Eric Sundwall

Dear Elizabeth Benjamin,

I demand a correction of an error in the newspaper today.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/storyprint.asp?StoryID=476897

In "Libertarians endorse Weld Contender for GOP governor embraces
ballot line, but not all issues of party" By ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, you
wrote:

I am profoundly disappointed that today the solid majority of the convention of the Libertarian Party of New York chose to step back from becoming coalition partners in an anti-war and anti-patriot act movement that, without their participation, will remain far too easy for the government and media to discredit as the domain of left-wing anti-Americans. Instead the LPNY chose to tread water (at best) with an independent candidacy featuring an unknown person with no recognition in, or access to, the media and general public, or work history within the aforementioned movements, who has never before run for office, and who will now be in competition, rather than in cooperation with, other peace & civil liberties candidates. It underscores the previous day's inaction by the LPNY, which, although gathered in Albany for the state convention and regularly reminding itself (and nobody else) of its anti-war position, declined the invitation to participate in a city-wide anti-war march and rally that was being amply covered by the mainstream media and actually contained one young Libertarian who would have liked to meet you. The famed invisibility of the LPNY within the movements that share many of its causes was preserved, which seems to be the real goal of many of its most active members.

The TU's Ms. Benjamin was at the convention and I didn't pester her about our campaign. Her focus seemed to be on bigger fish and I let her do her job. I was happy to provide a clarification about the NOTA acronym and will use my Silberger card later on down the campaign trail.

The much anticipated LPNY convention in Albany was held on Saturday. Former Governor of Massachusetts William Weld cracked a nut that may have national implications. If Mr. Weld gets the Republican nod this endorsement may go far in replacing the Conservative Party as one of NY's kingmakers. The next few months will be interesting.

Sam Sloan sent this email out today.

I wish to become the Libertarian Party Candidate for Governor of New
York State

With the convention coming up, I wish to declare that I am seeking the
Libertarian Party Nomination for Governor of New York State.

People usually like my writing rather then speaking . . . so we'll put it here first and video later.

The Supreme Court decision in neighboring Connecticut last year was shocking to the average American.

Perhaps it will be good for democracy. NY will determine how your property is treated. Make New York listen.

Here's my take on the day . . .

The NYLP held an Eminent Domain rally at the capital today. Good weather and spirits replaced some trepidation about the sound system and hosted many of the statewide candidates.

Future note for downstaters. The last thing our upstate lifestyle does on a gorgeous Friday afternoon is attend a rally at the Capitol. You might get folks near Lark or Tulipfests and the weekend.

Battery lesson learned today. Thanks dude from across the river.

The TU won't even publlish our blog responses.

There's some good stuff out there countering the silly ideas both 'top' dogs seem to be spouting.

Word on the street is that Ms. Benjamin will be at the LPNY convention on Saturday.
Maybe we can make a solid impression.

Here's some more stuff on 'gouging'. We do agree that all gov't subsidy should be stopped.

You'd think the peacenik types at Bard-land would throw us a bone. Nope.

They've come out endorsing Gillibrand.

Our response follows.

RDPIOP President Raymond Smalley wrote:

> During this darkened age, it is essential that one be politically positive. It is also imperative that one shed the irritable coat of modern politics in favor of an affirmative fiber, which has made America beautiful.

According to Maury Thonpson at the PostStar;

Emily's List, a national political organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates, endorsed Kirsten Gillibrand's congressional campaign on Thursday.

The organization has more than 100,000 members nationwide, of which about 10,800 live in New York.

Every county sets a rate for the cost of the voter roll in digital format. The top dogs probably get a copy gratis from the taxpayers servants. Here's what you pay per county if you're not 'connected'

Columbia County $45

If asked, LBT candidate Eric Sundwall, will disclose his 2005 tax return.

Sundwall also indicated that the alternative minimum tax is not only unfair (like most taxation) but that it will also continue to fund the occupation of Iraq.

He said, 'Taxpayers have been asked to foot the bill for an illegal occupation of another country. The nine trillion dollar debt and its burden placed on future generations is absurd. All candidates need to speak out against this travesty.'

Mr. Sundwall will continue to act in a full capacity at Old Kinderhook Integrated, the company he helped found in Columbia County over 12 years ago.

'I will continue to service our customers and campaign rigorously in a media and party rigged system.'

Mr. Sundwall plans to attend this Saturdays Anti-War rally in Plattsburgh and will make his official campaign announcement at next week's Eminent Domain Rally at the Capitol next week.

Things might be getting ugly in NY's 20th.

What would a certain effort do without the incumbant to vilify and attack ?
Issues might come to light after all.

Look for a committee appointment if 'ol John still has that GOP strong arm to lift.

Troubled with the state of Democracy in America ?

We're asking supporters to write letters to the TU & Independent asking them to cover this campaign.
Pleas from the candidate and campaign often fall on deaf ears, but readers count !

It's a slow political week, so it's a good time to do it.

Look for Eric on Brooklyn's CATV tommorrow night.

After tommorrow it might be available through the Hardfire.net link.

We'll be uploading it at google video, myspace and youtube, hopefully.

An effort that simply beats up the incumbent is truly short on ideas. Our plan to release policy 'white papers' throughout the campaign should provide enough substance for the elites to take notice. For mere pennies on the comparative dollar, we'll prove that ideas have greater power then simple numbers. Perhaps a public education is equal to an institution based on the exploitation

One hundred and fifty years ago an aspiring periodical would have covered a local business man seeking a seat in Congress. Today labels and electoral inevitability only require reporting all the 'Benjamins'. As discouraging as this reality may be, it is also heartening when one thinks of possible alternatives. Fortunately voters are not as pliable as some would like to think. The reality is that insiders are.
A recent conversation with a Pataki insider revealed an attitude about one of our democratic opponents. The individual in question acknowledged our campaign as a result of some media coverage and completely dismissed the grassroots efforts of those individuals opposing the remnants of the Albany machine.
People are truly tired of politics as usual and will respond to a choice at the polls. The goal of this campaign is to make some excitement in the streets, not please the pliant scriveners of the corporate media mainstays. As we travel to anti-war rallies, music festivals and other community events we'll talk to people and hopefully inspire some hope in this process. We may even see an endorsement from candidates who go down in their party's primary.
Our endorsement this week from the Capitol District LP will help the 69% of Americans who are not happy with Congress have a voice in November. We're only 3500 petition signatures away from that choice. Unfortunately we can't start until July 11 and must finish before the end of August. We need to average almost 100 signatures a day smack dab in the middle of summer.
Our success or failure will be telling for our democracy message. As some would discourage or keep out competitors we seek to only open the process and press on to that fateful day. If you support underdogs, we need heroes like you. Signatures, blogging or even a couple bag lunches instead of an expensive lunch out will help the cause.

An effort that simply beats up the incumbent is truly short on ideas. Our plan to release policy 'white papers' throughout the campaign should provide enough substance for the elites to take notice. For mere pennies on the comparative dollar, we'll prove that ideas have greater power then simple numbers.

One hundred and fifty years ago an aspiring periodical would have covered a local business man seeking a seat in Congress. Today labels and electoral inevitability only require reporting all the 'Benjamins'. As discouraging as this reality may be, it is also heartening when one thinks of possible alternatives. Fortunately voters are not as pliable as some would like to think. The reality is that insiders are.

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2006.

The Sundwall for Congress campaign announced the candidate’s endorsement by the Hudson Valley and Capitol District chapters of the New York Libertarian Party. According to the party’s bylaws, these two ‘active’ chapters are necessary for the 20th district. He received the Hudson Valley endorsement on April 4th and the Capitol District’s on the 11th. He now needs 3500 signatures over the course of the petitioning period in July and August in order to be on the ballot in November.

The Sundwall for Congress campaign will make a press release about the endorsement and other matters for Wed. April 12.

Technically he will be the first candidate for the NYLP.

Government has always sought to legitimize taxation based on the fear that its absence will endanger the security and utility of its citizens. Libertarians believe that government should be drastically reduced, if not eliminated. Recognizing that most voters will not accept this notion, this candidate need not conform to promising money or projects. In an offer of compromise and good conscience however, a national sales tax of 1-5% would be proposed to meet the basic needs of defense, infrastructure and care of the indigent. This would provide a smooth transition to demystifying the government. Income and property tax could eventually be eliminated. Future generations will be left with over eight trillion dollars of debt. Spending must be reduced regardless of your ideology or party affiliation. A Libertarian can say and vote "no" to bloated budgets and special interests.

Ballot Access - Third parties are denied access to representation in the United States universally. Archaic rules and a system that determines the winner by the largest percentage of votes (winner takes all) is unjust. Instant run-off voting and proportional representation could establish a greater democracy. Reforms like initiative and referendum could be used to curb and limit government.

Iraq A declaration of war by Congress for an armed conflict with a nation state or sovereign country should be the only meaning of war. Withdraw immediately and let the burden of that responsibility rest with the two major parties who started it.

In revealing piece that might as well been a blog entry, Dr. Chartock of WAMC implicitly endorsed political new comer Kristen Gillibrand.

We'll remind Mr. Trippi of a glaring weakness in his other general argument. His revolution will never take place as long as two parties dominate the process. Their institutional and monetary power is here to stay for a while. This little campaign can't fight the carpetbagger with the corporate war chest or the all around numbers rich incumbent. It can raise a defiant fist.

The Libertarian Leadership Institute is asking all attendees to read Joe Trippi's book, The Revolution will not be Televised as an example of successful grassroots campaigns that utilizes the Internet. Along with personal grooming and other erstwhile pursuits, we'll see if they produce a leader in this cycle. Having read the book and the recent announcement that Mr. Trippi will be in our backyard this season to help rocker John Hall take on Sue Kelly in the 19th, we must take Mr. Trippi to task about his view on healthcare.

This arrived in the mailbox this week. Our reponse is included.

Dear Mr. Sundwall:
I read Jake Palmateer's story in this morning's Daily Star about your joining the race for John Sweeney's seat in the 20th Congressional District. I live in the 24th, although my mailing address is still in Harpersfield where I lived for ten years.

I'm writing to ask you to pledge in your program to vote to eliminate depleted uranium munitions from the United States military arsenal and to promise to vote to bring home promptly and unconditionally all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

We'll remind Mr. Trippi of a glaring weakness in his other general argument. His revolution will never take place as long as two parties dominate the process. Their institutional and monetary power is here to stay for a while. This little campaign can't fight the carpetbagger with the corporate war chest or the all around numbers rich incumbent. It can raise a defiant fist.

The Libertarian Leadership Institute is asking all attendees to read Joe Trippi's book, The Revolution will not be Televised as an example of successful grassroots campaigns that utilizes the Internet. Along with personal grooming and other erstwhile pursuits, we'll see if they produce a leader in this cycle. Having read the book and the recent announcement that Mr. Trippi will be in our backyard this season to help rocker John Hall take on Sue Kelly in the 19th, we must take Mr. Trippi to task about his view on healthcare.

The Hudson Valley chapter of NY's Libertarian Party endorsed Eric Sundwall for NY's 20th Congressional district.
According to the party by-laws, he need only get the Capitol District endorsement next Tues (April 11th) in order to be the nominee. Kim Dsouza was endorsed for NY's 41st State Senate seat (far right in tie).

Mr. Neal was kind enough to respond to our open letter of March 18th.

Thank you for acknowledging my journal entry on the Daily Kos. Yes, I am not pleased about the fact that Kirsten Gillibrand, the expected Democratic nominee, is still supporting the war efforts even after numerous people have URGED her to change her position.

Niverville special correspondent Roy Smalling submitted this story to the campaign.

Libertarian Candidates For Congress Meet and Greet in Valatie

Valatie, NY – On April 3, 2006 Libertarian party candidates seeking their party’s nomination in the congressional and senatorial primaries met in an old fashioned “meet and greet” at Four Brothers in Valatie. Senate Candidate, Jeff Russell and Congressional candidate, Eric Sundwall, hosted the event, which focused upon the candidates’ specific, individual viewpoints and the view and philosophy of the Libertarian Party in contemporary society.

Eric Sundwall met with a group of supporters Monday April 3 at Four Brothers Restaurant in Valatie, NY. The campaign has crossed another milestone. The crowd was mostly supportive of Eric’s open government philosophy and his “Back to the Constitution” message. The ideas he shared with other folks from this part of this 20th district and were well received. Believe it or not, we were not surprised to see that the Bush-Sweeney message of “All war – All the time” isn’t ringing true with voters in this area.

The event was not your garden variety candidate meet-up. The ideologies shared with us by the attendees ranged from hardcore “live & let live” Libertarians to big D Democrats to former Conservative party glitterati.

The Libertarians, Conservatives and Democrats are beginning to sing from the same hymnal regarding the Sweeney – Bush factory of lies and half-truths. It is cool to see people coalesce around human decency and honesty as hallmarks of a leader.

The financial powerhouses of the party and the candidate broke bread (well actually pizza) together this evening and afterward Federal Election Commission standards and tactics were discussed. Eric’s ability to raise funds this early in the election cycle must certainly be worth noting when sizing up an upset this fall.

Are we in for an upset of the spoiler? If Eric can beat Gillibrand AND Sweeney it would be the sweetest win since George Mason making it to the Final 4.

Voters within the 20th CD are already getting calls from pollsters about their possible choices in November. Most people will not remember the polling group or agency that called them. Thus it becomes next to impossible to determine who commissioned what poll. A recent story had a poll including only the current Congressman and the Democrat with the biggest war chest. If all the candidates are not in a poll, unfair advantage is given to those who are. Thus, when debates or primaries are discussed only the hand picked choices of the two gangs in power will ever see the light of day.