Starchild,
Would you be willing to forward my earlier post to Pam? It came back undeliverable.
Thanks,
John
________________________________
From: John Bechtol <javlin@...>
To: "lpsf-discuss@yahoogroups.com" <lpsf-discuss@yahoogroups.com>; "CALPCandidates@yahoogroups.com" <CALPCandidates@yahoogroups.com>; Nina Ortega <nina.ortega@...>; Charlie Deist <charlie@...>
Cc: Dana McLorn <danajr@...>; xcomm <xcomm@lpcalif.org>; calibs <CALibs@yahoogroups.com>; California Liberty <ca-liberty@yahoogroups.com>; San Diego LP Chat List <sdlibchat@...>; "ebl-discuss@yahoogroups.com" <ebl-discuss@yahoogroups.com>; Northern California Libertarians <norcalLibertarians@yahoogroups.com>; Chris Maden <crism@maden.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2012 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [lpsf-discuss] Re: [CALPCandidates] Re: [LPC -XComm] Fundraising
Pam,
I share your frustration.
So do some others. You are on the right track.
Anyone thinking the current processes, alone, will restore our liberty is foolish.
But California is the powerhouse. And there is another conversation to have about things. Along this line, some people are working to re-open the Von Mises Institute near San Francisco and maybe another in L.A.
Give me a call.
Merry Christmas!
John F. Bechtol
707-623-6005
________________________________
From: Starchild <sfdreamer@...>
To: CALPCandidates@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Dana McLorn <danajr@...>; xcomm <xcomm@...>; calibs <CALibs@yahoogroups.com>; LPSF Discussion List <lpsf-discuss@yahoogroups.com>; California Liberty <ca-liberty@yahoogroups.com>; San Diego LP Chat List <sdlibchat@...p.org>; ebl-discuss@yahoogroups.com; Northern California Libertarians <norcalLibertarians@yahoogroups.com>; Chris Maden <crism@...>
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 3:01 PM
Subject: [lpsf-discuss] Re: [CALPCandidates] Re: [LPC -XComm] Fundraising
Pam,
My take on running for
office is that it is simply another form of activism -- whether you get elected or not, it gives you a soapbox from which to actively participate in the public discourse, communicate the libertarian message, and change some hearts and minds.
Nevertheless I feel you about California, although politics aside the state still has many things going for it \(beautiful natural scenery, vibrant subcultures, great climate, hi\-tech innovation, etc\.\) If you are thinking of moving out of state though, I would encourage you to check out New Hampshire, where the Free State Project is working to achieve libertarian critical mass and make the freest state in the nation even freer \-\- http://freestateproject.org \. It's not easy to get elected to partisan office as a Libertarian there either, but easier than here, if that's what matters to you\.
Regarding
fundraising, project-based fundraising or crowdfunding isn't only about major donors. The concept of Geoff's proposed site, as I understand it, is that anyone can be a "libertarian angel" by contributing. And because they will be empowered by being allowed to choose from among a number of different projects, there is a greater chance that they will find something they feel is worthy of their support.
As for "keeping our powder dry", a "rainy day fund" to be used only under certain specified conditions could potentially be one of the "projects" to which Libertarian donors could give under the crowdfunding approach\. Those who feel as you do that it's time to preserve our capital might donate for that purpose when they wouldn't otherwise be inclined to give\.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild
)))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian Party of California
California is the biggest state economically, and certainly rivals most nations in terms of financial size.
But at this point the Democrats and their union pals have a lock on political contributions and public finances through control of union dues and taxes in general.
With CA taxes their highest and rising, it is going to be difficult for the LP to find wealthy "Angels" left to help finance our cause. Many will be fleeing the state, this winter and next spring.
People, including many libertarians, are in full survival mode right now. It is difficult to dig deep, and find the incentive and will to pour hundreds of dollars into a campaign in a state like California so dominated by socialists.
The type of money you're talking about
just isn't out there. The Unions control all of it.
The failure of Proposition 32 (coming after Top 2) was the last straw. My husband and I are planning to move out of California shortly, for this reason.
This state may have to go totally BK and dissolve into social chaos before real reforms and successful libertarian economics is taken seriously.
Perhaps it is time to preserve our capital, keep our powder dry, and look at Federalism and States' Rights fights as a superior strategy for preserving and strengthening liberty.
We are seriously considering a move to a state other that Calif., one that still values the Individual and his private property rights. California in general and LA in particular is ground zero for a raw and increasing disregard for liberty and property rights. From what I can see in the news and daily at the college campus I
endure daily, it's all "class warfare," economic collectivism, hating rich people, a bigger welfare state, compulsory unionism, bail outs are the new normal, and limitless public debt. Total insanity.
I don't like losing. I like to win. I am moving somewhere (along with the remainder of California's tax base) where I'm winning - i.e. forming a meaningful, impactful coalition.
If someone would like to talk me off the ledge and tell me where I'm wrong, how Cali is salvageable, and how I should put another $6,000 my scarce funds into another campaign (for CA Governor or other office) I'm all ears. I just don't see heavy political investment in California by the LP as optimal. I see quite the opposite, when you look at the perfectly formed monopoly political structure (Democrat Party) of the state and its close ties to the current Administration in Washington DC. [The CA Democrats also fully control
the education system. As a college professor, I can tell you: the Statist lock on this sector and their constant anti-individualist message to young students is the biggest challenge we face in efforts to advance liberty.]
Let's really think about how best to use our energies & resources.
When we have recurring arguments about hotel bills, clearly we have a problem.
Perhaps a loose confederation of local LP groups, acting strictly locally, rather than continued expensive state-wide campaigns and organizations is the answer in this very challenging time.
Happy holidays, everyone.
Pam
Pamela J. Brown
2010 LP candidate for CA Lt. Governor
From: Starchild <sfdreamer@...>
To:
dana mclorn <danajr@...>
Cc: xcomm <xcomm@...>; calibs <CALibs@yahoogroups.com>; LPC Candidates List <calpcandidates@yahoogroups.com>; LPSF Discussion List <lpsf-discuss@yahoogroups.com>; California Liberty <ca-liberty@yahoogroups.com>; San Diego LP Chat List <sdlibchat@...>; ebl-discuss@yahoogroups.com; Northern California Libertarians <norcalLibertarians@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, December 19, 2012 9:20:32 PM
Subject: [CALPCandidates] Re: [LPC -XComm] Fundraising
Dana,
I suggest we increase fundraising by empowering our donors and giving them more choices of how to contribute, as we are planning to do at the national level \(see message from LP chair Geoff Neale below\)\. Then instead of making a new pitch for money every week \(which would surely be annoying to many recipients\), we can simply update our website frequently with new projects to which people can donate, and let people know when a new project is added\. What do you think?
If ExCom members are interested, I can let the Libertarian National Committee know that we would be interested in using the Libertarian Angels platform at the state level, as Geoff suggests may be eventually implemented, although per the bottom\-up principle I would only recommend such a partnership if it is set up so that we can retain state\-level control over our page there\. Alternately, we could explore enabling crowdfunding directly via the LPC website\.
Until we get a high\-tech system going that allows donors to view and donate to projects on the web, I suggest we write fundraising emails that each list a number of projects to which people can make targeted donations\. I'm willing to assist in the writing of such emails\.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild
)))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian Party of California
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
(415) 625-FREE
> From: "Geoffrey Neale" <liber8or@...m>
> Date: November 23, 2012 1:35:50 PM PST
> To: <statechairs@hq.lp.org>
> Cc: lnc-discuss@...
> Subject: [Lnc-discuss] More from the LNC Chair - "crowd funding"
> Reply-To: lnc-discuss@...
>
> Another of the “action items” that was proposed and passed with sixteen ayes, no nays and two abstentions was to pursue the launch of a “crowd-funding” site for LP projects.
>
> The general concept is to provide a “one-stop shopping” site for LP activities and projects. This will be similar to KickStarter and like sites, except that only LP projects and activities will be highlighted.
>
> The approach is pretty straight-forward. If a donor has a list of projects from which to choose to fund, the likelihood the they will donate, and even donate more, is enhanced. Rather than asking “what is the LP doing?”, the donors can see what we’re doing, and support what they like.
>
> Since we’re seeking “investors in liberty”, and a common term for
investors in venture capital related avenues is an “angel”, we have already purchased LibertarianAngels.com and LibertarianAngels.org.