Re: Article for the December 2008 NML

[KCUF Media [Mike Blessing]]

Jay Vandersloot wrote:
> Mike,
>
> Some legal actions I am currently involved in make it difficult for me
> to concentrate to write an article for this month. Right now I'm busy
> preparing for a hearing this Thursday. No, it's nothing against me, but
> I am deeply involved in the proceedings.
>
> If Bob Finch has submitted his article, go ahead and publish that in
> place of my column. Otherwise, use the below email article from the
> Libertarian Party, which I have already formatted for the NML in the
> attachment and given an explanatory heading. Thanks.

Jay --

I've been busy recently, too -- final exams, etc. I haven't received
anything from Bob Finch, so I'll run with what's below.

By the way, what exactly did you do in formatting this one? Every time
I opened the message, it not only wouldn't let me read it, but locked
up my email client (Thunderbird) entirely, so much that I had to crash
the program to get it to quit. The only way I'm reading it now is that
I clicked "Reply" on the message without opening it.

-- MWB
______________________________________________________________________
-- Mike Blessing / http://xanga.com/mikewb1971

> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> *From:* Libertarian Party <in...@lp.org>
> *To:* Jayvand...@yahoo.com
> *Sent:* Monday, December 1, 2008 8:27:45 AM
> *Subject:* LP Monday Message: A Message to Obama
>
> Libertarian Party <http://announce.lp.org/t/12183/74336/90/0/>
> *Dec. 1, 2008
> *
>
> * **Your Monday Message from the Libertarian Party:*
>
> Today's "Monday Message" is primarily one for President-Elect Barack
> Obama. Though the Bush administration, which has undoubtedly been
> one of the worst in American history, will be leaving office on Jan.
> 20, there is little room for celebration as Obama looks to take over
> as commander-in-chief.
>
> Obama's attitude towards wealth, the marketplace and economics is
> reason enough to worry about his administration in this extremely
> fragile economy. But, there are other areas where Obama must tread
> with care if he wishes to follow the Constitution and foster an
> environment of liberty that has been lacking these last eight years.
>
> Therefore, the Libertarian Party wishes Obama the best of luck, and
> offers him the following suggestions for his presidency in the
> following areas:
>
> * *Civil Liberties:*
>
> This is one area where we thought Obama could bring real change
> to the table following the Bush administration, which held the
> protection of civil liberties about as high as they regarded
> things like the flu and traffic jams. However, when Obama's
> feet were put to the fire, Obama sold out and capitulated to the
> enemies of freedom during the reauthorization of the Amendments
> to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
>
> It's not unjustified to be skeptical of Obama when it comes to
> upholding civil liberties.
>
> If Obama looks to separate himself from the Bush administration,
> he should—and must—work to undue the legislation of the last
> eight years that have left Americans incredibly vulnerable to
> government surveillance and spying. We must have our liberty
> restored and the despotic surveillance tactics of the "War on
> Terror" abolished.
>
> Secondly, Obama must not use the Department of Justice as a tool
> to bend and break the law as he sees fit, as the Bush
> administration frequently did. The DOJ has much work to do to
> rebuild its reputation with the American public, and it can
> start with the Obama administration.
>
> * *Economic Freedom:*
>
> The necessity to defend and protect the marketplace from
> regulation and interference by the government is key to the
> long-term prosperity of the nation. This point cannot be
> stressed enough.
>
> The Bush administration believed it had a right and duty to get
> involved in the economy when they thought it wasn't working to
> their standards. Instead of letting the market work out its
> problems, Bush got involved and turned a bad situation into a
> worse one.
>
> Obama should take a hands-off approach to the economy, stepping
> in only to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and
> provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is
> protected. Any attempt to "redistribute" the wealth through
> regulation or taxation should be avoided at all costs. If this
> is attempted, it will have dire consequences for the economy.
>
> * *Social Freedom:*
>
> Usually you don't have to jump on Democrats about protecting
> social freedom, but as of late, Democrats have increasingly
> become more heavy-handed when it comes to personal choice in
> people's lives.
>
> The "global warming" hysteria and push for more regulation of
> Americans' diets has put Democrats in the same corner as those
> who seek to institute moral standards through government
> regulation.
>
> Obama must buck this new trend by Democrats and work to protect
> individual choice—even if it seems like the government needs to
> help people make these decisions. Obama can also take this
> opportunity to reform national laws that make victimless crimes
> a federal matter.
>
> * *The War:*
>
> This has to be one of the most obvious areas for improvement,
> yet one are that Democrats have consistently failed in since
> regaining control of Congress in 2006.
>
> The power to end the war in Iraq is now in the hands of Obama.
> He also has a power to finally end what we began in Afghanistan
> long before we began military action in Iraq. What he must do
> is avoid moving troops from one theater to the other instead of
> simply bringing the troops home.
>
> It is time for Obama and Democrats to follow through with
> earlier promises.
>
> If Obama takes all of these suggestions, we will have one of the
> best presidencies in American history. If he takes none, then we
> will surely see times far darker than those under the Bush
> administration.
>
> In all likelihood, we will see improvements over the Bush
> administration in some areas, and setbacks in others. This is why
> it is paramount that the Libertarian Party be a strong, shining
> beacon of liberty for all Americans looking for true change from the
> last eight years.
>
> Live free,
>
> Andrew Davis
> Director of Communications
> Libertarian Party*
> *
> *PS –* If you are receiving this email, and have not yet become a
> member of the Party and wish to do so, please *click here
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>
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>
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>
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>
>
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> *
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