The Northeast LPO encompasses the counties of Lorain, Medina, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula. Our mission is to defend, advance, and restore the cause of liberty to our region and our nation through the political process of building membership, obtaining relations with the media, organizing our infrastructure, and ultimately fielding and running candidates for public offices.

On Tuesday, June 23rd, our general meeting was adressed by John Mitchel, a candidate for the Ohio Gubernatorial race under the Reform Party. His discussion revolved around the corruption of the establishment as operated by Democrats-Republicans, and how we must work together to change it. Unfortunately, Reform Party candidate Lawrence Anderson, running for Lieutenant Governor, was unable to attend as was aspired.

Mr. Mitchel noted that about 70 percent of Ohio voters are registered as Independent, leaving a large proportion of the political market open to third parties, such as the Libertarian Party, the Reform Party, the Natural Law Party, the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, the Green Party, the Socialist Party, and the Fusion Party. Mr. Mitchel encouraged all attendants of the meeting to make an effort for aligning with other third parties, so we may amend the ridiculous ballot-access laws at the state level, and ridiculous media restricions by the FEC at the federal level. The two-party stranglehold on America won't cease without fresh competition!

Mitchel is campaigning for governor on three proposals:

1. Pass meaningful campaign finance laws.
2. End political patronage.
3. Ensure our courts provide equal justice for all.

The influence of special interest money, according to Mr. Mitchel, is corrupting our political system, especially with the existence of corporate welfare and world-trade deals such as NAFTA, GATT, and the World Trade Organization. When inquired, he stressed his passionate support for an amendment to the Campaign Finance Bill, proposed by the Honorable Ron Paul, that would establish maximum amounts of signatures that states could establish for ballot access. He also supports, on an equally passionate level, Congressman Paul's bill (HR2478) which would require Presidential candidates to debate each other or lose campaign matching funds.

One of Mr. Mitchel's main issues was education, and how it must be reformed. He was satisfied that even though Issue 1 and Issue 2 recieved ridiculously unproportional financial support, those issues were shot down in flames. He proposed private management of government schools, which would indeed improve the problem almost as much as abolishing government entirely from education.

Mr. Mitchel recieved some flack for proposing a "fair" tax system, which would require the "rich" to be penalized with higher taxes. He also recieved a great deal of criticism for his staunch support for the War on Drugs, claiming "We have to protect the kids." Despite his inconsistencies and confusion about how to solve problems, there is little choice other than Lee Fisher or Bob Taft. But Mr. Hartman indeed has one very important qualification: He is neither a Remocrat or a Depublican.

On Tuesday, July 28th, our meeting shall be adressed by John Hartman - President of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of NORML (National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws). Mr. Hartman will discuss the benefits of hemp and marijuana, the distortions and propaganda conjured up against this wonderful plant, and the absurdity and horror of demonizing and criminalizing millions of innocent people who possess it.

Our regular monthly meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month, at Denny's in Parma, (398-7076) on the corner of Rockside Road (Snow Road) and Broadview Road. From I480 turn south on I77 and get off at the first exit called Rockside. Turn right or west on Rockside, continue for about 2 1/2 miles and Denny's is on the right just after crossing Snow Road. Dinner starts between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM, with the speaker starting at 7:00 PM. All of those interested in liberty are welcome.

Also our business meetings on the second Tuesday of the month are held at the same location and time, and are open to all LPO members.

On Saturday, June 27th, and Sunday, June 28th, local Libertarians operated a table at the Medina County Community Center. The event was a gun show, where items on display included pistols, rifles, automatic weapons, survival guides, and other related paraphanelia. The Libertarian Party of Northeast Ohio was present, determined to educate gun owners about the only party that stands for their right to keep and bear arms.

At our table, we handed out WSPQ cards, local information, some issues of The Northcoast Liberty Review, Libertarian Party pamphlets, and most importantly, we conducted our petition for Ohio ballot status in 2000. >From the local Northeast Region, activists Keith Donat, Garry Seman, and Dave Macko (who collected the greatest number of petitions per hour, as usual) were present. Our table also included East Central Region activists Sally Corbett, Tom Corbett, and Pearl Pullman.

Our response was quite favorable for the most part. The only friction I believe we encountered was the frequent criticism for our stance on "drugs," and questions about Lyndon LaRouche being associated with our party (He never was - the press mispronounced Andre Marrou's last name!). Besides collecting dozens of signatures, we met up with activists from the Lorain County Firearms Defense Association, and we also frequently encountered people who already have signed our petition within the past few months (it was quite a common reaction at our table). We will be conducting numerous other outreach activities at the Community Center, so come and participate!

On Friday, July 31st through Sunday, August 2nd, the Northeast and Northwest Regions of the Libertarian Party of Ohio will join forces at an Operation Politically Homeless booth, where we will pass out the finest national and local LP Propaganda, and will conduct our state ballot access petition drive. The outreach event is taking place in Port Clinton, which is located in Ottawa County (take I90 West to Rte. 2 West, following it until the second last exit). The event is a barbecue being hosted by Northcoast NORML, which has always been a great market for libertarian ideas. This will be our first hemp event of '98, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!

For more information, or to attend, please e-mail newslib@multiverse.com, or call (216)-295-0155.