My Dear John Letter From The Board of Elections

It' official! I received my notice of decertification from the Cabarrus Board Elections yesterday. Before I go any further, let me make myself very clear. I have no hard feelings toward Linda Grist and her office staff. They have always been very warm and respectful to Libertarians. This is not their fault. The State BOE pushes off the dirty work on the county offices.

Kinda like the General Assembly dumping off on the county governments. I am sure our county commissioners know all about that.

Here is the main text of my Dear John letter....

"Since the Libertarian Party , the political party with which you are currently affiliated, failed to receive sufficient votes in the November 2, 2004 General Election, you are notified under provisions of GS 163-96 that the Libertarian Party has ceased to be a recognized and qualified political party in North Carolina. You have until October 17, 2005, to notify the Cabarrus County Board of Elections office of any desire to change your affiliation to another party. Otherwise your affiliation will be switched to "unaffiliated" after October 17, 2005."

Change my party affiliation? To Democrat or Republican? What a joke? Hell will freeze over before I register with either Socialist/Fascist faction of the one ruling party..the Demopublicans!

Of course running in a Republican primary against a bunch of RINOS would be a hoot!

I intend to keep my letter as another motivational tool in my War on Terror against the State. But then again, I already have all the motivation I need to win.

I have a feeling that my letter and several thousand like it will become ashes on the doorstep of the General Assembly!

I've Got A Good Excuse...

I have not had much time to spend on my blog as of late. As many of you know, The N.C. State Board of Elections decertified the Libertarian Party yesterday (Monday, August 22nd). We were not surprised by the decision. We have been preparing for it for the past week and and half. As you can imagine, this issue has been priority #1 for me as state chair.

By their actions, the SBOE has removed candidates, which qualify under the N.C. Constitution, from the ballot in Charlotte and Winston Salem. But hey, they don't give a damn about the Constitution.

So I hope you forgive me for being away. Duty has called and I have answered.

I look forward to sharing the story of our struggle for equality.

Carl Miller For Concord Mayor

I am delighted to announce that I will serve as Campaign Manager for Carl Miller's bid for Concord Mayor. A press release will be forth coming. Annexation, economic development and the Unified Development Ordinance are just a few of the issues Carl will focus on during his campaign. A website is in the works as well.

Stay Tuned!

Wish I Had Written That

[Originally published at http:restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on July 24th, 2005]

Below is a copy of a letter-to-the-editor, sent to me by my good friend, Chris Cole. He has sent it to the Independent Tribune. I hope he has better "luck" than me. My last three lte's were ignored by Kathy Nelson and the rest of the editorial staff.

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To the editor:
Your article on growth as a "burden" on schools goes a
long way in reminding me why I am a Libertarian.

When they get more customers, businesses like
McDonalds or Wachovia give cheers. Only government
treats new customers as a burden. If there aren't
enough McDonalds, the solution is to build new ones.
When schools are overcrowded, the solution is...? To
pronounce blame. Blame developers. Blame new
residents. Blame immigrants. But never blame
government.

The obvious solution is to get education out of the
hands of government. Of course, bureaucrats would
never say that, because it would undermine their
control of our lives and ability to take our money.

If public schools can't absorb more students, then
give those students other options. Charter schools
would be an easy step, but the state caps those. How
about a tax credit for families that home-school or
send their kids to private schools? Fewer students in
public schools would mean less need for public school
space. Do you see how easy liberty is?

More Corporate Welfare: $233,000 Worth

[Originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on July 17th, 2005]

Last week, the Cabarrus County Commission awarded a economic incentive grant valued at $233,000 to Haas CNC Racing. The team intends to expand it's business by relocating to Kannapolis from Harrisburg.

The city of Kannapolis is considering a $212,000 grant as well. It must be nice for the owners of Haas CNC Racing! After receiving the 'bribe money' from the county and already deciding to stay in Cabarrus, they may well receive another bribe from the city of Kannapolis. A whopping total of $445, 000 in tax rebates!

CH-CHING!!!

Once again, in the name of jobs and economic development, our local governments have extended unconstitutional "privileges" to private corporations. When certain companies receive tax rebates, the other companies have to pick up the slack. The privileged company receives the same 'services' as their competition here in the county does, at a lower fee.

Favoring certain businesses over others in immoral and unjust.

Equal Justice For All, Special Privileges To None...

The Independent Tribune Doesn't Get It

[Originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on July 10th, 2005]

The editorial in today's Independent Tribune was titled, "Users fees a bad idea for county". I am not surprised the editorial staff took the position they did. They are more comfortable with the redistribution of wealth than a free market.

What is wrong with user fees? What is wrong with paying for the services you use?

In a truly free market, user fees would be the sole source of revenue for government at all levels. Our U.S. Constitution allows tariffs and excise taxes. Regretfully, our Constitution has been ignored and we have become burdened with every tax imaginable!

Here is a paragraph from the editorial.

"Penalizing those who use our parks, libraries and senior centers by making them pay to use them almost defeats the purpose of having them in our community"

What?!!!

What does it mean when we have to pay to use restaurants, movie theatres and hardware stores? Does that defeat the purpose of having them in our community?

Of course not!

It's called market economics. When your family rents a video, do you expect your neighbor to pay for it? When your child needs a new pair of glasses, do you try to force your friends to help pay for them?

I would hope not! That would be highly uncivilized! Our government should be held to the same standard.

Taking money from one person, by force, and giving it to another person is socialism, plain and simple!

Here is another paragraph from the editorial

"What do our property tax dollars go to if we can't go to Frank Liske Park, the Village Park Amphitheatre in Kannapolis or one of our senior centers for a program unless we shell out $5 or even $2?"

Well, I can tell you where they should go!

To protect our Lives, Liberty and Property; to protect the innocent from force and fraud; to enforce contracts.

The reasons I listed above were the same justifications our Founding Fathers used in establishing our Republic.

In a free society, user fees are the most natural and just way to pay for anything, public and private.

The editorial failed to mention the fact Bob Carruth introduced the idea of user fees. It is no secret that Bob and myself often disagree politically. However, he has my full support on this issue.

I just hope the rest of the commission will at least consider this idea.

A Shocking Development: I Agree With Bob Carruth

[Originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on July 9th, 2005]

[Disclaimer for my fiscal conservative friends: No, I have not lost my mind. Sorry Coy and Robert, but Bob makes sense on this one]

As a human being, I have nothing but respect for Cabarrus County Commissioner Bob Carruth. However, in regards to politics, we have very little in common. We rarely agree on issues relative to the size, scope and purpose of our county government. There is one issue we do agree on....

USER FEES

In an article this week in the Independent Tribune, (sorry, could not find the story on-line) Mr. Carruth introduced the concept of user fees to fund our parks and libraries. I was shocked when I read the story. As a Libertarian, I believe user fees is the most just and efficient way to fund government "services".

I would like to thank Mr. Carruth for bringing this issue to the table.

I am man enough to admit when one of my political opponents is right.

The Rumor Is True

[Originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on July 9th, 2005]

There will be a Libertarian running for Concord Mayor. Mr. Carl Miller, recording secretary of the Cabarrus LP, filed this past Thursday.

I look forward to Carl's campaign. It will be nice to hear from a true fiscal conservative in this race.

Go Carl, Go!!!

Cabarrus Planning & Zoning Critical Of Proposed Development Standards

[Originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on May 22nd 2005]

The Cabarrus P&Z board gave newly proposed development standards a chilly reception. Members of the board are concerned about the impact upon the building industry.

In an article from the Independent Tribune, several members of the P&Z board expressed comments regarding the tougher standards. Carl Hill was quoted as saying, "The problem is a lot of people working on this project have never made a payroll"

I agree. Most government planners have no idea what it takes to run a private company.

Regarding the proposed changes, board member Lanny Lancaster said, "I don't think it's needed. I think the market will control itself on that."

Well said Lanny! In a trully free market, that would always be the case. Unfortunately, interference by government has created a distortion in the market. The only role government has in the housing market is protecting citizens from force or fraud and the enforcement of contracts.

I would like to commend the P&Z board for standing up for property rights. We could use a few of those guys on the county commission..

Odell Residents Are Wise Not To Trust Kannapolis

[Originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on May 16th, 2005]

(The following is based on an article, written by Ronnie Glassberg, that appeared in the Cabarrus Neighbors section of the Charlotte Observer on Sunday, May 15 2005)

The Odell community is a hornet's nest of rebellion over the threat of forced annexation by the City of Kannapolis. State Senator Flecther Hartsell certainly "stirred up the nest" when he introduced a bill that would allow Kannapolis to further encroach upon residents in the northwest portion of the county. The article stated that Hartsell introduced the bill because Kannapolis asked him to but he hasn't taken a position on the issue. Hmm, let's see, how many legislators introduce bills before they decide whether it is a good idea or not? Sounds like politics as usual.

Also within the article, Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg said the city had no plans for involuntary annexation in northwest Cabarrus. Regarding forced annexation, Mr. Legg was quoted as saying, "It's what has made cities healthy in North Carolina". Gee Mr. Legg, I consider the usurpation of property rights and the "consent of the governed" to be quite unhealthy.

The citizens of Cabarrus County need to send a strong message to Raleigh! Just say no to forced annexation. The state law allowing forced annexation needs to be removed. We need to send representatives to Raleigh that will defend the rights of individual citizens.

The residents of Odell have every right to organize their own voluntary political association. Municipalities do not have the "right" to expand their corporate limits. Cities and towns have no rights at all. Because our rights are gifts from our Creator, only individuals can have rights.

I admire the folks in Odell for standing up for their's.

Forced Annexation

[originally published at http://restoreourrepublic.blogspot.com on May 15th, 2005]

Below is a letter to the editor (lte)I sent to the Independent Tribune today. My letter was inspired by a lte written by Steven Hilton, Chair of the Wake LP. His letter compared the Libertarian platform plank concerning forced annexation with the Demopublicans' platforms which do not mention the subject.

Thanks for setting a fine example Steven!
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I would like to applaud the efforts by Odell residents to protect their private property from Kannapolis. Forced annexation is a direct assault on property owner’s civil liberties. Government was established to protect our Life, Liberty and Property. Unfortunately, governments at all levels have violated the public trust.

Currently, municipalities cannot annex land more than three miles from their incorporated boundaries. Sen. Fletcher Hartsell has introduced a bill that would drop that requirement. The residents of the Odell community should remember that when he faces re-election in 2006.

Residents in all unincorporated areas of Cabarrus should support candidates that are opposed to forced annexation. There are people opposed to forced annexation from all political parties. However, of the three political parties recognized by the state, only the Libertarian Party of North Carolina officially opposes forced annexation. The plank of the LPNC platform reads, “The LPNC opposes forced annexation by municipalities. All annexation should be subject to the direct approval of those living in areas proposed to be annexed”.

Keep up the Good Fight Odell residents! You have a high mountain to climb. It is a crying shame that in a supposedly free society, citizens have to take drastic steps, such as forming a new municipality, to protect their property. On behalf of Libertarians and liberty lovers everywhere, I would like to offer our support in defending your property rights!

Thomas Hill
Chair, Libertarian Party of N.C.