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Title: "What do Libertarians do?" (Encouraging Story of Three Elected Libertarians Dominating City Board)
Source:
Libertarian Party
URL Source: http://lp.org
Published: Feb 1, 2007
Author: Shane Cory
Post Date: 2007-02-01 00:17:47 by Neil McIver
Keywords: None
Views: 457
Comments: 26
Dear Libertarian, There are still many Americans who don't know what the Libertarian Party is all about. Yes, we are a political party but what do elected Libertarians actually do when they take office? Here's a great story that should answer that question. This week, I learned of a recent meeting that took place among some of our newly elected Libertarians. Jack Tanner, Tom Clark and Kim Hawk serve on Florida's Lee County Soil and Water Conservation Board which is comprised of five members. Jack, Tom and Kim are Libertarians. They hold the majority on the board . . . a Libertarian majority. This month they held a board meeting, which is typically not a widely attended event. However, this time their meeting room was chock-full of bureaucrats from Lee County and even surrounding counties. Here are Kim Hawk's own words to describe the setting: "Jack had e-mailed the agenda and invited media. Everyone knew what was likely to happen. Bureaucrats began to file into the room. Federal, state, county and city managers of agriculture, utilities, water and parks departments took their seats. Jack had never seen anything like it. Two years ago he couldn't get board members to attend. The air was electric. I could feel the tension in the room. Our two employees Nik and Garry were there. Mark, the board member unseated by Tom, was there with a scowl on his face. No media were present. Cookies and doughnuts sat largely untouched in the center of the table. My stomach was in a knot. I didn't know if I could do what I came to do." So, now you are probably wondering, "What the heck was going on?" It's pretty simple, Lee County was about to get their first taste of what elected Libertarians do. You see, Lee County offered a little program that fell under the supervision of the Soil and Water Conservation Board. The program had an impressive name, the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL). For years, employees of the MIL visited the homes of Lee County residents and . . . well . . . adjusted their sprinkler systems. They made sure that homeowners – those who could afford sprinkler systems – had good distribution on their manicured lawns and didn't over or under water. Now, in Virginia where I live, I pay a local company to stop by my house each season. I make an appointment, answer the door, shake a man's hand and he goes about his business adjusting the sprinkler system. I then hand him a check for about $50. My neighbors that don't have sprinkler systems don't have to bother with that process and they don't have to write a check. All of Lee County residents paid for this service, whether they used it or not, to the tune of $202,986 per year. The Mobile Irrigation Lab serviced an average of about 34 lawns a month. That's about $497 per lawn. You can probably see what's coming by now. That's right, in that well-attended meeting of the Water Conservation Board, our newly elected Libertarians were about to terminate what was obviously a wasteful government program. Once again, here's Kim Hawk's take: "Chairman Jack Tanner quickly moved through the agenda until he opened the floor to discuss the termination of the mobile irrigation laboratory and our two employees. The next 45 minutes or so were consumed by a series of earnest and emotional pleas by the government managers. Phrases like 'millions of gallons wasted' and 'billions of gallons saved' were used. Papers were pushed around with columns, charts and graphs. A case was cited in which an elderly, feeble, poor woman, unable to manage her lawn sprinklers, was 'saved' by our wonderful program." As the debate wound down and Mr. Hawk announced how he would vote, he continued: "I now know how uncomfortable and awkward it feels to look government workers in the eye and tell them 'You're fired.' I felt sad for the two men whose income was lost and at the same time I felt exhilarated thinking of the thousands of taxpayers who will keep more of their own money. "I looked around the room. Some looked bewildered. Some looked shocked. Our employees, Nik and Garry, were visibly angry. Garry was muttering something I'm glad I couldn't hear. Jack called for a vote. Ron Edenfield brusquely pushed back his chair and stood, announcing, 'Let the record show I don't have time for this. . . ' Ron walked out. Jack was unfazed. Paul Dinger voted to keep the service saying, 'I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water.' Jack, Tom and I voted to end the program. "The government managers were mumbling to each other. I heard phrases like 'this is unbelievable!' They stayed behind to discuss their next move. "I felt many conflicting emotions on my way out. As the day wore on I gradually realized that this was a dream come true. I am 49 years old. For 35 years I have complained about our intrusive and expensive government. Now I am government, and I am doing something about it. I have found my nirvana. Jack, Tom and I will do whatever we can to prevent other agencies from thwarting our attempts to reduce government waste and regulation. We owe this to the taxpayers and ourselves." After learning of this story, I called up Jack Tanner just to let him know how much we all appreciate their work. It's one thing to be an elected Libertarian; it's another to govern as a Libertarian. It is not easy to endure the criticism of the majority. It is not easy to have to look good employees in the eye and fire them simply because they held a government job. But that's the duty of an elected Libertarian. Thankfully, the men and women of our party who run for and win public office stand by principle and do their jobs regardless of how unpopular or uncomfortable things may become. The next time someone asks you, "What do Libertarians do?" You can proudly respond by saying, "They stand by principle." Best Regards, Shane Cory P.S. To read all of Kim Hawk's commentary on the Lee County board meeting, go to http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/OPINION/701250364/1015. Also, be sure you get a copy of our 2006 Annual Report. Join as a new sustaining member or renew your membership by going to: http://www.lp.org/members/joinar2.shtml
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee
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#1. To: Neil McIver (#0)
I love the part about all the hacks from all the various governments converging on this one heretofor little attended meeting to save some useless program. Charts, graphs, testimonials, hypothetical horror stories- all the stops pulled out to save some joke of a government program- and a tiny one at that. Can you imagine trying to get rid of any agency that can remotely claim to service "children"?
Cool, the Ls dump a tiny program, yet still adhere to a party platform that welcomes open borders and free trade. In the end, their election will be a net loss, assuming they still adhere to those loony principles.
You sure do know how to see bad news when you want to.
Who could have dreamed up such a goofy program to start with?
All they really need to do is make it clear in their platform that this won't occur until the incentives that draw the majority of illegal people here are ended. Same with their drug stance, it's fine, but the molly-coddling of the people who abuse them with taxpayer money needs to be suspended first before any type of legalization or decriminalization takes place, and, I might add, the citizenry at large needs to have uniform carry policy for self defence against out of control users...
"pound pastrami, can kraut, six bagels – bring home for Emma"
Same with their drug stance, it's fine, but the molly-coddling of the people who abuse them with taxpayer money needs to be suspended first before any type of legalization or decriminalization takes place, and, I might add, the citizenry at large needs to have uniform carry policy for self defence against out of control users... amen bump
Exactly. Cut off all welfare for illegals and see if we still have a problem. Most might decide to go back home. Same with drugs. Making drugs legal while giving drug abusers welfare is a recipe for disaster. If you want to make them legal, let users do it on their own dime, on their own time -- with no financial encouragement from the government.
"We become what we behold. We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." -- Marshall McLuhan, after Alexander Pope and William Blake.
The fact that the US dollar is still the world's reserve currency plays a strong role, and probably much bigger than any welfare hand out does on immigration. I'm in Ecuador now and it's easy to see here. If the poorer people here could make the minimum wage in the US, they'd be estatic, especially if they could avoid withholding. The dollar goes about 3x farther here than in the US. I think any talk about illegal immigration in the US would be incomplete without mentioning that the Fed Reserve system, in causing the dollar to become the world reserve currency, has consequently made America into a consumption based economy and in so doing, also made Americans the world's looters. Why? Because we sit back and let the world make us everything we need and want and just give them worthless FRNs in return. It's otherwise known as running a continuous trade deficit. And all those goods that get shipped to the US are goods that are not shipped to 3rd world countries, artificially suppressing the standard of living. It could be argued that illegals go to the US to get a piece of the loot Americans enjoy. So... fix that along with the welfare, and THEN we'll see if we still have an immigration problem.
Thanks, many of the hysterical anti "illegals" people don't seem to recognize- or want to recognize- just how much of our economy is on the backs of the rest of the world- that we are literally being carried by the third and second world. You can't blame the exploited outlanders from wanting to get into our little Emerald City.
I can't add anything to your post. It's dead on.
Having battled Ls for years during my paleo days, I remain convinced they're doomed by the party platform that elects them. If they adhere to it, they might kill an occassional program, but eventually give the store away in the next round. So Mr. McIver, put the party hats and horns away for the moment. Been there, got the T- shirt.
- signed, President Jorge "Burkeman1" Bush.
Probably not. There'll just be different problems. Welfare is also largely orthogonal to Asian immigration.
We should treat people as individuals. Treat whites as individual whites, blacks as individual blacks, asians as individual asians, latinos as individual latinos, and jews as individual jews.
I'm trying to envision the ideal economic system that would suit the anti-illegal and anti-foreign trade zealots. Let's see: America prints paper dollars and buys natural resources from foreigners, then turns those foreign materials into manufactured finished products. The finished products are then sold to Americans and foreigners. Foreigners buy the products with the paper dollars they got from selling raw resources. Since the finished goods are much more valuable than the natural resources, foreigners get very little in the way of finished goods from the US. The foreigners are also to be forbidden to emigrate to the US, and also prohibited from selling any of their finished goods in the US by way of punitive tariffs. Plus all foreigners must purchase any resources they don't have naturally occuring in their countries on dollar denominated exchanges (which they can't do because the American consumer products they must buy will deplete any dollars they have by recycling them into the US). Also foreigners shall also be prohibited from using any dollars they do scrape up to buy assets within the United States so "our" country doesn't become "controlled by foreign interests". Does that about sum it up? Yeah, that's a real workable system. Sign those "turd worlders" up.
How about we protect American workers via constitutional tariffs (see Reagan and Harley-Davidson as an example), and enforce immigration laws for a start?
We could do that. I'm just wondering how you expect the foreigners to sell us an endless stream of raw materials that we need without being allowed to sell us manufactured goods also. All while on a paper money system that everyone is forced to use. I mean why would Mexico for instance let us take millions of barrels out of their country everday for paper dollars while at the same time being forbidden to sell us manufactured goods? It would be pretty stupid on their part.
How many freaking pinatas can we buy?
The paper money issue is their problem, if they're dopey enough to accept it for services/products, so be it. Again, there is a constitutional remedy for that. I'd roll out the red carpet for foreign investment as long as they are willing to pay (I’d do a 20% tariff) to enter the largest middle class market in the history of the world. Toyota and Honda would be fighting for 1st place in line. If not, Ford and GM thrive thus making America stronger. Gotta love that protection and isolationism.
I didn't know that the Daimler-Chrysler, Maytag and General Motors plants that people screamed about moving to Mexico made pinatas. Hmmm.
That would mean Hondas and Nissans made/assembled here are American? I was thinking of "Mexican" goods.
You ought to be damn thankful that they still do or you would be looking at a hyperinflationary depression here that would make 1923 Weimar look like a cakewalk. I'd roll out the red carpet for foreign investment as long as they are willing to pay (I’d do a 20% tariff) to enter the largest middle class market in the history of the world. Toyota and Honda would be fighting for 1st place in line. If not, Ford and GM thrive thus making America stronger. So, 20% more on top of their 35% C-Corp tax bracket? If not, Ford and GM thrive thus making America stronger. How does America "thrive" by paying more for cars they don't want? A hundred thousand autoworkers benefit while a hundred million car purchasers get to pay 20% more per vehicle. A real win-win. And now that extra 20% now spent on a $25,000 car(now costing $30,000) is $5,000 less they have to put braces on the kids, pay for college, invest, go to the movies, eat out etc., etc. Oh, that and GM and Ford go back to making the junk they made in the late 70s and 80s that made people want to buy Jap cars in the first place. I'm sure America can't wait for your plan to pay more for crappy cars again.
What? So now it's where corporate headquarters are. So, I guess you consider Wilmington,Delaware to be the Motor City because that's where GM is incorporated. In fact I guess Delaware is best economy in the world because that is where just about every major company in the US is domiciled.
You're free to buy what ever you like. Yes, that import car will cost more, but with less Americans out of work, and earning a living wage, our social costs will decrease. Also an import duty would be used to eliminate the income tax (again, a return to the constitution), then even you could afford a low end Honda given that 54% you toss to Uncle Samuel yearly.
notice the ??????.....?????
Okay, well the next time I see some good news related to the L's, I'll be sure to ping you so you can set me straight.
Thanks. It's important to keep your feel grounded afa the American political system, even on those rare occasion when a politico throws a dart into the rhino's ass.
#2. To: Neil McIver (#0)
#3. To: Jethro Tull (#2)
#4. To: Neil McIver (#0)
Great news - thanks.
#5. To: Jethro Tull (#2)
yet still adhere to a party platform that welcomes open borders and free trade.
#6. To: Axenolith (#5)
All they really need to do is make it clear in their platform that this won't occur until the incentives that draw the majority of illegal people here are ended.
#7. To: Axenolith (#5)
All they really need to do is make it clear in their platform that this won't occur until the incentives that draw the majority of illegal people here are ended.
#8. To: YertleTurtle (#7)
Exactly. Cut off all welfare for illegals and see if we still have a problem. Most might decide to go back home.
#9. To: Neil McIver (#8)
#10. To: Axenolith (#5)
#11. To: Neil McIver (#3)
You sure do know how to see bad news when you want to.
#12. To: Burkeman1 (#9)
"Thanks, many of the hysterical anti "illegals" people don't seem to recognize- or want to recognize- just how much of our economy is on the backs of the rest of the world- that we are literally being carried by the third and second world."
#13. To: YertleTurtle (#7)
Cut off all welfare for illegals and see if we still have a problem. Most might decide to go back home.
#14. To: Neil McIver, Burkeman1 (#8)
The fact that the US dollar is still the world's reserve currency plays a strong role, and probably much bigger than any welfare hand out does on immigration. I'm in Ecuador now and it's easy to see here. If the poorer people here could make the minimum wage in the US, they'd be estatic, especially if they could avoid withholding.
#15. To: SmokinOPs (#14)
#16. To: Jethro Tull (#15)
How about we protect American workers via constitutional tariffs (see Reagan and Harley-Davidson as an example), and enforce immigration laws for a start?
#17. To: SmokinOPs (#16)
at the same time being forbidden to sell us manufactured goods
#18. To: SmokinOPs (#16)
#19. To: It Is A Republic (#17)
How many freaking pinatas can we buy?
#20. To: SmokinOPs (#19)
#21. To: Jethro Tull (#18)
The paper money issue is their problem, if they're dopey enough to accept it for services/products, so be it.
#22. To: It Is A Republic (#20)
That would mean Hondas and Nissans made/assembled here are American? I was thinking of "Mexican" goods.
#23. To: SmokinOPs (#21)
I'm sure America can't wait for your plan to pay more for crappy cars again.
#24. To: SmokinOPs (#22)
That would mean Hondas and Nissans made/assembled here are American?
#25. To: Jethro Tull (#11)
#26. To: Neil McIver (#25)
Okay, well the next time I see some good news related to the L's, I'll be sure to ping you so you can set me straight.
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