Libertarian Party of Ohio. 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, April 28th, our meeting was adressed by Donald Julius, who is the Regional Coordinator for the John Birch Society. He joined JBS (John Birch Society) in 1974, and became the region's representative in 1979. The John Birch Society is a conservative-libertarian organization that believes most, if not all of the increases in government since the turn of the century are due to a major conspiracy - a larger organization at work.

Mr. Julius began by describing how our media, schools, culture, and organizations take old terms and attach new definitions to them to confuse and enslave people. Socialism and Communism are described as far-left wing ideologies, Fascism and Naziism are described as far-right wing ideologies, and Democracy is considered the happy middle, but Authoritarian government includes all of the above ideologies, even Democracy. Traditionally, Democracy was considered mob rule and disorder, since our nation was founded as a Republic. The term Democracy changed with World War I under Woodrow Wilson. In reality, all political ideologies range from Anarchy (no government) to Totalitarianism (total government), with JBS leaning towards less government.

Fascism, in its true state, allows people to hold property, but it's heavily regulated by the government. Mr. Julius said this is the worst kind of government, and it's the one we have today - where people are enslaved while they believe they are free. According to Mr. Julius, our slide toward Totalitarianism can be attributed to the Council on Foreign Relations (created in 1921) and the Trilateral Commission (created in 1923). Other organizations, such as the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation have apparently assisted in the conspiracy for global control. Also, according to Mr. Julius, all of the members of the Global Conspiracy secretly communicate with each other using the term "New World Order," which ALL of them supposedly use.

Nowadays, you are ridiculed by the media for advocating less government, so the JBS is fighting back by educating people about the loss of our freedoms. Since most of our Congressmen violate their oaths to the Constitution, the JBS releases brochures titled TRIM, printing a "report card" for how our Congressmen vote on the issues, encouraging citizens to vote for those who campaign to reduce government. The JBS founder, Robert Welsch, in 1958 stated that moral decline would destroy America if people like us didn't act soon. Finally, Mr. Julius distributed a packet about JBS, and urged people to contribute, unite, and together take back our lost freedoms and morality.

On Tuesday, May 26th, Dr. Gordon Brumm from the Committee for the Fourth "R" will hold a reasoned discussion with our group. The topic will originate around reason, and its application in modern society.

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 Tuesday, May 19th, the third Tuesday of May, we will be conducting a Bylaws Meeting at Denny's in Parma, on the corner of Broadview Road and Snow Road - the same location we use for our Business Meeting and General Meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, respectively.

At the meeting, the Constitution and Bylaws for The Libertarian Party of Northeast Ohio will be designed. All LP members within our region (Lorain, Medina, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties) are welcome to attend and vote on the various proposed sections and planks to be presented for our Constitution and Bylaws. We need input! Don't let us usurp all of the rules for our region! Local members are also welcome to propose their own sections and planks, to be considered by all LP members in our region and in attendance. Dinner should take place at 6:00 PM, with the meeting to commence at 7:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

On Wednesday, April 15th, local Libertarians came in greater numbers than ever before for our annual Tax Protest, which occured on the Orange Street Post Office near Jacobs Field. This year, Garry Seman - Northeast Ohio LP Media Director - targeted some of the smaller cities in our region, which included Elyria (county seat for Lorain County) and Medina (county seat for Medina County). During his 1.5-hour appearance in Elyria, he was interviewed by WOEL AM (Elyria Radio) and The Elyria Chronicle. During his one-hour appearance in Medina, he was also interviewed by The Medina Gazette.

At about 5:30PM, Libertarian activists arrived at the Orange Street Post Office in Downtown Cleveland. Local Libertarians attending the event included Garry Seman (who coordinated the protest), Rob Logan, Keith Donat, Christian Warren, and Ed Randolph. Other protesters included people from The Interreligious Task Force on Central America (alerting Clevelanders about the Army School of America, which trains Latin American dictators), and the John Birch Society (handing out TRIM literature and information to impeach Clinton NOW!). Libertarians handed out fake million-dollar bills, pamphlets on the Libertarian views of the income tax, WSPQ cards, and also aided the other protesters in handing out their literature.

Besides being a hell of a fun event, we also recieved a few bits of media coverage, thanks to Garry Seman and Ed Randolph. Garry Seman was interviewed by WERE 1300 AM, during the "Direct Source" show, with hosts Erica Stephens and John Carney Jr. Later into the event, Ed Randolph was interviewed by CBS/FOX at channel 8, and WUAB channel 43. When asked how we would survive without an income tax, Ed replied, "I don't know how, but we were managing before [the tax originated in] 1913."

On Wednesday, April 22nd, Steve Dasbach - National Libertarian Party Chair - appeared on "Direct Source," with hosts James Carney Jr. and Erica Stephens, which aired from 5:15PM until 6:00PM on WERE 1300 AM. The show "Direct Source" airs every Wednesday from 4:00PM through 6:00PM on Wednesdays. During the show, Erica Stephens announced the upcoming Ohio Libertarian Party Convention which occured from April 24th through April 26th.

Steve Dasbach, our National Chair who makes regular appearances on radio and in press releases, began by stating that the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in America, despite the agressive ballot restrictions on third parties. Even though the Reform Party recieves more votes, the Libertarian has greater numbers of elected officials in office, runs far more candidates for office every year, and contains a larger membership (has recently surpassed 25,000). Overall, Mr. Carney and Ms. Stephens welcomed Mr. Dasbach, and he was recieved well. Mr. Dasbach discussed several issues, including Social Security, Health Care, Welfare, NAFTA and GATT, and free trade.

Most callers were friendly as well. Two exceptions include one caller who criticised Libertarians for attacking Republicans too much, and not defending them enough. Another caller attacked Mr. Dasbach for rejecting government interference and control of these areas, praising FDR! Needless to say, those two callers were overwhelmingly refuted by Mr. Dasbach, the hosts of "Direct Source," and the other callers, and his appearance was a positive success.