October 2007 Archives

The local Ron Paul Meetup Groups (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/340/) were instrumental in ensuring the success of the recent Ron Paul Presidential Campaign rally at the State Capitol in Albany. The turnout was good and the event was covered on the local news (http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S227845.shtml?cat=300)

Jim Ostrowski, a long time libertarian activist from Buffalo, presented a request to the NY State Board of Elections asking the Board to put Ron Paul on the primary ballot in February due to his national stature. Dr Paul's recent fundraising success, raising $5 million in the last quarter, puts him in third position for cash on hand, behind only Giuliani and Romney. October 16^th, the day of the rally, was the first day for potential candidates to make such a request.

According to the recently released BOE primary calendar, Ron Paul should be guaranteed a place on the ballot because he qualifies for federal matching funds (although hasn't requested). (http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/law/2007PPBallotAccessCalendar.pdf)

It appears to me, a non-lawyer, that the Governor is attempting to change a law with an executive order. I though that the process required a change to be passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor. What am I missing? Here's an excerpt of the Vehicle & Traffic Law, Title 5, Article 19, Section 502 that Assemblyman Tedisco mentioned in one of his early press releases:

§ 502. Requirements for licensing. 1. Application for license.

Application for a driver's license shall be made to the commissioner.

The fee prescribed by law may be submitted with such application. The applicant shall furnish such proof of identity, age, and fitness as may be required by the commissioner. The commissioner may also provide that the application procedure shall include the taking of a photo image or images of the applicant in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner. In addition, the commissioner also shall require that the applicant provide his or her social security number ...

(http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi for complete NY laws)

The DMV commissioner has some leeway in the license process, but he "shall require that the applicant provide his or her social security number". This appears to be part of the law, not an executive order or DMV procedural detail. How much power does the governor have to change laws without legislative approval?

Dave Ridley is a self styled journalist/activist for NHFree.com. Recently Dave's videography on YouTube has been recording some of the activity surrounding tax protesters Ed & Elaine Brown from Plainfield New Hampshire. Ridley seems to be a johnny-on-the-spot chronicler for portions of what is known as the Free State Project.

Even though the 'protests' surrounding the arrest of perennial civil disobedience advocate Lauren Canario amount to a handful or ardent freedom activists, it's interesting to see the reactions of average citizens and law enforcement to seemingly accepted legal strictures (driver's licenses & income tax). Ridley always conducts himself with utter seriousness during the report and seems to be grasping the simultaneous importance of impromptu coverage and eventual video editing. It should be interesting to follow his efforts in the months to come. Occasionally he even is the source of activism and coverage himself. Check out the stand off with members of law enforcement over a flap about 'open carry' near porcupine HQ in Manchester, Murphy's taproom. After the jump . . .

Funky sounds HiQ.mp3

Created using SONY (formerly Sonic Foundry) Acid Music Studio 7

The Paint the Town Ron campaign kicked off nationally this weekend. Supporters of Ron Paul for President are plastering signs all over to let folks know that he isn't just an Internet candidate. I saw a sign out on Washington Ave. Ext. this morning on the way to work. I haven't been downtown yet to see the results.

Congratulations to the sign posters for all their hard work. (I am a Ron Paul supporter but can't claim any credit for the efforts - I was installing new windows on the front of my house before the snow comes)

I think we should do a better job of welcoming immigrants. We should make it easier for those people who want to come here to work and contribute to do it legally. I believe we need a steady stream of immigrants to keep the country vital and competitive.

That said, I think the Governor needs to think through the ramifications of his decision to provide driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. The plan is not well thought out. One of the problems with this decision is that it opens the door to increased voter fraud.

The voter registration forms in NY only require a driver's license number to prove citizenship. Changes could be made to the license numbers to indicate the bearer is not a citizen, for example the use of a certain range of numbers, or the use of letters in certain positions. These indicators would need to be easily recognizable.

Of course, legal immigrants who are non-citizens can get a NY State driver's license now. We depend on the honesty of these legal immigrants to not register to vote if they aren't citizens.

Another option is to change the voter registration rules to require a more positive proof of citizenship; however that will have the effect of making it harder to register to vote.

The answer is to change our national immigration laws to make it easier for people who want to work here to do it legally.