Commentary from the liberterrain…
The first Dallas Libertarian Examiner article of 2011, published on January 1, featured Dallas LP newsmaker John Jay Myers asking, "So what does the Libertarian Party of Texas do once the campaign and election season is over?"
Myers answered his own question. "It's a think tank, it influences policy, and it's working against corrupt electoral processes that have severely damaged our republic."
So how did that think tanky thingy work out for the Texas LP in 2011?
Here's a rundown from the LPT's own monthly newsletter stash.
January
New LPT legislative advisors Robert Butler and Jon Roland geared up to defeat Rep Leo Berman's bill designed to force LPT candidates to pay filing fees like the Demos and Repubs, which help offset costs to taxpayers for running primaries. But LPT doesn't do primaries so they don't screw taxpayers; LPT pays its own way.
February
Supported bills to repeal the "offense" of homosexual conduct and to exempt in-state manufacture of firearms, ammo and accessories from interventionist fed regs.
March
Worked to pass the Texas Traveler's Dignity Act that would force TSA to stop groping fliers, prohibit whole body scanners, and express Texans' disgust with TSA. LPT testimony helped kill Berman's "candidate tax" bill.
April
Busy month: sponsored Nullify Now tour in Austin, continued supporting Texas Traveler's Dignity Act, gay rights bill, and opposed implementation of SB9, which would create checkpoints for the dim-witted drug war and make Texans slaves to REAL ID.
May
LPT condemned invasion of Libya. Texas Senate wimps out, passes REAL ID. New Membership Director John Jay Myers launched The Five Minute Activist.
June
Joined big rally at the Capitol supporting Traveler's Dignity Act, launched new voter outreach project.
July
Legislative session ended with gutless mainstream pols chickening out on Traveler's Dignity Act, betraying the majority. See Freedom Report: Sad State of the State of Texas for this and more.
August
Rep. Ron Paul announced he won't run for reelection. Three Libertarians announced for his seat. LPT launched new website, began candidate recruitment for 2012.
September
Continued candidate recruitment.
October
The state tried to move Applications for Nominations deadline to December 12, leaving less time to get LPT candidates on the ballot. LPT testified and stopped it. Candidate recruitment continued.
November
Ector County Libertarians stop unnecessary law against texting while driving. Candidate recruitment continued.
December
Yep, candidate recruiting continued.
(Sidebar: more Whited Sepulchre here)
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