LP Illinois News - June 2009 #1
No Tax Increase: Act Now!
Contact your state representative today to urge him or her to vote against a tax increase. The Illinois senate voted this past Saturday, May 30, to increase the state income tax by 5%. On the one hand we have Governor Quinn asking Illinoisans to sacrifice and tighten their belts; on the other the senate wants to take even more of our money. Contact information for all elected officials, searchable by ZIP Code, can be found here: http://www.votesmart.org.
Fun in the Sun at the Dundee Memorial Day Parade
The Fox Valley Libertarian Party had almost a dozen participants in the Dundee Memorial Day Parade. We walked behind our FVLP banner with dogs in tow, and we handed out candies and libertarian literature to the bystanders. (They especially loved the dogs!) After the parade and keynote address, we continued our own festivities at a local restaurant. Let us have many, many more great experiences like this; read on for opportunities!
"Freedom Rings" Pig Roast Fun'raiser: Support Libertarian Radio
On Saturday, June 27, beginning at 2 p.m., Ken and Pam Prazak will host a fun'raising great time. Ken has hosted the "Freedom Rings" radio program (FreedomRings.net) for over eleven years, and over that time he has amassed a $5000 debt when advertising wasn't enough. Help us get rid of this debt and bring back a two-hour Libertarian radio show! There will be volleyball, "bags." swimming, and great conversation; the pig roast will be served about 5 p.m. and it includes all the trimmings: salads, appetizers, desserts, beer, and soft drinks.
The pig roast will feature a live band followed by a bonfire at dusk. There are a guest bedroom, couches, and room to pitch tents if you would like to stay the night. $25 for adults; $10 for children 5-12; free for children under 5. RSVP to Ken (847-426-1974; ken@freedomrings.net) if you would like to attend.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association Fair
Val Vetter, our Activism Chair, will be staffing a booth at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Fair in Custer, WI, June 19-21. (We have had booths at the Illinois Renewable Energy Association Fair in past years.) The attendees are interested in renewable energy and think for themselves,"outside the box," exactly the kind of self-governing people who make good Libertarians. They are typically disappointed by big government "solutions" to growing energy challenges and are ready to take control of their own lives. (Details: the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php)
Parades and Fairs in Kane County
The Fox Valley Libertarian Party will have an "End the Fed" float in the Elgin Independence Day Parade on July 4. They will also be staffing an outreach booth at the Kane County Fair July 15-19. For more information contact Julie Fox (847-528-1126; jfox1214@sbcglobal.net).
Festivals and Fairs in DuPage County
The DuPage Libertarians will be participating in a number of events this summer. We shall be staffing a booth at the Downers Grove Heritage Festival June 25-28 and the DuPage County Fair July 22-26. We are hoping to have a joint cookout with the DuPage Campaign for Liberty. The DuPage Libertarians have doubled their dues-paying members and septupled their contact list in less than a year! Contact the DuPage Libertarians for more information (DupageLibertarians.org).
Re-Tea Parties on the Fourth
The Tax Day Tea Parties on April 15 were a great success; people across the nation gathered to protest the encroachments of ever-increasing government taxation in their lives. There are many "Re-Tea Parties" being planned for Independence Day.
Our chapter in Bond-Fayette has emptied the treasury to throw an all-out party, complete with speakers, on July 4 near Vandalia Lake. Our chapter in McLean County will be participating in the July 4 Re-Tea Party in Bloomington. Check out the Re-Tea Parties in Illinois (Reteaparty.com/teaparties/?s=illinois). If you know of a Re-Tea Party being planned in your area, contact Stephen Chojnicki (News@LPIllinois.org) so he can let everyone know in the next newsletter.
State Convention in October
Save the date! The LP Illinois Convention will be October 23-25 in Collinsville, near St. Louis. The Convention Committee is finishing up its selections for speakers, and we should have an announcement soon. We must fill the slate of candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and Comptroller. Julie Fox has already announced her candidacy for Comptroller--who will join her?
Now is a great time to propose libertarian solutions that will improve the life of every person in Illinois. For more information about running for any office in Illinois, contact Jan Stover, our Campaigns Chair (Campaigns@LPIllinois.org).
We are also seeking volunteers interested in joining the Bylaws Review Committee in preparation for the Convention. Contact Crystal Jurczynski if you are interested (Secretary@LPIllinois.org).
School's Out for Summer
At the end of the spring semester, Libertarian groups continued to spring up at colleges and universities across Illinois. Daniel Kamerling is now forming a student organization at Northwestern University.
If you would like to form an affiliated student group, please contact Karin Vermillion, our Campus Coordinator (Campus@LPIllinois.org). Helping liberty-loving students find each other to make a difference on campus is a big boon to the cause of Liberty!
State Party Service Opportunities
We thank all our libertarian leaders for serving the cause of freedom. We do have a few positions to fill. Details and responsibilities of each position are available here: LPIllinois.org/about/state_officials.php.
- We are seeking a Fundraising Chair. This position is very important; stepping up our fundraising will give us the opportunity to have a bigger impact in Illinois politics. For that reason, we are looking for someone with fundraising experience to work as an independent contractor for up to 25% commission. Interested persons should contact Dave Brady, our State Chair (800-735-1776; Chair@LPIllinois.org).
- Val Vetter is stepping down from the Activism Chair for personal reasons; we thank him for his great service in this capacity. Interested persons should contact Dave Brady, our State Chair (800-735-1776; Chair@LPIllinois.org).
- We would like to thank Debra Aaron for her years of dedicated service as Treasurer. The smooth functioning of this office is important to the operation of the Party. She is looking for someone to succeed her; Debra can work with someone to make a smooth transition. Interested persons should contact Debra Aaron (Treasurer@LPIllinois.org).
- Second call for a Webmaster to volunteer to maintain our website and related technologies. Website development experience is required and knowledge of Joomla and/or Web 2.0 skills is desirable. Interested persons should contact Crystal Jurczynski, our acting Webmaster (Web@LPIllinois.org).
Government Is King of All Media
Will this be the case? A recent article (Techliberation.com/2009/05/15/will-the-government-be-the-new-king-of-all-media) imagines just that possibility. Or is that "probability"?
The Worst Evils
"The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments. The state can be and has often been in the course of history the main source of mischief and disaster. --Ludwig von Mises