Club for Growth gives Cruz & Lee perfect scores for 2013

Club for Growth gives Ted Cruz, Mike Lee perfect marks - Washington Times - :

February 24, 2014 - "The conservative Club For Growth released its annual scorecard for 2013 on Monday, bestowing two Republican U.S. senators — Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah — and four GOP congressmen with 100 percent ratings for their voting records 'based on issues relating to limited government and economic growth.'

"The four congressmen with perfect ratings for 2013 are Republican Reps. Matt Salmon, Trent Franks and David Schweikert of Arizona and Tom McClintock of California. Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan got a 99 percent rating in 2013 'but because of rounding has a 100 percent LifeScore,' the group said....

"The 2013 and lifetime scores of GOP Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Marco Rubio of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Jim Risch of Idaho were good enough to qualify all seven, along with Mr. Cruz and Mr. Lee, for the “Defender of Economic Freedom” Award.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/24/club-growth-gives-ted-cruz-mike-lee-perfect-marks/
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26 Libertarians on state ballot in Arkansas

Arkansas Libertarian Party Holds Nominating Convention | KUAR - Jacob Kauffman:

February 23, 2014 - "While the Democratic and Republican parties garner the vast majority of media attention, fund raising, and votes the Libertarian Party of Arkansas is busy organizing.

"The party held its nominating convention in Little Rock February 21-23. After extensive signature gathering efforts the party is on the ballot statewide. Party Chairman Jessica Paxton said a number of candidates were nominated Saturday.

“'We nominated 26 candidates that will be on the ballot all over the state of Arkansas come November. We nominated candidates for US Senate, for all four congressional districts, for all seven constitutional offices – that's governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, auditor and land commissioner. We also nominated candidates for several state house races, justice of the peace, constable, and county judge.' said Paxton....

"As with most third parties in Arkansas the contest for Governor is crucial. If their nominee Frank Gilbert garners three percent of the vote the party will automatically be placed on the ballot next election without facing the requirement of an extensive and expensive signature gathering effort."

Read more: http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-libertarian-party-holds-nominating-convention
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Was John Galt modeled on Jesus?

Ayn Rand's Libertarian Hero John Galt Was Modeled on Jesus, Christian Panelist Argues:

"[A]t at the International Students for Liberty Conference in Washington D.C. Feb. 15, 2014 ...  Christian panelist, David Kotter, argued that Ayn Rand's libertarian hero John Galt was unconsciously modeled on Jesus Christ. A follower of Rand, William R. Thomas, agreed that Galt was modeled after Christ, but argued that Rand consciously intended to do so.

"Kotter, visiting scholar at The Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics, insisted that Rand did base her character off of Jesus, although she likely did it unconsciously. .... 'Ayn Rand imbibed ideas from the character of Jesus," Kotter declared. He described Galt as 'the man who by perfect reason is the epitome of manhood, and is very similar to Jesus.'

"'In John Galt, Rand is trying to portray man as a god in an irreligious sense," Thomas, director of programs at The Atlas Society, declared.... Thomas added that 'I don't think she would have said she endorsed Jesus Christ.

"Mark Henderson, author of The Soul of Atlas: Ayn Rand, Christianity, a Quest for Common Ground, referenced Theologian John Piper to explain where Rand's philosophy can agree with Christianity. Henderson quoted ... Piper's essay 'Ayn Rand: An Appreciation and Critique,' where the theologian argued that 'all throughout scripture there are evidences of believers pursuing their own interest by pursuing God.'"

Read more: http://www.christianpost.com/news/ayn-rands-libertarian-hero-john-galt-was-modeled-on-jesus-christian-panelist-argues-114729/

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The future belongs to libertarians

The End of Republicans and Democrats (And Your Libertarian Future) - The Daily Beast - Nick Gillespie:

February 20, 2014 - "The most interesting – and quite possibly the most important – discussion about the future of American politics took place just last week. And unless you subscribe to Glenn Beck’s The Blaze TV – of all places! - you probably missed it.

 "'I think Republicans will not win again in my lifetime ... unless they become a new GOP, a new Republican Party,' Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told the lachrymose former Fox News host who now runs his own online media empire. 'It has to be a transformation. Not just a little tweaking at the edges.' Not only that, says the Tea Party favorite and persistently popular 2016 presidential hopeful, the Democrats are overdue for an ideological overhaul too....

"In January, Gallup found a historically high number of Americans – 42 percent – self-identify as politically independent. The Republican brand is totally in the crapper, with just 25 percent copping to that affiliation, and the Democrats are flatter than a leaking bottle of SodaStream seltzer, pulling just 31 percent."

Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/20/the-end-of-republicans-and-democrats-and-your-libertarian-future.html

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T-shirt maker wins legal fight against NSA & DHS

Exclusive: Business Owner Sues The NSA & DHS and WINS! | Ben Swann Truth In Media - Ben Swann:

February 20, 2014 - "A small business owner and T-shirt maker who had his products forced off of internet marketplaces by the NSA [National Security Agency] has won his fight against the agency.

"Dan McCall is the owner of Liberty Maniacs which is a T-shirt company based out of Minnesota....

"The NSA has backed off its claim that McCall’s T-shirt 'The NSA' had infringed on their intellectual property rights.... Shortly after the NSA began getting McCall’s shirts pulled from online marketplaces like Zazzle.com, DHS or the Department of Homeland Security began doing the same thing claiming that T-shirts that mocked their agency were also infringing on intellectual property.

"McCall’s lawyer recently contacted him saying that both agencies wanted to settle. This is a huge victory for those who believe in Liberty and are taking a stand against federal agencies that are bullying the public ... to be able to force the NSA and DHS to contact online marketplaces and admit that they were wrong to try to force his products off the marketplaces and that McCall does in fact have every right to create his parody shirts."

Read more: http://benswann.com/exclusive-business-owner-sues-the-nsa-dhs-and-wins/
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Libertarian declares for PA governor

Libertarian Ken Krawchuk to run for Pa. governor - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Associated Press:

February 20, 2014 - "A Libertarian Party activist is the first third-party candidate to enter the Pennsylvania governor’s race.

"Ken Krawchuk, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1998 and 2002, said Thursday he’ll seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination at its convention this weekend in Bethlehem....

"Mr. Krawchuk must gather more than 16,000 voters’ signatures between March 12 and Aug. 1 to be listed on the November ballot. Republican and Democratic candidates need only 2,000 signatures, but must win their party’s nominations in the May 20 primary in order to run in the general election."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2014/02/20/Libertarian-Ken-Krawchuk-to-run-for-Pa-governor/stories/201402200267
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Rand Paul backs voting rights for ex-convicts in Kentucky

Rand Paul testifies on felon voting rights in Kentucky - Emma Roller, Weigel, Slate:

February 19, 2014 - "Sen. Rand Paul brought his national crusade against the war on drugs back to his home state, giving testimony before the Kentucky state senate in favor of an amendment to restore voting rights to felons after they get out of prison.

"The amendment, which state Republicans have forestalled for years, looks like it may finally pass. Today, only Kentucky and Virginia permanently strip felons of their voting rights. Most states require a probationary period before felons can vote again, but states like Iowa and Florida have such punitive laws that they may as well be permanent. Only Maine and Vermont have no restrictions on felons voting, including when they are still in prison."

"In his testimony, Paul gave a fact-based and level-headed critique of mandatory minimums, the war on drugs, and the American justice system writ large—it could have doubled as a David Simon blog post. A few samples:

* 'When you look at those who are being deprived of voting, I think it is disproportionately people of color.'

* 'Kids do make mistakes: white kids, black kids, brown kids. But when you look at the prison population, three-quarters are black or brown....

* "Not only is the incarceration unfair...but then they get out and their voting rights are impaired."

Read more: http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/02/19/rand_paul_testifies_on_felon_voting_rights_in_kentucky.html
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