Ron Paul has undoubtedly played the key role in awakening the Liberty movement. His 2007-08 Presidential Campaign raised over $5 million and the 2011-12 Presidential Campaign has raised over $40 million. Ron Paul also received over 2,000,000 votes in the 2012 Republican Primary, that’s double what he received in 2008. Ron Paul has a growing and excited base of support.

Paul was first regarded in the media as a “fringe” candidate for his “wild and crazy” views, for example; Ending the FED (the private bank that loans money to our government and causes inflation), passing a balanced budget, bringing the troops home, and defending civil liberties.

Fortunately for us, these issues are no longer “fringe” they are becoming mainstream. The true “fringe” ideas are quite the opposite. CNN and Gallop Polls from 2009 to 2011 show an increase in Libertarian viewpoints.

Unfortunately, the Republican nomination is going to Mitt Romney and Ron Paul’s 2012 Presidential run is at its end.

However, the Libertarian ideas espoused by Paul continue on into the November Presidential Election in the form of Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson. The only other Presidential candidate that will be on the ballot alongside Obama and Romney this November.

Gary Johnson takes the stage at Paulfest to a standing ovation.

He starts off with a story on his business background and then a story about the unfounded fear mongering from the media while he vetoed over 750 bills as Governor of New Mexico. He then focuses his speech on the legacy that Ron Paul has built.

“If I thought Ron Paul was going to get the nomination I would not be standing here before you today as the Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate. I would have not done this. I would have let Ron Paul get the nomination and I would be along with you supporting Dr. Paul.”

“This is really an important message, it is about the message, and Dr. Paul is the first one that will talk about the message and the message is; look, Let’s stop the spending! Let’s end the wars! Let’s abide by the constitution of the United States! There is a growing police state in this country, let’s stop this growing police state!”

Governor Johnson continued his speech to steady applause and praise. He finished up with a very powerful statement…

“Be Libertarian with me for one election…one election. Together, we’ll show the world and the nation that what Ron Paul has stood for is not a fluke, it’s the future…LIVE FREE, LIVE FREE!”

C. Michael Pickens is the Washington State Director for the Gary Johnson 2012 Campaign. He is also the author of the new book, “Libertarian Leadership: Planting the Seed for a Libertarian Future.” Michael can be reached at cmichaelpickens@gmail.com

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I showed up to Hempfest on Saturday morning and the first thing that struck me as odd, were all of the “No on I-502” signs, t-shirts, and buttons. 

Wait a minute…isn’t I-502 the marijuana legalization bill set to be voted on in November?

Isn’t this the same bill that is being promoted by many leaders within the marijuana legalization movement?

Something wasn’t right. Fortunately for me, the Libertarian Party of Washington* booth was located right next to a “No on I-502” friendly booth. At the booth, a young man and woman named Adam and Katie proceeded to tell me everything that was wrong with the bill. I was floored by what I was told. But instead of immediately switching my view on I-502, I decided to do some research of my own. I acquired the entire 66 page bill and this is what I found hidden inside of it…

Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana

I-502 will create new criminal penalties for medical marijuana users who drive, through a new and intrusive per se DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) law. I-502 institutes a new unreasonable legal limit on blood THC levels for marijuana users. Active THC from marijuana stays in a person’s blood days and even weeks after the marijuana has been ingested. Inactive THC stays in the body for much longer.

“Sec. 31.1 Any person who operates a motor vehicle within this state is deemed to have given consent…to a test or tests of his or her breath or blood for the purpose of determining the…THC concentration…”

“Sec. 31.2 The test or tests of breath shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence…of any drug.”

“Sec. 31.2 (i) The driver is age twenty-one or over and the test indicates…that the THC concentration of the driver’s blood is 5.00 or more;”

“Sec. 31.2 (ii) The driver is under the age twenty-one and the test indicates…that the THC concentration of the driver’s blood is above 0.00;”

That sounds reasonable right? People shouldn’t be driving under the influence of drugs.  Well, it would be reasonable if there were scientific proof of impairment with a blood THC level of 5ng/ml. The facts are…

“It is not possible to conclude anything about a driver’s impairment on the basis of his/her plasma concentrations” –U.S. Department of Transportation “Marijuana and Actual Driving Performance: Effects of THC on Driving Performance”

and…

“THC may be present in blood for a period of days after past use, long after any performance impairing effects have worn off” –Armentano, P. “Cannabis and Driving: A Scientific and Rational Review”

I see this provision to be unrealistic and hurtful to the medical marijuana community. It also implements a zero-tolerance policy for any medical marijuana patient between the ages of 18-21, even when they have a recommendation from their physician to use medical marijuana. This provision would be the same as if you had a glass of wine or beer at dinner, then was arrested and charged with a DUI the next day.

This is the most glaring problem with this initiative, although there are others…

I-502 gives the report of the police officer status as actual evidence to be used to press charges against the patient.

“Sec. 31.8 (b) The sworn report or report under a declaration authorized by RCW 9A.72.085 submitted by a law enforcement officer is prima facie evidence that the officer had reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving…while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs…”

I am not going to go into the new FBI background checks, or the new restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries that this initiative adds, although they are important.

Unfortunately, according to the sponsors of I-502, they are aware of the lack of scientific evidence of impairment that coincides with the use of marijuana, as well as the recent studies that have shown that traffic fatalities drop by an average of 9%-13% in states that have adopted medical marijuana friendly laws.

A driving under the influence of drugs charge will:

Stay on your driving record forever.

Severely impair your ability to get a job.

Cost you your drivers’ license for up to a year.

Get you a seat in drug & alcohol classes.

Raise your car insurance rates.

Cost you attorney fees.

So, why have the sponsors of I-502 added these ridiculous provisions to the initiative? They argued that their polling data from Proposition 19 in California showed that there was a large group of uninformed voters who would not vote for I-502 unless it included new penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana.

Uniformed voters? So, instead of trying to educate people on the truth of this issue, they will instead punish peaceful marijuana users?

Wow.

As leaders, we cannot sacrifice principles for political expedience, especially when it will do harm to the very people who have trusted us to fight on their behalf. I would ask that the current leaders supporting I-502 take a second look and oppose this hurtful piece of legislation. The pro-marijuana bills that are going to be on the ballot in Colorado and Oregon in November will have to lead the way for the marijuana legalization movement. These bills do not have DUID provisions.

As a Libertarian, I cannot, under good conscience, support any piece of legislation that violates our natural rights as humans. Whether you agree with the use of marijuana or not, you should agree that adults have the right to choose what they put in their own body without influence, force, and fraud perpetrated by government.

I-502 will cause more harm than good to peaceful marijuana users. I urge you to vote No on I-502! But don’t take my word for it. Read the bill here and watch the debate below.
C. Michael Pickens is the Washington State Director for the Gary Johnson 2012 Campaign. He is also the author of the new book, “Libertarian Leadership: Planting the Seed for a Libertarian Future.” Michael can be reached at cmichaelpickens@gmail.com

*The Libertarian Party of Washington did not endorse I-502

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Libertarian Vice-Presidential Candidate, Judge Jim Gray spoke twice at this year’s Seattle Hempfest. First time at the, “Legalize it! Movie Premier Preview & Panel: Behind the Scenes of Prop. 19” and the second time on the Main Stage.

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There are at least 3 kinds of waste.

1. Paying champagne prices for beer quality.
2. Paying champagne prices for champagne – when you only need beer.
3. Buying champagne or beer items when you don’t need either.

All 3 kinds of waste balloon government spending and keep taxes high.

The Bounty Hunter Program targets all three.

Bail Bondsmen and Law Enforcement Agencies offer Bounty Hunters juicy rewards for tracking down, capturing, and bringing in bail jumpers and at-large criminals. They pay Bounty Hunters for results.

The Bounty Hunter approach to government waste works the same way.

Offer a bounty of 10% of the first year’s savings for removing the wasteful government spending. Get rid of $100,000 a year in needless government spending, and the citizen gets a $10,000 bounty. Immediately refund the

other $90,000 to taxpayers. The next year and every year after, taxpayers – not the government – get the whole $100,000 savings.

Why immediately? Spending cuts delayed are spending cuts denied. Tax refunds delayed are tax refunds denied. Tax cuts delayed are tax cuts denied.

How many private citizens will scour the city budget, comparison shop what the city’s paying for goods and services, and determine whether it’s prudent and thrifty spending – or waste?

How many small business owners and employees will put city spending under a magnifying glass? How many retirees will stop playing the Lottery – and start seeking out city government waste?

Why will they do it? For the chance of getting a $5,000 bounty, a $10,000 bounty, a $50,000 bounty, or more.

Why will taxpayers love it? Because 90% of the first year’s savings go back to the taxpayers. And 100% of every other year’s savings go to them. Less government spending. Lower taxes.

The process would be simple.

1. The Bounty Hunter would find the waste in the budget, put together evidence that it is waste, and put the item on the agenda of the next city council meeting. Or school board. Or other local government body.
2. The Bounty Hunter would be given 5 to 10 minutes during the meeting to present his facts and figures, his testimony and evidence. City council members could ask him questions to make sure they are properly informed.
3. The city council would have until the next meeting to look into the matter.
4. At the next meeting, the city council members would provide the Bounty Hunter with their findings, and roll call vote on whether to remove the spending from the budget.
5. If they voted to remove the spending, it would take effect immediately. 10% would go to the Bounty Hunter. 90% to the Taxpayers. Immediately.
6. If they voted to keep the spending, voters could decide whether they were right or wrong, responsible or irresponsible. Which ones deserve to be re-elected – and which ones need to be voted out.

To make the Bounty Hunter Program fair, to remove even the appearance of conflict of interest, we would exclude all government employees, retired government employees and their families. We would also exclude those who work for businesses who sell supplies or services to government.

Would you like Open Books Government and the Bounty Hunter Program for your city government? Your county government? Your local public school district budget?

Run for city council on an Open Books Government and Bounty Hunter Program – as a first step toward making government small. Or run for school board. Or any other local office that controls budgets.

Propose them. Publicize them. Promote them.

Or make a small government candidate in your city or state aware of this simple and powerful proposal.

It will make government open and accountable to the taxpayers.

It will increase citizen involvement in local government.

It will increase voter participation.

Every concerned citizen should support this. Every liberal, moderate, and conservative should support this. Every caring government employee should endorse and support this.

- the end –

Published by “Small Government News,” the Center for Small Government
http://www.centerforsmallgovernment.com

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Do you believe the federal government should stay out of the business of the state and the state law should trump federal law?

If you were voted into office, as president, would you make sure that state’s rights supersede those of the federal government?

If you answered yes to the first 2 questions then you must also agree that the Libertarian Party should follow the same principles that we are fighting for…

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For immediate release:

From the Desk of C. Michael Pickens,
Libertarian Party of California, Northern Vice-Chairman

It recently came to our attention that a relatively unknown person, Jules Manson, allegedly a Libertarian, has called for the assassination of the President and his children on Manson’s facebook page. The media has labeled this man a “Libertarian.” The Libertarian Party of California would like to set the record straight and inform the public that Jules Manson is not a member of the California Libertarian Party and was never endorsed by the Libertarian Party for his city council run. The Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Philosophy vehemently abhor the initiation of force or fraud for any means whatsoever. To join the Libertarian Party as a member, everyone must sign this pledge “I certify that I oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.” Threatening assassination certainly violates this pledge.

Furthermore, deeply rooted in Libertarian Philosophy is the concept of “Individualism.” Individualism is the archenemy of racism. We believe that our rights come to us not because we belong to some group of people, but because we are individuals. We should be treated and judged by our actions, not by the color of our skin or by our ancestors. Racism is about collectivism, oppression, and the discrimination against individuals of a certain race. When we look at everyone as individuals, regardless of their race, we are able to treat everyone as equals. Individualism is the notion that we are all of the same race, the human race.

According to the foundational principles of Libertarianism, Jules Manson is not a Libertarian. His recent posts on facebook are appalling to hear from any American. If someone is disgruntled with the policies of the current President and his administration, I recommend an activity called voting. I believe there will be a chance in 2012 to elect a new President with different policies.

The 15 member Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of California is a testament to individualism. Our executive committee is a very diverse group of individuals who represent and were elected by, our diverse membership. The Libertarian Party of California welcomes individuals of all race, creed, sexual orientation, and religious backgrounds. To learn more about our executive committee and where we stand on the issues, please visit our website www.CA.LP.org.

In Liberty,

C. Michael Pickens
Northern Vice-Chairman, Libertarian Party of CA
NVChair@ca.lp.org

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