The Lone Libertarian

Not to be overlooked, or overshadowed by the Democrats’ response, here is the Libertarian Party’s response to President Bush’s State of The Union Address last night.

Washington, D.C. - Following President Bush’s annual State of the Union Address, the Libertarian Party issued their response from National Chairman William Redpath:

Tonight’s State of the Union address went much as expected. Instead of calling for a more limited role of the federal government in American society, the President laid out plans that would only increase the government’s intervention into the realm of economics, health care, education and foreign policy. It is unfortunate to see that after seven years of increasing the size of government and increasing the government’s presence in the day to day lives of all Americans, the President refuses to limit the scope of the federal government, a once championed virtue of the President’s party. The President’s last State of the Union address encapsulated his legacy of an abandonment of the principles of limited government and individual freedom.

While the Libertarian Party applauds the President on taking a stand against wasteful government spending–though his administration has been a large contributor to this problem–and opening up more foreign markets to trade, we offer the following solutions to issues the President brought up in his address:

Economics: The President’s economic stimulus plan is based on a flawed and outdated economic premise. The best solution to an economic slowdown is increasing the ability for businesses to grow and reinvest in the economy. Instead of increasing the federal deficit by $150 billion dollars, the federal government should focus its energy on eliminating taxes that restrain economic growth. Eliminating taxes such as the death tax and capital gains taxes, and lowering income tax rates on private citizens will free up vital capital that can be reinvested into the economy. Additionally, the federal government should remove all trade barriers that prevent free trade with other nations. This is a more sound economic policy that presents real solutions instead of the window-dressing that is the President’s stimulus package.

Education: The President’s ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ has failed from the very beginning, and its reauthorization would be a travesty to the American education system. Instead of unfunded, federal mandates with the intent of fixing our failing public schools, alternatives involving the private sector should be explored. Increased local control over public schools and increased use of private alternatives will increase the quality of education for all American children. We call for abolishing the Department of Education and remove the federal government from educating our children.

Health care: Far too long have our politicians tried to find a government fix for the health care problem we have in America. Government interference in the health care system is the root of the problems we face. Only in eliminating government subsidies of health care will we find relief from increasing costs. The Libertarian Party calls for the elimination of all government entitlement programs related to health care.

Foreign Policy: America will spend more than $1 trillion dollars in foreign wars started during the Bush administration. Because of such, the economy is in jeopardy and America’s reputation abroad has suffered traumatic blows. On top of this, Americans have seen their civil liberties violated time after time. The Libertarian Party calls for a withdrawal from Iraq following the proper lines of withdrawal, executed by our commanders on the ground. We also call for an abandonment of the reckless policy of pre-emptive war, and a restoration of civil liberties lost under such laws as the Patriot Act and the amendments to FISA. The Libertarian Party reminds our leaders in power of the great words of Samuel Adams:

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.

In this perilous time, when our freedom is attacked from both inside our borders by corrupt politicians and from outside by foreign aggressors, we call for prudence, wisdom and above all, an adherence to the United States Constitution, which reigns sovereign over all individuals of American society.

Hector “Big Weasel” Marroquin plead guilty to selling assault weapons to undercover federal agents last Thursday. In 1996, Marroquin, started an anti-gang/anti-gun group in Las Angeles called “No Guns.” The group siphoned $1.5 million from LA, over a three year period, under the guise of “steering Latino youths from a life of crime.” Big Weasel also was tapped as a arbitrator for a local detention center, quelling race riots.

Marroquin was arrested in May in a case that stemmed from an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into gun sales by the 18th Street gang.

Using video surveillance and a confidential informant, the agency bought several weapons from Marroquin, Harmon said.

In one case, Marroquin sold a MAK-90 semi-automatic assault rifle out of his bar, Marroking Seafood and Bar on Atlantic Avenue in Cudahy, to a confidential informant for the firearms bureau, authorities said.

He also sold a Ewbank 7.62-millimeter assault rifle to the confidential informant and a M-11, similar to an Uzi, to an undercover bureau agent, authorities said.

Marroquin has had numerous run-ins with law enforcement.

He is a reputed longtime member of the South-Central Los Angeles 18th Street gang. A gang expert testified to a grand jury that Marroquin remained a shot-caller in 18th Street despite claiming to have dropped out, Harmon said.

You really have to appreciate the “do as I say, not as I do” attitude of this guy. A real role model to be sure. He may have helped some youths stay clear of a life of crime, but it seems like he just transferred it in the process.

He was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Always look at those who wish to rid the community of guns with a great deal of scrutiny, whether it be an individual or a government. You may find, as in the case of Marroquin, they aren’t practicing what they preach.

Proactive government scares me, but reactive government scares me worse.

Hot on the heels of the Michael Vick dog fighting scandal comes a proposal to ban the ownership of pit bulls in Tennessee. Several municipalities have taken measures to ban the dogs last year. In West Tennessee, Somerville banned pit bull ownership late last year. They later made a provision for current owners if they bought personal liability insurance (single-incident injury/death $100,000 coverage). However it was questionable if any area insurance companies would issue such a policy for pit bull owners.

Senator Tommy Kilby (D-12) introduced SB2738 on Monday, January 14th that will ban ownership of pit bulls in the state of Tennessee. Pit bull owners that refuse to comply with the law can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. The legislation has an effective date of July 1, 2008 if passed.

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, is amended by
adding the following new section thereto:
§ 39-14-215.
(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Own” means to harbor, keep or exercise control over the dog, and
“owner” means a person who, at the time of the offense, regularly harbors, keeps
or exercises control over the dog;
(2) “Pit bull dog” means any pit bull terrier; and
(3) “Pit bull terrier” means any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull
terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any
mixed breed of dog which contains as fifty percent (50%) of its breeding the
breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or
American Staffordshire terrier, so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed
American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American
Staffordshire terrier.
(b) It is an offense for any person to knowingly own a pit bull dog in this state.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d) In addition to the penalty imposed in subsection (c), the court making the
sentencing determination for a person convicted under this section shall order the
person convicted to surrender custody and forfeit the pit bull dog or pit bull dogs if the
person convicted is the owner of the pit bull dog or dogs. Custody shall be given to a
humane society incorporated under the laws of this state.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit prosecution under any
other provision of law.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2008, the public welfare requiring it.

I cannot express how distasteful and uninformed I find this “flavor of the day” legislation to be. I would submit to Senator Kilby that this legislation is not necessary. Municipalities around the state would do well to enforce existing laws (such as leash laws). I would submit that the breed itself is not genetically predisposed to be a danger to society, and that irresponsible owners (such as dog fighters) have cast a negative light on the American Staffordshire terrier.

I wonder if these yahoos would try to ban Rottweilers, Dobermans, or German Shepherds if they were the preferred breed of dog fighters?

The Tennessee Senate passed SB0023 yesterday (24-6), providing a minor victory for those with handgun carry permits.

SB0023 text states:

Allows person who has permit to carry a handgun to carry gun in place where alcohol is served for consumption on premises if person is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

Senate Amendment SA0830 to SB0023, adds language that states the establishment must make more that 50% of its revenues from the sale of food. Thus bars, sadly, will still be off limits to those whom wish to carry.

Action on the bill is now left to the Tennessee State House (HB0702).

This news is refreshing.

Ron Paul hit this one out of the park last night in South Carolina. The only thing that could make this sweeter is if they showed the smug moderator’s face right afterwards.

As reported in the Tennessean, St. Charles, Missouri will review a bill to ban swearing in local pubs. In addition to swearing, “profane” music, table-dancing, and drinking contests are also named as activities to be prohibited.  The proposal will be reviewed on Monday, January 14th.

I’m not familiar with St. Charles’ age restriction on bar patrons, but I do know that St. Louis is 21 and up. We are talking about full grown adults here. In other words, the government of St. Charles thinks that people cannot control themselves and need to be given a spanking for saying dirty words, and businesses cannot be trusted to regulate themselves.

Anyone ever hear of someone getting thrown out of a bar for saying a swear word in present day America? I’m sure the incidents are few and very far in between. The proprietors of pubs reserve the right to refuse service to those whom they deem unruly, and can ultimately throw them out. However giving someone the boot because they say a foul word is almost ridiculous as throwing a smoker out (in an area that actually allows smoking in bars); you wouldn’t have any patrons left to serve.

Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, even Pigeon Forge bars are not without the occasional lewd country/rock/techno/rap music playing on the old jukebox. If patrons do not approve, they reserve the right to leave. I have yet to hear an adult, after a night on Beale Street, complain about the dirty dueling piano songs at Silky O’Sullivan’s at city hall.

I daresay a ban on swearing is nigh unenforceable. What do they propose, a monitor or law enforcement officer at every bar? The second that someone says a “bad” word all patrons within earshot degenerate to first graders and point to the offender and in unison say “ooooohhhhhhh you’re in trouble!”

This is a bunch of puritanical nonsense.