Editorial on Third Parties in NC

The Winston-Salem Journal published an excellent article on third parties and election laws in North Carolina.

"In the United States, we've traditionally had a two-party system. But, we've also been blessed, at important times in our history, to have third parties challenge tweedledum and tweedledee."

Read the rest here: Third Parties (May 9, 2008)

Resisting Annexation in Wake County

Wake County residents resist forced annexation by Fuquay-Varina. (NBC 17, May 5, 2008)

May 7 update: WRAL presents the story as two towns fighting over the land with the county residents "caught in the middle." (WRAL video)

Libertarians and Greens in Court

LPNC Chair, Barbara Howe, said:

"Our lawsuit is challenging the constitutionality of North Carolina’s ballot access laws, so we don’t have to fight this battle [for ballot access] over and over again.”

The trial started Monday and will continue this Tuesday in room 10-A of the Wake County Courthouse.

Parties sue for N.C. ballot access (article and video)
News 14 Carolina, May 5, 2008

Good News on Annexation?

Maybe. On Wednesday, the House Select Committee on Municipal Annexation voted to recommend a 1-year moratorium on involuntary annexation. This committee recommendation is just the first step towards reform of annexation laws in NC.

Involuntary annexation is currently a legal power in North Carolina, but it's not a just power, because the people living in communities targeted for annexation are not given a choice.

If General Assembly members act on the principle of just powers being derived from the consent of the governed, they will stop forced annexation in the state. If they are persuaded by the lobbying efforts of the League of Municipalities*, they won't.

More about annexation in NC and the April 23rd meeting of the House Select Committee on Annexation is available on this page at StopNCAnnexation.

StopNCAnnexation will be holding a rally for annexation reform on June 4th in Raleigh.
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* Americans for Prosperity pointed out that the League of Municipalities is funded with taxpayer money. They're using this taxpayer money to lobby the General Assembly to keep state laws that allow involuntary annexation by municipalities. Take a look at the league's membership list and the dues on their application for membership (pdf). It goes up to $3718/year for large organizations.

Related post: Annexation without Representation

Ruwart Speaks Out Against Expanded DNA Collection

In an article posted today, Feds Want Your Blood, Mary Ruwart, a candidate seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination for President, speaks out against routine DNA collection of anyone arrested or detained by Federal agents:

"The Federal government wants the power to forcibly collect DNA samples from any citizen they arrest or any non-citizen they detain, pounding yet another nail in the coffin for the Bill of Rights. They have no more right to take a DNA sample from you than they do to search your home or car without permission. But the Bush Administration doesn't recognize any limit on its power."

"President Bush is obviously missing the meaning of the 'unreasonable searches and seizures' clause of the Fourth Amendment. It's unreasonable to perform invasive medical procedures on anyone, especially someone who may been arrested by mistake and poses no threat to society."

"This expansion of Federal law enforcement power was authorized by Congress as an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act. ..."

Read the rest on Mary's website here: http://www.votemary2008.com/node/49

A Plan to End Federal Income Taxes Forever

On April 15, Wayne Allyn Root, a candidate seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination for President, announced a plan to end Federal income taxes forever. This plan proposes "eliminating the income tax and all other sources of federal tax revenues, including payroll taxes, excise taxes and import duties, and replacing it with only one tax: a tax on each state in proportion to its population, with each state deciding for itself how to raise its share of the money."

"Our vision for dramatic change in U.S. tax policy is as simple as it is revolutionary in scope. With our plan there will be only 50 taxpayers in our country writing checks to the U.S. Treasury each year. With no other source of revenue to the U.S. Government, the balance of power would be forever dramatically reversed back to the states (just as our Founding Fathers envisioned)."

The entire 2-part plan to stop un-Constitutional spending and end Federal income taxes is available on Root's blog.

Brian Irving for NC Senate District 17

The Libertarian candidate for North Carolina Senate in District 17, Brian Irving wants to reform NC election laws, restrain municipal aggression, and give parents and students more control and choice in education. Mr. Irving was interviewed by Pete Kaliner of WBT about the recent LPNC Convention and ballot access issues in NC. This conversation begins about 38 minutes into the 4/13/2008 episode of Common Sense with Pete Kaliner (News Talk 1110 WBT).

Brian Irving: Libertarian for NC Senate District 17

Highlights of the LPNC Convention

The primary items of business of North Carolina Libertarians attending the annual LPNC convention last weekend were to nominate candidates for state and local offices, consider amendments to the party platform, and select delegates to the national Libertarian Party Convention in Denver.

Michael Munger was nominated as the Libertarian candidate for governor of North Carolina. Chair of the Political Science department at Duke, Mike Munger is running as a reformer who, if elected as governor, would use that office to counter the waste and corruption in state government.

Three Wake County Libertarians were nominated for the North Carolina General Assembly:

Susan Hogarth for NC House District 38
Brian Irving for NC Senate District 17
Stephanie Watson for NC Senate District 16

Mark McMains of Fuquay-Varina was nominated for North Carolina Insurance Commissioner.

In other business, convention delegates amended their platform. They added a plank calling on the state to refuse to implement national identification programs like Real ID. Additional new platform planks address state and local issues including water rights, local sign ordinances, and fluoridation of public water supplies.

Convention attendees heard from several candidates for the Libertarian nomination for President, including former Senator Mike Gravel and Wayne Allyn Root. Former Congressman Bob Barr also spoke to the convention as our regional represenative to the Libertarian National Committee. Having recently launched a presidential exploratory committee, Barr is another possible Libertarian nominee for President.

Of the possible presidential nominees attending, Dr. Mary Ruwart was the favorite of this convention. A libertarian activist since 1982 and the author of Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression, she won the straw poll, receiving a whopping 68% of the vote.

Michael Munger's Platform
Libertarian Duke professor wants to be N.C. governor
Mary Ruwart, Libertarian for President