I hope to have the essay below published in the June/July 'Buckeye Libertarian':
Has anyone noticed that Tax Day is about as far away from Election Day as possible on the calendar? There’s a reason for that phenomenon and it was on display in each city throughout Ohio on April 15th, 2009. At the risk of crediting CNBC financial analyst Rick Santelli with starting the modern Tea Party movement, it was his on-air rant during the firestorm of the most recent stock market collapse that sent concerned citizens to ‘Facebook’, ‘Meetup’ and ‘Linkedin’ among other social networking sites, to organize their own political protests.
Politicians from both major political parties have adopted the same disregard for the rule of law as well as for those who elected them to office. While the official platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties may describe ideological differences between them, the actions of their elected officials have made them indiscernible from one another. The homogeneousness goes deeper than their communal social intolerances, ‘tax and spend’ fiscal policies and an apparent bipartisan affection for war. Leaders of both major political parties have launched a unified effort to extort the livelihood from the American taxpayer and retain power over them though fear and unconstitutional laws.
Tea Parties across America on April 15th showed us that Americans are beginning to understand that neither the Republicans or Democrats are singularly to blame, but more importantly, neither major political party is likely to craft a viable solution. When people are abused, however that violation occurs, the first step to recovery is to say: ‘Enough! We can argue over who’s to blame, who’s right and who has the solution shortly, but for right now Just Stop!’
Throughout these times, the Libertarian Party has remained constant. Libertarians do not lick their fingers to test the direction of political winds. The Libertarian Party of Ohio supporters attended and participated in the events of April 15th, but we know that very little is likely to change unless another choice is offered at the ballot box in 2009, 2010, 2011 and the years beyond. Change is available to Ohioans, but not in the form of crafty bumper stickers and stylish T-shirts. For change to work, policies must make sense and not seek to divide Americans into warring camps. Real political change is rooted in the spirit of America as manifested in the articles of our State and Federal Constitutions. That is what the Libertarian Party of Ohio has to offer.
Join us as we save Ohio. We will volunteer, we will rally, we will spread Liberty and whenever possible, we will contribute. But we will work within the legal framework of the law to achieve these ends.
What is needed right now are Ohioans with courage. Can you vote outside of the two party system that has a stranglehold on Ohio and your country? Will you believe that a vote for a major party candidate is ultimately a forfeit of your Liberty? It takes courage to change. Vote for and Support Libertarian Candidates for Office. Watch what happens. You will be proud. That’s an election promise Ohio can believe in.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
John Ridder, Libertarian Candidate in St. Paris is Published
John has started an organization in St. Paris, Ohio that aims to raise funds equal to the funds given to Champaign county for infrastructure imporvements so that the meager federal dollars sent to the rurual county can be shipped back with a 'thanks, but no thanks' note attached. Below is John's published letter in the Urbana newspaper.
Stimulus Transportation Funds
By John Ridder, Libertarian Candidate for St. Paris Township trustee
The name of our group is OUT-CAST: Ohio United Taxpayers Campaigning Against Stimulus & TARP.
We believe the stimulus and TARP programs are a terrible idea, but since both happened in spite of taxpayer opposition, we demand the goals of both be achieved. Our mission is to raise local funds to eliminate the need to accept the $49,700 transportation stimulus money designated to Champaign County, Ohio and demand more equitable funding from state and federal government. If you share our sense of outrage that less than $50,000 came back to Champaign County out of hundreds of billions of stimulus money (our tax dollars) being spent to “create or save” jobs, that our representative government is failing to represent us, we ask for your support to help us send that message to Columbus and Washington. Donations to this cause may be made at Peoples Savings Bank in Urbana (both 10 Monument Square and 618 Scioto St.) to OUT-CAST. Ideally, if each adult in Champaign County gives $1.25, we will reach our goal. Our group’s intent is communicate two main points to the State of Ohio and the U.S. federal government by rejecting the $49,700 transportation stimulus money in full view of the massmedia
1. The amount of stimulus transportation dollars designated by the State of Ohio for Champaign County is completely inequitable in relation to the $774,000,000 sent back to Ohio from Washington to be used for “shovel ready” transportation projects. This discrimination at the hands of our State government is not new. Champaign County, Ohio is the larger of two remaining counties in Ohio without a limited access highway passing through it. The structure of the non-elected TRAC (The Transportation Review Advisory Council) makes it a tool of Ohio’s metro areas and its supposedly “fair” criteria in choosing what transportation projects get funded, forever delegates Champaign County to “third world” status in Ohio.
2. The benefit of these so-called transit stimulus dollars…one handicap van, some maintenance dollars for oil changes, and a pressure washer, hardly justify the mortgaging of the future of Champaign County’s children.
Mr. President, Governor Strickland, please show us how this is good for our community. If Champaign County is any example of how these “shovel ready” transportation projects are being funded Mr. President, your plan is going to fail.
Champaign County has had a “shovel ready” highway project ready for over 50 years, the U.S. Route 68 Bypass. The County Engineer is sitting on a $2 million earmark for this project and the local community has $1 million set aside in matching dollars. Rights of ways are secured, environmental impact studies (EAS) were done (though the foot dragging by the State of Ohio and bureaucratic rules, which could be waived, seem to point to doing a third EAS).
President Obama, Governor Strickland, if you have any sense of equity, you will not waste another transportation dollar on sound barriers along highways and railroads, fancy decorated artwork in the concrete on bridges, or other non-pavement capital expenses until every Ohio county has a proper divided highway connecting it with its communities of interest. Prove you want to create or save jobs here in Champaign County.
John Ridder of rural St.Paris is organizer of OUT-CAST.
Stimulus Transportation Funds
By John Ridder, Libertarian Candidate for St. Paris Township trustee
The name of our group is OUT-CAST: Ohio United Taxpayers Campaigning Against Stimulus & TARP.
We believe the stimulus and TARP programs are a terrible idea, but since both happened in spite of taxpayer opposition, we demand the goals of both be achieved. Our mission is to raise local funds to eliminate the need to accept the $49,700 transportation stimulus money designated to Champaign County, Ohio and demand more equitable funding from state and federal government. If you share our sense of outrage that less than $50,000 came back to Champaign County out of hundreds of billions of stimulus money (our tax dollars) being spent to “create or save” jobs, that our representative government is failing to represent us, we ask for your support to help us send that message to Columbus and Washington. Donations to this cause may be made at Peoples Savings Bank in Urbana (both 10 Monument Square and 618 Scioto St.) to OUT-CAST. Ideally, if each adult in Champaign County gives $1.25, we will reach our goal. Our group’s intent is communicate two main points to the State of Ohio and the U.S. federal government by rejecting the $49,700 transportation stimulus money in full view of the massmedia
1. The amount of stimulus transportation dollars designated by the State of Ohio for Champaign County is completely inequitable in relation to the $774,000,000 sent back to Ohio from Washington to be used for “shovel ready” transportation projects. This discrimination at the hands of our State government is not new. Champaign County, Ohio is the larger of two remaining counties in Ohio without a limited access highway passing through it. The structure of the non-elected TRAC (The Transportation Review Advisory Council) makes it a tool of Ohio’s metro areas and its supposedly “fair” criteria in choosing what transportation projects get funded, forever delegates Champaign County to “third world” status in Ohio.
2. The benefit of these so-called transit stimulus dollars…one handicap van, some maintenance dollars for oil changes, and a pressure washer, hardly justify the mortgaging of the future of Champaign County’s children.
Mr. President, Governor Strickland, please show us how this is good for our community. If Champaign County is any example of how these “shovel ready” transportation projects are being funded Mr. President, your plan is going to fail.
Champaign County has had a “shovel ready” highway project ready for over 50 years, the U.S. Route 68 Bypass. The County Engineer is sitting on a $2 million earmark for this project and the local community has $1 million set aside in matching dollars. Rights of ways are secured, environmental impact studies (EAS) were done (though the foot dragging by the State of Ohio and bureaucratic rules, which could be waived, seem to point to doing a third EAS).
President Obama, Governor Strickland, if you have any sense of equity, you will not waste another transportation dollar on sound barriers along highways and railroads, fancy decorated artwork in the concrete on bridges, or other non-pavement capital expenses until every Ohio county has a proper divided highway connecting it with its communities of interest. Prove you want to create or save jobs here in Champaign County.
John Ridder of rural St.Paris is organizer of OUT-CAST.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Welcome Austin Nichols and a New Look For the 'Buckeye Libertarian' Newsletter
The ‘Buckeye Libertarian’ will take on a new look late this summer. Please help us all welcome Austin Nichols to the ranks of Libertarian news contributors. Austin is a Journalism student at The Ohio State University and will serve as co-editor and contributor to the ‘Buckeye Libertarian’ newsletter. Austin is being groomed to become the sole editor for the newsletter as well as hone his skills to fill the role of Communications Director. Good luck Austin, and we’re all behind you!
The LPO Welcomes Scott Casey
Scott Casey has joined the Campaign and Candidate’s Committee. Scott works for the Franklin County Courts and is a dedicated Libertarian. Scott is anxious to work with candidates and you all might receive a call from him in the near future. While the LPO is encouraged and energized by the 30 candidates that intend to run in 2010, we understand that number might fluctuate slightly due to the poor economy and other unforseen life-changing events. Scott will help us sort out the field and help to assign candidates to the individual committee members to provide an easy contact point for each Libertarian running for office.
Andrew Rehner - Leadership for Ohio's 74th.
Andrew Rehner is prepared to bring his business experience to the table in his quest to win election in Ohio’s 74th district. Andrew may have had the quote of the week when he wrote: ” I would like to affect a change in American politics at the grass roots level.That being said, I have been interested in the Libertarian party since the first election that I voted in 1976. My belief is that any real effective change begins at the local level.I have arrived at a time in my life where it has become more important to me to focus my energy on personal goals vs. business or monetary ones.” Andrew assures that fundraising and self-promotion will be the last of his problems during his race in 2010. All the same, we will support him in every way possible as he looks to bring Liberty to Delta, Ohio.
Angela Williams Holds Fundraiser in Marion
Angela Williams, candidate for Marion City Council, held her first fundraiser. In attendance were friends, family and various LPO supporters, yours truly included. Also in attendance was Marion City Council President candidate Spencer Phelps. We all wish the both of them luck as they represent an excellent chance for Libertarians to make inroads into the Democratic Party controlled City of Marion.
Casey Borders Starts Off the 2010 Fundraising Season
Casey Borders wins the race to the Secretary of State’s office. Casey just filed his ‘Declaration of Treasurer’ document that will permit him to seek and spend money on his campaign to win the 31st. Ohio House district race. Casey is ready to get started with his first fundraising activities this summer. I guess that officially begins the 2010 fundraising season!
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