News
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- Written by: Dr Loren Jay Chassels DO MST FAAIM FAWM
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
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Dr. Loren Jay Chassels is a Board member of the New Jersey Libertarian Party. Loren earned his doctorate from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, followed by an internal medicine residency in 2007. Now board-certified in internal medicine, he has practiced as a hospitalist and emergency physician for nearly two decades. See more at lorenjchassels.com |
The federal toilet standard is grounded in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which required new toilets sold in the United States to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush beginning in 1994, while EPA’s WaterSense label pushes performance toward 1.28 gallons per flush or less. This paper recommends repealing or substantially revising those federal limits and replacing them with flexible, performance-based state or local standards.[1][2]
Executive Position
The current federal approach is too rigid for a product that depends heavily on plumbing design, waste load, and building conditions. A better policy would preserve conservation goals while allowing higher-flush toilets where needed for sanitation, reliability, and public health.[2][3][1]
Regulatory Background
The national baseline of 1.6 gallons per flush stems from the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and took effect in 1994. EPA’s WaterSense program later promoted toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, framing them as at least 20 percent more water-efficient than the federal standard. EPA has also continued to revise its WaterSense criteria, showing that the market and performance assumptions around these rules are not fixed.[3][4][5][6][1][2]
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- Written by: Mike Guadagnino
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
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Dr. Michael Guadagnino holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the NY Institute of Technology and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from NY Chiropractic College. He served as VP of Public Relations for the New Jersey Libertarian Party from 2017 to 2022. Dr. Guadagnino is the author of the best-selling book Fitness Over 50, 60, 70 and Beyond, available on Amazon and other major platforms. He also shares health and wellness insights on Instagram at @Dr._Guadagnino. Dr. Guadagnino writes on health care topics through the lens of personal freedom and individual liberty. |
The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, often associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has sparked a national conversation about chronic disease, food quality, government regulation, pharmaceutical influence, and personal health responsibility. While supporters and critics often view MAHA through partisan lenses, libertarians tend to evaluate it based on a different set of principles: individual liberty, limited government, free markets, transparency, and personal responsibility.
From a libertarian perspective, MAHA has both appealing strengths and significant concerns.
One of the biggest positives is its focus on individual health and informed decision-making. Libertarians generally believe that people should have the freedom to make their own choices about nutrition, medical care, exercise, and lifestyle. MAHA’s emphasis on educating the public about food ingredients, environmental toxins, and chronic disease aligns with the libertarian belief that individuals should have access to information so they can make decisions without excessive interference from government agencies or corporate interests.
Many libertarians also appreciate MAHA’s skepticism toward the close relationship between government regulators and large industries. Whether discussing pharmaceutical companies, food manufacturers, or agricultural interests, libertarians often worry about “regulatory capture,” where government agencies become overly influenced by the industries they are supposed to regulate. Calls for greater transparency, independent research, and accountability resonate strongly with those who value free and fair markets.
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- Written by: James Holcomb
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
Originally published on @Citizen Holcomb, republished with permission. See citizenholcomb.com for more information on the author.
One of the most frustrating things about the Libertarian Party is that our best principle is also one of the easiest to abuse.
We believe in free speech. We believe people should be allowed to say unpopular things. We believe the government should not be in the business of policing opinions, punishing dissent, or deciding which views are acceptable. That is not just some cute slogan we put on a campaign flyer. It is a core part of what makes libertarianism different.
But there is a problem we have to be honest about.
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- Written by: Webmaster
- Category: Candidates and Elections
PETITION BASICS
Download, print and circulate a petition. Any New Jersey resident can circulate a petition for any candidate, but only people who live in the district can sign for that office.
We have a Guide To Petitioning posted on the NJLP website. I find the most useful approach to use is to state "Excuse me I'm trying to get a friend of mine on the ballot. Are you a registered voter?"
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- Written by: Bruno Pereira
- Category: Press Releases
On April 28th, 11th District Rep. Analilia Mejia introduced the Living Wage for All Act. This piece of legislation, if approved, would increase the federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 up to $25.00 hourly in stages over the next 5 years. This would mean that NJ’s hourly minimum would increase more than 9 dollars. As the name suggests, this legislation is designed to offer assistance to struggling Americans who are suffering due to the increased cost of living.
While we can appreciate the intention here as no one wants to see their loved ones suffer from privation, this act, like all acts of today’s Congress, is woefully blind to the economics behind affordability. Large increases to minimum wage, whether implemented immediately or gradually, increases inflation, worsens unemployment, encourages automation, and makes it all the more difficult for small businesses to operate. As the cost of hiring employees grows, companies will downsize their staff and pass additional costs onto the consumer. California lost between 10-18 thousand food service jobs when they raised theirs to $20. Workers might applaud this bill’s passage now, but when their jobs are phased out and the costs of their needed goods and services grow even more unaffordable, they will realize that once again, the government has made their situation worse.
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- Written by: Bruno Pereira
- Category: Press Releases
On April 7th at 8:06 A.M., President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and wrote, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” This comes just two days after his infamous Easter post, wherein he said that “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in hell.” While certainly not the first time President Trump has delivered less-than-presidential messaging, this recent turn towards genocidal rhetoric is wrong, dangerous, and wholly unbecoming of the Leader of the Free World.
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- Written by: Bruno Pereira
- Category: Press Releases
This summer, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford NJ will be hosting eight matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. NJ Democrats, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill, have proposed a plan to increase our state’s sales tax by approximately 3 percentage points to 9.625% (a 45.283% increase) in order to capitalize on the influx of soccer tourists attending the event. Additionally, taxes on lodging (2.5%), gambling (10% on World Cup wagers) and rideshare (upwards of 50 cents) are also being considered.
While these taxes will be primarily focused in the Meadowlands area, this proposal will have far reaching effects on the people of NJ who are already hurting from high taxes, inflation and fuel expenses. While it is true that this could be seen as a way of recouping the $307 million in taxpayer money initially allocated by the State to secure the event, upgrade the stadium, etc., this tax hike will only further encumber an already struggling population. For all of Gov. Sherril’s talk about affordability this proposal will do nothing but impoverish the citizens of NJ.
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- Written by: Mike Guadagnino
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
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Dr. Michael Guadagnino holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the NY Institute of Technology and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from NY Chiropractic College. He served as VP of Public Relations for the New Jersey Libertarian Party from 2017 to 2022. Dr. Guadagnino is the author of the best-selling book Fitness Over 50, 60, 70 and Beyond, available on Amazon and other major platforms. He also shares health and wellness insights on Instagram at @Dr._Guadagnino. Dr. Guadagnino writes on health care topics through the lens of personal freedom and individual liberty. |
The growing divide between patients and their doctors is one of the most overlooked consequences of modern health policy. For generations the relationship between a physician and a patient was simple and direct.
A person sought care, the doctor used their training and experience to recommend a course of action, and the patient made a decision based on trust and personal preference. Today that once straightforward relationship is buried beneath a mountain of regulations, mandates, billing codes, and bureaucratic oversight created by state and federal agencies.
Instead of a conversation between doctor and patient, health care has increasingly become a negotiation with bureaucracies. Government agencies, insurance administrators, and politically influenced health boards now shape what treatments are approved, reimbursed, or even allowed.
Doctors often know what may help their patients, but they must first ask permission from systems that were designed by regulators rather than medical professionals.
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- Written by: Bruno Pereira
- Category: Press Releases
For Immediate Release:
February 19, 2026,
On November 11th, 2025 President Trump signed off on the “Epstein Files Transparency Act”. This law required the Justice Department to release unclassified and searchable versions of all files relating to the alleged perpetrators within 30 days of its passage and for the AG to submit a report to both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Since its passage AG Bondi has failed to meet the timeline and those documents that were released were redacted to obscene levels.
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- Written by: Bruno Pereira
- Category: Press Releases
For Immediate Release:
January 26th, 2026
The New Jersey Libertarian Party Calls for the Immediate Abolition of ICE, and the Impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Director Todd Lyons
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- Written by: Jay Edgar
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
Nothing should arouse the ire of a libertarian more than having federal agents detaining people on the streets without probable cause. ICE agents have been canvassing the streets of New Jersey performing warrantless raids on homes and businesses. The have been sweeping up citizens, documented immigrants, and undocumented immigrants. We are witnessing the transformation of our communities into zones where "show me your papers" is no longer a dystopian trope, but a daily requirement.
Within the past week alone, the tactics used by federal agents have mirrored those of authoritarian regimes.
- In Morristown ICE kidnapped an honor High School student who has never missed an immigration appointment and had an upcoming appointment with immigration authorities.
- Also in Morristown, a father stepped outside to collect a food delivery and was snatched up – leaving his six year old daughter alone.
- In Warren Township, ICE was seen pulling people out of cars and taking them away.
- Unknown masked agents grabbed a woman and others and took them away in Red Bank.
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- Written by: John Paff
- Category: Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project
In November 2025, and as previously published by the New Jersey Libertarian Party, the Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project intervened in Barrington Borough's consideration of a proposed "parental responsibility" ordinance after identifying serious due-process concerns in the draft law.
As originally written, Ordinance 1219 included language that would have subjected parents to municipal court summonses based largely on the conduct of their children. Specifically, if a juvenile committed a second offense within a defined period, the ordinance authorized proceedings against the parent for an alleged lack of supervision. The ordinance defined "offenses against the public peace, safety and morals" broadly, including conduct such as "being a disorderly person." Upon a second offense, the parent was effectively presumed guilty and required to rebut that presumption.
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- Written by: Mike Guadagnino
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
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Dr. Michael Guadagnino holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the NY Institute of Technology and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from NY Chiropractic College. He served as VP of Public Relations for the New Jersey Libertarian Party from 2017 to 2022. Dr. Guadagnino is the author of the best-selling book Fitness Over 50, 60, 70 and Beyond, available on Amazon and other major platforms. He also shares health and wellness insights on Instagram at @Dr._Guadagnino. As a regular guest contributor, Dr. Guadagnino writes on health care topics through the lens of personal freedom and individual liberty. |
By 2026 one truth should be impossible to ignore no institution is coming to save your health. Not the government, not Big Pharma, not the latest app wearable or headline grabbing guideline. Health has always been and will remain a profoundly personal responsibility. A libertarian view of wellness does not reject science or community; it rejects the illusion that freedom can be outsourced.
Being healthy in 2026 means reclaiming ownership of your body in a world that profits from your dependency.
The modern health system is excellent at crisis management and terrible at cultivating resilience. It treats symptoms well but incentives rarely reward prevention strength or long-term vitality. If you want to thrive not merely survive you must opt out of passive consumption and opt into active participation. That starts with movement. Humans were designed to move daily not occasionally. Strength training walking sprinting mobility work these are not fitness trends they are biological necessities. You do not need permission to lift weights take the stairs or challenge your comfort zone. You need discipline.
Nutrition in 2026 should be guided less by food pyramids and more by personal experimentation. Centralized dietary dogma has failed repeatedly because people are not averages. Real health comes from eating whole unprocessed foods prioritizing protein healthy fats and vegetables and paying attention to how your body responds. Read labels. Question marketing. If a product needs a government subsidy or a cartoon mascot to survive it probably does not belong in your body. Food is information not entertainment.
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- Written by: Bruno Pereira
- Category: Press Releases
As Chair of the New Jersey Libertarian Party, I must address the alarming justification now being offered for the United States’ military removal of Venezuela’s head of state.
In recent public remarks, a sitting United States senator declared, “The days of narco terrorist thugs and tinpot third world dictators down south pushing us around are over. We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we are going to start acting like it again. President Trump is taking back control.”
Subcategories
Videos
This is a page of various videos that we have either created or found interesting. Be sure to check out and follow our YouTube page.
Open Government Advocacy Project
The Open Government Advocacy Project is a committee of the NJ Libertarian Party. Its goal is to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels of government. Articles posted here are a subset of the work of the committee. For more information visit the Open Government Advocacy Project blog.
If you would like to demand accountability and ensure that your local governing body or school board adheres to the Open Public Records Act we can help you request information from them. Contact John Paff, the project chair here.
Insight New Jersey
NJ government is huge and complex. Private industry is shrinking while the size and cost of government bureacracy continues to grow. The articles posted here provide a guide of the NJ State Government and can be used by citizens and candidates for office to evaluate what departments can be reduced drastically in size.
We'll start with just some of the departments and provide a breakdown on what they do (or purport to do), how many employees they have and how big their budget is.
Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project
The New Jersey Libertarian Party's Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project (“the Project”) seeks to get New Jersey municipalities to repeal loitering ordinances that should have been -- but were not -- repealed when the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice was enacted in 1979. The Project has successfully had loitering ordinances repealed in over 30 towns. For a summary listing of all the towns see Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project page.
Police Accountability Project
The Police Accountability Project is a committee of the NJ Libertarian Party. Its goal is to search out cases of police misconduct, file former Internal Affairs (IA) complaints when appropriate, and to publicize violations of rules and laws by the police. There may be other stories posted on the NJLP Police Internal Affairs Complaint Blog page.
If you would like to help or know of a case we should be looking at, contact the committee at
Legislative Affairs Committee
The Legislative Affairs Committee was created to allow a select core of Volunteers to take action on legislation and policies which directly affects the people of New Jersey.
[INTRO VIDEO - HOSTED ON NJLP STATE YOUTUBE AND EMBEDED HERE]
Staff
Legislative Director and Committee Chair
Volunteers: