Published bimonthly by the Libertarian Party of Washington State

Contents copyright (c) 1999 by Washington Libertarian. Any material may be reproduced with credit to the author and to Washington Libertarian.

For the latest on events, speakers, etc., see the ''Updates'' Calendar on the main LPWS web site, http://LPWS.org/events.htm.

Taking Libertarian activism to the next level

by Dan Fitzgerald

Running for office is the most important thing we can do at this juncture. Getting the message out is fine, important, and necessary; think of it as marketing, creating a propensity in people to try our product.

But if we are not on the ballot, they cannot vote for us. It's like a marketing campaign without distribution channels.

As a party, we have been concentrating on getting out the message, increasing membership, and fighting the ballot access wars. My view is that the next step is candidate recruitment: we need to be on the ballot in as many races as we can. Being on the ballot is itself a way of raising awareness among the voters—they may not vote for us the first time they see our names, but a percentage will become curious.

There's also the idea of critical mass. I ran for the Connecticut State Senate this past cycle, and it was an amazing sensation to address crowded rooms in debate, and see people nodding strenuously, making eye contact, communicating back to me from the audience that they agreed with what I was saying. But, as I was one of three Libertarians running for State Senate (there are 37 seats), I would have had no credibility had I said, "Vote for me and things will change." The campaign slogan "Send a message" roughly translates into "pay the same taxes, but get punished when they dole out the pork." You can run the most serious campaign in the world, but unless there are enough libertarians running with you to potentially take power, your candidacy will be taken less seriously by voters.

More libertarians should run for office. Running is actually fun. You choose your own level of participation. It takes little time to just be a name on the ballot; I attended three debates (two were televised), went to a newspaper interview, did a phone interview with three other reporters, mailed out a few questionnaires, and spent a total of 40 hours from June through November 4th. Other candidates ran more active campaigns, and some ran less active campaigns.

One interesting sensation was that people wanted to hear my opinions on issues when they found out I was an actual candidate, and they gave my ideas a respectful hearing, even the ones who only wanted to learn enough to arm their argumentativeness.

I plan to run often. I've found it to be the most effective form of activism I can engage in, and far less daunting a task than I had imagined.

Dan Fitzgerald is a Connecticut libertarian who will soon be a Washington State libertarian. O

Public speaking including to classrooms. For more information, call Bud Shasteen at 206-932-4096.

Collect signatures and/or add yours to initiatives endorsed by the Libertarian Party of Washington State. Get a copy at our local meetings and or/request them from the campaign heads. The $30 License Tab Initiative (I-695) is included in this issue of the Washington Libertarian. The Citizens 4 Free Market Liquor (C4FML) initiatives will likely be included in the June/July issue. Contact I-695 at tabs@lifetel.com, www.lifetel.com/tabs, or 425-493-8707. Contact C4FML at RaeHawkrij@aol.com or 425-814-4548.

Help with campaigns. We have a record number of people running for office and few campaign managers or treasurers. Get involved in a high-energy race, or a low energy one. No experience necessary. Contact Carol Miller at 206-517-8493 or director@LPWS.org.

Take minutes at the State Executive Committee meetings, currently the second Saturdays of odd numbered months in North Seattle. If interested, please contact Carol Miller at director@LPWS.org or 517-8493.

More volunteer opportunities listed at http://www.LPWS.org, or call Carol Miller as above for "odd jobs."

For up to date details, see the Events Calendar at www.LPWS.org. Submit calendar additions to calendar@LPWS.org. No RSVP needed unless noted.

State Convention

Saturday and Sunday, June 12 & 13, in Bellevue, details in the next Director's Report.

Saturday will be seminars, speeches, special interest groups, and fun-fun-fun. Sunday will be the annual business meeting, where we refine the platform, bylaws and more.

Speakers include Mary Ruwart, Libertarian activist and author of Healing our World; Peter Weissbach libertarian-leaning talk show host; Michelle Malkin, Seattle Times columnist and published in Reason Magazine. More local speakers planned for Washington issues. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Questions/suggestions? Contact Carol Miller at 206-517-8493 or director@LPWS.org.

State Executive Committee

May 8th, July 10th, 1pm to 4:30pm, Odd-numbered months on the 2nd Saturdays. Broadview Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle Directions: From I-5 northbound, take the N 130th St exit = Exit #174; turn left off the exit to the stoplight 1/2 block north; turn left (=west) onto NE 130th for 1.3 miles; the library is just beyond Greenwood Ave N. on the left. From I-5 southbound, take the N 145th St Exit (Exit #175); turn right (=west) off the exit onto NE 145th for 1.3 miles; At Greenwood Ave N take a left (=south); turn right onto 130th Street, and the library is immediately on the left. Lost? 206-684-7519 x3. THE LIBRARY REQUESTS THAT WE PARK ON THE STREET, NOT IN THEIR SMALL PARKING LOT. Questions? Contact Carol Miller at 206-517-8493 or director@LPWS.org.

Platform Committee Tuesday, May 18, 7pm Godfather's pizza at Sixth Avenue and Orchard Street, Tacoma. Come discuss libertarian solutions and proposals to build a great 1999 LPWS Platform. If you have questions or would like to help sponsor a session elsewhere in the Puget Sound area, please contact Robert Hill at 253-988-7031 or sometimes_55@hotmail.com. The restaurant is east of Highway 16, from the Sixth Ave Exit.

Benton/Franklin Counties 4th Thursdays, May 20, June 24 Dinner 6:30pm, meeting, 7pm. Godfather's Pizza, 1051 George Washington Way, Richland. Directions: From I-182, take Exit = north on George Washington Way, it's 1/2 block past Swift Ave. on the left. From Hwy 14, take George Washington Exit, head north, and it's 1/2 block past Swift Ave on the left. Lost? 509-943-8488. Questions? Contact Dave Carson at 509-627-1303 or benton@LPWS.org.

Clallam County Contact John Bennett, (360) 457-3693 or clallam@LPWS.org.

Clark/Skamania Counties Vancouver Libertarians meet Third Thursdays, 7pm, Smokey's Pizza, 10411 NE Fourth Plain, Orchards, Washington. Lori or Frank, 360-837-3760.

Bruce Lytle is organizing an official affiliate region in Clark County. brucekey@ix.netcom.com.

Grays Harbor County 3rd Saturdays, May 15, June 19, 1pm River Haven Restaurant. 120 Lincoln Ave, Hoquiam. Directions: It's on Highway 101 just north of the Hwy 109 turnoff. Lost? 360-532-0126. Questions? Art Rathjen, 360-289-4940 or grays@LPWS.org.

Jefferson County Contact Jim Switz at 360-385-1392 or jefferson@LPWS.org.

King County

A. Liberty Supper Club: (Seattle) 4th Thursdays (except Nov. & Dec.), May 20, June 24 Dinner (optional) 6:30pm, meeting 7:30pm, speaker 8pm. $2 cover charge. Oscar's II Restaurant, 2051 E. Madison, Seattle (east Capitol Hill). Directions: From I-5, Madison St. Exit; east on Madison; on the right near 22nd, parking in the back. Lost? 206-322-2029 Questions? Scott Semans, 206-322-4180 or ssemans@aol.com. Cable TV showing, see below.

B. Liberty Forum: (Bellevue) 3rd Wednesdays, May 19, dinner (optional) 6:30pm, announcements 7pm, speaker 7:30pm, $2 voluntary contribution. Azteca in the Bellevue Hilton, 150 112th NE, Bellevue. All the way back on left side of dining room. Directions: Northbound: Highway 405, SE 8th Exit, turn left at end of exit = SE 8th; turn right onto 112th, it's on the right just past Main, about one mile. Southbound: Highway 405, SE 8th Exit, turn right at end of exit = SE 8th; turn right onto 112th, it's on the right just past Main, about one mile. Lost? 425-453-9087. Questions? Ernie Ludwick, 425-641-9824, or eastking@LPWS.org. Cable TV showing, see below.

C. Bellevue Libertarians: Thursday, May 27, 6:30 to 9:30pm, Main Bellevue Library, Room #1, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue. Directions: Hwy 405 to NE 8th Exit, west on NE 8th to 110th, right=north on 110th, library will be on the left. Lost? 425-450-1760. Questions? Ernie Ludwick, 425-641-9824, or eastking@LPWS.org.

D. Kirkland Libertarians: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, meet in advance of City Council meetings at 6:30pm. Wendy's 312 Central Way. Council meetings start at 7:30, go there as a group. RSVP to Rachel Hawkridge, 425-814-4548 or raehawkrij@aol.com.

E. Business Meeting, East King County (organizers of Liberty Forum): 1st Wednesdays, May 5, 6:30pm. Same place as Liberty Forum, below.

F. TV! Public Access Cable: (new airtimes) Liberty Forum broadcasts 1st Sundays at 4pm; Liberty Supper Club broadcasts 3rd Sundays at 4pm.

G. Speakers Bureau/"Torchmasters" Some Sundays at 4pm. Get an opportunity to practice public speaking (loosely modeled on Toastmasters), plus support for people in the Speakers Bureau, a group of individuals available for presentations to classrooms and other organizations. RSVP: Bud Shasteen, 206-932-4096.

Kitsap County 2nd Tuesdays, May 11, June 8, 6:30pm ROTATING LOCATIONS: Odd Months (Silverdale): Roundtable Pizza, 3276 NW Plaza Rd. (between Toys R Us and Target). Even Months: (Port Orchard): Jester's Coffee House, 1468 Olney Ave. SE in Port Orchard. Questions? Ron Ralstin, 360-479-2921 or kitsap@LPWS.org.

Pierce County 3rd Thursdays May 10, June 17 at 7pm Roundtable Pizza, 7901 S. Hosmer, Tacoma. Questions? Mark Hamilton 253-846-1928 or GJhamilton@frugal.com.

(see below for non-LP event: Pierce County Candidate Information Night)

Snohomish County Meetings are on odd-numbered months. Saturdays TBA in May and July, 3pm, Everett Library, Main Branch, lower meeting room, 2702 Hoyt Ave. Tony, 425-355-0543.

South Sound (Thurston, Lewis, Mason Counties) 3rd Thursdays May 10, June 17 at 6:30pm Urban Union, 116 Legion Way next to Sylvester Park, downtown Olympia. Questions? Matt Dunning, 360-432-0162 or matthewddu@aol.com.

Spokane County and surrounding area NEW LOCATION AND DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED for regular meetings. Questions? Marc Whitman, 509-624-7417, spokane@LPWS.org. Spokane Region website: www.libertycap.net/spokane/

Stevens and Ferry Counties Contact Mark Taff at 509-684-6240 or marktaff@theofficenet.com.

Non-LP Events:

Citizens for Proportional Representation Mondays May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, 6:30pm. University District branch of the Seattle Public Library, NE 50th and Roosevelt Way. Contact Janet Anderson at 206-285-2460 or janetranderson@email.msn.com.

Whitman/Washington State University Students for Individual Liberty Contact Pamela McEachern, 509-334-1356 or pammc@pullman.com for more information.

May 6 Candidate Information Night - Pierce County 3009 South 36th St., Tacoma, WA, 7-9:30pm. This event is put on by the Pierce County Auditor's Office, and speakers present topics including Public Disclosure Commission requirements, precinct maps, lists of absentee voters, where you can put signs, where you can buy signs, and a list of services available through the Auditor's Office. If you are going to be a candidate or work for a candidate, this is a recommended event. For more information, call the Pierce County Elections Department (253) 798-7430.

Dates of Interest:

July 26-30, 1999 Candidate filing week for 1999 elections at County Elections Departments

September 14, 1999 Primary Election

November 2, 1999 General Election

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Preparing for Change

Change is inevitable. This is as true for a political party as it is for anything else. We need to always be aware of this, and be prepared for it. For the LPWS change is upon us now.

We are changing in many ways. There is a new level of enthusiasm and optimism among members. Libertarian ideas and Libertarians themselves are getting more and more exposure in the media and in political discourse. Membership is growing, and the list of Libertarian office holders is expanding. And as we grow and achieve, there are some housekeeping chores that need to be attended to.

The current structure of the Party is that of a small, minor party, with a handful of elected volunteers doing all the Party's necessary work of the Party. But as we grow into a Major Party with many thousands of members, enjoying the constant attention of the media and the electorate, the current structure will be inadequate. This year's Constitution and Bylaws Committee will be submitting proposed changes to our controlling documents that will address this need, and smooth the road ahead for our candidates and our liberty.

Our first major task will be to reorganize our Party to conform with Washington state law concerning major parties. Technically, we are not forced to do this until two years after obtaining major party status, but due to the magnitude of some of the required changes, we feel it is important to get a head start on some of the requirements. Our second task was to restructure the Party so that the new transition we have made toward a board/staff arrangement will work more effectively and with less friction than has occurred over the last 24 months.

To address the first task, the proposed changes require regional affiliates to be organized by counties. This is the first step that has to be taken, since this is the way the law micromanages political party committee structures and determines the responsibilities of PCOs (Precinct Committee Officers). We have loosened up the requirements for county affiliate status and will be introducing a transitional Resolution to give current affiliates time to make the changes. Keep in mind, however, that these changes DO NOT bring us in line with State law for major parties; they merely get us over the first of several hurdles. We feel it is important not to move too fast, or make too many radical changes.

The second task is to restructure our governing board to make room for the new position of Executive Director, and transforms our Central Committee into more of a policy board, rather than a "hands on" group of activists as has been the case in the past. To that end, we propose reducing the number of State Officers to four: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The responsibilities of the retired offices (Finance, Membership, Public Relations and Campaign) will be moved to standing subcommittees. This will allow greater participation by the membership in the affairs of the Party without creating a board so large and cumbersome as to be unmanageable.

We have also changed the quorum requirements of the State Central Committee (SCC, currently the State Executive Committee). Presently, it takes only three State Officers to compose a quorum. We feel it important that there is equity between the central State Party officers and regional representation, and so we changed the requirements that the number of State Officers present at an SCC meeting be balanced by an equal number of County Committee representatives.

One issue for concern is the size of the SCC. Our proposed structure is presently the four State officers plus one representative from each County Committee (two reps from Counties with more than 200 members). With every County organized, this can lead to a very large and unwieldy board, and this number will double once we are in full compliance with the statutes concerning Major Parties. Last year's Task Force proposal would have created a smaller Executive Committee to operate underneath the policy making responsibilities of the SCC. This may or may not be a good idea, but we currently aren't large enough for this to be a problem. Rather than mandating a solution through the controlling documents, we felt it better to let the SCC work out a solution to this problem as it as arises.

We are hesitant to make any more radical changes to the Party's central body until the funding level and policy procedures are in place to support an effective board and staff structure. Creating an effective structure on paper is easily done. Implementing it without the enthusiastic participation of trained and effective leaders and administrators is a recipe for disaster. We are all on a learning curve here, either on our technical skills or our political skills. If we all work together, taking one step at a time, our candidates will be more successful and our liberties more secure. Otherwise, we will be merely pacing ourselves on a treadmill.

There are few more changes in our proposal to give our controlling documents a more professional feel, and our Party a more effective organization. A full description will be given in the Committee's final report to the Convention, which will be included in the convention packets to be mailed out to the delegates this year. Should any Party member wish to know more about these proposed changes or have any other questions, please feel free to call me at the contact number listed below.

In Liberty,

Kenneth J. Houghton
Chair, Constitution & Bylaws Committee
9230 20th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98106

(206) 764-0778
khoughton@jps.net

O

The First Amendment is alive in Centralia, on television

by John Tyson

Today, the First Amendment thrives in Lewis County. Credit the never-say-die work of a man who loves liberty in a republic that has all but forgotten the meaning of the word "liberty."

Carol Miller, our State's Executive Director, posted a request for a guest co-host of a weekly 3-hour live TV talk show broadcast from Centralia. Schantz, the host, asked for a Libertarian from Lewis County who might be willing to run for office to appear as a guest. I lack two of the requested qualifications but I am an outspoken Libertarian and I offered a twist: the perspectives of a Libertarian in government.

The "studio" is a very old house next to the railroad mainline in Centralia (every 20 minutes the railroad announces itself clearly to the viewers as we bounce in our chairs). The studio provides community access to the cable TV system in Lewis County (TCI). It does so at less than $35,000 per year. There are two part-time employees; most volunteer their services. A very young man, Wayne, is the manager, and he and other very dedicated people bustle to keep the station alive. The quartz lights are bright. Two signs behind us read "Nite Beat" and provide a local telephone number - 360-807-9461 - for callers. Schantz, for three hours each week, challenges local government (the show is taped for re-play at additional times) to honest and quality public service. Together, we answer questions, offer advice and debate current local and state political topics.

Schantz could be a constitutional lawyer. He has dual citizenship; raised in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, he makes his home in Lewis County. As a grade school child in Canada, he learned the U.S. Constitution. He understands our constitution and government trespasses much more than do I. And it's not just trivial knowledge to him. He has fasted in the Lewis County jail defending property rights until friends raised $50,000 in cash, quickly, to secure his release. The New York Times once wrote an article on him for his work critiquing government from his web site.

After 18 months on the air, he has a faithful audience. Callers follow his recent adventures in the area. They look to him to investigate local matters since local radio will not tackle poor governance. Recently a judge set aside a jury's conviction of a local bureaucrat. Most callers question or express disappointment at the judge's decision, but Schantz has the complete file and will discuss the course of the trial and the judge's decision on an upcoming program-if the phones will silence long enough to let him.

Schantz is patient with all callers. I once disconnected a caller who used sexually graphic terms regarding the anti-climactic (no pun intended) Clinton impeachment proceedings. I believe one can keep clean his strong expression of opinion. After all, this is public TV. Because we have no tape delay and ornery callers can utter epithets before we can disconnect them, I am worried about negative community reaction to his show. Many in local power don't like his show and I am afraid profanity might be an excuse to remove the show from the air. But Schantz disagreed with disconnecting the caller. Schantz has never said so but I suspect he thinks the First Amendment is "first" for good reason.

"Don't interrupt" I learned as a kid. "Don't shout." "Lower your voice." Because of these lessons, my adjustment to the talk show "culture" has not been quick or easy. The marvelous producers and staff remind me I must interrupt so viewers know I speak! "The $30 Car Tab Initiative" is often my springboard. I hawk that initiative weekly. My salesmanship inspires two repeat callers who despise anything that would diminish government control over our economy or weaken labor's stranglehold on education or other government "services." They want Bill to control our economy through purchase of stocks by the social "security" system. Just my kind of guys. These are the conversations in which I am most animated. I raise my voice and I interrupt. Damn it! I can attend finishing school later, when I am no longer welcome on his show. With a few short lessons I will learn to be polite once again.

As Schantz says of his show, "this is the rare opportunity for the public to speak. We must never allow government to shut down public access TV." That won't happen without a fight in Lewis County. Schantz has the best rating of all the Community access TV programming in Centralia. I am honored that he allows me to bring my perspectives to his county and his show.

Schantz has a lesson for us. Community access TV is inexpensive and an effective method of delivering any message. Community TV is a tool we Libertarians should employ much more than we do as we take our case to voting citizens. We can convince these people that we are a powerful and courageous party committed to principle and ready to return to personal freedom and responsibility as the foundations for a safe and strong society. O

How to work the system by influencing legislators

by Ken Houghton

Whether you wish to support Libertarian ideas and legislators in Olympia or are considering running for a House or Senate seat yourself, the following information is essential. The need to support our candidates does not stop on Election Day. You need knowledge to maximize your impact on the state's plans for your future.

First and foremost, know who your legislators are and make sure they know who you are. Write them a letter, informing them that you are a constituent and let them know how you feel about the job he/she is doing. Stop by during the session for a visit. A fifteen-minute office meeting can usually be given to any constituent who happens to drop by, schedule permitting. You may be pleasantly surprised at how accessible your Representative is, and how much they will appreciate your input. Call them and let them know how you feel on pending bills, budget issues, etc. And don't forget that it is as important to call and thank your legislator when they do something right as it is when they do something wrong. The legislative process can be a real meat grinder, and a pleasant thank you card for lowering a tax or killing a gun control measure can go a long way towards establishing goodwill and opening up a friendly ear.

Testifying and the legislative process

Testifying at committee hearings is another important activity. Citizen testimony is one of the best tools we have for demonstrating a Libertarian presence and supporting our issues. A brief review of the Legislative process will show why:

1. Rep. Doe gets a request from constituent Murphy to ban monkey wrenches near public works. After drafting the bill, Rep. Doe goes shopping around the House for co-sponsors. The more co-sponsors, the better the chance of the bill getting a committee hearing. The primary sponsor of a bill is always the first name listed on the bill. All the names listed after his are co-sponsors. This is important to keep in mind, since if you have any questions about the details or language of a bill, you need to talk to the primary sponsor. The co-sponsors will have signed on for a variety of reasons that may have nothing to do with the subject of a bill, including returning a favor, following the party line, or bowing to pressure from special interests. Sometimes legislators vote against bills they co-sponsor!

Why would a legislator do that? Well, he may not have expected the bill to get through committee, or he may not have liked what happened to it once amendments were attached to the bill. You have to keep your eyes open!

2. Now that Rep. Doe has his co-sponsors, he files the bill with the code reviser, who sends it to the appropriate committee, in this case the Public Works Committee. Rep. Napoleon is the committee chair. As the committee chair, Rep. Napoleon determines which bills get a public hearing, and when. If he doesn't schedule the bill for a hearing, the bill dies right there. But if Rep. Doe does Rep. Napoleon a favor, such as agreeing to co-sponsor a house resolution declaring the Duke of Wellington a war criminal, the monkey wrench bill gets a public hearing.

3. This is where you and I come in. Constituent Murphy sees his bill coming up for a public hearing in the Legislative Meeting Schedule, and immediately goes to work on the phone and email lists getting all those public works supporters to show up to testify about the evils of monkey wrenches. Rep. Napoleon, meanwhile, has alerted the Acme Wrench Company and the Domestic Brotherhood of Simian Workers about this bill, since these guys donated big bucks to his last campaign. Now both sides get to square off in front of the House Committee.

4. The dynamics work like this: Acme Wrench is a big campaign finance asset. No one on the committee wants to alienate this guy, but they don't want to admit it. So they will generally support him unless there is too much public scrutiny. The Simian Workers tend to be more partisan, and will generally have the allegiance of one side of the aisle or the other, depending upon which Party controls the committee. In this case, let's assume that Rep. Napoleon's great-grandfather was an orangutan. So Rep. Doe's bill looks to be in big trouble.

5. However, on the other side appears the Public Workers Association, who bring in a few folks to tell heart-wrenching stories of horrendous accidents that could have been avoided if only a monkey wrench hadn't been thrown into the works. This group pretty much cancels out the influence of the Simian workers, but the mass media attention they were counting on was diverted by the discovery of a pea under Chelsea Clinton's mattress. That leaves you and me, average citizens, to carry the day.

There is a formula that applies here. For every one citizen that calls or writes in about a bill, legislators estimate that there are at least ten others just like her out in the district. For every additional citizen who testifies, the estimate increases and the whole committee sees it, plus it goes into the public record. And if we have twenty or more average citizens chanting "No More Monkey Wrenches!" well, you get the picture. Not only does this show support for the bill, but Rep. Doe's prestige quotient goes up a notch as well, since he can obviously rally the troops when the chips are down. This helps his chances in the future towards achieving a choice committee seat, and in rounding up co-sponsors without having to sell out his boyhood hero, the Duke of Wellington.

6. So everyone gets to have his or her say, and the hearing adjourns. But Rep. Napoleon doesn't really like the bill, no matter what anyone says. In order for the bill to move out of committee it has to go to executive session, and if Rep. Napoleon doesn't schedule the bill for executive session, it dies right there.

But wait! All of Constituent Murphy's friends and family start bombarding Rep. Napoleon's office with calls and letters demanding this bill move forward! He can't stand the heat and relents! The bill goes to executive session, and the committee votes to move the bill to the floor of the House for a vote! The anti-wrenchers win one!

Or did they? When the bill goes to the floor, anything can happen to it. It can be amended in any number of ways that makes even Rep. Doe want to kill it, or it can be expanded to cover price controls for pipe wrenches and labeling requirements for monkey food. And then if the House does pass the bill, it moves over to the Senate, and the whole process starts again. If it survives all that, it goes to the Governor. And we all know what a swell guy he is!

So as you can see, the process is designed to make it very difficult for a bill to survive, which is a good thing considering how many thousands of bills are introduced each session. It should also be recognized that because of the convoluted mechanisms involved, legislators can easily become corrupted by special interests if you and I don't show up every so often to keep tabs on them.

Suppose you are one of four or five Libertarians in office trying to slay statist legislation. Can you imagine how much more difficult your job will be without the grassroots support of your fellow party members?

Resources, contacts and activism

Okay, so now you understand why. Here's how we can be effective in supporting our friends and giving migraines to our opponents.

First, as I stated earlier, call your legislators, and let them know you're keeping tabs on them. If you are on the Internet, go to www.leg.wa.gov. Here you can find contact info on all the legislators in Olympia, what committees they serve on, bills they've sponsored, and the text of all bills and their status.

This is an excellent resource, and, though I hate to admit it, this is actually a rare case of public money put to good use. For those of you who are not on the Internet, you can call the Senate info line at (360) 786-7550, or the House info line at (360) 786-7750.

Second, you can get a weekly schedule of all the Legislative Hearings from the Secretary of State. Send a note asking for a Session and Interim Hearing Schedule subscription along with a check for $10, payable to Washington State Treasurer, to: Senate Word Processing, 319 Cherberg Bldg., PO Box 40482, Olympia, WA 98504-0482

Third, give me a call. I would like to organize a core group of activists who are willing to help me support the Libertarian viewpoint in Olympia. By networking and perhaps doing a couple of workshops during the interim, we should be able to come on strong next year, particularly going into an election cycle. I am expecting a number of bills to be submitted next year that could use our support, including Asset Forfeiture Reform, Industrial Hemp, Public School Reform, and more.

If enough party members are interested, we can form a sub-committee to create a phone tree and other activities that will enable us to a take a more pro-active approach to state politics. And if you're not sure about how active you want to get, no problem. Call me anyway if you just want a tour of the Capitol to see how things work. Maybe all you home-schoolers out there would want to organize a field trip for the youngsters? Scout leaders? Bored homemakers? Anyone! After all, it's your government!

Now, there is one other resource I haven't mentioned yet. While visiting the capitol, you will see a number of individuals with nametags declaring themselves to be members of the "Third House." Well, you're right, there is no "Third House." These guys are lobbyists! Whatever you think of the special interest influence in modern government, these guys are the squeaky wheels that know how to get greased.

So if you have a particular interest, say you're a member of the ACLU or the Domestic Brotherhood of Simian Workers, give them a call and let them know you're going to be in Olympia. Their lobbyist should be happy to talk to you, and can give you some "insider" information that the pols may not have filled you in on. Plus, it is as important that your lobbyist knows how you feel as it is your legislator, don't you think?

If you are at all interested in participating in the above activities, or have any questions about the legislative process or particular bills moving through Olympia, please call me at (206) 764-0778, or e-mail at khoughton@jps.net .

Ken Houghton is the Finance Chair of the LPWS and an ace recruiter of Libertarians. O

Work Where You're Needed!

Brien Bartels

A friendly reminder from a forgotten propaganda campaign

I had a traumatic experience when I was a child. (Since stories that start that way tend to be tedious, I will be brief.) I was looking at the pictures in a book of pop history by British journalist Alistair Cook, and saw some pictures of World War II propaganda posters. One of them was so gruesome that it scarred me for life. It showed a GI, leaking blood from dozens of invisible wounds, surrounded by about a hundred spent shell casings, crawling on his hands and knees towards some invisible goal.

"Miles of hell—TO TOKYO!" the poster said, in screaming red letters. "WORK WHERE YOU'RE NEEDED!"

This sparked a number of things in my seven year old brain. First, I knew that there was something ungrammatical about the two sentences framing the anonymous, half-dead man. And second, I was forced to realize there was more to war than running through the woods with a toy Tommy gun making explosion sounds, one of my favorite ways of passing time. Someone had to work where they were needed: on the front lines.

Politics, regrettably, is more than running through the halls of the legislature making speeches. And for each libertarian out on the front line, there is work for millions of us behind the scenes, making connections with community leaders, canvassing neighborhoods, writing press materials, making relationships with donors. (Don't call it begging.)

Recently, we collated the responses from our latest survey of the membership, which offered two pages of ongoing or proposed projects and activities for people to express interest in. Just reading over the options makes one dizzy. There's no way for one person to do it all, obviously. I wouldn't ask anyone to volunteer for more than a couple of these missions. But the strange truth is that people have been doing it all, for the party's years in the wilderness. If old time party members ever tell stories of the turnover and burnout in the party over all its many years, remember that these people are survivors of the days when only a harried few stood up to The State, cranked out the press materials, and ran for office all by themselves, maybe with no campaign manager, let alone a full campaign staff.

If you are a first-time reader of this newsletter, you may be getting a telephone call shortly from a person who says he or she is from the LP, who will welcome you to the party, and maybe invite you to get involved in some project, just one of the infinitesimal details involved in the political struggle. Things like setting appointments for Libertarian candidates to appear at public forums, writing thank you notes to donors, keeping an eye out for mentions of the party in the media, taking photographs for this newsletter. We also like for people to do the big things, too: run for office, chair new regions, greet people at Operation Politically Homeless booths, speak at high schools and colleges. And if you just can't squeeze another hour from the 168 in your week, you can support us with donations. "Back the Attack," as they said in the old War Bond drives.

Feel free to come up with your own projects, of course. A gentleman recently contacted me, saying he wanted to get on talk radio shows to dispel some of the myths the hosts and audiences were putting out about libertarians. He wanted a title so that he would sound more official and garner more respect on the air. I gave him one.

I don't think talk radio is on the survey. But this man's initiative is going to bring more people to our way of thinking.

And I bet he'll have some fun with it. I wouldn't be a libertarian if I didn't tell you that you would profit from your volunteer service. This gig as public relations chair has been a self-improvement kick for me. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the hours I decided to commit to the Libertarian Party, I am happier, healthier, more outgoing, and in general a better human being than I was a couple years ago. I have met exceptional people, had a lot of fun with them, and, if I may say so, improved my skills and career prospects by doing things that I like to do, like writing for Washington Libertarian.

It's not all fun of course, not least because we face a destructive and callous beast of a system. When you read the latest way that your state government is ruining your life, and think about the numerous ways you can get involved to stop that, will you donate a few hours a week to the only political movement that matters today? There are miles of hell—years of sweat, disappointment and success—between us and a free society.

WORK WHERE YOU'RE NEEDED! O

James Brown, Libertarian O

Five Easy Pieces

A step by step plan to win local offices with "Friday Candidates"

by Kelly Haughton

In odd-numbered years, the state of Washington holds its nonpartisan local elections. The offices available include positions like City Council, School Board, Port Commission, Fire Commission, Park Recreation Board, and Water Commission. Each year 5-10 percent of these positions have no one file to run for them. Our objective is to get Libertarians to file for as many of these uncontested positions as possible. To do this, we need to have a listing of the positions available, a listing of Libertarians who are willing to go in and sign up at the last minute and someone to check on what positions are still available on Thursday afternoon of filing week (July 26-30, 1999). I will call these people who sign up at the last minute "Friday candidates."

Who are Friday candidates? They are people who are willing to run for office only if they are in an uncontested race. They are willing to serve in office, but not willing to compete in a campaign. They are willing to help the cause, but not crazy about the possibility of losing a campaign.

Here is a step by step process for pin-pointing the easy victories, and mobilizing the candidates to win them.

1) Go to the county auditor's office or elections department and get a listing of the positions throughout the county which are up for election in 1999. In addition, get a by-position listing of the people who filed for office in 1997. Look for offices where only one person filed for office.

2) Get a listing of LPWS members in your county or region from Executive Director Carol Miller. This can be emailed to you in a database format you can use, or you can ask for a hard copy.

3) From the two lists obtained in 1), make an assessment of the positions which are most likely to be uncontested. Positions in large cities are rarely easy pickings. Fire Commissions are frequently uncontested. Rural offices are most likely to have little competition. Positions with little power are also often open Thursday afternoon. These positions generally have low filing fees or no fee at all. Further, they have no signature gathering requirements. Thus it is easy to get on the ballot.

4) From that assessment, try to determine which members are located in areas where they might be eligible to run for these uncontested positions.

5) Call the relevant members, assess whether or not they are in the appropriate district and ask if they are willing to be a "Friday candidate." If so, compile a list and tell them we will be checking with the auditor's office on Thursday afternoon and calling Thursday night to notify them if there is a possibility of an uncontested race. Once elected to one of these positions a libertarian can start influencing public policy in the direction of freedom and smaller government right away.

There is also the matter of endorsements. It will be extremely difficult to elect a libertarian to the state legislature until there are at least six local officials willing to support them in a partisan race. These endorsements are critical to establishing a partisan candidate as a real contender in the minds of both the voters and the media. This is the year to start building the list of elected libertarians in your district. You can be one of those elected libertarians if you will be a "Friday candidate!" O

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