LIBERTY PLEDGE NEWS

January 1989 Dear Pledgers,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! The good news is that the Pledge program has grown by 50% in 1988. However, many plPrIffes ended with the year just past, so - although th- Arend continues - there's lots rlf TO'^'-1" 4" Some specifics: Pledges recieved in December totaled $7,625. Of that, $3,262 was derived from credit card pledges, $1,397 from EFTS (Electronic Funds Transfer System), and $2,936 (38%) from checks and cash. Once a supporter signs up for a credit card or EFTS pledge, that donation is automatically processed each month, with minimum fuss to the donor and the staff. Pledges fulfilled by check or cash, on the other hand, involve not only a monthly chore for the donor but a time-consuming process of daily mail sorts, computer code checks, and computer-generated reminder notices at the office -- cutting into equipment, staff, and volunteer time. The more pledges recieved in the credit card or EFTS format, the less time and money spent making money -- and the more there is available for other efforts. It's my goal to see the Pledge program bringing in $10,000/month by this summer's national convention in Philadelphia, with at least 80% in the credit card or EFTS format. Please consider "reformating" your pledge if at all possible.

IN THE NEWS, don't miss this month's clippings: * Criticism of the NES; and the OFFICIAL election results; * A press profile of new LP Chair Dave Walter, run during his '88 campaign for Auditor General of Pennsylvania; * Two topical articles - one on the history of public vs. private education; one reflecting the civil liberties concerns of today's students; and finally, on the back cover, * Coverage of a recent Liberty Forum meeting where LP founder Dave Nolan spoke on the health and future of the Party. A thought- provoking and timely article; recommended!

P.S. I read , ,_,tr of clippings each month, and print the ones I think most informative. WilaL 1.1-a _f yuu Let me know!

IN THE NEXT ISSUE, expect to see a survey, and your responses (at least those mailed promptly) in the March issue. Remember, Liberty Pledge News is sent not only to Pledgers, but to the Torch Club, State Chairs, and National Committee members as well, so please do participate and let your opinions be known. I value your opinions; if you have questions, problems, issues or ideas you want addressed in the survey or otherwise, please write to me: Sharon Freeman, c/o LP National Office, 1528 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003. If you want to increase you pledge, call 1-800-682-1776.

U.S. ignores minor party vote His Libertarian vote is not wasted '88 VOTE THE FINAL COUNT hese are the final vote tallies from all 50 states and the District of Neither do we. T Columbia as compiled by the Associated Press. Most of the third- Orange County, Calif., Libertarians ran on issues, not pablum party candidates were on the ballot in only a handful of states. Some Arhus Leader/Sioux Falls. SD:e.47,047 Are you just a little surprised that you (also Duluth, MN. NCW5 Tribune Register Yenal, AY Peninsula Clarion) didn't hear even a murmur about this on third-party candidates run under different banners in different states. Americans to laugh at the farcical election night? Can elections in the. The reason is that an outfit called News dor from .11 ibertarian candidate Candidate and Party Popular Vote Percent Soviet Union, 0 1.,j Ai3U, where only one THER VIEWS CBS, NBC, AP and UPI, provided the data George Bush, Republican 48,881,011 53.37% handpicked O the networks had to work with. Michael S. Dukakis, Democrat 41,828,350 45.67 candidate, from one ruling party, was on NES decided not only to ignore votes Vote tally Ron Paul, Libertarian 431,499 0.47 the ballot. And they laughed at the from all but the two major parties, but to Lenora Fulani, New Alliance 218,159 0.24 controlled media that were willing hand- massage the figures so that the Republi- David Duke, Populist 48,267 0.05 maidens to selling this imposture to the Libertarian encourages crat total added up to 100 percent, a truly Eugene McCarthy, Consumer 30,510 0.03 public. Orwelli-n move. James Griffin, American Independent 27,818 0.03 Perhaps we should laugh no more. Are our media so complaf!ant and lazy, Party minor parties Lyndon LaRouche, National Economic Recovery 25,082 0.03 so happy to get taxpayer-paid advertising Do you have any idea how many votes William Mara, Right to Life 20,497 0.02 from tin major parties, that they consider Libertarian party presidential candidate Ed Winn, Workers League 18,579 0.02 it their duty to suppress any news of Ron -Paul or New Alliance Party candidate ABM James Warren, Socialist Workers 13,338 0.01 divergence from the ruling hegemony? Lenore Fulani got nationwide? Herbert Lewin, Peace and Freedom 10,312 0.01 Earl Dodge, Prohibition 7,984 0.01 A Larry Holmes, Workers World 7,719 0.01 The Sharon Herald/Sharon 1,A;c. 24,720 way to improve public schools Tribune/Oakland, CA; c. 152,739 Willa Kenoyer, Socialist 3,800 0.00 By John Chodes (also the New York Times) such small tuition payments but four shillings per Delmar Dennis, Anierican 3,456 0.00 Government-funded public education has been student was a fraction of what it cost church-run or a miserable failure. It produces illiterate, spiritless Jack Herer. Grassroots 1,949 0.00 private schools to operate. Lancaster did it with Don Pose:GraphIc Impressions and passive graduates who have neither the motiva- brilliant economics. The students wrote on slate Louie Youngkite, Independent 372 0.00 tion nor the skills to find a good job or succeed. As a John Martin, Third World Assembly 236 0.00 instead of paper. Paper was expensive, slate indes- 0.01 result, private sector schooling is growing by leaps tructible. One book per subject per class was used. Burning Issue on Santa Monica Campus None of these candidates 6,934 and bounds. There is even a move toward privatiza- Each page was separated and placed on a board tion of the public school system in Massachusetts, suspended overhead. Each group of 10 studied a 1•111.1Ararilira where the city of Chelsea is about to give Boston page as a lesson. Then the groups rotated. University authority over its public school system. In New York, the story was the same during the Students Debate Legalizing Marijuana Unfortunately these efforts are associated with first half of the 19th century. Indeed, government By KARL KAHLER, Times Staff Writer Thel„Los Angeles Times/L.A. CA; c. 1,117,952 small, localized efforts or elitism and high tuition. officials were amazed that masses of poor children There was, however, a private enterprise system could be taught so well for so little. These bureau- About 150 students at Santa the debate. "We have a lot of inhaling deeply and holding smoke which, a little more than a century ago, taught most crats believed they could do the same job for the Monica College heard four panel- students here who use marijuana in the lungs several seconds before of New York's children — in fact, millions of the same price. They were wrong. ists debate a question this week recreationally, and they wanted to exhaling. world's poor kids — for a few dollars a year. In 1806, DeWitt Clinton, New York's mayor, that, while hardly new, doesn't see the issue addressed." Rebecca Donner said cigarettes This endeavor, known as the Lancaster system, moved in by subsidizing the Lancaster system with seep to be aging very gracefully: Poston said she conducted a poll kill an estimated 328,000 people a encouraged kids to develop personal initiative and a minuscule real estate tax. Using this subsidy as a Should marijuana be legalized? DAVID K. WALTER asking students to suggest debate year, but nobody has died from adult re,ponsibilities. They worked at adult jobs in toehold, the city gradually managed, then con- "We have the inherent human topics, and legalization of marijua- smoking marijuana. "Twenty-two RESIDENCE: Warminster. school and got paid for them. They learned to read trolled and then set up a rival syste:n. By 1852, New right to put into our bodies what- na was the overwhelming choice. million people in this country are AGE: 44. OCCUPATION: Vice and write in months instead of years. The Lancaster York City had absorbed the Lancaster schools via r,ver we want," said Neal Donner, Miehle, who was greeted with criminals—criminals because they president for finance and adminis- system was controversial and revolutionary. It may the now-famous Board of Education. Taxes rose chairman of a local arm of the hisses as he stepped to the lectern, use a drug that has not yet caused a tration. TRAINING AND EXPERI- offer a clue to the way out of the mess we are in dramatically and the quality declined as the gov- Libertarian Party of California, contended that marijuana use af- death," she said. ENCE: I have more than 20 years today. ernment monopolized schooling. Who, atUng with his daughter, SMC fects non-users as well as users, She argued that legalization experience in auditing, account- Joseph Lancaster was born in the slums of In Lancaster's native England, the story was student Rebecca Donner, argued in and that legalizing it would spread would mean government regula- ing, and financial management ac- London. He was,a natural teacher. In the early 19th just as sad. The Church of England saw Lancaster favor of legalization. "It is not the health hazards and cause traffic tion, the elimination of the black tivities, including management of century, while in his teens, he was able to teach as a dangerous radical since he wa7 giving the "un- state's responsibility to protect us accidents. market, and the defusing of politi- the audit department of an inter- 1,000 children in an abandoned warehouse — by washed masses" the skills to move upward. It coun- from our own errors." "I've got a right to drive home," cal tensions caused by border drug himself — because he had discovered a radically terattacked with a monitorial system of its own, Miehle said. "I don't want to have a patrols. national manufacturer. I have no Powerful Issue political, fraternal, or familial ties efficient, cost-cutting idea: "The Monitorial Sys- conceived by the Rev. Andrew Bell. But his way did marijuana smoker driving next to to any Pennsylvanian politician, tem." not teach self-reliance. Nor was it designed to edu- "Government has the right to me." Privacy Question bureaucrat, or commonwealth Lancaster let the children teach, and each child cate or even teach writing or cyphering. It only protect its citizens," said Beth Marijuana has 50% more tar than "Let's just say no to the govern- NICWF1=2 OT TF,RTTON. teacher became a monitor. wick. t.ac better ones taught Bible studies. Wetmore, an SMC student who, does tobacco, he said, adding that ment invasion of our private lives," Fear of being caught and swift teacnmg the slower ones. As the slower students Backed by massive funding from Parliament, along with Sgt. John Miehle of the he would ban cigarettes, too, if he Donner said. punishment are the most effective gained speed, however, they too became monitors. the Church of England destroyed Lancaster by Santa Monica Police Department, had his way. Smoking marijuana "If people who use marijuana deterrents. The auditor general's There was one monitor for every 10 students. opening schools directly across from his and pirat- argped against legalization. "The damages the brain, lungs and the commit crimes, then arrest them office needs to be totally indepen- Through this small- group peer interaction, no one ing his students. rights of the majority of the people male reproductive system, he said, for those crimes, but not for smok- dent of the politicians and ap- had a chance to get bored. Merit badges were There is, of course, no need to return to a should be paramount." and intensifies the effects of epilep- ing marijuana, because that is not a pointed officials if it is to effective- awarded for excellence. Like today's Green Stamps, system whose economies of scaleSare'as severe as The student audience, most of sy and psychosis. crime," Neal Donner said. ly search out and crush corruption. they could be converted into merchandise prizes Lancaster's were. But clearly the time has come to them sitting on the grass for the Miehle also warned that making "Sooner or later we're going to Unfortunately, the recent history like pens, wallets, purses and books. once again reverse the cycle. Tax-supported school- 1 - hour outdoor debate, hissed, marijuana lawful would encourage find ourselves imprisoned if we eat of this office is tainted by scandal. Anyone who could pay four shillings a year was ing has failed and it is time for another. Lancaster to booed, applauded and turned in the legalization of stronger drugs saturated fats, if we eat too much The taxpayers need to elect an in- welcome, including girls. No other system had ac- come forward and show what free enterprise can do questions for the panelists. such as hashish and hashish oil, an sugar, if we wear our belts too dependent watchdog, not another cepted them on an equal curriculum basis with — again. "It's an issue that's really power- idea that several students ap- tight. Where does it stop?" auditor general who may ignore boys. And the subjects were not just the basics, but ful with the students on this cam- . plauded loudly. The debate was the first of a the wrongdoing of political cronies included algebra, trigonometry and foreign lan- John Chodes 1.5'• the vice chairperson 01 the Lib- pus," said Cara Poston, director of Wetmore said one joint can have series planned by the Associated in the legislature or departments guages. ertarian Party of New York City. This articitr apc activities for the Associated Stu- the effect of 16 cigarettes because Student Government to address being audited. Not only could the system be run profitably on feztrErd fri The New York Times. dent Government, which organized of pot smokers' common habit of topics of concern to students. The money woes of a minority party Orange County Register/Santa Ana, CA; c. 280,000 By Alan W. Bock

inal official results aren't in o Dave. Nolan, it's an yet, but realists in the Liber: TIopen question whether Ftarian Party are now estimat- the Libertarian rai iy snuuia ing that presidential candidate Ron Paul will have received between run a presidential candidate 430,000 and 500,000 votes when the next time. If it does, he dust clears, about one half of one contends, it should be percent nationwide. Although that's more than the 225,000 votes 1984 can- prepared to spend a lot didate David Bergland received, it's more money — especially got to be disappointing to LP activ- •;:- advertising in the ists, who had hoped that by nominat- ing a former GOP congressman with natioi•-• • early on. the rudiments of a political organiza- tion in place, they would finally Don Rose/Graphic Impresalons break the million mark. 1111980, LP presidential candidate the United States was in a period of Meantime, ballot access for third Ed Clark received 920,000 votes and widespread dissatisfaction with gov- parties has become more complicat- that remains the high water mark for mu-tient and the ability of the two- ed and expensive. It cost the Ron the modern libertarian venture into party system to cope with the na- Paul campaign $500,00 to 5750,000 elective politics. tion's problems. We had the Vietnam just to get the LP on the ballot in 47 The Libertarian Party was found- war,,Watergate, the civil rights revo- states. * ed in 1971, in the living room of David lution, the rise of the womens' move- To Dave Nolan, it's an open ques- Nolan, then living in Denver . and ment and the tax revolt. The LP, like tion whether the Libertarian Party watching, with RePublican 'friends, other minority or dissident groups, should run a presidential candidate President Nixon announce wage and benefited from this dissatisfaction next time. If it does, he contends, it price controls. That's it, they decid- and experienced remarkable should be prepared to spend a lot ed. The GOP has utterly abandoned growth. more money — especially on adver- free enterprise and a new party is Ronald Reagan bsmefited from the tising in the national media, early'on. needed: country's mood, too, running on The national media ignored both the Nolan is now living in Orange promises to stop government growth LP and the New Alliance Party this County and has been thinking rather and even cut it back. Once in office, year, but if they're carrying ads intensively about the health of the however, he nibbled at the margins from March and April on, they will party he helped to start. He shared of government growth and shuffled probably cover the candidate from some of those thoughts with a crowd priorities, but made no significant August and September on. at Liberty Forum Thursday night. cutbacks in the size, scope, cost, or Advertising may be the only option You can judge whether he's a pessi- intrusiveness of government. That because our politics these days are mist or a realist. was apparently all most people so media-driven. People in the print When he looks at the number of wanted. Nolan thinks we are now in media like to scoff at television's in- votes received compared to amount an era of relative satisfaction—even herent shallowness and taste for 10- of money raised by LP candidates in smugness or complacency — in second sound bites, but the print me- the 1980s, Nolan finds the cost-per- which most people think the system, dia really don't do much better. You vote (adjusted for inflation and cor- while not perfect, works pretty well. may find more details about the rected for special circumstances like The 1980s have also been an era of horse-race aspects of a campaign in perceived closeness of the race) re- decreasing social tolerance for peo- newspapers than on TV, but not markably comparable. Paul raised ple who are different or eccentric. much more perspective or in-depth about S2.1 million and got about People who like to smoke marijuana. discussion of issues. The three major 430,000 votes, or S4.88 per vote. Clark or tobacco, ride motorcycles without weekly "news" magazines are in- raised $3.5 million (much of it from helmets, build patios iii 111C11 rinminnterl hv soft fea- his wealthy running mate, David yards, have babies at home using tures. Koch) and got 920,000 votes. That's midwives, drive without seat belts, As a possible force in electoral $3.80 per vote, but it would be $5.59 or• hang onto some of the money politics, libertarians are caught in a per vote in 1988 dollars. they've earned, find their neighbors vicious circle. To get money, they So if it Costs S4 to S5 per libertarian increasingly willing to use the force need credibility. To get credibility, vote, the next LP presidential candi- of law to punish them for their they need visibility. To get visibility, date (if there is to be one) will have choices. they need to show up in the polls. To to raise $10 to $15 million to achieve To compound that situation, show up in the polls,- they need — the statistically significant level of 3 there's been a closing of the system. money. percent. A minor-party candidate The Republicans, having won seven Will the Libertarian Party run a needs 3 percent or more to show up of the last 10 presidential elections, presidential candidate. at all in 1992, on the polls. That's because most na- have a virtual Electoral College or will it transform itself into a dif- tional polling samples have a margin "lock" on the office, which should ferent sort of organization? Either of error of 3 percent, and anything become even tighter after the 1990 way, will it be able to break through less than that doesn't register on Census. The Democrats, due to ger- the current climate of complacency? their radar screens. rymandering, the advantages of in- Perhaps only a crisis can improve its Raising that kind of money won't cumbency, and the fact that people prospects. Stay tuned. be easy. Nolan thinks that from like pork-barrel politics when it *Actually paid by LP Ballot Access about 1963 (after the assassination of means money for their home town, Fund contributors -- Thanks folks! President Kennedy) to about 1980, have a virtual lock on Congress. Bock is the Register's senior columnist.