommended and obtained the repeal of a detailed LPPA Platform and had it replaced with a simplified platform most felt was an improvement over the old Platform.
Lunch was from noon to 1:15 p.m. and the speaker was Marybeth Kuznik of Vote PA who spoke about the security problems with the many different voting machines now in use in Pennsylvania.
The afternoon session saw the election of Party Officers. Lou Jasikoff was elected Chair and spoke of his belief that even more can be done to build the Libertarian Party in Pennsylvania. He complimented Mik Robertson for the excellent work he has done in bringing the party to the point it is at but he also stated he is ready to do more to make things happen. Currently, the LPPA has organizations in 23 of the 67 counties in the state and even though there are 38,000 registered Libertarians in Pennsylvania, the LPPA has, at most, 250 paid members and there were only 27 certified delegates in attendance at the convention. At the Saturday night Liberty Banquet at which Bill Still, author of The Money Masters: How International Bankers Gained Control Of America, spoke, it was also announced that Lou Jasikoff won the Liberty Bell Award for his activism during this past year. Mr. Jasikoff is the former Chair of the Libertarian Party of New Jersey and he recently co-founded Campaign In A Box, which offers advice and services to candidates seeking public office.
Three colorful phrases I recall hearing at the convention were Marybeth Kuznik often referring to something being "as slow as blackstrap mollasses in an ice storm", Eric Viker stating about some issue that "we need to keep our eyes on the big balls and the little balls", and Kevin Knedler, LNC At-Large Representative, telling the delegates that Matthew Cantrell (a candidate for appointment to the National Platform Committee "comes with the full package" (I didn't inquire further).
The full cost for convention delegates was only $73.00, which is a great bargain. The people were friendly and their commitment to liberty was inspiring. Congratulations on a job well done!
I arrived on Friday afternoon around 5:00 p.m., dropped my bags in the room and headed over to the Registration Table to check in. The friendly local volunteers from the Libertarian Party of Venango County had everything in order. They handed me my badge and a bag full of goodies, which included:
Pennsylvania Annual Convention & Liberty Banquet 20-Page Directory
Libertarian - More Freedom, Less Government (Bumper Sticker)
Repeal ObamaCare (Bumper Sticker)
Libertarian Party 1971 (Bumper Sticker)
Get Involved...The World Is Run By Those Who Show Up (Bumper Sticker)
Libertarian Party - Government Gone Wild (Brochure)
Northwest Savings Bank Note Pad & Letter Opener
Wiegel Brothers Marine Key Chains
and displayed on the table for us to take were also:
The Declaration of Independence/U.S. Constitution (Booklet)
Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Franklin, PA Tourist Brochure
Oil Region Official Guide
DeBence Antique Music World Museum (Brochure)
Barrow Civic Theatre (Brochure)
in addition to many other documents and invitations.
I went immediately to the Friday Reception where Meatballs, Fried Zucchini and Fried Vegetables were being served up along with great conversation contributed to by many intelligent pro-liberty activists. I sat next to Leo Knepper, who is the PA State Director of Heritage Action For America, and Timothy L. Havener, Central Chapter President of Firearms Owners Against Crime, who was sporting a semi-automatic Glock for self-protection. It was a sleek and handsome firearm! This reception provided delegates an excellent opportunity to network and make new friends. I stayed until 9:30 p.m. and then went to bed but for those younger and more energetic than I, there was a Hospitality Suite being hosted by Montgomery County that started at 9:00 p.m. ($17.76 cover for Friday or Saturday; $35.00 cover for both nights) featuring Complimentary Munchies, Liquid Refreshment and Door Prizes.
On Saturday, April 30, 2011, things started up early at 7:00 a.m. for a breakfast buffet and a presentation by Timothy A. Russell, who was elected Emlenton Boro Mayor. The LPPA Convention was expertly and professionally chaired by Michael J. "Mik" Robertson, LPPA Chair. The morning session featured Officer and Committee Reports. The Strategic Planning Committee made a presentation and the Chair of that Special Committee recommended the LPPA "avoid controversial hard dogma and positions without sacrificing libertarian principles", "soft-pedal heated political philosophical debates", and focus on the following three positions, which most LPPA members are in agreement with: "Constitutionally Limited Small Government with Low Taxes, Fiscally Responsible Balanced Budgets, and Free Market Economy and Sound Money". The Platform Committee recommended and obtained the repeal of a detailed LPPA Platform and had it replaced with a simplified platform most felt was an improvement over the old Platform.
Lunch was from noon to 1:15 p.m. and the speaker was Marybeth Kuznik of Vote PA who spoke about the security problems with the many different voting machines now in use in Pennsylvania.
The afternoon session saw the election of Party Officers. Lou Jasikoff was elected Chair and spoke of his belief that even more can be done to build the Libertarian Party in Pennsylvania. He complimented Mik Robertson for the excellent work he has done in bringing the party to the point it is at but he also stated he is ready to do more to make things happen. Currently, the LPPA has organizations in 23 of the 67 counties in the state and even though there are 38,000 registered Libertarians in Pennsylvania, the LPPA has, at most, 250 paid members and there were only 27 certified delegates in attendance at the convention. At the Saturday night Liberty Banquet at which Bill Still, author of The Money Masters: How International Bankers Gained Control Of America, spoke, it was also announced that Lou Jasikoff won the Liberty Bell Award for his activism during this past year. Mr. Jasikoff is the former Chair of the Libertarian Party of New Jersey and he recently co-founded Campaign In A Box, which offers advice and services to candidates seeking public office.
Three colorful phrases I recall hearing at the convention were Marybeth Kuznik often referring to something being "as slow as blackstrap mollasses in an ice storm", Eric Viker stating about some issue that "we need to keep our eyes on the big balls and the little balls", and Kevin Knedler, LNC At-Large Representative, telling the delegates that Matthew Cantrell (a candidate for appointment to the National Platform Committee "comes with the full package" (I didn't inquire further).
The full cost for convention delegates was only $73.00, which is a great bargain. The people were friendly and their commitment to liberty was inspiring. Congratulations on a job well done!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, Blasts U.N. Envoy Staffan de Mistura, Over His Comments About The Dove Outreach Center's Quran Burning
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, blasted Staffan de Mistura, the top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan, for blaming Rev. Terry Jones' Quran burning on March 20, 2011 at the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida for the 20 deaths that came at the hands of Afghan protesters in early April. Specifically, Dr. Stevens objected to the following statement made by de Mistura:
I don't think we should be blaming any Afghan. We should be blaming the person who produced the news - the one who burned the Quran.
In response, Dr. Stevens said:
The people responsible for the deaths of the innocent civilians in Afghanistan are the individuals who killed them. No one else! Just because you don't like what someone else does or says does not give you the right to protest in a manner that violently takes away their life, liberty or property.
On March 20, 2011, Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida burned a private copy of the Quran after a mock trial was held. President Obama called the desecration "an act of extreme intolerance and bigotry" but also said it doesn't justify attacking and killing innocent people calling the murders "outrageous and an affront to human decency and dignity." Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, has demanded the United States and the United Nations "bring justice to the pastor" of the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, commented as follows on the Quran burning:
From the perspective of private property ownership, Rev. Terry Jones has every right to burn any book he or his ministry owns. It is simply no one elses business. However, there is also the right Rev. Jones has under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to express his political opinion through protected symbolic speech. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American Flag is protected symbolic speech and while I personally oppose book-burning, Rev. Jones has every right to express his concerns about radical Islam through actions that strongly express his views on the topic. I do not want to see the day when an American citizen is constrained in expressing his political or religious views just because those views offend others. That is not the standard by which our right to free speech should be measured.
The Objectivist Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on February 2, 2008. It has 32 chartered affiliates and members in 18 countries. Its website is located at http://www.objectivistparty.com/
I don't think we should be blaming any Afghan. We should be blaming the person who produced the news - the one who burned the Quran.
In response, Dr. Stevens said:
The people responsible for the deaths of the innocent civilians in Afghanistan are the individuals who killed them. No one else! Just because you don't like what someone else does or says does not give you the right to protest in a manner that violently takes away their life, liberty or property.
On March 20, 2011, Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida burned a private copy of the Quran after a mock trial was held. President Obama called the desecration "an act of extreme intolerance and bigotry" but also said it doesn't justify attacking and killing innocent people calling the murders "outrageous and an affront to human decency and dignity." Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, has demanded the United States and the United Nations "bring justice to the pastor" of the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, commented as follows on the Quran burning:
From the perspective of private property ownership, Rev. Terry Jones has every right to burn any book he or his ministry owns. It is simply no one elses business. However, there is also the right Rev. Jones has under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to express his political opinion through protected symbolic speech. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American Flag is protected symbolic speech and while I personally oppose book-burning, Rev. Jones has every right to express his concerns about radical Islam through actions that strongly express his views on the topic. I do not want to see the day when an American citizen is constrained in expressing his political or religious views just because those views offend others. That is not the standard by which our right to free speech should be measured.
The Objectivist Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on February 2, 2008. It has 32 chartered affiliates and members in 18 countries. Its website is located at http://www.objectivistparty.com/
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Libertarian Party of Queens County Votes To Boycott NYLP State Convention
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.
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.
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).
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