Libertarians hold annual convention in Asheville
The Libertarian Party of North Carolina held its annual convention in
Asheville on April 23-25, at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort. This was
the Libertarians’ largest convention since 1992. The delegates voted to
hold Libertarian primaries for the first time in 18 years, selected a new
symbol of the party, elected new officers, ratified a platform for the
2000 elections, and heard speakers on party building and public policy.
Libertarians have traditionally been considered a "new party" by state
law, and had previously nominated their candidates in convention. But the
Libertarian Party has grown rapidly since the 1996 elections and has
maintained continuous ballot status, which has mandated the move to
primaries. The delegates also passed a resolution to invite Unaffiliated
voters to participate in the 2000 Libertarian primary elections.
"We have arrived," said Sean Haugh, the party Chair. "The elections in
2000 will see three major parties on the ballot, and we’re only going to
get bigger from here."
The party chose a
penguin as its party mascot during the party's recent
convention in Asheville. Known as "LP-The Liberty Penguin," the little
bird carries a torch similar to the Statue of Liberty, the Libertarian
Party's national symbol. The design was created by Ann Cason, a graphic
designer from Tennessee.
"The Liberty Penguin is an excellent ice breaker when it comes to telling
people about liberty," said Tom Howe, a delegate from Oxford. "I wear my
Liberty Penguin pin on my lapel and people are always asking me about it."
Howe presented the resolution for the penguin mascot, noting that in
contrast "the donkey is an animal synonymous with stubbornness and the
elephant is a beast more likely to trample our rights than protect them." The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Designer Ann Cason said "Liberty is a cool idea, and nothing symbolizes
cool more than a penguin." Cason owns The Creative Factory, a graphic
design and advertising company in Bean Station, Tenn. North Carolina is
the sixth state affiliate to adopt the symbol.
New officers were elected to two year terms. Sean Haugh, of Durham, was
reelected to a second term as Chair. Other officers include:
- Vice Chair: Christian Davis of Fayetteville.
- Recording Secretary: Douglas Adams of Durham.
- Treasurer: Robert Dorsey of Durham.
- Newsletter Editor: Lisa Wenger of Greensboro.
- Ballot Access Coordinator: Candi Copas of Hillsborough.
Elected as at-large members of the state executive committee were
Pam Adams of Durham, Tom Bailey of Greensboro, Stephen Burr of Charlotte, and
Tom Howe of Oxford.
The Libertarians also put together a comprehensive, issues-specific
platform for the 2000 elections. Highlights of the platform include:
- A call to end the insane war on drugs.
- Support for any attempts by parents to take back control of their
children’s education.
- Proposals to end all forms of corporate welfare.
- Planks which base environmental protection on property rights, thus
forcing polluters to fully and directly compensate anyone who is harmed by
their actions.
- Opposition to forced annexation by municipalities.
- A challenge to state and local governments to turn away all federal
grants, and the restrictions and mandates that come with them.
Libertarians call in their platform for the complete deregulation of
several industries, including daycare, alcohol sales, agriculture,
forestry, welfare, housing, healthcare, and adoption. The party also
passed a plank demanding the repeal of taxes on vehicles, capital goods,
and pets, as well as a plank which calls for replacing all taxation with
voluntary means of funding government.
The most controversial plank was one that was defeated. Delegates
narrowly rejected a strongly-worded plank against the death penalty. The
measure needed two-thirds approval to be included in the platform, yet
after the full time allotted for debate it failed by one vote.
The delegates also made minor changes to their Constitution and By-laws.
Besides the full load of business accomplished in convention, Libertarians
took time to hear several speakers who were all very well received.
Ron Akins of Good Neighbors North Carolina spoke on Saturday afternoon
about their activities across the state to help communities fight against
being forcibly annexed by cities. He brought to the delegates living
examples of how property rights form the basis of our liberties, well
beyond the issue of annexation. Akins’ passion and optimism earned him a
standing ovation from the delegates.
Jonathan Jordan of the John Locke Foundation addressed the convention
Sunday morning about the growth of corporate incentives in North Carolina
at all levels of government. Jordan detailed how corporate welfare has
proliferated to the point where counties are stealing businesses from each
other. He also touched on several other areas of public policy currently
being addressed by the Raleigh-based think tank. Several of those in
attendance requested copies of Jordan’s speech afterwards.
National Libertarian Party Treasurer Mark Tuniewicz of Massachusetts
delivered the keynote address on Saturday morning. He urged the delegates
to continue building the party through local organizing, membership
growth, and campaigns. "Implement the vision for Libertarian success the
best way you can," said Tuniewicz, "and you'll continue to be among the
leading states in our party."
Haugh gave a rousing "State of the Party" address, in which he confidently
proclaimed, "we are going to win." He noted that the party had grown
five-fold in the last four years, with the growth trend rapidly
accelerating. "Our reason to exist is to return liberty to the people of
North Carolina, and the way we’re going to do it is by electing
Libertarian majorities," declared Haugh.
|
