================================================ |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| Old Dominion Liberty Letter Issue #29 |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| ================================================
================================================ 1. Register for the State Convention! ================================================ Don't forget! It's less than a month away: http://Convention.LPVA.com ================================================ 2. Budget Chicanery ================================================ Do you really think there is a budget crisis due to falling revenues? Think again. Despite the myths government officials distribute, reports of "budget crises" are mostly hogwash. The problem is not revenue; many government bodies are collecting revenues that are only one or two percentage points off their peak, and some are collecting more this year than last -- the economy be damned. The problem is that governments spend cash like drunken sailors. When was the last year a government budget -- in real dollars -- was smaller than the previous year? Governments viciously suck up every spare penny they can find. Just from 2000 to 2009, Virginia's state spending has increased by 28% over the rate of inflation and population growth. From 1982 to 2007, Virginia government spending has increased at an average of about 7 per cent annually. How many wage earners have seen the same sort of increases? Every time a federal, state, or local government declares some sort of "budget crisis", a quick fact check reveals "crisis" revenues are usually about the same as the revenue collected two or three years prior. So the question must be asked -- were government employees -- now the best-paid people in the job market -- begging on street corners those previous years? Hardly. Citizens and taxpayers are the ones being hit hard by economic conditions, not governments. Governments normally do their level best to increase the hardship, rather than relieve it -- their greed and avariciousness only increases during economic downturns. In their desire to steal ever more wealth from the private sector, governments raise tax rates to extract more wealth at gunpoint (try not paying and see who shows up). Here are some budget ideas that would actually wrench Virginia's economy into rapid and sustainable growth: 1) Abolish the state income tax. 2) Initiate a hiring freeze at the state level; and initiate layoffs of employees whose functions do not directly protect the rights of individuals (we don't need the state government running ports or courier services, for example). 3) Repeal most regulations and taxes on starting businesses, such as the outdated and entrepreneurship-crushing BPOL tax. 4) Abolish zoning laws that crush the formation of garage businesses. There are many more similar reforms that could be made. Unfortunately, however, governments never willingly give up money or power -- so we're destined to continue on the slow march to economic oblivion. Sources: JLARC Spending Synopsis: http://jlarc.state.va.us/inbrf/Inb392.htm JLARC Spending increases from 1982: http://jlarc.state.va.us/fau/Data/Expend_Func.xls The above is also posted online at http://freevirginia.blogspot.com/2010/02/despite-myths-government-officials.html ================================================ 3. The Green Police ================================================ Nothing like leaving it out as to whether you're poking fun at those wrapped around the axle about global warming, or ... not. Here's Rich Roberts of the Tidewater LP: >When I saw this commercial, I didnt think about buying >an Audi. I thought this was a great illustration of the >environmental lefts ideal society. It had everything >our current adminstration could hope for: > >* 100% government surveillance of citizens >* Punishment of those making choices distasteful > to government >* Picking and choosing the winners and losers > >Yup. Implementation of Big Brother under the guise of >saving the world. > >How many years until we see "Green Police" on our streets? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq58zS4_jvM ================================================ 4. NATIONAL NEWS: LP Issue Bumper Stickers ================================================ And now, a word from our sponsor: Wear the LP colors! Check out these bumper stickers: http://www.zazzle.com/immigration_is_also_called_moving_bumper_sticker-128096227542326068 http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_irs_vote_libertarian_bumper_sticker-128151456887305334 http://www.zazzle.com/repeal_prohibition_libertarian_party_sticker_bumper_sticker-128231895702692440 http://www.zazzle.com/abolish_the_fed_bumper_sticker-128034935072085282 How about a "Libertarian Precinct Captain" sign: http://cl.exct.net/?qs=60dd440acd057ed8274bd68a30fd9bb390791c8b8cf1435503819d525e340ec05bd645539a27a964 Or a "Repeal the Income Tax / Abolish the IRS" sign: http://cl.exct.net/?qs=60dd440acd057ed8274bd68a30fd9bb390791c8b8cf14355a536f38defdc0d72181e66827dc4f9e8 ================================================ 5. FEATURED VIDEO: Public Schools vs. Public Libraries ================================================ Once you get past his nose-in-the-camera style, this young fellow simply destroys the public school system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=999ZEf2EpHg ================================================ 6. EXPLORING LIBERTY: The LP's "Education" Plank ================================================ This issue, we bring you the Libertarian Party's platform position # "2.8 Education", which reads: -------- Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Schools should be managed locally to achieve greater accountability and parental involvement. Recognizing that the education of children is inextricably linked to moral values, we would return authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government. In particular, parents should have control of and responsibility for all funds expended for their children's education. -------- ================================================ 7. ONE-MONTH VIRGINIA EVENT HORIZON - Libertarian Events Around the State ================================================ FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ON ANY OF THESE EVENTS, SEE: http://lpva.com/Calendar/events08.asp Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 4:30 PM Jefferon Area Libertarians' (JAL) Happy Hour Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 7:00 PM Madison Liberty @ JMU: "American Military Policy and the War on Terrorism" Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 6:00 PM Chesterfield Libertarians Meeting Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 4:30 PM Jefferson Area Libertarians' Happy Hour Saturday, February 13, 2010 - 2:00 PM Sixth Congressional District Committee Convention Monday, February 15, 2010 - 6:30 PM 3rd Congressional District Convention Monday, February 15, 2010 - 7:00 PM Richmond City LP Board Meeting Monday, February 15, 2010 - 12:00 PM Libertarian Leadership Day Friday, February 19, 2010 - Last Day for Special Convention Room Rate @ LPVa State Convention Monday, February 22, 2010 - Last Day for "Early Bird" Registration Packages @ LPVa State Convention Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 7:00 PM The Jefferson Area Libertarians' "Fourth Thursday Salon" Friday, February 26, 2010 - 8:00 AM Libertarian State Leadership Alliance, Austin, Texas Monday, March 01, 2010 - 5:30 PM GMU: Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Sheldon Richman Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 7:00 PM Patrick Henry Supper Club Saturday, March 06, 2010 - 9:30 AM 2010 LPVa State Convention ------------------------------------ OTHER IMPORTANT DATES ------------------------------------ May 4, 2010 Municipal Elections Remember to Vote, and Vote Libertarian! ------------------------------------ May 28 - May 31, 2010 LP National Convention Renaissance St. Louis Grand and Suites Hotel, in Missouri. ------------------------------------ ================================================ 8. Deep Thoughts ================================================ "I don't think I'm ever more 'aware' than I am right after I hit my thumb with a hammer." - Jack Handey See more: http://www.quoteworld.org/authors/jack_handey__deep_thoughts_ ================================================ 9. FEATURED LINK ================================================ By Walter Williams: http://www.shadowstats.com/ Have you ever wondered why the CPI, GDP and employment numbers run counter to your personal and business experiences? The problem lies in biased and often-manipulated government reporting. ================================================ We're always looking for stories for: STATE NEWS: The "Government Behaving Badly" Files: This Issue's Criminal Bureaucrats VIRGINIA TASER TALLY: Something for the Police State to be proud of ================================================ ================================================ |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| Old Dominion Liberty Letter Issue #29 |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| ================================================ Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License by Marc Montoni. ================================================ Publishing Schedule: Weekly - But it depends on YOU! Publisher: LPVA Communications Committee Editor: Marc Montoni Distribution: 500 + readers, via LPVA-Announce ================================================ Sign up for the latest news from The Libertarian Party of Virginia: http://www.LPVA.com/html/EmailLists.asp ================================================ Got a news tip? Click: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw> Allow me to emphasize this: We prefer Virginia news to news you can get elsewhere. If you have a good liberty-oriented story centered in Virginia, please alert us to it. ================================================ WHAT'S GOING ON where you live? Make sure all Virginia Libertarians are informed of your activities. Send announcements and news to <[email protected]> or <mailto:[email protected]?subject=vlw> ================================================ JOIN THE PARTY - Never been a member of the Libertarian Party of Virginia? There's no time like NOW to become a member of Virginia's third largest political party. http://Membership.LPVA.com ================================================ RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP - Have you been a member in the past, but for one reason or another chosen not to renew? Renew today and resume the fight for Liberty! http://Membership.LPVA.com ================================================ BEGIN YOUR PLEDGE - Are you ready to make the ultimate commitment? Join the LPVirginia Pledge Program and help us promote our Libertarian ideas to all your friends and neighbors! http://Contribute.LPVA.com ================================================ NOTES: This newsletter will be migrated to a CMS with an RSS feed (which our webmaster has been very generous in setting up!) sometime soon. This version is primarily to guage interest. If you want it to continue, then participate! ############################################################# Have an announcement you'd like to post? SCC members & many committee heads are all authorized to post; or you may send your announcements to the List Master: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=announcement>. ################################################## Unsubscribe: Send an email to [email protected] with no subject and "Unsubscribe Announce" as the text. ############################################################# Libertarian Party of Virginia http://www.LPVA.com Phone: 703-715-6230
