Fellow Libertarians,
In our relentless pursuit of individual liberty and the principles of limited government, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. As we confront the entrenched barriers of a two-party system, grapple with the challenges posed by aging leadership, and navigate the complexities of an uncertain economy, the imperative for political reform and the preservation of leadership integrity has never been more urgent.
Revolutionizing Political Paradigms:
Our current political landscape, dominated by the entrenched duopoly of two major parties, has
failed to adequately represent the diverse spectrum of American values and beliefs. This narrow
binary confines us to a false choice, limiting our ability to enact meaningful change and
relegating our libertarian ideals to the sidelines.
Yet, the power to disrupt this entrenched system lies within each of us. By rallying just one person to join our cause for political reform, we can ignite a grassroots movement that transcends party lines and reshapes the political landscape from the bottom up. From local town halls to state legislatures, from city councils to county commissions, our collective action can build momentum and influence, paving the way for a more inclusive and pluralistic political environment.
Fostering Innovation and Inclusivity:
Our libertarian principles demand a political environment that embraces diversity of thought and empowers local communities to chart their own course. From the bustling metropolis to the rural heartland, the spirit of innovation and self-governance thrives in the rich tapestry of American
society.
Let us inspire our fellow citizens to engage in local politics, volunteer for community organizations, and advocate for policies that promote individual autonomy and voluntary cooperation. By fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity at the grassroots level, we can unleash the full potential of decentralized governance, empowering individuals to shape their own destinies and solve local challenges through bottom-up solutions.
Preserving Leadership Vitality:
The vitality and integrity of our leaders are fundamental to the preservation of our democratic institutions and the protection of our individual rights. As stewards of liberty, we must hold our elected officials to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
The prospect of aging politicians holding political office raises legitimate concerns about their ability to lead with vigor, clarity, and sound judgment. From local councils to the highest echelons of government, we must demand comprehensive age and health assessments for
candidates seeking political office, coupled with transparent reporting of their medical histories.
By ensuring that our leaders are fit to serve and capable of upholding their sworn duties, we can safeguard the principles of liberty and justice for all.
Navigating Economic Uncertainty:
In the midst of these challenges, we find ourselves at an economic crossroads, grappling with the repercussions of a global pandemic, escalating debt, and growing income inequality. The decisions we make today will have far-reaching implications for future generations, shaping the trajectory of our nation's economy and determining whether we remain true to our foundingprinciples of fiscal responsibility and individual opportunity.
As champions of free markets and limited government, we must advocate for policies that promote economic freedom, unleash the entrepreneurial spirit, and empower individuals to pursue their own prosperity. Let us reject the false promises of government intervention and central planning, and instead embrace the principles of free enterprise, competition, and voluntary exchange.
A Call to Action:
The time for passive observation and resignation is over; now is the time for action and solidarity. Together, we possess the power to effect transformative change at every level of government, from the smallest town to the highest office in the land.
If each of us commits to rallying just one person to join our cause for political reform, we can ignite a movement that reverberates from coast to coast, town to city, county to state, and eventually, the entire country. Let us harness the collective power of our grassroots network and
amplify our voices through advocacy, outreach, and coalition-building.
The path to a more prosperous and principled future begins with us. Let us seize this moment and unite in our shared mission to empower liberty, champion integrity, and shape the destiny of our great nation.
In liberty,
Concerned Citizen
Author: Michael Sweeney
📣 Franklin County 📣 Local Government Conference
Join Special Guest Cara Schulz, Mayor Cassaundra Fryman and Comedian Travis Irvine to discuss “participatory budgeting”, building community focused organizations and running for local office!
Lunch is on us! Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly!
Date: Sat 03/23/2024 12am to 4pm
Location: Blacklick Woods Golf Course
7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068
About Participatory Budgeting
Originally developed in Porto Alegre, Brazil, participatory budgeting is a mechanism to directly involve the community in the budgeting of their tax dollars, now found in many communities worldwide.
Currently adopted by the City of Burnsville, MN and under active exploration by the City of Minneapolis, MN, the concept provides residents and property owners a method to direct a portion of municipal budget.
From the Star Tribune “Under plan, Burnsville property owners would be able to choose where some tax dollars go
The city is working to implement “participatory budgeting,” which allows residents to vote on spending for some public projects.
From the City of Burnsville “Originally developed in Porto Alegre, Brazil, participatory budgeting is a mechanism to directly involve the community in the budgeting of their tax dollars, now found in many communities worldwide. City Council is currently exploring participatory budgeting and you are invited to be a part of the conversation.” https://www.burnsvillemn.gov/participatorybudgeting
From the City of Minneapolis “Participatory budgeting is a set of practices and methodologies to increase democracy in budgeting. Elements of participatory budgeting are currently used by thousands of local governments, public agencies, and other organizations around the world. Participatory budgeting has the potential to increase civic participation by marginalized residents and communities, build relationships, strengthen government credibility, and increase investment in innovative projects. There is an opportunity to integrate participatory budgeting practices into the Minneapolis budget process as the city shifts to a biannual budget and the Council reviews and revises the Budget Committee workplan.” https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/11780
Learn more: https://www.participatorybudgeting.org
Special Guest Speaker Cara Schulz will present on “participatory budgeting”, the concept of local government putting aside a portion of the municipal budget for residents to direct based on direct voting.
Running for Local Office – Travis Irvine
Building Community Focused Organizations – Mayor Cassaundra Fryman
Date: Sat 03/23/2024 12am to 4pm
Location: Blacklick Woods Golf Course
7309 E Livingston Ave
Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068
Learn more about facility: https://ohfranklinctyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=FR&FMID=2531811
Learn more: https://www.fclpo.org/%f0%9f%93%a3-save-the-date-franklin-county-libertarian-local-government-conference-%f0%9f%93%a3/
About Cara Schulz – City Council Member, City of Burzville, MN. Cara is a dedicated liberty activist involved with a variety of causes in and around her city. Cara is an Air Force veteran who does a wonderful job covering a variety of policy topics [that] …we think are practical, effective messages for citizens of any city.
About Cassaundra Fryman – Mayor, Plymouth, Ohio. Cassaundra is focused on fostering stronger ties in both counties we call home, building a network that strengthens our community and becomes a pipeline for more resources and opportunities.
About Travis Irvine – Comedian, journalist, filmmaker, 2018 Libertarian Party of Ohio candidate for Governor of Ohio.
https://twitter.com/travisirvineusa?lang=en
Lunch catered by Pitabilities https://www.pitabilities.com/catering
The Franklin County Local Government Conference is presented by the Franklin County Libertarians, with support from The Gahanna Foundation.
The Franklin County Local Government Conference is presented by the Franklin County Libertarians, with support from The Gahanna Foundation.
“Yost” Roast 🔥 Flaming Success!
📣 Thanks to everyone who came out for the “Yost” Roast 🔥 Comedy Roast Fundraiser to End Qualified Immunity! We had a great time and look forward to making fun of govt until we eliminate it entirely! 😉😆
Learn more about Ending Qualified Immunity in Ohio: https://oceqi.org
📣 Delegate Spots Still Open for Libertarian National Convention 📣
Interested in going to the Libertarian National Convention, Washington D.C., May 24 – May 26?
Follow the link in the comments to fill out the Delegate Form and help make history!
Link: https://lpo.org/2024-convention-delegates/
Learn more: https://www.lp.org/libertarian-national-convention-2024/
VENUE CHANGE – “Yost” Roast – Comedy Roast Fundraiser to End Qualified Immunity
You’re Invited to the
“Yost” Roast
Comedy Roast Fundraiser to
End Qualified Immunity
Sunday, March 3rd, 8pm
Hilton Columbus/Polaris
8700 Lyra Dr, Columbus
$30 At The Door
(Doors Open At 7pm)
Presented by
The Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity – oceqi.org
Ohio Corruption in One Photo
PHOTO: Hamilton County prosecutor Paula Adams makes oral arguments to the Ohio Supreme Court, including recent co-counsel Justice Joseph Deter.
In the above photo former county prosecutor Joe Deter, now Ohio Supreme Court Justice, listens to his former co-counsel, Paula Adams, make arguments in a case they had tried together 2 years earlier in Hamilton County.
This is a blatant violation of the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct.
This is corruption.
This is a rigged system.
The judge was the prosecutor, knows intimately the details of the prosecution and is entirely biased. No matter how Deter might rule his presence alone demands a mistrial.
Deter should recuse or be impeached for breach of ethics and conduct unbecoming a judicial member.
But we all know Mike DeWine will protect his corruption buddy and the spineless Ohio Democrats pine for that sweet, sweet corruption power someday. 🤬
h/t David Pepper, see tweet below and thread. 🧵
Tweet, David Pepper/ David Pepper
@DavidPepper
🚨 🚨
🧵
UPDATE: Yesterday, I wrote about the blatant conflict of interest at the Ohio Supreme Court. It went viral.
Well, today that conflict played out.
And one simple photo captures it all.
It’s this one:
1/
Tweet 🧵: https://x.com/DavidPepper/status/1755259271388836245?s=20
Tweet 🧵: https://x.com/DavidPepper/status/1755259271388836245?s=20
Candidate Quick Start Training
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
Join Franklin County Libertarians for a “Candidate Quick Start Training”.
We have scheduled 2 candidate training sessions at the Whitehall branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
4445 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213
Both sessions will cover the same “Candidate Quick Start Training”.
Candidate Training – FCLPO
Franklin County Libertarians
Tuesday, February 06, 2024: 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Whitehall – Meeting Room 1
Candidate Training – FCLPO
Franklin County Libertarians
Thursday, February 15, 2024: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Whitehall – Meeting Room 2
Candidate Training Agenda
Opening and guest introductions
Candidate introductions
• Name and office you want to run for
• Why do you want to run for this office?
• How do you see Libertarian philosophy being applied to your office?
Presentation: “Getting Started”
• What’s involved in being a candidate
• Legal steps to get on the ballot detailed
• Why legislative and statewide campaigns should be seen as two-year effort
• Translating Libertarian principles into policy
Questions and answers
• What do you most need to know to get off to a good start?
Close
Handouts
• Candidate Quick Start
• Elections Calendar
• Libertarian National Platform (condensed)
• Resources for Libertarian Candidates
How much can you campaign and win? Even just filing and having a simple website can win an election!
The county party is in a position to support candidates county wide to collect signatures for ballot access, fundraise, coordinate community events and run campaigns. Even just a “basic” campaign that involves filing paperwork, simple website, answering surveys and directing volunteers to help other more engaged candidates would be worthwhile and provide those communities with choice on the ballot.
You can run a basic, engaged or all out campaign.We already have several candidates across Franklin County that are gearing up “all out” campaigns and we know the more people running with the same message the more attention we can get everyone.The following elected roles will be UNOPPOSED going into the November General Election! (without an independent opponent they have already won that election)Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Recorder
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 01
State Representative Ohio House District 03
State Representative Ohio House District 07
Review requirements for each role in the Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Requirement Guide.
The filing date for Independent candidates is March 18, 2024.
THREE district races for Ohio Assembly are UNOPPOSED for the general election in November 2024.
Get started today!
Get connected with FCLPO and get started!
Run for Local Office! Get started today!
January 22nd! FCLP Social and meet Mike ter Maat for President!
Join Franklin County Libertarians for pints and policy at Villa Nova Ristorante and meet Mike ter Maat, Libertarian Candidate for US President.
Villa Nova Ristorante
5545 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, United States
Mon Jan 22nd, 7pm
Learn more: https://miketermaat.com/
How much can you campaign and win? Even just filing and having a simple website can win an election!
The county party is in a position to support candidates county wide to collect signatures for ballot access, fundraise, coordinate community events and run campaigns. Even just a “basic” campaign that involves filing paperwork, simple website, answering surveys and directing volunteers to help other more engaged candidates would be worthwhile and provide those communities with choice on the ballot.
We already have several candidates across Franklin County that are gearing up “all out” campaigns and we know the more people running with the same message the more attention we can get everyone.
The following elected roles will be UNOPPOSED going into the November General Election! (without an independent opponent they have already won that election)
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 01
State Representative Ohio House District 05
State Representative Ohio House District 07
Review requirements for each role in the Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Requirement Guide.
The filing date for Libertarian candidates is July 18th.
SEVEN district races for Ohio Assembly are UNOPPOSED for the general election in November 2024.
Get started today!
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
Please complete this form, and our Political Director will be in contact with you.
Run for State and County Office!
The following elected roles will be UNOPPOSED going into the March Primary AND the November General Election! (without an independent opponent they have already won that election)
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Recorder
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 02
State Representative Ohio House District 07
State Representative Ohio House District 08
State Representative Ohio House District 09
The filing date for Independent candidates in March 18, 2024.
Franklin County Libertarians will support candidates in collecting signatures and raising money.
Get started today!
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
Please complete this form, and our Political Director will be in contact with you.