| Vol. X, No. 2 | Editor: Robert Giedt | February 2000 |
Below is part two of the LPSM's recommendations on March's ballot measures.
The first half of the measures were covered in January's issue
(which can be viewed online at http://www.california.com/~lpsm/sml.html).
On Proposition 1A (Gambling on Tribal Lands) we voted 501 (Yes-No-Abstain) to recommend a 'Yes' vote, affirming compacts with 57 tribes, permitting various forms of gambling on tribal lands. These compacts supercede those of Proposition 29, and apply to more tribes (including all those who had previously agreed to the Prop. 29 compacts). For tactical reasons, Proposition 29 did not get our approval (by a vote of 042).
On Proposition 17 (Charitable Lotteries & Raffles) we voted 600 to recommend a 'Yes' vote, formally permitting charitable nonprofit organizations to conduct raffles (subject to regulation by the state legislature).
On Proposition 18 (Murder: Special Circumstances) we split 330, yielding no recommendation from the LPSM. The vote was colored somewhat by differing opinions regarding the death penalty itself, rather than disagreement concerning the terms of the special circumstances covered by the measure.
On Proposition 19 (Murder: BART and CSU peace officers) we saw the question as "Should the penalty for killing certain government security guards be greater than the penalty for killing ordinary citizens?" We answered 'No', by a vote of 060.
On Proposition 20 (State Lottery: Textbook Allocation) we voted to recommend a 'No' vote on this measure (that would earmark a certain portion of lottery proceeds above a certain level for instructional materials) by a vote of 150. Why tie the hands of local school authorities needlessly?
On Proposition 21 (Juvenile Crime) we recommended a 'No' vote, voting 060. First, the sheer size of the proposed expansion of the criminal justice system (hundreds of millions of dollars per year) alarmed some of us. I was agog to note the incredible length of this legislation (an authoritarian laundry list of 13 pages of fine print), all of it directed at the goal of keeping more of California's population in prison (already record-setting). We started to read the details, like reducing the discretionary powers of the courts, and increasing the use of wiretapping, but soon realized that our position was already obvious.
Respecting the complexity of Propositions 30 and 31 (and conscious that libertarians have not historically agreed on the proper balance between the goal of protecting citizens' right to redress through the courts and the competing goal of protecting insurance consumers from paying for the fraudulent insurance claims of others), we voted 006, taking no position on these measures.
I have posted the analysis of Libertarian insurance adjuster Ted Brown on our LPSM_Discuss@Listbot.com mailing list, if you're interested. You can sign up for the list on the LPSM website ("E-Mail Lists") and read the complete discussion list archives at http://lpsm_discuss.listbot.com/.
These are great times for the forces of freedom. While the economy is great, which usually brings complacency, there are still many disenfranchised American's who see government as the cause of a multitude of social problems which permeate our land.
As your Chairman, I am grateful for the opportunity to test my skills and knowledge of human nature, acquired over my 65+ years on this earth, in pursuit of Libertarian goals. Since joining the Libertarian Party in April, 1998, I have acquired more tolerance of other viewpoints than I ever thought possible. Eternal vigilance, with regard to government, I have always had.
National efforts to promote the Libertarian Party are bearing fruit. We, in San Mateo County, must build upon and add to that effort.
Today, I obtained the latest voter registration list for San Mateo County. And, in checking the growth of our Party versus our nearest competitor, found that Jesse Ventura's Reform Party lost 65 registered voters since June's election, while Libertarian registration grew by 30.
My plan for building a registered voter base, and the member base which follows, is to project the LPSM as the Party which is "doing" things, not just "debating" them as has been a perception in the past. Another past perception of the Libertarian Party has been one of pot smoking, self indulgent anarchists. That image, with the help of Prop 215, an overzealous drug czar, errant swat teams and the FBI/ATF combo is moderating.
We had a successful campaign, with much Libertarian credit, in last November's election in defeating Measure A, the SMCCCD bond effort. The battle is not over. SMCCCD and the Redwood City School District have both contracted with Godbe Research for yet another bond-related voter survey. Prop. 26 on the March 7 ballot would lower the vote requirement from 2/3 to a simple majority.
My immediate goal is to recruit candidates for school board elections in November. We need to find candidates who will oppose Prop. 26 and support the elimination of Compulsory Attendance Laws. Candidates who would oppose intrusion into the lives of home-schooling families. I will present a plan for recruitment of candidates, and support teams for them, at the next meeting.
I must also mention my Performance Accountability Voucher for Education. Petitions will be available online in early March. I will be promoting PAVE at the LPC Convention in San Diego.
Please, come join us at our next meeting.
The Annual Meeting of the LPSM at Hobee's in January was dedicated to officer elections, appointment of convention delegates, and to discussion of the measures on the March 2000 ballot not analyzed at the December meeting.
Unanimously, we elected Jack Hickey to serve as Chair for the coming year, J.R. Prohaska as Secretary, Christopher Schmidt as Membership Chair, and Steve Marsland as Fundraising Chair. Margret Schmidt was re-elected as Treasurer, Robert Giedt as Newsletter Chair, and Ann Turner as Database Chair. Freshman Executive Committeeman Bob Green was elected to the position of Publicity Chair. The positions of Vice Chair, Campaigns Chair, and Activities Chair remain vacant, so it's not too late for you to serve on the Executive Committee!
Lacy Nelson, J.R. Prohaska, and Christopher Schmidt were reelected to the Judicial Committee.
As delegates to the state LP convention in San Diego, we appointed Chuck Montgomery, J.R. Prohaska, and Christopher Schmidt, with Jack Hickey also serving as a delegate--ex officio, as Chair. Delegates were authorized to name substitutes, should our delegation be short at any time, and other LPSM members are present. Chuck Montgomery will serve on the platform committee.
Thursday, February 8
Hobee's Restaurant
(Directions to Hobee's)
1111
Shoreway Road, Belmont; just off Ralston, on the bay side of Highway 101
Dinner
and informal discussion: 6:00--7:30pm in the reserved dining room
Business meeting: 7:30--8:45pm in the dining room alcove.