The big day is here

October 31, 2010

No, I'm not speaking of Halloween. Because of campaigning, did not have a chance to party this year. I am running for Utah Governor to put forth new ideas on freedom, to give voters a real alternative from the two "major party" candidates, and to keep my party growing. If any of those things are of interest to you, help me by voting for me, and tell a friend. The polls show an easy victory for Herbert; but there is no doubt that many people are not satisfied with those who choices. Some wish that Corroon had campaigned differently and had put up a stronger fight. But he didn't, and he will not win. (Sorry, Missy). If you really would like to see a more free society, vote for me and help us to build a real alternative party. Voting Democratic for Governor will not help anyone (though some of their other candidates may well win and make some changes). Our party is running candidates for Davis County and Utah County Attorneys. There are no Democrats in these races; and these Republicans are used to running unopposed. We give you a real choice. Our candidates can be expected to prosecute hard those who commit violent crimes. But they will be less inclined to prosecute "victimless" crimes. We are not the morality police. The expense of trying to be that is something the taxpayers cannot afford; and it is time that somebody said so out loud.

I have said several times recently that Libertarians are the Tea Party without the intolerance. Well, the New York Times this week quotes a tea party leader in Indiana as saying that those who claim that there is global warming are stating "a flat-out lie." As evidence of that, he relies on Rush Limbaugh and the Bible. "I read my Bible. He made the earth for ust to utilize". (NY Times, 10/20/10; "Climate Change Doubt is Tea Party Article of Faith") Some Libertarians also doubt the claims of global warming,and we are likely to disagree with Democrats on what to do about it. I would hope that we do not resort to arguments such as this to support our position. Being a Libertarian does not conflict with common sense; and what we are saying adds substantially to the debate.

There has been an almost total news blackout on Libertarian campaigns this year (though I would like to publicly thank the St. George Spectrum, Salt Lake Weekly and Q Salt Lake publications; KVNU, KRCL and KTKK radio; and Ethan Millard on KSL radio Nightside Project for letting me get in an occasional word. Join us in protesting our media treatment by the simple act of voting Libertarian. If we grow enough, they will have to talk to us. And that starts on Tuesday.

All Libertarians in the Salt Lake area are invited to our election night party at Brewvies on the corner of 300 West and 700 South, starting at 7 PM. Vote first; and bring your laptops if you want to watch the returns with us.

Vote Libertarian for real freedom; and tell a friend. The revolution is now; and you have nothing to lose but your chains.

A real alternative

October 24, 2010

I have been working hard over the least several weeks trying to get my name out to those who have yet to hear of me. The people who I talk to are receptive, at least partially, because both of the "major party" candidates have high "negatives". People would like there to be another alternative, and there is. Yay. If you are interested enough to be reading this before the election, help me get my name out to others. Pass this on to a friend, post something on your Facebook page, just bring it up in conversation. I still have some yard signs that need to be put out as well. Help me beat the "news blackout" on my candidacy.

We Libertarians want government to be smaller, less expensive, and more respectful of individual rights and freedoms. And we are not afraid to say things that the
major party" candidates would never dare say. I say "end the war on marijuana users." While that may seem pretty far out in Utah, it is likely that this will be passed by the voters of California next week. It IS coming, and we might as well jump on the bandwagon while we can. Real equality for gays and lesbians is also coming, no matter how hard "they" try and stop it. So, why are "major party" candidates so afraid? Nobody wants to be out in front, and make people angry. Well, that is what "third parties" are for. It is our job to say things that need to be said, and to help the changes come.

If you are not fully satisfied with either of the two "major party" candidates, why not join us in our efforts to bring change. And, frankly even if you would be happy with Peter Corroon as Governor, you must know by now that he will not win. So a vote for him really is "wasted", while vote for me is a vote to change the debate, to accelerate change, and to send a message to the "major parties" to stop dragging their feet.

Polls all over the country show deep disappointment that the Obama administration did not make the kinds of changes that people expected. And there is no doubt that the government is spending money "like a drunken sailor" (although a drunken sailor spends his own money, not that of others). Think the only alternative is to go back to the Republicans you helped vote out of power only two years ago? Ridiculous! Try something new. Vote Libertarian.

Libertarians started the "tea party movement", as a tax protest. Right wing religious Republicans took it over and used it to bash gays, immigrants, those who do not espouse their religious beliefs, and anyone "different" from them. If you don't like taxes, I am your candidate. If you don't like gays, immigrants, and those who do not agree with your religious beliefs, well, vote Republican.

Thoughts on Freedom

October 13, 2010

Well, I am still bitterly disappointed over the refusals of the U.S. Supreme Court to consider my appeal from the decision of the Utah Supreme Court that the State may tax nude dancing and give use proceeds to help with therapy for sex offenders. That, of course, implies that there is some link between nude dancing and sex offenses, which is pure balderdash. The tax will never bring in enough money to justify collecting it. It is just another way that the sanctimonious "family values" crowd gets to go on the record in support of their morality -- those who have not resigned from the legislature for DUI or child molesting incidents. Perhaps they have snuck off to the strip clubs once too often? Well, that fight goes on, with other cases pending in Texas and Nevada; and one day they will be overturned. I just so wanted to be the guy who did it. The fight for freedom, however goes on. I have several other cases pending in which the limits of the State's power to enforce "majoritarian moral values" is at issue. We will get them next time.

I rarely get to just sit down and watch a movie. Too many other things to do. Last night, however, I managed to do that, and it was thought-provoking. The movie was "Pirate Radio", about the pirate stations that popped up on ships off the British coast in the 60's when the only radio available was BBC. BBC played very little of the new British rock music, so people found ways to play it elsewhere. The government responded with force to eliminate the "filth"; and eventually closed them down. They won the battle and lost the war, as now there are plenty of alternative stations in Britain. And Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Elton John have been awarded knighthoods. We too will prevail in the long run against people like Mike Lee and others, who would turn the clock back to the 1700's.

Join the fight now. Only three weeks until the election. I am running a very successful Facebook ad campaign; but I need a few more $10 and $20 contributions to run it through election day. See my website at www.andy4gov.org and look for the contributions button. We also need people to hang door hangers, put out signs, and to just tell their friends (personally and through FB and MySpace). Join my FB group, Andy for Utah Governor. And let's stick it to the Man!

The Upcoming Election

October 7, 2010

The Utah Governor's campaign has turned out to be more interesting than anticipated, though a new poll by Utah Policy today tells us that governor Herbert will coast to the usual easy win. Governor Herbert has seemingly done what he can to inject some drama into the race with the continued stream of revelations about his large contributions from those who have met personally with him and bid on State contracts. He does not seem to even understand why some people think all this looks, and even smells bad. In fact, he is quite angry about those who would question his integrity. I really don't, as I have no reason to think he is not an honest man. But I do question his judgment, and his incredulity at the fuss that is being made.

I am told that the several recent debates between him and his Democratic challenger, Salt Lake Mayor Peter Corroon, have been testy, over this and other subjects. When I say "I am told", I must get this from the newspapers, as I have not been invited to any of these debates. Apparently there has been no poll which gives me a respectable enough portion of the vote to warrant my inclusion. Of course, if the debates are supposed to be between only those who have a chance to win, one wonders why Mayor Corroon is invited either. The concept, it seems to me, of a "debate", is that different and contrasting ideas are put before the voters, so that they can decide which to support. With the debates being carefully restricted, the people do not have access to the alternatives; and they must vote without being fully informed. and that is a real shame.

Obviously, I as a Libertarian, have a different viewpoint on some important issues. I think state spending should be curtailed, and taxes reined in, when people are suffering from hard economic times. I think the State is spending taxpayer money on the losing "war on drugs" that could go to something useful. I think that turning a whole generation of young people into criminals for "smoking pot" is a terrible policy blunder. And I think that paranoia over "illegal immigrants" and "the gay agenda" are misplaced and counterproductive.

I have some Facebook friends in particular who argue that elections are not worth the bother of participating. It is the same old rich folks who will rule no matter what we do. and that attitude, of course, assures us that this will be true. As I have said before, the reason that smaller parties contest elections is to get new ideas into the debate and to change attitudes. There is no doubt that attitudes over marijuana, gay marriage, and other social issues, are changing. And those who stand in the way of change will be run over by it. Pleas, if you are one who has felt that your opinion does not count, reconsider right now. Voter registration remains open until October 18, though you must now do it in person at the County Clerk's office. Then you can help those of us who are working to change the world, and to make it more free, to get our message out. You can be part of something, instead of watching from the sidelines and wondering what is going on.

Just a word in closing about the "tea party phenomenon. This movement was started by Libertarians who wanted to protest over high taxes. It has been taken over by the religious right who have turned it into a movement of intolerance and a desire for theocracy. Sharron Angle in Nevada and Mrs. O'Donnell in Delaware are so extreme in their religious-based views that they are likely to lose races that should have been theirs. Watching Mrs. O'Donnell's newest campaign ad where she earnestly claims that she is "not a witch" and then claims that "I am you" is too ludicrous to take seriously. The future is with tolerance and diversity, not a return to the time when Christian purity was a test for office. (And the stream of "family values" campaigners who have been involved in drug, sex and alcohol scandals can be left for another day).

If you are a bit disgusted with what you see from the "major parties", register that disgust at the polls on November 2. vote for real freedom. vote Libertarian. and, in the meantime, if you could spare a small contribution, please see my website at www.andy4gov.org to make that contribution by paypal or mail. I do need additional funds to continue my advert sing. And think of the fun we can have in making some waves here in stodgy Utah.