Phil,
Thanks... I appreciated your efforts too, and sorry we didn't get that
argument in. I have already gotten a couple requests (from two
different neighborhood Democratic clubs) to speak against Proposition A
at their endorsement meetings; if you like, I will mention that you are
also available to speak against Prop. B, as they sometimes have trouble
finding people to represent every position. I do think you make an
excellent spokesperson against the measure, even if it is based on PC
factors that we know as libertarians are mostly B.S.
On membership -- there has sometimes been confusion on this point, but
it has always been possible to be an LP member without paying dues,
simply by signing the pledge of non-initiation of force. Of course
being a *voting* member required being a member in good standing
(having paid current dues), and you wouldn't receive the party
newsletters without paying dues. But it is not clear that the new
policy really changes that. The Libertarian Party of California still
requires dues -- in fact they just raised them to $50 a year. And
voting members of the state party determine who becomes a national
delegate.
In short, I'm not sure that dues have had much impact in terms of
limiting membership. Do you know of anyone who will become a member
after the new policy goes into effect who wouldn't do so before? What
we really need are more *activists*, not more members. But I am
concerned that eliminating membership dues makes the leadership less
accountable to the membership, and makes it easier to undermine the
pledge.
Yours in liberty,
<<< Starchild >>>
P.S. - Did you catch the part of Sean Haugh's LNC report where he said
national Treasurer Mark Nelson "reported that the abolition of dues
would be by itself a net financial gain for the LNC" because "The lost
revenue from memberships would be more than offset by the end of UMP
payments to the states and membership solicitations and renewals?" This
shows they were wasting so much money asking for money, that it was
causing the main source of revenue to be a net negative at the national
level!
First of all the newsletter was terrific. Justin you are a
geniusmaking something stand out in all the mail we get. Second, a
word of xongrats to Jawg, Marcy and Starchild for ggetting our paid
arguements in, and to all who ensthusiastically supported the effort.
We all can be proud.The outpuring of support only shows that we do not need dues, only
good projects and spirited leadership to get money. I think dues limit
membership severely and should go.
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