Archive for the 'Libertarian Party' Category

The First Annual George Bush & Government, Inc. Bashing Post

Published
by
Jeremy Clifton
on April 23, 2008
in Economics, General Stupidity, Libertarian Party, Life, Politics & Other Objectionable Subjects and Small Business
. 5 Comments

No, I’m not dead. Yes, I know it’s been over a month since I posted anything worthwhile. Hopefully that will change.

I am currently in the midst of making some major decisions about the direction of my business, so that has been occupying my time. I’m also now in charge of audio and computer stuff at church, which took an immense bite out of my time because I had to figure out on my own how all the sound stuff at church worked together because nobody else knew everything about the system. Finally, I’ve been trying to spent more time with my wife and daughter despite all of the above and all my other commitments. Fun times …

This month I did manage to find my way onto television. The Hamilton County Libertarian Party staged its annual tax protest here in town, and I got interviewed since I’m now the party chair. I didn’t do so hot on camera, but I got a small sound bite (and a quote on their web site) nontheless. It’s not what I would have preferred they quoted … but oh well.

On to basic complaining …

Yesterday on the radio I heard a GWB sound bite. It went something like “We’re not in a recession … [pregnant pause] … it’s just a slowdown.”

Um, George … I think “recession” and “slowdown” essentially mean the same thing. What you said is about as logical as saying “I don’t drive a car … I drive an automobile.” Or “We’re no sailing the ocean … we’re sailing the sea.”

Next gripe … there are advertisements on WGOW for the “First Annual Southside Blues Festival.” People, people … don’t call the first ANYTHING the “first annual (fill in blank).” You’ll just look stupid if the whole endeavor goes toes up and you don’t have a second one … and of course having the event for multiple subsequent years is a qualification for something to be “annual.” MAYBE after the first year you can call the next one the “Second Annual _______” but I’d wait until the third year.

It reminds me of when one of my former churches held their “first annual missions conference and dinner” … there was no “second annual missions conference and dinner.” Or, in another vein, it reminds me of when I was on the way to the Outer Banks in 1998 and saw a sign for a restaurant that was “famous since 1996.”

That being said, I hope the blues festival is a great success and we do have it regularly. I hope to be there … it sounds like it’s going to be good.

Welcome to the Machine (Not)

Published
by
Jeremy Clifton
on February 13, 2008
in Libertarian Party and Politics & Other Objectionable Subjects
. 0 Comments

My days of being largely inactive politically are over as of tonight. I’ve been voted chair of the Hamilton County Libertarian Party. In a few days (when I get a chance to catch my breath) the information there will be updated.

With the support of the Libertarian Party of Tennessee, we’ve set up a Meetup group to provide a point of contact with persons who are interested in Libertarian ideals. Meetup groups have worked well for the Ron Paul campaign, and we believe that we can effectively use them to grow the Libertarian Party as well.

My next goals as chair are to find persons willing to serve in the remaining open positions on the Executive Committee of the party, and to investigate ways we can promote the party locally.

It is my firm belief, as I have written before, that growing strong, viable parties to challenge the Democrats and Republicans is critical to effecting lasting change in our nation. The labels “Democrat” and “Republican” have become so generalized as to be ultimately useless in determining the overall political positions of any particular candidate. If you don’t believe me, think about the differences between Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel on the Democratic side and Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Alan Keyes, Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter, and Ron Paul on the Republican side. Sure, there is a common thread that joins many of the candidates in both sides, but a detailed survey of their positions would reveal more differences than similarities in many cases.

For political parties to be useful, they must represent a relatively narrow portion of the political spectrum. Then and only then will elections be most able to demonstrate the direction the citizens wish the government to move in.

My desire as chair is to raise the visibility of the LP locally, grow its membership, and elect Libertarians to office locally without compromising the key principles which differentiate the LP from other parties. We cannot afford to broaden our tent at the expense of maintaining a clear, consistent platform, or we will have started down a path that will ultimately see us in the same position that the Republicans and Democrats find themselves today.

If you suspect that you may be Libertarian, I encourage you to take the Nolan Chart quiz. If you are Libertarian, I encourage you to join us in our quest to change the face of government in Hamilton County, TN. Our next location will be Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. The location will be announced at a later date. When a location is chosen, it will be posted on our Meetup Group’s page.

Hamilton County Libertarian Party - February Meeting

Published
by
Jeremy Clifton
on February 9, 2008
in Chattanooga and Libertarian Party
. 0 Comments

The Hamilton County Libertarian Party will be meeting on Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ryan’s at 5104 Hixson Pike (just north of Northgate Mall).

The purpose of the HCLP is to promote the principles of liberty and elect persons who will do the same at the local level, and to support the work of the Party at the state and federal levels. If you are interested in a return to a government that is once again constrained by the limitations imposed upon it by the Constitution and respects the life and liberty of its citizens, please join us on Tuesday night.