A logical look at liberty by Stephanie E. Watson.

Election Day 2008 with Mike Munger
Originally uploaded by soundof4strings

This is me posing with gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger between watching election results on November 4, 2008. I’m so excited about the LP in NC meeting the state’s ballot retention requirements, and I think Munger’s campaign was the primary reason for that. Many thanks to both Mike, his campaign manager (and LPNC chair) Barbara Howe, and many enthusiastic volunteers who helped make this happen.

I look forward to taking advantage of that continued ballot access alongside fellow Libertarians in 2010 and 2012.

Before we vote to allow government entities to take our money or property for any cause, it is important to note the shift of power that comes with giving up what is rightfully yours. This Albert Jay Nock quote is an insightful perspective regarding this power shift:

It is unfortunately none too well understood that, just as the State has no money of its own, so it has no power of its own. All the power it has is what society gives it, plus what it confiscates from time to time on one pretext or another; there is no other source from which State power can be drawn. Therefore every assumption of State power, whether by gift or seizure, leaves society with so much less power; there is never, nor can
there be, any strengthening of State power without a corresponding and roughly equivalent depletion of social power.

– Albert Jay Nock, from Our Enemy, the State

Last night at the NCSU University Club in Raleigh, Libertarians gathered in support of Mike Munger and other Libertarians running for state offices. Throughout the evening, there were cheers each time the number of precinct s reporting rose and Munger continued to have well over the 2% minimum requirement of votes for governor to keep Libertarians on the ballot through 2012. Spirits were high, and there was a great sense of relief and hope as Libertarians looked forward to dedicating time and resources to campaigns instead of another round of petitioning.

With 100% reporting, Munger appears to have received 2.87% of the gubernatorial votes, with 3.76% in Wake County alone. Also, state-wide, the lieutenant governor race showed even more voters taking a chance on Phillip Rhodes, who ended the night at 3.04%. Overall voter turnout rose from previous elections to 68.37%, and the voters have sent a message that they want change in the state, with a growing number seeing the Libertarian Party as representative of the kind of change they want to see.

View more of the (currently unofficial) State Board of Elections results

A message to Munger:
Mike, thanks again for running an effective campaign and conveying a Libertarian message that people in NC can understand as the party begins to break negative Libertarian stereotypes. I look forward to running alongside you for a General Assembly seat for 2010.

Running to win in 2010!