Kalin discusses in theis letter a problem facing Lorain that many other urban cities face ~ The expensive dispatch of police to non-emergency events. Kalin nails the 'rule of law' issue. Many people forget that 'Libertarian' does not mean 'disregard the law and do whatever you wish'.
To the Editor:
This is an open letter to Mayor Anthony Krasienko.As a resident of the area of Lorain that has seen a rash off gunfire, I can attest that the residents around me are on edge. I have not been in combat, but I believe the tension is comparatively palpable.Anything is causing panic, especially the local use of fireworks. The assumption has now become that any fireworks explosion is gunfire. People scramble, duck behind furniture in their home and have similar reactions. It also, rightfully, demands a Code 2 response from the police. This is taking the patrols from areas they are needed and also creates a dangerous situation with speeding police cars on neighborhood streets.Another factor is the occasional closing of the east side fire station. We have a dangerously dry situation, especially with the vacant homes and unmowed grass.
I beg that you implement a "no excuse — zero tolerance" for the use of fireworks this summer. City code 549.11 currently states: (c) No owner, occupant, or person in control of any property shall permit the discharge, ignition or explosion of fireworks on said property.
"Fireworks" means any composition or device prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, deflagration or detonation, except ordnance matches and except as provided in Ohio Revise Code. 3743.80.
Whoever violates subsections (a), (b) or (c) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 115-05. Passed 7-5-05.) Fine: For a misdemeanor of the first degree, not more than $1,000.
Sean Kalin Stipe, Lorain
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Kurt Liston Will 'Kick The Door In' on Sept 17th.
Kurt Liston, and empassioned and engergized Libertarain candidate will publically kick off his campaign to free Ohio's 44th district on September 17th, Constitution Day. Those of us who know Kurt know that he's bad news for Republicans and Democrats. Kurt is the LAST person you want to see at the other podium critiquing your views on liberty.
Kurt is in the Akron area, an area frought with disenchantment with elected officials and recall election efforts. This area is ripe for the Libertarian message and Kurt is the man to deliver it to Summit County.
Kurt is in the Akron area, an area frought with disenchantment with elected officials and recall election efforts. This area is ripe for the Libertarian message and Kurt is the man to deliver it to Summit County.
Ken Matesz Describes his Vision in Ohio's 5th Congressional District
I am sure that Ken would not mind me copying his letter to me detailing his passions and positions in politics. He certainly can describe his journey better than I. Below is an excerpt from his letter.
I am a entrepreneur here in Northwest Ohio. In order to survive, I must SELL my unusual product. I am a self-trained salesman and learn more each day about how this all works.
What I have learned is that selling a product, especially a high-end, unconventional product, is that half of the battle is first selling myself. Once I have sold myself to the customer, then I stand a chance at selling the product.
When it comes to running for office, it strikes me that exactly the same rules apply. The very first requirement to selling myself (or selling anything) is to sell credibility. I have to show my proposed constituents that I really know my stuff – that I understand the issues, difficulties, challenges, choices, and responsibilities with which I will be faced. (NOTE: understanding the issues is NOT the same as having a STANCE on the issues.) It is my belief that incumbents almost always win not just because of name recognition and rarely because the voters agree in principle with how that incumbent has performed. Rather, I think incumbents are reelected because they have credibility. They won the seat once and now they’re running again. The thought is, “I not only recognize his name, but I know that he has won and can win again.” Sad as it is, people like to vote for the winner, as if they were betting on a horserace. Similarly, those who have held other elective offices are perceived to be more credible candidates, even though there is not a shred of proof that that person will perform admirably or has any of the best skills for the new position.
Selling my credibility will be the biggest challenge in running against a two-term Republican Congressman in the Fifth District of Ohio. He gets to start out with 100% credibility AND name recognition throughout the district. I have to start out with zero credibility and near zero name recognition. UNTIL I ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY, VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL EVEN CARE ABOUT MY STANCE ON THE ISSUES.
When I am selling my product, I have to prove to the potential client that I understand their situation, their needs, and their wants. I have to show them that I am a professional who can comprehend and address their situation right away and ask intelligent questions of them to determine the best way to “solve their problems.” It is ONLY when they are completely comfortable with my credibility that they can really hear what I have to say about my product. In running for office, the same rules apply. Most people are not going to be impressed with my assertions about how to solve high-level problems UNTIL they have some reason to believe me; in other words, they will listen to me after I have established credibility.
Credibility equals comfort. When a customer (voter) feels comfortable with me, he also feels comfortable listening to me. THIS IS HALF THE JOB! When I have established credibility by understanding the customer’s plight, he is willing to listen to how my product can solve his problems. Now, here’s the next important point. I don’t sell my product, most of the time, because I have the best product on the market at the lowest price. Rather, I sell my product because I have credibility and I can show how my product fills an EMOTIONAL need of my customer. Though my product has perhaps dozens of physical and reason-oriented benefits to customers, they buy it for emotional reasons and get to enjoy the physical benefits as well. I succeed in selling when I have discovered the principle needs of the customer and have successfully shown the customer how my solution fulfills that need better than any other product on the market. In this way, they develop an attachment to the vision they have of how this product will help them AND they have developed an emotional relationship with me because I established my credibility. So once credibility is established, one must work toward knowing the deep emotional needs of the buyer.
I bring this up because of the suggestion that candidates establish websites. Websites are fantastic advertising tools. However, they can also be a way to lose potential voters right away. In my opinion, any website for a candidate should in every possible way make visitors welcome and feel “at home.” It’s when they feel at home, unthreatened, welcome, excited, happy, and see things to which they can respond, “Yes!” that will keep them and make them want to read more. When the web environment makes someone feel welcome, included, and happy or excited, they become comfortable with the candidate’s name and generate EMOTIONAL attachment to the candidate or, at least, to the website. Then they want to learn more.
IF THEY SEE DIVISIVE STATEMENTS, STATEMENTS OF ANGER, STATEMENTS OF FRUSTRATION OR STATEMENTS PROCLAIMING “ONLY I AM RIGHT,” they will be turned off – often even if they may agree with you on many issues. I am 100% sure that if you want a candidate website to be effective, it needs to have an emotional “grab.” It has to have some thing or some things that make people say to themselves, “I want to be a part of that,” or, ‘I want to be included in that,” or, “I want to have some of that.”
I think the website needs to show the person that you understand them at deeper levels. Anger with the uniparty, frustration with the current congress and general discontent are felt by many voters with regard to government and politics. But these are very base, surface emotions. Anger, frustration, and even hatred are shared by mobs who can vent their frustrations by getting together and having demonstrations. But I could never sell my product by showing my customer how angry I am about how poorly their last product purchase met their needs. Instead, I need to show them I understand why they are so upset (which establishes credibility and comfort) then show them how my product will better fulfill them. As a candidate, I need to show that I understand my fellow citizens and that I want to have a deeper connection than shared anger and frustration. They need to think we’re alike.
Think of it this way: Would the average person vote for himself? Yes. He would vote for himself because each person believes he has the answers. It is our duty as elected representatives, and our task as candidates, to show the voters how much alike we are. We need to have them pointing at us and saying, “He wants to solve the problems the same way I do.” Now, granted, there are some people and some issues with which that just won’t happen. But most people are libertarian at heart, they just don’t realize it. Your website and advertising is your chance to show the voters how much like them you are. Get them excited about voting for something they cannot disagree with. From there, the trip is downhill straight into the new office.
I am a entrepreneur here in Northwest Ohio. In order to survive, I must SELL my unusual product. I am a self-trained salesman and learn more each day about how this all works.
What I have learned is that selling a product, especially a high-end, unconventional product, is that half of the battle is first selling myself. Once I have sold myself to the customer, then I stand a chance at selling the product.
When it comes to running for office, it strikes me that exactly the same rules apply. The very first requirement to selling myself (or selling anything) is to sell credibility. I have to show my proposed constituents that I really know my stuff – that I understand the issues, difficulties, challenges, choices, and responsibilities with which I will be faced. (NOTE: understanding the issues is NOT the same as having a STANCE on the issues.) It is my belief that incumbents almost always win not just because of name recognition and rarely because the voters agree in principle with how that incumbent has performed. Rather, I think incumbents are reelected because they have credibility. They won the seat once and now they’re running again. The thought is, “I not only recognize his name, but I know that he has won and can win again.” Sad as it is, people like to vote for the winner, as if they were betting on a horserace. Similarly, those who have held other elective offices are perceived to be more credible candidates, even though there is not a shred of proof that that person will perform admirably or has any of the best skills for the new position.
Selling my credibility will be the biggest challenge in running against a two-term Republican Congressman in the Fifth District of Ohio. He gets to start out with 100% credibility AND name recognition throughout the district. I have to start out with zero credibility and near zero name recognition. UNTIL I ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY, VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL EVEN CARE ABOUT MY STANCE ON THE ISSUES.
When I am selling my product, I have to prove to the potential client that I understand their situation, their needs, and their wants. I have to show them that I am a professional who can comprehend and address their situation right away and ask intelligent questions of them to determine the best way to “solve their problems.” It is ONLY when they are completely comfortable with my credibility that they can really hear what I have to say about my product. In running for office, the same rules apply. Most people are not going to be impressed with my assertions about how to solve high-level problems UNTIL they have some reason to believe me; in other words, they will listen to me after I have established credibility.
Credibility equals comfort. When a customer (voter) feels comfortable with me, he also feels comfortable listening to me. THIS IS HALF THE JOB! When I have established credibility by understanding the customer’s plight, he is willing to listen to how my product can solve his problems. Now, here’s the next important point. I don’t sell my product, most of the time, because I have the best product on the market at the lowest price. Rather, I sell my product because I have credibility and I can show how my product fills an EMOTIONAL need of my customer. Though my product has perhaps dozens of physical and reason-oriented benefits to customers, they buy it for emotional reasons and get to enjoy the physical benefits as well. I succeed in selling when I have discovered the principle needs of the customer and have successfully shown the customer how my solution fulfills that need better than any other product on the market. In this way, they develop an attachment to the vision they have of how this product will help them AND they have developed an emotional relationship with me because I established my credibility. So once credibility is established, one must work toward knowing the deep emotional needs of the buyer.
I bring this up because of the suggestion that candidates establish websites. Websites are fantastic advertising tools. However, they can also be a way to lose potential voters right away. In my opinion, any website for a candidate should in every possible way make visitors welcome and feel “at home.” It’s when they feel at home, unthreatened, welcome, excited, happy, and see things to which they can respond, “Yes!” that will keep them and make them want to read more. When the web environment makes someone feel welcome, included, and happy or excited, they become comfortable with the candidate’s name and generate EMOTIONAL attachment to the candidate or, at least, to the website. Then they want to learn more.
IF THEY SEE DIVISIVE STATEMENTS, STATEMENTS OF ANGER, STATEMENTS OF FRUSTRATION OR STATEMENTS PROCLAIMING “ONLY I AM RIGHT,” they will be turned off – often even if they may agree with you on many issues. I am 100% sure that if you want a candidate website to be effective, it needs to have an emotional “grab.” It has to have some thing or some things that make people say to themselves, “I want to be a part of that,” or, ‘I want to be included in that,” or, “I want to have some of that.”
I think the website needs to show the person that you understand them at deeper levels. Anger with the uniparty, frustration with the current congress and general discontent are felt by many voters with regard to government and politics. But these are very base, surface emotions. Anger, frustration, and even hatred are shared by mobs who can vent their frustrations by getting together and having demonstrations. But I could never sell my product by showing my customer how angry I am about how poorly their last product purchase met their needs. Instead, I need to show them I understand why they are so upset (which establishes credibility and comfort) then show them how my product will better fulfill them. As a candidate, I need to show that I understand my fellow citizens and that I want to have a deeper connection than shared anger and frustration. They need to think we’re alike.
Think of it this way: Would the average person vote for himself? Yes. He would vote for himself because each person believes he has the answers. It is our duty as elected representatives, and our task as candidates, to show the voters how much alike we are. We need to have them pointing at us and saying, “He wants to solve the problems the same way I do.” Now, granted, there are some people and some issues with which that just won’t happen. But most people are libertarian at heart, they just don’t realize it. Your website and advertising is your chance to show the voters how much like them you are. Get them excited about voting for something they cannot disagree with. From there, the trip is downhill straight into the new office.
Victor Waken Declares to the LPO his intent in Ohio's 18th
I spoke with Victor Waken a few weeks ago about his run at office in 2010. I later posted that he was mulling over the information provided by the LPO and we were anxiously awaiting his decision. Well, the jury is in!
Victor will publically declare shortly, but has informed me that his run for office in Ohio's 18th is a done deal! We all wish Victor congratulations and cannot wait till the press release hits the media. As his campaign begins, stay tuned for website addresses and opportunities to help this US Navy representative bring liberty to Ohio's 18th.
Victor will publically declare shortly, but has informed me that his run for office in Ohio's 18th is a done deal! We all wish Victor congratulations and cannot wait till the press release hits the media. As his campaign begins, stay tuned for website addresses and opportunities to help this US Navy representative bring liberty to Ohio's 18th.
2009 Endorsed Libertarian Joyce Early is 'Full Steam Ahead' in Lorain
I recently spoke with Joyce Early in Loarin about the progress of her campaign for Lorain City Council. Her campaign is 'full steam ahead'. Joyce remains involved in community projects as well as campaigning door to door. Her campaign is planning a public 'revving up' as November approaches where her yard signs will dominate the landscape. Her website and biography can be seen at www.joyceearly.com. Please visit the page an support this endorsed Libertarian candidate.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2010 Candidate Contact Efforts Reveals the Horrible Economic State of Ohio
Over the past weekend, I have made every effort to contact candidates for 2010 to take inventory of their immediate needs. Long story short, several have dropped off of the radar, and in some cases out of the state, due to economic hardships. While we still have nearly 30 candidates with more contacting us each week, we all feel for those who are having a rough go of it in today's harsh enviornment.
The most we as Libertarians can do is to remind candidates falling on hard times that running for office is only one small thing that can be done to defend Liberty in Ohio. Please reach out to friends and family and contact http://www.lpo.org/ for more information about ways to make your voice heard in Ohio.
Each committee has need for volunteers to do 'busy work' that does not require one to spend a dime on gasoline or even leave the computer. Research and writting is a huge part of the LPO experience and the list of candidates needing this type of help is ever growing.
Again, please contact http://www.lpo.org/ or me directly at 614-266-2298 to discuss your low-impact volunteer activities.
The most we as Libertarians can do is to remind candidates falling on hard times that running for office is only one small thing that can be done to defend Liberty in Ohio. Please reach out to friends and family and contact http://www.lpo.org/ for more information about ways to make your voice heard in Ohio.
Each committee has need for volunteers to do 'busy work' that does not require one to spend a dime on gasoline or even leave the computer. Research and writting is a huge part of the LPO experience and the list of candidates needing this type of help is ever growing.
Again, please contact http://www.lpo.org/ or me directly at 614-266-2298 to discuss your low-impact volunteer activities.
Author of this Blog and LPO Candidate Committe Chair William (Butch) McDowall Issues an Essay on Libertarian Social Positions
Ron Paul was nearly drawn and quartered by his Republican Party at the mere suggestion that 911 was the result of “blowback”, the result of a decades long aggressive U.S. foreign policy. This notion is now all but mainstream and is a widely accepted public position today, even among conservatives.
Similarly, the idea that the relationship between Congress and the Federal Reserve is the single most destructive association in America, and possibly the world, was virtually an unknown concept ten years ago. The education of the populous regarding our monetary system is still deficient, but it is progressing.
Why is this? It is not as if Democrats began to see the evils in insuring poor people remain poor through their abuse of the Federal Reserve system, nor is it that Republicans suddenly decided to abandon their affection for invading countries whose residents are not white Christians. It is because Libertarianism is mainstream, which is where most Americans live their lives.
These above mentioned ideals were exclusive to Libertarian thought at one point. However, as the Republicans loose power, they are commandeering these messages. That is good, to the small degree that it brings the topics to discussion. It is bad because there is no chance that an elected Republican would act out from self interest to shepherd reform legislature through Congress, with the noted exception of Ron Paul.
It is my opinion that there is ZERO chance of any Libertarian winning office in any race above the municipal level that does not place the Libertarian social policy front and center. And yes, I do mean in front of the Libertarian position of conservative fiscal responsibility. (I will pause while you catch your breath and get a cold glass of water). A recent article described the Libertarian Party as the “attack Chihuahuas of the Republican Party”. While I do not agree, I understand where that perception comes from.
“Pragmatism” is a buzzword being used frequently by Libertarians. It describes the idea of branding ourselves as mainstream and stiff-arming those who seek to return the Libertarian Party to a glorified debate society. However, it is important to insure that the word “Pragmatic” does not become interchangeable with the phrase “Like Republicans would do it”.
Here are examples of proper use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when lobbying Republican and Democratic committee leaders when dealing with ballot access issues.
- We must be pragmatic in deciding who receives the limited contributions we can make to Libertarian candidates based on their chances of success.
- We must be pragmatic when selecting Party leaders based on their abilities to get things done.
Here are examples of poor use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when dealing with the drug issue, because that will not be popular with some voters.
- We must be pragmatic when attracting candidates to make sure they are middle of the road conservatives who are much like major party candidates.
- We must be pragmatic in our efforts to reach out to gay and minority communities because visibly aligning ourselves with controversial groups will irritate traditional voters.
As you can see, the words “like Republicans would do it” is completely interchangeable with “pragmatic” in the second example list.
Elections will not be won in Ohio by saying, “We’re fiscally conservative.” or by saying, “We’re really fiscally conservative” nor by saying “We’re really, really fiscally conservative” and not even by blurting out “Audit the FED!” Elections at the State and Local level will only be won once we as a party and our candidates become comfortable in our own skin.
- Show me candidates that say that the war on drugs is actually a war on the poor and blacks in America and drug laws are designed to control and incarcerate as many of them as possible.
- Show me candidates that will say that government has no business in the institution of marriage.
- Show me candidates that say that there are two political parties in Ohio: The Libertarian Party and the Incumbent Party, and point out the statistic that between 94-99% of all Federal elections result in incumbent wins.
- Show me candidates that take our social agenda and demonstrate that each position is mainstream to voters.
- Show me all of that and secondarily a message of fiscal responsibility, and I will show you wins at the ballot box. Without an interlaced progressive and tolerant social agenda front and center, we will appear to be “Republican concentrate”. True, we will not be the old style “debate society”, but the end result at the ballot box will forever be pretty much the same.
William (Butch) McDowall
Chair, Candidates and Campaign Committee
Libertarian Party of Ohio
Similarly, the idea that the relationship between Congress and the Federal Reserve is the single most destructive association in America, and possibly the world, was virtually an unknown concept ten years ago. The education of the populous regarding our monetary system is still deficient, but it is progressing.
Why is this? It is not as if Democrats began to see the evils in insuring poor people remain poor through their abuse of the Federal Reserve system, nor is it that Republicans suddenly decided to abandon their affection for invading countries whose residents are not white Christians. It is because Libertarianism is mainstream, which is where most Americans live their lives.
These above mentioned ideals were exclusive to Libertarian thought at one point. However, as the Republicans loose power, they are commandeering these messages. That is good, to the small degree that it brings the topics to discussion. It is bad because there is no chance that an elected Republican would act out from self interest to shepherd reform legislature through Congress, with the noted exception of Ron Paul.
It is my opinion that there is ZERO chance of any Libertarian winning office in any race above the municipal level that does not place the Libertarian social policy front and center. And yes, I do mean in front of the Libertarian position of conservative fiscal responsibility. (I will pause while you catch your breath and get a cold glass of water). A recent article described the Libertarian Party as the “attack Chihuahuas of the Republican Party”. While I do not agree, I understand where that perception comes from.
“Pragmatism” is a buzzword being used frequently by Libertarians. It describes the idea of branding ourselves as mainstream and stiff-arming those who seek to return the Libertarian Party to a glorified debate society. However, it is important to insure that the word “Pragmatic” does not become interchangeable with the phrase “Like Republicans would do it”.
Here are examples of proper use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when lobbying Republican and Democratic committee leaders when dealing with ballot access issues.
- We must be pragmatic in deciding who receives the limited contributions we can make to Libertarian candidates based on their chances of success.
- We must be pragmatic when selecting Party leaders based on their abilities to get things done.
Here are examples of poor use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when dealing with the drug issue, because that will not be popular with some voters.
- We must be pragmatic when attracting candidates to make sure they are middle of the road conservatives who are much like major party candidates.
- We must be pragmatic in our efforts to reach out to gay and minority communities because visibly aligning ourselves with controversial groups will irritate traditional voters.
As you can see, the words “like Republicans would do it” is completely interchangeable with “pragmatic” in the second example list.
Elections will not be won in Ohio by saying, “We’re fiscally conservative.” or by saying, “We’re really fiscally conservative” nor by saying “We’re really, really fiscally conservative” and not even by blurting out “Audit the FED!” Elections at the State and Local level will only be won once we as a party and our candidates become comfortable in our own skin.
- Show me candidates that say that the war on drugs is actually a war on the poor and blacks in America and drug laws are designed to control and incarcerate as many of them as possible.
- Show me candidates that will say that government has no business in the institution of marriage.
- Show me candidates that say that there are two political parties in Ohio: The Libertarian Party and the Incumbent Party, and point out the statistic that between 94-99% of all Federal elections result in incumbent wins.
- Show me candidates that take our social agenda and demonstrate that each position is mainstream to voters.
- Show me all of that and secondarily a message of fiscal responsibility, and I will show you wins at the ballot box. Without an interlaced progressive and tolerant social agenda front and center, we will appear to be “Republican concentrate”. True, we will not be the old style “debate society”, but the end result at the ballot box will forever be pretty much the same.
William (Butch) McDowall
Chair, Candidates and Campaign Committee
Libertarian Party of Ohio
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