Give The Gift Of "Common Sense"

Reassert Your Liberty, North Carolina

For More Information Contact: Brian Irving, Press Secretary, (919) 538-4548

Mike Beitler Makes His New Year's Resolution.

GREENSBORO (Dec. 28) -- Mike Beitler didn't have much trouble coming up with his New Year's Resolutions. Ever since he announced he was seeking the Libertarian nomination for U.S. Senate, he knew he'd be spending most of the new year earning the confidence and the vote of his fellow North Carolinians.

"In 2010, I'll be devoting my time and energy convincing the people of North Carolina that it is time for them to reassert their liberty and to send a libertarian to represent them in the U.S. Senate.," Beitler said.

"So these – my New Year's Resolutions – represent my pledge and my promise to the people of North Carolina:

"First, I always vote in favor of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of North Carolina. Every issue. Every time. Every issue. No exceptions. No excuses.
"Second, I will continue to oppose any and all efforts by the federal government to act beyond its Constitutional authority.

"Third, I will introduce, sponsor, and support legislation to repeal laws and regulations that are outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government.

"Fourth, I will only vote in favor of a bill that I have thoroughly read, considered and understood.

"Fifth, I will be accountable to voters. I will make public every vote I cast while in office."

"These may seem like radical concepts," Beitler said. "But the only seem radical because the Democrats and Republicans who've dominated our state's politics for so long have befuddled people into thinking that government was the solution to all their problems."

"It is not."

"The time has come to stop talking in terms of reducing the budgets of various government programs and agencies," Beitler said. "The time has come to abolish entire Federal programs and agencies. That's why I am running for U.S. Senate."

Dr. Mike Beitler (pronounced Bite-ler) is a keynote speaker and workshop leader sought after for his expertise in business, politics, and economics. His internet radio talk show "Free Markets"gives listeners insights from leading thinkers into today's business, economic and political issues. In a world of unrelenting free-market bashing by the media and outrageous government interventions, "Free Markets" offers a refreshing libertarian, free-market perspective.

Beitler he has been recognized as a leading business executive, business consultant, business professor and business author for 30 years. His book "Strategic Organizational Change" is required reading in MBA programs worldwide. "Rational Individualism: A Moral Argument for Limited Government and Capitalism" is widely acclaimed by libertarians and free-market advocates as the leading guide for today's political and economic issues.

-30-

MIKE BEITLER FOR U.S. SENATE
P.O. Box 38353
Greensboro NC 27438 USA
Phone & Fax: (336) 334-4534

Press Release: Obama Quietly Adds 15,000 More Troops to Afghan War

Press Release: Obama Quietly Adds 15,000 More Troops to Afghan War

Shared via AddThis

Elites and Tyrants by Walter E. Williams

Elites and Tyrants by Walter E. Williams

Shared via AddThis

The Unemployment Racket

The Unemployment Racket

Shared via AddThis

County Fair Wrap Up

For the tenth consecutive year, LP Cabarrus sowed the seeds of liberty at the Cabarrus County Fair. Our message of individual liberty and personal responsibility was well received. The number of self-described libertarians stopping by to say hello increases every year. Our numbers are growing.

The issue we got the most mileage out of was auditing the Federal Reserve. We gathered 123 petition signatures for HR 1207/S 604 (Audit The Fed) legislation. Folks are angry about the bailouts and reckless spending.

I would like to thank the following folks for helping represent libertarian values the past week. Marty Readling, Lloyd Morris, Ron McCraw, Brandon Derr (Union County LP). A special shout out goes to Mike Helms; Mr. Helms went beyond the call of duty last week. He also made it possible for me to take a break on Saturday after eight straight days of outreach.

Thanks, Mike!

Dr. Abolish For U.S. Senate

Contact: Brian Irving, Press Secretary, 919.538.4548

*MIKE BEITLER SEEKS LIBERTARIAN U.S. SENATE NOMINATION*

GREENSBORO (Sept. 17) – Dr. Michael Beitler announced today he’s seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010.

“I want you to know, I am committed to abolishing Federal programs and agencies, not to creating new ones,” Beitler told supporters and news media gathered for the announcement at the PTI Airport Marriott Hotel.

“Big government is causing more problems than it is claiming to fix,” he said. “Federal Government’s spending is out of control. Total reported – and unreported – Federal Government debt has taken us to the point of no-return.”

“It’s time to stop the madness,” Beitler said. He said the time has come to stop talking in terms of reducing the budgets of various government programs and agencies.

“The time has come to abolish entire Federal programs and agencies,” Beitler said. Noting that Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) has become know as “Dr. No” in the U.S. House of Representatives, Beitler said he wants to be known as “Dr. Abolish” in the U.S. Senate.

Beitler is business practice professor in The Bryan School of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He’s authored three business books used in MBA programs and hosts the Internet radio show “Free Markets With Dr. Mike Beitler” on the VoiceAmerica Business Network.

Beitler also wrote a book about his libertarian philosophy, “Rational Individualism: A Moral Argument for Limited Government & Capitalism.”

The Libertarian Party, the third largest party in the United States, has been active in North Carolina since 1978.It has been the largest and most active third party in modern North Carolina history.

Libertarians have run candidates for President in all but one of the presidential election years since then. This occurred despite the fact that the state has the second most restricted ballot access restrictions in the nation.

In 2008, Mike Munger earned nearly three percent of the vote for governor, enabling the Libertarian Party to retain its spot on the ballot through 2012.

GOP Doesn't Have The Answer Either

Libertarians respond to President Obama's health care speech
Remind voters about Republican-initiated government-run health care plans

WASHINGTON - In the wake of President Obama's speech to Congress, America's third-largest party wants to remind voters about Republican support for government-run health care plans.

William Redpath, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) commented, "Make no mistake, the Libertarian Party is opposed to President Obama's health care plans, and his speech last night has not budged us. But we also opposed Republican plans for big-government health care, many of which have been implemented in recent years."

In 2003, President Bush and the Republican Congress enacted a Medicare prescription drug expansion. It was originally expected to cost $400 billion, but just two years later the cost was revised upward to $1.2 trillion.

In 2006, Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney supported and signed a bill that required all residents to purchase health insurance, and increased state health insurance funding.

In 2007, Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry issued an executive order to force sixth-grade schoolgirls to receive HPV vaccinations.

This year, congressional Republicans put forward the "Patients' Choice Act of 2009," which would increase federal government spending and control of health care in a variety of ways.

The Libertarian Party has put a poll on on its home page to allow voters to choose which Republican plan is the most hypocritical.

Redpath said, "Republicans are living in glass houses when they complain about the President's health care plans and the bills in the Democratic-controlled Congress."

Redpath continued, "It's time for President Obama to be intellectually honest, himself, and to stop inferring that his ideas of health care reform are the only ones out there. With neither of the major parties is there any serious discussion about letting individuals control their own health care dollars, moving away from employer-provided health insurance, and increasing competition among insurance companies by letting people purchase health insurance across state lines and among providers by taking a good, long look at medical education and licensure laws to allow potential providers to freely respond to health consumers' needs."

Redpath continued, "But, before the President and the Gang of 535 even do that, it would be refreshing to at least hear them debate whether the federal government is empowered to be in the middle of all of this. An honest reading of the Constitution might stimulate the right move -- punting this to the states and the people."

The Libertarian Party favors a free market health care system. The party's platform states, "We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."

Libertarian Candidate For U.S. Senate

MIKE BEITLER
Libertarian for U.S. Senate

Contact: Brian Irving
919.438.4548
brian@libertypoint.org

DR. MIKE BEITLER ANNOUNCES FOR U.S. SENATE

GREENSBORO (Sept. 8) --Dr. Michael Beitler (pronounced Bite-ler) will
announce his candidacy for the Libertarian Party's nomination for the
U.S. Senate September 17 at a press conference in the Piedmont-Triad
International Airport Marriott Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Michael Munger, 2008 Libertarian gubernatorial candidate and
Barbara Howe, North Carolina Libertarian Party chair will also speak
at the press conference.

As a U.S. Senator, Beitler promises to dramatically reduce the size of
the Federal government. "The big-spending, big-government advocates,
both Democrats and Republicans, must be stopped. We are beyond the
point of simply reducing government program budgets; now we must
abolish entire government programs and agencies"
he said.

Beitler is a business practice professor in The Bryan School of
Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro

.
"I tell my young students, I am ashamed of what the baby-boom
generation is doing to the futures of young Americans. An inheritance
of tens of trillions of dollars in debt is a disgraceful legacy," he
said.

He is the host of "Free Markets With Dr. Mike Beitler," an
internet-radio show that airs on the VoiceAmerica Business Network.
Beitler is the author of three business books used in MBA programs and
"Rational Individualism: A Moral Argument for Limited Government &
Capitalism," a book about his libertarian political philosophy.

Beitler believes his experience as a chief financial officer in
banking and his current work as business consultant will allow him to
quickly see which government programs and agencies must be eliminated.
"I will have a contract with the citizens of North Carolina. If I
cannot accomplish the goal of abolishing government programs and
agencies, the citizens of North Carolina can fire me mid-term,"
Beitler promised.

Beitler has three adult children. He and his wife, Danielle, live in
northwest Guilford County.

Happy Labor Day...

Happy Labor Day from the Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County. Inspired by LP National Executive Director Wes Bendict's Labor Day message, we give you the LP Labor Platform Plank...

2.7 Labor Markets

We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain

Equal Ownership Of Life

"Libertarianism is the view that each man is the absolute owner of his life, to use and dispose of as he sees fit: that all man's social actions should be voluntary: and that respect for every other man's similar and equal ownership of life and, by extension, the property and fruits of that life, is the ethical basis of a humane and open society. In this view, the only — repeat, only — function of law or government is to provide the sort of self-defense against violence that an individual, if he were powerful enough, would provide for himself."

Karl Hess

Liberty Candidate For N.C.'s 8th District

LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE ANNOUNCES BID FOR U.S. HOUSE


CONCORD (June 29th) Thomas Hill, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County, today announces his desire to be the Libertarian candidate for U.S. House, District 8. Mr. Hill is an at-large member of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina executive committee. He also serves as Region 8 Coordinator for the Campaign For Liberty.

Thomas Hill is a self employed electrician with 27 years experience, including 18 years working for his father’s electrical business. His experience in a small family business opened his eyes to the burdensome rules and regulations placed on small companies. Mr. Hill wants to bring small business common sense to Washington.

Issues at the fore front of Thomas Hill’s campaign include…

Dismantle the Empire, bring our troops home.

Abolish the Federal Reserve, allow competing currencies.

Repeal the Patriot Act, end the War on Civil Liberties.

Like Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, Thomas Hill believes in a policy of non-interventionism, sound money and an end to the War on Drugs. Thomas served as a precinct leader for Ron Paul’s 2008 Presidential Campaign. He would be honored to serve beside him in Congress.

Thomas Hill was born in Charlotte. He is 43 years old and single. He has lived in Cabarrus County since 1972. His past political experience include…

Aide De Camp, Mary Ruwart For President 2008; Precinct Leader, Ron Paul 2008; Past Chair, Libertarian Party of N.C.; Charter Member / Treasurer / Membership Secretary, Cabarrus LP; Candidate for Cabarrus County Commission 2002 & 2004; Candidate for Cabarrus County Board of Education 2006 & 2008; Candidate for N.C. Senate 36 2008 (GOP Primary)

For more information, visit http://thomasbhill2010.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Hill For Congress
10896 Pioneer Mill Road
Concord, N.C. 28025
Cell: 704-621-8621
Office: 704-455-9200
E-mail: thomasbhill@msn.com

Libertarians Call For Justice

From the Center For Libertarian Press Information...

The Libertarian Party’s platform holds that “the Bill of Rights provides no exceptions for a time of war. Intelligence agencies that legitimately seek to preserve the security of the nation must be subject to oversight and transparency. We oppose the government’s use of secret classifications to keep from the public information that it should have, especially that which shows that the government has violated the law.”

Read the rest of the release here.

Libertarians: U.S. Out Of Afghanistan

From the Center For Libertarian Press Information...

“The occupation of Afghanistan became a failure the instant the goal changed from liquidating al Qaeda to pursuing meddlesome ‘nation-building’ objectives,” says retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Karen Kwiatkowski, who served as a Pentagon analyst during the early days of the occupation and holds a Ph.D. in World Politics from Catholic University. “In its eighth year, the US occupation has not only failed to create a stable, democratic Afghanistan, it threatens to deliver nuclear Pakistan into the arms of the very enemy we went there to destroy.”

Read the rest of the release here

Libertarians Say Audit The Fed...

From the Center For Libertarian Press Information...

Such an audit would likely lead to public demand for thorough reform of the US government’s monetary policy, says Libertarian National Committee member Rachel Hawkridge. “The Libertarian Party’s platform calls for free-market banking and an end to the legal tender laws that have been used to vest control of our monetary system in an unaccountable, secretive monopoly,” she says. “If we can pry open the can of worms and show America what’s inside it, we believe that our position will resonate strongly with the public.”

Read the rest of the release here

Rand Paul, The Libertarian...

Like his father, the son also favors notions of limited government. "Libertarian would be a good description," Rand Paul told CNN, "because libertarians believe in freedom in all aspects of your life - your economic life as well as your social life as well as your personal life."

From the CNN story linked to below...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/04/im-very-serious-about-running-ron-pauls-son-says/

LP Cabarrus Supports Patient's Rights

In the next several days, Rep. Earl Jones (D-Guilford) will introduce a bill to protect seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana with the recommendations of their doctors. Before it's officially introduced, Rep. Jones will circulate it to his colleagues in the House to get co-sponsors.

Please contact your representative now and urge him or her to co-sponsor Rep. Jones' medical marijuana bill. Our action center makes this easy:

https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/issues/alert/?alertid=13051291

The more co-sponsors on the bill, the better chance it has in the legislature.

The North Carolina Cannabis Patients Network (NCCPN; http://www.nccpn.org/ ), an MPP grantee, has been filming testimonials of patients in North Carolina who could benefit from medical marijuana. They have also been working tirelessly to educate legislators about medical marijuana.

If you are a medical professional, a patient who might benefit from medical marijuana, or if you know somebody who might benefit from medical marijuana, we would like to hear from you. Additionally, if you are a law enforcement official, a clergy member, or a member of the legal community, please e-mail Zane@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help.

Please take action now -- https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/issues/alert/?alertid=13051291 -- and help protect North Carolina's suffering and dying patients.

Then please forward this alert to your friends, family, and neighbors in North Carolina so they can contact their representatives as well.

Thank you for supporting MPP and our allies in North Carolina.

Sincerely,

Zane Hurst
Legislative Analyst
Marijuana Policy Project

Support HR 1207

Bev Lays Down A Bunt

Governor Bev Bunts on Budget

RALEIGH (March 18) -- Governor Bev Perdue stepped up to the budget plate, pointed to the bleacher seats -- and bunted, the North Carolina Libertarian Party said today.

"Based on her prior statements, we were anticipating a big hit from the governor when she announced her budget," said Barbara Howe, state party chair. "But instead of taking a big swing, she barely beat out a bunt."

Last week, the governor said "everything would be on the table" and implied there would be major cuts that not everyone would be happy about, Howe said. "The budget presented yesterday simply does not live up to that promise. It's a big disappointment."

To begin with, she boasted about filling a $3.58 billion budget gap, but most of that gap will be filled with Federal stimulus money and increased taxes. "In other words, she's allegedly balancing the budget on the backs of people from other states and with money she doesn't have yet."

The Governor claimed she was going to propose cuts in programs and services even though "a lot of people are going to be furious ..." However, her 2010 budget cuts only 20 minor programs.

"Most of her budget announcement was devoted to promoting money she is going to spend, not save," said Howe, "and she constantly referred to this spending disingenuously as 'investment.' "

If the governor really wants to balance the budget and reduce the burden on taxpayers, she should take a look at the John Locke Foundation's just released "Back to Basics" budget plan, Howe concluded.

LPNC Letters Of Correspondence - #2

LPNC Letters of Correspondence March 18, 2009
==============================

==================

CONTENTS

1. New name for “Weekly Update”

2. 2009 State Convention — Next Move: Building on Success

3. Fellow Travelers: New American Tea Party Movement

4. Libertarian Voter Registration Update: 4,600+!

5. Elevator Pitch: Gun Control

6. LPNC Resources

================================================
1. New name for “Weekly Update”
================================================

Last week we started our new weekly email update for those on the
LPNC's email list. We asked readers to think of a better name than
"Weekly Update". Thanks for the response! JS offered several wonderful
suggestions and is our runner-up, but the winner is GAE, who gave us
the fantastic "LPNC Letters of Correspondence". If you're not familiar
with the Colonial Committees of Correspondence, you might appreciate
learning about that important point in American history here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committees_of_Correspondence

GAE wins a great shirt from Engrish.com:
http://store.engrish.com/havfunt.html which is based on a real sign
from a Chinese playground:

http://www.engrish.com/2007/10/are-you-smiling/

demonstrating what we all know to be true - that 'communist playgrounds stink'!

Have a story idea? Affiliate news? Feedback on this update? Send it
to Susan at Susan.Hogarth@lpnc.org

================================================
2. 2009 State Convention — Next Move: Building on Success
================================================

http://lpnc.org/convention.php

Join the Libertarian Party of North Carolina as we ponder our Next
Move: Building on Success at our annual State Convention in Burlington
April 17-19, 2009.

For information on attending, tickets, and the convention hotel, check
out the Convention '09 website: http://lpnc.org/convention.php

If you have items you would like to donate for the benefit auction,
you can simply reply to this email with information. Thanks!


================================================
3. Fellow Travelers: New American Tea Party Movement
================================================

[“Fellow Travelers” is a regular feature spotlighting groups in North
Carolina and beyond who help further the libertarian cause in one or
more directions. If you have a group you’d like to share with fellow
Libertarians for this feature, please send it to Susan at
Susan.Hogarth@lpnc.org]

Tea Party Movement

http://newamericanteaparty.com/

From their website:

The New American Tea Party is a coalition of citizens and
organizations concerned about the recent trend of fiscal recklessness
in government.

On February 27th, we got a group of over 300 activists from around the
country to participate in a big event resembling the classic tax
revolt that jump-started the American revolution. It was held AT noon,
on February 27th, at Lafayette Square, by the White House, mere blocks
from the Farragut North and McPherson Square metro stops.

This isn’t a conservative or liberal thing.

This is about government forking over billions of dollars, OUR MONEY,
to businesses that should have failed. This is about taking money from
responsible people and handing it over to CEOs who squandered their
own.

We are not opposing any specific legislation or politician. We are
instead addressing the broader philosophical implications of a
government that has grown too large and too distant from the very
citizens it taxes. This is scary stuff.

April 15th, Tax Day, is the next date set for a nation-wide protest.

There will also be a protest in Raleigh THIS Saturday, March 21. Check
out the Raleigh Tea Party's website for details:

http://www.raleighteaparty.com/

================================================
4. Libertarian Voter Registration Update: 4,600+!
================================================

http://lpnc.org/libs_by_county.php

Wake County is in the lead with over 600 registered Libertarians!

New Hanover County has the highest percentage of registered
Libertarians, at nearly 0.15%

================================================
5. Elevator Pitch: Libertarians and the National Sales Tax
================================================

[An ‘elevator pitch’ is an overview of an idea for a product, service,
or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be
delivered in the time span of an elevator ride - for example, thirty
seconds and 100-150 words. This week's 'pitch' is in response to the
question "Do libertarians support a national sales tax?," and was
written by Mary Ruwart. More of Mary's Short Answers can be found at
http://www.theadvocates.org/ruwart/categories_list.php]

Libertarians recognize that taxation of any kind is theft and
therefore do not support taxation. However, some dedicated
libertarians have been working to replace the income tax with a
[national] consumption tax.

They feel that people would feel the bite much more if everything that
they bought came with a double-digit sales tax. Tax raises would be
more visible -- and more unpopular for politicians to propose. The
abuses perpetrated by the IRS would also end. Public support for
abolishing taxes altogether would increase.

One danger that many libertarians see in proposing this switch is the
possibility that we would end up with a national sales tax AND an
income tax. Why not simply get rid of the income tax and replace it
with nothing, as Libertarian Party presidential candidate Harry Browne
proposed in 1996 and 2000? If all we did was to restrict government to
its constitutional limits, we could provide for defense and other
necessary functions with constitutionally-permitted excise taxes.
Next, libertarians could work on getting rid of those, too!

================================================
6. LPNC Resources
================================================

Join the LP!
http://lpnc.org/join_choose.php

Keep in Touch:
LPNC Announcement List (includes this Weekly Update and Special Announcements)
http://lpnc.info/mailman/listinfo/announce

LPNC Activist/Discussion List – Connect with Fellow Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lpnc/

LP Cabarrus Supports 10th Amendment

The Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County supports the following resolution, which defends the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Buncombe County GOP passed the same resolution at their county convention on March 7th. It was introduced by our peers in the Liberty Asheville Ning group.

A Resolution to Restore State Sovereignty

Whereas, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."; and

Whereas, the Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and

Whereas, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and

Whereas, today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and

Whereas, many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and

Whereas, the Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp; and

Whereas, Article IV, Section 4 says, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a Republican Form of Government", and the Ninth Amendment states that "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"; and

Whereas, the United States Supreme Court has rules in New York v. United States, 112 S.Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and

Whereas, a number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the State of North Carolina concurring therein, hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States; and

Be it further resolved that this concurrent resolution serve as Notice and Demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers; and

Be it further resolved that all compulsory federal legislation which directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed; and

Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the North Carolina House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate of each state's legislature, and each member of the North Carolina Congressional delegation.

LP Cabarrus Supports N.C. Stop Annexation

The Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County encourages local libertarian activists to support the grassroots effort to fight forced annexation here in Cabarrus and across the state.


http://www.stopncannexation.com/

The Libertarian View

"I like the libertarian view, which is to leave everyone alone. Even as a kid, I was annoyed by people who wanted to tell everyone how to live."
Clint Eastwood

*Thanks to the Future of Freedom Foundation for the link...

LP Cabarrus Endorses LPNC 2009 Liberty Agenda

The Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County endorses the LPNC's 2009 Liberty Agenda. We encourage local candidates and activists to promote this common sense agenda.

We, Libertarian Party of North Carolina propose this agenda for action to the 2009 General Assembly.

1. End forced annexation and stop private property seizure under the power of eminent domain by amending the state constitution.

Forced annexation and the seizure of private property ostensibly for "public purpose" is a violation of the fundamental rights of Americans. Forced annexation is not about providing services, or controlling growth. Forced annexation is about money. Communities should only be annexed with the consent of those annexed. No government, at any level, should have the power to take or seize private property for any purpose, without the express consent of the owner, and without just compensation.
2. Improve public education through school choice and competition.

It has become fashionable to bash public education rather than sincerely seek ways to improve it. There are many good things happening in North Carolina education. The path to continued improvement is to foster choice.

The problem is that anyone who proposes thinking out of the box when it comes to education is beat over the head with the supposed public school mandate in the state constitution.

This selective devotion to constitutional principle is curious, since the legislature freely ignores other parts of the constitution, including the requirement that "all elections shall be free, fair, and open" by restricting the right of people to vote for anyone other than Democrats and Republicans.
3. Restore free, fair and open elections to North Carolina by removing barriers to ballot access.*

North Carolina has one of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the nation. These barriers are specifically designed by the Democratic-Republican duopoly to restrict the people's freedom of choice, and to prevent independent and third party candidates from getting on the ballot. Elections laws also are used to restrict free speech by limiting how much an individual can contribute to the candidate of their choice. The people should have the unregulated and unrestricted right to vote for and support candidates of their choice.
4. End all corporate welfare and subsidies.*

Economic incentives and subsidies, more properly called corporate welfare, are an immoral tax on individuals for the benefit of corporate profits. Recent news reports that the Dell computer company may sell their three year old Winston-Salem plant, built with nearly $300 million in corporate welfare, demonstrate that corporate incentives are ineffective as well as immoral.

Conclusion

Ending property theft by government, improving education, ending corporate welfare, and restoring fair elections are only our top four issues, the beginning. The ultimate goal of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina is to reduce the size, scope, and power of government at all levels and on all issues, and consistently oppose any increase in the size, scope, and power of government at any level, for any purpose.