Here is part one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6G1rq5LdA4

Robert Butler, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Texas, has written 18 Steps to Win a Local Election, consisting of an handbook and workbook.
I highly recommend both of these to Libertarians running for office.
Both the handbook and workbook are easy to understand, easy to read, and systematically lay out the necessary framework all campaigns should follow.
Both only cost $25 as well. It is an incredible bargain.

As Libertarian Party national Vice Chair - I hear a lot about campaigns across the nation. A lot of good reports come from Texas.

The Texas Libertarian Party has really grown over the last six years, and is running very good candidates, and lots of them. It has also significantly improved its fund raising prowess, and has Robert Butler as Executive Director. Robert worked for the Libertarian Party of Indiana several years ago.

Here are some candidates and campaigns in Texas in which I'm hearing some good things:

1. John Jay Meyers 32 US House www.johnjaymyers.com 214-824-4150
2. David Smith 2 US House www.dsmithforcongress.com 832-329-5313
3. Robert Nowotny for State Rep 73 www.needtovote.com 830-228-5950
4. Jim Prindle 4 US House www.prindleforcongress 214-909-2311
5. Bruce West 8 US House www.brucewestforcongress.com 281-622-0732
6. Jim Strohm 21 US House www.strohmforcongress.com 713-242-8691
7. Jim Stutsman 25 US House 512-797-3905
8. Ed Mishou 27 US House 956-541-7091

Now who to list is always a subjective call, and information changes daily. I'm sure I've missed some good campaigns in Texas that deserve to be called out as well.

I'm writing today to publicly state that I support Wayne Allyn Root for Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee along with his running mate, Mark Rutherford who seeks the Vice-Chairmanship. I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Root on more than one occasion as he tirelessly and unselfishly has spent time visiting my state and engaging with some of our leaders. I have known Mr. Rutherford for what this year marks as a full decade.
There has no doubt been significant and often unflattering discussion amongst members, fans and observers of the Libertarian Party regarding who should next lead the party. The national convention approaches in just a couple of days and I know that the other individuals vying for these positions with the party are bright, well-meaning people. Even when some of the rhetoric and tactics in trying to discredit Mr. Root have been divisive or misleading I like to believe that it is over an interest in protecting the Libertarian brand however misguided the effort. Regardless, it is clear that the Libertarian Party needs leadership that goes beyond an interest in intellectual debate and rock throwing.
The current environment is ripe for the Libertarian Party, if not libertarians of any affiliation, to stand up, be heard and let America know that there is another way. So many voters have really started to realize that the two old political parties are really just clubs with an interest in raising money and seeking power via elections and that they are not really organizations dedicated to preserving liberties, rights or Constitutional government. Sure, there might be some good people holding office who are still trapped within the old two-party system; but, how often are those folks with whom we might most agree marginalized despite their broad appeal?
In order to get the libertarian message out, I firmly believe that the party needs not only the kind of savvy intellectual leadership that Mr. Rutherford brings to the table but also the energy, enthusiasm and know-how that Wayne Root desires deeply to leverage for the benefit of this great country. If you want someone who can take a message to the media and to the people, who can engage with them and spread enthusiasm for libertarian candidates and ideals than Wayne is the guy. His choice of Mark Rutherford, the once long-serving Indiana State Chairman, shows that he wants to ally himself with people who have proven they can develop a Libertarian organization into an accessible, credible and important part of the political dialog as Mark and his immediate successors have done.
If you're looking for some kind of purity test that would isolate libertarian support down to only the most anarcho-capitalist folks among the party's ranks than, indeed, you may not be ready to help demonstrate to the rest of the world the kinds of pragmatic, sensible solutions that would gradually and increasingly show people that libertarian ideals and philosophy can and will work in the real world. The kinds of things that show that we can be measured and patient while peeling back the onion of spending, taxation and government control of our lives. And more than anything the voters need to know that the Libertarian Party will pay more than lip service to these issues; but, that if given the reigns it will prove that they meant it. Let's give Wayne and Mark a chance to see what they can do. It's time for some fresh perspectives while still sticking true to our core beliefs.
(note: the author is a former Libertarian candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, a former communications director for his county party, a policy advisor and occasional speaker on libertarian issues and helped other volunteers organize and support Indiana Tea Party efforts as far back as 2007)

This is an old ad, but it’s relevant to the upcoming convention in St. Louis…

This afternoon I recieved an email from the "Indiana Defenders of Liberty" organizers Duane & Dot Ott. This email was attempt to stiffle discussion of 3rd Party Movements on their email list. We all know which 3rd Party is the largest and who they fear will "steal" their conservative votes.

Granted, they did suggest that such disscussion could be taken to group disscussion folders. This reminds me of how the Republican mainstream dealt with Dr Paul and his supporters at their last National Convention. (A site for them to gather was provided several blocks from the Convention Hall in a parking lot.)

The most offensive, in my opinion, portion of the letter is extracted below along with the reply I sent in response.

"In the same vain, discussions of 3rd party movement & recruitment need to also be moved to the Message Board for discussion. The IndianaDOL & the Indiana Tea Party understand the historical importance & urgency of regaining control of both branches of Congress (both state & federal) in this 2010 election cycle, & we can not encourage the development of 3rd party movements with no realizable opportunity of impact, except to split the conservative vote. Members are welcome to debate the 3rd party perspective, but take that discussion to the Message Board, establish your topic & debate it with those who chose to join. "


As a committed member of such a "3rd Party movement", the Libertarian Party, and the Vice-Chair of its Marion Co. affiliate, I take extreme umbrage at this suggestion. This only confirms what I've felt all along, that the Indiana Defenders of Liberty are not that interested in seeing that true Defenders of Liberty, Libertarians, have a voice in their petty little movement. The "Indiana Defenders of Liberty" is nothing but a shill for the Republican establishment.

What does it matter if we elect Liberal Progressives (Democrats) or Conservative Progressives (Republicans), the overall result will be diminished personal Liberty. The point is some form of Progressive politician will be elected.

As to those Republicans who truly do believe in the natural rights of man as espoused by Locke and Jefferson, why are you not Libertarians? Why do you not have the total strength of your convictions? It takes courage to stand apart from the crowd and follow your heart. The men of Concord and Lexington did it even though it cost some their lives, and I thank Almighty God every day that they did.

I think we are now seeing the Tea Party Movement for what is has become. It is not the Tea Party of the Sons of Liberty, but that of the Mad Hatter and it's later than you think.

It costs money to communicate with the delegates at the Libertarian National Convention and to run for internal party office. Any help with money - helps!

You can help Wayne Root's campaign for National Chair by giving what you can by clicking here: http://www.rootforamerica.com/home/paypal.php

You can help Mark Rutherford's campaign for National Vice-Chair by sending a check or money order to Rutherford at 151 N. Delaware Street, Suite 1900, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 or by donating to Rutherford's political action committee by clicking here: https://atlasliberty.com/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1

"May 10, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Knott defends FairTax proposal after Hill’s attack

In his May 5 press release, incumbent Democratic Congressman Baron Hill attacked the FairTax as “an extremist and economically-detrimental” idea and misrepresented the revenue neutral proposal as a “23 percent national sales tax on goods and services”.

Greg Knott, the Libertarian challenger for the 9th District responded to Hill’s misleading statements saying, “FairTax is just a better way to collect the same amount of taxes, and is not a tax increase for anyone except criminals. Drug dealers, prostitutes and other tax cheats in the underground economy currently pay no taxes because they don’t report their cash income to the government and don’t receive paychecks with payroll taxes already taken out. The FairTax forces these criminals to pay their fair share when they buy items at the store which will allow taxes to be lowered for honest middle class Americans while collecting the same amount of revenue to pay for government services.”

Asked who else benefits from the current tax system, Knott replied, “As the third wealthiest person in the world, Warren Buffet paid a 17.7% tax rate on his $46 million of taxable income in 2006, while his employees paid an average 32.9% tax rate (his receptionist's tax rate was 30%). I agree with Buffet that his real tax rate should not be lower than the people who work for him, and believe FairTax is the best solution to fix this injustice. Congressmen like Baron Hill also benefit from the status quo since they only pay social security taxes on $106,800 of their $174,000 salary while middle class Americans pay social security taxes on their whole income.”
When asked who will benefit most from the FairTax when it is passed into law, Knott said, “People who are unemployed or underemployed will benefit the most because economists have concluded export prices are inflated by an average of 20% due to federal hidden taxes. Removing the hidden taxes makes exports more competitive globally and will result in high paying manufacturing jobs flowing back to depressed areas like the Midwest. The working poor will also benefit since their paychecks will no longer be reduced by taxes and the sales tax rebate on poverty level spending will insure everyone is able to put food on the table and a roof over their head.”

Knott reminds Hoosiers who want FairTax to, “call 202-225-5315 and educate Baron Hill’s staff with the facts on fairtax.org so that he will co-sponsor the legislation. If Hill continues to block this progressive jobs bill then voters should fire him in November and elect me to send a message to Washington demanding common sense tax reform.”

For more information on “Knott for Congress, not politics as usual”, call campaign manager, Jonathan “Luke” Hilton, at 317-850-6078 or email nobullcongress@gmail.com.
END"

Indianapolis Libertarians should be very proud today.

Allison Maguire finished a strong fifth in a field of 13 candidates for Pike Township School Board. Unfortunately, only the top three finishers were elected to the board.

Allison is currently on the Central Committee of the Libertarian Party of Indiana, representing the 7th Congressional District.

Jo (Josephine) Coleman placed a strong third out of seven candidates for an at-large position on the Indianapolis Public School's board. She has been an officer of the Libertarian Party of Marion County.

Both didn't hide their Libertarian ties, and wore them proudly during these non-partisan races. They both know that non-partisan refers to how one gets on the ballot and is labeled on the ballot. It does not mean you can't proudly be a Libertarian and say so.

Lastly, the Libertarian Party of Marion County also endorsed Paul Ogden, who finished sixth behind Allison Maguire.

Here are the results of both races:

Indianapolis School Board at-large (only one elected):

Chequrita (Cece) Booker, 1,626, 9.01
Josephine Coleman, 2,674, 14.82
Justin Paul Forkner, 2,580, 14.30
Ronald (Ronnie) Hampton Jr, 1,581, 8.76
William Jackson, 1,292, 7.16
Leroy Robinson, 3,789, 21.00
Andrea J. (Annie) Roof, 4,503, 24.95

Pike Township School Board (top three finishers elected):

John E. Brown, 2,194, 11.76
David S. Copher, 1,344, 7.20
George E. Crooks, 1,229, 6.59
Thomas Allen Haynes, 662, 3.55
Eric Huffine, 2,056, 11.02
Carl Z. Liggins Sr., 1,243, 6.66
Allison Maguire, 1,784, 9.56
Tammy D. Moon, 876, 4.69
Paul K. Ogden, 1,529, 8.19
Brownell Payne, 534, 2.86
Regina Randolph, 2,395, 12.83
Wanda N. Thomas, 720, 3.86
Yvette R. White, 2,094, 11.22

Tuesday, May 4, is Primary Election Day. Libertarians don’t waste taxpayer money with primaries, BUT THAT IS NO REASON TO STAY HOME ON MAY 4!

Everyone is given three choices when arriving to the polls on Primary Day: a Republican Ballot, a Democrat Ballot, or a SCHOOL BOARD ONLY Ballot. While voting Republican or Democrat is dirty and will go on your permanent record, School Board races are non-partisan and should be voted on by everyone (schools control 50% of your property taxes). Pike & Washington Twp’s will also have a public question that you’ll want to answer.

So go vote on May 4, 6am-6pm, and ask for the School Board Only Ballot. Then, come to the Liberty Election Night Party 6pm - 10pm at Claude & Annie’s (Pike Plaza) - 5162 Pike Plaza Road, Indianapolis, 46254, hosted by the Ogden/Maguire team for School Board.  Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106138229429464

The following candidates for School Board are endorsed by the Libertarian Party of Marion County:

Allison Maguire, Pike Twp School Board
Paul Ogden, Pike Twp School Board
Jo Coleman, IPS School Board

Local business attorney and former State Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Indiana is seeking the National Vice-Chairmanship along with Nevada entrepreneur Wayne Allen Root who is seeking the Chairmanship.
A letter, the text of which follows, issued by the Rutherford campaign went out to Libertarians across the country.

Dear fellow patriots,

America is not a place ... a country ... or even its people.

At its core, America is an idea. An idea that all men (and women) are by their nature endowed with rights and that government exists only to protect those rights. This was the vision of our forefathers and it is a guiding belief of the Libertarian Party.

The Libertarian Party has a strong platform of principles that uphold the American tradition of freedom and tolerance and in today’s political environment, never before have we seen so many willingly embrace these principles. Indeed, it is a proud day to be a Libertarian.

I am a proud Libertarian, and many of you know me to have championed many Libertarian causes and groups in the past. I led the Libertarian Party of Indiana for many years and helped make it one of the most successful state parties in the country. I am also on the Indiana Public Defender Commissioner (appointed as a Libertarian to the Commission by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels) and currently serve as its Chairman. I started Atlas!Liberty Pac, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting the next generation of Libertarian thinkers and leaders. I am also on the board of directors for Advocates for Self-Government, which serves to spread the message of liberty. Most importantly, I served for many years as a faithful member of the LNC, where I’ve seen first hand what needs to be done so much better in order for us to become a dominant political party.

However, despite all my efforts to promote liberty, none have been as important as the challenge we face now, together. We will soon be electing our next Chair. Who we choose will determine the direction that this party, our party, shall take. It is a choice for the future of the Libertarian Party; can we fulfill our political destiny?

We can all agree that in order for us to continue growing, we have to show that the party of principle is broad, diverse, and inclusive. We need a Chair that is vocal about Libertarian principles and that can penetrate the media to reach the minds of more Americans. Only then can the Libertarian Party ascend to bring its principles to the national debate and save our country.

I am proud to be joining with Wayne Allyn Root in an effort to save our country through building a powerful, effective force of freedom.

I have joined with Wayne to help build the infrastructure, media outreach and professional branding the party will need to run effective campaigns and build a political party that can challenge the status quo of ever-growing government being imposed upon us by the two dominant political parties.

But we can’t do it without your help.

Whether you have been involved with our party for many years or even if you are brand new, I want you to become a delegate to the Libertarian Party National Convention.

Attend the convention in St. Louis this Memorial Day Weekend. As a delegate you can proudly cast your vote of support for the Root/Rutherford team

Vote to bring the Libertarian Party to the forefront to engage freedom’s opponents in a battle for America’s birthright.

Mark Rutherford,

Candidate for Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party

The next meeting of the Washington Township Libertarian Club is Wednesday, May 19th from 7 to 9 pm at Cornerstone Coffee/Moe & Johnny's at 54th and College.

Many, many thanks to Washington Township Libertarian Douglass Gaking who is organizing and spearheading this meeting!

Learn more about it on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mwrutherford#!/event.php?eid=105578559485803&ref=mf

This is going to be a good year for the Libertarian Party of Indiana. So far, at the State Convention and various County Conventions, 59 Libertarians have been nominated for partisan office. Additionally, two Libertarians are running for non-partisan school board positions.

As I've done for several election seasons, I'm keeping a track of Indiana Libertarian candidates at the right top of this page. Let me know who I've missed. I believe Rush County and maybe Lake County have nominated candidates for local office, but I don't have reliable information on this as of yet.

I am seeking the Vice Chairmanship of the Libertarian Party at its national convention in St. Louis this May 28th through 31st.

Somebody sent me a message on Facebook today (feel free to look me up and friend me) asking what "Panarchy" was. Panarchy is an idea that I've become very interested in because it is a concept that provides for open competition between systems of government and taxation. As we all know, when there is no competition for a product that service may be lousy and the price can be high, where else are you going to go?
In the case of government, that is exactly how it is too, "Where else are you going to go?". There also seems to be a lot of confusion, mostly due to misuse of the word, in the media over what "anarchy" is. Below is a slightly edited copy of my very brief and hastily typed response to the Panarchy question and their concern they had about anything that sounds anarchistic.
Anarchy is just a state where each person lives free to interact voluntarily with all others. All things would be private including police and legal systems with open competition and mediation and private third party intermediaries and other mechanisms between them to ensure justice and the protection of each person's natural rights. Anarchy should NOT be confused with "chaos" or "violence" even though those in the media who do not understand the nuance in word selection may try to substitute one for the other. While anarchy may mean no government, it does not mean those functions are not performed or handled in other ways.

Panarchy is an idea that basically allows for open competition between government systems and you would voluntarily align yourself, perhaps contractually, with the one that suits your needs, preferences and values.

Most government systems are basically nothing more than a monopoly on violence, force and theft within the imaginary lines drawn on maps by men. Imagine if a government system you belonged to started charging too much for the services they provide, or started providing services you don't need so you voluntarily de-affiliate and become a citizen of a different system without having to relocate geographically. That way socialists can be (broke) socialists, communists can be communists and free market capitalists can be just that and the different groups need not bother each other with their polices. So long as basic natural and contractual rights and obligations are enforced each system could operate under a very small legal framework with each sub-system augmenting as necessary for their needs.

The overlying mechanism that would make this work and one that I think still makes me prefer panarchy or minarchy instead of anarchy is the idea of that basic legal framework for the protection of individual natural rights. Nobody, not even elected officials or their minions, would be allowed to steal or oppress people without them first having agreed to such by their voluntary association.

Hope this helps. It's an idea that needs more attention and the advent of technology probably makes it more plausible today. There are a lot of potential complications, for example, a company might have to be authorized to do business with citizens of each or any particular system and might be subject to different kinds of restrictions within each population group; but, this is no different than companies doing business in different countries or jurisdictions. Even state laws and regulations vary.Even if not at the individual level, which is preferable, different cities or towns might opt-in to a specific system of governance. There are lots of things that would need to be examined, and certainly the idea of people or groups of people having those kinds of options scares the heck out of big government apologists of the status quo variety who lack imagination; but, otherwise, you're stuck unless you want to pick up and move, emigrate to another country, potentially lose your voting rights, unseat your family or your career.Basically, getting rid of government having a monopoly. Competition, like in everything else, would ensure better service and lower prices (taxes are the price way for our government - we know what happens when there is no competition). I've not really considered this idea fully from a practical perspective; but, I think it warrants some thought. But, I caution that when coming up with roadblocks, objections or complications to stop and really think through whatever the issue is and ask, "hmmmm... how might that work in this kind of environment?", "what kind of cooperation between groups would be needed?" and "could it be any worse than what we have now?"

Folks, my limited blogging on this site is likely going to continue. I am going to be the campaign manager for Mike Wherry who is the likely nominee for Indiana Secretary of State for the Libertarian Party. Of course, we will welcome your support since this is the ballot access race in Indiana.

Visit www.mikewherry.com.

Chard Reid is seeking the Libertarian Party of Indiana nomination for Indiana's Fifth Congressional District this Saturday, April 21st. He is an Economics teacher at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis.

He also is a graduate of Anderson University.

 Allison Maguire has a new website!

http://allisonmaguire.wordpress.com/

Allison Maguire - Pike Township School Board

Allison Maguire for Pike Township School Board

allisonmaguire.wordpress.com

I don’t have kids, but I pay property taxes, and I know how to budget. I will never vote to raise your property taxes, but will instead ensure that your money is used to educate students.

April 12 at 12:48pm · Glenn O. Hatmaker and Jon McPheron like this.

There are three new Libertarian Party of Indiana county chairs in Indiana. They are:

Allen - Russ Scribner
Hancock - Rob White
Monroe - Luke Hilton

Jason Cooper has been named organizing Chair for Knox County and its efforts to affiliate with the Libertarian Party of Indiana: