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The Party of Principle™ Read more on Page 7 April 2014 The Official Newspaper of the Libertarian Party Volume 44, Issue 2 In This Issue: John Buckley bids to succeed Rockefeller in WV Chair’s Corner ...........................2 Former Republican state legislator to offer Libertarian choice in Mountain State est Virginia Libertarians have nominated a a much smaller government than we have today, we Office Fund Donors ...................3 LPformer Republican News state legislator, John S. keep our money in our own pockets in the first place: Florida Campaign .....................5 WBuckley, for U.S. Senate. to pay bills, take care of our families, invest in small “Big government leads to an unhealthy concen- business, save for our future, and help our neighbors LNC Meeting .............................5 tration of power, because big government is waste- in need.” ful, destructive, bureaucratic, and terribly intrusive,” Buckley says both the Democrats and the Re- LP Booth at ISFLC 2014 ............6 Buckley said. “Worse, it corrodes our heritage of per- publicans are expanding government at a furious John Buckley sonal responsibility and self-reliance. With liberty and continued on page 5... Tonie Nathan, RIP ....................6 LP National Convention ............7 2014 Annual Report ...........8–9 LP Candidates Say: Affiliate News ...................10–12 End the War on Drugs Military Spending ....................13 By Carla Howell Spreading Libertarianism .......14 While Libertarian n the Libertarian Party tradition of candidates offer voters AZ Repeals Ballot Restriction ..14 speaking truth to power, 27 candi- New LP radio show features dates running so far for federal of- a choice to dramatically I reduce crime, their Libertarian Party candidates LP Provides Real Choice .........15 fice in 2014 have pledged that, if elected, they will sponsor legislation to end the Democratic and new weekly radio show, “Lib- Upcoming State Conventions ..16 War on Drugs, release all victimless drug Republican opponents ertarians Working for You,” “criminals” from prison, abolish the fed- hosted by LP Political Director Media Buzz .............................16 cling to and defend the A eral Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Carla Howell, features candidates running and cut taxes accordingly. failed drug prohibition. for office in 2014 who show how their Ending the War on Drugs is the sin- Libertarian solutions will make life better gle most effective way in which lawmak- Repeal of drug prohibition will for everyday voters. ers can reduce crime in America. replace government control, which trig- The show began on Feb. 12, and Ending prohibition will dry up the gers harmful drug use and addiction, airs every Wednesday from 2:00 to 3:00 market for violent street gangs and turf with personal responsibility, which mod- p.m. Eastern Time. The 13-week series wars, dramatically reducing crime, espe- erates drug use. on VoiceAmerica.com Variety Channel cially in inner cities. It will end no-knock While Libertarian candidates offer was made possible by LP member Chris raids that have killed scores of innocent voters a choice to dramatically reduce Conlan. people and injured many more. It will crime, their Democratic and Republican Each of the first six shows focused dramatically reduce break-ins and rob- opponents cling to and defend the failed on particular topics: ending state income beries, many of which are committed by drug prohibition. taxes, ending the War on Drugs, restor- addicts who want money to buy drugs at Following are a few of the candi- ing gun freedom, getting federal and state prohibition-induced high prices. It will re- dates who have pledged to end the War governments out of schooling, taking care move the pretext for militarization of law on Drugs. of the poor by cutting government, and enforcement within the United States. continued on page 3... continued on page 14... PAGE 2 The LiberTarian ParTy — www.LP.org APRIL 2014 The following individuals HAIR S ORNER C ’ C became Lifetime Members of the Libertarian Party between Jan. 25, 2014, National Convention: Proposed bylaws changes and March 19, 2014: By Geoffrey J. Neale, Chair Theresa Abercrombie n Feb. 28, the By- My first thought on this is that it will be met is really owned completely by each LNC. Chang- Pete Cooper laws Committee with significant opposition, because many will ing to four-year terms would improve this. O(of which I am a argue that it’s a “power grab.” This reason alone This second reason is the biggest reason Fred Dan Fernandes member) met in Washing- is why I was somewhat reticent to cast a vote in why I support this change. This two-year cycle Hoyt Huggins ton, D.C., and considered favor of this proposal, because of this perception, inevitably leads to short-term thinking and plan- a large number of chang- but the benefits that such a change would provide ning. I have already seen the “lame duck” atti- Kip Raymond Karl es to our bylaws. The convinced me that the delegates need to consider tudes of several current LNC members. State- Geoffrey J. Neale proposals came both from this change. ments have been made like “why should we be Norman T. Olsen members of the Bylaws There are some negatives to this proposal, setting goals that the next LNC will not be bound Committee and from our Geoffrey J. Neale foremost being that with four-year terms for the to?” or “it’s too late to start something new, or Frederick G. Sands membership. Few pro- LNC, I think it may be harder to get quality can- make a change” or “the next LNC will have to Robert C. Sarvis posals passed the committee unaltered, and some didates, because of the length of the commitment. deal with that.” did not survive at all. Also, the likelihood of resignations and replace- As an example, this LNC has failed to Dr. Robyn Sterner Now we will be faced with deciding which ments will increase, but I cannot remember a establish a coherent strategy during this term. Raymond E. Strunk proposals to place before the delegates in June at term of the LNC without a resignation, so I think I think this short-term thinking is a big reason Dean L. Tucker our national convention. In doing this, the fac- that is a minor consideration. why. Another big reason is that we do not have tors involved are more than just what we want The benefits, however, are significant. enough strategically minded people on the LNC, to change, but also what we feel the membership First, we currently change our entire board but no bylaw change can fix that. “Short term” will be willing to support. That means that we within six months of the presidential elections. thinking and planning can be addressed. We The Libertarian have to make a case for each and every one of the We always have some members who return, but must develop longer-term strategies and goals, Party grants Lifetime final proposals. usually have a large group of newcomers. Even and facilitate effective methods to implement Membership to One of the most interesting proposals is the best prepared of the new people need time to them. I think this bylaw change would be help- individuals who to split our convention business into alternating get up to speed. Regardless of who is new, and ful toward that end. four-year cycles. This change would make the who is not, there is always a “reset” when we “Don’t change horses in the middle of a contribute at least presidential nominating conventions restricted need continuity the most. For a political party, stream” is an oft-used phrase that is so old that no $1,000 during any to the nomination of our presidential candidate this change during our highest-profile cyclical one knows its origin. Perhaps it is used so often 12-month period. and platform changes, leaving the “off cycle” activity has no upside. because it is so often true. Call 202-333- conventions restricted to bylaws changes and the Second, and far less obvious, is the nature 0008 to find out election of the LNC and Judicial Committee. of the involvement of the LNC members. The Effectively, the terms of the regional repre- first half-year is getting up to speed, and carry- how much more sentatives to the LNC would remain as they are ing on with the goals, budget, and projects of you would need to today: they serve at the pleasure of their regions the prior LNC. The last half-year is setting the donate to become and can be replaced at any time, for any reason. goals and budget, and executing the projects that a Lifetime Member However, regions would remain static during will be passed on to another LNC in six months. those four years. There is only one year of each two-year term that today. SEND NEWS, ARTICLES, Libertarian Party News LP News ESSAYS OR (ISSN 8755-139X) is the official PHOTOGRAPHS: newspaper of the Libertarian Party Libertarian Party® of the United The Purposes of the Libertarian Party: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 200 The party is organized to implement and give voice to the principles embodied in the State- States. 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