Libertarian Day at the Capitol, January 31st:
REGISTRATION REQUIRED, LIMITED SPACE
EVENT AT I-HOP, 3519 Martin Way East, Olympia:
8:30am Registration/ check-in
9:00am “Current Bills of Interest to the Libertarian Party of Washington”
10:00am “State of the State Budget & Tax Proposals” – Jason Mercier, Director of Center for Government Reform, Washington Policy Center (WPC) http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/
11:00am “How to Lobby Your Legislator & Testify at Hearings” –Patrick Connor, State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Washington http://www.nfib.com/washington/contact-nfib
Noon- 1pm, No-Host/ not provided Lunch at I-HOP.
After lunch we make our own way to the Capitol to do the Lobbying & Testifying. We will have Talking points on the biggest issues for the LPWA and when you register we will make appointments for you (and others in your district) to meet with your Representatives and Senator (or their aid if they are not available).
Hotel rooms are going fast and I couldn’t get a room rate. Reserve a room right away if you intend to stay overnight. I suggest the Quality Inn in Olympia or Lacy, Comfort Inn in Lacy or check your favorite search engine.
Registration is $25 for Dues paid members of the LPWA and $35 for non-dues paid members. Register by:
Mail: Send check with registration form
Internet: http://www.donortownsquare.com/donate_redir.aspx?ai=414&qs=2T7CW
What does it mean to be "Libertarian"?
Libertarians support freedom, liberty, non-aggression and voluntary association. Libertarianism is the advocacy of a government that is built voluntarily by the community and limited in scope to protecting individuals from coercion and violence from others. Libertarians have the view that personal and economic freedom of the individual are crucial to long-term prosperity, security, sustainability, and diversity.
With the introduction of the Internet, Libertarian policies are more valid than they've ever been before. Never before in history has the individual had more of a chance to take in information, to speak, and to make their voices heard to the world. This means there is literally more of a direct connection between the individual and the solution to a problem.
Are there different types of Libertarians?
There are many types of Libertarians. Libertarians support the power of the individual to change the world. People who identify themselves with Libertarian principles are a diverse group because every individual thinks differently. Some Libertarians support no government at all, some support efficient government where money goes to the programs which are needed most to protect individual liberties.
How is the Libertarian party different than the Democrat/Republican parties?
The Democratic and Republican parties have rigid party platforms that are slow to change. As a candidate for one of these parties, there is pressure to follow precedent and to go along with what your party or organization is already doing. Money is used by donors, lobbyists, and others to maintain this pressure. These two parties always appear to be at odds with one another, yet both create bad legislation and bad policy that have reduced the individual rights of all U.S. Citizens, increased debt, and have created wars on multiple fronts. Libertarians believe its time for a change. It would be a disaster to continue on our current path as a nation. Libertarians believe that by facing our problems head-on for what they are, we will be able to reach a relevant solution sooner. The solution to a problem doesn't have to be Liberal, Conservative, Democratic, or Republican. It just needs to work.
What would a Libertarian future look like?
Government would not be federalized and highly centralized. States would be more independent. Government programs would be used to create individual freedom, economic freedom, and Internet freedom. The military would remain state of the art but would be used only for defense. Government policy would be aimed toward removing barriers to personal and economic freedom. Regulations that would remain in place would be geared toward ensuring that one person or business's freedom does not interfere with the freedom or free will of others (For example: A company dumping toxic waste interferes with everybody else's right to clean water). The war on drugs would come to an end. It has created billions of dollars in debt and has not acheived positive results. Individuals would be free to choose what they do with their own body. Using government to legislate morality creates billions of dollars in wasted taxpayer money. With inefficiencies removed from government, it will be able to achieve better results with fewer tax dollars needed to keep it going and working for the people.
How would the party handle contemporary issues?
See The Issues.
Why are Libertarian principles needed now?
With the introduction of the internet and smartphone technology, individuals have the ability to communicate their ideas to the world instantly. Direct lines of communication exist between the individual and a solution to any problem. This is why it's important to keep this avenue for individual communication open, and free of any government intervention. If the internet is allowed to be controlled, and people's individual behaviors restricted, fear will take hold and fewer individuals will be able to share their views with the world.
