The national committee, acting as a program committee, has recommended four program points for adoption. Those points can be read in the convention space.

I personally support adoption of all these points -- and no others. Here's why:

- The four points in question are, verbatim, the four points agreed to at a well-publicized Campaign for Liberty presidential candidate press conference. That press conference was attended by Chuck Baldwin (of the Constitution Party), Cynthia McKinney (Green Party), and Ralph Nader (Independent), and was hosted by US Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). Additionally, the four points were allegedly endorsed by Bob Barr (of the Libertarian Party), and were explicitly endorsed by our own presidential candidate, Charles Jay.

- While I was not a supporter of Ron Paul's presidential campaign, I do recognize that that campaign energized thousands of activists, many of whom remain involved through the Campaign For Liberty. Those activists are looking for a presidential candidate to support on November 4th -- and they'll be looking for ways to remain politically active afterward. Adopting a four-point program which is associated with Campaign for Liberty, endorsed by a diverse range of candidates, and compatible with our own platform looks like a reasonable approach to attracting the interest and participation of as many of those activists as possible.

- The two points above are points in favor of adopting the four-point program. Why not add to it, since our bylaws allow for up to five points? Because anything we add to it will reduce the number of those targeted prospects who might be inclined to check us out. The four points represent a proven "common ground" area, and if we're going to go with that, we should go with it to maximum effect.

Example:

How many people here like steak, pizza, ice cream and cheeseburgers? Okay, now all of you who liked all four of those things: How many of you like dill pickles? Kimche? Liver and onions?

I suspect that if "here" was really a here, and that if a bunch of you were in it, many hands would have gone up for those first four items ... and a few hands would have gone down each time I added another item beyond those first four.

We have four points because that's what Campaign For Liberty handed us. More people might have supported just three, two or one of those points, but four is what we've got to work with, and I'd like to have a shot at the interest of as many of those "supporters of the four points" as possible.

So: I will vote for the four points. If they are adopted, I will then vote against any additional points offered in the "from the floor" session after the "from the committee session, no matter how much I might like some of those points, for the reasons above.

Best regards,
Tom Knapp