Vote For Pedro
Peter
"Pedro" De Baets
2006 Libertarian Candidate for California State Senator, District 28
(Redondo Beach - Torrance - Hermosa Beach - Manhattan Beach - El Segundo - Venice)
"It is by applying the concepts of Freedom and Individual Liberty that we can arrive at solutions to the problems facing our state. Government bureaucracies will never be a match for the innovation and inspiration that flow from a free society." - Peter "Pedro" De Baets
Welcome to the campaign web site for Peter "Pedro" De Baets!
Here you can find out more about Peter, his vision for California, his stand on the issues, his progress in the campaign, and you can find out how a statesman that puts Freedom and Individual Liberty FIRST can help make your life better.
11/6/06 - THE ELECTION IS TOMORROW
Every two years or so we have a chance to advance the cause of liberty and push back against the tyrannical politicians who think they know best how to run your life and how to spend your money. Don't let this opportunity slip by. Put the scare into the Republicans and Democrats! Remember to vote Libertarian, and vote YES on Proposition 90!
10/23/06 - WOW! HABEAS CORPUS - GONE!!!
Can you believe that Bush signed a bill the other day that basically repealed large sections of the Bill of Rights? Now anyone, including Americans can be declared an "enemy combatant", be detained without access to an attorney, and not even be able to see the evidence against them. It also lets Bush decide what the definition of "torture" is. Wow! What has our once great nation become? Has there ever been a more imortant time to vote for Libertarians - the Pit Bulls in the fight to protect your Civil Liberties?
Check out these MUST-SEE video rants from Keith Olberman: Rant #1, Rant #2
4/10/06 - HOT ISSUE: IMMIGRATION
I support OPEN IMMIGRATION as all good freedom-loving Libertarians do. From the National Libertarian web site: "The Libertarian Party has long recognized the importance of allowing free and open immigration, understanding that this leads to a growing and more prosperous America. We condemn the xenophobic immigrant bashing that would build a wall around the United States. At the same time, we recognize that the right to enter the United States does not include the right to economic entitlements such as welfare. The freedom to immigrate is a freedom of opportunity, not a guarantee of a handout."
Vote for Open Immigration! Vote Libertarian!
Three Main Priorities
1. The War In Iraq / The Coming Draft: California should take a leadership position among the states in opposing the illegal war in Iraq and the coming military draft. The California legislature and Governor should pressure the president and Congress to bring our troops home from the Iraq quagmire as soon as possible. California should be declared a "draft-free zone" where military service is always voluntary.
More info: Cost of the War in Iraq
More info: The Coming Draft
2. Looming US and State Financial Crises: Astronomical federal debt coming due as the Baby Boom generation gets set to retire and collect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security spells financial disaster for the US. Out-of-control spending by the California legislature is not going to help the problem. We need to insulate ourselves from a federal bubble burst and get our own financial house in order. The key here is to stop relying on the federal government for everything, and to simply to stop spending so darn much!
More info: Federal Reserve: U.S. headed for bankruptcy
More info: It's the Spending, Stupid!
3. Prosperity: Reform Worker's Compensation, reduce healthcare costs, streamline and reduce business regulations, reduce and eliminate taxes, legalize hemp/cannabis and Indian-style gambling statewide to stimulate economy, create jobs, and increase prosperity of Californians.
Other Big Issues
1. Eminent Domain Abuse: Please vote YES on Proposition 90! People are in danger of losing their homes and their businesses because of the recent Kelo Supreme Court decision. Politicians, bureaucrats and developers are working together to acquire property, and the Civil Rights of property owners are being violated in the process. To combat this, I propose to repeal laws that allow condemnation of private property for private use. I would allow no special assistance to developers. I would repeal "Inspection Warrant" law or limit its definition. I would limit the legal definition of "Blight", "Redevelopment", and "Urban Renewal". I will protect basic Civil Rights of property owners in California. More info is here.
Also, please see a review of: "Abuse of Power - How the Government Misuses Eminent Domain" by Steven Greenhut.
Help me stop this kind of land grab from happening: City declares desert land 'urbanized,' 'blighted' to take it over
2. Education: Initiate Scholarship funds supported by Tuition Tax Credits (a program already successful in Arizona) to allow parents to put their children in better performing schools with the help of financial assistance from a school tuition organization. Reduce public education bureaucracy to allow more funding to flow to classrooms. Reduce/eliminate mandated testing requirements.
11/16/2005 - New blog
I've just created a blog for discussion of my new campaign and California State issues for the upcoming 2006 election season. You can check it out by clicking the "Blog" link to the left. Feel free to join in the discussion!
3/6/2005 - Finally Saw It
I finally saw the Napoleon Dynamite movie and it was hilarious. I recommend it to anyone, and if you don't want to see it then, FINE!! :-)
If only I had Napoleon working on my campaign, I'd be a sure winner.
2/17/2005 - Movie Star?
No, I wasn't in the Napolean Dynamite movie! I hear it's a very funny film, and someone named Pedro runs for office. I hope to see it soon so I can be in on the joke!
This is actually a serious site and unrelated to the ND movie. I'm really a Libertarian Party candidate and my real nickname is "Pedro"!
If you're looking for one of those cool "Vote For Pedro" t-shirts from the film, you can find them HERE.
11/3/2004 - Thank you for voting!
I didn't win, but my vote percentage was up 23% from the last time I ran for office! That's progress! Thank you for your support.
Contributions:
Peter "Pedro" De Baets
11700 National Blvd. #L129
Los Angeles, CA 90094
