The WV Libertarian Letter

The convention will be an all day event with prominent speakers, a business/nominating meeting, banquet, and a few surprises. Few will want to miss this first convention of West Virginia's first new political party in more than a lifetime.

Also, to kick off the primary election season, the LPWV will host a candidate workshop Saturday, October 25 in Beckley.

Watch for details in the next issue.

Many in attendance said the Libertarians were well represented, and appreciated the chance to hear all sides of the political debate. The WV Libertarian Letter will publish all three speeches with Brown's talk on education being first in this edition:

Brown on Education

Libertarians believe there is no proper role of government in education. We believe it is immoral for government to force its citizens to pay for the education of others. Why must individuals without children in public school pay for state education? Let the consumers of education pay for their education. The state budget is dominated by education at 71%. President Clinton and Governor Underwood have said education is their number one priority. Is this fair to people without children? Is this fair to older people who have already educated their children? Is this fair to those of us who can (and do) use private schools? No, it is not.

But you might disagree. Maybe you're convinced there's a greater good for society that overrides the liberty of the individual. Well, I could remind you that the world's been there, done that, tried that with socialism, communism and fascism -- and look where that philosophy landed them -- but I won't. Let's just take a look at this from a conservative economic approach. Let's examine the track record of public schools in America the last few decades.

Performance has declined. SAT scores have dropped. Once out of every four children entering high school can be labeled functionally illiterate. College and universities now must offer remedial calsses in basic courses because of the ill-preparedness of its freshmen.

The lack of money isn't to blame. Since 1950 public school spending has increased from $259 per student to more than $6,000. This grown rate is four times the amount of inflation. Washington, DC leads the nation in cost per student at $9,300 per year, but is almost last in SAT scoring. Where's the money going? Good question. Here's some disturbing facts that point to the answer: Only 52% of all education money gets into the classroom. Only 50% of all public school emplyees are teachers. It is clear that government bureaucracies rob its citizens through taxation, leaving us with a substandard education system.

The Democrats and Republicans use federal aid to education as a way to implement their social agendas. Reading has taken a back seat to multicultural diversity. Writing's now less important than recycling. Arithmetic competes with lessons on safe sex and illegal drugs. Some educators are puzzled by the free-fall in SAT scores. Do you remember any questions about condoms or crack cocaine when you took the SAT?

Along with the performance and cost problems -- enrollment percentages have declined -- and who could blace them? Violence and drug use has reached epidemic proportions, especially in poor school districts. And here lies the greatest tragedy: the poor suffer the most. They're stuck. There's no escape. They can't afford to choose a private school. They can't even afford to move. In West Virginia 3 out of every 10 students live in poverty. This whole education situation, in fact might be called tragic, but not yet. Not when there are solutions that offer us all hope.

The privatization of education would scrap the inefficient monopoly of government schools and institute a free-market system of private schools for all. Free markets work because competition makes the quality high while keeping the price low. The free enterprise system is a major reason why America is great. Food, shelter and clothing work in the free market. So can education.

Private schools offer consumers what they want. Test scores are generally much higher than their public counterparts. Curriculum can be customized to fit the values of those attending. Problems of school prayer, sex education, evolution and textbook content are by-in-large solved. Discipline is better and safety is higher. And all of this is achieved at half the cost of public education. By the way, my wife and I send our children to a private Catholic school. The annual cost per student is just shy of $2,000. Test scores are higher than 82% of all schools nationwide, and we are assured if a morally strong learning environment for our children. This is an example of the free-market at work. It can work for everyone if a plan of privatization is adopted.

A plan for privatization could be adopted by offering state tax credits for education. The plan could work like this: The state offers a $2,000 tax credit to any individual or corporation that pays for the education of one child for one year. For every tax credit given the state eliminates a $4,467 liability for a net savings of $2,467. If all 300,000 state children went to private schools the state would save $740 million annually. This would allow the state to eliminate not only the food tax, but all sales taxes. In addition, the local and federal governments could rebate about $800 million annually to state residents. The economic benefit to our state would be tremendous at worst. All children, regardless of economic conditions could attend private school. The poor would benefit from tax credit scholarships that would be available from anyone, including corporations.

But please, don't misunderstand me. Utopia is not an option. There will still be some of the problems we face today. Some parents won't be able to handle the freedom and responsibility. Half the schools and half the students will always be below average. But the overall benefits would be much greater. Government would be much smaller. The focus of educators would be to serve the public, and not to dictate their will. Parents would reclaim their right to choose a proper education for their children.
(note: an older lady later told me I said things that "needed to be said." --JB)

LPWV Execom meeting minutes of April 27, 1997

Minutes of Libertarian Party of West Virgina Executive Committee Meeting held 2:00 P.M. April 27, 1997 at Pasquale Mira Italian Restaurant Beckley, West Virginia.

Present: John Brown, Dr. Wallace Johnson, Joy Johnson, Dr. Joseph Whelan, David Worlfe, John Welbourn, Alan Handleman, Karl Swisher and John Sturgeon. State chair John Brown called the meeting to order. The minutes of the January 25, 1997 exectutive committee meeting were read by secretary-treasurer John Sturgeon. Reading approved, seconded and passed.

Officers Reports: Vice-Chair: John Brown reported that state vice-chair Roger Fritz has accepted a job in his home state of Iowa and has resigned his office. He will be sorely missed. Dr. Richard Kerr, former Monongalia County Republican vice chairman, has resigned his office and Republican Party membership and joined the LPWV. He has since been appointed new state vice-chair of the LPWV. John Brown read a letter from Dr. Kerr accepting the position and apologizing for being unable to attend the committee meeting, but would scheduale accordingly in the future.

Secretary-Treasurer: The treasurers report was given by John Sturgeon. The LPWV checking account currently has a $3,214.92 balance, thanks largely to infusions from Dr. Johnson's gubernatorial campaign.

The 1997 Tax Day Protest at the Charleston post office, although scaled back from previous years, got some coverage on local television. A slightly different approach was taken this year. No $1,000,000 bills were passed out. Instead, signs were displayed reading "Born Free, Taxed to Death" and "Taxation is Theft." These generated many thumbs up responses from people in vehicles and pedestrians, as well as some literal pats-on-the-back.

Vice-President Membership: The Membership report was given by Karl Swisher, who was pleased to report progress at the college level. There is now a student Libertarian Club at WVU, and contacts have been made at Marshall University and Concord College. Advertisements are schedualed to run in the student newspapers at Fairmont State College, West Virginia Wesleyan, Shepherd College and Ohio Valley College, these being donated by Mr. Swisher. There are also plans for a web page at West Virginia Tech.

Vice-President Campaigns: The Campaigns report was given by Dr. Joseph Whelan, who advised that there will not be much to report in this area until we have some focus. He did stress how vital it will be to recruit college students to serve as campaign workers. He also suggested that we identify the races where the LPWV has a real chance and concentrate on them.

District One: The District One report was given by District One Chair David Wolfe. He has received some phone calls asking for contacts in the LPWV. Mr. Wolfe has filed the final report for Johnson for Governor in 1996 with the West Virginia Secretary of State's office. In the future, he suggested that an accountant, either certified public or other, be used to handle the nuts and bolts paper work of campaigns, and to advise candidates on their financial reporting requirements. He also requested a class at the state LPWV convention for potential candidates to let them know what they will be required to do and how best to handle their campaigns.

District Two: The District Two report was not given, District Two Chair Bill Clem being absent.

District Three: District Three Chair Dr. Wallace Johnson reported that he gave a response on West Virginia Public Radio to a previously broadcast commentary by Kate Long concerning welfare. In his reply, Dr. Johnson stressed how job creation is not a responsibility of government, but rather a function of the market. If possible, Dr. Johnson would like to become a regular commentator on Public Radio, giving the Libertarian view.

The Ruritan Roundup was held at Fairlea, W. Va., organized by Cleve Benedict with 600 tickets sold, and featured speakers from each political party on three topics: Juvenile Justice, Education Reform and Welfare Reform. Speaking for the LPWV were Dr. Johnson, Dr. Whelan and John Brown. The event received minimal TV coverage, Dr. Johnson reported.

Special Orders: John Brown attended Success '97, a meeting of Libertarian Party State Chairs, held in Washington, D.C. at the end of March.

At a meeting with West Virginia Secretary of State Ken Hechler, John Brown and Roger Fritz were informed that Libertarian will be a choice on the voter registration form, but not until the current supply is exhausted and new forms printed, probably in August.

With 44 or 55 West Virginia counties reporting, there are more that 170 registered Libertarians.

The recent fundraising letter has so far received 50 responses out of 160 mailed and brought in approximately $500. The cost of printing and mailing was $150.

A financial plan, using Indiana as a model, was presented at Success '97. Applying the model to the LPWV, John Brown estimated the funds of $6,500 a year could be generated. A credit card pledge program is in the works, allowing memebers the option of monthly donations.

An error in the newest recruiting pamphlet was reported: tho local LPWV phone number should be (304) 343-LPWV. It is 345-LPWV on the brochure. This will be corrected in future printings. The 800 number is correct.

The May newsletter will tentatively include the remarks of all three LPWV speakers at the Ruritan Round-Up.

Old Business: LPWV Convention: Now schedualed for Charleston, date to be decided. Three sites are being considered. The Charlestion Marriott has advised that an October, 1997 date could be accommodated and a proposal, with prices, has been received from them. The Charleston House Holiday Inn can not be used for a fall 1997 event, but could have us the weekend of May 2, 1998. This could be advantageous as a media event, falling just before the May Primary Election. The Ramada Inn has not yet replied to our inquiries.

The date of the convention was discussed. A proposal was made to move the date to spring of 1998. Candidates could begin raising funds for their campaigns this summer, giving a long lead time. In the event of more than one candidate for an office, the convention would be used as our primary election. Instead of holding a mini campaign school at the convention, it was suggested that the executive committee meeting of October 1997 be expanded to include this.

Shadow Government: John Brown plans make arrangements for the handling of Libertarian press releases on state govenment actions, and issues.

Web page/e-mail: Alan Handleman has offered the LPWV room for a web page. Departed Vice Chair Roger Fritz had been maintaining an America On Line account for this purpose.

Other Goals: Membership: Although the goal is 200 members by the end of the year, we seem to be hovering at around 90 dues-paying members. This may be due in part to the absence of an upcoming election. Possible events where an Operation Politically Homeless booth could be deployed include the West Virginia State Fair and the Marshall-WVU football game, where students could help out. Advertising through the West Virginia Press Association is another possibility, hitting state weekly newpapers where rates are lowest.

David Wolfe pointed out that we now have a list of previous donors for future reference. Our agenda offers much to big business, although at present there is no way to implement it, lacking anyone in the legislature. He also pointed out that obtaining a list of big comtributors from the secretary of state's office is possible, since it is a matter of public record.

It was suggested that an advertisement be run in the local paper where the next executive committee meeting is to be held and allot time after the meeting to meet with anyone who may be interested.

The next meeting was set for 2:00 P.M., Saturday July 26, 1997 in Jane Lew, W. Va., at the Wilderness Plantation Motel and Restaurant.

Meeting adjourned.

Handleman upgrades, manages LPWV internet home pages

Kerr replaces Fritz as Vice Chair

"Not having Roger Fritz is a big loss to our party," lamented state chair John Brown, "but with the addition of Dr. Kerr we have new reasons to be optimistic about the continued success of our party." Kerr resigned from his executive committee position in Monongalia County after realizing there wasn't much difference between the traditional parties.