By Scotty Boman, Editorial
Link to January 2019 Michigan Libertarian
Another year has passed, but in many ways 2018 was different for the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Love it or hate it, this was the year that we played the game by the same rules as Democrats and Republicans (except for the hefty subsidizes that only the top two parties got). The high vote total earned by Gary Johnson and Bill Weld in 2016 invoked a clause in our bylaws that called for a special convention in anticipation of how state law would be treating us differently in the next election.
Thanks to the tireless research by Political Director Greg Stempfle we were able to approve a set of bylaws that were compatible with our new status. Since 2019 is an odd year, the bylaws will be up for revision. While setting a record for third party gubernatorial candidates in Michigan, the Gelineau-Thomas ticket did not receive enough votes to retain our special status. Thankfully the existing bylaws anticipated this possibility. We now have bylaws that seamlessly adapt to our change of status, and should we break that threshold again they will still be relevant. So we can take some of our experiences in applying the bylaws with us to the 2019 convention. There will probably be some changes but an overhaul isn’t required.
2018 was also the year that we learned we could survive and thrive as a major party. We were able to leverage our status for better recognition by the mainstream media. We had precinct delegates and county conventions. We matured structurally as an organization.
It is also the year that Marijuana became legal. I know there is a lot of unhappiness that this newly legalized product will continue to be taxed as are other legal products; but for the first time, without the need to pay a tax a person can have 10 ounces of marijuana on hand along with 12 plants, and risk no legal penalty. No taxes, fines, fees, jail time, or prison time. Previously ten ounces and a garden could easily lead to imprisonment. On the down side it’s only ten ounces.
Then that lame duck session. 2018 was the year that the Republican governor signed a bill into law that will censor what Michiganders can post on the internet. He also signed a bill to make the already herculean task of getting an initiative on the ballot even more difficult.
It is the year that we lost two fine activists: Edward Karpinski and Richard Gach.
Other voices
I asked visitors to the LPM Facebook page what they thought some of the more notable events in 2018 were and here are some of their responses:
Michigan had a big year with legalizing pot and our first Libertarian primary for governor – Abigail Ferguson
The Democrat party self destructing and paving the way for Libertarians to become the second party in our two party system. – Brian Haire
Trumps attacks on everyone in America except his friends, and his attacks on the free press. – Dean Rourk
In Michigan, there is an elected Drain Commissioner in Muskegon County who is being recalled for fraud. I’ve talked to family and it’s legit corruption. This is LP gold. – Jennifer Moore
“GUBBERMENT SHUTDOWN”
- Amash got re-elected
- Recreational cannabis is legal in a couple more states – notably HERE – and a gray market is operating?
- Ballot initiative in CO to legalize mushrooms
Bad news is that we now have to figure out how to government is going to try to control the gerrymandering proposal even more than they already do – not sure yet if that was truly a win for the people… – Samantha Meurer
Pretty good showing at the polls! The message is getting out there. – Leon Hollowell
The good: Jobs came back, gas prices dropped, weed was legalized, gerrymandering was reigned in. The bad: officials acting criminally and not being punished, lack of transparency at all levels of government, over-regulation, and the disaster called health care. Goodbye 2018. – Rose DeJong
Libertarians in the News
We are destined to remember the most recent things, but I have compiled a table listing some of the coverage libertarians received in the news media. Happy New Year!
