Peoples Press Collective » David K. Williams, Jr.

JeffCo gambling indictment is tax money absolutely wasted.

David K. Williams, Jr. — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:22:00 +0000

David K. Williams, Jr.

Despite cries to the contrary, the government has more money than it can reasonably spend. How else can one explain an 18 month criminal investigation of an alleged bookmaking enterprise in Jefferson County? (See "Denver-area sports-betting operation took high-end clients and bets, indictment says" in today's Denver Post.)

If government has the resources to spend on such an undertaking, it has too much money.

Concerned about funding for public schools? Talk to the officials in charge of this investigation. The money spent on every law enforcement officer employed on this investigation could have been spent on a teacher.

Concerned about funding for public health? Talk to the officials in charge of this investigation. The money spent on every law enforcement officer employed on this investigation could have been spent on a nurse.

Concerned about funding for roads and bridges? Talk to the officials in charge of this investigation. The money spent on every law enforcement officer employed on this investigation could have been spent on repairs.

Concerned about solving crimes of violence? Talk to the officials in charge of this investigation. The money spent on every law enforcement officer employed on this investigation could have been spent on a law enforcement officer investigating a violent crime.

Concerned about high taxes? Talk to the officials in charge of this investigation. The money spent on every law enforcement officer employed on this investigation could have been returned to you.

Until government stops spending money enforcing laws prohibiting consensual adult conduct like gambling, it does not deserve another dime.

If "progressives" are really concerned about public education, they should be going after this wasted law enforcement money.

If "conservatives" are really concerned about limited government, they should be going after this wasted law enforcement money.

Cult of Global Warming predicting CANNIBALS if we don’t DO something!

David K. Williams, Jr. — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:04:00 +0000

David K. Williams, Jr.

I have often kidded about and exaggerated the horrible apocalyptic warnings from the Al Gore Cult of Global Warming if we humans do not reduce our comparatively miniscule contributions to "greenhouse gases" and implement some policy akin to Cap and Trade.

It is no longer an exaggeration. Auden Schendler, the Vice-president of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company (no, I did NOT make up that title, I swear), says we are doomed to "a world like Cormac McCarthy described in his novel 'The Road'" if we do not shape up and become better stewards of Mother Earth. (See "The first casualty of climate change" in today's Denver Post.)

For those unfamiliar with Mr McCarthy's novel, it is perhaps the most depressing novel ever written. At least I thought it was until I read his other novels. Let's just say Mr McCarthy has a bleak view of humanity. I doubt he would be much fun at a cocktail party. But I digress...

Mr McCarthy never describes the cause of his post-apocalyptic world in "The Road." Somehow, however, the entire planet is covered with ash. Nothing grows. Nothing. The sun, blocked out by a gray sky, is never seen. Never. Things are so bad, people have become cannibals. Yep, cannibals.

And Aspen's VP of Sustainability says this is our fate within 50 years if we do not ACT NOW! He and his Chicken Little ilk want the government to control all carbon dioxide emissions, no matter the effect on the world economy. I mean, c'mon! After all, living in a hut without running water or heat is far superior to an ashy, gray world rife with cannibals!

When the government decides how much CO2 each company can produce, the world will be safe. Of course, the intellectually privileged in the government will make those decisions. After all, they are far smarter than us mere citizens and have our best interests at heart. Of course, these intellectuals would never hand out preferable CO2 allowances to favored companies that make big donations, would they? Since this never, ever happens in government it really should be of no concern.

In any event, carbon dioxide, including both the man made and naturally occurring kind, makes up 3.6% of all greenhouse gases. The man made contribution to the CO2 in the atmosphere is 3.2%. The remaining CO2 in the atmosphere occurs naturally. You know, from, like, breathing. And rain forests decaying. So destroying the rain forests actually helps curb greenhouse gases. Wouldn't a world without rain forests be superior to an ashy, gray world rife with cannibals? I guess not, but I am no intellectual. I will leave those decisions to my intellectual betters. You know, like Charley Rangel and Joe Biden and Sean Penn.

Water vapor makes up 95% of all greenhouse gases. Putting a lid on the Great Lakes would be more effective and less costly than Cap and Trade. I demand a lid! Or at least ketchup for my first meal as a cannibal.

Do we taste like chicken?

Colorado State Patrol wasting money and time prosecuting a rude gesture.

David K. Williams, Jr. — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:11:00 +0000

Colorado State Troopers are spending your tax money prosecuting someone that made a rude gesture to them. Yep, that is right. Thin-skinned traffic cops clearly have too much time and resources on their hands if they have time and resources to spend on this. (See the Denver Post's article, "Man who flipped off trooper faces harassment charge.")

State troopers don't provide a single service not already provided by local sheriffs or police. They write traffic tickets and investigate car wrecks. That is all. They are not state police that investigate crimes. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is the state agency that does actual police work.

The Colorado State Patrol is another example of a duplicative, wasteful government program. The State Patrol should be discontinued and the money saved. Instead of traffic cops with cool hats we could spend the money on teachers or additional $9 million phone systems like the one JeffCo Schools bought.

My final address as State Chair to the LPCO

David K. Williams, Jr. — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:26:00 +0000

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO

2011 ANNUAL CONVENTION

May 21, 2011

DoubleTree Hotel Denver - North

Westminster, CO

State Chair Final Address

Chair, David K. Williams, Jr.

The Libertarian Party of Colorado faces unprecedented opportunity to reach out to new members and spread the message of liberty. More and more Americans realize the failure of the two-party duopoly and are looking for an alternative. Unfortunately, given the nature of the two-party system and plurality voting, we face many of the same barriers to growth we have faced since the inception of the Libertarian Party.

Most Americans, including Coloradans, are hard-wired to think that the only possible electoral process includes two-major parties and plurality voting. It does not. Our voting system is neither in the Constitution nor was it handed down from God to Moses on the top of Mount Sinai. It can be changed by mere legislation. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Frank Atwood, I have been converted to the Church of Approval Voting. Likewise, the LPCO adopted support of Approval Voting at last year’s convention.

I firmly believe that no peaceful substantive political change is possible under our current electoral process. The Democrats and Republicans have traded power at the national level since the Civil War. Since that time, the federal government has done nothing but grow - while individual liberty has shrunk. Neither wing of the duopoly has any incentive to change the process.

I believe a number of Americans are starting to understand that a change in process is necessary before any change in substance can occur. It is our job to make that number grow. To that end, I have done my best to spread the message of limited government and individual liberty throughout the state - in addition to introducing the idea of alternative voting methods to those that did not realize such a thing even existed.

My philosophy is that if there is an invitation to speak, I will take it. I’ll talk before a group Republicans, Democrats, Communists, Hare Krishnas or the American Society of Optometrists. I refuse to turn down an opportunity to spread the message. During my term as State Chair, I have been a substitute radio host on multiple occasions in Greeley and in Denver. I have spoken at numerous Tea Party events - always emphasizing that real liberty means that the government stays out of all voluntary activities between consenting adults, including drugs and sex. I have been quoted in several publications. I have written hundreds of blog posts. I have been active at the state legislature and in state politics.

I always try to argue in favor of liberty, and not against the state. I always try to bring a positive message of freedom, and not an angry message of destruction. We spend too much time arguing with each other or patting ourselves on the back in a small group of the converted when we should be spending our time and energy proselytizing to those that do not yet understand that, indeed, freedom is the answer - regardless of the question.

I can only hope that I have been a decent messenger for liberty and the Libertarian Party of Colorado.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Press Release: Libertarian Party of Colorado Annual Convention this Weekend

David K. Williams, Jr. — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:06:00 +0000

Libertarian Party of Colorado

Contact: Kate Melvin

MediaDirector@lpcolorado.org

303.882.1781

May 20, 2011

For Immediate Release:

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO ANNUAL MEETING THIS WEEKEND- KICK OFF WITH CASINO NIGHT

As is the annual tradition, Libertarians from across Colorado will gather this weekend for their yearly convention, during which they will attend to annual business, elect new board members, and enjoy presentations and guest speakers. The meeting on Saturday as well as tonight's casino night kick off serve as good opportunities for members of the media to speak with Libertarian leaders and party members about the past year and moving forward.

Many of the current board positions are turning over this year following the completion of two year terms by directors elected at 2009's annual meeting. This includes the State Chair, currently filled by David K. Williams, Jr.

"It has been a pleasure serving as State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado the past two years," said Williams. "The unprecedented recent growth of the liberty movement has been great to see and to participate in. I appreciate the opportunity to serve and even though I am not seeking a second term as chairman, I will never stop fighting for a constitutionally limited federal government and for liberty. You will continue to see me at the state legislature – and elsewhere- advocating for the radical notion that freedom is the answer, regardless of the question."

Tonight's casino night starts at 6:00 at Westminster's DoubleTree Hotel, located at 8773 Yates Drive Westminster, Colorado. Saturday's annual meeting begins at 8:30a.m. and is located in the DoubleTree grand ballroom. For any questions, contact outgoing Media Director Kate Melvin at mediadirector@lpcolorado.org or on her cell phone at 303-882-1781.

Tort reform is not a federal issue.

David K. Williams, Jr. — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:52:00 +0000

From a press release just now issued from Congressman Cory Gardner's office:

Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) threw his support behind a bill that will curb abusive medical lawsuits, lowering the cost of healthcare nationwide.

"This is a crucial step in replacing the President's healthcare law with common sense reforms that have been proven to work in multiple states such as Colorado, California and Texas," Gardner said.

H.R. 5, authored by Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), places a limit on the non-economic damages that can be awarded in a medical liability lawsuit at $250,000 for states that do not have caps already. Currently, there are 28 states that cap medical liability damages, Colorado being one of them. This legislation will not override caps already in place.

Rep. Gardner is one of my favorite politicians in the state. However, my affection for him is overshadowed by my affection for the Tenth Amendment.

Which one of the enumerated powers in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress authority to set malpractice award limits on states? No matter what one thinks of malpractice caps and tort reform, the issue is for the states, and not Congress, to decide.

Conservative Constitutional scholar and Independence Institute Senior Scholar Rob Natelson agrees:

To be blunt: H.R. 5 flagrantly contravenes the limitations the Constitution places upon Congress, and therefore violates both the Ninth and Tenth Amendments. H.R. 5 is purportedly an exercise of the Constitution’s Commerce Power. Yet as I shall explain, its subject-matter—civil actions in federal and state courts—is not within the Constitution’s meaning of “Commerce."

(See "Fedzilla Hungry Again: State Courts Threatened.")

It is hard to defend the Tenth Amendment when both Democrats and Republicans ignore it for their own political ends. I urge Rep. Gardner to reconsider his support of H.R. 5.

Thanks to the state Senators that voted for freedom and against the police state yesterday.

David K. Williams, Jr. — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:23:00 +0000

Thank you to the seven state Senators on the Health and Human Services Committee that voted to protect individual freedom and against expanding the massively failed drug war yesterday.

On a 7-2 vote, the committee killed Senate Bill 196, which would have made it illegal to purchase Sudafed (and similar over the counter medicines) without a doctor's prescription. Law enforcement was the driving force behind the bill, saying it was necessary to combat meth-amphetamine production.

Socially conservative Senator Lundberg, before voting against the bill, nailed it: "I am troubled by the testimony in favor of the bill that there is no acknowledgment of the liberties and freedoms of citizens compromised by this." (See "Colorado Senate panel rejects more limits on meds used in meth.")

It is always good when senators from both parties recognize that looking to the government, and giving it more power over individuals, is not the answer.

Thank you. I encourage everyone to send an email to the seven senators that stood up for freedom. They are:

They are:

Linda Newell, Vice-Chair (D) linda.newell.senate@gmail.com

Kevin Lundberg (R) kevin@kevinlundberg.com

Ellen Roberts (R) ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us

Morgan Carroll (D) morgan.carroll.senate@state.co.us

Shawn Mitchell (R)l shawnmitch@aol.com

Jean White (R) senatorwhite2@gmail.com

Joyce Foster (D) joyce.foster.senate@state.co.us

Medical Marijuana and the Tenth Amendment

David K. Williams, Jr. — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:28:00 +0000

The Colorado Independent has an article (that I found thanks to Complete Colorado) on Obama's Department of Justice potentially cracking down on the medical marijuana industry in states that have legalized it. (See "DOJ smack down of medical continues, raising questions in Colorado.")

This presents an excellent opportunity for those that believe in the United States Constitution: a chance to actually enforce it.

The Federal regulation of a plant grown in this state, harvested in this state, sold in this state and consumed in the state is a farce. None of the enumerated powers of Article, Section 8 gives the feds the authority to regulate this activity. Using the interstate commerce clause as a justification is nonsense, yet we countenance it because the US Supreme Court said we should. What sheep we are. The feds can not make the moon the sun by declaring it so. It is time we assert our sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment and stop the fed's unconstitutional usurpation of state power.

How many "conservative" Republicans would be willing to enforce the Tenth Amendment when the issue is marijuana? On the other hand, how many "progressive' Democrats want the feds to butt out of this issue, but want them involved in health care?

It is hypocrisy to pick and choose when the Constitution should be applied on a case-by-case basis depending on the issue. The enumerated powers and the Tenth Amendment always apply, even when you don't want them to.

An attempt to explain liberty to my statist friends.

David K. Williams, Jr. — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:34:00 +0000

Let me try to summarize, for my statist friends, why government "solutions" are immoral: The government can not accomplish any goal, no matter how well intentioned, without using force to make people act in a way they would otherwise not act.

Even if you completely disagree with libertarian thought, I hope you can at least understand from where we are coming. We are not heartless bastards that want to put grandma on the street. We understand that taking care of grandma is our job as feeling and caring individuals, not the job of a faceless, unfeeling and uncaring agent of the state - a bureaucrat.

The "good" of the collective, by necessity, always makes the interest of the individual subservient to that of the collective. When the individual is subservient to the collective, individuals are sacrificed when they disagree with the collective.

From Stalin's Soviet Union, to Hitler's Nazi Germany, to Mao's China to Mussolini's Fascist Italy - when the state is more important than individuals, individuals are killed. Always.

I am not comparing the United States with any of these regimes. I am pointing out the extremes so that we may stay as far away from the statist model as possible. For over a century, we have been moving closer to statism and farther away from liberty.

And that is a cause for concern.

The federal government isn’t hurting for money. It’s hurting because of bloat.

David K. Williams, Jr. — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:09:00 +0000

The wails of anguish from the D.C. political class that the federal leviathan doesn't have any money to provide basic services is bollocks. The federal government has too much money. It only needs more money to feed the bloat.

To wit, the United States government has seventeen separate intelligence agencies:

Central Intelligence Agency
Department of Energy, Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence
Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence and Analysis
Department of State, Intelligence and Research
Department of Treasury, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Defense Intelligence Agency
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
National Reconnaissance Office
National Security Agency
Office of the Director of National Intelligence
U.S. Air Force, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
U.S. Army, Army Military Intelligence
U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Intelligence
U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity
U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Intelligence

This list is laughable. Even if one allows for separate agencies for international intelligence, domestic intelligence and military intelligence, this group of 17 should be, at most three.

Dispose of the rest.