Libertarian Party of Texas Announces New Executive Director

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 08:57 — tim_lebsack

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN - January 5, 2009 - The Libertarian Party of Texas (LPT) has announced that Robert Butler is replacing Wes Benedict as its executive director.

Robert Butler comes to the Libertarian Party of Texas from a political consulting position in Washington, D.C. He previously served as the executive director of the Libertarian Party of Ohio.

In Ohio, Butler worked on litigation to eliminate restrictive ballot access laws. The litigation resulted in Ohio's ballot access laws being ruled unconstitutional in 2008, and the Ohio Secretary of State was required to place the Libertarian Party on last year's general election ballot.

Butler is fluent in Spanish and expects to make use of his bilingual skills in his new position. He has an International Relations degree from George Washington University (September 1991 - May 1995) and an English as a Foreign Language Teacher Certification from Harmon Hall in Cancun, Mexico (July 1999 - December 1999). He is married and has three young children.

Wes Benedict was named executive director for the LPT following his leadership on a successful petition drive in 2004 to gain ballot status for the party. Benedict directed many of the volunteers and paid petitioners who gathered over 82,000 petition signatures to keep the Libertarian Party on the Texas ballot. The LPT's state executive committee named Benedict as executive director in June of 2004.

Over the next four years, Benedict grew the LPT's revenue from $58,000 to over $140,000. The number of donors to the LPT grew from less than 200 in 2005 to over 900 in 2008.

Benedict twice broke the party's all-time candidate recruiting records with 168 candidates on the Texas ballot in 2006, and 173 candidates in 2008. Also in 2008, the LPT had its first candidate ever to earn over one million votes on the Texas ballot (William Strange, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9).

Benedict plans to seek other opportunities in the private sector. Prior to his work with the LPT, Benedict owned a custom countertop manufacturing company. "Wes was the single person most responsible for our unprecedented success over the last four years," said state chair Pat Dixon. "Robert has big shoes to fill, but we feel we selected an excellent candidate."

Benedict commented, "I really enjoyed my time as the LPT's executive director, and I hope that our strong growth over the past four years will continue into the future."

Arthur DiBianca will continue working with the LPT as its operations manager.

The LPT began recruiting for the executive director position in October 2008, and received nine applicants in a nationwide search (2 from Washington DC, 1 from Nebraska, 1 from Louisiana, and 5 from Texas). The state executive committee formally selected Butler in December, to begin work on January 1, 2009.

Contact:
Pat Dixon, LPT chair
512-771-3936
chair@lptexas.org

Contact:
Robert Butler, LPT executive director
614-805-8292
director@lptexas.org

If there’s one thing we know about human beings, most of them tend to believe whatever those in power tell them.

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 13:56 — tim_lebsack

History has a nasty habit of repeating itself.
http://blog.robertringer.com/2009/01/06/valkyrie-socrates-and-you-part-i/

StauffenbergStauffenberg

In Part II of this article, I’m going to discuss how the valor of the Valkyrie heroes can be applied on a much more personal level.

Mike Adams always makes me think

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 13:34 — tim_lebsack

I’d consider taking a job at the University of Massachusetts.
http://townhall.com/columnists/MikeSAdams/2009/01/05/how_jesse_helms_hel...
I might even teach a class on the murder of Mary Jo Kopeckne.

Using the police power of the government to beat society into shape.

Mon, 01/05/2009 - 16:12 — tim_lebsack

He seems unconcerned about how such coercion will rearrange the lives and manage the behavior of a people who should be free of state coercion.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=315792676809488

Global Warming hits DallasGlobal Warming hits Dallas

Which is the best system for resource allocation: capitalist, socialist or communist?

Wed, 12/31/2008 - 15:03 — tim_lebsack

Which system maximizes personal liberty and societal wealth?
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=315530585431239

New Year's Resolutions......from the late Harry Browne

Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:08 — tim_lebsack

A Libertarian's New Year's Resolutions

by Harry Browne
Harry Browne on Meet The PressHarry Browne on Meet The Press

1. I resolve to sell liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect,
rather than preaching to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong.

2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is
to inspire people to want liberty -- not to prove that they're wrong.

3. I resolve to listen when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can
help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.

4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals someone
may seek -- a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society -- and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.

5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that
lead people to seek government help. I don't have to approve of their subsidies
or policies -- but if I don't acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping
them find a better way to solve their problems.

6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point:
how much better off the individual will be in a free society.

7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American.
Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we
have. To speak only of America's defects will make me a tiresome crank.

8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very
small government -- not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.

9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things
steal time and attention from the work that must be done.

10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the
first libertarian someone has encountered, and it's important that he get a good
first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.

11. I resolve to remind myself that someone's "stupid" opinion may be an opinion
I once held. If I can grow, why can't I help him grow?

12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no
one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest
for a free society.

13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use
character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real
benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people
free -- and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals
will bring.

14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents and treat them with respect. However
anyone chooses to treat me, it's important that I be a better person than my
enemies.

* * *

Harry Browne passed away in March of 2006.

Happy New Year .... from Robert Ringer

Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:05 — tim_lebsack

* How smart were the wealthy people who invested in Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme?
* How smart were the top brass at the Big Three automakers?
* How smart were Barney Frank & Friends for pushing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into making sub-prime loans to people who couldn’t afford any kind of loan?
* How smart were the corporate boards of Citigroup, Wachovia, Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, et al. that are either bankrupt or were not able to continue without handouts from taxpayers?
* And many, many more.

You’re not dumb, and you’re not a loser. A loser is somebody who quits.
http://blog.robertringer.com/2008/12/31/you-are-not-a-loser/

Have a wonderful and safe New Year!

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Wed, 12/31/2008 - 09:49 — tim_lebsack

the Cowboys play in the new stadium next season

Tasers have killed more than 400 people in the United States and Canada since 2001

Tue, 12/30/2008 - 14:05 — tim_lebsack

"Torturing and killing the mentally ill with tasers is becoming commonplace," Hullabaloo's Digby blogs,"There must be a better way."
http://www.freeople.com/blog/rawstory-naked-man-dies-after-4-taser-shock...

TaseringTasering

Ethics is missing from most political debates

Tue, 12/30/2008 - 11:15 — tim_lebsack

These folks claim dire needs — needs that in their minds require immediate collective action — but will not spend their own money unless the state forces all others to pay as well?
http://www.mises.org/story/3271
Government education has robbed ethics from the classroom, as well as from the public square.

Put your finger to the political windsPut your finger to the political winds

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