The Deviant Libertarian

It's official - Saul Anuzis for RNC Chair

2008-11-12T15:24:00.002-05:00

Saul Anuzis has officially thrown his hat into the race for RNC chair. Check it out!

Dick DeVos NOT a candidate for Governor in 2010

2008-11-12T13:34:00.001-05:00

From Dick DeVos:

To My Friends and Supporters,

After considerable thought, prayer and consultation with Betsy and our family, I have concluded that my ability to impact the future of Michigan will be more significant at this time from outside government, instead of inside. So to allow me to do what I have always done best, that is to create jobs and opportunity in the private sector, I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2010.

This has been an especially difficult decision since so many of you have been encouraging of me, both during my prior campaign, but also since the 2006 election. Your encouragement and friendship have been tremendous gifts to me.

In order to be able to speak to you personally, I have posted a brief video message on the "Right Michigan" website which you can access directly by following the link below.

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/11/12/13559/403

Thank you, but most of all thank you for your friendship!

DeVos For Governor

Here we go again...

2008-11-12T09:40:00.001-05:00

In 2007 it was the income and service tax hike.

Now, after the election is over, a Michigan task force is considering raising the gas tax and registration fees.

Michigan can't afford this...

Good News!

2008-11-12T08:04:00.002-05:00

Apparently a Library of Congress survey found that Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged is the second most influential book in the US (behind the Bible).

Be an Intellectual Conservative!

2008-11-12T07:37:00.004-05:00

Clearly, conservatives need to go back to the basics and act on their first principles.

Dan McCarthy from The American Conservative has provided a reading list that will supplies the intellectual firepower needed to be a knowledgeable and smart conservative/libertarian.

Rep. Paul Ryan for House Minority Leader?

2008-11-12T07:15:00.002-05:00

The Wall Street Journal has endorsed Rep. Paul Ryan for House Minority Leader. The Republican Liberty Caucus also has good things to say about Rep. Ryan.

CPAC 2009 registration is open

2008-11-12T06:54:00.001-05:00

Save money by registering for CPAC 2009 today!

Mark Sanford to be chairman of Republican Governors Association?

2008-11-12T06:47:00.004-05:00

There are reports that SC Governor Mark Sanford may become chairman of the Republican Governors Association. The RGA is meeting this week in Miami to elect its new chairman.

Governor Sanford is a solid fiscal conservative and a potential candidate for President in 2012.

This baffles me...

2008-11-12T06:44:00.004-05:00

Gays want to become mainstream members of society yet a small number of them do crazy things like this.

This stuff just scares the public and sets us back.

Some Interesting Thoughts

2008-11-12T06:40:00.001-05:00

Where do Republicans Go From Here?
A Grassroots Perspective
By Randall Thompson

Former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey wrote in his book, Armey's Axioms, “When we act like them, we lose. When we act like us, we win.” Such words seem appropo after the 2008 general election. However, there is so much more to those words today than when they were written.

I cannot tell you how many times during the Bush Administration, political staffers at the state and federal level would seemingly say the same thing, 'I didn't sign up for this.' From the ill-executed war in Iraq to the prescription drug plan to the recent government bailout, many Republicans – both grassroots and professionals alike were caught off-guard by the brand of conservatism and, thus, the brand of Republicanism being executed at the highest levels of our government. And, worse yet, it was for the world to see. But, in his defense, President Bush didn't do it alone. He had a lot of help.

President Bush's proclamation of “compassionate conservatism” when he ran for office in 2000 was great rhetoric and a wonderful mission statement. However, Republicans failed to understand that it actually meant something. Compassionate conservatism meant spending – a lot of spending on government programs. It meant deficits and increased debt. It meant a foreign policy that focused on American exceptionalism and a Wilsonian offense spreading democracy around the world rather than a peace through strength national defense policy. In short, it was a brand of conservatism with which many Republicans were uncomfortable. It was not the brand of conservatism that built a center right America. However, he was “our guy” and they kept their lips sealed.

Now, in the wake of the recent elections, both grassroots and professional Republicans are asking, “where do we go from here?” Pundits have been busy today arguing whether Republicans and conservatives should revert back to their principles and become more partisan, thus, playing the role of loyal opposition? Or, should they acquiesce and work with the increased majorities of the House, Senate and new President-Elect Obama. Oddly, the answer can be and should be - both.

For years, conservatives have tried to indicate their political leanings by expressing themselves as Paleo-conservatives and Neo-conservatives. These designations spoke to the type of conservatism they believed in. As described by Wikipedia, Neo-Conservatives were/are, “a modern form of conservatism that supports a more assertive foreign policy, aimed at supporting American business interests abroad.” Paleo-Conservatives were/ are described as, “arising in the 1980s in reaction to neoconservatism, stresses tradition, especially Christian tradition and the importance to society of the traditional family.”

But, as President-elect Obama plainly put it, “Change has come to America.” This must be with the Republican Party and conservative movement, too. We can revert back to our most fundamental traditions, principles and philosophies; be a loyal opposition when warranted and work with the new majorities in the House and Senate at the same time. How? It won't be because of re-branding an image or reinventing the wheel. It will be by returning to our roots; a center right roots of thinkers and philosophers that ushered us into a time of peace and prosperity. We need to look to the past writings of Russell Kirk, Edmund Burke, Richard Weaver, Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises.

In these writings we will find a stark contrast with modern conservatism most recently on display. We will find a place in the very first chapter of Russell Kirk's book, The Politics of Prudence, a proclamation that conservatism is, in fact, the lack of ideology. It is not partisan but reasoned. It is not argumentative or “gotcha” but measured. It is a far cry from the conservatism contemporaries have come to know. Further, we will find a reason for a just and moral order in our society for the sake of shared interest and partnership toward a shared future – not to force dogmatic practices on an unwilling citizenry.

In other writings from Hayek and Mises we will find a proven direction to build prosperity without taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In Burke, we will find a role for regulation without over-regulating to the point where we choke a small business' or individual's opportunity to make a profit. In Weaver, we find that ideas have consequences. Every decision carries with it levels of impact. But, as Weaver notes, “All work is a bringing of the ideal from potentiality into actuality.” We work together.

As a collection, we find a place where minorities have a home through public policies that directly benefit them and a place where they are not only welcome but are relied upon. We find a proper role for government while not intruding into peoples' personal lives or asking them to give up their liberties in the name of national security. We find a place for achieving peace through strength without active nation building or misdirecting aggression; not confusing offense with defense . We find a place for a limited social safety net while still relying on the hard work and individual responsibility of every able citizen because the greater we limit the fall, conversely, the greater we must limit the success. And, we find a place where we are truly “our brother's keeper” but a keeper by choice – not by government force.

In this time, we can begin anew to read and understand and share what traditional conservatism is and what it was meant to be. We need our state and federal leaders to do the same and be able to practice and articulate it. In this, we will be able to work with a President Obama when he has it right and serve as a loyal opposition when he has it wrong. Rather than a partisan approach – we show what a reasoned, measured and prudent approach to public policy looks like. More importantly, we will show our citizens and the rest of the world what we were supposed to be; what our movement was built to be and what our Party quit trying to be. At the very least, we will most certainly find a brand of conservatism that most of America agrees with – they just haven't seen it in a quite a while.

Newt for Saul?

2008-11-12T06:37:00.003-05:00

On Sean Hannity today, Newt Gingrich talked up Saul Anuzis as a potential RNC chair.

MIGOP State Chairman Race

2008-11-12T06:20:00.003-05:00

Taken from the Michigan Conservative Dossier:

Several candidates have declared that they are running for Chair or will run if incumbent Saul Anuzis does not run.

Norm Shinkle- Ingham County Chairman, former tax judge and State Senator says that he will run if Saul Anuzis does not.

Rep. Jack Hoogendyk- Conservative term limited State Representative from the Kalamazoo area and unsuccessful US Senate candidate.

Laura Toy- I didn’t get her announcement email but I know that she is a Former State Senator from Livonia area. She has also worked for the Senate Republican Caucus. Some say that her record on abortion was a little soft in the State Senate.

Jerry Zandstra- West Michigan Protestant minister. Ran for US Senate against Debbie Stabenow. Started a statewide prolife group following the Michigan Right to Lifes withdrawl of their endorsement from him in his primary for US Senate.

Dan Tollis- Two time State Representative candidate in the Macomb County area.

Paul Welday- Former Joe Knollenberg staffer, founder of Strategic Public Affairs and Oakland County State Representative Candidate.

DETROIT NEWS COVERAGE OF THE STATE CHAIR RACE

Youth Chair candidates to succeed the tumultuous leadership of outgoing Matt Hall:

Harry Awdey- UofM Flint CR Chair, Macomb County Charter Commissioner

Alex Strobehn- Lake Superior State University CR Chair, and former candidate for House of Representatives.

Pete Vitale- State College Republican Treasurer. Closely aligned with the scandal plagued Justin Zatkoff and the failed Rudy Giuliani campaign here in Michigan. Is now pushing for a Dan Tollis Chairmanship.

Kyle Btristow- MSU ultra conservative Reich-Wing candidate blogger and activist. Author of SpartanSpectator.com

POTENTIALS:

Torion Bridges- Unsuccessful candidate for Wayne State Board of Regents.

Anthony Markwort- Graduate of CMU and organizer of the 2008 “MIGOP Youth Counts Initiative”

Robbie Rankey- Fmr. Teenage Republican State Board, Ferris University College Republicans Founder, Staff for State Senator Roger Kahn and organizer for the 2008 “MIGOP Youth County Initiative.”

Matt Viau- West Michigan self described McCainiac. Ran a victory center during 2008 election. Thinks McCain is one the greatest men ever to serve in the US Senate.

_ _

Editors Note: Norm Shinkle was one of the first people to get me involved in politics. I have a great deal of respect for him and I also believe that Jack Hoogendyk is an outstanding fiscal conservative.

Regarding the youth chair race - I am unsure who I will support as I have close relationships with Matt Viau, Torion Bridges and Pete Vitale.

Ron Paul's "Campaign for Liberty" and "Young Americans for Liberty"

2008-11-12T06:12:00.004-05:00

As most Paul supporters know, the Ron Paul campaign launched an advocacy organization called the Campaign for Liberty at the counter convention earlier this year. The Campaign for Liberty hopes to support pro-liberty candidates and reform the GOP from within.

Perhaps equally important is the newly formed organization called "Young Americans for Liberty." YAL, which was created by Ron Paul youth director Jeff Frazee, is spreading rapidly and Michigan State University has a chapter.

In fact, the Michigan State Chapter of YAL is hosting a screening of I.O.U.S.A. on November 20th. This film is about the ever-increasing national debt and America's financial crisis.

More information on YAL is available at their website.

Congratulations Mackinac Center!

2008-11-12T06:03:00.002-05:00

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy celebrated their 20th anniversary last night at a large gala featuring ABC 20/20 anchor John Stossel. In just 20 years, the Mackinac Center has grown to become the model State Policy Network organization and the leading free market policy organization in Michigan.

In addition to publishing extremely important policy papers, the center's always-wise Jack McHugh runs MichiganVotes.org,

Mackinac is also taking an active role in spreading liberty on college campuses and has formed a youth organization called Students for a Free Economy. SFE hosts conferences and provides speakers for student groups on Michigan campuses.

In the future, the Mackinac Center may form a legal organization similar to the Institute for Justice.

Transparency in Action!

2007-11-12T15:14:00.001-05:00

MSU had to justify its expenditure and make the expense publicly known. This creates accountability and fiscal responsibility.

Sen. Garcia Changing His Tune?

2007-11-12T15:05:00.000-05:00

Senator Garcia recently voted with Republicans to kill the tax he intially supported. Now, he is talking like a fiscal hawk in the Lansing State Journal. He said, “I would prefer that we had more cuts, but given the fact that we have divided government, we're probably not going to see that.”

Another Example of Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

2007-11-11T21:08:00.000-05:00

This letter was being circulated throughout the capital recently. Representative Ball claims to have over fifty signatures in support of his anti-taxpayer agenda. Here is the letter

Young Centurion Program Update

2007-11-11T20:38:00.001-05:00

The last Young Centurion Program was amazing. Gleaves Whitney gave a very intellectual speech about the difficulties that the conservative movement faces. Gleaves believes that President Bush partially damaged the movement due to massive spending and there is no clear solution to solve it. Gleaves thinks part of the problem is the divide between all the factions of the movement. It may take another Ronald Reagan to unite paleocons, neocons, libertarians and everything in between.

Next month's professor for the Young Centurion Program is Saul Anuzis.

Save the Michigan Primary!

2007-11-11T20:36:00.000-05:00

Re: Help Save the Michigan Presidential Preference Primary!

On Tuesday the State Senate and House are scheduled to meet to enact legislation that would salvage the January 15th Presidential Primary which was declared “unconstitutional” by Ingham Circuit Judge William Collette. The Judge ruled that the provision in the primary law giving voter records ONLY to the Republican and Democratic Parties amounted to an appropriation of public property for private use, which under the State Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote. The House vote on the Primary bill fell seven votes short of that standard. Therefore, the Judge’s ruling voided the Primary because the law made all provisions nonseverable.

PLEASE contact your State Senator and State Representative today!!

Here is a link to find your State Senator’s contact information: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/

Here is a link to find your State Representative’s contact information: http://www.house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp

Ask YOUR legislators to do two things:

1. Support giving IMMEDIATE EFFECT to House Bill No. 4507 so that all the logistics connected with a Presidential Primary can be accomplished in time for a January 15th vote. Important: a 2/3 majority vote in the House is necessary to give the bill Immediate Effect. Without 2/3 vote from the House the bill may be stalled until as late as November 21 or even December 1.

2. Write a letter to the leadership of their respective political parties (Republican or Democrat) urging them to take part in the Primary.

Please act today!

Scuffle Between RINOS and State Party

2007-11-11T20:26:00.000-05:00

During MIGOP Pizza and Politics on Friday, Saul Anuzis said that a tax-hiking GOP Senator requested a refund of his contribution to state party. Of course, Saul refused and made it clear that MIGOP will not support tax-hikers this election cycle.

Michigan Young Republicans Hold Convention.

2007-11-11T20:24:00.000-05:00

The YRs changed their name to "The Michigan Young Republican Party" and are now focused on creating chapters in all of Michigan's 83 counties.

Here is their press release:

Press Release

November 9, 2007

Contact: Stuart Foster
Stufoster2002@yahoo.com

For Immediate Release

ANN ARBOR: Some sixty delegates and observers attended the 2007 Michigan Young Republican Convention the evening of November 8. The Convention was held at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Ann Arbor.

Alicia Ping, the outgoing interim Chairman of the organization, moderated the meeting portion of the Convention. The Convention approved the report of the Constitution Committee, which included a new Constitution for the MYR that allows for local chapters located in Michigan counties. In anticipation of this, six counties sent delegates to the Convention. The counties represented were Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Macomb, Ingham, and Kalamazoo.

New officers were also nominated and elected. They are:
Chariman: Stuart Foster
Vice-Chairman: F. Vincent Vernuccio
Treasurer: John Knowles
Secretary: Angelique Rea
National Committeeman: Scott Ryan Czasak
National Committeewoman: Victoria Czapski

The Convention adjourned following a speech by Chairman Foster in which he outlined his goals for growing the membership and fundraising ability of the MYR.

Michigan Republican Party Youth Vice Chairman, Matt Hall, who was in attendance at the Convention, said “I am so pleased to see a strong YR organization once again growing here in Michigan. This is exactly the kind of force we’ll need to accomplish our objectives in 2008. I am excited to see what is to come.”

Foster announced plans for a new website, fundraising events, and social opportunities forthcoming. He also expressed hope for continued growth in local chapters.

Ron Paul to be in Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade

2007-11-11T20:23:00.001-05:00

He will be the first presidential candidate to ever walk in the parade.

Michigan Coalition of Compassionate Care

2007-11-11T20:21:00.001-05:00

The Medical Marijuana folks are paying activists $4 for every ballot petition signature they gather. For more information, visit www.stoparrestingpatients.org

Recall Language Approved in Kent County!

2007-11-11T20:10:00.000-05:00

Although some dems are playing politics and not approving recall language, Kent County decided to do the right thing.

From Leon Drolet:

Hooray for Kent County!!

The Kent County Board of Electors has just approved the recall petition language for the citizens attempting to recall Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids). By doing so, the Kent County Board of Electors becomes the first such Board in Michigan to follow the law instead of their own personal, political desires or opinions. Several Kent Election Board members expressed their disapproval of the recall of Rep. Dean, but admitted the language submitted was the "clearest they had ever seen" for a recall petition.

Now for the bad news: Muskegon County's board of electors chose the political path, ignored the law, and refused to approve recall petition language for Senator Jerry Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores) and Rep. Mary Valentine (D-Muskegon). Appeals will be filed in Muskegon County, as they will be in Macomb and Wayne Counties very soon. The taxpayers WILL win these appeals - the law is so very clearly on our side!

If anyone lives in, or has friends in, the Grand Rapids state House District of Robert Dean, LET US KNOW! We need all hands on deck for the recall. Remember what Rep. Dean did to you, your family, and the state economy when he voted for the biggest tax hike in Michigan history during such difficult times. Now, let's let him know that citizens and taxpayers are NOT politically inept, and will NOT take it anymore!

Lets get it done!

Leon Drolet
Treasurer - Michigan Recalls
www.michiganrecalls.com

Amy Hagerstrom Named Michigan Ron Paul State Coordinator

2007-11-11T20:06:00.000-05:00

Amy has spent the past 12 years working professionally in the field of integrated marketing communications. She has owned her own consulting firm specializing in issue management, campaign strategy and political fundraising. She is currently the Michigan Director for Americans for Prosperity, which is a national grassroots free market advocacy organization. Amy has spent the past year leading the Michigan office and has successfully recruited over 5,000 grassroots activists in that period of time. She continues to consult for a variety of clients, including state and federal level political candidates, ballot initiatives, and private business.

Her previous professional positions include Senior Account Executive for The Sterling Corporation, Director of Public Affairs for the Michigan Concrete Paving Association, Communications Director for the Associated Underground Contractors, and Legislative Aide for the Michigan House of Representatives. Amy is also an associate instructor at Michigan State University teaching classes in Public Relations and was an adjunct faculty member at Davenport University in the School of Business teaching courses in marketing, advertising, and public relations for three years.

For more info click here

New Radio Ad!

2007-09-29T19:51:00.000-04:00

The Michigan Republican Party recently released a radio ad attacking Governor Granholm and the proposed tax increase. Be sure to check it out!

Does Your Legislator Support a Tax Increase?

2007-08-10T16:16:00.000-04:00

Is your State Rep. or Senator on YOUR side?

If your legislator is supporting a tax increase, Leon Drolet and the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance may be targeting him/her in a recall. The last I heard, the legislature is expected to vote on the tax increase in September.

Young Centurion Program

2007-08-10T16:06:00.001-04:00

For conservatives/libertarians interested in gaining the intellectual firepower needed to defend liberty, please check out the Young Centurion Program. Boasting speakers such as Saul Anuzis and Gary Wolfram, the seminar intends to unite conservative/libertarian ideas with practical politics. Attendees will receive several free books from authors such as Ludwig Von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Russll Kirk and more; indicating that no conservative philosophy whether economic or social will be forgotten at the event. Spots are still available for the Lansing lecture series that begins on October 4^th. For more information, please visit www.conservativeinstitute.org

Right to Work in 2008?

2007-08-10T15:53:00.000-04:00

As you can see from the map on the left, Michigan is a forced unionization state but that may soon change...

There are rumors going around that Michigan activists may organize a Right to Work initiative in 2008. This has been a controversial issue for many years and last year's GOP gubernatorial candidate danced around the issue as a way of appealing to union voters. If this gets on the ballot, the UAW and big labor will certainly pour millions into opposition campaigns using class warfare techniques.

Amy Hagerstrom, state director of Americans for Prosperity, is very supportive of the legislation and is still contemplating the possibly of a campaign.

It’s urgent that supporters begin organizing for this initiative if they intend to make the 2008 ballot. Since the Secretary of State will surely throw out signatures, canvassers will need to gather 500,000 before the filing deadline. Let’s hope that Right to Work makes the ballot in 2008 and this idea does not turn out like the Stop Overspending Initiative in 2006.

This Isn't Just Another blog...

2007-08-10T15:32:00.001-04:00

Given the popularity of the internet these days, there is certainly no shortage of free market, pro-liberty blogs. Combining cutting edge web campaigns and nerdy libertarians, the internet seems like an ideal place to spread the message of limited government, low taxes and indivdual freedom. Despite this, I feel that I have something other blogs don't offer and I pledge to be different and more exciting.

As a young person, I understand that very few people are willing read policy papers from the Cato Institute or extremely long books written by Murray Rothbard or Ludwig Von Mises. Instead of the usual policy rants and boring debates, I intend to cover events with interesting commentary, feature different people of our movement and bring readers news and coverage before other blogs do.

I do not intend to dumb down my message; I simply hope to make it appealing to the masses and spread liberty beyond think-tank doors.

Truly,

Tyler Whitney