Joe Miller is Alaska Libertarian Senate candidate

Alaska Libertarians select Joe Miller as Senate candidate | McClatchy DC - Becky Bohrer, Associated Press:

September 6, 2016 - "Joe Miller wants to again attempt to unseat U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, but this time he's planning to try it as a Libertarian.

"Miller announced Tuesday that he will become the Libertarian's replacement candidate in Alaska's U.S. Senate race in another face-off with the incumbent Republican.

"Six years ago, Miller upset Murkowski in the GOP primary only to see her retain her seat in a general election write-in campaign marked by a lengthy hand-count of ballots.

"In a statement, Murkowski said she has been preparing for her re-election bid for several years and looks forward to 'a spirited campaign on the issues that matter to Alaskans most."

"Alaska Libertarian Party Chairman Terrence Shanigan confirmed in an interview with The Associated Press that Miller is the party's choice to replace Cean Stevens on the ballot after she withdrew from the race. He said Miller has registered as a Libertarian and is a good fit for a party that believes in such things as limited government.

"The party had unsuccessfully courted Miller to be a candidate in 2010 and 2014, he said. 'I think this race is less about party, but it's so much about ideology and philosophy,' Shanigan said.

"Miller is a high-energy candidate with name recognition who is more measured and deliberative than he was in 2010, Shanigan said....

"Division of Elections Director Josie Bahnke said by email Tuesday that election officials were processing the paperwork submitted to put Miller on the ballot. If certified, Miller would become the Libertarian candidate instead of Stevens."

"Miller issued a release saying that low voter turnout in last month's primary shows that Alaskans want another choice. If elected, the release states, Miller said he will caucus with Republicans."

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article100276312.html
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Cornell Republicans booted for endorsing Johnson

N.Y. College Republicans Rally Behind Cornell Chapter, Say Revocation Violated Federation’s Constitution | The Cornell Daily Sun - Drew Musto:

September 5, 2016 - "A string of college Republican chapters across New York State has issued statements denouncing the state federation’s decision to revoke its recognition of the Cornell Republicans on Sunday.

"The decision to revoke Cornell’s chapter came in the wake of the group’s endorsement of Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson — an action the New York Federation of College Republicans called 'unacceptable.' The federation said that while the group would have been within its rights to refuse to endorse nominee Donald Trump, it could not endorse another party’s candidate....

"The Ithaca College Republicans condemned the NYFCR’s Executive Board’s decision, saying it was an 'egregious violation of the NYFCR constitution' in a resolution posted to the group’s Facebook page Monday.

"The constitution states that the NYFCR’s purpose is 'to promote the principles of [...] limited government, fiscal sensibility, economic freedom and personal responsibility,' and 'to aid in the election of candidates adhering to those values at every level of Government'.... The Cornell Republicans’ endorsement message argued that Johnson better exemplifies these conservative principles than either Trump or Hillary Clinton.

"'Governor Johnson’s commitment to fiscal conservatism is unparalleled,' their endorsement message says. 'Governing a blue state, he shrunk the size of the government, balanced the state’s budget, and never increased taxes. While we do not agree with all of his positions, we firmly support his devotion to free trade, states’ rights, and other conservative principles.'

"In their statement, the Ithaca College chapter also pointed out that there is no clause in the federation’s constitution that details the procedure for the expulsion of a member, suggesting that instead conservative groups should defer to a faith in free speech....

"Adam Dohrenwend, president of the Geneseo College Republicans, also released a statement Monday on behalf of his chapter’s executive board, calling NYFCR’s leadership 'irresponsible and heavy-handed' and its decision 'hasty'.

"''Not only is the action taken against Cornell unbecoming of an organization dedicated to the ideals of free speech and open discourse essential to the Republican Party, but it is also without any constitutional justification or precedent,' Dohrenwend wrote."

Read more: http://cornellsun.com/2016/09/05/n-y-college-republicans-rally-behind-cornell-chapter-say-revocation-violated-federations-constitution/
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Richmond Times-Dispatch endorses Johnson

Richmond Times-Dispatch endorses Gary Johnson for president - Richmond Times-Dispatch: OUR OPINION:

September 3, 2016 - "Gary Johnson is a former, two-term governor of New Mexico and a man who built from scratch a construction company that eventually employed more than 1,000 people before he sold it in 1999. He possesses substantial executive experience in both the private and the public sectors.

"More important, he’s a man of good integrity, apparently normal ego and sound ideas. Sadly, in the 2016 presidential contest, those essential qualities make him an anomaly — though they are the foundations for solid leadership and trustworthy character. (At 63, he is also the youngest candidate by more than half a decade — and is polling well among truly young voters.)

"As the nominee of the Libertarian Party, Johnson is expected to be on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. He is, in every respect, a legitimate and reasonable contender for the presidency — but only if the voters give him a fair hearing. And that can happen only if he is allowed to participate in the presidential debates that begin on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. If the Commission on Presidential Debates wants to perform a real service to its country, it will invite Gary Johnson onto the big stage....

"Johnson’s clear and consistent support for limited government, free enterprise, social tolerance and individual freedom appeals to our own philosophical leanings. An examination of his policy positions revealed that they often match our longstanding editorial creed....

"But our final decision to endorse the Johnson/Weld ticket, and to do so with great confidence and enthusiasm, came only after Johnson met with the editorial board last Monday morning. We found him to be knowledgeable but unscripted, reasonable and good-humored, self-assured but free from arrogance, willing and able to address every question, consistent in his beliefs without being dogmatic, even-tempered, curious — and in all respects optimistically, realistically presidential.

"We have over the years interviewed hundreds of politicians — local, state, and national — and there’s no doubt that Johnson belongs in the major leagues, and on the debate stage this fall. He is a skilled and experienced leader, an able communicator, an intelligent man."

Read more: http://www.richmond.com/opinion/our-opinion/article_b79cc2b6-8ed5-532c-92eb-4a37e779c433.html
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Bitcoin goes retail in Portsmouth, New Hamphire

Making Bitcoin Real: Portsmouth, NH, Businesses Begin Accepting BTC - Joel Valenzuela, Cointelegraph:

August 26, 2016 - "Another establishment has begun accepting Bitcoin as payment in what is fast becoming one of the most Bitcoin-centric towns in the United States.

"Street, a posh restaurant featuring food inspired from around the globe, began accepting Bitcoin earlier this month. The integration came as a result of outreach by Steven Zeiler, a local software developer and Bitcoin evangelist, who has also succeeded in getting a local yoga studio he frequents to take Bitcoin.

"Matt Carano, owner of The Music Class (which also takes Bitcoin) and former owner of the Pão Cafe,  one of the first restaurants in New Hampshire to take Bitcoin ... appreciates the ability to use Bitcoin locally, not just through online transactions....

"According to Mike Vine, technology evangelist for the Blockchain-based content-sharing platform LBRY, New Hampshire’s vibrant Bitcoin scene can be traced back to the Free State Project involvement....

"The Free State Project hosts the Porcupine Freedom Festival, or PorcFest, a weeklong festival in a mountain campground with a heavy emphasis on Bitcoin and decentralized technology. Largely thanks to the efforts of the Free State Project movers, New Hampshire ranks as one of the world’s most Bitcoin-friendly places.

"A touristy, seaside town of only 20,000 residents in a mostly rural state with a low population, Portsmouth is an unlikely destination for a vibrant Bitcoin community. Yet, in addition to the above mentioned businesses, it is also home to several Blockchain startups.

"Vine also founded the Praxeum, a Portsmouth-based co-working and community space, with Carano. He sees New Hampshire as a future renowned hub of Blockchain and decentralized tech innovation....

"Arcade City, the Blockchain-based ride-sharing service with a new app slated for release on September 1st, was founded in Portsmouth, and owes its origin to the Free Uber campaign, which protested against the city’s ride-sharing regulations by Bitcoin-funded swarm activism."

Read more: https://cointelegraph.com/news/making-bitcoin-real-portsmouth-n-h-businesses-begin-accepting-btc
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Government versus the sharing economy

The government needs to stop stifling economic growth — commentary - Gary Johnson, CNBC:

August 24, 2016 - "The sharing economy has captivated the attention of so many users and participants because services like Uber and Lyft enable more efficiency and convenience than hailing a cab. Have a spare room to rent out? That's done simply and easily with Airbnb or HomeAway.

"Technology is making it easier for all of us to be entrepreneurs — and that's a good thing.

"What should be the government's role in looking at such services as new opportunity generators? It's simple: Government should stay out of the way....

"But instead we're seeing established politicians team up with special interests in an effort to strangle new forms of enterprise and innovation from gaining traction — and threatening those special interests. Politicians like Hillary Clinton look at sharing services like travel, ride-sharing, finance, staffing, and music and video streaming and see a problem....

"Entrepreneurship may be celebrated in the abstract — but too many politicians have no hesitation in using government power to stop innovation. The challenge has become so obstructive that one technology trade group, the Consumer Technology Association, has had to put together a 'Disruptive Innovation Council' to specifically fight governments and established companies from strangling new businesses in the cradle....

"The establishment isn't really interested in making our lives easier or more convenient. To the contrary, their self- interests are best served by protecting us to death. Indeed, the Obama administration's Labor Department is so intent on tightening the classifications of independent contractors that soon there won't be any.

"City after city is regulating and outright banning Airbnb — prohibiting homeowners from earning extra cash, much of which, ironically, would be spent in those same communities, providing jobs and, yes, tax revenues.

"The same kind of special interest assault on entrepreneurship is happening under the name of occupational licensing. In the 1970s, only 10 percent of workers were subject to such licensing, a number that now totals 30 percent, according to a Morris M. Kleiner report. Lifting restrictions on occupational licensing is one of four keys to unlocking U.S. economic growth, according to the Cato Institute.

"The entrepreneurial economy exemplified by companies like Uber and Airbnb is really only beginning. Besides the expected growth in nontraditional approaches to services like travel, ride-sharing and staffing, technology and entrepreneurs will soon take us to places where other services, such as health care, will be similarly transformed — if only government and the politicians will get out of the way.

"Being ever an optimist, I am confident that even the government cannot forever stand in the way of an entrepreneurial transformation that consumers and the marketplace are so clearly demanding. And the result of that revolution will be really good for all of us, with the possible exception of recalcitrant politicians and their special interest patrons."

Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/24/the-government-needs-to-stop-stifling-economic-growth-gary-johnson-commentary.html
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Majority want Johnson in POTUS debate: poll

Voters Want Gary Johnson, Jill Stein on the Debate Stage - Morning Consult - Eli Yokely:

September 1, 2016 - "Gary Johnson is polling below the required threshold to earn a spot on the presidential debate stage with the major party presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. But most voters think he should be there anyway.

"A new survey by Morning Consult found that 52 percent of voters think the former New Mexico governor and Libertarian nominee should join the Democratic and Republican candidates when they are scheduled to appear together for the first time on Sept. 26.

"When asked about Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who has consistently polled lower than Johnson in Morning Consult surveys, 47 percent of voters said she, too, should be allowed to participate....

"To get on stage, the Commission on Presidential Debates has said a candidate has to be constitutionally eligible, able to show evidence of ballot access, and garner 15 percent of the average of five selected national polls. The highest level that Johnson has polled in Morning Consult’s surveys is 13 percent. He was at 8 percent in the most recent poll.

"This year, the commission is relying on surveys conducted by ABC-Washington Post, CBS-New York Times, CNN-Opinion Research Corporation, Fox News, and NBC-Wall Street Journal. Neither Johnson nor Stein have polled well enough to reach the stage....

As for the importance of the first debate, voters are split. One-fourth of voters said they think the presidential debate will be “very important” when determining how they vote in November, while two out of 10 voters said it would not be important at all. Only 18 percent thought the vice presidential debate between Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Gov. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) would impact their vote....

"Two-thirds of voters said they are likely to watch the first debate between Clinton and Trump, and 58 percent said they would watch the vice presidential debate.

"The national Morning Consult survey polled 2,002 registered voters from Aug. 29-30 for a margin of error plus or minus 2 percentage points."

Read more: https://morningconsult.com/2016/09/01/voters-want-gary-johnson-jill-stein-debate-stage/
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Kubby against CA cannabis legalization initiative

Pot Twist: Some marijuana activists urge 'no' vote on legalization | Fox News - Dan Greenhut:

September 1, 2016 - "As voters consider marijuana-legalization efforts in several states this November, they can expect opposition from the usual pot opponents like law-enforcement groups and anti-drug activists – but some of the most ardent foes come, unexpectedly, from within the marijuana community itself.

"Opponents include some in the medical-marijuana industry, concerned about what a wide-open recreational market would mean for their businesses. Advocates for recreational marijuana also fear the latest legalization measures come with so many restrictions that pot smokers might be better off, for now, within the existing medical-marijuana system....

“'I’m on the record totally opposing this law [California Proposition 64] that does not legalize marijuana,' said Steve Kubby, an original proponent of the 1996 ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana.... Kubby, who backed an alternate legalization measure that never made it to this year’s ballot, complained the Prop 64 proposal creates tougher punishments for people who have more than an ounce.

"California’s marijuana industry is centered in Humboldt County, the redwood-forested coastal region 200 miles north of San Francisco. Yet a July 12 report in the Humboldt Independent found deep divisions within the California Growers Association, a cannabis growers’ trade group, over the 'Adult Use of Marijuana Act.' An opinion poll found its members evenly split over Prop 64....

"Diane Goldstein, executive board member for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), touted the proposal. 'This initiative is the best chance California has to end a failed war on marijuana resulting in the criminalization of almost half a million people in the last decade,' she said.

"Such wide differences of opinion from within pro-marijuana circles are playing out in other states, also. The Massachusetts measure gives existing medical dispensaries preferential licensing treatment, so a number of existing companies have actively supported the measure.

"But Dan Delaney, a Boston lobbyist who has helped medical-marijuana clinics seek licenses and is chairman of Safe Cannabis Massachusetts, opposes the measure. He is particularly opposed to language that limits the ability of local governments to regulate it and said many of the state’s hardcore pro-marijuana activists have joined with the anti-marijuana activists to oppose the measure. They view it as being 'crafted by industry folks'....

"The latest polls show legalization ahead in California and split in Massachusetts and Nevada. It’s behind in Arizona, but was ahead in Maine in May."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/08/26/pot-twist-some-marijuana-activists-urge-no-vote-on-legalization.html
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