C reedom July 2004 The official publication of the Libertarian Party of California LPC Treks to Atlanta Helps Select Pres. Nominee Photo: Elizabeth C. Brierly Photo:
he 2004 convention of the books and tapes in the vendor Libertarian Party, held area. T May 27–31, in Atlanta, The LPC once again had Georgia, was one of the most many spots left open in its del- exciting in recent years. The egation, so everyone is heartily California delegates in atten- encouraged to run for a dele- dance found ourselves being in- gate slot in 2006, and to absorb spired by libertarian speakers that year’s convention and the and celebrities, learning new joys of a long weekend im- political tactics in myriad in- mersed in like–minded philoso- formative workshops, dancing phers, activists, friends, and to lively rock and blues music, teachers. and grudgingly but happily The national LP convention opening our wallets to support is the ideal occasion at which the Party and our hard–working to renew our resolve, to share candidates. And joined by what’s working in our state and about a thousand fellow what’s not, collect great ideas Libertarians from all over the and new ways of looking at our country, of course we debated issues and goals, and to just • On the convention floor, LPC delegates hold a quick vote to credential a fellow delegate, by day on the convention floor, plain have fun. • May 30. and by night waxed philosoph- ical with the diehards among us. We worked hard to carry out California–Based Libertarian TV Talk Show the business of the convention, voting for new Platform planks, new Party leadership, and most Tapes Interviews at National Convention enthralling of all, electing the 2004 Presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party. We “ n politics, if it does not shown on cable television for several years and recently the LP’s 1996 and 2000 cheered for our eloquent and happen on TV, it doesn’t throughout California. has been expanding rapidly Presidential candidate, who has enthusiastic candidates, such I happen at all.” The program features inter- throughout Califonia and even since cofounded American as Judge James Gray and That is the conviction of views with a wide variety of lib- other states. Liberty Foundation, where he is Sheriff Richard Mack, and we Mark Selzer, an LPC officer, ertarian guests, from American The show recently welcomed Director of Public Policy. fed our brains browsing for and producer and host of “The Indian activist Russell Means, a windfall when a fellow Browne also served as a gra- Libertarian Alternative,” a lib- to gun rights advocate Anna Z, California Libertarian made a cious M.C. for the convention’s ertarian talk show which is and has been broadcast in L.A. large investment in a complete Sunday evening banquet. set of recording equipment, en- Browne commented on how big abling Selzer to tape the show the government would become outside the constraints of the if we tried to make abortion il- local cable studio he’d been legal, and discussed his latest using, where booking time and book, Liberty A–Z: 872 Mixed feelings labor could prove challenging. Libertarian Soundbites You Can At the LP’s national convention Use Right Now, available on President Reagan in Atlanta in May he took great through Advocates for Self National convention advantage of this investment, Government, at www.Self- in pictures assembling a pseudo–studio de- Gov.org. The book should be an fined by a semicircle of arm- invaluable tool for LP candi- California’s chairs in the foyer of the main dates who want to knowledge- presidential ballots convention hall, and inter- ably answer questions from viewed a raft of Libertarians, reporters or talk show hosts. Inside the legislative literally amidst the buzz of When Selzer con- sausage factory convention activities. Serving ducted this, his second inter- as director and camera operator view of Sheriff Richard Mack, Market–oriented was Doug Scribner, a profes- this guest was being lauded for alternative to current LP • Mark Selzer, host of Libertarian Alternative, interviews sional videographer and former his very serious gubernatorial environmental plank Rachel Mills (center), creator of the 2004 Ladies of Liberty LPC Executive Committee mem- race in Utah. When they met fund raising calendar, and calendar model Kate O'Brien, an ber. three or four years ago, says Catch up with US Senate LPC member and elected public official from Simi Valley. Selzer’s many conventioneer candidate Gray Photo: Elizabeth C. Brierly guests included Harry Browne, • See TV Talk Show page 8 PAGE 2 • California Freedom • July 2004 © 2004 All rights reserved Some Freedom is Free Vol. 2 • Issue 7 • July 2004 bigger government measure go Some rules for writing argu- ballot arguments in prior elec- California Freedom unanswered. ments and rebuttals: tions for style tips. Those too is the official monthly FROM THE CHAIR A ballot argument is FREE You’re limited to 300 words are FREE! newspaper of the Libertarian advertising (there’s that word for arguments, and 250 words Here’s a fun idea. Sometimes Party of California. Opinions, again) to every registered voter for rebuttals. Up to five people the government will pay for a articles, and advertisements kay, I admit it...I can be in the area. can sign each. Ask for more de- poll, testing which arguments published herein do not a bit cheap. Sometimes I The instant you finish read- tails from the elections office. are most persuasive for and necessarily represent official O stretch a dollar so far ing this, call your local city and They have to provide those to against proposed tax and bond party positions unless so that George Washington actu- county elections offices. Ask you for FREE. measures. These are public doc- indicated. ally grimaces. I find it hard to for the election calendar for There are uments. You are entitled to pass up a good deal. And I es- measures going on the ballot in two schools of look at them for...yes, FREE. PUBLISHER pecially like the word FREE— November. thought on Use them to create effective Libertarian Party of California even if Milton Friedman says it Here are the deadlines, for how Libertar- ballot arguments opposing the 14547 Titus Street, Suite 214 doesn’t apply to lunch. instance, for Ventura County ians should measure. Panorama City, CA 91402-4935 So here is your chance to in- (they had to give me this infor- write the ar- And don’t forget to include Web site: www.LPC.org dulge in a little frugality and mation for FREE): guments. One the 1–800–ELECT–US phone Telephone: (818) 782-8400 frighten your local officials July 13 – Last day government says, “write number so voters can get more Facsimile: (818) 782-8488 for...FREE. can place a measure on the purist positions” (e.g., “all tax information on the Party. That Many local governments are increases are bad”). The other, way they can call to be FREE. EDITOR ballot placing bonds and other awful “write whatever is going to per- And if you need some advice Elizabeth C. Brierly July 14 – Publication by County things on this November’s bal- suade the most people” (e.g., on a particular measure, e–mail E-Mail: [email protected] Clerk of date for submission lot. And because few are paying “here’s why this tax increase is me and the other members of of arguments STATE CHAIR attention, the proponents write a waste of money”). I prefer the the Executive Committee. Aaron Starr, CPA their ballot arguments while July 14 to July 21 – Analysis latter approach. It’s our best Did I mention that this was Telephone: (805) 583-3308 potential opponents are nap- prepared by Legal/County hope of protecting the 15–20% FREE? E-Mail: [email protected] ping. Counsel of the population who agree When voters read their bal- July 22 to July 29 – Period in with us. Toward liberty! lot pamphlets and see no op- which to submit arguments Whichever you choose, write GRAPHIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT posing argument, they often for and against the measure clearly. Use short sentences. Muffet Laurie Brown E-Mail: [email protected] assume that the proposal must July 30 to Aug. 6 – Period in Use short paragraphs. Use bul- be a good thing. We let points, if they’re allowed. Aaron Starr, Chairman WEBMASTER which to submit rebuttal ar- Bruce Dovner Libertarians should never let a guments That’s more readable. Examine E-Mail: [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES E-Mail: [email protected] Telephone: (818) 782-8400 Gems from Jefferson for 4th of July CONTRIBUTORS Joseph Henchman Brian Holtz Richard Newell n July, America commemo- communist “The last hope of human lib- Allen Rice rates and celebrates our experiments erty in this world rests on us. Richard Rider birth as a nation—the na- such as the We ought, for so dear a state Mark Selzer I Aaron Starr tion which has more closely U.S.S.R. There to sacrifice every attachment Pardis Zadeh than any other aligned itself was some col- and every enmity.” with natural law, human na- laboration SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: ture, and man’s unalienable among –Thomas Jefferson, Libertarian Party as conveyed to William Duane, 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 100 rights. Our founding fathers Jefferson and Washington, D.C. 20037 FROM THE EDITOR were brave and visionary men his peers and some negotiating, Mar. 28, 1811 (202) 333-0008 x223 who risked much for their free- which led to the final version dom and ours. One of those of the Declaration having SEND NEWS, LETTERS, ESSAYS, PHOTOGRAPHS OR “ e hold these Truths to men was Thomas Jefferson, “property” replaced by the ADVERTISING TO: W be self–evident: that all whom some of us have dubbed rather poetic “happiness.” “Our attachment to no nation Elizabeth C. Brierly Men are created equal, that the original American libertar- Whether that was the best upon earth should supplant Editor, California Freedom they are endowed by their ian, and whose thoughtful and choice in the end is debatable. P.O. Box 611021 our attachment to liberty.” Creator with certain un- eloquent words grace our Today we face a multitude of San Jose, CA 95161-1021 –Thomas Jefferson: Tel./fax: (408) 272-3191 alienable rights, among nation’s immortal Declaration threats to the unalienable E-Mail: [email protected] these are Life, Liberty, and of Independence. rights Jefferson affirmed— Declaration of the Causes and the Pursuit of Happiness— Many are unaware that in threats which it is Libertarians’ Necessity for Taking Up Arms, SUBMISSION DEADLINES June 26–July 6, 1775 All news stories, editorials, and That to secure these Rights, crafting this underpinning of mission to publicize and extin- announcements are due six weeks prior Governments are instituted our country, Jefferson planned guish. I believe that a fitting to the month of publication: among Men. We...do… a different word in the phrase, birthday tribute to our country, • September 2004: Due 07.21.04 solemnly Publish and Declare, “the pursuit of happiness,” the ideals of those who con- • October 2004: Due 08.20.04 • November 2004: Due 09.20.04 That these colonies are and of which was “property.” The ceived it, and the commensu- “We have spent the prime of right ought to be, free and in- principle of private property rate goals of our Party is to our lives in procuring [young Advertising orders and artwork are dependent states...And for rights is of course vital to our share morsels of Jefferson’s lib- men] the precious blessing of due eight weeks and four weeks, the support of this Declara- “democratic” and capitalist sys- ertarian wisdom here and respectively, prior to the month of liberty. Let them spend theirs publication. We reserve the right to tion, with a firm Reliance on tem which rewards individuals throughout these pages. in shewing that it is the great refuse advertising. the protection of divine Provi- for productivity and innova- Happy birthday, America! parent of science and of dence, we mutually pledge tion, which in turn can benefit virtue; and that a nation will COPYRIGHT NOTICE our Lives, our Fortunes, and many. We have seen devastat- Toward greater liberty! Articles, copyright 2004 by their be great in both always in author(s) and/or Libertarian Party of our sacred Honor.” ing results when governments proportion as it is free.” California, except where stated as a fail to secure these rights, such reprint. All rights reserved. –Thomas Jefferson: as local governments’ eminent –Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence; domain violations in the U.S., as conveyed to Joseph Willard, July 4, 1776 and on a far greater scale with Elizabeth C. Brierly, Editor Mar. 24, 1789 Libertarian Party of California California Freedom • July 2004 • PAGE 3 LPC Mourns Reagan’s Passing
Welcome alifornia Libertarians In a statement consistent mourn the passing of with the Libertarian view, C President Ronald Reagan, Reagan said, “You and I are told Aboard! a great champion of individual we must choose between a left liberty, personal responsibility, or right, but I suggest there is The Libertarian Party of California is pleased to be joined in and, arguably, the most liber- no such thing as a left or right. May by 25 new members. A hearty welcome goes out to stu- tarian–leaning President in There is only an up or down. Up dents Kevin Barnese, Douglas Blinkhorn, and Gannon modern history. to man's age–old dream—the Joseph, insurance agent Sean Womack, Systems Adminis- Libertarians applauded maximum of individual freedom trator Daniel Cogswell, retired engineer Paul Beckett, and Reagan for his attempts to con- consistent with order—or down Chris Turner, an artist. We hope that in joining the Party, trol the size and power of gov- to the ant heap of totalitarian- all of you will feel that politically, you’ve “come home.” ernment. As he said in his first ism, and regardless of their sin- • Ronald Wilson Reagan inaugural address, “In this pre- cerity, their humanitarian 40th U.S. President Kevin Barnese ...... Los Angeles sent crisis, government is not motives, those who would trade Paul Beckett ...... Hermosa Beach the solution to our problem.” our freedom for security have the Berlin wall. Douglas Blinkhorn ...... Santa Margarita Reagan knew the dangers of embarked on this downward LPC Chair Aaron Starr pro- Daniel Cogswell ...... San Leandro government run amok, quip- course.” claimed, “On behalf of Arolynn Francis ...... Martinez ping, “We don't have a $1 tril- Reagan’s ultimate victory Libertarian Party members in Edward Galbavy ...... Davis lion debt because we haven't against totalitarianism was ex- California and liberty–loving Rick Henderson ...... Santa Rosa taxed enough; we have a $1 emplified by his famous 1987 people everywhere, I honor the Arthur Hicken ...... Upland trillion debt because we spend speech in Berlin: “Mr. memory of this great man, this Joshua Hicken ...... Upland too much.” Libertarians pine Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. great freedom fighter, and ex- Gannon Joseph ...... Grover Beach for the days of “only” a $1 tril- Gorbachev, tear down this tend our deepest sympathies to Carl Lewke ...... Cathedral City lion debt; today, the officially wall!” By the end of the year Nancy Reagan and her family.” Jim Mcmillan ...... San Diego reported debt is well over $7 Reagan left office (1989), the Heidi McWhorter ...... Long Beach trillion and climbing by over dream of millions came to • This statement was issued on June 7, $500 billion per year. fruition with the crumbling of Erik Mekkelson ...... Long Beach 2004. Steven Moses ...... Santa Ana Alik Perakh ...... Bonsall Jason Reeder ...... San Diego Opinion Harry Rosensteel ...... Galt Susan Slusher ...... Dana Point Kenneth Truelock ...... Redlands Chris Turner ...... Los Angeles State Holiday Insults Reagan Ideals Jacob Wagner ...... Orangevale Robert Weber ...... Lake Forest ment officials hide the total than a paid day off for almost Brett Williamson ...... San Francisco by Richard Rider cost. Jurisdictions are counting all government employees? If a Sean Womack ...... Tustin Tax Fighter and LPC Member only overtime pay as an extra person wants a day off for the cost. Not included is the far funeral, they should be excused n a final insult to the larger expense of paying gov- and charged a day of vacation legacy of Ronald Reagan, ernment em- pay, or furloughed without pay. Letters to I public employees were ployees for Private businesses follow this given time off WITH PAY to not working. policy rather than closing down honor his passing. That misuse Add to that for a President’s funeral, and the Editor of taxpayer money might have cost the re- government should use the
been appropriate for the fu- Elizabeth C. Brierly Photo: lated pension same common–sense approach. neral of Big Spender President contributions, • Defending the A Fine Example of Lyndon Baines Johnson, but is vacation Constitution from wholly inappropriate for the • Richard Rider time, health Democracy at Work President who is supposed to care premi- Activist Judges have reined in government ums, and other indirect costs of It was fascinating to watch the spending. closing government offices, and “The disease of liberty is In the defense of the U.S. Libertarian Party National (The fact that in reality you’ll find that Reagan’s fu- Constitution, I think we need Convention on C–SPAN and see Reagan was a big spender who neral is costing us taxpayers far catching; those armies to take action and go after real democracy at work. The tripled the national debt in more than government bureau- will take it in the south, judges that ignore the three–way split for the presi- eight years is a separate matter. crats and politicians are saying. carry it thence to their Constitution when they make dential nomination took sur- Perception is everything.) It’s fine to honor President their rulings. Article VI of the prising twists and produced a This holiday policy is even Reagan, but what’s wrong with own country, spread Constitution says that all bit of chaos, but it was authen- more inappropriate, as govern- a moment of silence rather there the infection of judges in all states [are] bound tic and well managed by the revolution and represen- by oath or affirmation to sup- poise of the Chair and by the port the Constitution.…I sug- adherence to the parliamentary tative government, and gest that we pursue criminal rules. The California chair also Opinions: Everybody’s Got ’Em! raise its people from the action against them, asking at did his delegation proud by Have YOUR voice heard right here at prone condition of brutes least for their removal from the speaking up to get clarification California Freedom. Send us your letters to the bench. on how the additional voting to the erect altitude of editor, op–ed articles, reports on local LP events, photos, –Steven Moses would work. This helped main- or even report on the latest book you’ve man.” Santa Ana tain order. read about politics or economics. The LP Convention was a re- –Thomas Jefferson, For the latest activities freshing change of pace from [email protected] as conveyed to Lafayette, of the Libertarian Party the major party conventions, or Dec. 26, 1820 of California Editor, California Freedom and to link to which have been predictable in your local all of my voting lifetime. P.O. Box 611021 region’s site visit: –M. L. Brown San Jose, CA 95161-1021 www.LPC.org Los Gatos PAGE 4 • California Freedom • July 2004 © 2004 All rights reserved 2004 Libertarian National Convention in Pictures May 27–31, 2004, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, Georgia
Badnarik Wins on Third Ballot • Presidential candidate and Californian Aaron Russo Here’s How the Voting Went (far right), who ran for governor of Nevada in he majority of California’s delegates voted for Aaron Russo 1998, submits his ballot on all three ballots, disagreeing with the rest of the delega- for President to LPC tion on only the final ballot. In the tables below, the first T Secretary Dan Wiener. column is the national vote count, the next is the percentage of Russo was the favorite of the national vote, and the last is the votes cast by Californians. California throughout the Boldface indicates those candidates who’d garnered enough signa- election, as well as being tures to be on the ballot officially. The others were write–ins. one of the favorites First ballot for President: Third ballot for President: throughout the entire del- egation. Russo won on the Candidate Total % CA Candidate Total % CA first two ballots, edging Michael Badnarik256 32.9% 12 Michael Badnarik 423 54.4% 25 out fellow favorite Gary Jeffrey Diket 40.5%0 Aaron Russo 344 44.2% 31 Nolan, and the man who Dave Hollist 10.1%1 None of the above 11 1.4% 1 finally nabbed the nomi- Gary Nolan 246 31.6% 20 ___ __ Total 778 57 nation on the third ballot, Aaron Russo 258 33.2% 22 Michael Badnarik. Drew Carey 3 0.4% 0 L. Neil Smith ? ? 3 The rules state that after the None of the above 10 1.3% 0 second ballot, if no one re- ___ __ All photos: Elizabeth C. Brierly Total 778 55 ceives a majority of the votes, the third place candidate must Second ballot for President: be eliminated. After the second ballot, Russo still had his plu- Candidate Total % CA rality. Russo lost his nationwide Michael Badnarik 249 31.8% 11 lead only after Gary Nolan, Gary Nolan 244 31.2% 21 who was eliminated after the Aaron Russo 285 36.4% 25 second ballot, urged his sup- None of the above 5 0.6% 1 ___ __ porters to back Michael Total 783 58 Badnarik.• • LPC Chair Aaron Starr raises a point. LPC’s David Nolan and Ted Brown are Shopping seated in foreground. • Barry Hess (above), a candidate for LP's Presidential • Joseph Henchman (left) of for a home? nomination in 2000, took a turn nominating another the Calif. delegation with Presidential candidate, Aaron Russo, from his home our Vice Presidential nom- Tap into the brand new Libertarian state of California. Hess had had worked on the Nixon inee, Richard Campagna. Network of Realtors and help boost and Reagan campaigns and had been a Republican ac- Campaigning on his income to the LPC! tivist until registering as a Libertarian voter in 1995. A credentials, extensive net- self-described pragmatic Libertarian, his 2000 campaign work, multilingualism, and platform entailed a 30% decrease in the size and cost of personal appeal was a suc- Longtime Libertarian and Chair of Gold Country Libertarians, the federal government—small potatoes to a cessful tack for Campagna, Al Segalla, with his 25 years of experience as a Realtor, has Libertarian, but gargantuan to the average voter. created a way for you to work with Libertarian Realtors an international business- while benefiting the LPC. It’s a Libertarian Realty Network! man and university As directed by you, their Libertarian customer, Network instructor from Iowa. Realtors will donate 20% of their Network commissions to the LPC or any other Libertarian cause you endorse.
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Albert J. Segalla, Realtor Chair, Gold Country Libertarians • Sheriff Richard Mack, • Michael Badnarik, the admired but seemingly unlikely win- Libertarian candidate for ner of the LP’s 2004 Presidential race, after learning of his Governor of Utah and a 2nd place showing on the first ballot, had said that he felt champion of gun rights, “numb.” Here he gives his acceptance speech after the participated in the conven- 3224 Skunk Ranch Road • Murphys, CA 95247 third ballot’s results were announced. In hearty support of tion, both as a guest (209) 728-2887 • [email protected] the candidate are (from left) his parents, John and Elaine speaker and here, as a www.bambiland.com Badnarik, and his longtime companion, Lynne Brown. nominator for Aaron Russo Badnarik is a constitutional scholar in Texas. for President. Libertarian Party of California California Freedom • July 2004 • PAGE 5