FREE WHITEWATER

Libertarians

The LP Convention

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The Libertarian Party has concluded its 2008 party convention, nominating former Republican representative Bob Barr on the sixth ballot. Barr defeated a field of six other candidates, some longstanding LP members, and many to the libertarian-left (as Barr is to the libertarian-right).

The Denver convention saw over 600 delegates listen, speak, debate, and vote on the choices before them. David Weigel of Reason magazine covered the convention in detail. (He also spoke occasionally during C-Span’s excellent coverage of the convention.)

The deciding and voting takes place at the convention — delegates do not come to the convention bound to vote for a candidate (it would be hard to see libertarians imposing that requirement at their political convention.) So, there is always real uncertainty, and real drama.

The convention was not, as you can guess, a major-party affair. It was decidedly low(er) tech — paper ballots and a single laptop to calculate and display the results. (When the laptop was being used to calculate a given ballot’s results, it was not available to display the previous ballot’s standings. There are small-company meetings that have better production values.)

I saw in a comment at Reason that watching party officials count through paper ballots near the head table was embarrassing to the commenter. Well, it’s a far cry from the major part conventions. It’s not different, though, from how American counted convention votes for most of her history. Low tech, but not unworthy of us.

From Reason magazine —

1) A discussion among some LP candidates, including LP presidential nominee Barr:

2) David Weigel’s assessment of the LP convention, entitled, “Live from the LP Convention: U-N-I-T-Y.”

3) Weigel’s story, “Citizen Bob,” on how former GOP congressman Bob Barr became the 2008 LP nominee.

Libertarians

The LP

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Although millions of Americans identify themselves as libertarians, a far smaller number are registered members of the Libertarian Party (LP). The LP was founded on December 11th, 1971, in the home of David Nolan.

At the time, neither the Republican nor Democratic parties offered much for those committed to smaller government and peaceful commerce over military intervention.

(The Nixon Administration seldom found a government program, interference with private markets, or foreign policy entanglement it wouldn’t endorse. There were sound reasons for Goldwater and Reagan to see Nixon’s approach as bad for the Republican Party, and America.)

In that era of government expansion, and foreign war, some decided that a third party was the best place to advance a commitment to personal liberty, free markets, and peaceful trade with other nations.

The party has never done so well as the number of libertarians in America led activists to hope. Many libertarians, including those at prominent think tanks and universities, are unaffiliated with any political party. The LP has never received more than about one-percent of the vote in a presidential election. Millions more libertarians vote with one of America’s major political parties come election day.

The party’s official website, at LP.org, lacks the polish of a major party’s site, or even the polish of a typical congressional candidate’s website. It looks as though a few people designed it over a weekend. There’s nothing remotely corporate about it.

Members of the LP share a common commitment to individual liberty, but are otherwise an eclectic bunch. Some look as though they would be at home in any board room or office; others dress and speak in the manner of a sub-culture or counter-culture. Their common philosophical commitment keeps them together, but sometimes only barely.

Many are long-time activists, and sometimes their free personal expression in speech and dress makes them easy targets for stuffy outsiders. Although the LP delegates and activists are outspoken and confident, for each of them there are thousands more who share similar views but might not be so confident. Of that greater number, many are more comfortable living in the tall grass of private life. Watching an LP gathering, it’s easy to see how narrow-minded people might try to bully or marginalize some of the LP’s more colorful members.

I have always enjoyed their company, and listening to them. They’re typically sharp, thoughtful, sincere, and committed people. While the Republican Party balks at support for free trade if Ohio’s at stake, the LP stands for free commerce without flinching. While the Democratic Party hedges on equal marriage rights to make Missouri competitive, the LP is clear in its commitment to equal treatment for all citizens.

The members of the LP are more than party activists; they’re citizens who love America, and are willing to contend for their beliefs.

I would gladly prefer their company and policies to those of an arrogant, pinched majority seeking to cajole and compromise its way to ever-greater, undeserved power.

Libertarians

Libertarians and the LP

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There are millions of self-identified libertarians in America, but a significantly smaller number of libertarians who are members of the Libertarian Party (LP). Over at the independent Cato Institute, David Boaz has a post, “Libertarian Voters and the Libertarian Party,” describing the number of libertarians in America and in the LP.

Boaz notes that the LP has never received more than about 900,000 votes in a presidential election (in 1980); by contrast, as many as 15-20% of Americans hold what Boaz describes as “broadly libertarian views.” (Boaz has an excellent analysis of the libertarian vote available online at Cato.)

Boaz holds out the possibility of more voters for the LP than ever before:

So the challenge for this year’s Libertarian nominee is this: There’s widespread disillusionment with both parties. Ron Paul tapped into some of that in the Republican primaries and demonstrated that a libertarian candidate could raise a lot of money. Some 15 to 20 percent of the voters — 18 million to 24 million voters in 2004 — hold libertarian views. Those libertarian voters have previously demonstrated their willingness to vote for third-party candidates. In 2006, they swung sharply away from Republican candidates, yet the leading Democrats aren’t offering much to libertarian-minded voters….So there would seem to be a huge potential audience for a Libertarian candidate who could raise money, get media attention, create online buzz, and present a compelling and articulate case for peace, freedom, and limited government.

It’s a tall order for a party that has not won over 1% of the presidential vote, but this may be a year for a significantly greater share for the LP.

Charity

Alzheimer’s Association Provides Books to Area Libraries

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I received the following press release and photo from the Alzheimer’s Association:

Milwaukee, WI – May 23, 2008 – The Alzheimer’s Association recently donated numerous books on Alzheimer’s disease to public libraries in Walworth County. This effort, which included books for children and adults, was geared toward an ongoing public awareness initiative to provide education and support for the 50,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin who are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

Specific books available at the public libraries in Walworth County include “The 36-hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease”, and “Memory Loss in Later Life”, as well as children’s books entitled “Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants: A Story About Alzheimer’s Disease for Young Children”, and “Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children About Alzheimer’s Disease”. Funding for the books was provided by a grant from the Southeastern Wisconsin Community Foundation. For information on local services relating to Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, contact Wendy Betley, Regional Services Coordinator and Care Consultant, at 262.210.5288.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a national non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and to enhance care and support for individuals, their families, and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin provides information, education, and support to people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, their families, and healthcare professionals throughout an 11-county region. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the toll-free, 24-hour Helpline at 800-272-3900.

The above photo was taken at the Matheson Memorial Library in Elkhorn. Pictured from left to right are:

Wendy Betley, Regional Services Coordinator and Care Consultant of the Alzheimer’s Association
Lisa Selje, Library Director at the Matheson Memorial Library
Jennifer Wharton, Youth Services Librarian at the Matheson Memorial Library

Planning

Bargaining & Planning

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There have been months of controversy over the possibility of residential first floor housing in our downtown.

Setting aside how this issue has been debated, considered, and decided, here’s my take in support of first floor housing subject to conditional use approval.

Traditionally, first floor housing in the downtown was subject to approval only as a conditional use. More recently, at the urging of members of Downtown Whitewater, Inc., and many others, there was a request to impose a moratorium on approval of conditional use permits until the Planning Commission had the opportunity to offer a recommendation.

The choices that have been before us: Ban, reject a ban, or amend with a two year sunset clause (leaving a future Council to decide whether to renew the ban before its expiration)? Many have spoken in favor of a moratorium or ban over these last months. There is no dispute that those who favor this approach favor it strongly.

You may know, too, that I have been willing to offer a dissenting view; that willingness is present in this case, too. Someone who speaks in dissent, by definition, does not favor decision by plebiscite. One should be willing to advocate in spite of a majority on the other side.

Readers know that I was only lukewarm toward a temporary moratorium against the Planning Commission’s ability to grant conditional uses for first floor housing in the Downtown. Without a moratorium, the Planning Commission could vote in favor, or against, a given conditional use request.

If I would not prefer a lengthy moratorium, then I would not favor a ban, either. Opposition to a ban does not mean support of first floor housing in any given case; I would favor keeping the option available.

A conditional use request need not be approved, and by its nature could impose requirements on the request for a first floor downtown residence (size, floor plan, etc.). I have contended that these imposed requirements may prove onerous. Still, they offer an applicant an opportunity where a ban offers none.

I have opposed a ban. That would not settle the issue — but leave possibilities: conditional use approval, or conditional use rejection. Fair enough to me, and consistent with the idea that applicants could offer proposals as a bargain with a municipality or municipal board to win approval.

If the price of approval seemed to high, then no deal (with either side possibly deciding against the proposal). As I noted before, if the conditions seem too burdensome, it will be evident though open, public bargaining and debate.

I would not foreclose the possibility of bargaining and a deal.

Cartoons & Comics

Friday Morning Cartoon

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Here’s a Felix the Car cartoon from the 1930s, in color. The use of color gives the cartoon a completely different appearance from last week’s cartoon. In this short film, Felix meets King Cole, and battles some ghosts. Enjoy.

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Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 23, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

It’s a private sector, civil society only day: there are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In Wisconsin history on this day in 1903, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin became the first state to elect candidates directly in a primary election, rather than through a convention or caucus. The progressive proposal was itself put to a direct vote, approved in a statewide referendum one year later.

The National Weather Service calls for 60 degrees, and partly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains.

City

Common Council Meeting for May 6th

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Our Common Council met on May 6th, and there are two topics that I will briefly address.

The local bus company contacted the city to request a change in the city ordinance regulating use of warning lights for school buses. There were two challenges with this request. No one from the bus company was able to attend the meeting, and the ordinance as proposed was unclear (did the bus company want discretion in the use of warning lights at all times, or discretion only occasionally?) The discussion at Council revealed that there was uncertainty, and so the matter was postponed for further discussion.

If a private concern wants a proposed ordinance change that directly and specifically involves its business, a principal of the concern should be available to answer any questions. The wording of the proposed change should also be consistent with what the business wants. That’s probably the least that a city should expect before considering the matter.

There was also a discussion of whether a Common Council member should sit on the Police and Fire Commission. The Council decided that the answer should be yes, but that the change would not take effect for one year (as there was a nomination process already underway for 2008).

There’s time (a year) to write about whether it’s permissible for a Common Council member to sit on the PFC. (Some cities in Wisconsin have this practice; there is a Wisconsin Attorney General’s opinion that contends a city may not place a Council member on a PFC.)

In any event, though, if one contends that our present arrangement has been working well, then might as well contend that anything works well.

Uncategorized

One Year On

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It was a year ago that FREE WHITEWATER began. Since then, there have been hundreds of posts, on dozens of topics. Many have addressed the administration of justice in our small town, and other posts considered the right of free expression. My interest in these topics is unchanged.

Nonetheless, I did not begin writing for those topics alone, however important they are. If there had been less to consider, I would have addressed other topics sooner. I cannot say that the opportunity will present itself; events often guide commentary.

I can say that, as with other blogs from across our state, there’s more to write, about topics explored less fully than I might have wished. I’d enjoy writing more – and in greater detail — on planning, or LP politics, for example.

When I began, and for about two months afterward, this website had few visitors. I thought that it would probably stay small forever, and I was contented with that number of readers. I wrote on topics that interested me, without trimming my sails, and without expecting much change in readership. Even a few dozen readers each week seemed like a large number.

Month in, month out, readership has grown, and now I have a steady readership of about twenty-two hundred unique individuals (excluding search engines, etc.) visiting each week. Of those readers, many visit several times during a given week. They’re readers from Whitewater, across Wisconsin, and places farther afield in America.

A new year waits, with posts unwritten, on topics unknown.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 22, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In our schools, it’s market day pickup at Lincoln School. At 7:00 p.m., there will be a middle school show choir and jazz band concert at the middle school.

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 66 degrees, and mostly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains. There’s the problem of the Farmers’ Almanac’s long range approach — when they’re far off the mark, they’re far off the mark for up to three straight days (as they group long range predictions into threes).

In Wisconsin history on this day in 1968, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin’s professional basketball team was named the Milwaukee Bucks. Apparently 14,000 people suggested entries, of which forty-five suggested the Milwaukee Bucks as the team name.

Planning

Planning Commission Meeting from May 19th

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The latest Planning Commission meeting was Monday, May 19th. I’ll offer comments on a few parts of an agenda-rich meeting.

Currently, the city planner’s post is vacant, and consultants to the city are fulfilling a portion of that role.

The Planning Commission elected a new chairperson (Kristine Zaballos), vice-chairperson (Greg Torres), and filled roles where Planning Commission members attend other committees — among them representative to the Community Development Authority (Tom Miller) and Tree Commission (David Stone).

There were no opposing candidates for these positions, and it suggests — I think — a group that generally has come to understand the lay of the land, so to speak. That’s not true in every case, but likely for most on the commission.

I also thought it was a gracious gesture to ask, and for the group to agree, for Jason Wiedenhoeft to chair his final meeting.

It’s also honest and fair to applicants and the board to ask an applicant for a quid pro quo (the Cordio’s Beer Here request). That gives an applicant both an opportunity and a responsibility. If you want this, then how about these requests for a conditional use….? There’s nothing categorical about it — a bit of effort on both sides will produce an accommodation. It’s straightforward, and easily understood by applicants and the community.

If the conditions are too extreme, applicants will complain, and the community will notice.

It’s the categorical that causes more trouble — a blanket declaration that something cannot happen, that they’ll be no agreement under any circumstances. Most of these matters can be decided affirmatively, if the conditions are not too onerous so as to undermine the venture.

The university is planning a new residence building at Starin and Prince. It’s a green building, and there are guidelines that assure that it truly will meet environmental conservation standards. At a time when almost every product touts its environmentally-friendly nature, it’s important to check (1) what standards are, and (2) verify compliance (as the commission did in several respects). The architects of the building are well-established, and are likely to meet verifiable guidelines.

One other aspect of this apartment project stands out, more than any other — it is designed in part to accommodate those who are disabled. One of the characteristics of our university is its role in being a friendly campus for those who disabled. Some students choose the university for that reason. It’s another reason to be proud of, and support, the campus. Fighting and overcoming barriers to higher education is part of the American dream.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 21, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In our schools, there are three concerts scheduled for today. At 2 p.m., and again at 7 p.m., there will be a grade band concert at Lakeview School. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a High School Choir concert in the high school auditorium.

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 64 degrees, and partly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains.

In Wisconsin history on this date, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, there were two very different achievements: Marquette and Joliet reached the Menominee in 1673, and in 1985 a paper-airplane distance record of 193 feet was set in La Crosse. more >>