The Taxman Comes

This is a superb advertisement by David Zucker, of Naked Gun fame, warning against the invasive, tax-eating policies of the Democrats in the United States.

A very similar advertisement could be used in Australia, where governments relentlessly tax every transaction, consumption and income alike. But until the LDP grows large enough to afford such advertising, you’re not likely to see it on our television sets. All the other parties are totally addicted to tax revenue.

Link 

Defence Policy And The Iraq War

The LDP does not yet have a policy on defence although some members are currently working on one. It also does not have a policy on the Iraq war, which is a separate but related issue, and will probably never have one given the divergence of views among members.

From a libertarian perspective, it might be argued that the government should not use our taxes to engage in conflicts in which our interests are not directly threatened. Depending on your perception of threats, that could lead to the conclusion that Australia should not be involved in Iraq.

From another libertarian perspective it might be argued that promoting individual liberty in other countries is just as justified as promoting it in our own country. While achieving liberty through military means could only be warranted in rare situations after everything else has failed, some would say that was the case with Iraq.

Following is an article from the Wall Street Journal by Bob Kerrey, a former Democrat Senator who argues in favour of US involvement in Iraq. It asks why humanitarian intervention is warranted in some cases but not Iraq, and raises the question of what would be the consequences of withdrawal.

The LDP is a party of principle and does not derive its policies from an anti-American or anti-Bush perspective. The questions that arise from the Iraq debate will inform its defence policy. I am canvassing views and debate on this topic in an effort to ensure the policy is well founded.

Meeting of Victorian members 25 May

The first Victorian Branch Meeting will be held on Friday evening, May 25^th, 2007 at:

Quality Inn, Downtowner, 66 Lygon St. Carlton.

Commencing 6.00 pm

This will be an informal “kick off” get together, to meet other like minded people and to bring everyone up to date with LDP progress.

Please tell your friends. All welcome, even non-members, as they can join up on the night.

I look forward to meeting with you.If you have any questions, please contact me.

Peter Whelan

Communications Officer

ph: 02 9652 0415 mob: 0416 275 850

Privatise RailCorp in NSW

The LDP’s policy of support for the privatisation of government enterprises (still in draft but nearing finalisation) was given a nice boost by this item in the Sydney Morning Herald of 5 May:

Privatisation way forward: ex-chief

Privatisation is the only way to fix RailCorp because the State Government’s attempts to overhaul the organisation have failed, a former rail chief says. John Brew, who worked for State Rail for 40 years and was its chief for three, said the Government had tried replacing executives and turning the authority into a corporation, but that had not worked.