Commemorating founding
of Libertarian Party, Bill of Rights

Note from LNC Representative James Clark:

This week holds two anniversaries worthy of note that Libertarian Party members should celebrate and publicize.

Today, Dec. 11, marks the 47th anniversary of the founding of the Libertarian Party in 1971. It was on that day that David F. Nolan gathered with other libertarians in Colorado Springs to declare that it was time for a new political party devoted to defending liberty and to restricting government to its only legitimate purpose: protecting the rights of its citizens.

Since that day, the Libertarian Party has become the third-largest political party in the United States. The LP is the only political party with a core mission of defending individual liberty, promoting personal responsibility, and protecting the right of people “to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.”

During these 47 years we’ve laid groundwork for Libertarians to be elected, change public policy, reduce the size and scope of government, and increase the extent of liberty and responsibility in the United States. The extraordinary efforts of our members have made the LP into the only party (other than the Democrats and Republicans) that regularly achieves ballot access throughout the country. These accomplishments have been achieved in the face of tremendous burdens (e.g., discriminatory ballot access and campaign finance laws).

This year, 53 Libertarian Party candidates won election to public office; each of them is now in position to help protect the life, liberty, and property of those they serve.

Soon after the LP’s birthday anniversary is “Bill of Rights Day” on Dec. 15, which marks the 227th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 as part of the U.S. Constitution. During the debates concerning ratification of the Constitution, many citizens argued persuasively for inclusion of amendments that would explicitly provide protection for important rights, to guard against violation of those rights by the federal government.

The Bill of Rights is one of the most powerful, inspiring statements about the principles of individual liberty and limited government in history. When Americans are asked about the aspects of America that make them most proud, frequently their answers include the rights of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. The common element of these answers is individual liberty and freedom from government interference.

Unfortunately, from the moment the Bill of Rights was ratified, there has been an incessant effort by politicians and government functionaries to abridge our rights. Indeed, many of those rights have been effectively eliminated by unconstitutional legislation, judicial misinterpretation, and bureaucratic edicts.

Libertarian Party members and supporters should recognize both of these dates by proclaiming that, for nearly a half-century, the Libertarian Party has proudly and resolutely promoted the principles of individual liberty and personal responsibility, and that elected Libertarians have worked ceaselessly to protect the inalienable rights of the people.

The Jefferson Area Libertarians, the local Libertarian Party of Virginia affiliate of which I have the honor of serving as secretary, will conduct our annual “Bill of Rights Acclamation” on Dec. 15 in Charlottesville, Va. Our “Acclamation” will include speeches about the importance of the Bill of Rights, along with a public reading of the Bill of Rights and its preamble. I encourage my Libertarian Party colleagues to organize similar events and publicize the extent to which our liberty is under increasing attack.

I wish my fellow members and supporters of the Libertarian Party a very happy birthday and many happy returns; please accept my thanks for your efforts to help the United States become truly a land of liberty.

I know that the election is only 10 days away and that's where everyone's mind is at as we have several exciting campaigns in the state, which include:

Brandon Nelson, 4^th State Assembly District (http://nelson4assembly.com/); Justin Quigley, 21^stState Assembly District (https://quigleyforassembly.com/); Chris Stare, 51^st State Assembly District (https://www.votestare.com/); Autumn Browne, 69^th State Assembly District (http://www.autumnbrowne.com/); and me, Honor "Mimi" Robson, 70^th State Assembly District (https://www.honorrobson.com/).

We also have some incredibly exciting non-partisan races which include Jeff Hewitt for Riverside County Supervisor, 5^th District (https://www.votehewitt.com/), Aaron Starr for City of Oxnard Mayor (https://www.starrforoxnard.com/), and John Inks for Mountain View City Council (https://www.electinks.com/); all are strong Libertarians who have a great chance of winning!

It's not too late to support these candidates, as there are still several last minute expenses, so please give if you can!

The Libertarian Party of Ventura County was one of over 350 vendors at the 27th annual Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair

Planning for the 2019 California State Libertarian Party Convention is well underway and early-bird pricing is being offered right now until October 31, 2018. This year the convention will be held in the northern part of the state. The date is set for April 5-7, 2019 and the location will be the Concord Crowne Plaza, 45 John Glen Drive, in Concord, CA 94520. If you are interested in attending or signing up, find more details on the state website at www.ca.lp.org

Platinum Access $300
Full access to convention: business floor, workshops, speakers.
Breakfast and lunch each day
Banquet dinner with guest speaker

Premium Access $100
Full access to convention: business floor, workshops, speakers.
Breakfast each day

Business Access - Free for Delegates (must be member)
Full access to business floor and any speakers on floor. 

REMEMBER! Deadline for Early-Bird Pricing is October 31, 2018. 

On Saturday, October 6, the Libertarian Party of Ventura County hosted a voter registration booth at the Moorpark Country Days celebration. It was great to get out into the community and hear what people are thinking during these days of political frustration. As we chatted with people of various political views, it was clear that all would like to see some change, and many expressed appreciation for our presence even if they weren't registered Libertarians.

Now is the time to let people know that they DO have a choice. Now is the time to step forward, get involved, and help promote Liberty and Freedom.

If you're ready help,we will be hosting another booth that the Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair on October 21. Follow the link to volunteer. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday September 17th is Constitution Day! Put up your flag to commemorate the signing of the Constitution by our libertarian founders in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Presented to the public on 9-28-1787, it was not ratified by the states until almost a year later on 6-21-1788 when it became effective. This short inspired treatise establishes that government's purpose is to serve its citizens. Let's cherish and safeguard this constitutional republic with the work we do in the Libertarian Party.    

With the November General Election fast approaching, there are a lot of exciting things happening in the Libertarian Party of California that I want everyone to be aware of. Since the beginning of the year the number of registered Libertarian voters has increased by 1.2% while the registered Republicans have decreased by 1.2%, and the registered Democrats have decreased by 0.5%. The Libertarian Party is the ONLY party that has experienced growth this year out of ALL the parties! So now is the time we really need to support our candidates.

Alaska, Colorado, Nevada...California? What do those first three states have in common? They have reached the 1% threshold for registered Libertarians. Could we be next? Only if each county makes an effort to reach its 1%. Currently, Ventura County has 3440 registered Libertarians, or .79% of the 433,496 total registered voters in the county. We need to reach 4334 registered LP voters, an addition of 894 liberty leaning independents. Can't be done anytime soon? Well, think back and remember how the Gary Johnson campaign added 1000 to our rolls.