Media Release: Jesse Fullington, candidate of Tennessee for the House of Reps. 79th LD, Military Action from President Trump on Syria 4.7.2017

Jesse M. Fullington is seeking election in the 2018 State Representative Race in the 79th District in Tennessee.

Official Release: April 6, 2017

It saddens me deeply to hear the news that tonight, Donald J. Trump took military action against Syria. I say Trump and not America, simply because we didn't ask for another war. No approval by either Congress or the American people was given for these actions, though four years ago it was something he criticized about Barack Obama. It is deplorable and a very threat to our Liberty as Americans to condone this kind of behavior from a Commander-in-Chief. We should be considering this as an affront, not as a justified action. We had the power to help these people by giving them a safe haven, but yet we turned them away and attacked what they have left. This will accomplish nothing more than another endless war, with a body count neither side should want on their hands.

Now is not the time to blindly support actions, it's time to critically think as individuals to make informed decisions. The government is to be held accountable by us and to be the voice of the people NOT the other way around. We are literally seeing our voice CRUMBLE before our eyes. The question that remains is, are we going to let it? Furthermore, I would call on all Libertarians to join me in standing against these, or any acts of aggression, that could lead to further conflict.

- Jesse M. Fullington 79th District Libertarian State Representative Candidate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jesse4aBetterTN
Website:  http://jesse4abettertn.com/

Media Release: Libertarian Party of Thurston County, WA 3.19.2017

Libertarian Party of Thurston County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 3/19/17

Contact: James Blair
jamesblair@lpwa.org

Libertarians call for special session to repeal the GMA.

The Olympian newspaper quotes Governor Inslee on the Trump Administration’s budget as saying, “The president’s proposal trades away the support needed to build a prosperous economy for working families to instead pay for tax cuts for the wealthy…”

To solve the problem mentioned by the governor the Libertarian Party of Thurston County suggests the governor call a special session of the legislature to repeal the Growth Management Act.  “Let’s get the construction industry back to work building homes and others structures,” said James Blair, for the LPTC.

According to a 2015 study land use laws such as the GMA are a drain on the local economy. One article on the study suggests that the laws cost the nation $1.6 trillion annually. The same article notes “…the economists calculate this would amount to an annual wage increase of $8,775 for the average worker.”

The article goes on to note that “Instead of fueling productivity and growth, too much of America’s urban economic power is simply being wasted on higher housing bills.”

Land use regulations have been criticized across the political spectrum by New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, Jason Furman, chairman of former President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors and by Edward J. Pinto of the American Enterprise Institute.

In Houston where we are told there are no land use laws “rent prices are 32% lower than in Seattle” according to one report. When compared to Tokyo “Rent Prices in Seattle, WA are 51.68% higher than in Tokyo…” thanks to Japan’s strict respect for property rights.

END

Sources:
Citylab http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/05/the-urban-housing-crunch-costs-the-us-economy-about-16-trillion-a-year/393515/

Edward J. Pinto of the American Enterprise Institute http://www.aei.org/publication/a-solution-to-the-housing-supply-problem/

Paul Krugman https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/opinion/paul-krugman-wrong-way-nation.html?_r=0

The White House http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/obama-takes-on-zoning-laws-in-bid-to-build-more-housing-spur-growth-228650

Libertarian Party warns:
Cut Sessions short

For immediate release
January 10, 2017

Sen. Jeff Sessions

The Libertarian Party warns U.S. senators to quickly reject the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions for the position of attorney general.
“Jeff Sessions is preposterously unfit for the highest law-enforcement position in the land,” said Nicholas Sarwark, chair of the Libertarian National Committee. “For one, he’s an unyielding Drug Warrior in a war that the U.S. government is losing and in which lawmakers need to surrender to common sense.”
Sessions is among a dying breed of Nancy Reagan-inspired “tough on drugs” lawmakers who deny the truths about drug prohibition that are now obvious to most Americans:

• Marijuana is a relatively mild drug with far fewer harmful effects than alcohol.
• Labeled, quality-controlled marijuana products are far safer than unlabeled, untested black-market drugs.
• Drug warfare drives up crime which endangers Americans and terrorizes the people of supplier countries, such as Mexico.
• The demand for drugs remains unabated under prohibition. One-third of Americans have used marijuana, and despite strict penalties against narcotics, heroin use is an epidemic that now kills more Americans every year than do automobiles and homicide, combined.

As a grassroots movement to legalize marijuana sweeps the country, Sessions wants to enforce federal prohibition laws in the eight states that have legalized recreational marijuana.
“Sessions is terrible when it comes to civil liberties,” notes Sarwark. “He wants a bigger U.S. government spy apparatus that snoops on Americans’ e-mails. He wants police officers to continue to steal Americans’ stuff through civil asset forfeiture. He advocates for discrimination based on religious beliefs, in violation of the Constitution.
“Sessions is also a war hawk, and there’s a high risk that he would be Trump’s lap dog for justifying torture by the U.S. military, as did Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for the Bush administration.”
Libertarians enjoy growing support from millennials, who are claiming a larger block of the American vote and who are helping more and more Libertarian candidates beat the margin of victory in top-ticket races. Libertarian Joe Miller for U.S. Senate in Alaska won 29 percent of the vote in the November election, coming in second, ahead of the Democrat.
“We’ll be running Libertarians for U.S. Senate in upcoming elections,” Sarwark warned. “There will be a price to pay for any senator who confirms Sessions for attorney general.”
Americans cast almost 20 million votes for Libertarian candidates in the 2016 general election. The Libertarian presidential candidate, Gov. Gary Johnson, appeared on the ballot in all fifty states, plus the District of Columbia.

 

LP Vice Chair Open Letter to Democrats: Media Release from LP 11/9/2016

For immediate release
November 9, 2016

Arvin Vohra, Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party released this open letter to Democratic voters today in response to their candidate's decisive defeat:

Democratic voters:

Do you know why the Democratic Party lost despite better organization and more money?

It's because you literally nominated an openly pro-war Democrat. (Obama at least pretended otherwise.)

The current version Democratic Party is strongest in politically correct parts of cities, where people are often more influenced by the fashion of politics than by the substance. But the real Democratic voters, the ones who have been Democrats for decades, are not really interested in safe spaces and nonsense. They are opposed to war. Many of them became Democrats in response to the Vietnam war and to Nixon's War on Drugs (which is ironic, given that Democrats initially got the U.S. military involved in Vietnam).

When you nominated an openly pro-war "Democrat", that was frankly too much. They could not support that type of person. And rightly so.

To those anti-war Democrats: what do you do when a spouse mistreats you? First you try to convince them otherwise. If that doesn't work, you leave, and make them earn you back.

It's time for you to ditch the pro-War "Democratic" party. Join the actual anti-War party: the Libertarian Party. If the Democrats want your vote and your energy, make them earn it. Make them pledge to end the War on Drugs and end U.S. involvement in foreign civil wars. Libertarian Candidates have already signed pledges to that effect.

And to the anti-War left that has been missing since 2008: please stop the hypocrisy. Democrats bombing foreign countries is just as bad as Republicans bombing foreign countries. If you cannot hold your own candidates the the same standards you hold Republican candidates, you are either hypocrites or fools.

If you want to stop war, bring the troops home, shut down foreign military bases, and cut taxes accordingly, please join the Libertarian Party. Learn more at lp.org.

In Liberty,

Arvin Vohra
Vice Chair
Libertarian National Committee

###

The Libertarian Party was founded in 1971 and is the third largest political party in the United States. 

The Libertarian Party seeks to expand personal freedoms, dramatically reduce taxes and government interference in the economy, and avoid meddling in overseas conflicts.

Visit LP.org for more information

Media Release: LOGAN FLECKENSTEIN SIGNS PLEDGE TO FIGHT FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL EDUCATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2016

Contact: MIPIE President Melanie Kurdys

      (269)303-8362

       mipiechapter@gmail.com

        

MICHIGAN LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE FOR

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT #60, LOGAN FLECKENSTEIN

SIGNS PLEDGE TO FIGHT FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL EDUCATION

MUSKEGON, MI -- Libertarian Michigan State House Candidate Logan Fleckenstein has signed the “Stop Fed Ed” pledge circulated by Michigan Parents Involved in Education (MIPIE), a group demanding an end to the U.S. Department of Education, and Stop Common Core in Michigan, Inc.

Mr. Fleckenstein pledges “to reject all federal mandates tied to federal funding,” and “fight against federally mandated curriculum, standardized tests, and all illegal and unconstitutional mandates from the federal Department of Education.”

Sheri Few, who heads the parent group United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), said that “the fight against Common Core exposed the failures of a federally-based, one-size-fits-all curriculum on states and local school districts.”

“With the most recent federal usurp of state education authority through President Obama’s transgender bathroom/locker room edict, it is clearly time to end the unconstitutional authority assumed by the US Department of Education,” said Melanie Kurdys, President of MIPIE. She went on to say, “For half a century now this experiment with federal control of local public schools has gone on and it’s failed.”

Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian candidates at every level of government across the country are being asked to sign a pledge to end the US Department of Education.  

More information is available on the group’s website: www.uspie.org and http://stopcommoncoreinmichigan.com/

###

Media Release: LP - Number of Debate Podiums Not Known Libertarian Party Demands Fox News Cease and Desist

For Immediate Release                       September 5, 2016 The Libertarian Party releases this statement from Libertarian National Committee Political Director, Carla Howell:   “It has come to our attention that Fox News is running misleading ads for the first presidential debate scheduled for September 26, which show just two participants: Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. The Commission on Presidential Debates has not yet announced whether it will include Libertarian Gov. Gary Johnson in debates.   “Co-chair for the Commission on Presidential Debates Mike McCurry told POLITICO in August: “We won’t know the number of invitations we extend until mid-September.”   “The CPD has said that to qualify, candidates must poll at 15% in five polls selected by the commission, but has indicated they may include Gov. Johnson if he comes close. Johnson has hovered around 10% in polls.   "Governors Johnson and Weld are polling higher than any Libertarian Party presidential ticket in history, more than covering the spread between the old party candidates and they have racked up endorsements from scores of prominent politicians and luminaries in various fields. Editorial boards of major newspapers like the Chicago Tribune and Richmond Times-Dispatch have publicly called for Johnson to be included in the debates. The Times-Dispatch, Tim Kaine's hometown newspaper, gave their official endorsement to Johnson. This is remarkable, especially considering the light media coverage Johnson has received compared with the saturation coverage that the media has showered on the Republican and Democrat.   “An August Quinnipiac University poll shows 62 percent of likely voters nationally say Gov. Johnson should be included in the debates this year. Pretending Gary Johnson is excluded when no decision has been made misleads viewers and does a grave disservice to voters who are hungry for an alternative.   "The Libertarian Party requests that Fox News immediately pull all misleading ads, and refrain from making any public statements, which give the impression that only two candidates will be in the debates. We hope for similarly fair and truthful representations of the debates from all media outlets covering the election and urge them to step up their coverage of our two very qualified candidates so every voter can make an informed choice."   The Libertarian Party is on track to be on the ballot in all fifty states and DC.     ### Read this on our website https://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/number-of-debate-podiums-not-known      Paid for by the Libertarian National Committee, Inc. (LP) 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, Virginia 22314  Content not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Libertarian Party mourns slain officers in Baton Rouge - Press Release by Libertarian Party

For immediate release
July 18, 2016

Libertarian Party mourns slain officers in Baton Rouge

ALEXANDRIA — Nicholas Sarwark, Chair of the Libertarian National Committee, states, "The events in Baton Rouge are heartbreaking and we all mourn with the people of Baton Rouge as they grapple with the loss of innocent lives."

"After every tragedy, people rightfully want to find the cause and prevent future tragedies. Many will use this event to call for gun control and more laws. However, the real solution here would be fewer laws."

Sarwark continues, "If we truly want to reduce situations in which police are pitted against the people they are sworn to protect, we would end the war on drugs. The constant escalation of prohibitionist policies have increasingly pitted police and citizens against each other for decades and are largely responsible for the militarization of police forces across America.

"Ending the violence means ending the policies that lead to black and grey markets, the highest incarceration rate in the world, and reduced economic opportunities in the formal labor market for huge swaths of Americans. Ending the violence means ending the war on drugs.

"Ending the drug war will do more to heal the divide between police and citizens than any other measure. It is the best way to save lives: both those of innocent police officers and innocent citizens."

The Libertarian Party is the only political party in America devoted to protecting all rights of all human beings all the time. As part of this mission, the Libertarian Party seeks a minimal set of just laws that defend the rights of individuals and are equally applied to all.

Press Release - Curtis Hart files to run for Cowlitz County Commissioner District #1

Cowlitz County Libertarian Party   

Ryan Lee, Chairman          Kelburn Koontz, Vice-Chairman         Curtis Hart, Secretary       cclp@lpwa.org

Press Release

18 May 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kelso, Washington

Curtis Hart files to run for Cowlitz County Commissioner District #1

Kelso, WA - May 18, 2016 - On May 20,2016, Curtis Hart filed the application at the Cowlitz County Elections Office, located at 207 4th St. in Kelso, WA., to declare his candidacy for Cowlitz County Commissioner District #1.

The incumbent, Mike Karnofski, will be running against Curtis Hart along with Arne Mortensen.

Curtis Hart is the Secretary of the Cowlitz County Libertarian Party.

Curtis Hart recently made headlines worldwide when he was involved with the apprehension of a man attempting to contact a minor for immoral purposes.

The Cowlitz County Libertarian Party (CCLP), formed in 2014, is dedicated to getting Libertarian candidates elected to offices, promoting individual liberty, property rights and self-protection. There is also a focus on creating initiatives which serve the citizens of Cowlitz County through a hands-on community based approach.

Press Release - Libertarian Candidate Opposes TPP, Brian Luke

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2016

2nd Congressional District Candidate Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership
Libertarian Party candidate for Washington State’s 2nd Congressional District Brian Luke has come out in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which is a proposed trade agreement between Pacific Rim countries.

Luke states his reasoning for opposing the TPP: “Although international commerce is important to the United States, I believe that the United States should be cautious of trade agreements with countries that do not have a similar standard of living (wages, laws, and regulations). Furthermore, I am cautious of multi-country trade agreements. Trade agreements with individual countries might be acceptable, but they should be reviewed.”

Luke also disagrees with the congressional approval process for this agreement: “I oppose trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as “fast track,” which does not allow Congress to amend trade agreements negotiated by the President and only allows an up or down vote.” Luke further states that, “it is important that Congress scrutinize these agreements for the sake of American workers and businesses.” Incumbent Congressman for the 2nd Congressional District Rick Larsen voted to renew TPA in 2015.

Just to avoid confusion, Luke’s brother Mike Luke is running for the U.S. Senate in Washington State as a Libertarian. He also opposes the TPP.

Brian Luke is one of over 30 Libertarians in Washington State running in federal, congressional, state executive, state legislative or county commissioner offices. Luke is endorsed by the Libertarian Party of Washington.

Washington State’s 2nd Congressional District comprises all or parts of Snohomish, Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties.

Luke is 43, lives in Lynnwood, and has worked in the grocery business for 20 years. He has an M.A. in International Studies (Middle East focus) from the University of Washington and a paralegal certificate from Edmonds Community College.

Luke is focusing on several issues, including trade, fiscal and foreign policy.

For more information or to contact Brian Luke, please see the following:
Website: http://luke4congress.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BrianLukeforCongress/
Email: luke4congress@frontier.com
Phone: (425) 242-7660

Michelle Darnell (48th-L) Press Release on Housing Crisis 6.6.2016

MICHELLE DARNELL, 48TH—L

Candidate

48TH LEGISLATIVE LD

WASHINGTON STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pos. 1

Michelle for the House, 830 Kirkland Way, # 203, Kirkland WA 98033

For Immediate Release:                                                        Media Contact:

May 31, 2016                                                                           Scott Scrimshaw

                                                                                                   GaryJohnson2016@gmx.com

MEDIA  ADVISORY

        “If we want more affordable housing we must keep people in their homes and repeal regulations that are driving up housing costs”-Michelle Darnell, Candidate for State Representative—Libertarian, 48th LD (Bel-Red-Kirk)

    Michelle Darnell attended the 22nd Seattle King County Realtors Association Issues briefing, Thursday June 2, at the Bellevue Westin.  

At the briefing Mollie Carmichael, Principal with John Burns Real Estate consulting confirmed what Michelle has been saying since 2014.  King County has a housing crisis.   Inventory is alarmingly low and affordability is low.  Access to mortgage financing is limited with new regulations.

Michelle Darnell, a foreclosure defense paralegal and homeowner advocate, is actually aware of the situation as she helps homeowners avoid unnecessary foreclosure via the Washington State foreclosure fairness act. According to the Department of Commerce, less than 10% of homeowners participate in the program so they walk away from their homes.  There were roughly 4000 referrals to the program in 2015 and of those only 800 were able to keep their homes. “The WA FFA is failing because banks have no incentive to act in good faith.  After being told by the bank to stop paying in the first place, the homeowner has no leverage as their credit is destroyed and they owe so much in arrears.  The banks merely go through the motions on the way to foreclosure.” When elected Michelle  says she would work to fix this by either repealing the Deed of Trust act or amending it so homeowners have a fairer chance to retain their homes without having to file an expensive lawsuit.   “We have empty homes dotting this state like bodies on a battlefield and rising rents and homeless spilling out on to the streets.  This causes a whole host of other problems.  I am running to fix this problem.”

Another problem is the burden regulation that is increasing the cost of building affordable housing. “I was recently told there is a 100 year lag in innovation because of regulations that are stifling innovative systems and product like hemp products.  These products are more energy efficient and can bring down the cost of building affordable housing but builders can’t get occupancy permits because they do not pass code.”  Michelle says that many of these codes have been engineered by industries manipulating the market by using their lobbying power.  “I support all business but when big business controls the market,  that is not free enterprise that is corporate socialism.” says Darnell.

“According to her legislative newsletter, my opponent would hope to address homelessness by investing in temporary solutions.  I would address the problem by working to keep people in their homes and by bringing down the cost of building affordable housing.  These are permanent solutions” states Darnell.

Michelle says this is an important issue in her district because people moving to the area to support our tech industry need affordable housing and building affordable housing creates jobs.  Further she says that the problems caused by homelessness are impacting our community.  “As people are flushed out of Seattle, they are coming east to try to find work and places to live” state Michelle.  Also, foreclosures themselves bring down property values of adjacent homes, she states.

www.facebook.com/mdarnellwashington
www.twitter.com/darnell4change
www.michelleforthehouse.com

Michelle adds that she is happy that at least the problem is being discussed because in 2014, when she tried to call attention to it, few legislators or candidates even recognized the problem.  “Recognizing the problem is a first step.  Now let’s do the hard work of increasing the availability of affordable housing.  This is good for industry and families.”

    For more information   about Michelle’s approach to solving housing issues her campaign in general, please go to: michelleforthehouse.com

Scott Scrimshaw

Press Secretary, 541-399-0195

Michelle Darnell (48th-L) Announcement Press Release 5.31.2016

MICHELLE DARNELL, 48TH—L

Candidate

48TH LEGISLATIVE LD
WASHINGTON STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pos. 1

Michelle for the House, 830 Kirkland Way, # 203, Kirkland WA 98033

For Immediate Release:                                                             Media Contact:

May 31, 2016                                                                               Scott Scrimshaw

                                                                                                     GaryJohnson2016@gmx.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

          “We made history this weekend”-Michelle Darnell, Candidate for State Representative—Libertarian, 48th LD (Bel-Red-Kirk)

           Kirkland paralegal and consumer advocate Michelle Darnell, returned Monday from the National Libertarian Convention in Orlando Florida where former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld narrowly earned the nomination of the Libertarian Party.

              “There were times, I thought it may not happen” says the Washington delegate.  “There was even some division in our delegation, but at the end of the day we chose the candidates with the most experience so once elected they can get the job done.”

              An NBC/News/ Wall Street Journal poll, this month, f0und that 47% of registered voters would consider a third party candidate if Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton where the major party nominees.  The time has come for a third party choice that reflects the “socially accepting/fiscally responsible” message of the Libertarian Party.

              Michelle was especially pleased to have assurances directly from Johnson and Weld that their administration would prosecute bank fraud.  Bill Weld served as U. S Attorney and also a prosecutor and is known for prosecuting corruption.  “After speaking to Mr. Weld and Mr. Johnson, I am confident in this ticket.  It brings me great hope for this country.”

Michelle Darnell
www.facebook.com/MDarnellWashington
www.twitter.com/Darnell4Change
www.michelleforthehouse.com

              Ms. Darnell feels that the rise of the Libertarian Party in the polls and in media, will spill over on to her down-ticket campaign as she seeks to be the first Libertarian female elected t0 a state office in the nation.  “The Libertarian party did me a favor this weekend electing these two men.  Now it is time to unite as a party and get the job done.”

              The campaign, Michelle for the House, is hosting a kick off on June 18th.  For more information or tickets, please go to: michelleforthehouse.com

Scott Scrimshaw

Press Secretary, 541-399-0195