Colorado city votes to Privatize itself
A “libertarian Rocky Mountain western-type of Republican” City
Colorado Springs, the second largest city in Colorado, with a population of 380,000 has taken a radical step towards privatization of many municipal services.
The progressive-controlled city council and government became increasingly out-of-touch with Colorado Springs constituents. The council proposed one property tax hike after another.
Republican State Rep. Douglas Bruce, author of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) described the situation. From the Canadian Globe & Mail, Feb. 7::
“In a super-conservative community,” he says, “they have amassed a socialist empire.”The tax, which would have added $27.6-million to city coffers, was rejected by more than 65 per cent of voters.
“We called their bluff,” resident Douglas Bruce says. “They need to downsize. It’s a good thing.”
Now the city has drastically cut back. Continuing:
Tired of indiscriminate spending, questionable officials and unnecessary expenditures, the residents of one Colorado city have decided to end the era of big government in their municipality, even if it means mowing the grass at the local park themselves… one-third of the city’s 24,000 streetlights will remain dark. Two police helicopters are listed for sale on the government website. Trash cans have been removed from city streets, replaced with signs asking residents to dispose of their trash at home.Park workers will only mow local green spaces sporadically, and flowers will go unwatered.
The city recreation centres, indoor and outdoor pools and several museums will close permanently on March 31 unless private donors step in. More than 63,000 hours of bus service have been slashed and law-enforcement jobs have been left unfilled.
Many are blaming it on the increasing libertarian attitude of local residents.
Joshua Dunn, a political science professor at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, says there is widespread distrust of government in the city, which has long been tax averse.The city demographics are almost evenly divided between evangelical Christians, members of the armed forces stationed at the local Fort Carson, and “your more libertarian Rocky Mountain western-type of Republican,” he says.
The end result?
Many residents have said they will step forward to fill the void left by municipal services, opening recreation centres themselves, tending to the shared park land and disposing of their own garbage.
According to Rep. Bruce:
“The government should stick to its traditional municipal role, which is police and fire services, road repair and very little else.”
Three Libertarian-leaning candidates targetted by NRCC for special “Young Guns” program
From Eric Dondero:
We just received word from our source in D.C. that three libertarian-leaning Republicans, and a number of other friends of liberty, have been chosen as targetted campaigns by the National Republican Congressional Committee.
As described by an NRCC release:
Originally founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) as a member-driven organization, the Young Guns program has become an official NRCC effort dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide.
A total of 15 candidates qualified for “Contender” status, while another 13 are officially “On the Radar.”
Of special note for Libertarian Republicans, three candidates who are libertarian-leaners qualified as Contenders: Adam Kinzinger IL-11 (photo-left), Ryan Frazier CO-7 (photo-right), and Sean Duffy WI-7. All three are affiliated with the Tea Party movement. Kinzinger is an Iraq War Vet, Air Force Special Ops. Illinois Libertarian activist Jeff Wartman is involved with his campaign. Frazier is a self-described “libertarian,” and is closely associated with the Colorado Independence Inst. Duffy, a staunch economic conservative and “social libertarian,” is best known for having been a regular on MTV’s Real World. He’s challening entrenched incumbent Democrat Rep. David Obey.
A fourth who made the Contender list, not quite a libertarian Republican, but a definite Tea Party-oriented Friend of Liberty is Charles Djou of Hawaii’s 1st CD.
Contribute: NRCC.org
LIBERTARIANS BIGGEST GAINERS IN COSTA RICA ELECTIONS FOR CONGRESS!!!
JUST BREAKING…
Guevara’s Party gains Four seats in Congress
From Eric Dondero:
Final totals from Costa Rica are now starting to come in. And although the Libertarian Party (Movimiento Libertario) lost the Presidential race, with a vote total less than expected, 21% to winner Laura Chinchilla’s 47%, they now appear to be the biggest winners in Deputy races for the Costa Rican Congress.
Already there’s talk that President Chincilla of a center-right party, will have to “deal with the rightist” Libertarians to form a working majority in the congress.
From Raw Story:
Chinchilla… won 47 percent of the votes counted late Sunday… However, deputies from her ruling National Liberation Party (PLN) won barely 38 percent, as voting here increasingly favors political minorities.
Otton Solis [leftist party] lagged more than 20 points behind Chinchilla.
Chinchilla’s other main opponent, Otto Guevara, only reached third place but his pro-business Libertarian Movement Party was set to increase its seats from six to 10.
And a Costa Rica blog that covers the elections Partidos Politicos confirms that Movimiento Libertario has indeed gained seats, but gives a slightly different figure saying that they actually went up from 5 seats to 10.
Dos partidos de oposición aumentaron su presencia parlamentaria: el derechista Movimiento Libertario, que tendría diez representantes, el doble de los que logró elegir en las elecciones de 2006…
Translation: Two opposition parties raised their presence in parliament: The rightist Libertarian Movement, who will have 10 representatives, double that of what they gained in the elections of 2006.
Costa Rica elections: Libertarian Otto Guevara gracious in defeat
Congratulates Laura Chinchilla, “our president”
Libertarian Presidential candidate Otto Guevara was quick to concede to winner Laura Chinchilla of the centrist National Liberation Party last night, as election returns continued to come in. Ms. Chinchilla won with 47% of the vote. Second place finisher, center-left Otto Solis received 25%. Guevara received 21% which guarantees Movimiento Libertario (Libertarian Party) an increased number of seats in the Costa Rica Congress.
From the UK Guardian, “Costa Rica elects first female President”:
Costa Ricans have elected their first female president as the ruling party candidate won in a landslide after campaigning to continue free market policies in Central America’s most stable nation.The 50-year-old protege of the current president, Nobel peace prize laureate Óscar Arias, promised to pursue the same economic policies that recently brought the country into a trade pact with the US and opened commerce with China.
The third-place candidate, Guevara, congratulated Chinchilla as “our president”, but he also pointed out the new political muscle of his tax-bashing Libertarian Movement Party. He won 21% of the vote.
But it is not yet known if Chinchilla’s party will have a full majority in the Costa Rica Congress.
It’s Time for the Tea Party to Grow Up
Over the weekend I’ve been thinking about Tea Party Nation’s convention in Nashville and some of the criticism which has been leveled at it. A lot of that criticism focuses on the fact that the organizers are charging a lot, paying Sarah Palin a lot, and making a profit on the event. This made me wonder when people on the right who supposedly believe in free enterprise and individual liberty decided that making money was a bad thing.
It’s not just the convention. Throughout the discontented masses of newly energized activists there’s a suspicion of any group which has links to corporate interests or is supported by large donations from foundations or companies. FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, and the Tea Party Express have all been the targets of criticism because they are seen as sellouts or shills for special interests. Yet what’s so wrong about bringing money or influence to a cause? If a group or a company or a rich individual happens to share your interests, why is it wrong to benefit from his largess? If a wealthy foundation or even a health insurance company will give you the platform to reach a wider audience with your message, why is that bad? They may be using you, but you’re also using them, and if your interests coincide even temporarily then you both benefit and if you’re sincere your efforts will do more good than they would if you were just protesting on a street corner without the money to get on TV or gather larger crowds.
It seems to me that the new activism of the Tea Party has to some degree become infected with the anti-capitalism of the protest culture of the left, and I’m pretty sure that’s not a positive influence. If we accept that the enemy of the movement is the out-of-control state and its corporate allies, that does not mean that every politician and every business is an enemy. The policies which the Tea Parties object to are as harmful to many businesses as they are to individuals and there are plenty of politicians who remember that votes got them elected, not just money. Not all businesses are part of the cabal which wields power and there are always ambitious politicians looking for a new power base. Populism and opposition to the status quo can be a powerful political force which can make your career.
Causes need money, and sooner or later every movement is going to need allies with deep pocketbooks. The trick is picking allies whose interests are close to your own, and it shouldn’t be difficult, because they will come knocking at your door, realizing that your group is one they can work with.
In the same way, attracting some opportunistic politicians who want to promote their careers while promoting your issues is not a bad thing, so long as you remain true to your beliefs and hold the politicians accountable. The media has declared that Sarah Palin has hijacked the Tea Party movement, but it’s just as true that the Tea Party movement has hijacked her and that she’s tailoring her message to appeal to their interests.
In these relationships both sides benefit.
So today, in the aftermath of the Tea Party Nation Convention, I received an email from the Tea Party Patriots, who are one of the more legitimate, grassrootsy Tea Party groups. They’re not well funded and are mainly just a bunch of activists all over the country who are organizing small protests in combination with other groups. They’re all chuffed because the Tea Party Nation folks had their convention first and got so much media attention and they’re afraid it will cut into their popularity and take away from their their convention which is coming up on April 15th.
In their email they write about Tea Party groups selling out to politically connected and well-financed interests:
The Tea Party Movement started because of these tactics and we will not be used like this. We are smarter than that and we will call out any one and any organization who tries to undermine the grassroots movement known as the Tea Party Movement.
The truth is that if they want the press coverage they can get it most easily by forming alliances with groups that have money and can draw prominent speakers and get media attention. That doesn’t necessarily mean selling out. Those groups need the grassroots folks on the ground too much to exploit them in any way which would alienate them. And ultimately you are responsible for your own integrity. If you don’t like what your allies are doing, call them on it and sever ties. Just make sure that your own behavior and activities are above reproach.
In a related phenomenon, Ron Paul supporters make a big deal of how they had the Tea Party idea first. But you can’t really own an idea or own a movement, even if you got there first. And you can’t take someone’s movement away or hijack it because you decide to join it and brought a lot of friends or a lot of money with you. If the movement is authentic and if it is driven by real issues then it is going to continue and gain strength.
Obviously the Tea Party movement is diverse and it’s made up of lots of groups with different strategies and interests and resources. But for it to work and grow people need to be willing to form alliances, and that means they can’t afford to let the anti-corporate, anti-establishment attitude run away with them. It’s self-indulgent and self-defeating. Righteousness and ideological purity may make you feel great as you sit in the local coffee house plotting revolution with your little cell of like-minded individuals, but it gets in the way of actually accomplishing anything. It’s an egotistical delusion. To succeed you need to put ego aside and be prepared to not be the center of attention and devote your efforts to making the cause itself what matters, not yourself or your particular group.
That’s called maturity and the Tea Party movement is very young. If it’s going to mature it’s going to change and people are going to have to make some compromises along the way. That includes putting aside ego and giving up some control and accepting the help of older groups and foundations and even allying with icky things like politicians and corporations, because that’s how you build influence. Just stick to your principles and lead by example and make the right deals with the right people. You might end up changing the world.
Libertarian Live Blogging the Rick Perry Rally with Ted Nugent & Sarah Palin - Houston, TX
1:20 pm - We have arrived. About 10 of us Texas Bloggers are positioned on Blog Row one level up from the floor, up front, close to the stage.
The Perry Campaign folks have been very accomodating and quite professional.
Lots of bands, flag holders, inside the Berry Arena (northwest Houston) warming up for the event. Looks like the Arena could seat 8 to 10,000.
Line out front is already around the Arena. Festive atmosphere. One very tall gentleman decked out in full Uncle Sam costume.
2:03 pm
The hall is starting to fill up. Lots of homemade “Perry for Texas,” and “Houston luvs Perry,” signs. The media area down below is full. 8 to 10 television news cameras. Word is Fox News (national) is here.
2:11 pm
Starting to get a Tea Party feel. Same type crowd. More signs: “Stop the Bailouts,” “Washington is Broken,” and “Hands off my Pistol.”
2:23 pm
Things getting underway. Band playing Texas music.
2:34 pm
Dan Patrick, State Senator from Northside Houston is emceeing. Talking Twitter - RickPerry.com.
Crowd could be 3,000 to 5,000?
2:47 pm
Patrick: “We’ve got the strongest economy in the United States!” Crowd roars.
3:01 pm
Patrick: “He believes in the capitalist system… he believes in the 10th Amendment…”
3:02 pm
Ted has arrived on stage!
3:03 pm
Ted: “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could… Texas is the Number One State in the Nation…”
Star Spangled Banner…
“God Bless Texas, God Bless Governor Perry and God Bless Sarah Palin”
3:10 pm
Sarah and Rick arrive. George Straight blaring…
Folks, it doesn’t get any better than this. I am literally in tears.
Oh my, her outfit is wild! Piper w/Sarah. Both standing right next to Ted. Rick speaking. “There’s a game going on today, but the real action is here…”
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Michael Williams, Texas Railroad Commissioner is here! He is heavily rumored replacement for US Senate seat of Kay B. Hutchison, if she resigns. A good friend of the Governor.
The Gov. just recognized Williams on the stage.
3:21 pm
Gov: 2/3rds supermajority of the legislature for any tax increase.
Balanced Budget Amendment for the entire country.
“Washington would be a lot better off if they did things the Texas way…
They’d be a lot better off if Sarah Palin was running things too.”
Sarah speaking…
Takes a little jab at Texas: Piper, “we’re going to visit Alaska’s little sister state…”
In Alaska, “we proudly cling to our guns and religion.”
Salute to our Veterans.
Makes a little joke about seccession.
Mentions Glenn Beck.
TWEAK OF THE DAY FROM SARAH PALIN
“That government is best, which governs least”
“Rick and I believe in what Ronald Reagan believed, and it’s all about American success.”
Another Sign: “Keep Washington out of Texas”
Rick gives Sarah proclamation as honorary Texan.
Thunderous Applause
Rick Perry signs off, “Let’s keep moving Texas forward, and may God continue to bless the great State of Texas…”
MSNBC: Neal Boortz defends Sarah Palin against Dem attack on Tea Party speech
Democrat strategist Bob Schrum attacked Sarah Palin’s speech as sounding like a “Merchant of Hate.”
Boortz wastes no time, going right after Schrum over his remark.
Kristin Davis to run for NY Governor as Libertarian
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Calls Taxation “confiscation”
From Eric Dondero:
Now it’s Rick Lazio and Warren Redlich on the Republican side, incumbent Gov. David Paterson vs. Andre Cuomo for the Democrats, and for the Libertarian Party Kristin Davis may be the nominee. The campaign officially announced her candidacy today, which got picked up by major NY media.
The NY Daily News out of Long Island is breaking the story…
“Manhattan Madam” Kristin Davis is tossing her lacy brassiere into the political ring - with the help of one of the GOP’s most fearsome strategists.Though he’s often labeled a “trickster,” former Nixon, Reagan and Bushes operative Roger Stone tells us he’s dead serious about getting Davis on the ballot.
“This is not a hoax, a prank or a publicity stunt,” said Stone, who has been quietly huddling with Davis for months. “I want to get her a half-million votes.”
Davis is then quoted as taking hardline libertarian stances. Continuing:
While branding “taxation as confiscation,” the former escort empress said the legalization of prostitution and marijuana could provide $2.5 billion in revenue to help close the budget gap.“I’m a natural Libertarian,” said Davis, who also embraces gay marriage and the views of the National Rifle Association.
Davis goes on to hint that the campaign will be well-funded with contributions from her former Escort Service clients, and even Pot Growers from California.
Meanwhile The Gothamist adds more details about the coming campaign:
What kind of reform? Well, Davis calls herself a “natural Libertarian,” hates taxes, wants to legalize prostitution and marijuana (hello, revenue), and supports gay marriage while being a card-carrying member of the NRA! Stone, who says GOP candidate Rick Lazio is “a turkey,” is also plotting to get Davis’s Penthouse Pet friends involved, “We’ll get four, make them notary publics and have them, suitably attired, collecting signatures [for Davis to get on the ballot] at Grand Central Station during rush hour.”
RELATED NEWS
There are heavy rumors of a celebrity candidate about to announce for the US Senate seat in New York of Democrat Chuck Schumer, on the Libertarian ticket.
Stay tuned for more developments…
Ted Nugent, Sarah Palin & Rick Perry Rally today here in Houston
From the Editor:
First, a special thank you to two Republican websites for picking up and running in full a couple recent articles from Libertarian Republican.
First, Lean Red, a site that prides itself as a home for moderates, conservatives, independents, libertarians and others who have: “a desire for more liberty and personal freedom for Americans.” Lean Red is featuring our recent article on New York’s “wild and crazy” elections, Larry Kudlow jumping in against Chuck Schumer.
And more New Yorker stuff; The Suffolk County (Long Island) Liberty Report by Frank Seabrook ran our piece from yesterday, in full, on Christopher Nixon Cox running for US Congress.
Especially if you live in New York, please add Frank’s fine blog to your daily favorites.
Nugent, Palin & Perry Rally today here in Houston!
I will be attending the big rally today to show my support for Governor Rick Perry. I hope to be able to live blog the event. So, check in here at the blog this afternoon.
At the very least I’ll provide a rally wrap-up later this evening.
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