Marriage Degraded Again

As a married man, I am appalled at the latest body blow dealt the institution by a high profile celebrity. I'm not talking about J-Lo, though she and Britney Spears make it tough to explain to kids the value of a marriage. This time it's Rush Limbaugh, who is divorcing his wife of ten years.

Divorce is a bitter pill for a conservative moralist to swallow. Problem is, this is not Rush's first divorce, either. Nor is it his second.

On the heels of his highly publicized drug abuse problem, I'd say his credibility has taken an even greater punch to the brain than the institution has. No doubt, though. When a moralist the stature of Limbaugh can't keep himself hitched 'til death do us part', why should anybody listen to anything he says? Do us all a favor, Rush, and keep your trap shut henceforth on the issues of drugs and marriage. Do yourself a favor and clean out your closets. At this rate, by 2006 you aren't going to have any issues left to speak on with any real authority.

The Folly of Light Rail

I was very pleased when I was quoted in a recent Indy Star article in opposition to the proposed light rail nightmare. I am on record describing one's transportation as his responsibility and taking the position that it is wrong to ask others to pay for it. This was excellent, but it did not detail who would benefit and who would pay.

My letter in today's Star does this. The beneficiaries would be citizens and workers in Hamilton County- Indiana's wealthiest county. Among those paying would be some of the poorest people in Marion County.

In fact, all of the people in the Central Indiana region will be expected to pay for this, but only a tiny fraction of the people will benefit directly. I ask my liberal friends: is this fair? Is this what you want? The usual answer is 'yes', I know. This time, you're robbing the poor to pay the rich. Is this fair? Is this what you want?

If you ever wanted to understand the distinction between Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians, here it is. Libertarians say it is unfair to rob anyone to pay anyone else, all the time. Robin Hood was a villain all of the time. The ends never justify the means. The problem is not how to redistribute wealth. The problem is redistribution of wealth.

A Goofy Position To Take.

If a Libertarian candidate for office declared, "if I win the election, I will resign so that the Governor can replace me with an appointment- even if that appointee is from a different party than mine," there would be a chorus of hoots and hollers, and the candidate labeled a 'kook'. Commentators would point out that the position is elected, and if you weren't prepared to accept the office if elected, you shouldn't even run.

So, what happens when a Democrat does this? From the Indy Star:

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Joe Hogsett and former City-County Councilwoman Susan Williams are joining Gov. Joe Kernan and Lt. Gov Kathy Davis on the Democratic ticket this fall.

Hogsett will run for attorney general, and Williams, a former teacher, is running for superintendent of public instruction.

Both choices came as somewhat of a surprise, but the biggest surprise was Williams' announcement that if she wins, she will resign to let the new governor -- whether it's Kernan or his Republican challenger Mitch Daniels who is elected -- appoint his own education leader.

Ed Gluck of Vigo County wants to run for Judge, but is unable because he is not a lawyer. Indiana law specifies that to run for Judge, the candidate must be a lawyer. He begged the LP to let him do this, but the State Chair and then the Central Committe voted against him doing so. Much of the objection was over being viewed as a crackpot bunch of kooks. The further belief was that if you don't like the procedures, rules, regulations, and laws surrounding running for a particular office, the most proper, respectful thing to do is to work to get it all changed. We'd rather not have our candidates thumb their noses at the process.

Alas, the Democrats will be thumbing their noses at the process, and high up on the ticket.

Kernan said the position should be a cabinet-like post, especially since education is ultimately the governor's responsibility.

Politics, Kernan told cheering Democrats at the 2 p.m. announcement, should play no role in education.

Both Kernan and Daniels have favored making the superintendent of public instruction an appointed position. So, too, has the Republican incumbent, Suellen Reed.

But no one had suggested such a dramatic changeover as Williams and Kernan proposed today.

What a crackpot bunch of kooks!

Al Barger for US Senate

One of the more satisfying outcomes of a recent meeting of the Libertarian Party of Indiana's Central Committee was to nominate Al Barger for US Senate. Webpage

Incumbent Senator Evan Bayh is as about as untouchable as they come. He is generally more conservative than the average Republican, both fiscally and socially. There were Reagan Democrats throughout the US, but in Indiana, there are Bayh Repubicans. So, why not run a colorful candidate such as Al? He's endlessly quotable, and to make a dent in Bayh, you have to be noteworthy. The GOP's challenger may as well be an empty Coke can. Dr. Marvin Scott has an excellent resume`, but that and $4 will get you a latte at Starbucks. I'd give a week's pay to have Bayh and Barger on the same stage for an hour, along with the Coke can. Sweat would definitely form under Bayh's perfectly coiffed hair, and that rarely happens.

As an internal matter, it was very satisfying that Al could be nominated and accepted despite having a favorable take on the war against Al Qaeda and in Iraq. He is as libertarian as John Hospers or Murray Rothbard ever were, despite straying from orthodoxy on this issue. It is satisfying that there are no purity police on the Central Committee. Other states would have refused to give the assent. Our group recognized that Al is the best man available for an impossible battle. I know I'd rather have someone like Al who is his own man with his own thoughts and reasons than a stiff dogmatic who can only spout platform bromides. That's no different than the Coke can, and probably less effective anyhow.

Plus, Al is my blogfather. His encouragement has led to more than a year of posts on a variety of topics. He is an inspiration as a Mencken of the day. When I read Al's posts about sticking Al Sharpton up in the Democrats and breaking him off inside, I can picture old Henry Louis smacking his knee with hearty guffaws inbetween hacks at the keys.

That's my kind of candidate for this kind of race. I was pleased to sign his campaign papers as Secretary of the LPIN. Have at 'em, Al!

Opting Out

Home schooling used to be viewed as a curious, freaky solution to the problem of a combination of lousy public schools and a desire to avoid paying for private schooling while providing a child with the best education possible. No more. 97 home schooled students participated in graduation ceremonies Saturday at the Convention Center. Indy Star story.

97 may not seem like a huge number, but what is significant is that the numbers are sharply on the rise. While just over 7,000 kids were learning at home in 1984, more than 21,000 are today. These "graduating classes" will only increase in size in years to come.

We used to hear from teachers that these kids would be under-educated if not taught by professionals. The string of spelling bees won by home schoolers helped dash this. Then again, we were hearing this from the teachers union, who would rather not lose customers to rank amateurs, such as parents. While K-12 teachers won't endorse them, college professors do.

At colleges like IUPUI, home-educated students have a proven track record.

"Home schoolers that have come here have done extremely well," said Michael Donahue, director of admissions at IUPUI. "The best way to describe our experience with home schoolers is they are self-motivated, self-directed and the faculty likes them as students."

Studies at IUPUI, where more than 100 home-schooled students enroll each year, show that they perform at almost a full letter grade above the general student body, according to the university.

We used to hear that these kids were destined to become social retards as a result of not being socialized with other kids. In fact, the opposite is true. Because homeschoolers aren't socialized with the kids who are being werehoused and don't give a crap about being educated, or caught up in pointless fashion fads, or the cliques that are so destructive to self-esteem and instead are actually focused on learning, they are better socialized. For instance, they can effectively express themselves and hold a conversation with an adult!

Joel was "the class clown," in elementary school and wasn't being challenged enough to keep him motivated, she said. Andrew was in a less than ideal setting and was afraid of going to the bathroom because kids smoked marijuana there.

Sounds like my experiences with school, and I went to private schools!

This is just another example of an area of life where people are voting with their feet, giving the greatest anti-endorsement possible.

Mass Transit Boondoggles

Central Indiana governments have been meeting with one another to consider the formation of a Regional Transit Authority, with the focus being the possibility of developing a light rail system.

The proposal includes a minimum $500 million dollar start-up cost to taxpayers, and won't begin service until 2011.

I was very pleased that the Star printed some of my objections in a feature story. There are so many objections to raise with this that I can't begin to name them all, so I'll name a few.

1. The best rail route from Indy to Carmel is the old Monon. Problem is, the Monon was abandoned and converted into a trail. The Monon Trail is beloved by the citizens of Central Indiana. It's development has spurred the revitalization of nearby neighborhoods and the development of new housing and restaurants. Carmel's mayor Jim Brainard is not suggesting going the trails-to-rails route, as he knows it is political suicide. So, in order to get a route from Indy to Carmel without using the best route, which was graded and straight, a brand new course must be taken, building from the ground up. This is the path of maximum expense.

2. Speaking of the Monon Trail, the route from Indy to Fishers, and the Noblesville, is the most viable for trains because it at least still has track on it. No right-of-way to acquire. No land surveys to conduct. The track is shot, but it's a whole lot cheaper to repair that to start from scratch. Problem is, everyone in Central Indiana knows how good the Monon Trail has been for the areas near it. Question is, why wouldn't the people who live near the old Nickel Plate rather see that route similarly go the way of rails-to-trails? Their property values would go way up, as would their quality of life. Nice, fun greenway or noisy unsafe transit corridor? Hmm... This could also become political suicide if these issues are observed, and especially if the parks people get involved.

Let's help bring this proposal to an end. More to come.

No Air Castle

Today's Indy Star featured an article on the looming formation of a Regional Transit Authority and a light rail boondoggle for Central Indiana.

Republican suburban Mayor Jim Brainard wants the region to subsidize a rail line from downtown Indy to Carmel, on Indy's north side. Cost? $500 MILLION. Time table? Ready to roll by 2011. So much for fiscal responsibility. The Democrats love public transportation and are unlikely to oppose this massive waste. Who to turn to? The Libertarian Party.

Critics of mass transit question building such a heavily subsidized service, especially because most systems do not have enough capacity to make a significant dent in automobile traffic. And studies show that more is spent per mass transit user than for highway and street improvements.

"Transportation is a private concern, whether it's moving people or moving freight," said Mike Kole, the Hamilton County chairman for the Libertarian Party of Indiana.

Kole says some mass transportation systems, such as New York's subway, are effective. But he questions whether Indianapolis, a smaller city where residents live in less dense neighborhoods, could really benefit from a rail system.

"How many in the region could you honestly serve?" he said. "And yet you would expect them all to pay for it."

But Brainard still backs building mass transit in the Indianapolis area and the north suburbs.

"All transportation is expensive," he said. "So the question is really, what type of transportation is better for the region? To be competitive, I think trains would be ideal."

Has anyone ever moved to a city because of the trains? People move for jobs, for neighborhoods, for lower taxes or crime, for better schools or other quality of life, but for trains? Carmel is the wealthiest city in the state, so how is the region somehow not competitive? Wow.

This is an issue which will allow us to illustrate the folly of robbing Peter to pay Paul to those who normally have no time for us. Here we have the wealthiest city and county in the state seeking half a billion dollars in subisidies to provide transportation for their citizens at the expense of everyone else. The people in Shelby County will understand how they are getting rooked. So will the people of Marion, Johnson, and Madison Counties. Likewise, the inner city residents of Haughville.

Now, let them hear us!

LP National Convention Report 2

Another thing high on my Convention wish list was that some of the national LP's platform planks would get kicked out. Alas, the platform was supported in much greater numbers than at the 2002 Convention.

Again, my fight is against the Kook Factor. We have platform planks, such as those on the LaGrange Points in space, and as-of-yet undiscovered resources, that rightfully cause the LP to be the subject of well-earned scorn. My fellow Libertarians, do not wonder why we're deemed irrelevant and dismissed out of hand by so many who give us a fair look. Too many of our party are more eager to build air castles in support of esoteric issues of interest to about 37 American geeks rather than provide concrete solutions to the real issues of the day that affect millions.

The quick analysis is that the Conventions held in presidential years tend to attract newer members, purists, and kooks, whereas the off-year Conventions have a greater percentage of County Chairs and serious candidates for offices such as County Commissioner and Township Trustee. The normal faction of the LP shows up for all of the Conventions, but was greatly outnumbered this year. The normal faction of the LP will have to try again in 2006 to remove the albatross that is the national platform from around our necks.

LP National Convention Report 1

I had gone on at some length in favor of Gary Nolan for President with previous posts, so it should be no surprise that I was fairly disappointed that Michael Badnarik instead won the nomination of the Libertarian Party. Nolan was a strong finisher, dropping off the ballot with only five fewer votes than Badnarik on the second round of voting.

My disappointment is two-fold:

1. I am a County Chair, and as such, I want a Presidential candidate who will focus on boosting top affiliates at the state and county level. Nolan did this in the months leading up to the Convention. Badnarik only did a marginal job. Nolan promised to boost Indiana and Hamilton County. Thus far, no word from Badnarik, though I will make overtures.

2. The kook factor. Badnarik carries some baggage that is sure to have him labeled a kook in many quarters. Nolan was free of this. You cannot expect that with today's lightning quick communication, that one's kook notions can be kept from view for long. Check out this string on blogcritics. Fellow Hoosier Libertarian Al Barger is a regular contributor at blogcritics, and his report on Badnarik's victory was quickly followed by kook sightings.

Americans are so completely sold on the two-party system that they are automatically on the lookout for reasons not to like a third-party candidate. Of course, I believe this is misguided, but it is the reality, and reality must be dealt with, not a preferred ideal. Our candidates cannot give voters reasons to dismiss us out of hand. We must always be compelling. More importantly, we must be exceedingly normal. A Republican or Democrat can be forgiven as a rapist and elected before a Libertarian can promote gold or militias or even the Constitution and be supported by the average American. Until we learn this, we will suffer the kind of abuse the blogcritics readers heaped on.

On Home Ownership

I’m not a first-time homeowner, but man, there is nothing quite as satisfying! When Ame and I moved to Indy less than two years ago, the plan was to rent for the short term to discover which neighborhood would be right for us, save the money for the down payment, and to buy the house. We did it!

I enjoy pruning bushes when they are my bushes. I spent an hour pruning, and I really had a great time. I know that sounds weird, but my fellow homeowners know what I’m talking about. I hope that if you currently rent, you will soon thrill to washing your windows, cutting your grass, and scrubbing a toilet you own. It’s nothing remotely like fun to clean someone else’s toilet.

We are in Fishers, Indiana, which is on the southeast side of Hamilton County, or the northeast side of Indianapolis. It’s a great place to be, and has all of the things that are important to us: a friendly, well-to-do community with families; walking proximity to loads of amenities including the YMCA, walking trails, a park, interesting restaurants and shops, and the Post Office even.

I haven’t enjoyed being in my living space since I left my double in Parma, Ohio. Being there had been my greatest thrill until now, even though it wasn’t the first home I owned. That was in a run-down neighborhood in Cleveland. I was proud of my achievement of homeownership there, but had a hard time having any thought beyond, “I can’t wait until I can afford to get beyond this”.

Even that beat paying rent, though. I highly recommend home ownership.

To Atlanta!

This will be my second time being a delegate to a national convention of the Libertarian Party, and my first as a delegate from Indiana, and first time voting for a presidential candidate. Here's my wish list for outcomes:

1. Gary Nolan secures the nomination for president. Nolan has done the campaign work of a real candidate. He's articulate. He's reasonable. He will help build the party. He's careful not to give reasons to people for writing us off as kooks, cranks, or builders of air castles.

2. Michael Badnarik is nominated for VP and wins. Badnarik is an incredible Constitutional scholar and instructor. This alone does not make for a perfect presidential candidate, sadly, as the American people don't have the attention span for it in a presidential candidate. But as the VP candidate, Badnarik would have the ability to speak to those Americans more inclined for a ponderous, time-consuming discourse, and teach them why the Constitution works, and why the LP is the only party that supports the Constitution. Nolan and Badnarik would be a first-rate team.

3. Some of the platform planks get kicked out. I dream big and hope that the whole platform goes down, but then, I'm a realist about these things. There are a number of planks that nearly went down in 2002: abortion and immigration come immediately to mind. To some libertarians, this is sacrilege. To me, the platform is a sacred cow. It doesn't do a very good job of supporting our candidates. In fact, it often works against us. The crazy thing is, we've called ourselves the 'party of principle' so people actually believe it to be true. When they read our platform and see that we are for the legalization of drugs, they approach our candidates and say, "I can't believe you are in favor of crack"! Nothing like standing at the polling place with a group of voters each with an attention span four seconds long trying to explain that, 'you own yourself', 'you have the right to do what you like with your life so long as you do not intitiate force or fraud against another person', and then make the distinction between advocacy for legalization and advocacy for use... just to give one example.

Many voters will vote for Republicans despite that party's general opposition to reproductive choice. Many will similarly vote for Democrats despite that party's general support of higher taxes. When it comes to the Libertarian Party, many voters won't vote for us because we have led them to believe that in order to do so, you have to believe in our entire platform. What are we, frickin' stupid? I want every vote from every voter who believes that we are even 1% better than a Democrat or Republican.

The purists are holding us back. Get rid of the platform and go with a mission statement or statement of principles. We don't need a cumbersome document. Look at the Bill Of Rights. It's simple! I find it entirely ironic that we tell people we will make their lives easier by stripping away layers of government, and yet, we have been stubbornly resistant to do that with our bloated platform, clinging to arcane gobledeegook for a personal warm fuzzy over achieving the goal of electing people and moving policy in our direction. Can you trust a group that tells you they are for streamlined government *and* has a plank on as-of-yet undiscovered resources? I think not.

4. I find a good reason to vote for one of the candidates for Chair of the LNC. I haven't found one yet. Hancock scares the crap out of any reasonable person. Phillies tempts me with talk about being a real political party, then scares me by using kook words like 'slavery' that chase away average people. I have not heard anybody say anything about Dixon that is more positive than 'well, he's not the other guys'. I've never voted NOTA before, but I am strongly leaning that way right now. Unless one of these guys shows me something in the debate, I'll have no choice but to vote NOTA.

Should be fun!

Nolan For President

To me, the LP's presidential race has been pretty clear. Gary Nolan has been ahead of the pack in all of the ways that matter most to me: He is big on secondary objectives such as building the party and supporting the local candidates that are capable of winning and states that are taking their affiliates forward. He is doing the actual campaign work, making appearances almost every day, usually with several stops each day. Nolan sounds Presidential. This last is very important in a way I'll describe below.

I've met Michael Badnarik once. He came to Indiana's state convention. I did not see his presentation to the convention as I was busy tending bar in our hospitality suite. When Badnarik came up to the suite, he simply walked in and ordered an N/A beer. He didn't introduce himself to me and he didn't work the room. Heck, serious candidates for school board will do that. It bothers me that he only made one trip to Indiana (to my knowledge) in 2004 even though his mother lives in the state. That alone would warrant more visits.

I've not met Aaron Russo at all. He did not bother to visit Indiana in 2004. In fact, his website calendar lists only four events for May. Four events in the month of the National Convention? Are we to believe that if Russo wins the nomination that he will flip on the campaigning switch and start doing the Nolanesque 50-plus events per month?

Let us hope the question remains rhetorical and Russo is not nominated. One of the four events for Russo was a phone-in to WXNT, 1430-am here in Indianapolis. This is a fine station, with a great local morning program, the Neal Boortz show, and another local talker/agitator, Greg Browning. The station is very Libertarian-friendly, so I was hopeful Russo would take advantage and have a good showing, helping to further build the libertarian bridge here in Indy.

Wrong. Russo spent his 15 minutes locking horns with Jim Burrows over the war. Burrows is a Republican and supports the war. Russo opposses the war, as anyone familiar with libertarian politics might suspect. Disagreements are automatic on the Morning Line, though, as Burrows is opposite Trapper John, a left-leaning independent. Any candidate with any polish would have found a way to agree to disagree and then jump to an area of agreement. Not Russo. He got into a shouting match with Burrows, leaving the hosts both fairly bewildered. Burrows remarked upon the great distinction between Russo and Nolan being composure and civility. (Nolan has been on the show twice, invited back because he is thoughtful and reasonable, especially in disagreement. The hosts like him and gave Nolan 45 minutes the last time around.)

I couldn't have agreed more. It's one thing to be passionate and assertive, but another to rave like a lunatic. Russo did not sound Presidential. He sounded like a drunk at last call. He has to be reminded, which is just pathetic, that he is running for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. If Russo can so quickly lose his composure on a morning talk program, are we to believe that if he were President that we would flip on the leader-with-nerves-of-steel switch?

We hoist the bar pretty high here in Indiana. It is not enough for the Presidential candidate to merely be that. He has to be prepared to help build our party. Unfortunately, Russo set the LP back with his performance. I was glad that I was able to get on the air after Russo's act to remind listeners that Gary Nolan is running, and that good sense willing, he will be our nominee.

I shudder to think that Russo could even have a chance in this contest. Nolan is far and away the best choice, with Badnarik a strong second due to his impeccable work with the Constitution.

I'm a delegate to the convention, and I am voting Nolan.

Noblesville Meet-Up

I've been somewhat frustrated by the slow growth in attendance at the Hamilton County LP's regular business meetings, so I have been thinking that more informal meet-ups might be the way to encourage greatere participation.

To that end, the first weekly meet-up is planned for 6:00pm Wednesday for an after work affair at the Barley Island Brewery in downtown Noblesville, on the south side of SR 32, right across from the Judicial Center. A good number of libertarians have confirmed their attendence, so come join us! Non-libertarian or curious folks are invited too!

Hamilton County Meeting

The Libertarian Party of Hamilton County will host its regular business meeting Saturday, May 15, at 11:00am, at the Delaware Township Hall, located at 9090 E.131st Street in Fishers IN.

LPIN gubernatorial candidate Kenn Gividen will be present to meet with our local members and candidates, as will newly-appointed District Representative Chris Ward. In the business of the meeting, the identification of potential candidates for the November elections will be the top priority.

The meeting is open to members and to the public. Come on down and see what we're about!

Apology Forthcoming?

If causing insult to prisoners is worthy of an apology from the leader of a nation, what is due in the case of the beheading of a civilian contractor trying to fix things? Can we expect that an apology will be forthcoming from Osama bin Laden? Or elsewhere in the Arab world?

I expect it. No, I demand it. Civilized people who oppose barbaric savagery demand it. Arab leaders who wish to be taken seriously must issue an apology to demonstrate some shred of common humanity. If America's prestige has been damaged in the community of nations by the prison scandal, the Arab world surely has been wounded moreso by this atrocity.

I will also expect the left to roundly denounce this crime. It was correct for the left to lead the charge in calling for an apology from our President for the transgressions of our prison guards. It is now time for the left's leaders- Kerry, Kennedy, Daschle, and Mrs. Clinton- to lead in the vocifierous denunciations of this vile act and mindset. Murder is worse than humiliation, so I need louder denunciations for this murder than they had for the humiliations. I need to see from them that they have humanity as their top interest, above their interest in political power.

When the World Trade Center towers were struck, there were those Americans who were calling for the flatting on the Middle East with nuclear weapons. Obviously, that would have been a disproportionate response and an atrocity, to avenge the 3,000 or so lives lost here with hundreds of thousands there. To respond to humiliation with a choreographed murder is such a gross over-reaction as to beg for a downward spiral of vengeance. I am grateful to know in advance that the United States is too civilized to give these subhumans what they deserve.

In the meantime, I will be impatiently expecting a stream of apologies. These would go a long way towards showing me and the rest of the civilized world that mindless revenge isn't a way of life, that vile barbarism is an exception rather the rule, and that the left in this country does not condone it.

A Return to the Draft?

Unlike many of my fellow Libertarians, I do not have a soft spot for those complaints of those currently serving in the military regarding being shipped overseas. It does not impress me if the complaint is over the nature of the opponent or the duration of the stay. After all, every soldier is a volunteer. This duty was chosen. Maybe the soldier did not read the fine print or failed tor eally get that enlisting does not simply mean putting on a uniform, getting a free education and some nifty travel opportunities. Caveat emptor, my friend. Caveat emptor.

I recall the history of the draft, and the Vietnam era especially comes to mind. I recall the burning of draft cards in demonstrations. I remember the indignant huffing over involuntary conscription. I agree with the objections to involuntary, forced service. It's slavery, simply put.

There was also an economic component to the protests- the idea that the poor would serve while the well-off and well-connected would go to college or find some other means of avoiding the draft. This seemed very plausible. Indeed, this argument has been put forth over and over with regards to George Bush and his Guard service.

What does it mean today when we see that Charlie Rangel, a Democrat and long-time advocate for the poor, now advocates for the draft?

Walter Williams discusses the draft in economic terms and establishes why having the draft leads to the greater chance that there will be more wars. What on earth is Rangel thinking?

Lit Drop

I am always picking up the literature from the other parties in an attempt to find good ideas to steal. This was a bum election in that regard. I didn't find anything original or good.

What did get my interest was a 'sample ballot' distributed by the Democrats. It listed the various offices, such as Governor. There is only one Democratic candidate for governor- the incumbent, Joe Kernan. So far, so good.

Scan higher, though, to the presidential candidates. That's candidates, plural. Alas. This 'sample ballot' shows only one name for president- John F. Kerry.

Hmmm. What happened to John Edwards, Howard Dean, Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich and Lyndon LaRouche? Sure, they all fizzled in their bids, but still- all five are candidates for president along with Kerry The Annointed. Funny enough, the 'sample' has six lines and six ovals, but just one name.

It's a subtle way the Marion County Democratic Party 'endorses' their candidates. They don't actually come out and endorse Kerry. They make it seem as though the others don't even exist.

The same thing was done for US Rep District 7, where 4-term incumbent Julia Carson faces a Democrat the Party cares not to name. Ditto the race for Surveyor, where Mary Catherine Barton runs against another Democrat who possibly failed to pay the slating fee, hence, was not named. No word on whether Barton is actually a surveyor or not.

The general election is when the Dems trot out the real goods. I was very impressed with last year's 'how to vote straight Democratic ticket' literature. You can bet that I will see to it that there is similar 'how to vote straight Libertarian ticket' circulated to our members and supporters.

Low Expectations

These primary elections seem to invigorate next to no one, Democrats especially. I know Ame is miffed about it. Kerry was selected by a handful of states, not elected (couldn't resist), and Governor Kernan is an incumbent, so the status quo remains. Boring!

The Republican primary could excite some folks, since the Indiana governor's race is an actual contest. Sure, Mitch Daniels is the Bush Administration's boy, but that just stands to make him your typical modern liberal Republican, while Eric Miller is running on an actual conservative agenda.

I went to the polling place, and they all know that I am a Libertarian, so I signed the book and shrugged my shoulders. Fortunately, any voter can cast a ballot for any school board candidates, since these are non-partisan races. Huzzah! I received my paper ballot and looked at it and found exactly one candidate. I called out, "One candidate? What is this, the Soviet Union?" and got big laughs from the few people present.

Voting one hour after the poll opened, I cast the fourth ballot of the day. Yup. That's disinterest.

Letters to the Editor V

The Indy Star printed one of mine today, urging Libertarians and independents to crash the primary party and have an effect on things.

In case there is any confusion, you should know that any registered voter, even if you are not a Democrat or Republican, has the right to participate in the primary election. In past years, I would often just show up, sign the book, and go home. I find it more satisfying now to identify a David Orentlicher as a socialist and to vote in the Democratic primary against him, tallying for his opponent. If enough of us do this, his primary numbers drop, his confidence sags, and he looks at how he has to re-tool his message away from socialism and back towards some modicum of common sense.

Another strategy for Libertarians is to vote in a Republican primary for candidate who appear that they would be vulnerable in November to our message of less taxes and smaller government.

In sum, there is no reason not to vote. You can exercise you conscience even if your first choices aren't available until November.

Nolan Coverage Online

Our Hamilton County event featuring LP Presidential hopeful Gary Nolan is available on WFYI's website. link

The item was originally run on WFYI's "Indiana Week in Review" program. To watch it use the link above. The item appears around the 20 minute mark. This will only be on until WFYI archives this Friday's show, which is generally soon after they run it. If you have an interest, check it out quickly!