Libertarians on the way to infesting New Jersey

[FUCK THE POLICE]

http://www.lp.org/media/article_529.shtml

Washington, D.C. – A New Jersey Superior Court has issued a Consent Order eliminating the death grip state Republican and Democrats had on New Jersey politics. New Jersey officials did not fight the lawsuit filed in behalf of the Libertarian Party of New Jersey and other third parties in the state, instead opting to sign an agreement promising the government would change the laws. "Friday's conclusion to the Libertarian Party of New Jersey's year-long lawsuit was a sound resolution in favor of electoral fairness and equality," says William Redpath, national chairman of the Libertarian Party.

"Now that the suit has been settled, the Libertarian Party of New Jersey, as well as other minor parties, will finally be allowed to compete with the two major parties as equals," Redpath continued. "The bias inherent in the New Jersey law has finally been removed, and real electoral progress can be made."

Previously, third parties in New Jersey had fundraising caps that Republicans and Democrats did not. Additionally, third parties were not allowed to give as much to their candidates as the two major parties.

"Obviously I'm delighted that we're continually making headway and opening up opportunities for Libertarians and all other independents," says Lou Jasikoff, state chairman of the Libertarian Party of New Jersey. "We're getting closer to an equal playing field. The Republicans and Democrats want us to get on the bus with them as long as we sit in the back, and that's the main reason why they've been able to control the law for as long as they have."

Kenneth Kaplan, a state committee member of the NJLP, said in a Party press release: "We used to mock the elections in the Soviet Union because the only people who could run against the Communists were other Communists. It hasn't been much different in New Jersey, except that we had two parties, Democrats and Republicans, conspiring to prevent any other party from participating. This settlement is a giant step toward opening the system to other parties."

 

[blackascoal]

This is good news, but it's not a libertarian success, it's a success that was fought for and won by Greens, Conservatives, and Libertarians.

"In the Order, the Green Party of New Jersey, the New Jersey Conservative Party, and the New Jersey Libertarian Party are all granted equal treatment with the State’s official “political parties” (Democratic and Republican) in two defined areas: campaign finance and lobbying rights. The parties will enjoy official “political party committee” status for the purpose of the contribution limits in the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act. In this way, these parties can raise money from individuals at the same levels as the Democrats and Republicans, and like those parties, can give unlimited contributions to their candidates. Furthermore, they will no longer pay lobbying fees – a privilege long held by the State’s official political parties.

The Order also removed restrictions on ballot petitioning by out-of-district petitioners. It similarly declared “void and unenforceable” a provision that required general election nomination petition signers to promise to support and vote for the candidate named in the petition. It also stipulated that the New Jersey Conservative Party would be included on New Jersey’s voter registration form and party declaration form—something already achieved by the Greens and Libertarians."

http://www.appleseeds.net/Media/PressReleases/NewJerseyJudgeOrderThirdParties/tabid/333/Default.aspx

.... thus your thread should be more aptly titled "Third parties on the way to infesting New Jersey."

I'm Green .. just ensuriing our piece of the pie.

 

[FUCK THE POLICE]

It is kind of surprising. The supreme court has held before that states have the right to suppress third parties, not only to simply keep the frivolous names off of the ballot, but for the sole purpose of promoting a two party system.

Since, of course, a two party system is best for the nation. Says that in the constitution, even.

 

[blackascoal]

It is kind of surprising. The supreme court has held before that states have the right to suppress third parties, not only to simply keep the frivolous names off of the ballot, but for the sole purpose of promoting a two party system.

Since, of course, a two party system is best for the nation. Says that in the constitution, even.

I agree with you .. but I also believe the Constitution is a flawed document, although a good framework for a budding democracy.

 

[LadyT]

My mother went through a libertarian phase a few years back and she was highly annoyed that she couldn't register as a libertarian and then became insulted when they sent her something back saying that she was registered as a "republican". I guess someone heard her complaints.

 

[Cypress]

My mother went through a libertarian phase a few years back and she was highly annoyed that she couldn't register as a libertarian and then became insulted when they sent her something back saying that she was registered as a "republican". I guess someone heard her complaints.

Just more evidence that "Libertarians" are in fact, closeted republican bush apologists.

 

[Damocles]

Just more evidence that "Libertarians" are in fact, closeted republican bush apologists.

Just more evidence that Cypress used to live in NJ.

 

[uscitizen]

Libertarians, the other flavor of Republican.

 

[WC Grouch]

One Party System

It is kind of surprising. The supreme court has held before that states have the right to suppress third parties, not only to simply keep the frivolous names off of the ballot, but for the sole purpose of promoting a two party system.

Since, of course, a two party system is best for the nation. Says that in the constitution, even.

Political parties did not exist in 1787 and they were not mentioned in the Constitution. Are you thinking of Jefferson's speech of 1824?

"Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes.
2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves. Call them, therefore, liberals and serviles, Jacobins and Ultras, whigs and tories, republicans and federalists, aristocrats and democrats, or by whatever name you please, they are the same parties still and pursue the same object. The last appellation of aristocrats and democrats is the true one expressing the essence of all."....Thomas Jefferson 1824

 

[FUCK THE POLICE]

Political parties did not exist in 1787 and they were not mentioned in the Constitution. Are you thinking of Jefferson's speech of 1824?

"Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes.
2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves. Call them, therefore, liberals and serviles, Jacobins and Ultras, whigs and tories, republicans and federalists, aristocrats and democrats, or by whatever name you please, they are the same parties still and pursue the same object. The last appellation of aristocrats and democrats is the true one expressing the essence of all."....Thomas Jefferson 1824

No, it was a joke. The supreme court completely made up the justifacation as an excuse to squash third parties. Current third parties may be radical (an effect of our system), but if a third party emerges that's willing to be sensible and debate, and can win large percentages of the vote, there's nothing at all harmful to our democracy about that, and it's not beneficial at all to limit it to just two parties.

And Jefferson's "theory", really clearly hasn't come to pass. Throughout the world there are far more than two ways to look at any issue. To squash it into two different perspectives is a crime to society.

 

[Damocles]

Political parties did not exist in 1787 and they were not mentioned in the Constitution. Are you thinking of Jefferson's speech of 1824?

"Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes.
2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves. Call them, therefore, liberals and serviles, Jacobins and Ultras, whigs and tories, republicans and federalists, aristocrats and democrats, or by whatever name you please, they are the same parties still and pursue the same object. The last appellation of aristocrats and democrats is the true one expressing the essence of all."....Thomas Jefferson 1824

George Washington ran for a second term solely to keep partisan politics out of the fray. He was unsuccessful and pretty much when he got out of office parties began to take over.

 

[Annie]

George Washington ran for a second term solely to keep partisan politics out of the fray. He was unsuccessful and pretty much when he got out of office parties began to take over.

Finally someone who knows of what he speaks! Kudos.

 

[FUCK THE POLICE]

Finally someone who knows of what he speaks! Kudos.

Who doesn't know that, Runyon?

 

[Epicurus]

Who doesn't know that, Runyon?

Breaking news. George Washington was also the first President.

 

[FUCK THE POLICE]

Errr...

Yeah.

 

[Annie]

Breaking news. George Washington was also the first President.

Seriously, you are pitiful.

 

[WC Grouch]

I agree. The more parties the better!

 

[WC Grouch]

George Washington ran for a second term solely to keep partisan politics out of the fray. He was unsuccessful and pretty much when he got out of office parties began to take over.

Partisan politics has become the name of the game and that's why a two party system is dangerous. Republicans want to be your daddy and Democrats want to be your mommy. The people need another choice.