This is a letter I sent to the delegates at the Libertarian Party of Florida's convention. While it is written concerning those events, I believe this is a problem with the LP on a national scale.
I personally believe the Libertarian Party is under attack. Not by some grand conspiracy to bring us down, but by groups who have no where else to turn and are looking to use the LP as a vehicle. I'm speaking of course about the various "Tea Party Republicans" who have become so prevalent over the last few years.
I have no real ill will towards these people. They are finally waking up to the fact Republicans are just as Pro Big Government as those "Left Wing Socialists" they supposedly hate. It is no different than when a Democrat voter finally realizes that Dems aren't going to legalize weed or create any real social equality. These people are politically homeless and the LP serves as a beacon they can go to.
However, what I do harbor ill will towards is there repeated attempts to change the LP and make it into some idealized Republican Party. Nationally, the "Reform Caucus" is already trying to make the LP into the Republican Party lite and now it appears to be happening here in Florida as well.
Our current Vice Chair has been a registered Libertarian for all of 5 months after being a Republican for a decade. I'm all for new blood, but perhaps running for Vice Chair of a county affiliate been a better starting ground?
Our former Senate candidate, and presumptive 2012 candidate, was too embarrassed to openly call himself a Libertarian. Preferring to refer to himself as "Florida's Liberty Candidate." Nevermind that he took stances that were counter to the LPF's platform, or robbed the LPF of $3,000, but that has already been discussed to death.
Finally, we have a chair who has openly said he is against running a wide range of candidates in 2012. A year when the LPF can run candidates for every state level race for free, and we want to just sit on our hands and watch Alex Snitker come up with .5% of the vote in a Senate race? Nevermind that our chair still openly donates to the Republican party and at one point openly endorsed Marco Rubio.
My main issue is that we need to quit being the Libertarian Political Philosophy Club of Florida and start being the Libertarian PARTY of Florida. If we want to be a lobbying/watchdog organization, fine. Then drop the charade and just say it. If not, then we'll be back at square one for the 2013 convention with another lost opportunity
-Jonathan Loesche
Duval County Vice Chair
Libertarian Candidate for Florida House District 14.
Funny, you've always seemed more like Jacob than a Jonathan to me..
I.e You're signing with your real name on a internet forum?