The LP WIre
- News and Views of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin -
December 2024
From the Chair
Forget the past and the present… in and out of the Libertarian Party.
Let’s look at the future with having positive outcomes, eventually. What do those outcomes look like? First, the incredible logic of liberty will prevail in the world, leaving individuals and groups at peace to eat the fruit of their labor, and dine in the family halls of neighbors and friends gathering in joy. Second, the terrible rip that could come any moment from anywhere, will all result in a rejection of killing for politics. Whatever survives any of the possible horrors that might happen brings a better world of human understanding and commitment to helping each other and ourselves in peace.
No matter what we expect to happen in the future as of now, we only know that things take courses different than we believed in the beginning—with one exception: The Good Guys and Gals win! Every fiber of my heart believes that.
How? The members and supporters of the Libertarian Party, and the movement in general, will have our day of action. We must remain patient, and ever ready for action in the name of liberty and peace. As we build our organizations and relationships, we only need to remember that we attract what we project. To get people to come along with us on our long journey to help the USA and Wisconsin to see the reason of light and liberty, we must act like the solution we want.
We must think and act at all times like libertarians, not authoritarians and not dividers, and think and act like people who care about the future. In a world that can get even more negative than at present, we must work with positive solutions and helpful actions—for unity and for understanding, for cooperation and for true fellowship in our thoughts and work.
We have a beautiful gospel of liberty to share with the world. Philosophers and wise people have given it to us. Let’s reflect, first, inside, what we want to see outside. Without judgment, without malice, and without limits, let’s see the golden rules of “do no harm and do not steal” work everywhere, inside and outside ourselves and our party.
Then, we will make a difference.
Tim Krenz - Acting Chair, LPWI
In a Challenging Year – Every Effort Counts
This year has shown us just how challenging it can be for third-party candidates. To every Libertarian who stepped up to run, and to every supporter who gave their time or resources – thank you. You are part of something bigger, something that drives change from the ground up.
Congratulations to those elected or re-elected to local, non-partisan positions. Your service to your communities makes a real difference, and we honor your dedication.
If you feel discouraged by the recent results, remember that change doesn’t happen overnight, nor does it come from the sidelines. Real change comes from deep, committed, meaningful engagement. Now is the time to keep going, to work harder, to turn disappointment into purpose.
Whether it’s running for office, supporting a candidate, showing up at local meetings, or joining a local cause, every effort counts. None of it is easy, politics is never easy. But if we stay committed, keep showing up, and encourage each other along the way, we’re building a movement that’s stronger than any one election.
Let's keep pushing for the future we believe in.
Layla Bush – Classical Liberal Caucus
Oliver Campaign Postmortem
As a dyed in the wool Classical Liberal, I wanted young leadership, focused on Liberty, to run our nation. Despite limited campaign experience, I accepted an interim role with the Oliver campaign which quickly led to my role as state campaign chair. Everywhere I looked I found lukewarm responses to Chase Oliver and hateful, bigoted rhetoric coming from members of the LP, namely members of the Mises Caucus. This was a massive turn off for me. How could a party that nominated someone like Chase Oliver elect leadership that would actively undermine him? Have I joined a party of bigots? What had happened?
I was dismayed to learn what had been happening in the LNC since 2022. I was alarmed by the rhetoric of the Mises Caucus, Chair McArdle, and their Presidential nominee Michael Rectenwald. It was a surprise when I learned that the LNC would not be funding the Oliver campaign. Instead it funneled funds to RFK Jr and ultimately, the Trump campaign. This is why I am currently NOT a member of the National party and have no plans to pay National membership dues, at least not until the Mises Caucus is voted out of leadership.
The math made it clear. The party on the whole had hemorrhaged membership, membership that would have supported Oliver. The remaining base was either gunning for Trump or completely demoralized. I did what I could with my time, using the resources LP Dane offered to spread Chase Oliver’s message, often at the Dane County Farmers Market. No one I know could have the time, the money, or the skill set to do what needed to be done.
I deeply regret accepting a role I should have flatly denied. Yet looking back I’m not sure who, with the resources available and the impediments in place, could have pulled it out for Chase Oliver. Libertarians, at large, deserve better. I am not giving up on my ideals. I am going to continue carrying the torch and delivering the message. Libertarians know we are going to lose before we begin. We judge successes in fractions of percentages. I am glad to be in the arena. I’ve met so many kind, intelligent, and free thinking people who have supported me and have encouraged me to stay engaged with LPWI and the Dane County affiliate. Although the future seems uncertain for the LP I am excited to be involved and move FORWARD here in Wisconsin.
I wish all readers Peace, Love, and Liberty.
-Austin Bond-
Editor’s Comment
The above article was requested by The WIre and Mr. Bond willingly obliged. One of this newsletter’s proof readers tells me it is divisive and should be cut, another tells me we are all big boys and girls and so can handle it. As editor I believe it is better to have Bond’s story on these pages than not. Editor’s say is final. I haven’t threatened to quit in a while now.
Mr. Bond’s disappointment in the Chase Oliver campaign is certainly palpable. Could things have been better in Wisconsin? The editor believes that the election was a done deal from the get go. The national party was expertly played by people who had a plan, had the time, and had the money before our party even got started.
Many Wisconsin LP members solidly backed Mike Ter Maat. For reasons unknown the Oliver campaign opted not to approach them in assisting with the Oliver campaign.
Rumors abound that Angela McArdle will not be running for chair again. If I were her I wouldn't even bother to show up at the 2026 Libertarian National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Phil Anderson for U.S. Senate
Phil is unavailable as The WIre goes out this month. I am assured it is nothing negative. He has assured The Wire that he will be sending in an article thanking his volunteers, supporters, and donors. The WIre has requested at least one story accentuating a highlight of his campaign. It must be noted that he fought the good fight against un surmountable odds in one of the most heavily contested and expensive campaigns in the nation.
Deadline for Bylaws Changes Coming Up Soon
Our 2025 state convention will be held April 25 – 27 at Treehaven in Tomahawk. Three months prior to that, January 25, 2025, all proposed changes or amendments to our bylaws must be submitted to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. They needn’t be perfect and you don’t need to explain them. Write in complete sentences. The committee will contact you about final wording, placement, or rejection. You may appeal but that is for next month’s newsletter. CBL committee may be reached at [email protected]
More Races added to the Mix
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) via the U.S. Census asks all those living in the United States about their racial identity in order to better oversee the performance of federal agencies in their administration of the federal budget. Our government is not color blind in its dealing with employment, housing, voting, and other issues, offering affirmative action to certain racial classes based on historical injustices.
In 1977, to avoid an endless morass of racial preferences, the Federal Government came up with our current five official races: American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; Black; White; and Hispanic.
Why so many or why so few? Who knows? Yet come the 2030 census the OMB will up the number of official races to seven, with “Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander” being added in and separated from the “Asian” category, and a new Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) category added in.
As Libertarians we acknowledge that the smallest minority is one individual. We are the only political party that respects you as a unique and responsible individual. The LP tries to be color blind and would create a government of the same perspective. It also acknowledges that it is exceedingly inept at recruiting members from diverse groups. And yeah, we have a problem relating to women too.
Unlike the current government we aren’t going to keep cutting up the pie into smaller pieces and we won’t be singling out anyone for special treatment.
Short Bits
“Failing to vote in Australia results in a small fine, and failing to pay can result in a refusal to renew your driver’s license. You can avoid these negligible effects on personal liberties by turning up to vote and carelessly filling out your ballot before secretly placing it in the ballot box.
That practice is known here as “donkey voting”, presumably because giving up your most important right is something done only by an ass.”
– from The Economist November 9 – 15, 2024
“We’ve worked so hard at becoming tolerant that we’ve become intolerant,” Democratic congressman Seth Moulton, who represents the suburbs north of Boston
Timothy Snyder, a noted historian and an expert in the rise of Nazism, has commented that power is often freely handed to authoritarians. He urges people to follow this crucial lesson from history: “do not obey in advance.” - the historian Timothy Snyder.
The Waupaca County, Fox Valley Libertarians, and LPDane have been doing Adopt a Highway clean ups for several years now. The most recent one by LPDane this past Saturday, December 7.
“ ... technological progress and scientific discovery will, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly—often turbulently, too often inequitably—improve human lives and introduce possibilities that were once unfathomable.” – from WIRED Magazine
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