Libertarian round-up: party expands, candidates set to increase

Posted by Steve Adcock

Over the last week (and a couple days), the Libertarian party has seen encouraging news that party members have not given up the goal of unseating the two-party system. In fact, numbers show significant grow in party members and potential political candidates.

Libertarian Adrian Wyllie to run for Florida Governor

As reported earlier, Chairman of the Florida Libertarian party officially announced his bid to unseat current Governor Rick Scott in the state of Florida. Wyllie promises his campaign will focus on issues of individual liberty and freedom from government control and intrusive state policies that infringe on state resident’s constitutional rights. ”We’ve tried Coke. We’ve tried Pepsi. It’s time for some pure spring water called liberty. That’s what I’m offering,” Wyllie said.

Libertarians gain official status in Pennsylvania

Although Libertarian Betsy Summers lost her bid to become the state’s auditor general, she – along with other Libertarian candidates – managed to pull in the required 2% of the vote in November to be officially recognized as a Pennsylvania state “minor” political party rather than simply a political” body” through the 2014 election cycle.

Libertarian party candidate requests expanding nationwide

Each year, the Libertarian party tracks the number of requests received from those who wish to run in local elections under the Libertarian party ticket. Since the November elections, the party has received 370 requests, which amounts to more than twice the number received in 2008 and 2010, according to Libertarian Party Executive Director Carla Howell. At this pace, the party may receive over 1,100 requests by year’s end. ”2012 was a great year for Libertarian Party candidates. And a great year for liberty,” remarked Howell. The Libertarian party is preparing to double the number of party candidates by the 2014 elections.

Libertarians lead fight to ease gun restrictions in Kansas

Several cities in Kansas implemented more stringent gun control measures than those enforced by the state with severe “open carry” restrictions. However, thanks to efforts lead by the Libertarian party within the state, cities have begun modifying their open carry laws so they fall in line with that of the state, which currently allows residents to carry openly. The Libertarian party will begin discussions with three more cities next week and has filed a lawsuit against three other cities that have refused to modify their open carry laws. ”People are identifying the Libertarian Party as one of the authorities when it comes to Second Amendment issues in Kansas,” said Al Terwelp, Kansas Libertarian party chair.

Libertarian party started a petition to end dangerous “gun-free zones”

Available at libertarianpetition.com, the Libertarian party has started an online petition to elicit support to end all so-called gun-free zones in the United States, citing several examples of where gun crimes were halted due to law-abiding citizens who carry firearms.

Libertarian officially enters Florida Governor’s race

Posted by Steve Adcock

Florida Libertarian Party Chairman Adrian Wyllie officially announced his bid to unseat current Florida Governor Rick Scott and challenge presumptive Democratic contender Charlie Crist last week in a campaign that the chairman promises will be focused on freedom, liberty and the Constitution.

“I promise that, if elected, I will defend all Floridians from any unconstitutional Congressional act, executive order or United Nations mandate,” said Wyllie. Although he admits his candidacy is a long shot, Wyllie believes Floridians are growing tired of the two-party system and are looking for a change.

“Our debt is unsustainable, our currency is becoming worth less every day. The Tea Party says the government is to blame. The occupy movement says the bankers are to blame.” Wyllie thinks they are both right. ”We’ve tried Coke. We’ve tried Pepsi. It’s time for some pure spring water called liberty. That’s what I’m offering.”

The 42-year-old Florida native was elected Chairman of the Florida Libertarian party in 2011 after serving as the media director in 2010 for Libertarian Senate candidate Alexander Snitker. Wyllie and Snitker partnered in 2010 in the formation of the “1787 Network”, a radio program that airs on several AM radio stations in eight states, including Florida.

Wyllie is also well-known for encouraging Florida law enforcement to arrest any TSA agent that violates either the United States or Florida Constitutions in their screening of passengers in airports.

Visit Wyllie’s Facebook page to follow his candidacy.

Gary Johnson a candidate worth looking at

Posted by Steve Adcock

Imagine a candidate who proposes a 43% cut in the military budget (yes, nearly half), an end to the wasteful War on Drugs program, an immediate stop to the never-ending War on Terrorism, believes in true Internet freedom and actually has a chance at winning the election in 2012, albeit remote. Who is this candidate? I’ll give you a hint: it’s not Ron Paul.

This candidate’s name is Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party and ex-Governor of New Mexico. Johnson has successfully dented Mitt Romney’s stronghold on the “other than huge government” crowd and promises to continue fighting and striving for victory. “The idea is to win,” Johnson said in an interview with the Huffington Post.

Johnson strikes me as, well, appropriately small government. The man supports an end to these costly wars overseas and might be the only major politician who does not want to bomb Iran. He supports removing the government from the business of marriage and wants the Internet to remain free of government censors. He supports repealing the Patriot Act, which he calls an “assault on privacy” and believes in a woman’s right to abort until the fetus is viable.

The real world gives Johnson next to no chance at securing victory in 2012. But then again, the real world does not make a lot of sense either. Every day, Americans break laws that they did not even know existed. Americans have become complacent and comfortable within the confines of a so-called government “safety net”. They have become content – until something jarring enough hits them hard enough to knock them out of their own little worlds. This year, it’s health care.

Johnson’s web site says 15% support in the polls gets him a podium at the debates. Let’s find out if Americans feel that sensibility in government is worth not throwing their vote away on the “big two”.