Benjamin Franklin is often quoted with the phrase, “”In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Indeed over 200 million taxpayers file their returns before April 15 of each year. But are income taxes necessary?
According to the Libertarian Party’s issue statement on taxes,

Before 1913, federal income taxes were rare and short-lived. America became the most prosperous nation on earth. The U.S. Government did not try to police the world or play “nanny” to everyone from cradle to grave. People took responsibility for themselves, their families, and their communities. That is how the founders of America thought it should be. And it worked. It can again!

The FairTax is a proposal laid out in The FairTax Act (HR 25, S 1025) that would replace all federal income taxes with a single national retail sales tax. The tax would be levied on all new goods and services for personal consumption at the point of sale. The rate would be set at 23%.
Taxes eliminated include all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities.

Dr. Beitler explains his position against the income tax. “No government should punish hard work and savings. If we want truly want to stimulate the economy, we must stop discouraging hard work and savings in America. More than 20% of the cost of everything we buy is the embedded cost of the current tax system. The current tax system has countless loopholes for special-interest groups and is hopelessly complicated. The 16th Amendment should be repealed. The IRS should be abolished.”

Dr. Mike Beitler addresses the NC Latino Coalition in Durham, NC., 8/16.

As a libertarian, I believe you have the right to do whatever you want to do as long as you do not infringe on the rights of others. The role of government is to protect us from criminals not peaceful immigrants. Immigrants, whether classified as legal or undocumented, are a benefit to North Carolina. they provide a much needed workforce, they are consumers that are spending their incomes in North Carolina and a great example to the rest of us of hard workers.

A healthy economy naturally attracts immigrants, many of us were lucky enough to be born in this country. Many other people around the world want nothing more than this same opportunity. Hardworking immigrants are an important part of America’s future success. That is why I support amnesty and a pathway to citizenship.

I am going to now challenge my opponents, Richard Burr and Elaine Marshall, to take the same stand.

Nobody can be considered illegal … or should be considered illegal, simply because of where they are from

As a libertarian, I believe you have the right to go where the jobs are without being categorized by the government, persecuted by racists, or imprisoned simply for trying to make an honest living for yourself and your family.

I’m Dr. Mike Beitler, the Libertarian candidate for US Senate this year and on November 2, I respectfully ask for your vote.

Beitler polled the audience, “How many people believe this country is going in the correct direction?” Only one person in the room raised his hand.

Beitler continued, citing examples of government excess–the national debt in excess of $13 trillion and United States military engagements overseas with no real exit plans. “The United States government now has bases installed and operating in over 140 countries—Insanity! Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” Beitler exclaimed, quoting Albert Einstein.

The latter part of the meeting evolved into a question and answer session, with those in attendance taking turns to ask Dr. Beitler his stance on issues such as healthcare, immigration, taxes and government subsidies.

via U.S. Senate primary winners – Columbia Missourian.

Congratulations Jonathan Dine, and much success in the November race.

Keep things simple–fundraising letters do not need to be verbose. You do not need to be blunt or crude, but you also don’t need to put too much information. At a quick glance, people already know you’re asking for money, so there’s no reason to obfuscate. A one or two page letter with photos or charts usually work best. Don’t try to put too many ideas in it either–if your content can’t be summed up in 1-2 sentences, you’ve probably over-crammed.

Fundraising goals need to be specific. Say how much you need and break down exactly how the funds will be used. If this is a missions trip, you can say, X for airfare, Y for food, Z for medicine. If this is a membership drive for a nonprofit, highlight your budget needs. Disclose what happens with funds raised in excess of goals. Transparency and accountability are imperative when dealing with money that is being entrusted to you.

Recommend “levels” of giving. People will not ‘automatically’ know what amount is appropriate. 10 bucks? 25 bucks? 50 bucks?  Some may choose not donate at all if they feel they can only give too little to make a difference.  Others may be offended if they perceive you are asking for too much. Be gracious.  It’s also acceptable to add, “donations in any amount are welcome.”

Acknowledging donors. If you are publicly acknowledging donors, do so promptly. Some donors prefer anonymity, so make sure you ask, and be mindful and discrete. Donors appreciate a timely personal thank you notes.

Follow up. You should send out an update to everyone with the results of the fundraiser.

Since the audience was local business leaders, the general theme centered around the economy. All said that they were in favor of economic growth in Cary (surprise, surprise). Beezley focused on his experience as a businessman and employer. Stein focused on his career in public service and his recent accomplishments in the NC Senate. Watson criticized government over-regulation and selective tax incentives as unfair to businesses.

When asked about the Wake county schools, Beezley spoke out in favor of neighborhood schools and the importance of setting aside differences and moving forward. Stein spoke about the relationship between strong schools and industry. Watson shared her experiences both as a student and as a teacher in an economic disadvantaged schools. She emphasized her stance that public school systems should be governed at the local level, since locally, they could judge how to best meet the needs of their communities.

Watson shares more of her thoughts on the Forum on her GoLiberty blog.

I was really excited, as this was my first time hearing any of the candidates in person, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to attend. Quite frankly, though, the answers from both Democratic and Republican candidates were as expected. I would have liked to hear more specifics as to the Libertarian perspective.

Under the guise of promoting public safety, Josh Stein has sponsored legislation that directly erodes our privacy (collecting DNA from anyone that is arrest–not convicted–of a felony). He cosponsored legislation to maintains the government’s monopoly on gambling (the NC lottery). He works against empowering parents to have choice for their children’s education, instead, choosing to align with powerful teachers unions to support the government near-monopoly on a failed primary and secondary public education.

Our state is in crisis. It’s time for change. Stephanie E. Watson offers that change. She is a liberty activist and an member of the Libertarian Party. She offers real solutions to the problems we face as North Carolinians today. Please support her in this coming election. Visit her website at goliberty.net.

Dr. Mike Beitler states, “It is common knowledge in politics that PACs only contribute to incumbents. Of course, an exception will be made if a well-funded opponent has the financial clout to beat the incumbent. The exception is made because the ultimate goal is not to help any particular candidate but to buy influence.”

via Cronyism | Beitler For US Senate 2010!.

Corporations should compete for customers in the free market. When corporations buy government favors instead of focusing on more efficient production, this leads to decreases in innovation, creativity and productivity. Corporate cronyism causes losses in production — losses in our global competitiveness — losses in our nations wealth.

We need to turn the tide. We must say “no” to the PACs and corporate special interests and say “yes” to Liberty. Support Dr. Beitler’s campaign.

McVay argues that this “will be the end of fusion candidacies in Delaware and will force the members of every political party to limit their nominations to members of their own party, regardless of their preferences.”

While I was at work today, the State Department of Elections website was updated, removing Brent Wangen and myself from the primaries we had filed and paid for. Celia Cohen is indicating that the cause was a legal opinion issued by the attorney general in 1994 that a candidate not “involved” with the party they file with can be disqualified from the primary ballot. I have attended Republican meetings, been turned away from Democratic meetings due to my party registration, and been registered as both a Democrat and a Republican in the past. But none of that matters.

via Will McVay for DE-32nd District: Unwelcome..

I do applaud his novel approach.  Indeed, it would further the liberty cause for a libertarian candidate to gain the support of either or both of the larger parties.

However, as a libertarian, I am disappointed at McVay’s current tactics.  Individual political parties have the authority to set their own rules, platform and candidates. There is no ‘right’ to force a political party’s endorsement. Moreover, the Delaware Department of Elections, as a government agency, ought to be in the business of overseeing elections, not telling parties who they can and cannot consider for nomination.  (Granted, Title 15 of the Delaware Code is patently unfair to parties other than the two “principal political parties” and ought to be revisited … but that’s a whole other topic.)

The Libertarian Party 2010 Platform, as adopted in Convention May 2010, St. Louis, MO.

3.6    Representative Government
We support electoral systems that are more representative of the electorate at the federal, state and local levels. As private voluntary groups, political parties should be allowed to establish their own rules for nomination procedures, primaries and conventions. We call for an end to any tax-financed subsidies to candidates or parties and the repeal of all laws which restrict voluntary financing of election campaigns. We oppose laws that effectively exclude alternative candidates and parties, deny ballot access, gerrymander districts, or deny the voters their right to consider all legitimate alternatives.

As a private voluntary group, a political party should be able to establish their own rules for nomination and how to run their primaries.  Forcing a party for inclusion on their primary ballot violates their rights to free association and is therefore, decidedly an anti-libertarian act.