[News] Libertarian Party of Oklahoma Website Updated

Mon Feb 5 13:52:30 CST 2007

Latest news at www.OKLP.org
"...We inherit the concern the concern that democracy is fragile and that it must renew itself periodically, fortifying the character of its citizens against the desire to rule absolutely or to follow too readily." 
- Robert Wuthnow, American Mythos
Tulsa Libertarians Meet Wednesday, Feb. 7th. John Fanning and Jim Robinson will present "Our Eroding Civil Liberties", which will also be open for discussion. Dinner at 6:00 and program at 7:00 at Panera Bread (6981 S. Lewis). 

 Stuart Jolly, state director of Americans for Prosperity says we should repeal the business franchise tax in Oklahoma so we can stay competitive and because it often costs more to comply with than the actual taxes paid. Read the Oklahoman column here. 

Jolly will speak at the next OKC Lbertarians meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 13th.

Streamlining Government: An Oklahoman articles says "several lawmakers are aiming this year to make Oklahoma law enforcement work as a single unit, eliminating separate agencies handling drug, murder and traffic crimes."

Jason Locklear says, "A majority of inmates in Oklahoma prisons are drug offenders, people who usually don't...commit violent crimes...The real cost to taxpayers is the money spent to build prisons and continue housing these inmates so that the state can live up to its "Lock 'em up and throw away the key" reputation." -letter to the Oklahoman.

 ...Gov. Brad Henry understands. His Smart on Crime initiative would preserve prison space for violent criminals while redirecting more non-violent offenders to alternative sentencing that promotes work, restitution, and substance abuse treatment. "For too many years, the state has spent hundreds of millions of dollars warehousing low level, non-violent offenders and scrambling to find prison space for the truly violent criminals," said Gov. Henry. "Drug courts have shown that alternative sentencing can protect the public and result in a more efficient use of taxpayers' money. It just makes good sense to apply the same model to other categories of low-level offenders, whether they are juveniles or the mentally ill."

Meanwhile, Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill said, "Oklahoma's prisons should be preparing inmates to function in society when they get out, not simply warehousing them so that they commit more crimes once released."...And regarding House modernizations, Cargill said, "Government accessibility and efficiency is a top priority for me...Citizens will see savings in the amount of tax dollars spent on paper. And it should be much easier for them to communicate with their representative...We need to make the process more efficient and make lawmakers more accountable to the public." 

 Charlie criticizes plans to dedicate a percentage of our income tax to OHLAP and the Governor's proposed expasion of "NANNY STATE warehousing children under the guise of early childhood education." He asks, "If it is wrong for me to rob my neighbors with a gun, then is it morally right or wrong for government to use its force to make my neighbors redistribute their incomes to me? If I demand such from politicians does that make me a thief?" Reminds us of ISIL's animated introduction to the philosophy of liberty. 
Given the conventional methods of measuring educational output, teaching to a class of 20 appears no more effective than teaching to a class of 30. This research has tremendous policy implications given the enormous cost of class size reductions..." - Harvey S. Rose, Public Finance
In an OCPA blog, Patrick Gibbons writes that even though "Oklahoma already appropriates 2.15 percent of personal income to higher education -- which is above the national average of 1.87 percent", the new higher education chancellor wants to spend an additional $240 million this year. Also, our increased spending on higher education has not led to higher rates of economic growth. 

...and OCPA says that almost three-quarters of surveyed Oklahomans favor the creation of a searchable website that tracks government spending (such as SB 1 or SB 4). 

A recent OKIES press release shows why Oklahoma's ballot access is much more restrictive than other states and why reform is vital for real voter choice.

 In reaction to U.S. drug agents raids on state-legal medical-marijuana centers, John Stossel asks,"Whatever happened to America's federal system, which recognized the states as 'laboratories of democracy'?" And says "Drug prohibition -- like alcohol prohibition -- is a silly idea, as the late free-market economist Milton Friedman often pointed out. Something doesn't go away just because the government decrees it illegal. It simply goes underground. Then a black market creates worse problems. Since sellers cannot rely on police to protect their property, they arm themselves, form gangs, charge monopoly prices, and kill their competitors. Buyers steal to pay the high prices."

In one short minute, Andy Griffith explains the moral and legal problems of domestic warrantless eavesdropping: watch Andy Griffith vs. the Patriot Act 

OKC Libertarians meet Tues., Feb. 13th. Stuart Jolly, state director of Americans for Prosperity will discuss their efforts to repeal the business franchise tax in Oklahoma, create solutions to transportation problems, and how to be involved in effective grassroots activity.

Five letters to the Oklahoman today oppose Gov. Henry's plan to expand the Nanny State and pay for 3 year-olds to attend government day care. OKLP instead suggests educational tax credits, including for personal and business donations to scholarships (even for pre-school).

Tulsa Libertarian Chair, Joe Cristiano, asks Is Iran our enemy? and discusses the different standards used to compensate 9/11 families vs. soldiers' families, and Congressional pensions vs. soldier pensions. Stay tuned!

 Mayor Cornett recently gave the annual State of the City Address. He suggested extending the one cent sales tax to fund a yet to be decided initiative. If you think we should let the tax expire then you can vote here with just two clicks. 

Republican Congressman Ron Paul says there's no better way to support the troops than to keep them out of harm's way, especially when war is unnecessary. "Instead of questioning who has the best interests of our troops at heart, we should be debating which policy is best for our country. Defensive wars to preserve our liberties, fought only with proper congressional declarations, are legitimate. Casualties under such circumstances still are heartbreaking, but they are understandable. Casualties that occur in undeclared, unnecessary wars, however, are bewildering. Why must so many Americans be killed or hurt in Iraq when our security and our liberty were not threatened? Cliches about supporting the troops are designed to distract us from failed policies, policies promoted by powerful special interests that benefit from war." 

If you agree with Congressman Paul, you may be interested in Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 by Senator Connie Johnson, which calls for "non-escalation" of America's involvement in "Iraq and other areas" and "requiring Congressional approval prior to such action." Read the entire Resolution here. 

The Oklahoman reports that more Oklahomans are getting more concealed-carry permits: 54,705 were issued in the last five years alone. From OKLP's platform: We oppose all laws infringing upon the right of self-defense and support a Vermont style concealed carry law.

In an Oklahoman letter to the editor (1/28), Arthur Schmidt wrote: "If people wish to smoke, consume transfat and overeat, that's OK, but don't make the rest of us support them with our taxes and health insurance premiums." 

Charlie can hardly believe it, a legislator wants to give himself and fellow lawmakers pay cut. (The bill's author, Rep. Jason Murphey has also agreed to co-author the ballot access reform bill. Thank you, Rep. Murphey) 

Ballot Access Reform Bills have been filed in both chambers. WE NEED CO-AUTHORS!!! Ask your legislators to co-author Senate Bill 28 (Brogdon) and House Bill 1359 (Cooksey). Find out how to contact your state Senator and Representative here.   (If you want ballot access postcards to send to your Senator and Rep., just send me an email w/your post address to david_splinter at yahoo.com)

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Latest Events posted at www.oklp.org/events

Wed., Feb. 6th

Tulsa Libertarians

6:00 PM - Dinner

7:00 PM - Program begins

Panera Bread (6981 S. Lewis)

Tulsa, OK

Tues., Feb. 13th

OKC Libertarians

6:30 PM - Dinner

7:00 PM - Program begins

Chen's Chinese Buffet

4537 NW 23rd St 
Oklahoma City, OK

RSVP on MeetUp: http://libertarian.meetup.com/288/

Thurs., Feb. 15th

Tulsa Libertarians Discussion Group

6:00 PM- Dinner and Conversation

7:00 PM-  Meeting begins

Gypsy Coffee House - 303 N. Cincinnati 
(downtown just NW of Spaghetti Warehouse)
Tulsa, OK

918-447-1776 for more information

or email Joe Cristiano at px150 at sbcglobal.net

Tues., Feb. 27th

Edmond Libertarians

6:30 PM

Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler

Edmond, OK

OU Libertarians

contact: kjellsawyer at gmail.com

Beaird Lounge, Student Union , Norman

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