The Republican Liberty Caucus has recently held Spring or Summer Conventions in Florida, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Utah, and Virginia. RLC state affiliates are also planning upcoming Conventions in Maryland and Nebraska.
Additionally, the RLC has participated in direct outreach to Republican Party members at 2009 GOP Conventions in California, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
After losing the 2006 and 2008 elections, suddenly our fellow Republicans are waking up to the fact that the Republican Party has lost its way. New leadership and a new vision is needed.
The new vision was already outlined by Barry Goldwater in his 1964 campaign for U.S. President, and, before him, was outlined by America’s Founding Fathers.
Time is short. There’s a lot of work to be done.
A good first step on the long journey ahead is to join the RLC today.
This newsletter outlines the latest news from the Republican Liberty Caucus and explains the many ways that you can become involved in our efforts to preserve our liberties and change the direction of the GOP.
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Join the Republican Liberty Caucus on Yahoo and Facebook
With members scattered throughout the country, the Republican Liberty Caucus has found that the best way to communicate with each other is through Internet eGroups such as the groups offered by Yahoo and Facebook.
The Yahoo groups allow members to discuss pertinent issues and networking that can facilitate activism in the states. The Facebook groups allow RLC leaders to stay in touch with our members.
The main RLC group on Facebook has over 1,700 members. If you’re not yet a member, please log on and join today.
At our main Facebook page (link above), we also provide links to state RLC Yahoo groups and Facebook groups. Our largest Facebook groups belong to RLC affiliates in Minnesota and Indiana while our largest Yahoo group belongs to our Florida RLC affiliate.
The RLC is also proud to have some very prominent members who subscribe to our Facebook group, including legislators from AR, MA, MI, MN, MT, MO, NH, ND, UT, and WI as well as representatives from the Advocates for Self- Government, Cato Institute, Liberty Coalition, Gun Owners of America, Marijuana Policy Project, and many other liberty-loving groups.
Change Your Facebook Profile’s “Political Views” to read “Republican Liberty Caucus”
One savvy technique to promote the RLC is to change your Facebook profile to read “Republican Liberty Caucus” under “Political Views.” Not only will this explain to your friends and family what precisely you believe, but it also will promote the RLC at the same time.
To change your Facebook profile, simply log in to Facebook, click on “Profile”, click “Info”, and then edit the section of the profile called “Political Views”. Type in Republican Liberty Caucus so those less informed can discover that the RLC exists to promote their ideals, too.
RLC Convention Video Released: Life as a Grassroots Activist and as a Liberty Candidate
At the 2009 Republican Liberty Caucus Convention in Jacksonville, Florida — which took place last March — Dean Santoro, a 2010 candidate for Florida State House in the Miami area, explained the necessary components of becoming a grassroots activist and of running for political office.
Santoro explains that activists for liberty need two components: discipline and desire. As a candidate, you need the right attitude, a solid financial foundation, and belief in yourself and your cause. And you must commit yourself 100%.
Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Wisconsin Republican Liberty Caucus Affiliates Working to Form
Four new state affiliates are working to become active, vibrant affiliates of the Republican Liberty Caucus in the upcoming months.
In June, activists in Illinois held two meetings — one upstate and one downstate — hoping to gain enough interest to charter its affiliate. If you’d like to become a part of the Illinois RLC charter effort, contact Mike Tams today.
In Massachusetts, activists in both the eastern and western parts of the state are hoping to hold meetings in July or August. If you’d like to be a part of their effort, contact Brad Wyatt if you’re near Worcester or Damon Dimmick if you’re near Boston.
Nevada RLC member Dan Rego is working to lay the foundation for an active affiliate in that state.
In Wisconsin, the RLC is looking to charter an affiliate, not only to re-brand the Republican Party in the state, but also to support a very liberty-minded yet credible Congressional candidate. To help with this effort, contact Aaron Biterman.
Once the Illinois and Wisconsin affiliates are chartered, the only state in the Midwest lacking an active state RLC affiliate will be Ohio.
The time is ripe to become involved in your state RLC affiliate today!
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Participate in Your Local Tea Party on July 4!
Let government officials know that you are tired of Big Government!
This July 4, taxpayer Tea Party events will be taking place throughout the country, and the Republican Liberty Caucus is encouraging its members to participate in the dissent.
According to RLC Chairman Dave Nalle, “Individuals and families are angry about this economy-and it has everything to do with the tremendous growth of government combined with deficit-spending, tax hikes, and unsustainable central economic planning carried out by the political ruling class.”
Information about your local Tea Party event is available HERE. In April, RLC members from across the country participated in Tea Party events. Photos of RLC member participation in the April 15 Tax Day Tea Party are available HERE.
Please be sure to take photos at your July 4 Tea Party event. We are particularly interested in photos capturing RLC members participating actively in the Tea Party protests. If you have any such photos, please send them to the Republican Liberty Caucus via e-mail.
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The Fed is Feeling the Heat, Even in Congress
From liberals and conservatives, from grassroots activists to lawmakers — the Fed is under attack for its role in aiding Bank of America’s takeover of Merrill Lynch, for which Bank of America received $20 billion in bailout funds. Says The Wall Street Journal: “House lawmakers aren’t known for bipartisanship, but congressmen from both parties managed to come together from opposite sides at a House Oversight Committee hearing to besiege Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.”
Politico features an article that refers to RLC Advisor Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) as a trendsetter on the issue.
Paul’s bill to mandate the first-ever audit of the Fed suddenly finds itself with 242 co-sponsors. “Could it be possible that the Fed not only can cause these bubbles, but they’re … acting on their own?” asked Dr. Paul.
“If the Fed is going to print money hand over fist that the United States government can’t afford, I think the taxpayers have a right to know exactly who they are giving this money to and how much. It’s time for the Fed to come clean with the American people,” proclaimed Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY).
Please contact your Senators and ask them to sponsor S. 604, “The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009″ — the Senate version of Ron Paul’s HR 1207, which will audit the Federal Reserve.
Leaders for Liberty: Sharron Angle, Terri McCormick, and Sarah Steelman
As the focus turns from rebuilding the Republican Party in 2009 to winning elections in 2010, look to three savvy women to lead the way for liberty next year.
Sharron Angle is a former member of the Nevada Assembly who was narrowly defeated in a Congressional primary two years ago. At her website, she sharply criticizes the national debt, the continued growth of government, and mounting Congressional spending.
In 2010, Angle is likely to run against the vulnerable U.S. Senate Speaker Harry Reid (D-NV).
Terri McCormick is a former State Representative from Wisconsin. Elected in 2000, she self-imposed a term limit and stood by her promise, leaving office in 2006. She ran against the GOP establishment choice for Congress in 2006, losing to him in the primary. The GOP’s “top-tier” choice went on to lose the General Election in a swing district.
While in the legislature, Terri helped expand charter schools in Wisconsin. Since leaving public life, she has worked to reduce health care costs for local governments via her firm, McCormick Dawson. Rep. McCormick is considering running for office in 2010 and has expressed a belief that the libertarian wing of the party is best positioned to save the Republican Party.
Sarah Steelman is the former State Treasurer of Missouri. She lost a Gubernatorial primary in 2008 to the GOP establishment choice. The establishment’s choice went on to lose the Gubernatorial election.
At her website, Steelman features a John Adams quote that “the only maxim of a free government ought to be trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.” She goes on to say that liberty is “a fire that burns in every heart … the spark that ignites greatness … the soul of our nation … the destiny of every man.”
Steelman is considering a bid for Congress in 2010 or State Auditor in 2012.
Look for these savvy ladies to vigorously defend our shared principles in 2010.
RLC Chapter Leaders Gather in DC
Earlier in the month, RLC chapter leaders from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia affiliates gathered in the nation’s capital to discuss strategy for the 2010 election cycle.
Below is a photo from the event.
Thus far in 2009, the RLC has chartered new state chapter affiliates in Maryland, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, and Washington. Additionally, RLC chapters that were previously inactive (at least for a short period) have been revived in New Hampshire, Texas, and Virginia.
RLC members in the DC metro area gathered together earlier in the month. Front row, from left: Dave Nalle (National Chair), Aaron Biterman (National Press), Brett Guidry (DC Treasurer), Nancy Sellers (DC Secretary); back row, from left: Daniel Kamerling (guest), Rick Sincere (Virginia At-Large Board member), Steven Latimer (Virginia Vice-Chair), Matthew Gagnon (Virginia Chair), Dr. Scott Pearson (guest), John Orlando (Maryland Chair), and Stephen Wright (Maryland Treasurer) plus his wife.
If you’re not yet involved in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia affiliates, please click on your state’s link to become active today!
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July RLC Events
San Francisco RLC Meeting – July 1
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111094423160
New York City RLC Meeting – July 3
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45793502912#/event.php?eid=105117330635
Alameda (California) RLC July 4 BBQ – July 4
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197615090540
Silicon Valley (California) RLC BBQ – July 5
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=6bb428ca424995ffb81ec044cffd1c0b&eid=107598226423&ref=search
RLC of Collier County (Florida) Meeting – July 6
RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/CollierRLC/calendar/10548956/
RLC of Northeast Florida Meeting – July 7
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=106754864472
Travis County (Texas) RLC Meeting – July 10
RSVP at http://rlc.meetup.com/2/calendar/10641024/
Alameda County (California) RLC Meeting – July 10
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=94368958822
Sonoma County (California) RLC Meeting – July 15
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122072625548
Pima County (Arizona) RLC Meeting – July 23
RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/rlc-106/calendar/10696579/
RLC Wisconsin Organizing Meeting – July
Contact RLCStateChapters@aol.com for details.
RLC Northern Virginia Organizing Meeting – July
Contact mgagnon@newmediastrategies.net for details.
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Republican Liberty Caucus
Please join today: http://www.RLC.org
Please donate today: http://www.rlc.org/about/donate/
