State Convention Coming to Grand Rapids!

In case you haven't heard, the Michigan Libertarian Party state convention will be held in Grand Rapids for the first time in 13 years. This should be a fun time and a great way to reconnect with old acquaintances and make new ones. The great thing about the event this year is that it is free to guests and delegates - so a wonderful opportunity to introduce a friend or two to the up and coming party.

The event will be held May 5th at the friendly Grand Rapids Airport Hilton on the corner or 28th street and Patterson. A social mixer will be held at the Whitecaps baseball game on May 4th 6:35 (great for the whole family). The banquet on the evening of May 5th will not only feature dining by the Hilton staff but also Diane Katz from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

To find out more or to register, you can go to the local web page or the state web page.

A Tax for All Seasons

Former LP of West Michigan Chair, Ron Heeren's ingenuous idea to help cover the state budget shortfall. Published in the GR Press on 2/16/07. Link here: http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/117164079718320.xml?grpress?NELE&coll=6&thispage=6


The governor claims she needs more money to run government.
Here is a tax that citizens will applaud. It doesn't attack smokers, gamblers, property owners, businesses and other areas politicians deem worthy of government wrath, it cuts to our biggest government problem: political campaign contributions and politicians buying their way into office for their agendas.
Here is a tax everyone will favor. If a candidate raises more than 50 percent of the annual salary for the office of which that candidate is seeking, funds shall be taxed at 50 percent of the amount of funds raised in that election cycle.
Second, any campaign funds given to a candidate or political party during an election cycle that are not given by a single individual, will be taxed at 50 percent of each dollar given. Married couples count as individuals.
Any funds left over after a campaign by an office seeker, will be turned over to the state treasury to be applied against the tax. The state taxing authority will have appropriate power to confiscate such largesse.
Taxes will not be applied to individual citizen contributions to initiatives, referenda or recalls.
They will apply to any special interest entities or corporate contributors and coalitions or political parties formed for the purpose of collecting funds for ballot issues.
If politicians believe taxes solve every government problem, let'em put their money where their mouths are.
Put this referendum on the next general election ballot to amend the state constitution.
RON HEEREN/Plainfield Township

LPWM Member writes letter about former president Ford and sports

Membership director Bill Gelineau had a letter to the editor in the GR Press published on the 7th of January. It was the highlighted 'Pulse of the Public' letter for the day. Here it is:

The Ford example

Over the first three days of January, the world of sports gave us fine examples of character. On New Year's Day, we were given an example for any young person. Meeting their challenges, underdog Boise State showed courage and perseverance in facing down perennial powerhouse Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. With every reason to quit, they fought back with effort, guile, execution and imagination to achieve an instant classic overtime victory we won't soon forget.

Tuesday night, through the retiring of Steve Yzerman's No. 19 jersey, we saw the reward of hard work and humility. Despite having had achieved much during his 22-year pro career in Detroit, he chose to recognize all the people who helped shape and develop his success. Less known is the extensive charity work to which Mr. Yzerman has always committed time and energy. Then, as if to show the way to the finish line, we see the example of President Ford.

Though learned and engaged, Mr. Ford was never quick to criticize after leaving the Oval Office. His willingness to build bridges and see things from the viewpoint of others will endure as a legacy for all. There are good examples, such as facing difficult challenges, perseverance despite the obstacles, working hard, showing humility, leading by your deeds and having empathy for others. If we all show some small measure of these examples this year, each of us -- and our nation will be just fine.

BILL GELINEAU/Lowell Township

LPWM on the air across Michigan

I was interviewed by local public radio station regarding the Lakeshore Promise yesterday. Kevan Chapman said the clip ran across Michigan on other NPR stations. He is very fair and has been very good about including our views/candidates in the news for the last year. Mr. Chapman said he saw my letter and thought of me when looking for a dissenting voice regarding the Promise. It just goes to show that you never know what the impact of small acts might be.

Lakeshore Promise

Here is my letter to the editor (GR Press) regarding the Lakeshore Promise. Briefly, the Promise is a scheme devised by a car dealer in Holland (DeNooyer) to pay for college for all graduates in the Holland and Zeeland area. Of course, the only way he can finance this is through a hefty .75-1.5 % income tax. Unlikely to pass but worth fighting in case someone gets a crazy idea to support it.

Letter to the Editor in Grand Rapids Press on 1/4/07 by Erwin Haas

Socialized medicine?

I've been practicing medicine for over 30 years. Many younger doctors believe that my time was the golden age of medicine. Doctors had respect, earned money and worked hard. Young docs worry about socialized medicine limiting their incomes, and lowering their status.

Simple analysis shows that it is only after the Democrats and Republicans socialize medicine as advocated by Dr. Burns ("Single payer best," Pulse, Dec. 19), that doctors will achieve wealth. Serious money began to flow with Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s.

When the state becomes the only source of medicinal care, politicians will pour real money into "health care" in unlimited amounts, and promulgate dozens of Mickey Mouse rules that make practicing medicine impossible, so why bother doing a good job?

Just working to follow the rules, and gaming the system will frustrate any criticism. And investing pennies in campaign contributions to the right parties will reap dollars in increased profits.

After all, the politicians will be responsible, and it will be their jobs to stifle nagging protest. Patients, well, they won't have much say except in two respects: as taxpayers to be swindled by the politicians who will conceal the obscene cost increases and, in an attempt to control these costs, to be treated like cattle in an assembly line.

ERWIN HAAS, MD

Communications Director

Libertarian Party of West Michigan

Grand Rapids