From: "Jason Auvenshine" <auvenj@mailcity.com>
On Fri, 4 Feb 2000 17:11:22 Alan Fanning wrote:
>I think that by rendering
>a decision that neither side likes, the judge may have given us an
>opportunity, using the courts reasoning to create an organization with
>two branches. The "statutory" branch could be organized in accordance
>with the laws, but would have no real authority, not to spend money,
>nominate candidates or determine representatives to the national
>convention, but would be the explicit agents of the government. It
>remains to be seen if such an organization is practical or possible.
This is a great idea Alan. I'm still waiting to see what the reaction from the leadership around here is going to be to the ruling and ALP's direction to obey at lest the letter of the law. Unfortunately the biggest stumbling block I see is that this obeys the letter of the law but not the spirit of it. That's fine with me and I'm sure it would be fine with most people on the ALP side. But I certainly can't forget the issue that precipitated my disagreement with Peter. Peter _supports_ the law and _wants_ to obey it, heart and soul. He thinks it's the best way for us to be effective. This means, practically, we have to find a way to do one of the following (in order of speed):
1) Convince Peter and the people who agree with him on this issue in ALP, Inc.'s leadership that obeying the letter of the law and ending the feud is more effective than obeying the spirit of the law and keeping the feud going.
2) Convince enough "rank-and-file" ALP, Inc. precinct committeemen of (1) to force a change in ALP, Inc.'s leadership or direction.
3) Recruit enough new precinct committeemen who believe in (1) to accomplish (2).
4) Become so effective using your proposed "vestigal law-abiding but actively private" structure that (1) or (2) happens on its own.
>The question of leadership is dependent upon people of good will
>stepping forward and convincing a majority "of those registered and
>attending" that they will act in good faith, in a principled, reliable
>fashion.
The trouble is both sides see the other side as a pack of liars who's direction will render the party ineffective. That's part of why I support new leadership -- at least there's a chance it will be people both sides could feel a little bit of trust towards.
>One of the ways to do that would be to join in this discussion.
>Someone will have to make a real effort to bridge the chasm between
>Tucson and Phoenix.
I'm doing my damndest to get other Tucson folks onto this list. It remains to be seen how effective I will be. I've got to convince the leadership to send out an invitation to the PCLP distribution list, otherwise no one will know about the list. I'm in an interesting position being in Tucson and having supported the ALP, Inc. side but also seeing the ALP side on some things. If there's anything else I can do to help "bridge the chasm", I'm all ears.
>I look back on the discussions of the past several
>months and I am seriously depressed. When we cannot agree that
>accepting money plundered from taxpayers for personal advantage, is an
>unacceptable violation of Libertarian principle, then I am pessimistic
>that we can find any rational solution.
I've said it before -- the feud will end when "we" (libertarians in AZ) decide "we" want it to end. The issue for the party regarding tax money is really one of how to handle candidates who choose to accept it. As I understand it the ALP way is to say that no candidate who takes tax money can be a Libertarian candidate. The ALP, Inc. way is to put the full weight and support of the party behind the candidate(s) which can and will take the _most_ tax money. Perhaps a decent middle ground is to say that the party will not give any official support, funding, etc. to a candidate who takes tax money other than allowing him/her to be a Libertarian candidate. The point is these are solvable issues IF there is widespread will to solve them.
>So far I have been less than inspired by both sides.
My sentiments exactly.
--Jason Auvenshine
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