A Candidate's Brief Diary - Page 2

Of course, that was sometimes difficult, since the most common sign the Libertarians carried read, "Honk If Your Taxes Are Too High." The din of horns was at times overwhelming. I remarked to County Chair Mike Sylvester that if all the people who hit their horns and flashed us the 'thumbs up' actually voted for us, we would win a lot of elections. Mike arranged a TV interview for me. I have no idea if it ran. The cameras were on us for the evening news, using us and the late filers as a backdrop for weather and fade-out images.

Sat 4/16, 1:00pm. County Convention of the Libertarian Party of Marion County. The main business for the conventioneers was the election of their officers. As this is the largest county affiliate in the state, and I am still working to secure the nomination of my party, I was very eager to meet and greet and to speak before them.

The pub crawl reaped a benefit. A lobbyist from a national association of coin operated gaming devices was in attendance. She and her members had testified before the City-County Commission on the smoking ban, and also before the State legislature on the proposed new 1% tax on food & beverages sold in restaurants and bars. They have learned who is on their side, and who isn't. She remarked to the convention that restaurant owners feel like they have been singled out for attack, and they have no idea what they've done to deserve this wrath. We discussed the absurdity of these taxes, plus new taxes on rental cars and hotel rooms- all while trying to grow convention business in Indianapolis. She understands that the firefighters will not return to Indy once the smoking ban is in place, after years of staging their annual convention there.

Sat 4/16 6:00pm. County Convention of the Libertarian Party of LaPorte County. Out of downtown Indy at up I-65 to LaPorte, 180 miles away. I was making good time, so I got off I-65 and took US 421 instead to enjoy this rural stretch that runs parallel to the old Monon Railroad. Lots of grain elevators and big, blue skies.

Once in LaPorte, I was very aware that I was in the hometown of Jeff Ake, the Indiana businessman who was recently kidnapped in Iraq. Every store that had a sign with movable lettering had messages asking for prayers for Mr. Ake and his family. It was overwhelming and very moving to see all the signs. No kidding- every video rental place, every Arby's, every convenience store or gas station had a message. Mr. Ake is very obviously beloved in his hometown. Indeed, the Convention began with a prolonged moment of silence for him. Story from local LaPorte paper.

Article Author: Mike Kole

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