How I Became A Libertarian
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- Written by Christopher G. Russomanno
- Category: Latest News
I think it was way back between 2007 to 2012 when I became a libertarian. I’ll use the small “l” for now. Because I had not as yet joined the party but my thoughts and outlook were becoming libertarian.
My father was, and is, a die-hard conservative Republican. So, not knowing any better, I was as well. I think one could have considered me a “Neo-conservative” or a “Neo-Con.” I believed in “America” and everything I thought it stood for.
In the public school I went to (I like to think of them as government-run indoctrination centers) I had been taught about the Founding Fathers and the Revolutionary War and all the noble ideas that came with it. Most of the Presidents were lionized especially the ones that got us into wars. I was taught that World War Two was “the good war” and that we definitely, definitely, should have fought that one, for the good of everyone.
The Over Regulation of Craft Breweries in New Jersey
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- Written by Christopher G. Russomanno
- Category: Latest News
I love craft breweries because they are small businesses that are the backbone of our economy, they invest in the local community making it more prosperous and, most importantly —they make delicious beer.
Craft breweries are small businesses that are the backbone of the economy and they create more jobs than huge corporations ever will. The owners are plucky entrepreneurs who have a strong strain of self-reliance and a can-do attitude that is sorely needed in New Jersey. These small businesses are an economic benefit because they increase tourism and increase revenue for the state. However, regulations in New Jersey are making it difficult for craft breweries to operate and thrive because legislators are doing the bidding of big business. Big business is afraid that craft breweries will cut into their profit by drawing consumers away. These big businesses can afford to give large donations to political campaigns as well as send lobbyists to Trenton to influence politicians who then enact laws and regulations that favor those who donate over others. I have always been confused by this. New Jersey is a “blue state” with the Democrats, for the most part, having sway over politics. Supposedly the Dems are on the side of the little guy and the common man, but they then enact legislation to hurt small business owners. The notion that any of our politicians care about the little guy is just a tired old trope that they pull out to pander to their base when they need votes.
Patterson Police Shooting Video Released
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- Written by Jay Edgar
- Category: Police Accountability Project
On March 3rd Najee Seabrooks was shot and killed by police responding to a 911 call from Seabrooks family. Numerous organizations are calling for federal investigation into the shooting.
Rage Against The War Machine: I Was Psyched; Now I Am Urgent
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- Written by Mr. Christopher Fox
- Category: NJ Libertarian Blog
This past Sunday, February 19th of 2023, I took my son to the Rage Against the War Machine Rally. This is a follow up to a previous essay explaining why I was psyched about the idea that people from different political philosophies can coalesce to fight for one cause and the opportunity to hear many speakers I admire present their cases for peace. I was not disappointed.
But I did not go there for entertainment. I did not bring my son to Washington DC to see the sights or gain a better sense of the greatness of America. No. To the contrary, we came to Washington DC to protest.
NJLP 2023 State Convention
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- Written by James Ripley
- Category: Front Page Articles
NJLP 2023 State Convention
Weekend of March 25-26, Hightstown, NJ
The NJLP will conducts its annual meeting on March 25 and 26, 2023 at Hightstown Engine Co No 1 Event Hall
Agenda and other pertinent information will be linked below.
Reason Magazine: New Jersey Town That Sued a Woman for Public Records Requests Now Wants Lawyer Prosecuted for Same Thing
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- Written by Jay Edgar
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
Irvington made national headlines last year when it filed a lawsuit against an 82-year-old woman for filing too many public records requests. Now it says a lawyer for FIRE should be prosecuted.
Irvington, New Jersey, just can't help itself. First, it tried to sue an elderly woman for filing too many public records requests, and now it's suggesting that a lawyer for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) be criminally prosecuted for doing the same.
A Respectable Election Result
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- Written by Tara Murphy
- Category: Candidates and Elections
More than a quarter of Branchburg voters said YES to term limits, putting residents first and said no to a tax increase in Tuesday’s election. A vote for Tara Murphy and Jason MacDuffie was a declaration of independence from the GOP monopoly. These votes came from a broad coalition of third party voters, Democrats, unaffiliated and even a few Republicans. This bipartisan support in our historic run came from talking to people about the issues they care about. We’ve demonstrated the viability of Libertarian candidates.
Runnemede Agrees to Repeal Preempted Disorderly Person Ordinance
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project
Update September 26, 2022 - the Runnemede Borough attorney has agreed that their Disorderly Persons Ordinance should be repealed. Below is the initial letter and the borough attorney's response. For more information on this subject see Loitering Ordinances - Invalid in New Jersey.
From: John Paff
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2022 4:30 PM
Subject: Runnemede Police Department's enforcement of a preempted ordinance.
Dear Mayor Kappatos and Members of the Borough Council:
I write, both individually and in my capacity as Chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s Preempted Ordinance Repeal Project to request the Mayor and Council ask Borough Solicitor Daniel H. Long to review Borough Code § 265-5 and render an opinion on whether or not it is preempted by the New Jersey Criminal Code.
CD 9 Republican Candidate Billy Prempeh and Libertarian Candidate Sean Armstrong Agree to Debate but Need the Democratic Candidate William Pascrell to Join Them
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- Written by Mike Guadagnino
- Category: Press Releases
New Jersey Libertarian Party 
NJLP.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CD 9 Republican Candidate Billy Prempeh and Libertarian Candidate Sean Armstrong Agree to Debate but Need the Democratic Candidate William Pascrell to Join Them
New Jersey—August 12th, 2022—The residents of the newly formed 9th New Jersey Congressional District have a choice between three candidates. Many are new to this re-drawn district and may not be familiar with any of these candidates or even their sitting congressman. To help them learn about the choices they may have, two of the candidates are calling for public debates to help residents familiarize themselves with these three choices.
NJLP Statement on the FBI’s Authoritarian Activities
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- Written by Michael Manieri
- Category: Press Releases
New Jersey Libertarian Party
NJLP.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NJLP Statement on the FBI’s Authoritarian Activities
New Jersey – August 10, 2022
On August 8, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Many on the left, who previously spent years decrying law enforcement as corrupt and calling to defund the police, are celebrating this raid and denying the possibility of FBI corruption. Conversely, those on the right who have spent years curtailing civil liberties, bolstering law enforcement’s powers, and defending police as they terrorized communities, see this raid as political persecution.
Justin Amash leads the field as presidential candidate in NJLP Mid-summer survey.
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- Written by Mark Kapengut
- Category: Latest News
We invited about a thousand of former NJLP members to the summer picnic. About 7% responded. A handful may be making their way to the event. Guys, welcome back!
Along the way, we polled them on their presidential preferences.
No candidate won a majority, but Justin Amash dominated with clear plurality, about 40%.
Among the rest of the candidates, Spike Cohen, Dave Smith and Trump tied for a second spot with 14% each.
NJ Libertarian Party Statement on Murphy's Gun Control 3.0 Package
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- Written by Michael Manieri
- Category: Press Releases
New Jersey Libertarian Party
NJLP.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NJLP Statement on Murphy’s Gun Control 3.0 Package
New Jersey – July 4, 2022:
In a state where respect for gun laws is akin to Nazi Germany, Governor Phil Murphy has even further violated and restricted your right to individual sovereignty. The latest “Gun Control Package 3.0” (because 1.0 and 2.0 did not work), is uncategorically the worst legislation in the country.
NJLP Statement on Recent Gun Violence and Preposed Gun Control Measures
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- Written by Michael Manieri
- Category: Press Releases
New Jersey Libertarian Party
NJLP.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NJLP Statement on Recent Gun Violence and Proposed Gun Control Measures
New Jersey – June 2, 2022:
PRESS RELEASE: The NJ Libertarian Party Remains Committed to Protecting the Natural Right to Self Defense
- Details
- Written by Michael Manieri
- Category: Press Releases
New Jersey Libertarian Party
NJLP.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The NJ Libertarian Party Remains Committed to Protecting the Natural Right to Self Defense
New Jersey – May 23, 2022:
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the lives of ten innocent people were senselessly taken and we join the nation in mourning this unimaginable loss. In the wake of this tragedy, we must remain committed to protecting the natural rights of citizens to own firearms to protect themselves and their loved ones. In New York and New Jersey alike, police departments have significant discretion in denying people carry permits. Since, as the Supreme Court has ruled, police officers have no duty to protect citizens, innocent people are often left without any means to protect themselves against violent individuals. No one else should have to die before the state stops violating citizens’ natural rights to self-preservation by repealing gun laws.