[announce] Missouri LP Passes Resolution on Statewide Ballot Initiatives

[Official Missouri Libertarian Party Announcements]

*October 18,
2010
                    FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Cisse Spragins, Ph.D.
Cell: 612 309 9232
Email: chair at lpmo.org


*Missouri Libertarian Party Passes Resolution on Statewide Ballot
Initiatives*

At its Executive Committee meeting on October 17th, the Missouri LP
discussed the merits of the various initiatives on the statewide ballot for
the Nov 2nd election and issues the following statement:

*Constitutional Amendment 1:* *Oppose* While it does not seem illogical, in
principle, that counties with a charter form of government elect their
county assessor, an amendment to the Constitution with language that exempts
“counties with a population between 600,001-699,999” specifically to exempt
Jackson County strikes us as absurd. What will happen when the population of
Jackson County grows or shrinks to be outside this range, will the
Constitution be amended again? We feel that Constitutional amendments should
be broad based, not targeted to some specific group or locale.

*Constitutional Amendment 2:* *Oppose* This proposed amendment, which
affects an extremely small number of people strikes us as blatant political
pandering. Arguments can be made to exempt many less fortunate groups from
property taxes, so why this one? We would prefer to see property taxes
lowered or eliminated across the board, which would create real economic
prosperity. Increased economic prosperity will create more opportunities and
resources for the less fortunate citizens of Missouri.

*Constitutional Amendment 3:* *Support* We support any broad-based
initiative to reduce or eliminate the tax burden or prohibit the imposition
of new taxes.

*Proposition A:* *Support* We are opposed to earnings taxes and find them to
be even more unjust when imposed without the people's vote. Although the
governments of St. Louis and Kansas City are unfortunately, yet predictably,
addicted to their respective earnings taxes, the 10-year phase out period
should provide a more than adequate adjustment period. The negative economic
consequences of taxes on income are well known, however the negative effects
develop over time. Unfortunately, politicians generally lack the fiscal
discipline to act in the best long term interest, particularly when there is
the enticement of an immediate rush of revenue. Therefore, the explicit
prohibition of new city earnings taxes will help protect the general welfare
of the citizens of Missouri from greedy politicians.

*Proposition B:* *Oppose* Like most people, we find animal cruelty
appalling. However, as Libertarians, we are opposed to the passage of ever
more regulations that will have a broad-based and negative effect on
legitimate businesses. There are already extensive laws on the books
prohibiting animal cruelty. See
http://www.showmedaily.org/2010/10/would-prop-b-really-help.html for a
comparison of the language of the current law and Proposition B. We are also
concerned that the real agenda is to eliminate dog breeding and ultimately
animal agriculture, as these are stated objectives of some of the groups
providing the money behind this initiative. Virtually all regulations sound
good on their face, however, in reality they simply end up driving up the
cost of business, through paperwork, bureaucracy and red tape, most of which
accomplishes nothing toward the stated objective. This cost must ultimately
be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices Meanwhile, the
small minority of 'bad actors' continue to circumvent the laws.

Voters who are Fed Up! with bailouts, stimulus plans that only stimulate
bigger government, government takeover of health care, rising unemployment,
never-ending foreign wars, and a big brother police state will find common
ground with the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party is America's third
largest political party and has been fighting for smaller government since
1971. The Missouri Libertarian Party has been a recognized party in the
State, with continuous ballot access since 1992. For further information
visit www.lpmo.org or call 877-Vote-4-Us.



-- 
Cisse W. Spragins, Ph.D.
Chair, Missouri Libertarian Party
LPMO.org
FedUpinMO.com
Cell:  612 309 9232

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the
argument of tyrants, it is the creed of slaves." --William Pitt, speech to
the House of Commons.
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