Alive & Kicking

I realize I haven't updated this blog for a little too long, and I apologize but there are legitimate reasons for it. Like I was in the hospital last week for a severe sinus infection (even though I've never had sinus problems before that!).

But I've still been active, Alive & Kicking (by Simple Minds, possibly my favorite 80's song!). Primarily I've been working full time with some messed up hours. Also coordinating for our first concert of Truckhenge Music Fest III (2009).

I've actually slacked off on the history maps since mid January. Not to worry, I'll be back on them here eventually, but you've got to take breaks from that every once in a while or you get too burned out!

And of course I'm still active on CJonline, fighting with the usual round of asshats (TopekaVoter/Jason Chaika, ThimTHebow, LearnedHand, etc.) I actually got banned from CJo for a week after some retaliatory comments I made against CJo staff for censuring my posts but leaving up posts that were attacking me. After a good conversation with Mark Nusbaum, Publisher of the Capital-Journal, I was given back access to my CJo account. I actually like Mr. Nusbaum, and I've been a major fan of the Journal ever since he took over the position. Too bad for the CJo censor Nazi who apparently has a problem with the controversy surrounding my opinions. I think he wants to ban me again, but I've always been one to stand up for what I believe in - even if I have to fight the teacher to prove the point!

Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know that, like the Simple Minds song from the 80's, I'm still... Alive & Kicking!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com

Fairness Doctrine?

If we really want to discuss "fair", try walking in a Libertarian's shoes. Or a Reformer's or Constitutionalist's shoes.

It's amazing that the vast majority of people who take the World's Smallest Political Quiz (http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html) fit within the Libertarian side of the spectrum. Yet they hardly know about the Libertarian Party. They are delighted to find a party actually pushes for limited government, and they agree that the government is involved in our lives in ways it has no business being involved. Yet come election time, they STILL vote for Republicans or Democrats.

A LOT of that would change, if their wasn't a BIpartisan effort of Republicans & Democrats doing their best to exclude every other political party from the process.

America has almost irreparably transformed itself from a nation of rugged individualists, to a nation of urban worker-drones. Instead of individuals who live for Freedom, most drones would rather be free from living.

And we are our own worst enemy because WE are the ones electing the same people back into office.

Thomas Lessman
Libertarian Party of Kansas: www.LPKS.org
Constitution Party: http://ks.constitutionparty.com/
Reform Party of Kansas: www.vote-ks.org

Sonny Scroggins receives award

From the Topeka Capital-Journal, Friday Nov. 7, 2008.
Source URL: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/110708/loc_353115113.shtml

I respect Sonny Scroggins. And even when I don't agree with him, I still respect his views.

The reason is because Sonny doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. In Sonny's words, if it ain't right for a white man to do or say it, then it also ain't right for a black man to do or say it.

I can respect a man who stands up for his beliefs. Even more so when they aren't hypocritical about them. And after a knowing Sonny for a few years, I consider him a good friend.

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Supporting Ann Mah in 2008

(Published in the Topeka Metro on Friday, October 31st, 2008)
I campaigned twice for the 53rd District KS House of Representatives, in 2004 & 2006. Both times, Ann Mah beat me to the ground in total number of votes. Granted, I had an uphill battle running as a Libertarian with a very limited budget.

In between campaigns, I've had the honor of working with Ann Mah on several issues. Though I haven't always agreed with her votes, she has earned my respect in many ways.

Ann Mah is very responsive to OUR FEEDBACK. Simply put, if you let her know (respectfully) how you feel about any issue she has to vote on, she will listen. If enough people tell her the same thing, she will go with the wishes of her constituents.

Ann Mah goes out of her way to make herself available for her constituents. I really appreciate the public forums she hosts at Lake Shawnee and other areas, where she invites her constituents to actively contribute their ideas.

Also, Ann Mah's constituent service is the best I've ever seen. She literally does the best she can to help her constituents with issues that fall within her scope as State Representative.

I do not know much about Ann's current opponent, Cecil Washington. He may well be a good man, but I've never been contacted by him, nor have I ever heard anything else about him except for Jack Woelfel's letter in his support.

Ann Mah has earned my respect the hard way, and I feel confident supporting her campaign for a 3rd term as my State Representative in the 53rd District.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Political Insanity

I realized a long time ago, that BOTH parties - Democrats AND Republicans - are sticking it to us. Some individuals in those parties are good people with good intentions. But overall those two parties are now rotten with political corruption. Yet because they have more money and more power, people just keep voting for one or the other while completely ignoring the alternatives.

It's a shame how bad things are in the US today, especially when most people turn a blind eye to it. Face it, our government and both major political parties have sold US out!

Many of the best average jobs (production, customer service, now technology and others) have been outsourced to other countries. Our economy is about to crash like a cheap glass house - watch out for those flying shards of glass! Foreign nations own controlling interests in so many American businesses, and our government owes those nations an almost ungodly amount of debt that our children will never be able pay off.

Government agencies like SRS, the IRS, the FBI, CIA, and even the judicial/legal system, routinely ignore the Constitutional rights of citizens. They are literally destroying the lives of your friends, family, and neighbors.

Yet through it all, the American people just refuse to believe what they see. We think we're the greatest people to ever live, and these kinds of tragedies can't happen in America! But they DO happen, and instead of making it stop, most of us would rather sit on our *$$ and watch sports or reality TV shows.

"This can't happen in America; somebody should put a stop to that! Oh look the football game is on. Hey we'll just elect the same people back into office again. Sure they've screwed us around too many times to count, but I don't want to vote for a 3rd party even if I agree with most of their ideas..."

Vote Libertarian! http://www.lpks.org/
Constitution Party: http://www.cp.org/
Reform party: http://www.votekansas.org/

Respectfully,
Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/