In Win for Libertarians, Virginia Court Finds That Restrictions on Petition Circulators are Unconstitutional: DCist

In Win for Libertarians, Virginia Court Finds That Restrictions on Petition Circulators are Unconstitutional: DCist:

July 31, 2012 - "On the very day that the Libertarian Party filed suit against D.C. over restrictions on who can gather signatures to get candidates on the ballot, a Virginia court ruled that similar restrictions in the commonwealth are unconstitutional.

"In a decision announced yesterday, a District Court in Richmond found ... 'the restriction on out-of-state petition circulators to be unconstitutional. The law places a severe burden on the plaintiffs' freedom of speech and is not narrowly tailored to promote a compelling state interest,' read the decision by Judge John A. Gibney....

"The lawsuit was brought by the Libertarian Party of Virginia ... who argued that the restrictions made it impossible to gather the 10,000 signatures needed to get a party candidate on the statewide ballot."

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Ron Paul Revolution Follows Romney To Poland - Buzzfeed

Ron Paul Revolution Follows Romney To Poland - Rosie Gray, Buzzfeed.com:

July 30, 2012 - "Mitt Romney's public appearance was greeted by Ron Paul supporters today, according to tweets and photos from the scene. This is pretty much the norm these days — but for he fact that today's event was held in Gdansk, Poland.

"Poland is one of many countries outside the U.S. that ... have Ron Paul contingents. The main website, RonPaul.pl, includes information about Ron Paul's campaign, primary dates, even the current time in Texas, where Paul is from. The banner: "Kim jest Ron Paul?" ("Who is Ron Paul?"). The group has garnered 2,000 likes on Facebook.

"Today won't be the last we see of them: tomorrow, when Romney will be in Warsaw, there will be a planned demonstration outside his event."

Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/ron-paul-revolution-follows-romney-to-poland
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Gary Johnson out with new campaign ad challenging Obama and Romney - West Palm Beach Libertarian | Examiner.com

Gary Johnson out with new campaign ad challenging Obama and Romney - West Palm Beach Libertarian | Examiner.com:

"In a new video released today, 'Live Free,' Gov. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party nominee for President, declares that a second Obama administration or a first Romney administration will only lead to four more years of the same....

"'Send me to Washington, and I will spend four years doing what presidents SHOULD do: promoting the peace, increasing the freedom, and putting America and Americans first,' says the former New Mexico Governor in the video. 'Be Libertarian with me one time, and together we will make an America that's four years better, brighter and more optimistic.'


Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/gary-johnson-out-with-new-campaign-ad-challenging-obama-and-romney

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Watch video here

Gary Johnson, Libertarian presidential candidate, endorses Oregon marijuana initiative | OregonLive.com

Gary Johnson, Libertarian presidential candidate, endorses Oregon marijuana initiative | OregonLive.com - Jeff Mapes:

July 20, 2012 - "Sponsors of the marijuana legalization measure on the Oregon ballot announced Friday that Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is endorsing their initiative.

"Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, has been a firm proponent of legalizing pot and has said that he regularly smoked marijuana from 2005 to 2008 as he recovered from serious injuries following a paragliding accident.

"Johnson won the national Libertarian Party's nomination in May but has not been formally placed on the Oregon ballot at this point.  Assuming that he does, his backing for the Oregon measure could attract votes from many of the state's ardent supporters of marijuana legalization.

"That could pull votes from President Barack Obama, who has disappointed some of his supporters from 2008 because he has refused to endorse legalization.

"Johnson has also endorsed marijuana legalization measures in Colorado and Washington."

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2012/07/gary_johnson_libertarian_presi.html
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House passes Ron Paul-backed bill giving Congress greater scrutiny over Federal Reserve

House passes Ron Paul-backed bill giving Congress greater scrutiny over Federal Reserve - The Washington Post - Associated Press:

July 25, 2012 - "The House voted Wednesday to give Congress greater scrutiny over the monetary policy decisions of the Federal Reserve, approving legislation sponsored by longtime Fed nemesis Rep. Ron Paul.

"The 76-year-old Texas Republican, who is retiring at end of this session, has made a career of trying to do away with the Fed, which he blames for the growth of government and the rising federal deficit. Failing to accomplish that, he has pushed to make the independent central bank’s operations more transparent....

"The legislation, which passed 327-98, would require the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, to carry out comprehensive audits of the Fed’s Board of Governors and 12 regional banks.

"The Fed is subject to annual financial statement audits and the Dodd-Frank Act passed after the 2008 Wall Street meltdown does have provisions, backed by Paul, for auditing certain Fed activities. But the new legislation goes further in requiring inspections of the bank’s monetary policy decision-making, including its agreements with foreign central banks and Foreign Open Market Committee directives."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/house-passes-ron-paul-backed-bill-giving-congress-greater-scrutiny-over-federal-reserve/2012/07/25/gJQA2b5T9W_story.html
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GOP makes Ron Paul feel welcome at convention - News from USA TODAY

GOP makes Ron Paul feel welcome at convention - News from USA TODAY - Jackie Kucinich:

July 22, 2012 - "The Paul campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) have been working closely over the past few months to work out logistics in order to include the Texas congressman and his supporters in the August convention in Tampa.

“'They’ve just treated us like a friend and like a coalition,' said Jesse Benton, a spokesman for the Paul campaign. 'They have been honest brokers in working with us and treated us with respect.'

"Paul will hold a rally with supporters Aug. 26 at the University of South Florida’s Sun Dome — a venue convention planners helped him get.

“'We have worked closely with Congressman Paul to secure a location for this event,” said Kyle Downey, a spokesman for the GOP convention.'

"Planners have also kept Paul’s platform committee delegates in the loop as they begin the process of assembling that document."

Read more: http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2012/07/22/gop-makes-ron-paul-feel-welcome-at-convention-2/
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Ron Paul`s `audit the Fed` bill coming up Tuesday - Mineweb.com

Ron Paul`s `audit the Fed` bill coming up Tuesday - POLITICAL ECONOMY - Mineweb.com Tim Ahmann & Donna Smith:

July 21, 2012 - "The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Tuesday on a bill that would allow for a congressional audit of Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.... The legislation proposed by Republican Representative Ron Paul, a long-time critic of the U.S. central bank and author of the book "End the Fed," has already gathered 274 co-sponsors, virtually guaranteeing passage.

"The Republican-led House will consider the bill under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority, but nearly two-thirds of the House has already signed onto the bill.... Paul's son, Republican Senator Rand Paul, has introduced a companion bill in the Democrat-controlled Senate, but chances of success are remote given a less critical view of the central bank in that chamber."

Read more: http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=155542&sn=Detail&pid=102055
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Gary Johnson still in double digits in New Mexico - Charlotte Libertarian | Examiner.com

Gary Johnson still in double digits in New Mexico - Charlotte Libertarian | Examiner.com:

July 18, 2012 - "On Wednesday, Public Policy Polling released a poll of the presidential race in New Mexico.... Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson is polling very well for a third party candidate, coming in at 13%....

I"n other states, when voters are asked whether they have a favorable or unfavorable view of Gary Johnson, over 70% tend to reply 'not sure,' probably because they do not know who he is. In this poll of New Mexico voters, however, only 21% replied 'not sure,' while 39% replied 'favorable' and 40% replied 'unfavorable.' This is a statistical tie with Obama's result (48% F, 48% U, 3% NS), and better than Romney's result (41% F, 50% U, 10% NS.)

This poll also allows us to examine the spoiler myth. We find that in New Mexico, Johnson wins the support of 15% of Republican voters, 8% of Democratic voters, and 24% of independent/other voters. But despite taking more Republican voters than Democratic voters, the margin between Obama and Romney shrinks from 5% to 4% when Johnson is included in the poll. This suggests that: 1) the battle for independent voters is between Obama and Johnson, not Obama and Romney, and; 2) Johnson does not have much of a spoiler effect against a particular major-party candidate."

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/gary-johnson-still-double-digits-new-mexico
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Ron Paul, conservatives, and the war on drugs

New PAULITICAL TICKER WITH JACK HUNTER - Ron Paul, Conservatives and the War on Drugs:

July 19, 2012 - "Ron Paul is right when he says that the federal War on Drugs has been an abysmal failure. William F. Buckley and National Review were right when they said the same thing in 1996. Milton Friedman was right when he said the same thing in 1972 when President Nixon created the federal War on Drugs....

"Reports The Hill today: A bipartisan group of House members has proposed legislation that would make it easier for people to defend themselves in federal cases for possessing marijuana, if they can show that they are using marijuana for medical purposes in line with relevant state laws. The Hill headline emphasizes that this legislation was co-sponsored by Ron Paul and Barney Frank....

"Other Republicans on the bill are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and Justin Amash (R-Mich.). "Amash and Rohrabacher are not moderate Republicans, but strong conservatives....

"Recent polls have shown that more Americans than ever are fed up with the failed War on Drugs, with 18-29 years olds comprising the most irritated portion of the populace. These are the same young people who now flock to Ron Paul and his message."

Read more: http://politicalnews.me/?id=15769&keys=DRUGS-WAR-CONSERVATIVE-BLOWBACK
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Gary Johnson scores at 5.3% nationally against Obama and Romney

Gary Johnson scores at 5.3% nationally against Obama and Romney: - Rob Nicholewski, New Mexico Watchdog:

July 14, 2012 - "Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson is preferred by 5.3 percent of likely voters in the upcoming presidential race, according to a national poll released by JZ Analytics released Friday (July 13).

"It’s just the second time in recent months that the former two-term New Mexico governor has been included in a national survey with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Back in May, Johnson received just a little more than 2 percent in a JZ Analytics/Washington Times poll so the Friday polls shows Johnson more than doubling that number....

Johnson has had considerable trouble getting major polling organizations to include his name in their surveys.... But the release of the JZ Analytics polls Friday and Johnson’s respectable showing in it had the Libertarian Party candidate optimistic.

“'It’s all good, from our vantage point a lot more money is coming in,' Johnson said Saturday from Las Vegas where he was making a campaign stop at a libertarian-leaning meeting called Freedom Fest. 'If people get the notion that I could win, that could be a game-changer. We’re not there yet, I’m not saying that, but these numbers are encouraging.'"

Read more: http://newmexico.watchdog.org/14809/gary-johnson-scores-at-5-3-nationally-against-obama-and-romney/
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Libertarianism for dummies | The Daily Caller

Libertarianism for dummies | The Daily Caller - Max Borders

July 13, 2012 - "There is no denying it. Libertarianism is hot. This has a lot of people on both the left and right nervous. Some of the territory liberals and conservatives believed they had staked out long ago is being taken over by a new center — one that seems to borrow from aspects of each of the dominant partisan tribes....

"The two tribes’ anxiety toward libertarianism rears its head in a number of ways. Most critics stitch together libertarian voodoo dolls from scraps of hearsay and Newsweek articles, then needle the dolls to get a reaction. Others say libertarianism is passé — a mere echo of discredited Enlightenment thinking. Still others claim libertarianism is a dogma that could never exist in the 'real world'.

"This article is intended as a general antidote to these criticisms. But more than that, it’s an invitation. So feel free to bookmark it. Whenever one of your social network “friends” starts in on some rant, you can save time and simply link to this piece.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/13/libertarianism-for-dummies/#ixzz20d8ub4i1
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Political parties earn freedom more fans | Our View - Appeal-Democrat

Political parties earn freedom more fans | Our View - Appeal-Democrat - editorial:

July 11, 2012 - "Those yearning for a liberty movement in the United States often cite the 2010 mid-term elections.... But even before that, liberty-minded voters began rejecting intrusive government policies.

"In 2006, Republicans lost control of the House and Senate and a majority of the contested governorships. In 2008, Democrats won the White House, and increased their majorities in both chambers of Congress.

"Those discouraging reversals for Republicans were due, at least in part, to the disenfranchisement felt toward the GOP by freedom-focused voters and the libertarian wing of the Republican Party. Too many policies enacted by the GOP during the George W. Bush presidency, especially when the GOP controlled both houses of Congress, were suspect. Republicans went along with bailouts, stimulus packages, unpopular wars and an arguable precursor of Obamacare, the Medicare Part D prescription drug program."

Read more: http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/libertarianism-117761-parties-bristle.html
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Gary Johnson and the rise of “blue chip” Libertarian candidates | Washington Times Communities

Gary Johnson and the rise of “blue chip” Libertarian candidates | Washington Times Communities Daniel de Gracia:

July 7, 2012 - "Polling as high as 7 to 12% in some parts of the country, Johnson is the first “blue chip” Libertarian of the 21st century: a candidate who possesses the right combination of charismatic moxie, electoral savvy and prior elected experience to make independents and disenfranchised voters crossover to third party in 2012....

"Johnson is a qualitative shift, taking massive strides which place the Libertarian Party closer towards being a mainstream ballot option. Purists may complain about Johnson, but his candidacy marks a new era of third party quality and an example for future candidates to follow.

"The souring economy, the pressures of staying in business and the large number of retiring officers and enlisted returning home from wars abroad presents a significant potential supporter base for Johnson in 2012 and a candidate recruiting field for the 2014 midterm elections."

Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/making-waves-hawaii-perspective-washington-politic/2012/jul/7/gary-johnson-blue-chips/
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Libertarian movement experiencing a rebirth

Libertarianism goes way beyond GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul; the movement is experiencing a rebirth, and represents a bloc of swing voters this fall   - NY Daily News - Associated Press::

July 8, 2012 - "Something’s going on in America this election year: a renaissance of an ideal as old as the nation itself — that live-and-let-live, get-out-of-my-business, individualism vs. paternalism dogma that is the hallmark of libertarianism.

"Paul, the Texas congressman and GOP presidential hopeful who champions small government and individual liberty, is one manifestation of it.

"We saw that with his rising popularity during the Republican presidential primary season and, now, the recent 'takeovers' of political conventions in Nevada, Minnesota, Maine, Louisiana and elsewhere that will result in a sizable faction of Paul delegates at the GOP convention come August.

"There are questions of how all of that might affect the choice of a GOP vice presidential candidate and the Republican Party platform.

"But what looms far larger are questions about whether an America fed up with government bans and government bailouts — with government, period — is seeing a return to its libertarian roots."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/libertarianism-gop-presidential-candidate-ron-paul-movement-experiencing-a-rebirth-represents-a-bloc-swing-voters-fall-article-1.1110081
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Former Ron Paul advisors launch Liberty Torch Consulting

Former Ron Paul advisors launch Liberty Torch Consulting | The Capitol Column - Jonathan Wong:

July 6, 2012 - "A new San Francisco based political consultancy looks to help libertarian candidates and organizations manage their campaigns, bringing together veterans of various libertarian political campaigns and pooling their experience. Recently-formed Liberty Torch Consulting, LLC, has recruited a variety of [l]ibertarian campaign veterans, including two advisors with close ties to the campaigns of former presidential candidate Ron Paul and his son, Sen. Rand Paul....

"David Adams was Rand Paul’s campaign advisor and will serve as a strategy advisor for the new group. Jonathan Bydlak, who served as a fundraising director for Ron Paul, will serve as a financial advisor....

"Mr. Adams stated ... that 'We have learned important lessons in Kentucky for winning with solid candidates determined to bust up the ruling class of politicians. Joining with these great people to form Liberty Torch and harness the power of the conservative movement is a no-brainer for me.'

"A third advisor, Dave Nalle, has experience serving as the chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus, as well as the 2012 Senate campaign of former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz."

Read more: http://www.capitolcolumn.com/news/former-ron-paul-advisors-launch-liberty-torch-consulting/#ixzz1zxTvJcUP
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Gary Johnson gets more presidential matching funds

Gary Johnson gets more presidential matching funds - Paul Singer, USA Today:

July 6, 2012 - "The Federal Election Commission announced Thursday that Johnson ... and Buddy Roemer ... have both qualified for additional federal matching funds for the primaries. In the July installment, Roemer gets $66,491 and Johnson gets $130,059. That brings Johnson's total for the election cycle to $230,059, while Roemer has received a total of $351,961.

"The matching funds come from a $3 voluntary check-off individual taxpayers make on their tax returns. According to the FEC, "To become eligible, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements to be declared eligible include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for legitimate campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.""

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/07/gary-johnson-presidential-matching-funds/1
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Ron Paul launches a new crusade for internet freedom | Texas on the Potomac

Ron Paul launches a new crusade for internet freedom | Texas on the Potomac | a Chron.com blog:

July 5, 2012 - "Ron Paul, working with his son, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has now written an online manifesto called 'The Technology Revolution: A campaign for liberty manifesto.'

"The manifesto outlines the Paul’s plan for the internet which, unlike the plans of both Democrats and Republicans, calls for a complete lack of regulation of the internet by the government.  The Paul’s tout the benefits of the unregulated internet, saying, '... decentralization has unlocked individual self-empowerment, entrepreneurialism, creativity, innovation and the creation of new markets in ways never before imagined in human history.'

"The manifesto lists a number of the positive outcomes that came from a completely unregulated internet, such as: Apple’s products like the iPod, iTunes and iPad, as well as the app store which, without government regulation, created almost a half-million jobs.... Ron and Rand Paul disagree with both the GOP-led regulations of SOPA and PIPA as well as the more liberal-led idea of “net-neutrality' that still advocates that the government monitor the doings of private companies."

Read more: http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/07/ron-paul-launches-a-new-crusade-for-internet-freedom/
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Read the manifesto here:
The Technology Revolution Final Rev 629

Gary Johnson lands in Florida for tour - West Palm Beach Libertarian | Examiner.com

Gary Johnson lands in Florida for tour - West Palm Beach Libertarian | Examiner.com - Karl Dickey:

July 3, 2012 - "Former New Mexico Governor and Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson will celebrate the Fourth of July in Florida this year. Gov. Johnson will visit Jacksonville, Orlando and the Broward, West Palm Beach and Tampa areas today through July 6th."

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/gary-johnson-lands-florida-for-tour
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Ron Paul Opposition to Obamacare Highlights Libertarian Alternatives in Medicine

Ron Paul Opposition to Obamacare Highlights Libertarian Alternatives in Medicine - Robert Taylor, Policymic:

July 2, 2012 - "In response to the Supreme Court's recent decision upholding the constitutionality of Obamacare, Texas Congressman Ron Paul issued a statement that was unpredictably critical.

“'Today we should remember that virtually everything government does is a "mandate." The issue is not whether Congress can compel commerce by forcing you to buy insurance, or simply compel you to pay a tax if you don’t,' said Paul. 'The issue is that this compulsion implies the use of government force against those who refuse. The fundamental hallmark of a free society should be the rejection of force. In a free society, therefore, individuals could opt out of "Obamacare" without paying a government tribute.'

"And he is absolutely right. The Affordable Care Act, while promising to attack the myriad of problems associated with our health care system, lower costs, and expand coverage, will do the exact opposite for precisely the libertarian objections Paul raises. The fundamental flaw in this legislation is that it will be using the same powers — government intervention, regulation, and central planning — that have created the problems in the first place."

Read more: http://www.policymic.com/articles/10566/ron-paul-opposition-to-obamacare-highlights-libertarian-alternatives-in-medicine
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