Fixing gender and ethnic imbalances...

Fixing gender and ethnic imbalances... that is what Independent Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders calls Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court.

In statement posted on his Congressional website Sanders said, “I very much appreciate that President Obama is attempting to address the gender and ethnic imbalance that currently exists in the highest court in our land.”

Senator Sanders continued to say he is very interested to hear Sotomayor’s take on, “privacy rights and how, in these times of international tension, we can preserve our civil liberties and constitutional rights while we defend our nation against those who would do us harm.”

Sanders also wants to hear her views on worker’s rights.

SOURCE:

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=313570

She’s Impressive...

She’s Impressive... is the take from Independent Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman (CT) on Sonia Sotomayor.

Senator Lieberman said in a statement on his congressional website, “President Obama made an impressive choice by nominating Judge Sotomayor for the position of Associate Justice for the Supreme Court.” The statement also said, “Judge Sotomayor’s career represents the best of the American dream and she possesses distinguished and superior legal credentials.”

Senator Lieberman then said he hoped for a bi-partisan and fair confirmation process.

SOURCE:

http://lieberman.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=313552

She deserves a fair shake...

She deserves a fair shake... says the National Libertarian Party. Shortly after President Obama announced the nomination of federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, the Libertarian Party said she deserves a fair shake.

But, that fair shake will include some hard questions from Libertarians. Libertarian National Committee Chairman William Redpath described Sotomayor as, “an activist for his personal cuses over a rational interpreter of law.”

The Libertarians call into question Sotomayor’s ruling in the Ricci v. DeStafano case. That is the case where the New Haven, Conn. fire department was sued over racial discrimination claims. White Firefighters sued after a promotion exam should have led to the promotion of the firefighters due to better performance than black firefighters. The city threw out the results of the exam, Sotomayor agreed with the city.

But, Sotomayor’s rulings thrown. “It is troubling that Obama, who won the highest elected office in the world without racial preferences, would nominate someone who openly admits the government should racially discriminate against its own citizens to serve the needs of political correctness,” said in the statement Redpath.

It continued, “Libertarians believe… Public employers should treat all citizens of all colors, races and ethnicities with equal respect and value and Sotomayor’s radical rulings are a jarring departure from that principle.”

SOURCE:

http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/libertarians-blast-sotomayor-pick

Libertarian’s going mainstream?

Libertarian’s going mainstream?... A post on the National Libertarian Party website says the Fox News Channel is considering the debut of a libertarian leaning show called “Freedom Watch”.

The post written by Libertarian National Committee Director of Outreach Austin Petersen says the show would, “Finally.. (reflect) the attitudes and opinions of people like you and I who care about personal and economic liberties.”

Judge Andrew Napolitano’s show “Freedom Watch”, according to the post, is a possible filler for an open programming slot – there’s no word in the post where the time slot would be.

Peterson is asking Libertarians to petition Fox News to add the show.

SOURCE:

http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/put-a-libertarian-tv-show-on-the-fox-news-channel

Taking a stand with guns...

Taking a stand with guns... around the nation. The Independent American Party is reveling in a few recent moves to open-up gun rights.

A newsletter from Independent American Party National Chairman Will Christensen speaks of the “good news” of the U.S. House of Representatives bill repealing the gun ban on National Park Service land and wildlife refuges.

Christensen continues to write, “Following Montana’s lead, four states have introduced bills in their legislatures challenging federal authority to regulate guns under the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution… would be exempt (states) from federal laws and regulation.”

The gun section of the news letter is highlighted by the saying: Firearms in the hands of a free people are a threat only to tyrants.

It’s only us...

It’s only us... asking for nationalized health care says The Green Party. The Green Party is taking a stand as being “the only political party” to support single-payer (nationalized) health care.

In an e-mail to members the Greens say, “A Single-Payer system would eliminate the for-profit insurance companies, lower the cost of health care in the United States by as much as one third, and would remove the financial burden on businesses suffering from the recent economic meltdown - replacing employee-based health care benefits.”

The Greens say nationalized health care has been barred from the public debate because of, “the influence of insurance, HMO's, and pharmaceutical lobbies through campaign contributions, 'astroturf' (false grassroots) operations, and dishonest advertising.”

The Green Party say they are only voice that can bring nationalized health care to the political table.

That’s nice Mister President, but...

That’s nice Mister President, but... not enough. The Green Party is responding to President Obama’s new emission rules by saying there are still many environmental challenges, including car emissions.

The Greens say in a news release, “The President's plan.. is a step in the right direction, but falls short.” Greens say the new rules will have minimal effect. Wes Rolley the Green Party EcoAction Committee co-chair says the was are to, “reduce car traffic, such as regionally sensitive carbon taxes, congestion taxes, a halt in new highway construction, and -- most urgently for working Americans -- a massive public transportation project to replace the reliance on cars."

The Greens also say clean coal is a public relations fabrication. Greens also say "Nuclear power is dirty and dangerous.” That’s the word from Green Party co-chair Jill Bussiere. Bussiere points to security problems and the amount of fuel needed to supply power plants.

Cap and Trade is also criticized. They call it a concession to polluting industries. "President Obama must launch a project to stem global warming that's comparable to the concerted and internationally cooperative effort to defeat the Axis powers during World War II. The lives of future generations in America and throughout the world are vastly more important than the current demands of energy industries," said Budd Dickinson, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and a retired energy engineer.

SOURCE:
http://gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=214

The Whig goes to…

The Whig goes to… Paul C. McKain.

McKain has filed to run for Congress in Florida’s Second Congressional seat. With that McKain becomes the first Modern Whig to run for an office.

McKain is running for the seat currently held by Democrat Allen Boyd. The district is in Florida’s panhandle including the state capital, Tallahassee.

At this point Boyd is also facing a primary challenger of Al Lawson. No Republican or any other candidate has yet filed to run for the seat.

A Modern Whig Party news release describes McKain as, "McKain worked his way through college to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University where he majored in Education and minored in Physical Sciences. Upon graduation, he taught for 3 ½ years then applied for and was selected to join Sunrise Florida Fire and Rescue Department where he worked for 23 years until his retirement in 2003. While off duty, McKain built and developed several businesses from the ground up, most recently working on a global scale culminating with the passage of legislation through the US Congress."

SOURCE:

http://www.paulmckain.com/

http://www.modernwhig.org/

http://www.floridawhig.com/

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanDetail.asp?account=50517

California is starting the revolution...

California is starting the revolution... that's according to 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential Candidate Wayne Allyn Root.

He writes on his website that, "Whatever revolution that starts in California, always spreads to the nation." Root argues that in a state as liberal as California when voters says no to tax and spend the state is now, “at the epicenter of a seismic tax revolution.”

California voters said yes to banning increases in salaries for elected officials if the states are running a deficit.

The voters said no a new rainy day fund, new ways for education funding, borrowing money from future lottery money, more money for children’s services and changing funding for mental health services.

SOURCE:

http://www.rootforamerica.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090520-153430

http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/

Putting the Whig on...

Putting the Whig on... the ballot.  It's the plan!

An e-mail from the Modern Whigs on Monday, May 18th says they will announce thier first ever candidate (since the 1800's) at their on-line national meeting on Tuesday, May 19th.

The e-mail says, "Representatives from Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and overseas will be in attendance..."

We'll see who gets the first Whig nod.

More Green....

More Green... on your ballots in 2009.  

The May 2009 Green Party newsletter says Greens have filed to run for 119 offices.  The letters says this compares with,  "In 2005, 69 candidates had declared their run by the middle of May.  In 2007, that number was 74."  The newsletter says 119 candidates is a record for the Greens.

The newsletter continues to ask people to declair their candidacy for a local offices in 2009 and maybe start planning for 2010 races.

SOURCE:

http://www.gp.org/elections/candidates/index.php

It's a good thing I'm not the President...

It's a good thing I'm not the President... that's the word from Jesse Ventura on ABC's "The View" Monday.

The former Independent Governor of Minnesota told the ladies from "The View" that if he were President he would prosecute the people who ordered and did waterboarding.

He said Republicans and Democrats are both involved in the waterboarding and that is why the new controversy over waterboarding will go nowhere.

Jesse Ventura said at the Ron Paul "Rally for the Republic" in 2008 that he would consider running for President in 2012 if the was a ground swell for him to run and he though he could win.

Is the ground starting to "swell"?

SOURCE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSra-McRZEc (Starting At 2:20)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KqEErhR9-M (Starting At 6:45)

Rally for Medicare For All...

Rally for Medicare For All... the Green Party is getting behind the healthcare-now.org protest for nationalized health care.

In a news release, the Greens supported a, "national Day of Action for Single-Payer national health care (Medicare For All) on Saturday, May 30."

The greens claim, "Single-Payer has been barred from the public debate, because of the influence of insurance, HMO, and pharmaceutical lobbies, through campaign contributions, 'astroturf' (false grassroots) operations, and dishonest advertising."

Greens say the protest must be held to get national attention.

SOURCE:
http://gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=212
http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/may-30th-day-of-action
http://www.healthcare-now.org

Whigs go from 1800's to on-line...

Whigs go from 1800's to on-line... The Modern Whig party announced in an e-mail Wednesday they are now holding meetings on-line because their party is growing so much.

Their first on-line meeting will be May 19th.

The e-mail says, "Sunday political newspaper columnists continue to rave about the potential viability of this organization." Whigs point to growth from, "Many of these members are disenchanted Republicans and moderate Democrats who value common sense, rational solutions ahead of ideology and partisanship."

SOURCE:
E-mail
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/842858242

Are Bars, Doctors & Lawyers now credit companies?

Are Bars, Doctors & Lawyers now credit companies?

Waving the Red Flag on "The Red Flag"... The Florida Modern Whigs were tweeting out their concerns of the New Red Flag Requirement from the FTC.  It's a program to "detect, prevent, and mitigate" identity theft.

The FTC says the Red Flags Rules only apply: to “financial institutions” and “creditors” with “covered accounts.”

But, what does that mean?  The Whig Tweets claim: "A bar runs a tab for their regulars; however with the FTC Red Flag Law, the Bar is required to collect photo ID as they are now a credit co." and tweets warn of "if you sign a pledge card 4 a non-profit or charity, they are required to obtain your photo ID and keep it on file."

Analysis from Business Management Daily says small and mid-sized business think this new rule to protect credit fraud does not apply to them, but they could find-out with "audits, fines and class action suits."

The Wisconsin Law Journal points out doctors and lawyers could also be forced to live up to these new rules.

So if you qualify for this rule, what do you have to do?

*Develop a written program that identifies and detects the red flags of identity theft.

*Describe appropriate responses that prevent and mitigate identity theft.

*The program must be managed by the Board of Directors or senior employees. 

SOURCE:

http://twitter.com/FloridaWhig

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/alerts/alt050.shtm

http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/17265/1/The-Red-Flag-rules-Looming-deadline-for-businesses/Page1.html#

http://www.wislawjournal.com/article.cfm/2009/05/11/FTC-delays-enforcing-identity-theft-red-flag-rule

"Stress Test" the bank's bank...

"Stress Test" the bank's bank... that's the word from some Libertarian leaders.

In a story posted on "The Center for Libertarian Press Information" Libertarians are calling on an audit of the Federal Reserve.

They're backing Congressman Ron Paul's HR1207 calling for a public audit of the Fed.

What would we find?

SOURCE:

http://clipr.info/?p=35

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.1207:

Texas now getting ready for indys...

Texas now getting ready for indys... thanks to Texas House Bill 1193.  On Tuesday the bill was placed on the placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar.  The bill, which passed committee about one month ago, now is rolling along.

The bill is good for both major and minor parties.  The bill keeps the most rules in place, but the big change is allowing filing for Presidential Candidates up until one day after a party's convention.

This was a big concern in the 2008 election.  The old rules said a candidate had to file 70 days before the general election.  With conventions moving later on the calendar a number of parties were in the danger zone of not qualifying for the Texas ballot (and all of those electoral votes).

There was even a lawsuit involving Bob Barr (Lib).

SOURCES:

Representative Kelly Hancock - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist91/hancock.php

Representative John E. Davis - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist129/davis.php

Representative Dan Flynn - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist2/flynn.php

Texas House - http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/Actions.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1193&Sort=A

DallasNews.com "Libertarian Bob Barr sues to have McCain, Obama cast off Texas' ballot" - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-barr_19pol.ART.State.Edition1.268aa61.html

Constitution & Reform Parties see opportunity...

Constitution & Reform Parties see opportunity... for gain new supporters from unhappy Republicans.  On 5/07/09 the Constitution Party said they are trying to "Romance" unhappy Republicans.  They point to a Rasmussen Poll showing nearly 70% of Republican voters say their own party members in Congress are out of touch.

The Constitution Party National Committee Chairman Jim Clymer said, ""We are seeing an unprecedented shift in party allegiance as those who’ve been disappointed time and again leave the ranks of the Republican Party".  He also said, "(Republican leaders) waved a red flag in front of those of us bullish on liberty. The reason the Republicans lost the White House in 2008 is not because their candidate was too conservative, but because he wasn’t conservative enough." 

The Reform Party also sees the chances to gain voters from both disenchanted Republicans and Democrats.  Their May Newsletter reads, "this financial crisis is the result of years of opportunistic business practices that span both Republican and Democratic administrations.  Unfortunately, both parties turned a blind eye". 

ANALYSIS: What is the plan for both of these parties?  They need to reach-out with a positive message.  The message of anger can get attention, but a positive message is what is needed to gain loyal followers.

http://www.constitutionparty.com/news.php?aid=949

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics2/69_of_gop_voters_say_republicans_in_congress_out_of_touch_with_the_party_base

http://www.rpusa.info/

West Virgina a place for indys...

West Virgina a place for indys... The Libertarian party and bloggers are praising West Virgina Governor Joe Manchin for making it easier for third parties to make it onto the West Virgina ballots.

The Governor signed a bill to make the filing date later and demand fewer signatures to get on the ballot.

SOURCES:
http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/lp-lobbying-pays-off-wv-gov-signs-ballot-access-reform
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2981&year=2009&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

Single Payer (Government-Run) Health Care…

Single Payer (Government-Run) Health Care… was the topic for talking on Friday for both the Libertarian Party and Ralph Nader.  Their opinions are polar opposites. 

The Libertarians calling President Obama on the carpet for support a Government-Run health care similar to Britain.  The LP writes how rationed health care is hurting people in Britain, even giving people death sentences as handed down by a national medical board.

On the other hand Ralph Nader sends an e-mail focusing on Single Payer health care.  He’s also calling a leader in Washington on the carpet – just the other end of it.  The Nader e-mail is very critical of Nancy Pelosi, asking her to force a vote on what he calls the “taboo” subject of Single Payer heath care.

Nader's pitches for Single Payer heath care included, “20,000 people die every year, according to the Institute of Medicine, because they cannot afford health insurance” and “According to leading researchers in this area, Dr. David Himmelstein and Dr. Stephanie Woolhandler, single payer will save $350 billion annually.”

But, The big point of Nader e-mail, getting people to go to the website singlepayeraction.org

ANALYSIS: “Single Payer” health care or “Government Run” health care (whatever you want to call it) has major warts.  But are the warts worth it?  Who will make the best argument to the American public?

SOURCE: http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/for-katie-brickell-government-run-health-care-was-a-death-sentence

Libertarian's say they're growing...

Libertarian's say they're growing...  Donny Ferguson the Director of Communications for the national Libertarian Party today blogged about good news for the LP.  He says Libertarian membership is growing - an oddity for just after a Presidental election.  

Ferguson wrote, "membership totals... topped themselves three of the last four months."  So, why is this happening?  Are disenchanted Republicans joining the LP or is it the people in the middle ground (the independents) are looking for a non-Republican option to stop the spending from Democrats?  Or is it something else?

But probably the mosting interesting of the entire blog was buried at the end.  He wrote, "While major political direct mail fundraising agencies here in D.C. report a 15% drop in response rates compared to last year, the Libertarian Party has seen a 17.5% INCREASE in direct mail response."

ANALYSIS: Some people are motivated... but what will they do NEXT?  Just a few people can make a big difference.

http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/lp-progress-report-membership-growing-fundraising-beating-trends