Tag Archives: election

October 29, 2008

Is Obama a Citizen? This Lawyer Says No

By Rich

[youtube]xyspCRmJv7w[/youtube]

8 comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Politics, Video

October 18, 2008

Another Local Media Blunder

By Rich

There are MORE than two!

I found this poll on the WDTN web site. This is another example of how short-sided the media is toward the elections. They continue to carry the message that there are only TWO candidates in the presidential race.

Where are the other candidates?

Where are the other candidates?

I can’t vote in this poll

I am certainly NOT undecided. I have chosen NOT to vote for either McCain or Obama, yet the selections offered do not show the actual candidates.

I just don’t understand why the media will NOT show the other legitimate candidates in their polls. I do not understand why they continue to bury the third party candidates when there are legitimate stories that can be told.

There are news stories being missed

Whether anyone agrees with Bob Barr or not, he was the only candidate that stood up against the recent bail-out issues. To me, that would stand to be significant news.

WDTN is the NBC affiliate that is currently off the air with Time-Warner cable in my market.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Complaints, Editorial, Politics

October 1, 2008

Bailout from Hell: Message from Bob Barr campaign advisor

By Rich

The sheep are bleeting

I know that I’ve spent some time recently expressing my political views. Some people ignore my views because I am a Libertarian and they don’t think “it counts.”

I’ve been very disturbed by attitudes of the ‘sheeple’ in the U.S. lately. The flock is bleeting about their woes, but they don’t seem to be able to run from the wolf. They just stand in the pasture and watch the same old things happen. And, to me, the wolf is closer and closer, yet they just stand there.

Redistributing the message

So, I continue to try to share the messages that show there are alternatives. I don’t claim to be a shepherd trying to rescue the flock; I only want to share some options for people to consider.

The message that I’m including in this post is from Russ Verney, Bob Barr‘s campaign advisor. With all that is happening in the U.S. right now, I think it NEEDs to be reposted. I received this letter in my email this morning.

Russ Verney message

Yesterday’s vote in Congress confirms to me that only Bob Barr is in touch with the American people, and both the Democrats and Republicans are following Bob’s lead!

The New York Times reports:

But a majority of the House voted along with Bob Barr, the Libertarian who said, “We need to make Wall Street take the hit for its irresponsible investment decisions. . .”

And the highly read Politico.com slams both McCain and Obama saying:

There was, however, one presidential “contender” who got on the right side of this issue: former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr. Barr called today’s bill “the bailout from hell ” and warned it would make Henry Paulson “an economic dictator, empowered to reengineer [sic] the economy as he sees fit.”

Of course, it isn’t just Bob Barr who scored major political points yesterday, it was redemption for the American people when the vote – which wasn’t even close – went against Wall Street and in favor of average Americans.

Many of Bob supporters – old and new – took a moment to show their appreciation for this initiative by making generous gifts to the campaign yesterday and today. (Perhaps you would like to join now with a gift to keep the pressure on. Thanks!)

But of course, the powerful corporate special interests, with both of Bob’s opponents backing them in the Senate, aren’t going to give up. The Bush administration continues in their efforts to scare Americans and convince them that only his bill can provide salvation for our economy.

Another vote is going to come, and it may be within the next 48 hours, or sooner.

To appease a few interests, they are likely to make some cosmetic change but the bottom line is that it will still be a bad bill — and taxpayers are going to be soaked with $700 Billion in bailout funds for Wall Street. And when a Treasury Department official was asked by Forbes.com how this amount was chosen, the response: “It’s not based on any particular data point. We just wanted to choose a really large number.”

We must not retreat in our opposition to this outrageous scheme. Today Bob is giving speeches on the campaign trail and he is drawing larger crowds, greater enthusiasm, and the media is taking notice. Just as the New York Times acknowledged, only Bob Barr’s approach to fiscal sanity will work.

I encourage you to keep up the heat. Call your Representative in Congress. If they voted the right way, thank them and encourage them to hold the line. If they voted wrong, turn up the heat and grant them a chance to change their mind.

Next, I ask you to help me fund the next stage of this important campaign. We have a radio ad ready for national distribution and plans for TV commercials as well. Your gift will help us spread the word that there is an alternative to the Bush-McCain-Obama Wall Street bailout. Any amount is a big help, but a gift of $50 or $100 goes a long way.

Thanks.

Sincerely,
Russell Verney
Campaign Manager
Bob Barr for President

P.S. – By the way, I personally believe that this is just the beginning of a very bad trend. First there was money for Bear Stearn and AIG. Then home mortgage payouts of $300 Billion and $25 Billion for the auto Industry this year (and another $25 Billion for next year). Next, $200 Billion to clean up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and now $700 billion for big banks and Wall Street moguls. Who else will be “bailed out?” Some are suggesting that $700 Billion may just be a down payment for Wall Street. Others needing “bailouts” include local and state governments. Have you noticed how state and local bureaucrats are crying about a decline in revenue? Mark my word, they will seek bailout protection, too.

To donate by mail:

Barr 2008 Presidential Committee
P.O. Box 725007
Atlanta, GA 31139

To donate by phone:

Call 1-800-Bob-Barr

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Editorial, Politics

July 18, 2008

Libertarians Win Ballot Access in Ohio

By Rich

Here’s a recent media release from the Libertarian Party:

Dear fellow Libertarians,

The Libertarian Party of Ohio was granted ballot access a few hours ago based on a lawsuit filed June 6, 2008. The court ordered the 8 Congressional and General Assembly candidates to be placed on the general election ballot with party affiliation.

“This is a big victory for the 1st Amendment, the liberty-minded citizens of Ohio, and the Libertarian Party,” said party chair Kevin Knedler. “We will not go away and we will be heard. We simply are citizens that want our state and our country back.”

Libertarian Party officials from across the country chimed in to congratulate the Ohio party on their victory.

“I am delighted to express my admiration for you and the Ohio LP for this tremendous achievement,” wrote Pat Dixon, chair of the Texas LP. “The Buckeye state will be a huge player in November. It will be great the next time I get back to Dayton to see LP campaign signs in people’s yards like I saw Bill Peirce signs in 2006.”

US District Court Judge Edmund Sargus granted a preliminary injunction Thursday but will hold his order for 10 days to permit the Secretary of State the right to appeal. If appealed, the case would be heard by the the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

“Thanks to all Libertarians who worked and prayed for this day,” said vice chair Jeremiah Arn. “All of us are very excited, but the biggest victory is for presidential candidate Bob Barr. We have before us the best LP presidential ticket and the best chance to make a difference!”

Because of the chance of an appeal, however, party officers requested Thursday that all remaining ballot access petitions be returned to the state headquarters immediately. This will allow for a timely filing if the petitions are necessary. To date, more than 7,500 petition signatures have been received.

Find more news at www.lpo.org or BobBarr2008.com.

Warmly,

Jeremiah Arn
vice chair

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Editorial, Politics

July 1, 2008

Don’t Waste Vote on Current Bipartisan Choices

By Rich

On November 4, 2008, give liberty a chance. This election doesn’t have to be between the lesser of two evils. Americans need a choice, and Liberty needs a voice.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Politics

June 1, 2008

What’s My Stance?

By Rich

Talking politics

I have maintained for many years that I don’t “talk” politics. I have been very quiet publicly about my views and my engagement in political water cooler discussions has been minimal. However, this year I find myself “speaking up” more often.

Tonight I read an email from my dad. I had seen this circulating during the 2004 elections, as well, but it stirred up some thoughts. I’m going to share the email text first. I will then “state my opinion.”

The email

Father/Daughter Talk

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, ‘How is your friend Audrey doing?’ She replied, ‘Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She’s always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn’t even show up for classes because she’s too hung over.’

Her father then asked his daughter,’Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.’

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father’s suggestion, angrily fired back, ‘That’s a crazy idea, and how would that be fair! I’ve worked really hard for my grades! I’ve invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!’

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently ‘Welcome to the Republican party.’

If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between Republicans and Democrats, I’m all ears.

Rich’s stance

And then you could be like the Libertarian party (of which I am)…

Let me do my thing and let me earn my way — and get the hell out of the way. I don’t need your limitations and I don’t want your hand outs. I don’t want YOU to tell me where I can shop, what doctors I can see, what car I should drive, or how much I need to provide others. If I feel they need something — and have the means to provide it (and want to) I will.

I don’t need or want you to watch out for “my” safety by listening to my phone calls, watching my online activities, or judging my buying habits as something that might be harmful to others.

Don’t push your beliefs on me. If I want to own a gun, I will. If I don’t, I won’t. If I want to be gay, whatever. If I don’t care for it and don’t believe in it, I’ll keep my opinion to myself. If you are gay, don’t expect me to give you something extra to reward you. I won’t judge you, but I won’t help you along either. Nobody gives me a prize because I chose to have sex with my wife (or not).

Don’t tell me what religion is “right” or tell me that I shouldn’t be so religious.

For the most part… I just want you to let me be who I am and do what I can to support my family. I should have the liberty to do so.

Our founding fathers said,

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

I think it is time for people to stop their whining about “who’s going to win” and start looking at the people that don’t care if they win or not… other than to make some drastic changes to the system that we have so greatly broken. It is the RIGHT of the people to ALTER or ABOLISH faulty government. Government that becomes destructive. Haven’t the elephants and the donkeys trampled and shit upon us enough already?

“Libertarianism is unquestionably the American message because libertarianism is the only political message that empowers the American people by giving them more control over their lives and their wallets,”

says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis.

For more about the Libertarian view, visit www.LP.org

Oh, if you couldn’t guess, I’m voting for Bob Barr/Wayne Allen Root and the Libertarian way in the coming election. Even if I have to write in my vote on my state’s illegal and unconstitutional ballot.

What do you think? I would love to hear your views and WHY they are important to you.

Cheers,
Rich

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Editorial, Politics

May 28, 2008

Choosing Third Party Candidates

By Rich

I would title this “Choosing Libertarian Candidates” but the Utterz site, similar to most state governments in the U.S., doesn’t show Libertarian as a choice. They do give a “third party” option, though.

For those that do not know, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States.

Here’s some more information from the Libertarian Party web site:

Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact that many state governments place every imaginable roadblock in our path in order to keep our candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a real choice.

Libertarians believe the answer to America’s political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America’s founders.

What began with a small group of activists in Colorado has become America’s third largest political party.

Update I incorrectly stated in my audio that Mary Ruwart is the vice-presidential running mate. The candidate chosen is actually Wayne Allen Root. See details about his selection at the LP.org web site.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Editorial, Politics, Utterli