NEW MEXICO LIBERTY

“Let Freedom Ring”

The Official Newsletter of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico

February 2010 http://lpnm.us v.2.2 N.18

Table of Contents Notes from the Editor

by Mike Blessing
[ mikewb1971@gmail.com /
Page 1 Libertarian Media from New Mexico mikewb1971.xanga.com ]
Notes from the Editor by Mike Blessing
Page 2 Events at a Glance
LPNM 2010 Annual State Convention
The LPNM's Candidates
Page 3 Voice of the Chair by Jay Vandersloot Theme We Need MORE Unemployment . . . Among
Upcoming Conventions / Ballot Access Drive Incumbent Politicians
Page 4 Our Weapon is Our Refusal: The Articles of Venue Quarters BBQ
Freedom 3700 Ellison Dr. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
by Elisheva Levin mapquest.com/mq/3-CADSxqDmGNcLjJ_QB_tk
Page 5 Are temporary, regressive tax hikes the Contact Jay Vandersloot
best we can do? 505-362-1733 / jayvandersloot@yahoo.com
by Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande
Friday, April 16, 2010: Although there is no formal program for
Foundation Friday evening, for anyone wanting to arrive early, the early birds
Page 6 Contacts / Internet ResourcesThe will gather in the Quarters BBQ bar area at about 6:00 PM for an
informal dinner/discussion -- No-host, pay-as-you-go, dinner,
Page
Administrivi
7 Administrivia cocktails, and networking.
The Unanimous Consent Challenge Saturday, April 17, 2010
Page 8 Enrollment / Renewal Form 11:00 AM Registration and pay-as-you-go lunch, order off the
menu – $25 per person, to include dinner in the
Libertarian Media from New Mexico evening
(not necessarily endorsed by LPNM)
1:00 PMx LPNM Business Meeting [no charge for anyone
Hemp TV – Tuesdays at 7PM attending ONLY the business meeting]
myspace.com/nmhemptv • All who are registered with NM as Libertarians
can vote during nominations for public office.
The One Party State – Wednesdays 11PM
Table of Contents

Only Caucus Members can vote during LPNM

Page 1

•
• Contact Lance Klafeta [ lklafeta@yahoo.com ] for details
Notes from the Editor

business and internal LPNM elections

Page 2 – Events at a Glance

• Visitors do not vote in any actions or activities

Page 3 – Voice of the Chair by Ken Cavanaugh

Reeferhead – Saturdays at 6PM

Petition gathering to regain Minor Paty Status

Page 4 – The Next Best Thing to Coulter by L. Neil Smith

Central Committee meeting after close of the

From The Libertarian Enterprise

Page 5 – Federal judge rules police

cannot detain people for
openly carrying guns myspace.com/reeferheadtv •
Page 6
LPNM Business Meeting
• The Fringe Element
Reforms can cut costs, improve public safety by Paul Gessing

3:00 PMx Elisheva Levin, Candidate for State Representative,

From the Rio Grande Foundation

• thefringeelement.net / postpubco.com District 22 ragamuffinstudies.blogspot.com

A Little Gun History

Page 7 – Contacts / Internet Resources

Page 8

• Administrivia
4:00 PMx Speaker [To Be Announced]
• The Unanimous Consent Challenge
YOUR ADVERTISING IN
5:00 PMx Break [so Quarters can prepare for the dinner]
NEW MEXICO LIBERTY?
Page 9 – Enrollment / Renewal Form

Page 10 – Authorization for Automatic Transfers

=======================

Libertarian Media from New Mexico

not necessarily endorsed by LPNM) 5:30 PMx Dinner [included in the registration fee]
CONTACT THE EDITOR OR Family-style – includes BBQ chicken, ribs, sliced beef
Speaking Freely
hosted by Paul Gessing and Jim Scarantino
Saturdays 9 – 10 AM on KJOY 1550 AM
riograndefoundation.org/pg_rp.html
tinyurl.com/dcnpwm

Hemp TV – Tuesdays at 7PM

myspace.com/nmhemptv

SEE PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS brisket, sliced pork brisket, hot links, with various
sides, and includes your choice of iced tea, coffee, or
The One Party State – Wednesdays 11PM
Contact Lance Klafeta

EMAIL mikewb1971@gmail.com
[ lklafeta@yahoo.com ] for details

Reeferhead – Saturdays at 6PM

soda [other beverages are pay-as-you-go].

myspace.com/reeferheadtv

The Fringe Element

thefringeelement.net / postpubco.com

7:30 PMx Keynote Speaker – Adam Kokesh [Candidate for

The Law by Frederic Bastiat Congress from District 3] – kokeshforcongress.com
We Need MORE Unemployment . . . Among
See these pages – Incumbent Politicians
bastiat.org/en/the_law.html 8:30 PMx LPNM Fundraiser Auction [Bring items to donate]
jpfo.org/articles-assd/bastiat-the-law.htm 9:00 PMx Convention [and Quarters] closes
Also in PDF form –
jpfo.org/pdf02/bastiat-thelaw-2008.pdf
New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 1
 Events at a Glance
Bernalillo County – The BCLP stages one no-host dinner meeting
per month, on Thursday, 4 February, 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Fiesta's
Restaurant & Lounge (Carlisle & Montogomery NE). Contact Mike
Blessing for details [ mikewb1971@gmail.com / 505-515-7015 ], or
see the BCLP website – lpnm.us/bernalillo.
Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation hosts the Albuquerque
meeting of Liberty on the Rocks, a no-host supper club featuring
speakers of the limited-government, fiscal-responsiblity, individual-
rights persuasion, at the Independence Grill on Montgomery Blvd
NE (just west of Louisiana – see abqburger.com for a map and
riograndefoundation.org for details) in Albuquerque. January's
event will take place on 18 February from 5 PM to7 PM.
Precinct 553 Chair Elisheva Levin, is considering a run for State
Representative, District 22.
See kcufmedia.xanga.com for more information concerning The
Weekly Sedition and New Mexico's Consumer Advocate.
Dona Ana County – The Dona Ana County LP Central Committee
Meeting took place on 13 January 2010 at 6:30 PM to plan for the
county convention. The committee would be delighted to meet
before then with any Doña Ana County Libertarian wishing support
in running for office or with any ideas to advance the party or
political issues that the party should address. Please contact the
chair or check the LPDAC website for more information –
lpdacnm@lpnm.us / 575-541-9079 / lpnm.us/dona-ana.
Congressional District 3 – Adam Kokesh, while running under the
GOP banner, is a Life Member of the LP and is a hard-core
advocate of libertarian principles.
See kokeshforcongress.com for more.
Congressional District 3 includes, but is not limited to, Sandoval,
San Juan, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Roosevelt, Colfax, Rio Arriba and
Taos Counties.
If you live in a county with an inactive affiliate and want
to get involved, contact the county chair. See Page 6 for
a list of county chairs, campus contacts and Central
Committee members.
Special Events
2010 Annual State Convention
The 2010 LPNM State Convention is scheduled for Saturday, 17
April 2010 at the Quarters BBQ at 3700 Ellison Dr NW in
Albuquerque from 11 AM to 9 PM. Tentative speakers include
Adam Kokesh, candidate for U.S. Congress in District 3, and
Douglas Lincoln, candidate for Bernalillo County Sheriff.
2010 Libertarian Party National Convention
The LP's National Convention will take place in St. Louis, Missouri,
over Memorial Day weekend in 2010 (29 – 31 May 2010) at the
Renaissance Grand Hotel [ tinyurl.com/2zmnnq ]. For those not
able to afford high-priced lodging and amenities, long-time
Libertarian and St. Louis resident Tom Knapp has put together St.
Louis On The Cheap, an online guide to inexpensive lodging,
dining, attractions and transportation – stl.onthecheap.info.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The LPNM's Candidates
U.S. House of Representatives, District 0
Mike Blessing – myspace.com/mikeblessing_2010
State Legislature
State Representative, District 11
Eric Pino – epelsewhere@gmail.com
State Representative, District 16
Mike Blessing – mikewb1971.xanga.com
State Representative, District 22
Elisheva Levin – ragamuffinstudies.blogspot.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Other Groups to Network With, and Their Events
Sheriff Richard Mack Speaking in Alamogordo
Saturday, 13 February 2010 at 2:00 PM
Flickinger Center, 1110 New York Ave.
See here – tinyurl.com/yflct88 – for map and directions.
An informal dinner will follow, sponsored by the New Mexico Patriot
Alliance, the Oathkeepers and the 2nd Amendment Task Force
Articles of Freedom Day
Monday, 19 April 2010 (tentative date) – the New Mexico Patriot
Alliance plans to deliver Articles of Freedom to all U.S. Senators,
Congressmen and State Legislators , followed by a mass rally in
Santa Fe. For more about the Articles of Freedom, see the
dedicated pages at the CC2009 site – cc2009.us/aof – or
download the entire document – tinyurl.com/yayswmc . For event
details, see the NMPA website – nmpatriots.us.
Congressional District 3 Candidate Forum
newmexicoliberty.com/events/nm-congressional-district-3
Time 22 February 2010 from 6PM to 8PM
Location Jemez rooms of the Conference Center at Santa
Fe Community College
Organized by Paul Gessing
New Mexico’s free market think tank, the Rio Grande Foundation, is
hosting a candidate forum for all current candidates – of both
parties – for New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional Seat (currently held
by Ben Ray Lujan).
The forum will be held on Monday, February 22, 2010 from 6:00 to
8:00PM in the Jemez rooms of the Conference Center at Santa Fe
Community College. The College is located at 6401 S. Richards
Avenue, in Santa Fe. Admission is $5 payable at the door. Those
who want to attend can send us an E-mail to
rsvp@riograndefoundation.org. Unfortunately, due to rules
associated with this facility, no food or drinks will be available, but
vending machines are available on-site.
This is not a formal debate format, rather it is an informal question
and answer discussion that will allow average citizens, regardless
of party affiliation, to “kick the tires” and find out more about the
candidates who have declared for New Mexico’s highest offices.
Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions that help
attendees determine each candidate’s stances on the issues and
observe how they interact with the crowd.
The discussion will be moderated by Rio Grande Foundation
president Paul Gessing. The event will be filmed by the Rio Grande
Foundation with footage posted at riograndefoundation.org. Media
are encouraged to attend and cover the event.
New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 2
 Voice of the Chair
by Jay Vandersloot
[ yprocrastinate-emailme@yahoo.com ]
Upcoming Conventions
Between now and Memorial Day at the end of May, we have three
conventions. They are the LSLA in late February, the LPNM in mid-April,
and the LP in late May 2010. I strongly encourage you to try to attend all
three. Last month we discussed the LPLA convention. This month let me
discuss the LPNM Annual State Convention. We’ll get to the LP National
Convention next month.
Many think the LPNM Annual State Convention as being only for “Caucus”
members. That is not, and never has been, the case. It is not restricted to
just “Caucus” members, but rather includes any and all who wish to attend,
including non-Libertarian visitors.
• All who are registered with NM as Libertarians (i.e., your voter
registration) can vote during political nominations at the
convention.
• Only Caucus Members can vote during internal LPNM
business and internal LPNM elections
• Of course, visitors do not vote in any actions or activities
Due to the economic situation of some of our members, we will be limiting
this year’s convention to a one-day session on Saturday, April 17th.
Although there will be no formal program for Friday evening (the 16th), for
anyone wanting to arrive early, the early birds will gather at about 6pm in
the Quarters BBQ bar area for an informal no-host, pay-as-you-go dinner,
discussion, cocktails, networking session.
Among other things, the Business Session portion of the convention will
include voting to fill vacant LPNM positions, selection of delegates to the LP
National Convention, nominations for candidacy for public office, and will
provide for an opportunity for county affiliates to meet in caucus to provide
for nominations for single-county offices.
This year our theme for the convention is:
“We need MORE Unemployment . . .
Among Incumbent Politicians”
We have three speakers lined up to expound on this theme for us.
• Elisheva Levin, who is running for election as State Representative
from District 22,
• Keynote speaker Adam Kokesh, Candidate for Congress from District
NM-3 -- some have described his positions as being more libertarian
than many Libertarians
• A third speaker who has not yet been confirmed. [See next month for
the name.]
And, of course, at the end of the convention we will have our usual LPNM
Fundraiser Auction – be sure to bring your donations for the auction.
The registration fee of $25 covers all speaker sessions and includes the
evening dinner [see next paragraph for the menu]. The lunch meal,
however, is pay-as-you-go. There is no cost (no fee) for anyone who is only
attending the business session. We ask that you please pre-register, so we
can give the venue an idea of for how many attendees they will have to
have food prepared. For pre-registration, send your check to
LPNM, c/o Ron Bjornstad
918 Ivory Road SE
Rio Rancho NM 87124
If need to contact Ron, you can call him at the LPNM phone number, which
is 505-288-4228.
The Key Note Dinner menu will be served family-style – platters of food –
and includes BBQ chicken, ribs, sliced beef brisket, sliced pork brisket, hot
links, with various sides, and includes your choice of iced tea, coffee, or
soda [other beverages are pay-as-you-go].
"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's
possible, and suddenly you are doing the
impossible."
– Francis of Assisi, clergyman
Ballot Access Petition Drive
Do you remember the article last month on the ballot access petition drive?
To repeat what I wrote then, to qualify as a minor party and gain ballot
access for out candidates, we will have to have 4,148 validated petition
signatures. As our experience last time was that the rate of disqualification
of petition signatures by the Bureau of Elections Office (BoE) ran at almost
50%. Based on that, we believe we will need to have almost double the
4,148 requirement. In other words, we need to collect over 8,000 signatures
(4,148 x 2 = 8,296).
To hire paid petitioners is an expensive undertaking. They charge $2.00 per
signature. We can help ourselves cut costs by collecting as many petition
signatures as we can. Some events that are usually prime for collecting
signatures are knife and gun shows, state and county fairs, farmers
markets, motorcycle rallies, etc.
But you can also keep a number of blank petition forms with you so you can
pull them out whenever you have opportunity to discuss the political
problems with your family, friends, and neighbors, or for that matter,
anyone.
You need to have a number of forms, as you need to use a separate form
for each county, depending on which county the person is registered in. If
they sign on the form for the wrong county, you have a wasted signature, as
the BoE will invalidate it.
You need to be a stickler on ensuring that the person uses the address with
which he or she is registered with the State on their voter registration, NOT
the address at which they are living. This is especially critical with students
at the college campuses. They often are registered back home, but put
down their address where they are living while at school, which results in
another wasted signature that will be invalidated by the BoE.
Every signature you can collect is one less we have to hire a paid petitioner
to collect for us. Plus, if you are particularly careful in ensuring they sign on
the form for the correct county where they are REGISTERED (NOT
NECESSARILLY WHERE THEY ACTUALLY LIVE), and they write the
information legibly, you can help gain a higher percentage of validity for the
signatures you have collected.
Our LPNM Constitution allows that 200 petition signatures (that’s 10 full
pages of signatures) may be submitted to extend one’s membership an
additional year. But, we will need to receive your submitted forms by March
15, 2010, as we will need to have them ready to submit to the BoE by the
beginning of April.
Are you up to the challenge? Collect and submit the signatures, and have
your LPNM dues paid for an additional year.
Send your signed petition forms to:
LPNM Membership Director
c/o Ron Bjornstad
918 Ivory Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 3
 Although the delegates County Contacts
do not expect compliance from our servant
Our Weapon is Our Refusal: government, this is a necessary step in documenting the abuses of
The Articles of Freedom power that– lpnm.us/bernalillo
Bernalillo these Constitutional violations represent. We have
by Elisheva Levin petitioned
Mike Blessingfor redress of our grievances,
– 505-918-6567 and the violations to the
/ mikewb1971@gmail.com
[ elisheva@elishevalevin.com ] Constitution and our rights and have been ignored. Now we will tell
A New Mexico Delegate to CC2009 the federal government how we want those violations to cease, and
Colfax
our rights to be restored.
Richard Moore – 575-377-6849 / myliberty@mail.com
Our weapon is our refusal: our refusal to bow to any order but our The Articles of Freedom also are intended to inspire a mass
own – any institution but our own.'' – Michael Collins movement
Dona Ana –oflpnm.us/dona-ana
the People who respect the Constitution and wish to
see it restored.
Siebert To that end, the
Ickler – 575-541-9079 closing sections include a Call to
/ lpdacnm@lpnm.us
“What does a free people do?” What does a free people do when Nationwide Civic Action by the People, stating in part:
repeated petitions for redress of grievance are met with repeated Lea
injury? In November 2009, delegates from each of 48 states met in When a goodly number of millions of American people
Christina Groth – 575-397-9366
Continental Congress to discuss, deliberate, and to return with an agree, we will withdraw our financial support from the
answer to this question. federal government, in a lawful and constitutional manner,
Lincoln
and implement other responsible civic actions, until all
For most of the past two decades, Bob Schulz of the We the Richard Obergfell – 575-378-8025 / lplcnm@valornet.com
violations of the Constitution for the United States of
People Foundation and We the People Congress, with the help of America CEASE.
many dedicated patriots, has engaged in formulating and serving Los Alamos
(Articles of Freedom, Christmas Eve “miracle version,”
each of the branches of the federal government with petitions for Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com
p. 61)
Redress of Grievances. This capstone First Amendment Right to
Petition is well established in the English Common Law, appears in This
Lunais followed by a pledge that the delegates signed, and that is
the Magna Carta, and is discussed in the writings of the Founders, available for your
Marilyn Steffen signature online
– 575-531-2556 at tinyurl.com/aof-declaration.
/ b_lamont5@hotmail.com
as well as in various state constitutions. The Magna Carta declares You may also read and download the entire document in pdf at the
that any petition by a citizen to his government requires a response. same location.
Otero – lpnm.us/otero
The petitioner does not have the right to a specific answer, but the Gilberto
In signingHeredia – 575-439-8234
the pledge, / thrill@zianet.com
you are agreeing to becoming more than a
petition must be answered. The Magna Carta states that an answer “sunshine patriot and a summer soldier”; you are agreeing to take
to a Petition for Redress must be made within forty days or the Roosevelt
actions that signify your withdrawal of support to a government that
petitioners may take any action necessary, up to and including war Ken overstepped
has Sanders – 505-749-2085
its mandate and has violated your rights. These
against the king, in order to force a response. The right to Petition actions will begin at such time as “a goodly number of millions of
is that important. San Juan
people” – sjclp.org
have signed the document, so that no one will stand alone
Each of the We the People Petitions for Redress addressed a Gary
in Wood
these – zang5775@msn.com
actions and the consequences thereof. For make no
specific violation to the Constitution of the United States by at least mistake, history shows that every act of civil disobedience has first
one branch of the federal government. Among the many petitions Sandoval
been met with further force.
served on the federal government are those related to the Federal Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net
The time for petitions is past. The time to restore the Republic is
Income Tax, the Federal Reserve, and the USA Patriot Act. The upon
federal government has refused to respond to any of the many Santaus.
Fe Your Continental Congress has deliberated and returned
to
Ed you
Nagelthese remedial instructions
– 505-471-6928 to the government and these
/ ed123nagel@aol.com
Petitions for Redress served by We the People. Through this recommendations for civic action. The recommendations can be
process of formal Petitions for Redress, We the People has summed up as a refusal to continue to support tyranny. Our
therefore established a substantial record of this refusal, and it has Valencia
Constitution is the statement of our lawful order and our institutions.
become clear that our petitions will not be heard and that all of our Abran
We mustGabaldon
proceed– to505-864-6870
protect and /defend
abran_d@yahoo.com
it. It is our refusal to bow
petitions are only met with further injury to the Constitution and to down to tyranny; our refusal to support a government out of
our liberty. Therefore, through the We the People Congress, a control. Our refusal is ourLPNM Vacancies
weapon.
Continental Congress was called to consider the next step in the
Are you a patriot? Prove it. Sign the Articles
restoration of Constitutional governance to the United States. Central Committee (1)of Freedom and join in
Nationwide Civic Action. In April we will serve representatives of
The stated purpose of Continental Congress 2009 was to gather a Districtwith
our servant government 3 Representative,
the Articles of Seat A
Freedom. Crisis Patriots
body of delegates, elected by supporters of the Constitution in their and Winter Soldiers will be there to give their refusal to tyranny.
respective states, in order to consider the actions of the federal County Contacts (20)
government with respect to several of the formal Petitions for [ On Monday, 19 April 2010 (tentative date), the New Mexico Patriot
Redress. The Congress had these specific tasks: 1) to document Alliance plans
Catron to deliver
/ Chaves Articles
/ Cibola of Freedom
/ Curry / De Baca to/ all
Eddy U.S. Senators,
/ Grant
the violations of the Constitution related to the Petitions; 2) to Congressmen
Guadalupe and State Legislators,
/ Harding followed /by
/ Hidalgo / McKinley Moraa mass
/ Quayrally in
compose remedial instructions for the federal government as well Santa Fe. / For
Rio Arriba more about
San Miguel / Sierrathe Articles/ Taos
/ Socorro of Freedom,
/ Torrancesee the
/ Union
as to the governments of the respective states; and 3) to develop dedicated pages at the CC2009 site – cc2009.us/aof – or
suggested civic actions that a mass movement of at least 5% of the download the entire document – tinyurl.com/yayswmc.
College Contacts (3) For event
people can take in order to return the federal government to its details, see the NMPA website: nmpatriots.us – MWB ]
Constitutionally mandated limits of power. The written results were Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
to be gathered into a document, now called the Articles of New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)
Freedom, which would, together with a plan of action, be used to New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
gather that mass movement. All of this was accomplished at St. University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Charles, Illinois, last November, and most of the delegates signed Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
the Articles on the evening of November 21, 2009.
The Articles of Freedom represent that Next Step for a Free Contact the state chair if you're interested in filling a slot.
People. They represent the intention of a goodly number of the If you don't, who will?
people to be done with petitions and proceed to the step of giving
our servant government instructions on how to place itself back
under the rule of the Constitution, the highest Law of the Land.

New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 7

New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 4
 Liberty, Opportunity, Prosperity While massive layoffs in an economic downturn may not be a wise
policy, the fact is that higher taxes and more government spending
cost New Mexico's private sector economy jobs. Besides, the rest
Are temporary, regressive tax of us are being forced to cut back to cope with the bad economy,
hikes the best we can do? shouldn't the government work force face similar pressures for
By Paul J. Gessing efficiency?
[ pgessing@riograndefoundation.org ]
20 January 2010 – tinyurl.com/yjy42ht Difficult times demand difficult decisions and strong leadership.
Hopefully legislators in both parties will recognize that burdening
This article originally ran in the Las Cruces Sun-News. average New Mexicans with higher taxes is not the answer. Better
Gov. Bill Richardson seems adamant in asserting that whatever still, if tough decisions to really reduce the size of New Mexico's
tax hikes he pushes through during the 2010 legislative session government bureaucracies are indeed made, The Land of
will be "temporary." This promise from a lame-duck governor is Enchantment will come back economically stronger and better than
ridiculous on its face and is an impossible promise for him to keep. ever.
Since this is his final legislative session in office, he won't even be Paul Gessing is the president of New Mexico's Rio Grande
around to determine whether the hikes he enacts will be Foundation. The Rio Grande Foundation is an independent, non-
temporary or not. partisan, tax-exempt research and educational organization
Of course, this is not where the silliness stops. Richardson will dedicated to promoting prosperity for New Mexico based on
likely ask legislators to consider “sin” taxes on soda pop, principles of limited government, economic freedom and individual
cigarettes, and junk food. This puts the next governor of New responsibility.
Mexico in a tough spot. Even if the economy has improved a bit by
2013, the next governor will have to ³cut² taxes on the politically-
unpopular tobacco, soda, and junk food industries.
There is no doubt that government bureaucrats will always have a
“better” use for our money than cutting taxes on habits like drinking
soda, eating junk food, and smoking. But what supporters of these
tax hikes and the media won't tell you is that all of these tax hikes
are highly regressive and disproportionately impact the poor.
For example, tobacco taxes are highly regressive and, if they are
increased, will disproportionately harm working class New
Mexicans. According to Congress's Joint Committee on Taxation,
more than two-thirds of all federal tobacco taxes come from those
earning less than $40,000 per year (a pattern that also applies to
state-level tobacco taxes). The poor also spend 2.5 percent of
income on tobacco products versus 0.2 percent for the top 20
percent.
Soda and so-called ³junk food² taxes are also highly regressive.
Worse, they would create an administrative nightmare. After all,
potato chips might be a junk food, but so are the slightly healthier
Sun Chips? How about the fat-free potato chips that have come on
the market in recent years? Things can get really complicated and
unfair.
Soda taxes also face the same fairness and administrative issues.
After all, Gatorade and other sports drinks have a lot of calories
and lemonade, orange juice, and chocolate milk actually have
more calories for each cup than does regular Coke. Diet sodas on
the other hand have zero calories. Which of these items will be
taxed? More importantly, once the lobbying heats up and the
various interests attempt to exempt their products from taxation,
who will answer these questions and how much will it cost to fund
a bureaucracy to do this?
If they adopt these taxes, our elected officials will not only be
balancing the state budget on the backs of the poor, something all
liberals and conservatives should oppose, but they will be
permanently unleashing a brave new world in tax complexity in
New Mexico.
Despite the very real likelihood of these harmful tax hikes, the
current fiscal crisis is actually a real opportunity for policymakers to
deal with some serious problems in New Mexico. Primary among
these is our bloated state and local government work force relative
to the private sector.
How bloated? According to federal data uncovered in Rio Grande
Foundation research, New Mexico's government sector is the
second most bloated in the nation. If New Mexico's state and local
governments were “right-sized” to simply reflect the average of the
other 49 states, New Mexico taxpayers would save an astonishing
$2.3 billion.
New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 5
 LPNM Central Committee County
County Contacts
Contacts
Chair Bernalillo
Bernalillo –– lpnm.us/bernalillo
lpnm.us/bernalillo
Jay Vandersloot – 505-362-1733 / jayvandersloot@yahoo.com Mike
Mike Blessing
Blessing –– 505-515-7015
505-515-7015 // mikewb1971@gmail.com
mikewb1971@gmail.com
Vice Chair Colfax
Colfax
VACANT Richard
Richard Moore
Moore –– 575-377-6849
575-377-6849 // myliberty@mail.com
myliberty@mail.com
Secretary Dona
Dona Ana
Ana –– lpnm.us/dona-ana
lpnm.us/dona-ana
Siebert Ickler – 575-541-9079 / lpdacnm@lpnm.us Siebert
Siebert Ickler
Ickler –– 575-541-9079
575-541-9079 // lpdacnm@lpnm.us
lpdacnm@lpnm.us
Treasurer Lea
Lea
VACANT Christina
Christina Groth
Groth –– 575-397-9366
575-397-9366
At-Large Representative, Seat A Lincoln
Lincoln
Allen Cogbill – 505-662-7833 / acogbill@geopotential.com Richard
Richard Obergfell
Obergfell –– 575-378-8025
575-378-8025 // lplcnm@valornet.com
lplcnm@valornet.com
At-Large Representative, Seat B Los
Los Alamos
Alamos
Attila Csanyi – 505-286-7861 / drcsanyi@yahoo.com Allen
Allen Cogbill
Cogbill –– 505-662-7833
505-662-7833 // acogbill@geopotential.com
acogbill@geopotential.com
District 1 Representative, Seat A Luna
Luna
Mike Blessing – 505-515-7015 / mikewb1971@gmail.com Marilyn
Marilyn Steffen
Steffen –– 575-531-2556
575-531-2556 // b_lamont5@hotmail.com
b_lamont5@hotmail.com
District 1 Representative, Seat B Otero
Otero –– lpnm.us/otero
lpnm.us/otero
Bob Finch – 765-412-2374 / nmlibertarian@gmail.com Gilberto
Gilberto Heredia
Heredia –– 575-439-8234
575-439-8234 // thrill@zianet.com
thrill@zianet.com
District 2 Representative, Seat A Rio
Rio Arriba
Arriba
Gilberto Heredia – 575-439-8234 / thrill@zianet.com Lynette
Lynette Cannon
Cannon –– 575-756-1511
575-756-1511 // kevincannon55@msn.com
kevincannon55@msn.com
District 2 Representative, Seat B Roosevelt
Roosevelt
VACANT Ken
Ken Sanders
Sanders –– 575-749-2085
575-749-2085
District 3 Representative, Seat A San
San Juan
Juan –– sjclp.org
sjclp.org
Ron Bjornstad – 505-891-4541 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net Gary
Gary Wood
Wood –– zang5775@msn.com
zang5775@msn.com
District 3 Representative, Seat B Sandoval
Sandoval
Mike Moss – 505-564-4905 / mmoss@plumbersoft.com Ron
Ron Bjornstad
Bjornstad –– 505-288-4228
505-288-4228 // rbjornstad@earthlink.net
rbjornstad@earthlink.net
Membership Coordinator Taos
Taos
Ron Bjornstad – 505-288-4228 / rbjornstad@earthlink.net Lynette
Lynette Cannon
Cannon –– 575-756-1511
575-756-1511 // kevincannon55@msn.com
kevincannon55@msn.com
Press Secretary
Bill Koehler – 505-264-0835 / bkoehler8@comcast.net LPNM
LPNM Vacancies
Vacancies
Media Director Central Committee (3)
(2)
Bob Finch – 765-412-2374 / nmlibertarian@gmail.com Vice-Chair
Treasurer
District 2 Representative,
Treasurer Seat B
Campus Contacts District 2 Representative, Seat B
County Contacts (20)
Central New Mexico Community College [CNM] County Contacts (20)
groups.myspace.com/cnmlibertarians Catron / Chaves / Cibola / Curry / De Baca
Mike Blessing – 505-515-7015 / mikewb1971@gmail.com Eddy
Catron
/ Grant
/ Chaves
/ Guadalupe
/ Cibola // Harding
Curry / De
/ Hidalgo
Baca
McKinley
Eddy / Grant
/ Mora
/ Guadalupe
/ Quay / Santa
/ Harding
Fe / San
/ Hidalgo
Miguel
College of Santa Fe McKinley
Sierra / Socorro
/ Mora / /Quay
Torrance
/ Santa/ Union
Fe / San
/ Valencia
Miguel
Morgan Wells – mwells109@gmail.com Sierra / Socorro / Torrance / Union / Valencia
College Contacts (4)
College Contacts (4)
Internet Resources Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
Official Website – lpnm.us New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
LPNM Discussion – groups.yahoo.com/lpnm-discuss University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Open forum (unmoderated for the most part) University of New Mexico (Various Campuses)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Blog – lpofnm.blogspot.com Western New Mexico University (Silver City)
Contact the state chair if you're interested
Facebook group – facebook.com/group.php?gid=20233114967 Contact the state chairaifslot.
in filling you're interested
in filling a slot.
Ning.com social utility – lpofnm.ning.com If you don't, who will?
If you don't, who will?
Myspace group – groups.myspace.com/lpnm

New
New Mexico
Mexico Liberty
Liberty –– February
February 2010
2010 –– Page
Page 66
 Administrivia Subscriptions and Correspondence
by Mike Blessing, Editor
For a print subscription, contact Ron Bjornstad for details. New
If you have news, interesting stories, op-ed pieces, a letter to the Mexico Liberty will be posted to the web, in PDF format, to the Files
editor, or timely information that you think belongs in the newsletter, section of the Google group I’ve set up for it –
please send it along. I can be contacted at 505-918-6567, or just
groups.google.com/group/nmliberty
send it to email address mikewb1971@gmail.com.
If you are moving or change your mailing address, please use keep
When sending your submission as an MS Word (or Open Office
us in the loop so we can keep your New Mexico Liberty coming to
Text) file, send it single-spaced in 9-pt Arial – like this is. Margins
you – contact Ron Bjornstad [ rbjornstad@earthlink.net ] if you're a
should be quarter-inch (0.25”) around, with no headers or footers. If
print version subscriber. Otherwise, contact the editor.
you send it in a text-only format, make it clear to me if you want
anything in bold type, underlined, in italics, struck-through, Advertising in New Mexico Liberty
different colors, etc. I’m not telepathic here, so help me out. And
Current rates for year-long spots
NO Wordperfect files – I can't open those.
Business card Ø 8.00
Graphics (pictures, cartoons, etc.) – send the highest quality
graphics you can – email them to me at the address above, and I’ll Rates are subject to change at the discretion of the editor. The
do what I can to get them in the next issue. In particular, what I editor will do his best to make any such changes only when
want are pictures of YOU the LPNM members, either at LPNM- absolutely necessary.
sponsored events or at other peoples' events. Submission deadline
for each issue – midnight, third Tuesday of the month. Inserts – For an insert into the PDF version that goes out over the
internet, contact the editor at email address . For an insert into the
Articles print edition, contact Ron Bjornstad at email address
rbjornstad@earthlink.net or phone number 505-288-4228.
As for writing your article, It should be concise (no longer than a full
page) and topical. A bit of humor helps, especially for op-ed pieces. Ø – The symbol for Federal Reserve Note(s), as used by Boston T.
What I'm really looking for in the way of articles is what's going on Party in his books. In plain-text message traffic (such as email), the
in the LPNM – what YOU the membership are up to in spreading acronym “FRN” will be used by the editor. See javelinpress.com for
the message. For example, an article about the stupidity, insanity more information. Also see the Wikipedia page for “Federal
and evil of the UN might get put in, depending on available space Reserve Note” – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Note.
and the quality of the article. A group of LPNM members counter-
protesting the raising of a UN flag by the city council WILL get put THE LPNM OFFICIAL WEBSITE – lpnm.us
in, and probably will get first priority.
LPNM OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESS
Editorial Viewpoint AND PHONE NUMBER
The basis for libertarian thought is the Zero Aggression Principle 918 Ivory Road SE
[ZAP] – Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-288-4228
A libertarian is someone who believes that no human being
has the right – under any circumstances – to initiate force If the date on your mailing label reads before 03/01/10, it's time
against another human being, nor to threaten, incite or to renew your LPNM membership.
delegate its initiation.
New Mexico Liberty holds that Libertarian candidates, officeholders THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT CHALLENGE
or appointed spokespersons at all levels of government or the Party CASH Ø10,000 PRIZE
should refrain from advocating new or more restrictive laws, new or To the first person to write a logical and documented essay
more expensive spending programs, or new or higher taxes. To showing one of the following to be compatible with the Declaration
paraphrase from the medical profession, “First, do no harm.” of Independence:
Submissions Policy Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890
The editor reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
reason. The editor will most often be willing to explain any such Federal Communications Act of 1934
reasons. Appeals of the editor's refusal to post an advertisement, National Firearms Act of 1934
article, letter to editor, or anything else can be made to the LPNM's Banking Act of 1935
State Chair, Central Committee and/or Judicial Council. The Internal Revenue Code
Controlled Substances Act of 1970
Copyright RICO Act of 1970
Copyright © 2003–2009 Libertarian Party of New Mexico. All rights Federal Elections Act of 1970
reserved. Permission is explicitly granted for subscribers to recopy Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
New Mexico Liberty for non-commercial purposes, specifically as Plumbing Products Efficiency Act of 1992
use as an outreach tool, provided that New Mexico Liberty is copied Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1992
in its entirety. Use your imagination here. USA PATRIOT Act of 2001
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
This challenge is also on the web at tinyurl.com/hn982
To claim your prize, contact
Mike Blessing at 505-515-7015 or
send an email to mikewb1971@gmail.com

New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 7

 Libertarian Party of New Mexico
Enrollment / Renewal / Donation Coupon
(Please print in all areas)

Name ___________________________________ Address ____________________________________

City ___________________________ State ________ Zip ______________ Phone _______________

Email _______________________ Employer ____________________ Occupation _________________

[ ] I am registered to vote as “Libertarian” in the State of New Mexico and wish to [ ] join or [ ] renew as a caucus
member. I am paying $25 annual dues. I will receive a one year (12 issues) subscription to the LPNM state
newsletter “New Mexico Liberty” (the national “LP NEWS” IS NOT included) and I will have delegate status at state
conventions. I certify that I do not advocate the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.

Signed _____________________________________________

[ ] I am not registered to vote as “Libertarian” in the State of New Mexico and/or [ ] I do not wish to sign the
statement opposing the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals. I am paying $25.00 for a one year (12
issues) subscription to the LPNM state newsletter “New Mexico Liberty” (the national “LP NEWS” IS NOT
included). I understand that I will receive no other benefits.

[ ] I am making a DONATION to the LPNM in the amount of $ ________ to be applied as follows:

$_____ General Fund $_____ Chairman's Fund $_____ Major Player Fund $_____ Win One Fund

TOTAL of DUES or SUBSCRIPTION plus DONATION $_________ to be paid as follows:

[ ] by enclosed CHECK payable to “LPNM” (Sorry, we cannot accept corporate checks)

[ ] by CREDIT CARD (circle one): VISA / MASTERCARD

Number: __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __ Expires: ____/____

Signature: _____________________________________________

Government mandated notices:

● The US Postal Service requires us to notify you that the annual New Mexico Liberty subscription cost is
included in your LPNM membership dues of $25.00.
● The Internal Revenue Service requires us to print “political contributions are not tax deductible” on all
fundraising appeals.
● The Federal Election Commission requires us to ask for the employer and occupation of each individual
whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.

The preceding notices alone should be enough reason to join the Libertarian Party, the only political party working
to increase your freedom.

COPY OR PRINT, FILL OUT, AND SEND TO:

LPNM c/o Ron Bjornstad

918 IVORY RD SE
RIO RANCHO NM 87124

New Mexico Liberty – February 2010 – Page 8