PoliticalAction.com Blog

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA)
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release: February 17, 2010

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg – If our state government in Harrisburg were a household, its kitchen and its budget wouldn’t pass home economics. The cafeteria in Pennsylvania’s Capitol, the Capitol Cafe, failed a Department of Agriculture inspection. According to the Pennsylvania Independent (www.paindependent.com), the cafe was sited for “13 violations including the presence of rodents, improper storage of food, and contamination during food preparation, storage and display.” The café had already been closed in December due to a series of violations.

The Capitol Cafe is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce when it comes to
the woes of Harrisburg politicians. In his annual budget address, Governor Rendell warned of the approaching “fiscal tsunami” facing Pennsylvania.

Rendell indicated that in fiscal year 2011-12, Pennsylvania will lose $2.3
billion that is currently coming from federal tax dollars. In fiscal year
2012 – 13, Pennsylvania faces a $5.6 billion shortfall in public employee
pension plan liabilities. Meanwhile, General Fund revenues for the 2009-10 fiscal year are $374 million below estimate.

“How can we trust politicians in the Capitol to effectively manage an
impending crisis when they can’t run their day-to-day household? asked LPPA Media Relations Chair, S. Douglas Leard. “Now they’re talking about taking even more money from our households to pay for theirs. All this points to the need for new leadership in Harrisburg who can run the state household as well as Pennsylvanians run theirs.”

According to the Commonwealth Foundation, since 2003 when Governor Rendell took office, “Pennsylvania’s burden of state and local taxes has increased from the 17th heaviest in the nation to the 11th. State spending has increased by $3600 per family of four (in inflation-adjusted dollars). State debt has increased by $18 billion to a whopping $41 billion – a 78 percent increase – or $5,600 per family of four.”

“If Pennsylvanians are interested in getting our Commonwealth cleaned up, I encourage them to enlist the aid of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania.” remarked LPPA Chair Michael Robertson. “The Libertarian Party is dedicated to focusing on the rights of the individual and responsible, limited government. We need this focus if we are to get our legislative houses in order.”

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania
and the United States . More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

Patrick Henry Sellers is running for US Congress to represent Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District (southeast). Pat can win the GOP primary race and I’ll explain why. First, let me tell you that Pat is the right person for the job. He’s our kind of guy and I know what I’m talking about here. Thomas E. Woods, Jr. agrees and has endorsed him. Please read Pat’s PLATFORM.

Pat was an indefatigable Ron Paul supporter. He started one of the earliest Ron Paul meetups, #314 in June 2007 in Chester County, the heart of the Congressional District. His crew was very active. I worked closely with him as Ron’s former Pennsylvania Field Director during Ron’s Presidential campaign.

JOIN US to become one of Pat’s supporters. We need volunteers at both the local and national level. Give us your feedback. Please also kindly DONATE generously to Pat’s campaign. I did so and I decided to join his campaign team as well. His team is all volunteer.

The Opposition – RINO #1
Despite Americans’ overwhelming opposition, incumbent Congressman Jim Gerlach broke Republican ranks to vote for the Bailout. His record is a disaster: he also voted for Cash for Clunkers, the Hate Crime bill, its sexual orientation amendment, warrantless searches and other federal overreaching and destruction of liberty. He has angered many conservative rank and file. Gerlach tried to run for Governor but he raised insufficient funds, so he now wants to hold onto his Congressional seat. He just can’t stop bailing out. Apart from his record, Gerlach has three other problems: cash, a rich RINO #2 opponent — and Patrick Henry Sellers.

Law prohibits Gerlach from transferring his Gubernatorial campaign funds to his Congressional campaign. His Congressional account had only $35,000 in Sept. 2009. Right now, he’s busy collecting commitments and pledges from people who already donated to his expired campaign. NRCC funding may well be unlikely for two reasons: they are low on cash and Gerlach’s last general election was tight.

The Opposition – RINO #2
RINO Steve Welch has admitted voting for Joe Sestak (D-PA) in 2006 and for Obama in the 2008 primary. He also donated to Sestak’s campaign. He doesn’t realize it yet, but that probably makes him toast. Welch has low name recognition and will, in his substantially self-funded race, target Gerlach.

The upshot is that Gerlach and Welch are damaged-goods candidates with political bulls-eyes on their foreheads.

Pat Sellers is the only conservative in the race. Pat will campaign on the economy with the subtexts of salvaging national finances while improving business competitiveness and national security by dramatically reducing the scope and scale of government. That includes sound money, phasing out the income tax and the Fed, and reverting to a common sense non-interventionist foreign policy that entails bringing our troops home and ceasing the squandering of military assets. In a nutshell, peace, freedom and prosperity. You’ve heard that expression previously from a certain doctor.

Please mark the inauguration of Pat’s campaign fundraising with a Donation. We will soon be calling people in the freedom movement in the 6th District and throughout Pennsylvania for donations, and we need and respectfully request intellectual and financial support of the movement at the national level as well. We’re going to do this. Pat will add to Ron’s voice.

The Revolution continues. Spread the message. Patrick Henry Sellers is running.

Yours very truly,

William E. Faust
Sellers for US Congress

By DAVE MONTGOMERY

dmontgomery@star-telegram.com

AUSTIN — After months of being largely dismissed in a race dominated by the state’s two Republican heavyweights, Debra Medina is making her presence felt with an anti-establishment message that has evidently struck a chord among a segment of Republican voters.

Buoyed by her performance against Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in last week’s televised debate, the conservative activist has climbed to 12 percent in the latest Rasmussen Reports poll, up from 4 percent in November, a showing that prompted organizers to include her in a second debate Jan. 29.

“Her performance in the debate made her the legitimate and credible ‘none-of-the-above,’ ” said Harvey Kronberg of the Austin-based Quorum Report, an online political newsletter.

More…

Dear Friend:

If Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts last night shows us one thing, it is that nothing in politics can be taken for granted. In the most liberal of states, the people have spoken, and the tide of reform continues to sweep through the country!

Here in Connecticut, we are facing and uphill battle. Like Scott Brown, we are facing a popular attorney general who has started the campaign with a big lead in the polls. National pundits are writing us off, and even here in Connecticut, people are treating Dick Blumenthal’s victory as a foregone conclusion. They ignore us at their peril. We will prove them wrong, and we will win! There’s a movement building across this country, and I feel it every day when I campaign.

We need solutions to the problems facing our country, not more government bureaucracy and empty promises from career politicians! We need a return to the free-market policies that made this country great, that will get Americans back to work and turn the tide on the failed policies in Washington, DC.

I know that we can shock the establishment, just like Scott Brown did last night. With you on my team, we can accomplish anything! Sunday some of our friends organized a money bomb. We raised just over $30,000 dollars from 377 people who donated an average of $80 each. While I want to thank everyone who participated in that money bomb, I also want to issue a challenge to the rest of you who sat it out.

This email is going out to over 150,000 people. Just imagine if everyone matched the contributions given during the money bomb. Instead of raising $30,000 we would raise 12 million. Combine that war chest, with my message and the current political environment, and we can’t lose.

I can win this race, but I cannot win it alone. I need everyone’s help. Together we will not fail. The stakes are just too high. We can take back our nation from the politicians who hold it hostage. We can restore limited government, embrace capitalism, and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that made this nation great.

Do not assume that someone else will donate for you. We are in this fight together and we all need to contribute to prevail. Don’t think your contribution will be too small to make a difference. Remember we have strength in numbers. Small contributions add up as long as enough people make them (of course larger donations are welcome too).

So go to my web site www.schiffforsenate.com and make your contribution today. Every contribution counts, and if everyone makes one, the tally will be huge.

Let’s send a message so loud that it will resonate from Hartford to Washington D.C. Let’s show our critics that we mean business. Let’s show them that this campaign is real and that we will not be stopped for lack of funds.

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Yours in liberty,

Peter Schiff, US Senate Candidate
schiffforsenate.com

Congressman Ron Paul
January 11, 2010

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Believe it or not, it is election time again. The Texas Republican Primary is only seven short weeks away and already both parties have turned their attack dogs loose on me . . . doing everything they can to make sure I am defeated.

Never mind all the good I have been able to accomplish for freedom and the American taxpayer in Congress, the enemies of freedom and the elites in Washington want me gone.

Together, we have brought to Congress a voice for Liberty, limited government and a sensible foreign policy. I am deeply grateful for all of your support.

Just look at a few of the things we have accomplished!

We have drawn 317 cosponsors and passed through the House Financial Services Committee a bill to audit the Federal Reserve. We have led the fight against bailouts, Obamacare and Cap and Trade. And, thanks to the national attention our efforts have generated, we have broadened the debate on foreign policy and are challenging the status quo idea that America must be the World’s policeman.

It is my desire to return to Congress for another term and have filed for re-election. I am hopeful that I can win, but I urgently need your help.

Seven candidates have filed to run against me. These candidates include three Republicans in my own primary on March 2, and they will stop at nothing to tear down and destroy all we have worked for.

Please read some of the quotes my opponents have been throwing at me:

“(Ron Paul) wants to cut spending on our military industrial complex because he believes in a weaker foreign policy.”

“Ron Paul has become a complete nutcase conspiratorialist quasi-Anti-Semitic leftwing American-hating nutball.”

“Ron Paul is out of touch with this district and it is time for him to move on…Dr. No Must Go!”

These quotes come directly from my opponents’ campaign literature and websites. We cannot let these attacks stand.

I plan to fight back and will mount an aggressive campaign. Carol, my family and my staff are already working very hard, but I need your immediate support.

Please consider making a contribution of $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or even the maximum legal gift of $2,400 to my campaign. Your generous support will allow me to mobilize and ensure we are victorious.

Please logon NOW to my website www.RonPaulforCongress.com and donate as much as you can to help me overcome my opponents and win reelection.

There is a tremendous anti-incumbent, anti-Washington sentiment in America. Politicians across the country face a sea change as outraged Americans threaten to vote them out. While I think this development is a good thing, I am going to have to work hard to ensure I am not caught up in the same wave and swept out of office before our job is done.

If I thought that it would help America, I would gladly step aside and return home to Texas. But the people who want my seat will not work for Liberty. They will instead vote for big spending, eroding our Liberties and policing the world, while ignoring our crooked monetary system.

We stand at a crucial crossroads. Our effort to Audit the Fed and expose the crooked banksters stands tantalizingly close to passage. It is my sincere desire to stay in Congress and press this fight.

But, the road to re-election will be bumpy. My opponents are digging up any and all ammunition they can muster to fire at me.

As many of you know, I represent Galveston, which was hit hard by Hurricane Ike last fall. My office has worked hard to help our constituents, and I am proud of the work we have done.

After the Hurricane, Congress rushed to pass a “relief” bill. Unfortunately, the bill was anything but that. It was loaded with over $6 billion dollars in pork and special interest money that had nothing to do with helping people in need. And, any actual benefits for the people hurt by the natural disaster were run, or should I say hijacked, by the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA.) We all remember how well FEMA did helping out in New Orleans.

I knew that voting against this supposed “hurricane relief” would be one of the most difficult political votes I ever cast. But, my vote was never in question. I stood by our principles and stood up for Taxpayers in Texas and across our country and voted against this monstrosity.

You and I may know this vote is a strength, but my opponents see it as an opportunity to attack, and they have been vicious. Forget the billions in pork spending, or the unmanageable big government bureaucracy contained in the legislation. Since I voted against the bill, they scream I must not care about poor people.

They will continue to beat this drum, and if we do not fight back, they may be successful. Think then how few politicians will be willing to take principled votes against big government in the future if they see me defeated because of my stand.

For thirty years, I have run on the belief that Liberty and free markets are the source of American prosperity. I will continue to fight for these principles regardless of the attacks and personal smears. But, I need your help to return to Washington.

Again, I hope you will consider contributing to my re-election campaign. Together, we can restore our freedoms and protect the American Dream.

In Liberty,
Ron Paul

P.S. Early voting in my primary begins on February 15th. Time is of the essence and I have already begun campaigning hard. Your timely support is truly needed. Please contribute to my campaign TODAY at www.RonPaulforCongress.com

Please support the Mad As Hell Money Bomb TODAY Jan 7th 2010.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas — Congressman Ron Paul today endorsed John Dennis in his Republican bid for United States Congress. Mr. Dennis, a successful entrepreneur and longtime liberty-minded GOP activist, is running to unseat Nancy Pelosi in California’s 8th district.

Said Dr. Paul, “John Dennis is truly committed to Liberty, personal freedom, fiscal discipline and a more sensible foreign policy. I am very happy that John has decided to run for Congress and wholeheartedly endorse him.”

For more information on John Dennis, please visit www.JohnDennis2010.com.

Congressman Paul’s endorsement comes through his Liberty PAC, a Republican leadership PAC committed to supporting Liberty minded candidates across the country.

Said Liberty PAC director Jesse Benton, “John Dennis is a terrific candidate who is going to ask tough questions like: ‘Why is Nancy Pelosi running up crushing budget deficits?’, “Why has she allowed President Obama to expand the war in Afghanistan?’, and, ‘Why has Nancy Pelosi refused to support transparency and accountability at the Federal Reserve.’ The constituents of California’s 8th district deserve answers to these questions. John Dennis will hold her accountable.”

by Nelda Carrizales Skevington on Jan 06, 2010

WHARTON, TX, Wednesday, January 6, 2010 – Debra Medina is a true contender in the Texas Gubernatorial election and KERA has realized the validity of her campaign. On January 5th, KERA extended an invitation to Debra Medina, asking that she join Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Governor Rick Perry on the stage for the Republican Primary Gubernatorial debate. The Medina campaign has accepted the invitation that the supporters and staff fought so hard to earn.

“KERA has made the right decision. Every Texan deserves the right to hear Medina’s message of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and freedom. Now, many more Texans will have the opportunity to make a well informed decision when they vote on March 2nd,” said Penny Langford Freeman, Medina Campaign Manager.

There was a storm of publicity surrounding the debate invitation. When news arrived that Medina may not be invited to the live debate that will air statewide on January 14th, there was a public outcry. The invitations to Perry and Hutchison were publicized on November 20, 2009 and the delay of the invitation to Medina caused a firestorm of attention from not just supporters of Medina, but average citizens across the state. KERA vowed to review the criteria and send an invitation if the Medina campaign met all the guidelines. Now, with the debate only 8 days away, Debra Medina can finally announce that she’ll be taking part.

“We’ve had an amazing amount of support from all over Texas. My campaign has fought tirelessly to secure this invitation, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the strength and support of so many volunteers and true Texans. This campaign is rooted in equal justice under the law and based on the ideals set forth in our Constitution. This win proves that Texans will still fight for freedom. Now, we intend to not only win this debate, but to win this election,” said Medina.

The KERA Gubernatorial debate will air live on January 14th statewide from the University of North Texas campus in Denton. It can be viewed on KERA-TV, TXA-21 (KTXA-TV), and heard on KERA-FM. KERA news director, Shelly Kofler will be the debate moderator. With so many Texans making noise over Medina’s inclusion, it’s safe to say all eyes will be on Medina as she aims to go head to head with not just one, but two opponents, Gov. Perry and Senator Hutchison. (END)

—
Nelda Carrizales Skevington
Press Secretary
Debra Medina for Governor of Texas Campaign
210-416-0418
www.MedinaforTexas.com

Dear Friends:

Your support has been tremendous, and I greatly appreciate it. Together we sent the message that we don’t want politicians like Chris Dodd in Washington. Today many of your voices were heard when Chris Dodd announced that he will not be running for re-election in Connecticut. Here is the statement that I released this afternoon:

“While Chris Dodd has come to represent all that is wrong with Washington, his decision not to seek re-election is not the solution to the problems the people of Connecticut or the United States face. The problems we face are systemic in Washington and the fight to fix our broken system of government is more important than ever.

We will not fix the problems created by Chris Dodd by sending his protégé to replace him.

From the beginning, our campaign has been about putting our state and country back on the right track. Connecticut families deserve a government that stops spending our money like it is their personal bank account. We need pro-growth policies that cut taxes, drastically cut government spending, and put an end to the bail-outs and buy-offs that have become business as usual in Washington, D.C.

The problems every American faces today are serious and we need courageous leaders who are willing to fight for what they believe and not accept the status quo because it is the politically expedient path. I look forward to continuing to visit with Connecticut voters from across the state to share my vision for economic prosperity and a return of government that truly is of, by and for the people.”

We will win this campaign, and together, we will return our country to greatness.”

With Dodd out of the race, we need your help now more than ever. The Democrats are ready to annoint another liberal, Attorney General Mark Blumenthal, to be their nominee. We must stop them!

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or even $250 to my campaign, so we can bring our common-sense, conservative vision to Washington.

Thank you,
Peter Schiff
Republican US Senate Candidate
schiffforsenate.com

Dear Friends:

It’s that time of year again– time to make your New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t know about you, but my first Resolution for 2010 is to Dump Dodd! For too long Chris Dodd has orchestrated million dollar deals for himself and billion dollar bailout packages for his pals on Wall Street. Enough is enough. This year, our resolution must be to elect a Senator that will fight for the taxpayer’s best interest.

But, unlike most New Year’s Resolutions, we can’t wait until the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. Our resolution starts today because the final 2009 campaign fundraising deadline is December 31st. That means our campaign needs to make one last fundraising push in advance of this deadline in order to show Chris Dodd that we mean business.

Chris Dodd knows that he is in trouble. He’s working extra hard to hold on to power. Now is the time to build on our positive momentum and march into the New Year with a strong showing of unity and support.

Donate by December 31st: the End of the Year Fundraising Deadline!

Help us “get our message out” by donating to our campaign.
* $24.20 will send out 100 mailers to Hartford
* $52.20 will buy 1 radio ad in Danbury
* $109.00 will help get 1 cable TV commercial up in Bridgeport
* $500.00 will pay 1 week’s rent for our campaign headquarters in Milford.

Or, you can name your own contribution and decide how to Dump Dodd! You can also mail a check to:
PO Box 3647
Milford, CT 06460
Again, thank you for your support and contribution.

Sincerely,

Peter Schiff
Republican US Senate Candidate
schiffforsenate.com

From SchiffForSenate.com

Packed House for Grand Opening of Schiff Campaign HQ
Fri, Dec 18, 2009

Peter Schiff & Packed House of Supporters Launch Schiff Campaign HQ

(Milford, CT) – Hundreds of Republican activists, voters, and volunteers braved the winter weather to join Peter Schiff, Connecticut’s principled Republican candidate for US Senate, at the grand opening of his campaign headquarters in Milford. Schiff rallied the packed house of supporters with a rousing speech about his campaign to end Washington’s reckless spending and get America’s fiscal house in order.

“The same irresponsible policies that got Wall Street into trouble are now repeating themselves in Washington— only this time on an even bigger scale,” Schiff explained to the energetic crowd. “Tonight’s incredible turnout proves that Republican voters are ready to mobilize a grassroots campaign to retire Chris Dodd.”

More than 200 people attended the event throughout the night, including notable Republican Town Committee Members, Republican State Central Committee Members and grassroots Republican activists. The grand opening of Schiff’s campaign headquarters is the latest development in a successful month of campaign activities. In December, Schiff has crisscrossed the state speaking to local Republican Town Committees and signed up hundreds of Connecticut campaign volunteers. The campaign has also earned momentum from the latest Rasmussen Poll, which has Peter Schiff beating Chris Dodd in a head-to-head matchup.

In 2006, businessman Peter Schiff warned of a coming financial crisis. Now, Peter sees the same problems repeating themselves in Washington. As Connecticut’s Senator, he will stop Washington’s spending binges that destroy jobs and lead to higher taxes. Born in New Haven, Peter lives in Fairfield County, where he raises his seven year old son.