Eric Sundwall

Congresswoman Gillibrand has suddenly seen the light with regard to fiscal responsibility. Apparently our freshman Congress person feels like proposing a balanced budget amendment as part of her valuable time in the Washington.

While Kirsten may pay lip service to the obvious problems of a 9 trillion dollar debt, little examination is placed on the area of unfunded future mandates (that tune runs over 50 trillion by some conservative estimates). On the campaign trail last year she was touting an Apollo like project for alternative Energy and promising a host of provisions for health care etc. So far she's supported subsidized agri-business (dairy compact) and wage price controls (minimum wage) and there's probably no end to the goodies list her progressive supporters demand on a daily basis. Aside from the general economic theories of debt (see after the jump), one can easily point to another 120 billion wasted in Iraq as part of an effort to placate conservative voters in the district. Will there be any future candidate willing to support lower spending, rather than a convoluted constitutional process ? Unless yours truly considers another bid (that post coming soon) it's doubtful the GOP will field such a candidate. After all, Sandy Treadwell is all about other people's money too.

Chairman Robert (Mike) Duncan,

I recently received a spiffy packet from your organization with a large picture of the President and the First Lady. You state;

I hope you are proud to receive the enclosed personalized photograph of [the] President . .

Considering that I have never been enrolled as a Republican, I did find this outreach somewhat curious rather than a source of pride. The fact that I currently serve on the Libertarian National Committee doesn't entitle me to the expectation that you know who I am. None the less, I am taking this opportunity to write back and return the contents with a request that you consider joining our party in an effort to reduce government, withdraw from Iraq and promote the ideals of the free market.

As you may know former Congressman Bob Barr recently accepted a position on the LNC for what we call Region 4. As you know, Mr. Barr was formerly a Republican. His steadfast belief in personal freedom and the harm of an ever increasing encroaching Federal government has caused him to work closely with the ACLU and recently the Marijuana Policy Project. While you have;

. . no doubt that our nation is safer, freer and more prosperous today because George W. Bush is our President.

I do. Aside from any non-interventionist assumptions that I could make as Libertarian ( and the corresponding accusations of isolationism one must suffer ), I believe your support for Mr. Bush has fundamentally put America at risk strategically and financially. That fact that 'libertarian' oriented voters and the Party itself, has placed Democrats in power in the Congress should in no way absolve many of those who now seek to replace him.

I'm a Republican, but she is working hard for the farmer," and that is more important than politics, Hanselman said.

This recent quote in an upstate paper says a lot about the state of the country. It belies the fundamental misunderstanding that Congresswoman Gillibrand has about economics and the value she places on politics. As a good libertarian it doesn't require too much digging to find elucidation of why subsidies and price controls don't work. Not that they are bad per se or justified based on some other valuation or purpose. Simply that they don't work.

I knew I was in trouble when three deputies and one State police officer where surrounded again by three and five various representatives from County agencies at a table with another two or three residents of the community. Supervisor McGivney indicated he would give opportunity for everyone assembled from various agencies to introduce themselves and explain what type of work that they do and what services were available to families in need. Doug (the Town's Supervisor) asked that they consider a fictional scenario where a 15 year old breaks a car window and it is soon discovered that the kid's mother is inside drunk on the couch. This lead to variety of talk about parents unable to cope and various resources available and other statist tripe ad naseum that made me wondered why this panel of expertise and stormtroopers had descended on the little hamlet that I grew up in. My quality of life is not being threatened by a few rowdy youth, but the entire apparatus of the 'State' that feels it can manage the lives of individuals better than we can. I just found out about this stuff yesterday and I live in the middle of the place !

A buddy of mine once asked, what question would I ask George Will if given the opportunity. His wife is a good friend of the gal who married Will's son and he was going to a marriage ritual of some sort with Mr. Will in attendance. I told him to ask Will whether you could be a Conservative and an anarchist at the same time. In my own personal estimation one presumably could, if simply enrolled to vote as such and otherwise held a belief that government had no place in my life. Of course Will ultimately scoffed at the notion expressing the historical impossibility of such a claim. The yearning of conservatism requires hero's like Ronald Reagan for people like Will. He gave a quick speech ahead of Mitt Romney at last week's CPAC gathering and there was a lot of media noise about this event in general.

What always amazes me about these events are the amount of people who can afford or get paid to attend such events. All these folks so far removed from the necessity of bodily employ or otherwise useful economic behavior. Somehow the Michelle Malkin's and Ann Coulter's of the world can hawk books and their cult of personality to a select core who compromise their meal ticket. A Coulter book on average only sells 90K amount of copies (from what I once saw on CSPAN, can't find hard facts quick in this case). The reality is that she'd just making sure those sales keep going up amongst the faithful who cheered on her vulgar remark about John Edwards.

My wife has been urging me to move back to the village of Kinderhook where she grew up. It's an ancient Dutch village in upstate NY that has grown in charming ways throughout the Republic's course. I'm happy 5 miles over in Niverville where our old houses are free to be modified without the insidious over sight of a citizen board seeking to 'preserve' history at my property's expense. In fact one of the earliest citizens of Niverville and subsequently Kinderhook never did the incorporation for Niverville and to this day has left it to the greater municipal functions of the larger town. If I were to want to move anywhere, it would be Hopkinton, NH. It's just outside Concord where I was this weekend to revel in the success of the Free State Project. It to is a charming colonial village just outside the State's capital. Just like home in general, but closer to one of the more exciting political experiments of the Century. Why move across town when you can strive for Liberty with like minded individuals ? It's a question I keep asking myself.
I can't say that John Stossel is on my A-list of authors or commentators, but the promise of him and Congressman Ron Paul is bound to bring in quite a bit of excitement and all types of liberty folk. Indeed, prior to getting up there on Saturday the news that Michael Badnarik, had endorsed Ron Paul another former LP Presidential candidate had trickled into the blogs and was immediately known to the crew at Free Talk Live who announced it on the air. There was even talk that Paul might announce for the presidency on Sunday. While I was happy home with the wife and kids, the promise of these events only three hours away was too much to resist. This about the best it gets for the Liberty effort in America. I love the Free State Project.

This site is officially one year old today. I've recently re-registered the domain name, not to maintain a vainglorious re-attempt at Congress, but to fashion a permanent protest to the powers to be. We still get on average about 300 visitors a day. Others have also suggested I keep the site up. After refraining from multiple reactions on the Capital Confidential blog to both Hillary and the newly elected Congresswomen from the 20th, this forum will be as good as any to react in a 'libertarian' fashion rather than a right wing hatchet job. It will also be separate from more high-ended thought pursuits and commentary.

I have numerous problems with Gillibrand's conception of alternative energy, minimum wage, the re-unionization of America and a real tepid stance on the 'war' in Iraq. It will also be a good launching point against the NY times hagiography of the new Congressperson. Most likely the minions of the former Congressman can only take swipes and laughs at the most superficial aspects of the current office holder, as they did during the campaign. It's my hope that loyal readers of this site will endeavor to question many aspects of government and those that represent us.

Back in seminary one of my big papers was about the 1962 dispute between the U.S. and the EU involving 'broilers', conveniently packaged chickens still popular in most households. It was dubbed the 'chicken war' and involved numerous trade issues of the day. A great exercise in study for an aspiring political science student. As I get older it's more common to accept my bucolic roots then have those international aspirations. So when a friend and former neighbor told me about their recent troubles with a couple chickens they had on their property, I put together a letter of support for their effort. A few years back we had another set of chicken issues crop up in the local and possibly national news. It's nice to look out at the world and try to tackle the real big issues like war and national debt, but sometimes it's nice to help a neighbor and keep it real. It's also nice to be known as the local libertarian who can and is willing to speak up about these issues. Here's the letter;

I'll be maintaining this site and hope to open a few new features and authors. We'll stick to Liberty issues and maybe get into the whole purist v. party arguments. It's possible that I'll change the site to my other site with just my name, rather then any reference to Congress that might seem outdated considering that the season is over.

We're still averaging about 500 unique users a day (down from our highs of 2000 mid-October) and hope to build that up with some new tricks of the trade. I'm courting a few Libertarian celebrity types so we'll see what happens. I have two special projects coming up and will keep the loyal readers in the loop. Also working up a quick 'behind the scenes' write-up of the LNC meeting last weekend.

As the Kos Komrades revel in their current victory of Democrats over Republicans, those of us in the real Libertarian community sadly ready ourselves for another tough two years. Our standard of success is a little different. Making the ballot, participating in debates and raising a sliver of the money needed for serious assaults on Olympus.

Ours is a quixotic union. While the 'best & the brightest' cling to the statist and collectivist revisions of the electoral shuffle, we seem to take the refugees from the geeks and the freaks. It's just hard for us to promise better government, let alone more. Despite what our brains relay as rational political behavior, somehow our hearts take up the call to resistance every cycle. Yet few listen to our message.

Americans take heart. Despite the nastiness of the Red & Blue this campaign season, real third parties are emerging from the primordial electoral ooze. We are Libertarians and Greens.

Every cycle we battle impossible ballot access laws and still manage to lend our voice to the process. The socially tolerant and fiscally responsible message of both parties will resonate with more and more Americans as they cease to be fooled by the machines.

I proud to be a part of that process. I like the radicals. I like the moderates. I like anyone with an alternative voice and awareness.

We are young and capable. We are strong and smart.

We value the future and understand the past . . .

The Times Union came out in favor of Kirsten Gillibrand on Sunday. Aside from the usual editorial pandering and self-righteous prattling they claim the following:

'She has been against the war in Iraq from its ill-conceived beginning and offers a sensible course that recognizes the failure of President Bush's mission and envisions a negotiated political solution that would allow a deadline to be imposed for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.'

Envisioning something and making it possible are two seperate things. The reality is that Mr. Bush was given a blank check and no freshman Congressman will persuade the powers to be otherwise in future forays. My recollection is that 'no permanent bases' and Iraqi's should have a stake in their country and oil. No tacit acknowledgement that the undeclared 'war' was unjust or unjustified. I recall the editorial board interview with the PostStar in Februaryand Ms. Gillibrand gave a qualified answer at best. Calling for the initiation of the War Powers Act would be evidence of opposition. Paid strategists would never be so bold in a tepid electoral environment like the 20th CD.

My parents house was built prior to the American Revolution. It might be a prime property for one of these gentrified Bed & Breakfasts that pop-up in historical rural areas. After the Kelo case in the Supreme Court, many home and business owners are reacting to it on a local basis. If the government can now decide your house or business is worth more in tax revenues than you can manage, off you go. Fortunately Libertarians in NY are against this taking and will defend the rights of property owners pretty much without doubt or regret. Here's the latest version of 'Hardfire', featuring Richard Cooper, chair of the LPNY . . .

If these clever fellows like Howard Wolfson had any guts they'd come to the Gillibrand camp with a viable solution to create debate. All the hemming and hawing about tax returns could easily be countered by asking the Congressman what is the specific law that requires me to pay income tax ? While typically relegated to the ethereal realm of conspiracy, Aaron Russo's new documantary, America:From Freedom to Fascism is now available on Google Video. It features former IRS agents and commissioners giving accounts about the notion that no single law was ever passed by Congress requiring an individual to surrender their income. Of course, individuals invested in the system or fearful of it's wrath would never take such a bold step. It would stop the impasse in this instance because the ramifications would be far wider than the current spat.

We try not to strike current politicians here, because policy and philosophy are more important, right ?

None the less, it might be the last time to be more effective with some negativity before the new Kahuna finishes taking reservations for the Pepsi Ball. My favorite recollection of a NY governor was Hugh Carey after his hair turned orange. As I listen to the MSM AG debate, I shudder at the Cuomo voice coming back at me. As a lad in Middle School I joined the Conservative chorus against him because he was forcing me to use my seatbelt when I was finally old enough to drive. After that it was just waste money and try to cleverly rationalize with a uber-moralizing tone. When George came the speed limit went back up and nothing ever changed after that . . . Now here comes a new cape crusading part time King . . . Help quality people fight the system in the next four years - Vote Clifton Silberger !

As the impasse to debate in NY's 20th District continues, it appears more likely that the candidates will not square off. A shame really. The voters are denied a fundamental aspect of the democratic process. We organized a debate in early June that was avoided by both the heavies in this race. Citizen Action sponsered a healthcare forum in July that we were invited to. Despite what I knew to be an obvious hijack of free market values, I took the hit for the ertswhile Congressman who apparently was in town that day. Here's the video archive I made of that event. At least some vestige of debate is preserved from this looney race.

One of the reasons I became active in the LPNY was the Senatorial campaign of Dr. Donald Silberger. His radio interview with Alan Chartock confirmed my desire to work with people identifying Liberty as the greatest political goal. This photo of Don and me is at the Catskill Bi-Centennial this last summer. We also worked the Rhinebeck Fireman's parade with Thomas Ruks a few weeks before this. Ruk's once referred to Don as the 'fire' of the LPNY. Don is twice my age and I had trouble keeping up with him during petitioning. He simply asked every human being he came across for the right to be on the ballot. Don's bid for Lt. Governor includes this latest HardFire episode. The cool part about the Net is that this show hasn't even aired yet and will now be available before the Sunday morning yappers start their thing. I miss David Brinkley, he was Don's era also.

I met Bob Barr briefly at the Portland convention this summer. He takes a lot of heat from the left for his advocacy of the Clinton impeachment. Libertarians in Georgia in fact took credit for his defeat at the polls in 2002. Despite his accolades as a drug warrior he's often cited as being quite Libertarian. So when Mr. Barr spoke this summer in Portland it was heartening to hear a message of Liberty. Here's another piece from the archives.

Candidates, even Libertarians, receive a bevy of 'questionnaires' from various special interests all touting their ability to reach voters with their organization if you just answer their questions. For the most part we tried to answer all of them, despite what we would consider the hidden agendas. We had a good experience with the debate we organized in June and that the local LWV 'moderated'. They were responsive and very professional. We tend to think that had we made it through the ballot process, we would not be invited to debate because of the unreasonable 10% threshold that they demand from candidates. Here's our response to their last questionnaire;

Sometimes trolling 'listserves' has more value than the usual time spent responding to all the experts out there. Occasionally you come across something interesting, unlike an Alan Chartock opinion piece. Mr. Chartock does entertain us on some level by letting Dr. Herb London do a weekly thing on his WAMC radio. Occasionally I respond to what I consider his buffonary.

Ever get stuck in your car having only the choice of Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly for talk radio? Their broad generalizations about liberals or conservatives seem to reflect the dysfunction that two main parties need. I have friends in the Working Families Party despite my view on minimum wage. Most likely its my view on abortion or gay marriage that is our common bond. These ideological separations are the stuff that apologists of two parties rely on. They need division for ratings. Their small coterie of listeners are devout and outspoken. The rest of us kind of just live our lives.

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.