Welcome to the Vermont Libertarian Party website. Below is our party blog where you can get the latest news and commentary as well as post your comments. You can also view our press releases, newsletters and events.
The Woodchuck Report is a new tv show on Channel 17. The show is hosted by two local Libertarians, Bonnie Scott and Ruel Wheelock.
The show runs monthly, the second Friday of the month. They have done two shows so far and a new show is comes out today, 6/13.
Scott and Wheelock explore the Libertarian view of local and national politics on the show.
The last show on 5/9/2008 had topics including State legislature ajorns, national popular vote plan, potholes, vermont gubernatorial race, Catamount Health, activists arrested at General Dynamics, War deployment, The Intervale/ fines, ground water access, 4 year terms for Governor.
Below is the video archive of the show...
Posted by: Jeremy Ryan
Date/Time:
6/13/2008 10:27:03 AM
The Vermont Libertarian Party held a state committee meeting on Saturday here in Burlington where we officially nominated Bob Barr for president and Wayne Allyn Root for vice president and we'll file the paperwork shortly to ensure that they are on the ballot in Vermont.
We also we began discussions about potential candidates for state-wide office. We are still looking for candidates for all offices. If anyone is interested, please let me know.
We have a growing list of people that have expressed interest in running as a Libertarian. Within the next month or so we should be able to announce some of them.
We may be able to possibly add another option for Vermont Governor.
Posted by: Jeremy Ryan
Date/Time:
6/8/2008 3:21:00 PM
The following is a summary of the Libertarian Convention coverage by Vermont Libertarian, Steven Howard...
My family and I spent the Memorial Day Weekend watching C-Span’s coverage of the Libertarian Convention, live from Denver, Co. This marathon viewing experience created quite an impression on my family and I would like to share some of my thoughts.
Let me first say that the convention was televised warts and all. The good, bad, beautiful, and ugly were there for all to see. It sometimes came off clunky and poorly choreographed and at other times it was emotional and exciting. Overall, it was exactly what a convention should be. After years of watching the boring, over planned, and completely scripted comic operas that are the Democratic and Republican Conventions, it was a heart-warming and encouraging sign that there still are meaningful political conventions populated by truly committed individuals working toward a common goal. And that goal was liberty.
Speaking of the people attending the convention, it was nice and a little inspiring to see people who were not from cookie-cutter Hollywood Casting. Speakers and delegates alike were average people who came from a variety of backgrounds, and experiences. Some were excellent public speakers. Others… not so much. Many came in suits and ties while others appeared in outlandish costumes which speak of their personal beliefs. But all were equally committed to the work at hand and understood the importance of their participation.
As for the candidates, I was amazed by the choices available. On Saturday night, I saw the Presidential debate in which seven candidates were given an opportunity to discuss the issues of the day. They were intelligent and respectful. They demonstrated their knowledge of the issues and their visions of the future. Each had their own strengths and weakness. They each brought something to the table besides the “me-too”-ism common among Democratic and Republican Candidates. It was an even-handed debate in which all were given their say. To compare this debate to the Major Media’s debate formats is no comparison.
The really exciting time came during the nominee selection process. Unlike the Democrats and the Republican, no one knew who was going to win until the final ballot. For those who don’t know, Libertarians vote for their candidate at the convention in a series of run-offs. Coming into the convention, there are no pledged delegates. A convention delegate can vote for whomever they want. On the first ballot all candidates are on the ballot. Once the votes are tallied, the candidates with less than 5% of the vote total and/or the lowest vote total is eliminated and a new vote is take. With each round, the lowest vote getter in the field is eliminated until only one is standing. That candidate is then the nominee.
This year, it took six ballots before the Convention chose the nominee. Watching the delegates work the floor and campaign for the candidate was exhilarating. This first-person, face to face politicking is a hallmark of Vermont’s Town meetings but is rarely seen outside of New England. And yet, here it was on national television for all to see. Ultimately, the winner was Bob Barr, a former congressman from Georgia.
Mr. Barr, along with Wayne Allyn Root of Nevada, will be carrying the Libertarian Torch into this years national election. To learn more about Bob Barr and his run for the White House, check out his website at www.bobbarr2008.com.
In summary, this Memorial Day weekend saw cook outs, parades, and memorial services. But in Denver, a group of dedicated patriots honored those who gave their all for our country, by using the liberties they defended to provide for a better future for this nation. And my family and I were honored to be allowed to see them at work.
Steven J. Howard, Mount Holly, VT
Posted by: Jeremy Ryan
Date/Time:
5/27/2008 2:59:20 PM
Come celebrate with like minded Vermonters on March 29 at the Orchid in South Burlington at the Vermont Libertarian Party state convention.
When: March 29, 2008, starts at 11:30 a.m. (registration starts at 11 a.m.)
Where: Orchid Restaurant, located at: 5 Market Street, South Burlington, VT 05403, Tel: (802) 658-3626
Cost: $7.95 per person, paid the day of the convention to the Orchid Restaurant.
To RSVP or more info contact: Jeremy Ryan, chair@vtlp.org, (802) 865-0111.
Current Schedule:
MORNING SESSION
11:00 a.m. Registration Opens
11:30 a.m. Party Business - Chair's Welcome - Nomination of Delegates to the National Convention - Adoption of VTLP 2008 Platform (current platform) - Member/ Candidates Presentations - Other party business
12:30 p.m. Break
AFTERNOON SESSION
12:30 p.m. Luncheon
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Guest Speakers: - Frank Bryan, Libertarian-Green Alliances (more information) - Tom Licata, Vermonters for Economic Health (more information)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Social Hour
Reservations: Seating for meeting/lunch is by reservation only. Reservation may be placed with Jeremy Ryan by calling (802) 865-0111 or emailing chair@vtlp.org. The price is $7.95 per person paid on the day of the convention directly to the Orchid Restaurant The $7.95 price includes buffet lunch and usage of meeting space for the convention.
Directions: The Orchid Restaurant is located at: 5 Market Street, South Burlington, VT 05403. From US-2/Williston Rd, Turn right at Dorset St. Turn left at Market St. For more detailed directions please try maps.google.com. The phone number for the Orchid is (802) 658-3626.
Posted by: Jeremy Ryan
Date/Time:
3/10/2008 9:58:07 AM
Vermont Libertarian Party Reorganizes, Elects New Leadership
I'm pleased to announce that the Vermont Libertarian Party has successfully reorganized! We held our biannual reorganization meeting on Saturday, Dec 22 in Burlington.
Delegates at the meeting elected Jeremy Ryan of Burlington as Vermont Party Chair, John Christensen of West Glover as Vice-Chair, Glyn Wilkinson of Burlington as Secretary, Heavenly Ryan of Burlington as Treasurer, and Benjamin Mayer of Burlington as Assistant Treasurer.
For a complete list and contact information of officers and town chairs please go to the following url:
** Contact: Jeremy Ryan, chair@vtlp.org, 802-865-0111
** Agenda: We will elect a new State Committee (Chair, Vice Chair,vSecretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer). We need 5 people to participate in order to finalize the caucus for this year and remain a party.
Please RSVP if you intend to participate.
Posted by: Jeremy Ryan
Date/Time:
12/20/2007 9:52:36 AM
It's time for all parties in Vermont to reform their town committees. The Vermont Libertarian Party will hold its town caucuses on September 26. If you are interested forming a town committee in your town, then contact me asap so I can send you the forms you need and the directions.
We hope to be adding some new towns, but we also will be losing some town committees as people move so you help is vital in making sure we can easily put presidential, statewide, and local candidates on the ballot to give Vermonters a choice of lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.
Caucusing is simple to do, but there are some laws that must be followed. For example, you need to post a notice in two places in your town at least 5 days in advance of your caucus, and if you have more than 1000 people in your town, then the notice must also appear in your local paper.
-- Hardy Macia 802-238-3437 Chair, Vermont Libertarian Party http://www.vtlp.org/
The free market is the only mechanism that has ever been discovered for achieving participatory democracy. -- Milton Friedman in the Introduction to the Fiftieth Anniversary Edition of The Road to Serfdom
Posted by: Hardy Machia
Date/Time:
8/1/2007 10:24:25 AM
Join Us for a Celebration of the Life and Ideas of Dr. Milton Friedman on the 95th Anniversary of his Birth
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Social Hour 6 p.m. - Dinner at 7 p.m.
Windjammer Restaurant S. Burlington, Vermont
Dr Milton Friedman, a former resident of Ely, Vermont and Nobel Laureate in Economics, was a great champion of human freedom. At this celebration of his life and ideas, you'll hear from
Bill Sayre, former Federal Reserve economist: "Learning Economics from Professor Friedman".
Dr. Jim Gatti, Professor of Finance, UVM College of Business: "Milton Friedman's Contribution to Monetary Economics"
Chris Robbins, Vermont State Board of Education: "Milton Friedman and School Choice"
John McClaughry, one-time chair of the National Council Against Compulsory Service: "Milton Friedman and the Volunteer Military"
Reservations (by July 28) are essential. Please reserve your seat by calling or emailing the Ethan Allen Institute. The price is $30, and you may pay in advance or at the door.
Posted by: Hardy Machia
Date/Time:
7/12/2007 7:55:27 AM
Join Us for a Celebration of 
