EXCLUSIVE: The corrupt history of the Johnson Amendment

Why are pastors banned from speaking in support of, or opposition to, candidates?

In 1954, Congress was in the middle of a massive overhaul of the federal tax code. Then-Senator Lyndon Johnson slipped in an amendment prohibiting church pastors from supporting or opposing candidates.

Why would he suddenly take an interest in that? He was running for re-election that year.

His opponents had begun telling church members about his liberal record and the act of voter fraud that gave him an 87-vote statewide victory in the previous election.

So, he made talking about him in church illegal. The Johnson Amendment was speech suppression, pure and simple.

Pastors can't speak in support of or opposition to political candidates because 63 years ago a corrupt politician wanted to mess with Texans.

Another Republican state representative switches to Libertarian Party

Concord, NH – February 9, 2017 – The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire (LPNH) welcomed State Representative Caleb Dyer as a new party member after Dyer recently changed his party affiliation from Republican to Libertarian. A freshman representative, Dyer became the first NH Libertarian State Representative in more than 20 years to serve the majority of their term as a Libertarian.

“Dyer is a fine example of the rare legislator who confidently puts their principles first and foremost,” said Darryl W. Perry, LPNH Chairman. “I welcome Dyer into the Libertarian Party with open arms and hope that by 2018, the NH Legislature will once again have an officially recognized Libertarian Caucus.”

Dyer lives in Pelham and represents Hillsborough 37. “I believe that it is time to demonstrate to the people of New Hampshire that such a duopoly of partisan interest, which presently controls this House, is not in their interests,” said Dyer in a prepared statement at a press conference at the Capitol. “In order to ensure the adequate representation…I truly believe the best course of action is to organize outside of the party and force coalition.”

Dyer is a lifelong resident of his district, a 2015 graduate of Alvirne High School, and was first elected in November 2016. During his 2016 campaign, Dyer was endorsed by both the NH Liberty Alliance and the Republican Liberty Caucus of NH.

“Representative Dyer is fighting for the libertarian policies that maximize individual freedom by reducing big government,” said National Libertarian Party Vice Chairman Arvin Vohra. “We thank him for the incredible courage he is showing by formally joining the Libertarian Party.

The LPNH announced that Dyer will be a featured speaker at their annual convention which will take place on March 18, 2017 from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Concord.  The key note Speaker will be Carla Howell, President of the Center for Small Government. Tickets can be purchased at LPNH.org

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The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire is the third largest and fastest-growing political party in NH.  On July 16, 1991 Calvin Warburton, who was serving his seventh term as a Republican state representative in New Hampshire became the first sitting legislator to switch parties to the Libertarian Party. In 1992, four Libertarians were elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Warburton, Andy Borsa, Don Gorman, and Finlay Rothhaus formed an officially recognized Libertarian Caucus with Gorman as the Libertarian Minority Leader.

For more information, please visit LPNH.org or find us on facebook.