LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO BLOG

Socialists to the Left & socialists to the Right...

Thanks to State Chair Dave Williams for highlighting this Washington Post article on the newly elected Republican Senator from Massachusetts Scott Brown.  Little does the author know it, but this WashPost piece is a shining example of the failure of the left / right dichotomy and why the Libertarian Party should be taken seriously.  Why?  Just take a look at this:
 
"Scott Brown said he expects to be seated quickly in the U.S. Senate, but he was conciliatory on the question of what he will do there, noting that he voted for universal health insurance coverage in Massachusetts and wanted his election to encourage a new bipartisanship in Washington." [emphasis mine]
 
And this gem here:
 
"We're past campaign mode: I think it's important for everyone to get some form of health care," Brown told a news conference Wednesday morning. "So to offer a basic plan for everybody I think is important. It's just a question of whether we're going to raise taxes, we're going to cut a half at trillion from Medicare, we're going to affect veterans' care. I think we can do it better." [emphasis mine]
 
So here we have your typical socialist believing that every American DESERVES health coverage and that his version of socialism is "better."
 
Explain to me again what the difference between Republicans and Democrats are?  Explain to me why voting for the "lesser of two evils" is any better than voting your conscience?  As far as I can tell, we did get the lesser of two evils -- we got the one who believes he can coerce you "better."
 
Of course I'm preaching to the choir, but I think it is important to bring articles like this to light.  I know how difficult it can be to be a Libertarian when everyone around you is encouraging evil and telling you your guy or gal cannot win.  Do me a favor and bring this article up.  Add this to your bag of tricks and don't let a socialist tell you that you favor a lost cause.  Because the reality is simply this: supporting evil is ALWAYS a lost cause.  You get what you deserve every single time.
 
Thanks for listening,
 
Justin Longo
Legislative Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
"Whoever wishes peace among peoples must fight statism." -Mises

No to Denver's Initiative 300

Sent in by Justin Longo

So you get out of your car, walk into the grocery store to pick up the dozen eggs you need to make that delicious omelette you've been craving all day, and when reach for your wallet to pay you realize... it's still on your kitchen counter.  Sound familiar?  We've all been there.  Every couple of months, I'll leave my house and drive an entire day with my wallet still sitting on the kitchen counter.  And fortunately for us forgetful people, we've been able to explain the situation to the officer if we got pulled over, and face a minor additional penalty. 

 

Denver's Initiative 300 could change all that.  This November, voters in Denver will decide whether to leave towing and car impound up to the police officer's discretion, or whether to mandate that all officers impound cars driven by unlicensed drivers - no matter the circumstances.  Forgot your wallet on the nightstand next to your bed?  Doesn't matter.  Owner of the car in the backseat while you drove unlicensed?  Doesn't matter.  The officer will have no choice but to impound the car and force the owner to pay an unreasonable amount (more than $2,700?!!) to get the car back.  Meanwhile, the officer is left waiting for a tow truck and not attending to more pressing duties - like catching criminals. 

 

It appears as though the backers of Initiative 300 wish for their ballot measure to curb illegal immigration in some manner.  Should Denver police officers be playing immigration official with their time?  Don't they have enough real police work to do already?  Furthermore, last year Denver voters passed Initiative 100 in order to give police officers precisely the discretion that Initiative 300 wishes to take away!  

 

The Libertarian Party of Colorado hopes voters in Denver will continue to allow police officer's to decide what to do when faced with an unlicensed driver.  Here are some resources for more information on the subject:

 

-Official VoteNoOnImpound.com website.

-ACLU's write-up of Initiative 300.

-Denver Post's editorial against the initiative.

 

Finally, if you haven't already, look me up and follow me on Twitter @LPCOLegislative!

 

That's all for now,

 

Justin Longo

Legislative Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

"Whoever wishes peace among peoples must fight statism." -Mises

LIBERTY ALERT: Taxes, Debt, and Twitter

Liberty alert from Justin Longo

Hey everyone,

 

We Colorado taxpayers are lucky enough to live and pay taxes under the auspices of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).  We've been able to hang our hats on one simple fact:  in order for us to be taxed more, our government officials must do what our mothers always told us to do - ask first!  However, the simple ask first formula is not easy for politicians to abide by.  They have every incentive to come up with ways to bypass us, and instead of asking before they raise our taxes, they do the next best thing:  raise our fees.  If you've registered your car lately, you'll have noticed the increase fees.

 

Thankfully, there are some good resources out there to combat the fee-happy politicians.  Colorado Tax Reform is working to reign in our state taxes and fees, but they need your help!  Another ballot measure that focuses on limiting property taxes specifically is also looking for help.   Please take a look at those websites and see what you can do to help your bottom line! 

 

Another area of concern is our growing state debt.  How come it's not okay to live on credit cards and bank loans in our personal lives, but somehow that type of fiscal responsibility vanishes when it comes to our government(s)?  By the way, it is nigh impossible to even come up with a total state and local debt figure.  There are a million and one forms of debt out there taken on by our thousands of governments.  (Total active local Colorado governments amount to well over 3,000 now).  Help limit Colorado debt by visiting this website!  Your children and grandchildren will thank you!

 

Despite your possible preconceived notions about the Libertarian Party and our geekiness (it's probably true), we are cool enough to be on Twitter.  If you've got Twitter, come follow me @LPCOLegislative.

 

That's all for now.  Thanks for listening, and don't forget to check on my Tweets!

 

Justin Longo

Legislative Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

"Whoever wishes peace among peoples must fight statism." -Mises

Legislative alert: Obama Care

LPCO legislative alert sent in by Justin Longo:

Hey everyone,

By now I'm sure you've been to, or at least read about, all the anti-Obama Care rallies that have taken shape all around Colorado.  Reports indicate that both Denver and Fort Collins had good turnouts with around 400 to 600 people.  Colorado Springs however, is reporting attendance between 1,000 and 1,200.  Pretty great turnouts considering they've been on workdays and we all have jobs.

Make no mistake, House Resolution 3200 - aka Obama Care - aka politically controlled health care, is coming down the pike.  Right now the bill sits at over 1,000 pages, and according to the National Taxpayers Union, despite the left's rhetoric, the language indicates a ton more coercion than any "choice" whatsoever.  (Are you even surprised that the words "require" and "must" outnumber the words "choice" and "option" 9 to 1)?  This bill is so ridiculous, even Jimmy Fallon made fun of its size and price tag on his TV show.

The bottom line is this:  the reason we are even in this health care dilemma is because our current health care system is entirely too regulated and politicized.  As of 2007, Colorado already had 46 mandates codified in our state statutes.  Do we really need over 1,000 pages of more restrictions, mandates, and regulations?

If you don't like the idea of Obama taking over our health care like he's done with banks and our car industry, take a minute and contact your congressman.  This page has the phone and fax numbers, in addition to links for electronic correspondence.

Don't wait until it's too late!  Tell our representatives that you prefer REAL consumer choice and freedom, NOT the federal mandates currently on the table.

Thank you for your time!

Justin Longo
Legislative Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
"Whoever wishes peace among peoples must fight statism." -Mises

Liberty Alert: Yes on Equal Rights

There is an authentic grassroots movement brewing in our great state of Colorado.  It concerns a 2010 ballot initiative called Yes on Equal Rights.  As it stands, the Colorado Constitution defines marriage as between a man and woman.  This prospective ballot initiative will change the wording to define marriage as between two consenting adults - thus, gender neutral.  Aside from that "consenting adults" substitution, it will not change anything else concerning marriage in our Constitution.

I've personally met one of the founders and main organizers for this initiative and he is a smart, driven, and optimistic young man.  He asked me to get the word out for him to raise awareness and to ask for volunteer help to collect signatures.  Without volunteers, it is very unlikely this noble initiative will ever make the ballot next year.  That being said, I urge all of you to help Yes on Equal Rights in whatever way you can.  Whether it be donating some of your time or some of your money, this campaign needs your support!

Please visit both the official website and the social networking website to see how you can help Yes on Equal Rights.

Thank you for your time!

Justin Longo

Bob Barr and Wayne Root Return to Denver - and you can meet them, August 28th

Bob Barr Returns to Denver - and you can meet him.

Did you miss your last chance to meet Libertarian candidate for President Bob Barr?

Bob was in Denver last Sunday, August 10, for a "meet and greet." Barr supporters had about 48 hours notice. We pulled off a catered event with over 70 people in attendance and raised over $9000.

Well, you have another chance to meet Bob. And this time, his running mate Wayne Root will also be in Denver.

A catered, table service dinner will be provided for all attendees and an open bar is available for those that wish to partake (before the government re-instates prohibition "for our own good".)

Mark Your Calendar

Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008 (Yep, the very same night the Socialists anoint their Chosen One at Invesco Field, the Democrats' first step toward a workers' paradise.)

Time: Cocktails at 6:30. Dinner at 7:30.

Place: The Grant-Humphreys Mansion, 770 Pennsylvania Avenue, Denver, Colorado.

Donations: To sit at the Presidential Table with Bob - $1000.
To sit at the Vice-Presidential Table with Wayne - $500
To sit with people like me, but mingle with Bob and Wayne anyway - $100

There are only seven spaces at the Presidential and Vice-Presidential tables. The tables seat eight, and one of them is already taken.

The remaining spots are also limited. Contact me right now at [email protected] if you wish to attend.

Why you should attend

If you think the government has the answer to our problems, you should not attend.

If you believe in freedom and liberty, you should.

Republican nominee John McCain believes in big government. His signature piece of legislation is anti-free speech. He is a member of the Al Gore Cult of Global Warming. It is hard to believe he's in the same party as Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama believes in an even bigger government. He sold out his party by voting in favor of FISA and REAL ID. He opposes gay marriage. He hardly stands for personal freedom and civil rights.

Bob Barr is the only candidate that stands for smaller government, free speech, the free market, personal freedom and civil rights.

Reject the two party system. The two party duopoly is not a requirement of our political system. It rewards mediocrity and perpetuates the status quo.

You want change? Vote Libertarian. Vote Bob Barr and Wayne Root.

Come show your support on August 28.

RSVP now to [email protected] or call me at 303-588-2731.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Cross posted from http://www.bluecarp.com/

Post Office Ban On Mailing Replica Or Inert Munitions

Post Office Ban On Mailing Replica Or Inert Munitions

That's right, the U.S. Postal Service is trying to keep people from shipping replica or inert munitions through the mail. They have no authority in the law, since Congress has kept for itself the power to decide what can and cannot be shipped. But un-elected Post Office bureaucrats are trying to say that replica or inert munitions are hazardous! If you are a re-enactor or collector of replica or inert munitions, you are in the Post Office crosshairs. Why? Canada wants the US to help shut off shipment of these items into Canada. So it looks like our bureaucrats are eager to appease other governments by changing
our laws to make them as bad as our neighbors'.

We just found out about this outrageous proposal issued by the Post Office. Although the deadline for postmarking is Monday, April 7, e-mails and letters should be sent anyway.

You can read the Postal Service proposed regulations here:
http://uxoinfo.com/blogcfc/client/enclosures/Proposed-Ban_ShippingInert.pdf

You can read letter from the Gun Owners of America's Attorney to the
Postal Service here: http://www.gunowners.org/fs0803.pdf

ACTION: Please send your comments to the Post Office ASAP. The letter must be postmarked by Monday, April 7, 2008. Here's the contact information.

E-MAIL: [email protected]
Subject: TITLE: 73 Fed. Reg. 12321: New Standards Prohibit the Mailing of Replica or Inert Munitions

SNAIL MAIL:
Manager, Mailing Standards
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Room 3436
Washington, DC 20260-3436

HB – 1378 Ranked Voting Pilot Programs Could Be Big Boon for LP and Taxpayers

HB – 1378 Ranked Voting Pilot Programs Could Be Big Boon for LP and Taxpayers
=======================================

Colorado Legislature
------------------------------------------

LIBERTY ALERT: HB-1378 - RANKED VOTING METHODS

CONTACT STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS BY 4/2

Sponsors: Representative John Kefalas/Senator Ken Gordon

HB1378, - RANKED VOTING METHODS - will be heard by the House Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs this Thursday, April 3, upon adjournment. ("Upon adjournment" means whenever the full House is done meeting in the morning, the committee will meet.)

This bill creates a pilot program to promote voting reform that strengthen majority rule and help eliminate inequities in the current voting system. Please contact the members of the House State Affairs Committee and urge them to pass HB-1378.

WHAT HB 08-1378 DOES:

The bill allows (but does NOT require) municipalities, special districts and counties to use
ranked voting methods in their elections.

-  Directs the Secretary of State to conduct a pilot program in which a specified number of jurisdictions elect their officers in 2009 and 2010 using ranked voting methods

-  Directs the Secretary of State to adopt rules and provide guidance to local governments on conducting elections using ranked voting methods

-  After 7/1/09 requires new voting systems certified in Colorado to be ready for use with ranked voting methods

What are Ranked Voting Methods?

There are two basic types of ranked voting. When electing a single winner, it is called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). In multi-seat elections it is called Choice or Proportional Voting. Both are proven voting methods that help avoid the problem of "spoiler" candidates.

Just like a traditional runoff, IRV elects whichever of the top two finishers has majority support, but in one election rather than two. If there is no initial majority winner, an instant runoff count will be conducted. In multi-seat elections Choice Voting assures that the majority will elect the majority of seats but that significant minorities can also elect a number of seats roughly proportional to their votes.

Ranked Voting has Already Been Adopted in Colorado

Basalt and Aspen adopted ranked voting and could benefit from state standardized procedures and certification of voting systems that are capable of conducting elections using ranked voting.

Ranked Voting Methods are Widely Used

San Francisco, CA; Burlington, VT; Minneapolis, MN and Sarasota, FL are cities that have switched to IRV. North Carolina has an official pilot program and has conducted IRV elections. Washington state allows use of IRV, which was recently adopted by Pierce County.

Jurisdictions Can Save Substantial Tax Dollars

Jurisdictions, like Denver, that currently use two-round elections (such as a primary and general) can save a substantial amount of money and increase voter participation by using a single round of voting with ranked ballots.

Contact these Representatives and let them know YOU support HB – 1378, if you live in one of their districts, let them know.

HB 1327 expands Health Care Choice!!!

HB 1327 expands Health Care Choice!!!

Sponsored by Rep. Cory Gardner (R), HB 1237 would allow Colorado residents to purchase, and a health insurance carrier, whether or not the carrier is subject to Colorado insurance laws and regulations, to sell in Colorado, a health insurance product that is lawfully sold, offered, or issued in another state without subjecting that insurance product to the requirements of Colorado insurance laws and regulations. Subjects a carrier that is not otherwise subject to Colorado insurance laws and regulations and that sells, offers, or issues in this state a health insurance product lawfully sold in another state to regulation by the commissioner of insurance with regard to enforcement of the contractual benefits under the health insurance product.

You can view HB 1327 on-line at:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2008A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/AE12BEFDCB54505B872573CD0056FCF4?Open&file=1327_01.pdf

ACTION: The Business Affairs and Labor Committee will be reviewing this bill and hearing testimony concerning this bill on Monday, February 18 at the State Capitol in room 0107 at 1:30pm. Please contact the Representatives on this committee and urge them to expand our economic freedoms and health care choice through supporting HB 1327!!

Colorado House Business Affairs and Labor Committee:
Rosemary Marshall-Chair (D) 303-866-2959 [email protected]
Joe Rice-ViceChair (D) 303-866-2953 [email protected]
David Balmer (R) 303-866-2935 [email protected]
Dorothy Butcher (D) 303-866-2968
Morgan Carroll (D) 303-866-2942 [email protected]
Mark Ferrandino (D) 303-866-2911 [email protected]
Cheri Jahn (D) 303-866-5522 [email protected]
Larry G. Liston (R) 303-866-2965 [email protected]
Victor Mitchell (R) 303-866-2948 victor.mitchell.h[email protected]
John F. Soper (D) 303-866-2931 [email protected]
Amy Stephens (R) 303-866-2924 [email protected]

To e-mail the entire committee at once, copy the following e-mail addresses into your e-mail program:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

HB 1259 restores accountability of Special Districts!!!

HB 1259 restores accountability of Special Districts!!!

Rep. Morgan Carroll (D), has sponsored HB 1259 which states that a special district may provide services ONLY within the territory of the special district. Requires a special district that currently provides services outside its territory to file a petition within a specified time to modify its service plan in order to provide services only within its territory. Requires every special district to file an annual report with any county or city in which the district is located, the division of local government, and the state auditor, regardless of whether the report is requested by the county or city. Requires regular special district elections to be held on the date of a general or coordinated election. Requires the board of directors of a special district:
- To send a voter information card, including information about the election and a returnable portion for electors to request permanent mail-in voter status, to each household where one or more active eligible electors of the special district resides no later than 15 days before a special election;
- To maintain a list of eligible electors of the special district who have applied for permanent mail-in voter status;
- To obtain from the clerk and recorder of each county in which the special district is wholly or partially located a list of eligible electors who have applied to the clerk and recorder for permanent mail-in status; and
- In an election conducted by the board, to send a mail-in ballot to each eligible elector who has applied for permanent mail-in status.

You can view HB 1259 on-line at:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/E30E7BD81D79B07A872573680059F8ED?Open&file=1259_01.pdf

ACTION: The Local Government Committee will be reviewing this bill (and hearing testimony) later this month. Please contact the Representatives on this committee and urge them to restore the accountability and integrity of Special Districts through SUPPORTING HB 1259!

Colorado House Local Government Committee:
Mary Hodge-Chair (D) 303-866-2912 [email protected]
Wes McKinley-ViceChair (D) 303-866-2398 [email protected]
Kathleen Curry (D) 303-866-2945 [email protected]
Sara Gagliardi (D) 303-866-2962 [email protected]
Bob Gardner (R) 303-866-2191 [email protected]
Stella Garza Hicks (R) 303-866-3069 [email protected]
Steve King (R) 303-866-3068 [email protected]
Larry G. Liston (R) 303-866-2965 [email protected]
Cherylin Peniston (D) 303-866-2843 [email protected]
John Soper (D) 303-866-2931 [email protected]
Ken Summers (R) 303-866-2927 [email protected]

To e-mail the entire committee at once, copy the following e-mail addresses into your e-mail program:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]