[Lnc-business] Platform and Bylaws application

Mon Mar 6 08:16:29 EST 2017

Are we too timid to even make an apologetic request for Platform and Bylaws committee applicants to provide a concise statement of their Libertarian philosophy?

I am delighted that there is a wonderful diversity of Libertarian philosophies in the LP that fosters empowerment and that we can individually build on as we go out and individual get Libertarian stuff done. However, an explicit omission of a requirement for Platform and Bylaws committee applicants to enlighten us with at least a high-level statement of their principles is a transparent ploy and akin to opening the gates to our repository of Libertarian values and shouting from the rooftops:

“Shed your principles and come on in. Our ideological dilution is fine and we are ripe for takeover. We seek to become the third leg in a broken three-party cronyism system.”

Hmmm – that begs the question of who personally benefits from the abdication of our ideological responsibilities and what their real motivation and end game is. Perhaps answering that question is the biggest challenge that we Libertarians face today.

Thoughts?

~David

Omaha Libertarian Strategy & Family Fun Un-Convention

Celebrate Life, Set the Bar High and LIVE FREE

~David Pratt Demarest

LNC Region 6 Representative (IA, IL, MN, MO, ND, NE, WI)

Secretary, LPNE State Central Committee

Cell:      402-981-6469

Home: 402-493-0873

From: Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org] On Behalf Of Caryn Ann Harlos
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2017 12:03 AM
To: Libertarian National Committee list <lnc-business at hq.lp.org>
Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Platform and Bylaws application

Emails blasts are reviewed by the APRC.  Facebook posts are reviewed by the APRC.  There is certainly a substantial difference between a meme and the application for a committee that will be in charge of recommending changes to our governing documents and information that is needed by at least some of the LNC.  When this is a duty of the entire LNC, the entire LNC (or at least those that have a concern) should have input on the form.  It is not appropriate, IMHO, for one person to be the sole gatekeeper on that. I object to that as someone who should have a say, on behalf of the nine states in Region 1, in this process.

-Caryn Ann

On Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 10:56 PM, Alicia Mattson <agmattson at gmail.com <mailto:agmattson at gmail.com> > wrote:

CAH>And one member should not have complete control over the very important wording of the application.<CAH

We send email blasts all the time that are written by one person.  

As one of our Facebook admins, you make Facebook posts all by yourself in the name of the Libertarian Party.  

We don't have each one of those to come to the LNC email list for us to wordsmith first, and this discussion highlights why that wouldn't be a good idea.  We only require an APRC review for anything that violates bylaws/platform/policies, and then out they go to the universe...even though only one person wrote them.

-Alicia

On Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 9:44 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com <mailto:carynannharlos at gmail.com> > wrote:

Daniel did not pursue that and that is the only other suggestion - once floated - and dropped.  Daniel did not volunteer to continue the discussion.  I did and I think my POV is one of 4 members perhaps (certainly of Arvin and I)- enough to float a motion if I am correct but that shouldn't even be necessary.  

And yes they could.  They could write love  poems and green cheese proposals.  But as we have taken it upon ourselves to suggest things, the one thing that is absolutely directly relevant and a key point that some of us explicitly want to review, it is equipping the candidates to assist the LNC.

Again the resistance is baffling.  I never  dreamed my compromise reasonable request in email would blow up to such a controversy.

And one member should not have complete control over the very important wording of the application .

As the Chair directed, we need to work it out amongst ourselves which is more than just a unilateral decision.

I mean do we actually have to have a motion and vote?

I really hope not.  

My request is reasonable and relevant.  I really would like us to just get this out and move on to other work here and in our state parties.

-Caryn Ann 

On Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 10:33 PM Alicia Mattson <agmattson at gmail.com <mailto:agmattson at gmail.com> > wrote:

Tim, they DO have that option.  They can discuss anything they want to.

-Alicia

On Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 8:37 PM, Tim Hagan <timhagan-tyr at yahoo.com <mailto:timhagan-tyr at yahoo.com> > wrote:

Is the cheeseburger in the Happy Meal made with green cheese?

I would also support having an option for applicants for the Platform Committee to discuss political philosophy. On the other hand, it's not a factor that I would consider for the Bylaws Committee.

Tim Hagan

  _____  

From: Aaron Starr <starrcpa at gmail.com <mailto:starrcpa at gmail.com> >
To: lnc-business at hq.lp.org <mailto:lnc-business at hq.lp.org>  
Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2017 7:59 PM

Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Platform and Bylaws application

Colleagues,

Since my name came up, I figured I would respond.

If there is one thing we have no shortage of in this party, it is people who know philosophy. That’s especially true with people who want to serve on a Platform Committee. Where we do have a shortage is in people who will actually do work and who can turn an idea into a well-crafted written proposal stated in grammatically correct English.

When I mentioned having applicants write a proposal about “green cheese” I wasn’t suggesting that we ask applicants to come up with a platform proposal on that particular topic. My main point was that I want to see them put forward a written proposal, any proposal. Of course, if they actually do submit a proposal on green cheese, I will likely conclude that the applicant is several fries short of a Happy Meal.

Aaron Starr

(805) 583-3308 <tel:(805)%20583-3308>  Home

(805) 404-8693 <tel:(805)%20404-8693>  Mobile

starrcpa at gmail.com <mailto:starrcpa at gmail.com> 

From: Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org <mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org> ] On Behalf Of Caryn Ann Harlos
Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2017 6:26 PM
To: Libertarian National Committee list
Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Platform and Bylaws application

Whitney, it might for the one item they propose but that is one item that might be minor and not really philosophically based.  And as Aaron said during the meeting, the proposal could be about "green cheese" (I believe that was his example but if not exactly, it is similar) - it was to prove they could put a thought together.

A sample proposal itself is pretty limited and just because one proposal might be a bit "off" they still could have a good grasp but need some guidance on what is appropriate fodder for a platform.

Some people when in a productive group, as long as they have a foundation, can be focused as long as they have the principles.

And this is precisely the discussion I wanted - thank you so much for your input.

- Caryn Ann

On Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 7:23 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com <mailto:carynannharlos at gmail.com> > wrote:

Whitney I prefer my wording, but am open to a discussion. And yes I agree - optional - just like all of the other items.  My original position was required, and then seeing the proposed application language, I compromised to "optional" in an attempt to work things out.

What libertarianism means to someone can be different from what is relevant to the platform.  That is what is wonderful about it - there is a lot of freedom in personal application.

On Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 7:19 PM, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com <mailto:whitneycb76 at gmail.com> > wrote:

Regardless of what transpired between the members involved so far, I could support the inclusion of an OPTIONAL item regarding the applicant's basic understanding of our Party's principles.

Could it could be as simple as "Briefly describe what libertarianism means to you...."?

Whitney 

On Mar 5, 2017 1:13 PM, "Caryn Ann Harlos" <carynannharlos at gmail.com <mailto:carynannharlos at gmail.com> > wrote:

Fellow members

Last LNC meeting we decided to solicit applications for the LNC appointed members of the Bylaws and Platform Committees and some discussion arose on what should be included in the application request.  The final responsibility for getting a notice out and organizing responses lies with the Party Secretary but Nick directed that as far as content that we should work it out amongst ourselves.  To that end I volunteered to work with Alicia.  We have communicated but I am not satisfied that the result was working it out amongst ourselves. The result was that nothing was substantially changed from years past.

Arvin and I (and I believe at least Starchild and David concur) believe that a request for a brief understanding of Libertarian philosophy should be included.  I softened that request to be in line with the way the form is currently written to be a "suggestion" (rather than a requirement)  for such along with other suggestions that the applicant could choose among.  This was rejected and I just don't think that is a reasonable way to work it out amongst ourselves.  The result is no different than if I didn't volunteer input. 

I would like other members to weigh in on this.  I'm not trying to be difficult but I just don't think reasonable requests should be summarily rejected.

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-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org <mailto:Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org> 

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado <http://www.lpcolorado.org/> 

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>  

Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee

-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org <mailto:Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org> 

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado <http://www.lpcolorado.org/> 

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>  

Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee

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In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org <mailto:Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org> 

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado <http://www.lpcolorado.org> 

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>  

Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee

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