Welcome to ErnestHancock.org -- Ernest Hancock for Chairman of US Libertarian Party

Monday June 2nd 2008

Ernest Hancock’s view of the National Libertarian Party,… ‘An Outsider’s view from the Inside’

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=033937

Since the LPUS had made overtures to The State in support of the ‘War on Terrorism’ in 2004 there was a spike in the number of libertarians that understood what was coming and why.

Of course the Libertarian Party was targeted for a take over,… duh!

The libertarian philosophy has been the biggest threat to the ‘omnipotent state’ since before the first American Revolution. And in the summer of 2006 the ‘Bad Guys’ had thought they had achieved a monumental victory by the elimination of the detailed platform of the LPUS at a very controversial national convention. But what hard core no-compromise libertarians understood was that the Libertarian Party was a byproduct of libertarian philosophy and not the other way around.

Of course there were the cooperative libertarians inside that thought they were doing all of us a favor in their pursuit of getting some sort of approval from their Mother-in-Law and the Statist talking heads with opinions that they had come to value soooo much. But from the balcony they were being cheered on by those that understood the effect of their actions and how they benefitted.

Six months after the take over of the LPUS at almost every level inside of the party structure, a former LPUS presidential candidate announced his running for the Republican nomination. Ron Paul embraced all that the LPUS had just abandoned and the results were of no surprise to many of us that were holding the remnant together for when just such an event would take place. It wasn’t an ‘if’ it was a ‘when’. (to understand the references to the ‘remnant’ http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/nock3b.html - Written in 1936)

Denver’s 2008 Libertarian National Convention at the end of May was another opportunity for “An Injection of the Libertarian Infection into the Bone Marrow of the Libertarian Party (and America),… for which there is no cure”. Understanding this goal makes it far easier to understand why so many more libertarian activists are pleased with the results of Denver than you might realize. Since September of 2001 you might have been asking yourself, ‘where in the hell is the Libertarian Party?’ When needed the most, when everything libertarians have been warning their friends and family about has been happening all around us they are nowhere to be found at the national level. It was the courageous efforts of local activists willing to work with others of differing philosophies, but a common goal, to make the most of a very bad situation under the watchful eye of Big Bubba Government. While willing to join each other in a common effort, we initiated no force in an attempt to change or take over other groups (that’s the job of political elections and political conventions).

The libertarian r3VOLution supportive of Ron Paul’s mission in 2007 and 2008 was the clear proof that decentralized libertarian freedom fighting is a very effective method for the freeing of individual minds. Vote totals, money spent, media (new and old) is an expected side effect of individuals left free to express themselves when they don’t feel any need to consult a collective. There are no rulebooks for a revolution. This is why libertarian philosophy is so important to this revolution between the ears. If you turn into the ‘Bad Guys’ in order to defeat them,… then what was the point? But many simply seek the ‘Ring of Power’ to rule over others, instead of seeking to eliminate the oppressive power itself.

The Barr Machine did not get the ‘cake walk’ they were hoping for. Of six ballots, ‘purist’ Mary Ruwart tied twice and Barr was behind on the 5th before Barr and Root aligned to get the endorsement needed to put them over the top (Wayne Root: a recent Republican and former war supporter that was promised the VP slot in exchange for his endorsement and support). But later the Libertarian National Committee would see drastic restructuring with many new faces.

I made it clear that I support individuals coming over to support libertarianism from anywhere on the political and philosophical spectrum. But as my friend Barry Hess puts it, “They are welcome to join us,… not change us”. And the press promotion by the LPUS staff and officers of the Republican Congressman and the Democratic Senator while excluding all of the well known libertarian candidates was too much for many to keep their silence.

In April of 2007 Barry Hess and I wrote a joint article predicting what would happen with the r3VOLution and its relationship with the LPUS. Barry announced his intention to seek the presidential nomination (should a no-compromise candidate not represent us) and I the Chairmanship of the National Committee. http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=017893

Over a year ago we knew what was happening in American politics and how and why the LPUS would miss the opportunity to participate in a ‘libertarian revolution’ that had been developing across the planet at every level of society for at least as long as I have been aware of the LP (1991).

Circumstances are such that the viral effects of libertarianism will overwhelm any effort to stop its spread. We are at the point that each attempt to stop the contagion only increases the speed of the infection.

(Making over 150 signs in Phoenix to be put up all over Denver - 3 styles)

I fear that the Libertarian Party of the United States will bring about its own worse fears in the next few years if they do not join the libertarian revolution already under way,… the LPUS will become irrelevant.

Commentary following the LPUS convention has been interesting. (Here's a collection of some)

In the late 1980’s it became very clear to me that the ‘bad guys’ were never going to stop being bad anywhere and everywhere possible. It was very clear early on to me that was just as true inside the Libertarian Party at all levels. The only difference was that libertarian philosophy made it very easy to spot the bad guys. The willingness to violate libertarian principles to serve a collective (in this case, the Libertarian Party collective) was a flashing neon sign that was easily noticed.

Neo-libertarians (or whatever they wind up being called) are a collection of power seekers that have little interest in challenging the idolization of an all powerful and all knowing government. They are far more focused on getting their turn being in charge of it. It is this desire to ‘dance with the devil’ that also manifests their support of laws that would control various personal behaviors (Marriage, Sex, Drugs, Immigration etc.).

Not welcome anywhere else due to their stubborn tendency to resist the temptation to totally turn over the economy to central planning, these economic conservatives like to think that they have principles. But they also think that they can limit those principles to issues of economics (or whatever interests them at the moment). Libertarians are a unique group in that they value freedom itself with less regard for what it produces. While they are very confident that the fruits of liberty are great, it is the ‘being left alone’ part of freedom that attracts them most. This trait produces very little effort worrying about what someone else might do with their freedom as long as it doesn’t have a direct effect on the pursuit of _their_ own happiness.

The only argument that can be invoked as a response to the simple advocacy of being left alone is the Fear of not having an ‘authority’ to protect you from those that were left unchecked in your free society that are certainly intent on doing you and your family harm. Well, most libertarians are just not that easily scared. And as time passes it becomes very clear that ‘government’, in its many forms, is not all it has been cracked up to be,… and in fact the largest source of the fear.

Bob Barr’s conversion to libertarianism was deliberate, planned and staged from the beginning. As a talk show host and as a producer I witnessed first-hand the marketing of his break with the Republican Party after his congressional defeat in the Republican Primary of 2002. Barr's defeat was part of a campaign by the LP to target ‘Drug Warriors’

(The Libertarian Party has targeted drug warriors in the upcoming election as part of a national "spoiler" strategy to defeat leaders of the War on Drugs. The "Incumbent Killer Strategy" targets five federal incumbents — three Republicans and two Democrats. The goal is to scare other House and Senate members into backing away from their support for the War on Drugs.)

The power of the LP was felt. Over the next few years we would see a campaign that had ex-Congressman Barr associated with the word “libertarian” more than you would expect. Barr is a former employee of the CIA, a well known Drug Warrior Prosecutor that turned Congressman to later vote for the PATRIOT Act. Barr also wanted the Federal Government to determine the structure of families with the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’.

Raised eyebrows from libertarians after Barr’s quick conversion were common.

Often we would inquire as to what was the “road to Damascus” moment, the epiphany, the enlightenment that prompted him to participate in a strained effort to bend/break rules that would eventually place him on the Libertarian National Committee in 2006.

Without having made any attempt at even emotional reparations for the damage caused, Bob Barr was now deep in the heart of the very organization that caused him to lose his seat in Washington, D.C.

Makes you go,… Hummmmmmmm.

But libertarian activists around the country (and the world) were not interested. We noticed the methods and the players and understood this to be just another stage of what had begun inside the Libertarian Party from its start and something we had to go through on our way to where the ‘purists’ wish to go. Bylaws, Platforms, Campaigns and Candidates are no match for an educated and dedicated libertarian activist.

The word ‘activist’ is used a lot by I and others to define someone willing to actively work in the process of freeing as many minds as possible with the truth. Since we believe it is almost impossible for someone to unlearn the truth, it is to our advantage when a large number of people are witness to lies as they are being told. Sometimes there are simple differences of opinion (only time can demonstrate the results of differing opinions).

I shared my opinion about the LPUS convention on the radio here in Phoenix May 28th on the Charles Goyette show. I was followed by Dr. Ron Paul that had some interesting things to share as well. http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=033872

At the end of the convention the LNC had over half of the committee replaced with individuals that are certain to help bring the LPUS back to its roots over the next couple of years as we prepare for the 2010 convention.

Barry Hess and I were able to speak to the convention on several occasions and make many new friends and alliances. Barry was the morning speaker to the entire convention on Sunday just before the Presidential Nominations and had a great impact on the future of the party I’m sure http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=033867 Barry traded a place on the stage as a Presidential Nominee for the opportunity to define the libertarian standard to the entire convention just before the nominations started. (Barry Hess ran for President in 2000 and was an early favorite for the 2008 Race)

Barry Hess, I and a few other activists were able to engage Bob Barr in a detailed discussion about the future of his campaign with a few dozen others in attendance on a hotel patio after the nomination. Mr. Barr promised the activists a detailed position paper from his campaign on the issues we brought up (War – Troop deployment – Federal Reserve – Drug War – Immigration – War on Terrorism etc.) within 2 weeks so that the activists could have a final opportunity to make a personal decision as to where their efforts would be focused during the coming election cycle. We made our opinions clear. We believed that his campaign will struggle for money and that while he may get a bump immediately following the nomination, he would make a mistake waiting until it was too late to ask for forgiveness for his positions in support of the Drug War. And be too late with a promise to stop it (he must be planning for a Republican run in 2012).

For once, the issue of Federal Matching funds was _not_ brought up at a Libertarian National Convention. But I suspect that the promise to raise 40-50 million dollars for the Barr/Root campaign of 2008 may not be honored,… unless it is the American government/taxpayer that’s paying it. The idea that we can advocate for the elimination of Social and Economic Welfare using Political Welfare for such a campaign is,… hypocritical at best.

I have been a Libertarian Party Presidential Elector here in Arizona for every presidential election since 1996. The deadline for the filing of the electors is May 30th here in Arizona and my good friend Michael Kielsky is the Arizona state chair in charge of the process. He needed one more name and knew that I would at the very least make sure that the slot was filled with a Libertarian Party member’s name. I was one of the few Ron Paul Revolutionaries that did not register Republican to support Dr. Paul. Even as the ‘first RP-r3VOLutionary’ I felt no obligation to give any credibility to a process I knew to be corrupt, so I continue to work very hard ‘voting’ with every sign I make and every mind I free. I still feel that we libertarian activists can accomplish a great

deal inside the electoral process by having our names associated with the word ‘libertarian’, even if I choose not to cast a vote in support of the process or any candidate.

This year makes it all the more important to understand just how autonomous the individual State Libertarian Parties are and that they are responsible for their reputations. To be represented by a single individual at the top of a collective organization is dangerous and not very ‘libertarian’. So I suspect that individual libertarians around the world will make it clear what they disagree with when Bob Barr gets into his campaign. But I am just as certain that they will look for every opportunity to support libertarian philosophy whenever advocated by Mr. Barr.

Ernest Hancock

Publisher - FreedomsPhoenix

Monday May 12th 2008

Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock 1480 KPHX 05-11-2008

There is a revolution on its way. Will the Libertarian Party be a part of it? Ernest Hancock is running for the chairmanship of the Libertarian National Party and makes his case to LPUS delegates to the Denver 2008 convention this May 23rd - 26th.

Thursday April 24th 2008

LPNews Ad May 2008 - Denver Convention Issue

Tuesday April 22nd 2008

On the road Since April 3rd. That weekend my wife Donna and I took advantage of a Nevada Libertarian Party event to get handgun training at "Front Site" west of Las Vegas. We were very impressed with entire experience and recommend it highly,... especially for those fearful of firearms and other weapons. We have been traveling across the country by automobile visiting many friends, family and other freedom advocates.

Aptil 15th 2008 - I spoke at the Tax Day Freedom Rally (YouTube Link on front Page).

I'll be back in Phoenix to implement the final stages of the Campaign for LPUS Chair by the end of April.

Wednesday April 9th 2008

Ernest: Here is the text of a comment I just posted at TPW.

From David Nolan:

___________________________________

The LP¹s Statement of Principles, written in 1972 by John Hospers, was
adopted by the delegates to the party¹s first convention. It was modified
slightly in 1974, and has remained unchanged ever since.

The ³Mission Statement² was written by Scott Lieberman and adopted by the
National Committee (NOT by party members in convention) in 1994 or 1995. It
is, in my opinion, a very poorly conceived and worded statement, as it
implies that the party¹s primary objective should be the one thing we are
not good at: winning elections. The LP has had considerable success in other
endeavors, but not in the one area that the ³Mission Statement² states as
our primary mission. It is being used by ³reformers² within the LP as a
reason to water down our platform because telling people our true philosophy
and goals will ³scare people² and impair our redefined ³mission.²

Hopefully, the delegates to the 2008 convention will vote to specifically
disavow the ³Mission Statement,² which has never been voted on by the
membership. Our Statement of Principles and the Preamble to the national
platform are the only ³mission statements² that we need. The bogus, narrow
statement approved by the LNC in 1994 (or thereabouts) is unnecessary and
counterproductive.

Tuesday April 8th 2008

Ernest Hancock

Chairman of the Libertarian Party of the United States

Candidate – 2008 Denver Convention

Now!... as in Not Later.

The Presidential Election of November 2008 will have Americans casting votes weeks before “election day”, and most minds will be made up well before that. Any meaningful impact the Libertarian Party of the United States and/or its nominee will have on the issues discussed, and the accompanying libertarian solutions in this presidential election cycle, is diminishing with every passing moment and we must be able to react very quickly to every opportunity presented us and create many of our own. I can help.

Political news coverage is dominated with frivolous and manufactured controversies. Intentional or unintentional, the result is the same, an ever diminishing audience left parroting positions on issues of little or no importance. Motivated individuals have filled this information void with creative and effective activism that has become commonplace in a r3VOLution that has yet to be joined by the Libertarian Party. But there are still uses for the main stream media that has not been taken advantage of by the LPUS.

Successful political/social/community activists that understand what they are up against know what is required for free media coverage. TANSTAAF (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch) universally applies, and any libertarian activist's relationship with the media is no exception. The unearned news coverage of individuals and organizations that support a centrally enforced plan are far more often given preferential treatment when compared to those advocating freedom. So earned media is what is left us. Libertarians should be comfortable with this arrangement, and even prefer it over unearned media that produces dependency and compromise. When we are able to entertain and inform a news media's audience with a story about individuals “Making News”, all are served and there are no lingering obligations.

I am a long time libertarian activist, the Publisher of FreedomsPhoenix.com (a news aggregator) and a talk show host on the Air America Radio affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona www.ernesthancock.com/archive (Progressive/Liberal/Democrat audience – the show leading into mine is hosted by the founders of Air America and are the station's owners) but I am well known as a no-compromise hard core libertarian activist that also works regularly behind the scenes with Republican legislators (see Endorsement page at www.ErnestHancock.org). By maintaining a consistent and understandable libertarian philosophy without compromise I have been able to develop powerful relationships across the country and across the political spectrum. I have enjoyed substantial support for my ability to work with others that have interests that may only temporarily overlap with our interests.

Over the last year it has been clearly demonstrated that it is the clean and clear message of libertarianism that is popular and not the individual bearer of that message. More important than my creation of the r3VOLution artwork and the promotion of the accompanying street activism, was my understanding that the next American Revolution was already in the hearts and minds of enough people that it could not be ignored if given an opportunity to express itself. In 2004 & 2006 I expressed this opinion at the National Conventions of the LPUS and for years I have done so as a talk show host www.ernesthancock.com/archive, a candidate for office (bio), as co-founder of the FreedomSummit.com, director of the 38 year old ArizonaBreakfastClub.org and countless activist projects and court actions. The revolution between the ears of millions of Americans is moving to the streets and I am uniquely qualified and motivated to put the Libertarian Party in a very influential position so that from the coming chaos we can expect a rebirth of American liberty. As the new Chairman of the Libertarian Party of the United States of America I fully expect Lady Liberty's Torch to produce a Freedom's Phoenix.

I chose the theme of my Chair campaign to be the Libertarian Party of the United States' "Statement of Principle". Since the beginning of the party it has remained, “We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual”. This Mission Statement was well understood by me and the other activists that were proud to refer to themselves as libertarians.

At the time of the creation of the Libertarian Party it was easy to understand the reasoning for such a statement in the face of the Nixon administration and the Viet Nam War. After the past two Bush administrations it seems more like an act of clairvoyance.

“We, the members of the Libertarian Party,...” seems obvious. I am of the opinion that this makes it clear that individuals have banded together to make use of the peaceful political process to do something.

“...challenge the cult...” is just as clear. Oppose/confront a group that adores/supports something. And 'that something' is the ...”omnipotent state”. An all powerful all knowing government.

The mission statement goes on to make it clear that the Libertarian Party had been created not only to oppose those with a collective adoration of an all powerful and all knowing government, but to “defend the rights of the individual” against this “omnipotent state”. The Libertarian Party's Mission Statement goes on to define individual rights and our opposition to government's abuses of them. But nowhere does it dictate how this is to be done. And to make sure that this Mission Statement should not be changed for light and transient causes it requires a 7/8 vote at a Libertarian National Convention.

The “injection of the libertarian infection into the bone marrow of American politics (for which there is no cure)” is extremely powerful. The r3VOLution of the past year has been a very good example.

Over the past year I have traveled coast to coast many times helping other libertarians and freedom supporting individuals in support of the libertarian philosophy behind the r3VOLution, but I was very concerned by official Libertarian Party communications in support of another party's candidate with little attention to the libertarian philosophy behind his popularity. Support for Congressman Ron Paul's clear opposition to the Federal Reserve, the War in Iraq, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Omnipotent surveillance State (in that order) was obvious to all attending any of the events that was attended by thousands. Yes, #1 was the Federal Reserve (thank you Aaron Russo). I am certain that this observation will be confirmed by many libertarians at the Denver LP convention.

Only 6 months before the r3VOLution took the country by storm the very issues that were its backbone had been abandoned by the LPUS at the National Convention of 2006.

The internal LP debate over what the specific function of the LP should be has been raging for at least the 15 years that I have been a libertarian activist. Efforts to bypass the desires of Libertarians in convention via an LNC vote or a well timed parliamentary procedure has become almost expected. But individuals with the desire to use the political process to achieve specific goals not addressed in the Mission Statement of the LPUS have gone too far and principled libertarians are being compelled to direct their attention to the internal issues of the LPUS.

Page 2 of the LPNews list all of the official contact information for the LPUS. Just below the name and contact information of our current National chair are the words:

The Mission Statement of the Libertarian Party:

“To move public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office.”

If this Mission Statement could be found anywhere in the documents of the Libertarian Party I might be more compelled to fully examine how different this statement is in philosophy and function from the true Mission Statement. But in brief, it makes it clear that Libertarians have abandoned the idea of opposing omnipotent power in favor of getting hold of it.

From this line of thinking comes the idea that we can best advocate against the Economic and Social Engineering of Americans via taxes and regulations, by making use of the political welfare made available through federal matching funds. We can also expect such a Mission Statement to not oppose an electoral system with new laws that would limit free speech and freedom of association, for fear of not having access to these federal handouts, instead of aggressively opposing these restrictions on our members and “defending the rights of the individual.”

But the most damaging aspect of this issue is the fact that the Libertarian Party is committing fraud. Plain and simple. I can't imagine how you could convince the ultimate judge (the general public) that the “Party of Principle” isn't being fraudulent with this blatant misrepresentation. Any success we may experience in the political process at a national level would be lost in a moment with a single featured segment on any number of national media programs. A public relations fiasco from which I fear the LPUS would never fully recover.

I hope many are asking how this could have happened. Many of you may have reacted with colorful language as I did. But I hope that you will direct your energy in helping me to make it clear that we do not support the direction the Libertarian Party of the United States has taken.

The original purpose for the creation of the Libertarian Party has never been more pertinent than it is right now. The r3VOLution is already well under way and if the LPUS were to aggressively challenge the Bad Guys and defend the Good Guys I guarantee that we'd have a great deal more fun and would enjoy tremendous support.

===============================

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I have been informed from where the new "Mission Statement" was generated. Originally it started working its way into the LP as an LNC "policy" in the mid 90's and eventually would be added to a rewrite of the LP's bylaws. I remember this being just as controversial as the gutting of the 2006 Platform. It was another back door way of being able to accomplish exactly what has been done.

From this...

Statement of Principles

We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual.

We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.

Governments throughout history have regularly operated on the opposite principle, that the State has the right to dispose of the lives of individuals and the fruits of their labor. Even within the United States, all political parties other than our own grant to government the right to regulate the lives of individuals and seize the fruits of their labor without their consent.

We, on the contrary, deny the right of any government to do these things, and hold that where governments exist, they must not violate the rights of any individual: namely, (1) the right to life -- accordingly we support the prohibition of the initiation of physical force against others; (2) the right to liberty of speech and action -- accordingly we oppose all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and press, as well as government censorship in any form; and (3) the right to property -- accordingly we oppose all government interference with private property, such as confiscation, nationalization, and eminent domain, and support the prohibition of robbery, trespass, fraud, and misrepresentation.

Since governments, when instituted, must not violate individual rights, we oppose all interference by government in the areas of voluntary and contractual relations among individuals. People should not be forced to sacrifice their lives and property for the benefit of others. They should be left free by government to deal with one another as free traders; and the resultant economic system, the only one compatible with the protection of individual rights, is the free market.

----------------

To This....

The Mission Statement of the Libertarian Party:

“To move public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office.”

Using this...

ARTICLE 3: PURPOSES

The Party is organized to implement and give voice to the principles embodied in the Statement of Principles by: functioning as a libertarian political entity separate and distinct from all other political parties or movements; moving public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office; chartering affiliate parties throughout the United States and promoting their growth and activities; nominating candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States, and supporting Party and affiliate party candidates for political office; and, entering into public information activities.

----------------------

Because those hoping for their chance at the wearing of "The Ring" are not able to get around this...

ARTICLE 4: STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND PLATFORM

1. The Statement of Principles affirms that philosophy upon which the Libertarian Party is founded, by which it shall be sustained, and through which liberty shall prevail. The enduring importance of the Statement of Principles requires that it may be amended only by a vote of 7/8 of all registered delegates at a Regular Convention.

Tuesday March 25th 2008

Below is March's LPNews ad,... this is April's

Tuesday March 18th 2008

The delegate information has been obtained. This has been a point of contention in the past, but no longer. Great! Now we can move on to the fun.

Monday March 17th 2008

(St. Patrick's Day)

The LPNews ad (below this paragraph) hitting mailboxes over the next week or so will be the starting gun for the campaign for National Chair. Convention reservations of rooms, suites, booths and marketing has been taken care of and now the task of creating the DVD and printed material to be mailed to past Convention Delegates is to be completed by the end of his month. The initial mailings depend on the commitment from the National Party to supply us with the list of past delegates. I am focusing attention on this point due to my past experience in how this information is selectively allocated (drawing attention to one of the motivations for my seeking this position). The following ad is intended to make it very clear that I intend to 'Oppose The State'

My email to Shane Cory at LPUS HQ:

Shane,

Time tables have been created and deadlines projected. It is time for my obtaining of the LPUS Convention Delegate lists.

Please make it very clear what exactly is available to me, in what form, by what date and what is required of me. Put very simply, I seek the Names, Address, emails & phone numbers of the past attendees of the 2006 & 2004 LPUS conventions (If other convention years are available I am also interested in them as well – I hope to cast a very large net over as many libertarians as possible to encourage their renewed interest in the LPUS as a powerful tool for the cause of liberty).

The ability to communicate with Libertarians as a candidate for National Chair is the first important issue of this campaign (fair warning :)

This single issue parallels so much of my interface with government that I am far more sensitive about it than most seeking the same information. Our past conversations on the matter gave me the understanding that I am eligible to receive this information and would have no problem getting it. I am also informed that the list for 2008 delegates will be regularly available.

If there is any misunderstanding or a task required on my part I request clarification as soon as possible. Since the form of my targeted campaigning will be determined by the communication methods available I need to put to rest this issue by the end of the week. If there is any reason that I can not be clearly informed of my options by this Friday the 21^st of March, please let me know.

Thanks for your time,

Ernest Hancock
Candidate – LNC Chairman

Shane called immediately after getting this email (good for him) and gave me the email of the individual that is tasked with providing this information. I look forward to providing a positive report regarding the retention of this information. Having this be a non-issue would be a tremendous step forward in comparison to my past experiences with the LPUS since 1996.

Saturday February 16th 2008

Starchild's endorsement (included below) has motivated me to begin campaigning a few weeks earlier than planned. But my intention to run has not been a secret (announcement in April 2007). Experience has demonstrated that a long drawn out campaign has little, if any, net gain for the effort.

My first effort is to secure a database of libertarians that have participated in past conventions so that I can communicate with them directly. Past efforts have demonstrated many of the characteristics of a collective that has lost its libertarian DNA. I took advantage of the 2004 Atlanta and 2006 Portland conventions to introduce myself to the libertarians in convention via material distributed at the convention and some online discussions. But 2008 has proven to be a very important year for the LPUS' relevance in American politics and I am driven to make it very clear to all libertarian minded individuals aware of the Libertarian Party of the United States what the LPUS has chosen to represent at the 2008 National Convention in Denver.

The libertarian message has gained a larger 'mind share' than ever before, and it will be a lost opportunity, not likely to come again for decades, if libertarians in convention do not make it perfectly clear what they represent and their willingness to capitalize on this rare set of circumstances. I have always been very keenly aware of the power of the libertarian message and have been very effective in demonstrating that. At no time have I considered the existence of the Libertarian Party essential to the promotion of the libertarian message. But the LPUS can be a powerful tool available to individuals.

At the moment the LPUS is of little use to freedom oriented individuals at a time when it could be the center of the political universe if it were to support the individual efforts of activists left alone to flourish. The days of promoting a "Central Plan for Freedom" are soooo over.

Supporters of my effort to be elected National Chair of the Libertarian Party will be supportive of a very clear effort to unleash the activists of the libertarian message. I have no interest in 'testing' the libertarianism of individuals, but I am very passionate about the definition of libertarianism being clear and representative of what the LPUS stands for. Candidates will be judged by the individual minds of others for their support. But the practice of supporting changes in the definition of what it is to be 'libertarian' in order to fit the positions of interest groups and candidates reeks of the need for some sort of absolution.

I feel no insult being referred to as a 'purist', but that shouldn't be construed as my experiencing a need for a 'purging'. Success in the promotion of a hard core, no-compromise definition of what libertarianism is and the promotion of individual activism with the power of immediate positive feedback will make converts of the most skeptical (inside or outside of the Libertarian Party).

Government generated vote results (accurate or not) will be the result of clear demands that the people will make in the free-market of ideas and _not_ the other way around. The Ron Paul r3VOLution has been the largest confirmation of libertarian principles and decentralized effort on a national scale than any other that I know about. The r3VOLution is libertarian at its core (started by libertarians, supported by libertarians, promoting libertarian principles) and all the while the LPUS and its candidates have been floundering back and forth in a debate about the endorsement/support/drafting of a Republican (the Ron Paul part) and ignoring the whole meaning behind the r3VOLution. The Libertarian Party should have been the first to embrace this libertarian movement like many of the best libertarian activists from all over the country did. The r3VOLution isn't represented by any one candidate. And we are going to find out how many candidates will make use of "LOVE" in this revolution to represent their campaign efforts.

For the LPUS to ignore such a large political movement based on libertarianism and allow a Republican candidate for President sole dominion over a movement so libertarian, is very shortsighted and dumbfounding to many.

Having Ron Paul in congress has been great for Libertarians and the libertarian message. Disagreements on specifics in philosophy can be easily diminished in their importance by the fact that he is registered as a REPUBLICAN! Instead of embracing the opportunity provided to restore credibility in the definition of libertarianism and the recovery from a shaky position on the Iraq War by the LPUS, we have seen no offensive against the Police State forming up at our front doors. Tens of thousands are ready to join us and too few of us even see it as a benefit on every level. Instead the opportunity is feared for the diminished influence many would have in a collective that was only created to oppose collectives. And this is where the problem originates.

The LPUS is far too dependent on a structure that has increasingly become more about maintaining and enhancing the power of the collective than it is about promoting the activities of individuals in support of a philosophy that the LPUS was created to champion.

I offer my passion and experience to make this transition to an activists playground where everyone has fun and goes home satisfied and freer each day.

Ernie

=================================

Ernest Hancock for LP national chair!

Posted by: "Starchild" sfdreamer@earthlink.net intoliberty

Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:46 pm (PST)

If I can have a few minutes of your time, I'd like to share a few
words about a fellow Libertarian who is running for national chair of
our party. Although we live in different states and I've only met him
a few times in person, I consider him a role model as well as a
friend and am proud to support him. (I did not tell him I was going
to do this or run these comments by him before sending them out, so I
alone am to blame for whatever errors or offending opinions they may
contain!) I do so because I believe he offers the vision and
leadership we need to get the Libertarian Party back on track and
inspire a new generation of young libertarian activists who've been
turned on to the ideas of liberty by the Ron Paul campaign and get
them involved with the LP and the ongoing struggle for liberty.

Ernest Hancock is an incredibly dynamic, hard-working activist and a
principled, uncompromising libertarian. Among other notable
accomplishments too numerous to list here, Ernest is the guy who came
up with the now famous "Ron Paul r3VOLution" slogan/logo that has
played a huge part in the presidential campaign that has taken our
freedom movement to new levels. Not only was he responsible for this
first-rate idea which has helped radicalize many Ron Paul supporters,
but for months has been helping it spread like wildfire by getting
out on the road and hustling the message all over the country as well
as via the Internet. Here, in one of the many exciting videos he has
produced, narrated, and put up on the Web, activists are erecting
large billboards in southern California on the highway from Los
Angeles to Las Vegas, having fun, and encouraging others to copy
their efforts:

http://www.ronpauln ation.com/
tv.html#ron_ paul_revolution_ big_interstate_ billboards

Obviously, Ernest Hancock is not a technocratic, managerial,
buttoned-down, inside-the-Beltway kind of guy. He is a plain-spoken,
sleeves up, big-picture kind of guy, a fearless, outspoken, fun-
loving advocate of liberty. He is one of us, an activist's activist.
He has always put fighting for freedom ahead of party politics. If
you go to any of his websites -- sites like FreedomsPhoenix. com,
ErnestHancock. com, TheLFactor.org -- you'll find them chock-full of
material promoting libertarianism to the public and touting the
candidacies of himself and other LP members for public office. There
is however scarcely a word about his candidacy for national chair.

That's one reason I decided to write this email and do my part to
help get the word out among LP members that Ernie is running and
deserves our support. Libertarians of all people understand that the
kind of person you want wearing the general's hat is someone who's a
natural leader but is nevertheless on some level ambivalent about
wanting the job, because we know it is never safe to entrust power to
those who are too ambitious for it or enjoy wielding it too much.
Libertarians know that the kind of person you want in the top job is
someone whose attitude is "Hey! Go out and do it yourself!" and who
then inspires, leads by example, and shows you how to get it done. If
you watch the video linked above, I think you'll understand that this
describes Ernest Hancock in a nutshell. From what I know of him, I
think no one would be happier than Ernie himself if the Libertarian
Party were in such great shape that he could just focus on spreading
the message of libertarianism to the public and leave the running of
the Libertarian National Committee to others.

Unfortunately this is not where we are today. LP membership is way
down from where it was a few years ago. Our platform has been gutted
by misguided "reformers." Our national website and newsletter offer
cheerleading fluff and an often context-free focus on "winning,"
while tiptoeing around Libertarian ideology. We have a crop of
presidential candidates whose positions are probably on average less
libertarian than ever before in the party's history, including a
slick "Millionaire Republican" being given frontrunner billing on
LP.org in recognition of nothing more than monetary donations to the
LNC. We have an LNC whose "star" member (at least, apparently, in the
eyes of much of the LP's leadership) is a former Republican member of
Congress whose pro-freedom credentials on many issues are open to
question. Hardcore libertarian activists have been discouraged and
disempowered within the party by trends like charging delegates
"floor fees" to participate in conventions, and packing the Platform
Committee with insider-appointed members committed to agendas like
further watering down our platform and scrapping the LP's long-
standing non-initiation of force pledge. Some of our best activists
have become disillusioned with these and similar trends and dropped
out of the party.

In short, the Libertarian Party is in crisis, even at a time when
the Ron Paul campaign in which Ernest has played such a vital role
has demonstrated the potential of libertarian ideas to move the
masses and inspire young people to get involved; even at a time when
the United States is on the brink of recession and perhaps even
economic collapse, and more in need of our radical freedom message
than ever. At this critical juncture we need a Libertarian national
chair whose ideological focus, passion, and commitment to our cause
are second to none. We need Ernest Hancock to lead our party back to
core principles, to motivate a new generation of freedom activists to
join us and bring to the LP the energy and enthusiasm that they have
brought to the Ron Paul campaign.

A few Libertarians argue that supporting a Republican and rallying
members of the Arizona LP behind him, even one with the libertarian
track record and credentials of Dr. Paul, was wrong, and that this
somehow disqualifies Ernest Hancock from being our chair. I
completely disagree. The Libertarian Party desperately needs a chair
who recognizes that libertarian *ideas* come first, and that the LP
is just a *vehicle* for those ideas, not an end in itself. The
attitude that all we need to do in order to "succeed" is to focus on
"marketing" the LP "brand name" into mainstream prominence, and stop
making such a fuss worrying about what Libertarians *actually stand
for*, is part of what has gotten us into the mess we're in now. I
have no doubt whatsoever that an LP headed by Ernest Hancock will be
much *less* at risk of becoming "GOP-lite" than is the case under our
current leadership.

Please join me today in writing Ernie <ernest@ernesthancoc k.com> a
note endorsing his candidacy. If you can come to the Libertarian
national convention in Denver (May 22-25, 2008) as a delegate from
your state and pledge him your support, I urge you to do so. (Note --
you can find information here on how to become a delegate.) If you
cannot make it to Denver, please consider making a small donation to
his campaign for chair, so that he will have a fraction of the
resources available to him in this race that he has generously given
from his own pocket over the years toward the cause of liberty.

(mail checks to)

Ernest Hancock for LP National Chair
5739 North 11th Way
Phoenix, AZ 85014

One thing you can count on is that Ernest will know how to get the
most mileage out of any donation you send!

Thank you for listening, and, if you are getting this email directly
rather than via a list, for tolerating this mass pitch for a
candidate. You know I don't make such appeals very often, but this is
important. (If you want to call me up and chew me out, or give any
other feedback, my home phone number is below.)

The battle for the heart and soul of the Libertarian Party is
winnable, but everyone who wants to see us stand by our ideas needs
to step up to the plate. Let's take our party back!

Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
(415) 621-7932

Outreach Director/Secretary, Libertarian Party of San Francisco
Libertarian Party of California Platform Committee Rep.

California LP Executive Committee At-Large Rep. (2001-2002)
San Francisco LP Chair (1998-2000)
Candidate for SF Board of Supervisors (2006)
Candidate for Board of Education (2004)
Candidate for SF Board of Supervisors (2002)
Candidate for State Assembly (2001)

First entry in Ernie's Blog to appear here soon.


Ernest Hancock for Chairman of the United States Libertarian Party		ErnestHancock.org Ernest Hancock Phoenix, Arizona 602-717-5900 ErnestHancock@cox.net
Make a Contribution • Discussion Forum
	Ernie's Blog
Political Bio "Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock" Radio Archives	Monday June 2nd 2008 Ernest Hancock’s view of the National Libertarian Party,… ‘An Outsider’s view from the Inside’ http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=033937 Since the LPUS had made overtures to The State in support of the ‘War on Terrorism’ in 2004 there was a spike in the number of libertarians that understood what was coming and why. Of course the Libertarian Party was targeted for a take over,… duh! The libertarian philosophy has been the biggest threat to the ‘omnipotent state’ since before the first American Revolution. And in the summer of 2006 the ‘Bad Guys’ had thought they had achieved a monumental victory by the elimination of the detailed platform of the LPUS at a very controversial national convention. But what hard core no-compromise libertarians understood was that the Libertarian Party was a byproduct of libertarian philosophy and not the other way around. Of course there were the cooperative libertarians inside that thought they were doing all of us a favor in their pursuit of getting some sort of approval from their Mother-in-Law and the Statist talking heads with opinions that they had come to value soooo much. But from the balcony they were being cheered on by those that understood the effect of their actions and how they benefitted. Six months after the take over of the LPUS at almost every level inside of the party structure, a former LPUS presidential candidate announced his running for the Republican nomination. Ron Paul embraced all that the LPUS had just abandoned and the results were of no surprise to many of us that were holding the remnant together for when just such an event would take place. It wasn’t an ‘if’ it was a ‘when’. (to understand the references to the ‘remnant’ http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/nock3b.html - Written in 1936) Denver’s 2008 Libertarian National Convention at the end of May was another opportunity for “An Injection of the Libertarian Infection into the Bone Marrow of the Libertarian Party (and America),… for which there is no cure”. Understanding this goal makes it far easier to understand why so many more libertarian activists are pleased with the results of Denver than you might realize. Since September of 2001 you might have been asking yourself, ‘where in the hell is the Libertarian Party?’ When needed the most, when everything libertarians have been warning their friends and family about has been happening all around us they are nowhere to be found at the national level. It was the courageous efforts of local activists willing to work with others of differing philosophies, but a common goal, to make the most of a very bad situation under the watchful eye of Big Bubba Government. While willing to join each other in a common effort, we initiated no force in an attempt to change or take over other groups (that’s the job of political elections and political conventions). The libertarian r3VOLution supportive of Ron Paul’s mission in 2007 and 2008 was the clear proof that decentralized libertarian freedom fighting is a very effective method for the freeing of individual minds. Vote totals, money spent, media (new and old) is an expected side effect of individuals left free to express themselves when they don’t feel any need to consult a collective. There are no rulebooks for a revolution. This is why libertarian philosophy is so important to this revolution between the ears. If you turn into the ‘Bad Guys’ in order to defeat them,… then what was the point? But many simply seek the ‘Ring of Power’ to rule over others, instead of seeking to eliminate the oppressive power itself. The Barr Machine did not get the ‘cake walk’ they were hoping for. Of six ballots, ‘purist’ Mary Ruwart tied twice and Barr was behind on the 5th before Barr and Root aligned to get the endorsement needed to put them over the top (Wayne Root: a recent Republican and former war supporter that was promised the VP slot in exchange for his endorsement and support). But later the Libertarian National Committee would see drastic restructuring with many new faces. I made it clear that I support individuals coming over to support libertarianism from anywhere on the political and philosophical spectrum. But as my friend Barry Hess puts it, “They are welcome to join us,… not change us”. And the press promotion by the LPUS staff and officers of the Republican Congressman and the Democratic Senator while excluding all of the well known libertarian candidates was too much for many to keep their silence. In April of 2007 Barry Hess and I wrote a joint article predicting what would happen with the r3VOLution and its relationship with the LPUS. Barry announced his intention to seek the presidential nomination (should a no-compromise candidate not represent us) and I the Chairmanship of the National Committee. http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=017893 Over a year ago we knew what was happening in American politics and how and why the LPUS would miss the opportunity to participate in a ‘libertarian revolution’ that had been developing across the planet at every level of society for at least as long as I have been aware of the LP (1991). Circumstances are such that the viral effects of libertarianism will overwhelm any effort to stop its spread. We are at the point that each attempt to stop the contagion only increases the speed of the infection. (Making over 150 signs in Phoenix to be put up all over Denver - 3 styles) I fear that the Libertarian Party of the United States will bring about its own worse fears in the next few years if they do not join the libertarian revolution already under way,… the LPUS will become irrelevant. Commentary following the LPUS convention has been interesting. (Here's a collection of some) In the late 1980’s it became very clear to me that the ‘bad guys’ were never going to stop being bad anywhere and everywhere possible. It was very clear early on to me that was just as true inside the Libertarian Party at all levels. The only difference was that libertarian philosophy made it very easy to spot the bad guys. The willingness to violate libertarian principles to serve a collective (in this case, the Libertarian Party collective) was a flashing neon sign that was easily noticed. Neo-libertarians (or whatever they wind up being called) are a collection of power seekers that have little interest in challenging the idolization of an all powerful and all knowing government. They are far more focused on getting their turn being in charge of it. It is this desire to ‘dance with the devil’ that also manifests their support of laws that would control various personal behaviors (Marriage, Sex, Drugs, Immigration etc.). Not welcome anywhere else due to their stubborn tendency to resist the temptation to totally turn over the economy to central planning, these economic conservatives like to think that they have principles. But they also think that they can limit those principles to issues of economics (or whatever interests them at the moment). Libertarians are a unique group in that they value freedom itself with less regard for what it produces. While they are very confident that the fruits of liberty are great, it is the ‘being left alone’ part of freedom that attracts them most. This trait produces very little effort worrying about what someone else might do with their freedom as long as it doesn’t have a direct effect on the pursuit of _their_ own happiness. The only argument that can be invoked as a response to the simple advocacy of being left alone is the Fear of not having an ‘authority’ to protect you from those that were left unchecked in your free society that are certainly intent on doing you and your family harm. Well, most libertarians are just not that easily scared. And as time passes it becomes very clear that ‘government’, in its many forms, is not all it has been cracked up to be,… and in fact the largest source of the fear. Bob Barr’s conversion to libertarianism was deliberate, planned and staged from the beginning. As a talk show host and as a producer I witnessed first-hand the marketing of his break with the Republican Party after his congressional defeat in the Republican Primary of 2002. Barr's defeat was part of a campaign by the LP to target ‘Drug Warriors’ (The Libertarian Party has targeted drug warriors in the upcoming election as part of a national "spoiler" strategy to defeat leaders of the War on Drugs. The "Incumbent Killer Strategy" targets five federal incumbents — three Republicans and two Democrats. The goal is to scare other House and Senate members into backing away from their support for the War on Drugs.) The power of the LP was felt. Over the next few years we would see a campaign that had ex-Congressman Barr associated with the word “libertarian” more than you would expect. Barr is a former employee of the CIA, a well known Drug Warrior Prosecutor that turned Congressman to later vote for the PATRIOT Act. Barr also wanted the Federal Government to determine the structure of families with the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’. Raised eyebrows from libertarians after Barr’s quick conversion were common. Often we would inquire as to what was the “road to Damascus” moment, the epiphany, the enlightenment that prompted him to participate in a strained effort to bend/break rules that would eventually place him on the Libertarian National Committee in 2006. Without having made any attempt at even emotional reparations for the damage caused, Bob Barr was now deep in the heart of the very organization that caused him to lose his seat in Washington, D.C. Makes you go,… Hummmmmmmm. But libertarian activists around the country (and the world) were not interested. We noticed the methods and the players and understood this to be just another stage of what had begun inside the Libertarian Party from its start and something we had to go through on our way to where the ‘purists’ wish to go. Bylaws, Platforms, Campaigns and Candidates are no match for an educated and dedicated libertarian activist. The word ‘activist’ is used a lot by I and others to define someone willing to actively work in the process of freeing as many minds as possible with the truth. Since we believe it is almost impossible for someone to unlearn the truth, it is to our advantage when a large number of people are witness to lies as they are being told. Sometimes there are simple differences of opinion (only time can demonstrate the results of differing opinions). I shared my opinion about the LPUS convention on the radio here in Phoenix May 28th on the Charles Goyette show. I was followed by Dr. Ron Paul that had some interesting things to share as well. http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=033872 At the end of the convention the LNC had over half of the committee replaced with individuals that are certain to help bring the LPUS back to its roots over the next couple of years as we prepare for the 2010 convention. Barry Hess and I were able to speak to the convention on several occasions and make many new friends and alliances. Barry was the morning speaker to the entire convention on Sunday just before the Presidential Nominations and had a great impact on the future of the party I’m sure http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=033867 Barry traded a place on the stage as a Presidential Nominee for the opportunity to define the libertarian standard to the entire convention just before the nominations started. (Barry Hess ran for President in 2000 and was an early favorite for the 2008 Race) Barry Hess, I and a few other activists were able to engage Bob Barr in a detailed discussion about the future of his campaign with a few dozen others in attendance on a hotel patio after the nomination. Mr. Barr promised the activists a detailed position paper from his campaign on the issues we brought up (War – Troop deployment – Federal Reserve – Drug War – Immigration – War on Terrorism etc.) within 2 weeks so that the activists could have a final opportunity to make a personal decision as to where their efforts would be focused during the coming election cycle. We made our opinions clear. We believed that his campaign will struggle for money and that while he may get a bump immediately following the nomination, he would make a mistake waiting until it was too late to ask for forgiveness for his positions in support of the Drug War. And be too late with a promise to stop it (he must be planning for a Republican run in 2012). For once, the issue of Federal Matching funds was _not_ brought up at a Libertarian National Convention. But I suspect that the promise to raise 40-50 million dollars for the Barr/Root campaign of 2008 may not be honored,… unless it is the American government/taxpayer that’s paying it. The idea that we can advocate for the elimination of Social and Economic Welfare using Political Welfare for such a campaign is,… hypocritical at best. I have been a Libertarian Party Presidential Elector here in Arizona for every presidential election since 1996. The deadline for the filing of the electors is May 30th here in Arizona and my good friend Michael Kielsky is the Arizona state chair in charge of the process. He needed one more name and knew that I would at the very least make sure that the slot was filled with a Libertarian Party member’s name. I was one of the few Ron Paul Revolutionaries that did not register Republican to support Dr. Paul. Even as the ‘first RP-r3VOLutionary’ I felt no obligation to give any credibility to a process I knew to be corrupt, so I continue to work very hard ‘voting’ with every sign I make and every mind I free. I still feel that we libertarian activists can accomplish a great deal inside the electoral process by having our names associated with the word ‘libertarian’, even if I choose not to cast a vote in support of the process or any candidate. This year makes it all the more important to understand just how autonomous the individual State Libertarian Parties are and that they are responsible for their reputations. To be represented by a single individual at the top of a collective organization is dangerous and not very ‘libertarian’. So I suspect that individual libertarians around the world will make it clear what they disagree with when Bob Barr gets into his campaign. But I am just as certain that they will look for every opportunity to support libertarian philosophy whenever advocated by Mr. Barr. Ernest Hancock Publisher - FreedomsPhoenix Monday May 12th 2008 Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock 1480 KPHX 05-11-2008 There is a revolution on its way. Will the Libertarian Party be a part of it? Ernest Hancock is running for the chairmanship of the Libertarian National Party and makes his case to LPUS delegates to the Denver 2008 convention this May 23rd - 26th. Thursday April 24th 2008 LPNews Ad May 2008 - Denver Convention Issue Tuesday April 22nd 2008 On the road Since April 3rd. That weekend my wife Donna and I took advantage of a Nevada Libertarian Party event to get handgun training at "Front Site" west of Las Vegas. We were very impressed with entire experience and recommend it highly,... especially for those fearful of firearms and other weapons. We have been traveling across the country by automobile visiting many friends, family and other freedom advocates. Aptil 15th 2008 - I spoke at the Tax Day Freedom Rally (YouTube Link on front Page). I'll be back in Phoenix to implement the final stages of the Campaign for LPUS Chair by the end of April. Wednesday April 9th 2008 Ernest: Here is the text of a comment I just posted at TPW. From David Nolan: ___________________________________ The LP¹s Statement of Principles, written in 1972 by John Hospers, was adopted by the delegates to the party¹s first convention. It was modified slightly in 1974, and has remained unchanged ever since. The ³Mission Statement² was written by Scott Lieberman and adopted by the National Committee (NOT by party members in convention) in 1994 or 1995. It is, in my opinion, a very poorly conceived and worded statement, as it implies that the party¹s primary objective should be the one thing we are not good at: winning elections. The LP has had considerable success in other endeavors, but not in the one area that the ³Mission Statement² states as our primary mission. It is being used by ³reformers² within the LP as a reason to water down our platform because telling people our true philosophy and goals will ³scare people² and impair our redefined ³mission.² Hopefully, the delegates to the 2008 convention will vote to specifically disavow the ³Mission Statement,² which has never been voted on by the membership. Our Statement of Principles and the Preamble to the national platform are the only ³mission statements² that we need. The bogus, narrow statement approved by the LNC in 1994 (or thereabouts) is unnecessary and counterproductive. Tuesday April 8th 2008 Ernest Hancock Chairman of the Libertarian Party of the United States Candidate – 2008 Denver Convention Now!... as in Not Later. The Presidential Election of November 2008 will have Americans casting votes weeks before “election day”, and most minds will be made up well before that. Any meaningful impact the Libertarian Party of the United States and/or its nominee will have on the issues discussed, and the accompanying libertarian solutions in this presidential election cycle, is diminishing with every passing moment and we must be able to react very quickly to every opportunity presented us and create many of our own. I can help. Political news coverage is dominated with frivolous and manufactured controversies. Intentional or unintentional, the result is the same, an ever diminishing audience left parroting positions on issues of little or no importance. Motivated individuals have filled this information void with creative and effective activism that has become commonplace in a r3VOLution that has yet to be joined by the Libertarian Party. But there are still uses for the main stream media that has not been taken advantage of by the LPUS. Successful political/social/community activists that understand what they are up against know what is required for free media coverage. TANSTAAF (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch) universally applies, and any libertarian activist's relationship with the media is no exception. The unearned news coverage of individuals and organizations that support a centrally enforced plan are far more often given preferential treatment when compared to those advocating freedom. So earned media is what is left us. Libertarians should be comfortable with this arrangement, and even prefer it over unearned media that produces dependency and compromise. When we are able to entertain and inform a news media's audience with a story about individuals “Making News”, all are served and there are no lingering obligations. I am a long time libertarian activist, the Publisher of FreedomsPhoenix.com (a news aggregator) and a talk show host on the Air America Radio affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona www.ernesthancock.com/archive (Progressive/Liberal/Democrat audience – the show leading into mine is hosted by the founders of Air America and are the station's owners) but I am well known as a no-compromise hard core libertarian activist that also works regularly behind the scenes with Republican legislators (see Endorsement page at www.ErnestHancock.org). By maintaining a consistent and understandable libertarian philosophy without compromise I have been able to develop powerful relationships across the country and across the political spectrum. I have enjoyed substantial support for my ability to work with others that have interests that may only temporarily overlap with our interests. Over the last year it has been clearly demonstrated that it is the clean and clear message of libertarianism that is popular and not the individual bearer of that message. More important than my creation of the r3VOLution artwork and the promotion of the accompanying street activism, was my understanding that the next American Revolution was already in the hearts and minds of enough people that it could not be ignored if given an opportunity to express itself. In 2004 & 2006 I expressed this opinion at the National Conventions of the LPUS and for years I have done so as a talk show host www.ernesthancock.com/archive, a candidate for office (bio), as co-founder of the FreedomSummit.com, director of the 38 year old ArizonaBreakfastClub.org and countless activist projects and court actions. The revolution between the ears of millions of Americans is moving to the streets and I am uniquely qualified and motivated to put the Libertarian Party in a very influential position so that from the coming chaos we can expect a rebirth of American liberty. As the new Chairman of the Libertarian Party of the United States of America I fully expect Lady Liberty's Torch to produce a Freedom's Phoenix. I chose the theme of my Chair campaign to be the Libertarian Party of the United States' "Statement of Principle". Since the beginning of the party it has remained, “We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual”. This Mission Statement was well understood by me and the other activists that were proud to refer to themselves as libertarians. At the time of the creation of the Libertarian Party it was easy to understand the reasoning for such a statement in the face of the Nixon administration and the Viet Nam War. After the past two Bush administrations it seems more like an act of clairvoyance. “We, the members of the Libertarian Party,...” seems obvious. I am of the opinion that this makes it clear that individuals have banded together to make use of the peaceful political process to do something. “...challenge the cult...” is just as clear. Oppose/confront a group that adores/supports something. And 'that something' is the ...”omnipotent state”. An all powerful all knowing government. The mission statement goes on to make it clear that the Libertarian Party had been created not only to oppose those with a collective adoration of an all powerful and all knowing government, but to “defend the rights of the individual” against this “omnipotent state”. The Libertarian Party's Mission Statement goes on to define individual rights and our opposition to government's abuses of them. But nowhere does it dictate how this is to be done. And to make sure that this Mission Statement should not be changed for light and transient causes it requires a 7/8 vote at a Libertarian National Convention. The “injection of the libertarian infection into the bone marrow of American politics (for which there is no cure)” is extremely powerful. The r3VOLution of the past year has been a very good example. Over the past year I have traveled coast to coast many times helping other libertarians and freedom supporting individuals in support of the libertarian philosophy behind the r3VOLution, but I was very concerned by official Libertarian Party communications in support of another party's candidate with little attention to the libertarian philosophy behind his popularity. Support for Congressman Ron Paul's clear opposition to the Federal Reserve, the War in Iraq, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Omnipotent surveillance State (in that order) was obvious to all attending any of the events that was attended by thousands. Yes, #1 was the Federal Reserve (thank you Aaron Russo). I am certain that this observation will be confirmed by many libertarians at the Denver LP convention. Only 6 months before the r3VOLution took the country by storm the very issues that were its backbone had been abandoned by the LPUS at the National Convention of 2006. The internal LP debate over what the specific function of the LP should be has been raging for at least the 15 years that I have been a libertarian activist. Efforts to bypass the desires of Libertarians in convention via an LNC vote or a well timed parliamentary procedure has become almost expected. But individuals with the desire to use the political process to achieve specific goals not addressed in the Mission Statement of the LPUS have gone too far and principled libertarians are being compelled to direct their attention to the internal issues of the LPUS. Page 2 of the LPNews list all of the official contact information for the LPUS. Just below the name and contact information of our current National chair are the words: The Mission Statement of the Libertarian Party: “To move public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office.” If this Mission Statement could be found anywhere in the documents of the Libertarian Party I might be more compelled to fully examine how different this statement is in philosophy and function from the true Mission Statement. But in brief, it makes it clear that Libertarians have abandoned the idea of opposing omnipotent power in favor of getting hold of it. From this line of thinking comes the idea that we can best advocate against the Economic and Social Engineering of Americans via taxes and regulations, by making use of the political welfare made available through federal matching funds. We can also expect such a Mission Statement to not oppose an electoral system with new laws that would limit free speech and freedom of association, for fear of not having access to these federal handouts, instead of aggressively opposing these restrictions on our members and “defending the rights of the individual.” But the most damaging aspect of this issue is the fact that the Libertarian Party is committing fraud. Plain and simple. I can't imagine how you could convince the ultimate judge (the general public) that the “Party of Principle” isn't being fraudulent with this blatant misrepresentation. Any success we may experience in the political process at a national level would be lost in a moment with a single featured segment on any number of national media programs. A public relations fiasco from which I fear the LPUS would never fully recover. I hope many are asking how this could have happened. Many of you may have reacted with colorful language as I did. But I hope that you will direct your energy in helping me to make it clear that we do not support the direction the Libertarian Party of the United States has taken. The original purpose for the creation of the Libertarian Party has never been more pertinent than it is right now. The r3VOLution is already well under way and if the LPUS were to aggressively challenge the Bad Guys and defend the Good Guys I guarantee that we'd have a great deal more fun and would enjoy tremendous support. =============================== ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I have been informed from where the new "Mission Statement" was generated. Originally it started working its way into the LP as an LNC "policy" in the mid 90's and eventually would be added to a rewrite of the LP's bylaws. I remember this being just as controversial as the gutting of the 2006 Platform. It was another back door way of being able to accomplish exactly what has been done. From this... Statement of Principles We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual. We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose. Governments throughout history have regularly operated on the opposite principle, that the State has the right to dispose of the lives of individuals and the fruits of their labor. Even within the United States, all political parties other than our own grant to government the right to regulate the lives of individuals and seize the fruits of their labor without their consent. We, on the contrary, deny the right of any government to do these things, and hold that where governments exist, they must not violate the rights of any individual: namely, (1) the right to life -- accordingly we support the prohibition of the initiation of physical force against others; (2) the right to liberty of speech and action -- accordingly we oppose all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and press, as well as government censorship in any form; and (3) the right to property -- accordingly we oppose all government interference with private property, such as confiscation, nationalization, and eminent domain, and support the prohibition of robbery, trespass, fraud, and misrepresentation. Since governments, when instituted, must not violate individual rights, we oppose all interference by government in the areas of voluntary and contractual relations among individuals. People should not be forced to sacrifice their lives and property for the benefit of others. They should be left free by government to deal with one another as free traders; and the resultant economic system, the only one compatible with the protection of individual rights, is the free market. ---------------- To This.... The Mission Statement of the Libertarian Party: “To move public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office.” Using this... ARTICLE 3: PURPOSES The Party is organized to implement and give voice to the principles embodied in the Statement of Principles by: functioning as a libertarian political entity separate and distinct from all other political parties or movements; moving public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office; chartering affiliate parties throughout the United States and promoting their growth and activities; nominating candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States, and supporting Party and affiliate party candidates for political office; and, entering into public information activities. ---------------------- Because those hoping for their chance at the wearing of "The Ring" are not able to get around this... ARTICLE 4: STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND PLATFORM 1. The Statement of Principles affirms that philosophy upon which the Libertarian Party is founded, by which it shall be sustained, and through which liberty shall prevail. The enduring importance of the Statement of Principles requires that it may be amended only by a vote of 7/8 of all registered delegates at a Regular Convention. Tuesday March 25th 2008 Below is March's LPNews ad,... this is April's Tuesday March 18th 2008 The delegate information has been obtained. This has been a point of contention in the past, but no longer. Great! Now we can move on to the fun. Monday March 17th 2008 (St. Patrick's Day) The LPNews ad (below this paragraph) hitting mailboxes over the next week or so will be the starting gun for the campaign for National Chair. Convention reservations of rooms, suites, booths and marketing has been taken care of and now the task of creating the DVD and printed material to be mailed to past Convention Delegates is to be completed by the end of his month. The initial mailings depend on the commitment from the National Party to supply us with the list of past delegates. I am focusing attention on this point due to my past experience in how this information is selectively allocated (drawing attention to one of the motivations for my seeking this position). The following ad is intended to make it very clear that I intend to 'Oppose The State' My email to Shane Cory at LPUS HQ: Shane, Time tables have been created and deadlines projected. It is time for my obtaining of the LPUS Convention Delegate lists. Please make it very clear what exactly is available to me, in what form, by what date and what is required of me. Put very simply, I seek the Names, Address, emails & phone numbers of the past attendees of the 2006 & 2004 LPUS conventions (If other convention years are available I am also interested in them as well – I hope to cast a very large net over as many libertarians as possible to encourage their renewed interest in the LPUS as a powerful tool for the cause of liberty). The ability to communicate with Libertarians as a candidate for National Chair is the first important issue of this campaign (fair warning :) This single issue parallels so much of my interface with government that I am far more sensitive about it than most seeking the same information. Our past conversations on the matter gave me the understanding that I am eligible to receive this information and would have no problem getting it. I am also informed that the list for 2008 delegates will be regularly available. If there is any misunderstanding or a task required on my part I request clarification as soon as possible. Since the form of my targeted campaigning will be determined by the communication methods available I need to put to rest this issue by the end of the week. If there is any reason that I can not be clearly informed of my options by this Friday the 21^st of March, please let me know. Thanks for your time, Ernest Hancock Candidate – LNC Chairman Shane called immediately after getting this email (good for him) and gave me the email of the individual that is tasked with providing this information. I look forward to providing a positive report regarding the retention of this information. Having this be a non-issue would be a tremendous step forward in comparison to my past experiences with the LPUS since 1996. Saturday February 16th 2008 Starchild's endorsement (included below) has motivated me to begin campaigning a few weeks earlier than planned. But my intention to run has not been a secret (announcement in April 2007). Experience has demonstrated that a long drawn out campaign has little, if any, net gain for the effort. My first effort is to secure a database of libertarians that have participated in past conventions so that I can communicate with them directly. Past efforts have demonstrated many of the characteristics of a collective that has lost its libertarian DNA. I took advantage of the 2004 Atlanta and 2006 Portland conventions to introduce myself to the libertarians in convention via material distributed at the convention and some online discussions. But 2008 has proven to be a very important year for the LPUS' relevance in American politics and I am driven to make it very clear to all libertarian minded individuals aware of the Libertarian Party of the United States what the LPUS has chosen to represent at the 2008 National Convention in Denver. The libertarian message has gained a larger 'mind share' than ever before, and it will be a lost opportunity, not likely to come again for decades, if libertarians in convention do not make it perfectly clear what they represent and their willingness to capitalize on this rare set of circumstances. I have always been very keenly aware of the power of the libertarian message and have been very effective in demonstrating that. At no time have I considered the existence of the Libertarian Party essential to the promotion of the libertarian message. But the LPUS can be a powerful tool available to individuals. At the moment the LPUS is of little use to freedom oriented individuals at a time when it could be the center of the political universe if it were to support the individual efforts of activists left alone to flourish. The days of promoting a "Central Plan for Freedom" are soooo over. Supporters of my effort to be elected National Chair of the Libertarian Party will be supportive of a very clear effort to unleash the activists of the libertarian message. I have no interest in 'testing' the libertarianism of individuals, but I am very passionate about the definition of libertarianism being clear and representative of what the LPUS stands for. Candidates will be judged by the individual minds of others for their support. But the practice of supporting changes in the definition of what it is to be 'libertarian' in order to fit the positions of interest groups and candidates reeks of the need for some sort of absolution. I feel no insult being referred to as a 'purist', but that shouldn't be construed as my experiencing a need for a 'purging'. Success in the promotion of a hard core, no-compromise definition of what libertarianism is and the promotion of individual activism with the power of immediate positive feedback will make converts of the most skeptical (inside or outside of the Libertarian Party). Government generated vote results (accurate or not) will be the result of clear demands that the people will make in the free-market of ideas and _not_ the other way around. The Ron Paul r3VOLution has been the largest confirmation of libertarian principles and decentralized effort on a national scale than any other that I know about. The r3VOLution is libertarian at its core (started by libertarians, supported by libertarians, promoting libertarian principles) and all the while the LPUS and its candidates have been floundering back and forth in a debate about the endorsement/support/drafting of a Republican (the Ron Paul part) and ignoring the whole meaning behind the r3VOLution. The Libertarian Party should have been the first to embrace this libertarian movement like many of the best libertarian activists from all over the country did. The r3VOLution isn't represented by any one candidate. And we are going to find out how many candidates will make use of "LOVE" in this revolution to represent their campaign efforts. For the LPUS to ignore such a large political movement based on libertarianism and allow a Republican candidate for President sole dominion over a movement so libertarian, is very shortsighted and dumbfounding to many. Having Ron Paul in congress has been great for Libertarians and the libertarian message. Disagreements on specifics in philosophy can be easily diminished in their importance by the fact that he is registered as a REPUBLICAN! Instead of embracing the opportunity provided to restore credibility in the definition of libertarianism and the recovery from a shaky position on the Iraq War by the LPUS, we have seen no offensive against the Police State forming up at our front doors. Tens of thousands are ready to join us and too few of us even see it as a benefit on every level. Instead the opportunity is feared for the diminished influence many would have in a collective that was only created to oppose collectives. And this is where the problem originates. The LPUS is far too dependent on a structure that has increasingly become more about maintaining and enhancing the power of the collective than it is about promoting the activities of individuals in support of a philosophy that the LPUS was created to champion. I offer my passion and experience to make this transition to an activists playground where everyone has fun and goes home satisfied and freer each day. Ernie ================================= Ernest Hancock for LP national chair! Posted by: "Starchild" sfdreamer@earthlink.net intoliberty Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:46 pm (PST) If I can have a few minutes of your time, I'd like to share a few words about a fellow Libertarian who is running for national chair of our party. Although we live in different states and I've only met him a few times in person, I consider him a role model as well as a friend and am proud to support him. (I did not tell him I was going to do this or run these comments by him before sending them out, so I alone am to blame for whatever errors or offending opinions they may contain!) I do so because I believe he offers the vision and leadership we need to get the Libertarian Party back on track and inspire a new generation of young libertarian activists who've been turned on to the ideas of liberty by the Ron Paul campaign and get them involved with the LP and the ongoing struggle for liberty. Ernest Hancock is an incredibly dynamic, hard-working activist and a principled, uncompromising libertarian. Among other notable accomplishments too numerous to list here, Ernest is the guy who came up with the now famous "Ron Paul r3VOLution" slogan/logo that has played a huge part in the presidential campaign that has taken our freedom movement to new levels. Not only was he responsible for this first-rate idea which has helped radicalize many Ron Paul supporters, but for months has been helping it spread like wildfire by getting out on the road and hustling the message all over the country as well as via the Internet. Here, in one of the many exciting videos he has produced, narrated, and put up on the Web, activists are erecting large billboards in southern California on the highway from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, having fun, and encouraging others to copy their efforts: http://www.ronpauln ation.com/ tv.html#ron_ paul_revolution_ big_interstate_ billboards Obviously, Ernest Hancock is not a technocratic, managerial, buttoned-down, inside-the-Beltway kind of guy. He is a plain-spoken, sleeves up, big-picture kind of guy, a fearless, outspoken, fun- loving advocate of liberty. He is one of us, an activist's activist. He has always put fighting for freedom ahead of party politics. If you go to any of his websites -- sites like FreedomsPhoenix. com, ErnestHancock. com, TheLFactor.org -- you'll find them chock-full of material promoting libertarianism to the public and touting the candidacies of himself and other LP members for public office. There is however scarcely a word about his candidacy for national chair. That's one reason I decided to write this email and do my part to help get the word out among LP members that Ernie is running and deserves our support. Libertarians of all people understand that the kind of person you want wearing the general's hat is someone who's a natural leader but is nevertheless on some level ambivalent about wanting the job, because we know it is never safe to entrust power to those who are too ambitious for it or enjoy wielding it too much. Libertarians know that the kind of person you want in the top job is someone whose attitude is "Hey! Go out and do it yourself!" and who then inspires, leads by example, and shows you how to get it done. If you watch the video linked above, I think you'll understand that this describes Ernest Hancock in a nutshell. From what I know of him, I think no one would be happier than Ernie himself if the Libertarian Party were in such great shape that he could just focus on spreading the message of libertarianism to the public and leave the running of the Libertarian National Committee to others. Unfortunately this is not where we are today. LP membership is way down from where it was a few years ago. Our platform has been gutted by misguided "reformers." Our national website and newsletter offer cheerleading fluff and an often context-free focus on "winning," while tiptoeing around Libertarian ideology. We have a crop of presidential candidates whose positions are probably on average less libertarian than ever before in the party's history, including a slick "Millionaire Republican" being given frontrunner billing on LP.org in recognition of nothing more than monetary donations to the LNC. We have an LNC whose "star" member (at least, apparently, in the eyes of much of the LP's leadership) is a former Republican member of Congress whose pro-freedom credentials on many issues are open to question. Hardcore libertarian activists have been discouraged and disempowered within the party by trends like charging delegates "floor fees" to participate in conventions, and packing the Platform Committee with insider-appointed members committed to agendas like further watering down our platform and scrapping the LP's long- standing non-initiation of force pledge. Some of our best activists have become disillusioned with these and similar trends and dropped out of the party. In short, the Libertarian Party is in crisis, even at a time when the Ron Paul campaign in which Ernest has played such a vital role has demonstrated the potential of libertarian ideas to move the masses and inspire young people to get involved; even at a time when the United States is on the brink of recession and perhaps even economic collapse, and more in need of our radical freedom message than ever. At this critical juncture we need a Libertarian national chair whose ideological focus, passion, and commitment to our cause are second to none. We need Ernest Hancock to lead our party back to core principles, to motivate a new generation of freedom activists to join us and bring to the LP the energy and enthusiasm that they have brought to the Ron Paul campaign. A few Libertarians argue that supporting a Republican and rallying members of the Arizona LP behind him, even one with the libertarian track record and credentials of Dr. Paul, was wrong, and that this somehow disqualifies Ernest Hancock from being our chair. I completely disagree. The Libertarian Party desperately needs a chair who recognizes that libertarian ideas come first, and that the LP is just a vehicle for those ideas, not an end in itself. The attitude that all we need to do in order to "succeed" is to focus on "marketing" the LP "brand name" into mainstream prominence, and stop making such a fuss worrying about what Libertarians actually stand for, is part of what has gotten us into the mess we're in now. I have no doubt whatsoever that an LP headed by Ernest Hancock will be much less at risk of becoming "GOP-lite" than is the case under our current leadership. Please join me today in writing Ernie <ernest@ernesthancoc k.com> a note endorsing his candidacy. If you can come to the Libertarian national convention in Denver (May 22-25, 2008) as a delegate from your state and pledge him your support, I urge you to do so. (Note -- you can find information here on how to become a delegate.) If you cannot make it to Denver, please consider making a small donation to his campaign for chair, so that he will have a fraction of the resources available to him in this race that he has generously given from his own pocket over the years toward the cause of liberty. (mail checks to) Ernest Hancock for LP National Chair 5739 North 11th Way Phoenix, AZ 85014 One thing you can count on is that Ernest will know how to get the most mileage out of any donation you send! Thank you for listening, and, if you are getting this email directly rather than via a list, for tolerating this mass pitch for a candidate. You know I don't make such appeals very often, but this is important. (If you want to call me up and chew me out, or give any other feedback, my home phone number is below.) The battle for the heart and soul of the Libertarian Party is winnable, but everyone who wants to see us stand by our ideas needs to step up to the plate. Let's take our party back! Love & Liberty, ((( starchild ))) (415) 621-7932 Outreach Director/Secretary, Libertarian Party of San Francisco Libertarian Party of California Platform Committee Rep. California LP Executive Committee At-Large Rep. (2001-2002) San Francisco LP Chair (1998-2000) Candidate for SF Board of Supervisors (2006) Candidate for Board of Education (2004) Candidate for SF Board of Supervisors (2002) Candidate for State Assembly (2001) First entry in Ernie's Blog to appear here soon.
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