November 5, 2008 Update
District 76 Election Results:
Congratulations to Libertarians across Michigan, most notably John Stedman who captured nearly 25% of the vote for Kent County Sheriff, Marcy Larson, who captured 16.3% for County Commissioner and Erwin Haas, who took 3.5% running for US House of Representatives.
I wish to extend my warmest thanks to the 1,022 West Michigan voters that threw their support behind me this November. With 4 candidates on the ticket including a third party that ran a very active campaign, I honestly did not expect to do better than I did in 2006. But when the results came in, I was very please to receive 3.11% of the vote, which is better than the 2.5% I received in '06.
Thanks again to all those who support libertarian principles. I wish you the best of luck and please do not give up the fight!!
Grand Rapids, A Town of Trading Posts
My
goal as 76th district representative is to build Grand Rapids into a
city renowned for its superior service, manufacturing and technology
base; into a city of high-tech trading posts, guided not by the
suffocating, regulating hand of government, but by the entrepreneurial
hand of the free market. Under my leadership, no measure to
increase taxes on West Michigan businesses will ever be introduced.
Business is the lifeblood of our community, the bread and butter on our
dinner tables. Every dollar that is taken by the state is one less
dollar that West Michigan businesses are able to invest in their futures and the livelihoods of those they employee.
I am not trying to reinvent the wheel. The logic is simple: before 1913, taxes were rare and short-lived. America became the most prosperous nation on earth. In Grand Rapids, the lumber industry was booming and our furniture manufacturers were renowned across the country. The Government did not try to police the world or play "nanny" to everyone from cradle to grave. People took responsibility for themselves, their families, and their communities. That is how the founders of Grand Rapids and America thought it should be. It worked. It can again!
See how by visiting Issues & Positions. I am not afraid to share my opinion! Contact me directly: matt@matthewfriar.com
Why Vote Libertarian?
My campaign is centered on giving the power back to the people. And this power is not some unseen force or mystical political rhetoric, it is real power in the form of tax dollars and personal responsibilities - like having a genuine say in where your child goes to school, or not paying school taxes if your child goes to private school, or receiving a tax refund if you choose to have a private garbage service, or not paying the senior millage if your parents live in a retirement community. The list goes on. Imagine the possibilities.
I would like to share a few reasons why I am proud to represent the Libertarian Party why you should be proud to vote for me.
America's Heritage
Libertarians believe in the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility. Libertarians recognize the responsibility we all share to preserve this precious heritage for our children and grandchildren.
Free and Independent
Libertarians believe that being free and independent is a great way to live. We want a system which encourages all people to choose what they want from life; that lets them live, love, work, play, and dream their own way.
Caring For People
The Libertarian way is a caring, people-centered approach to politics. We believe each individual is unique. We want a system which respects the individual and encourages us to discover the best within ourselves and develop our full potential.
Principled and Consistent
The Libertarian way is a logically consistent approach to politics based on the moral principle of self-ownership. Each individual has the right to control his or her own body, action, speech, and property. Government's only role is to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud.
Tolerant
The Libertarian Party is for all who don't want to push other people around and don't want to be pushed around themselves. Live and let live is the Libertarian way.
