The Liberty Pledge News

Chicago Tribune 4-25-1988 Pastor's Libertarians vie 1-c' election for piece of the pie By R. Bruce Dold abolish the income tax and legalize the whole "underground Still looking for a presidential economy." sets state candidate who can wrest the campaign away from the Eve- "Have you ever thought about ning Snooze? The Libertarians it? There's no unemployment are back, and they want your at- there," Paul told a crowd Friday tention. afternoon at a City Club of Chi- history cago luncheon. "Everybody has They've got a presidential can- didate, Ron Paul, who looks like a job and nobody has to fill out a Republican (dark blue suits), any forms so they can give more talks like' a Dixiecrat (with a to the government." • #i) He wins office on Texas twang) and likes to heap Want another one? If you praise on Jesse Jackson (proba- legalize heroin, the drug pushers Libertarian ticket bly just to miff some Demo- will go out of business because crats).. the profit margin will shrink and the overdoses will decrease be- By Kathleen' Bohland Paul,. a former,Republican cause the quality of the drug will News Staff Writer congressman from the Houston be known. "We have an epidem- area, was in Chicago over the ic. It's an epidemic of drug A church pastor has won the post • of,!village weekend for a round of speaking laws," Paul told the City Club. trustee in Addison with`6,2,Votes, becoming the first engagements and an appearance Yet even Libertarians have elected Libertarian:Party official in.Michigaril at the state convention of Liber- some troubles with their own tarians held at the Congress tenets. Paul rejects the party's The Rev. James W. Clifton, 36, of :Addison- Hotel, where he gave the platform that protects a United. Church of Christ, won a two-year`,term. keynote address Saturday night. woman's right to an abortion. Monday for one of three seats, outpolling four other' When Paul went to Congress Paul argues that he fundamental- candidates in the partisan election. Addison- is a in 1979, he, endeared himself to ly opposes "any act of aggres- village of 650 people 15 mileS south of Jackson. his colleagues by calling on them sion against anyone," and he to give up their August vaca- Mr. Clifton had been, appointed to a vacancy on considers abortion an aggression she six-member board of trustees six months ago: tions, take a pay cut every time the cost-of-living index rose, and against a fetus. He has lived in Addison' about 16 months, and vote in public to approve travel They are idea's'. that certainly junkets to foreign lands. sound more entertaining than said he has "flirted off and on!" with.the Libertarian the drab debates that have filled Party since 1976 and formally joined it a year ago. , That's the kind of stuff Liber- the 1988 presidential campaign. tarians just love. But then, Yet the Libertarians are Sweet "THE BASIC attraction to me was the party's they're people who, for yuks, Sixteen and never been kissed by belief in minimal goverriment, free trade and opep talk about turning the federal tax more than a few devoted lovers. system into a "supermarket," borders and a non-interventionist foreign policy," They have a bunch of small he said. where you could buy just what you want with your taxes. Say, a victories—Libertarians grabbed Locally, Mr. Clifton emphasized minimal' taxes control of the City Council in and property rights in his campaign, which 'he share of a MX missile or a cus- . said todian's monthly salary at the Big Water, Utah, last year. Na- attracted some of the village's conservative Republi- Dirksen Federal Building. tionally, the party has struggled. can voters. - There's a free-market answer In 1972, at its inception, the to every question for them. So party made a minor splash when (con't. back page) the federal government can't col- lect taxes on those cash-and- (con't. next page) skip-the-receipt deals? Then

'the Liberty Pledge News is produced monthly. for members of the National Libertarian Party's Pledge Program, Independ- ence '88 and the Torch Club. It is also distributed to State Party Chairs and National Committee members in appreciation of their contributions and to make a ailible information on Headquarters activities and Libertarians in the news. Clippings and other items of interest are greatly. appreciated.

Libertarian Party Headquarters • 1528 Pennsylvania Ave., SE * Washington, DC 20003 Can we be of help? Want to raise your pledge? Call 1-800-682-1776. Libertarian v p. hopeful; THE FLINT JOURNAL • 'THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 19 Legalize drugs, dump IRS Libertarian Dick Jacobs to challenge if elected, Marrou and Paul sonal responsibilities that the law ioN Ri gle; wants to stop big-sp nding By Stacey Evers would immediately stop hiring l has removed, he said. Drug laws LANSING (AP) — Daily Staff Reporter • passed in 1914 established the "federal bureaucrats," Marrou lt Dick Jacobs, saying he wants to the Libertarian Party principles of self-sufficiency drug problem because they said. About 10 percent of federal o stop the big-spending "fools in Washington," an- and that he would not spend more than $100,000 in his nounced Wednesday he is running against Sen Don- pursuit of the U.S. Senate seat. created a profit motive for employees leave the government tu People who- vote' in November ald W. Riegle Jr. as a Libertarian Party candidate. for the Libertarian Party's dealers, he said. Also, the high each year, allowing about a 40 "I will not accept money from,any specie' interest A "I want each of you here to

percent' cut of the bureacracy T groups,"he said. presidential ticket will be casting cost of illegal drugs forces ad- know — and you can quote me on ballots for legalized drugs and dicts to steal, prostitute over four years, he said. The "Mine's going to be a grass roots campaign. I'm decrease would allow a 25 per- n- this — that I could not live with looking for 2,500 people in Michigan to kick in 50 the elimination of the income tax, themselves and commit other myself if I didn't try and stop those cent reduction in the income tax. uT bucks apiece, turn their television sets off five nights the party's candidate for vice crimes to support their habit. damn fools in Washington who are president, Andre Marrou, said Marrou, who joined the Liber- Marrou said the tax is un- a, week for an hour, get on the phone, go out and talk uT driving my granddaughter and fu- Thursday in Winchester. constitutional. to their neighbors and get involved," Jacobs said. "If tarian Party in 1976, served one ture generations of Americans into Libertarians consider term in the Alaska state Libertarians also advocate a they aren't ready to do that, then they deserve the non-interventionistforeign policy. BG bankruptcy," Jacobs said, holding kind of government they're getting." themselves members of "the legislature in 1984-85. Paul served up a picture of his newest grand- party of principle," Marrou said. four terms in the U.S. House of "We -would get rid of foreign Jacobs, who unsuccessfully ran for governor as aid," Marrou said. "For one ATT daughter, who will be 3 weeks old He and presidential hopeful Ron Representatives as a Republican Friday. the Libertarian candidate in 1982, acknowledged he Paul were nominated at the par. government to give something to representing Houston, Texas, but "Those devils in. would be waging "a David and Goliath race." ty's national convention in another, it must, first be removed Washington left the GOP "in disgust" over have created a cesspool of special Jacobs Jacobs advocates eliminating the income tax and September in Seattle, Wash. President Reagan and his faulty by force -- through taxes," he interest welfare and warfare programs, fed by a can- the Internal Revenue Service, and making up the lost The Libertarian Party does not economic policies, Marrou said. said. Aid should be replaced by international trade, which is vol- cerous spending program. that is destroying our coun7 revenue by eliminating all special interest subsidies, fit on the political spectrum The party has about' 6,000 try. It is time they were stopped." including price support programs for farmers. because it advocates full civil and registered members and its mail- untary, he said. (.0 Jacobs, announcing his candidacy at a Capitol economic rights by maximizing ing list contains about 60,000 Such a policy would bring back CO He said he also wants to end subsidies to foreign CO news conference, described Riegle, a Flint Demo- Daily staff photo by Alan Lehman individual liberty and minimizing names. But the figures do not to the United States troops now governments, bring home all U.S. military forces sta- crat, as a "special interest politician who opposes the the government's power, Marrou adequately reflect the number of abroad and would mean "an end tioned abroad, and legalize drug use. Andre Marrou, the Libertarian Party's can- said. votes a Libertarian candidate can to U.S. government meddling, in- balanced budget concept and supports both foreign "I don't advocate or condone the use of drugs, but and domestic special interest Subsidies." didate for vice president, says the party wants The party favors legalizing obtain, Marrou said, partly terfering and getting involved in I do favor their legalization," he said. to legalize drugs such as marijuana and co- drugs such as marijuana and co- because many states do not allow the affairs of other countries," Jacobs, 49, formerly of-Owosso and Grand Blanc- "If history has taught us anything, it should have but now of Holland, vowed his campaign will reflect caine. caine, which would restore per- voters to register as Libertarians. taught us that Prohibition doesn't work. "

the party got its candidate on the ballot as the Illinois Solidar- this may not be the year they the ballot in only 38 states and ity Party candidate for mayor crack 1 million votes. Ah, but if won only 227,204 votes. because former Sen. Adlai Ste- the Libertarians were ever to Libertarian Party offers public a choice (con t t . from page 1) Paul and Illinois Libertarians venson received ,better than 5 succeed, much of the fun would The presidential primaries are in into the personal and economic lives "Republicrats" now running for pres- be drained from Libertarianism.

percent of the vote as the party's O hope they can sneak up on Chi- full swing and once again the Repub- of individual Americans. The rest ident. They may endorse any of the candidate for governor. "When I told my wife that I ra its presidential ticket won one cago with a good showing here. licans and Democrats have given us would offer a, quicker pace to the They reason that if their three was going to run for Congress, candidates, from either party, as The Libertarians lay claim to, same bad destination. n vote from a sympathizer who she said, 'That would be a very quite a sorry collection of candidates they are unfortunately interchange- candidates for University of Illi- being the third largest party in ge C slipped into the Electoral Col- dangerous thing because you from which to choose. The best of the If Americans want more govern- able. The differences on important is- lege. In 1980, its presidential nois trustee can get 5 percent of America, with 200,000 registered bunch would merely mean more of ment, higher taxes, larger bureaucra- the vote in the November gener- members and some 75 elected might get elected,' " Paul said. sues between the most liberal of the "I said that that would not be the same; more of the same steady cies, and less personal freedoms, they bunch to the most conservative are ticket won nearly' 1 million al election, they can qualify a officeholders. But their toughest o

advance of big government intruding unt votes, better than 1 percent of candidate for the ballot in the task is getting beyond novelty the case because I wz.s going to need only to support any one of the so small as to not matter much at all. the total. But four years later, next Chicago mayoral election. and being taken seriously. run on principle." Oh, those rascally Libertarians. If, however, Americans want a re- After all, Ed Vrdolyak got on Some Libertarians concede y R THE HARTFORD COURANT: Thursday, February 25, 1988 turn to the traditional limited role of government, a return to the moral values that made this country strong, e free, and prosperous, may I suggest gi

Old Saybrook man convicted of not filing tax returns st the Libertarian Party. Libertarian values are traditional American val- er By CAROLYN FARRAR counts. "Jim Lewis has become our latest Burns asked Melechinsky to move Burns said, "If he had a good faith ues. They are freedom, private prop- Courant Staff Writer Lewis faces a maximum one year martyr, whether he wanted to or from his seat at the rear of the room misunderstanding of the law, he is erty, individual rights, and individual not," said Andrew Melechinsky of to one by the door, but he said he not guilty of the offense." (CA in prison on each count of willful responsibilities. Thomas Jefferson failure to file a tax return, covering Enfield, a member of Constitutional would prefer to stay where he was. Lewis said he believed he was nit NEW HAVEN — James A. Lewis said it better when he called them, of Old Saybrook, a L'i]md,AD:ge,AAL • • _ ' _ the years 1981, '82 and '83. He also Revival, a group he said favors "I don't care what you prefer," required to file, based on readings oh ) member who arguedIERTIFETWerar faces a $10,000 fine for the first "maximum freedom through mini- Burns said. the subject. He said most people "life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap- piness." income tax is illegal, was convicted count and a $25,000 fine for each of mum government." The sheriffs dragged Melechinsky have inadequate knowledge of t1 Before the jury was brought in for across the courtroom to a seat by the by a U.S. District Court jury Wednes- the other two. U.S. Constitution, and pay federate Far from being old-fashioned, it is - day of three counts of failing to file Lewis, who said he will not appeal closing arguments, Melechinsky was door. Lewis said he would prefer income tax without knowing if it is: these principles that we need most in tax returns. the verdict, is to be sentenced April dragged from his seat by sheriffs Melechinsky out of the courtroom, legal. our current situation. The two major -9 "It shows you the level of Ameri- 6. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas S. after a heated discussion with Judge but Burns said she would not eject Lewis said he asked IRS agents tq parties are not offering us a meaning-

ca's justice system," Lewis said as Lavine said it was office policy not Ellen Bree Burns. him. show him the section of tax law ful alternative. Fortunately there is 86T he left the courtroom where he had to comment on jury verdicts. Lavine told Burns he thought Me- Melechinsky was silent during the requiririg him to file or face criminal another, better choice. America's 8 represented himself during a three- Lewis's trial had been adopted as lechinsky intended to disrupt the ar- arguments. prosecution, but they did not. third largest party is alive and grow- day trial. a cause by other Libertarians and guments because Melechinsky had During the closing arguments, "The government only had to say; ing. The Libertarian Party has Amer- The jury returned a verdict short- members of tax-protest and individ- petitioned to address the jury. Lewis both sides focused on whether Lew- 'You're wrong and here's why you're ican solutions to America's ly after 5 p.m., after deliberating uals' rights groups. Three dozen peo- said he did not support the petition. is's failure to file was, by legal defi- wrong,' " Lewis said. He said 44 problems. about two hours. Lewis stood mo- ple were in the courtroom Monday, Burns asked Melechinsky for as- nition, willful. Lewis has admitted would have"filed a return if agents JAMES AAEWIS tionless as the jury foreman repeat- the first day of the trial, and about 20 surances that he would not disrupt not filing returns since 1979. had shown him a section disputing Richard G. Martin Challenged legality of income tax ed the guilty verdict for the three came Wednesday. proceedings, hut he gave no answer. In giving the charge to the jury, his argument. Irvine Libertarian candidate (con' t. from page 1)

He also sent out 320 campaign brochuies that presents 'alternatives' said he would resign from office • if he failed to address a resident's complaint or problem within 48 hours. By AL FRANK gest majority," he said, claiming no "That impressed people because it showed I had For Ron Paul, "Super Tuesday" is mainstream party candidate has an interest in their problems and cared about them," just another day because, in his quest emerged with broad support or a sub- he said. to be President of the United States, the stantive platform. 52-year-old Texas physician already Libertarians, on the other hand, MOST PEOPLE were more bothered by the has his party's nomination. offer a -striking alternative to business. cnrt fact he is a minister than a member of the While the Libertarian Party candi- as usual. Libertarian Party, he said. date was not campaining himself into "We believe the country would be 't Mr. Clifton was the leading vote-getter among exhaustion this weekend before the 20- better off with a limited government t- three candidates elected to the council Monday, state round of primaries arid caucuses, rather than a government that pretends said Joe Overton, of Midland, Libertarian Party Paul was bringing his message to New it can regulate the economy and in- state chairman. Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. fringes-on individual -liberties.," Paul •crco', He received 62 votes, while two incumbent Yesterday, the former, four-term said. congressman greeted the party faithful Republican candidates, Stan Behrman and Don As president ne said he would .end as the Libertarians held their state con- income taxes and welfare and abolish Dennis, received 55 votes apiece. The two Demo- (.,1 vention at the Holiday Inn in Kenil- the Federal Reserve. Ail troops outside , crats on the ballot trailed: Bernard Elston polled 45 worth. the country would b2 called home. j votes and his son Robert, 31. In an interview, Paul acknowl- About 90 percent of the State De- Overton said Libertarian candidates had won edged he was a Republican while serv- partment could he eliminated because tc seats in Michigan running as independents in the ing in Congress from 1976-84 but be- the country would no longer involve it- oo came disillusioned after the deficit bal- self in .such debates as whether Manuel 00 past, but none had won under the Libertarian looned. Antonio Noriega should remain in banner. The state party was formed in 1971. But he said Republicans and Dem- power in Panama. ocrats must share the blame because Mr. Clifton, who said he has "politics in my The government departments re- blood," vowed to run someday for the state Legisla- both parties make deals aimed more at maining after paring or outright scrap- staying in power than solving the coun- ture. ping could be funded even without an try's problems. income tax because corporate taxes, "There's no way anyone can ex- "I HAVE ALWAYS been very interested in Social Security and franchise tales pect conservatives and liberals to do would be retained, Paul said. politics," said Mr. Clifton,.who grew up in the anything about those problems," Paul South. "I would eventually like to serve in the said. "Both serve each other's pur- The candidate, whose running Legislature. poses." mate is Andre Marrou, a former Alas- "When I was in high school and college, I plar Because he feels other voters have ka legislator, said his views have not to become governor'of Mississippi." become similarly disgusted with the changed radically from his 'Jays in the Libertarians profess a platform of reduced goy, status quo, 1988 should prove a good House of Representatives. ernment and taxes and more individual freedom. year for Libertarians, Paul said, pre- Paul represented the •;2d District, dicting his name will be on the ballots Paul Jacob, national political director for the in Texas until lie was defeated in th-te of at least 47 states, including New Jer- Republican primary for Senate by ?Fill Libertarian Party, said there are 80 elected or sey. appointed. Libertarians now holding office. Gramm who later went on to win-t' hP "Undecided seems to have the big- seat. Libertarian candidate predicts party's growth By Stephanie Ward/Gazette-Jodi:oat These kinds of empty empire abroad and welfarism at home," promises by Republi- he said. Libertarian presidential candidate Ron cans, whose only inter- Withdrawing troops from foreign coun- Paul figures the best way to solve the est is big business, Paul tries, ending all foreign aid, stopping all many problems plaguing the country is claims, is a glaring grants to corporations and abolishing to lessen government intervention and example of how a gov- social transfer payments is the only way abolish the income tax system. ernment that was to balance the budget, he said. During one of many campaign stops in designed to help the peo- Paul wants to legalize all drugs, thus Reno Monday, Paul said the Libertarian ple only serves to hurt reducing the crime associated with drug Party prinicipal of less government and them once it is too big, more private competition is the only way trafficking. corrupt and out of con- He favors a strong defense but wants to cure the ailing federal government. trol. Paul the money to be spent on defense at "The best chance for people's prosper- ity is with the Libertarian Party," Paul Paul wants to dismantle almost all fed- home. said. eral programs except those that serve to Paul said that he and Democratic pres- After serving four times as a U.S. Con- protect the public and administer laws. idential candidate Jesse Jackson are the gressman from Houston, Paul said he "People know how to spend money bet- only ones with real insight to the crisis could no longer stand the lies of Republi- ter than the federal government," he America faces if it continues to operate cans and decided to switch parties. said. under the present system. But Jackson A combination of events caused Paul to wants more government intervention as leave the Republican party. One of the By abolishing the income tax system, it opposed to less, he said. biggest was President Reagan's promise puts people back in control of their lives The Libertarian Party, which has about to 3calance the budget. Instead of balanc- and their country, he said. 200,000 registered members, 200 in ing the budget, he doubled the federal def- "Is there a need for an income tax? Washoe County, is quickly becoming the icit, he said. Only if we perpetuate the American people's alternative, Paul said.