LP Illinois News - January 2008 #1
Vote Libertarian Illinois '08
Our mission
To enable citizens within the state of Illinois to vote Libertarian for U.S. President and U.S. Senate in the November 2008 election. To do this we are required to deliver 25,000 valid (~50,000 raw) petition signatures collected between March 25th and June 23rd.
Current Status
A feasibility analysis is being conducted to 1) gauge commitment from all stakeholders (including national, state, and local LPs and individual members) and 2) check key project assumptions (including fundraising and petition strategies) prior to full project approval.
Next Steps
Letters will be sent to all LP Illinois members asking for their help. We ask that you respond to the letter or call us to pledge your support. Let us put the Demoblicans on notice that the Libertarian Party is ready to give our state back to the people of Illinois with Libertarian leadership.
Lessons Learned
Mike Skarr, retiring President/CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber, wrote an article in The Business Ledger that included this quote:
"Great American leadership cannot and should not be hamstrung with needless government regulation and intervention in my opinion. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the creeping government's intrusion into our business and personal lives. The American business system has created the wealth in this country and the opportunity for anyone willing to work hard to share in it.
Government consumes wealth—it does not create it!
I am also very concerned about the state of political affairs (or lack thereof) here in Illinois. It borders on being downright disgraceful. It is not a partisan issue anymore since both sides of the aisle are exasperated and depressed."
You can find the entire article on www.TheBusinessLedger.com. Feel free to share it with business leaders you know and encourage them to join the Party.
LP Illinois Website Has New Look
Our Webmaster, Crystal Jurczynski, has redesigned our website, LPIllinois.org. More color has been added and we are looking to add even more. If you have photos from Chapter events or other libertarian activities, send them to Web@LPIllinois.org.
We would also like to add a Welcome page for Ron Paul Fans. If you would like to volunteer to write this page, let Crystal know.
National Libertarian Party Sees 25% Gain in '07
While Republicans and Democrats struggled with members abandoning the party in pursuit of political alternatives, the Libertarian Party saw an increase in membership of 25 percent for the year.
"The numbers show what everybody has been saying--people are not happy with the two-party system and are ready for a change," says Libertarian Party Executive Director Shane Cory. "The two-party system has failed the American public and people are looking for a viable alternative in hopes of returning America to the right path. Our numbers are a clear indication of the failure of Republicans and Democrats."
You can read the rest of this article on the national website, LP.org. It is a powerful message to share with friends and family who have not joined the Party yet.
LPI-State Organizing Committee Meeting
The first meeting for 2008 will be Sunday, January 20th in Bloomington. Meetings start at noon and Party members are welcome to attend. The exact meeting location will be announced via e-mail and our website as soon as it has been selected.
Members knowing of a free or inexpensive location in Bloomington are encouraged to contact us with their suggestions.