National Chairman's Letter

August 1999

Dear Members and Friends of the Independent American Party,

We had a great National Conference last month (July 16-17) with our Executive Committee social, news conference, National Committee business meeting, Liberty Forum, and barbecue! The highlights of the event and a summary of the minutes of the business meeting are posted on our WWW.USIAP.ORG web site.

The National Committee changed the "official" name of the national party from "Independent American Party of the United States" to simply "Independent American Party." Prior to last January, the official national name was "United States Independent American Party" (hence the "USIAP" in our Internet domain name). Both former names may be used as alternate names on occasion. Our web site address will remain the same.

The National Committee adopted a national party slogan, "Freedom is our Heritage and our Destiny!" (with the word "is" italicized whenever possible). They also debated and revised the national party’s Thirteen Principles by adding clarification in some places and cleaning up the wording in others. The theme of the IAP Principles remains the same. The new Principles are posted on the USIAP web site.

The National Committee also passed a resolution commending U.S. Senator Bob Smith (NH), a presidential candidate, for his courageous resignation from the Republican Party because of their failure to live up to the principles stated in their own platform. The resolution was transmitted to the news media as well as to Sen. Smith and his campaign. The news release, which includes the resolution, is posted on our web site.

There was debate whether we should outright "endorse" Sen. Smith. The committee delegates decided to "commend" him for now since we had not talked with him about an endorsement. They also felt it was premature this early in the race to endorse one candidate without knowing what other principled candidates might also become available. For example, Pat Buchanan is supposedly considering a move to the Reform Party this Fall.

Sen. Smith is reportedly seeking the presidential nomination from the U.S. Taxpayers Party which will hold its national nominating convention the first week of September in St. Louis, Missouri. There is talk of a possible coalition effort to include some non-affiliated parties. I will be attending that convention as an observer, but representing the national Independent American Party. I will report in my next Chairman’s Letter the results and implications of that convention.

Yours for Freedom!

Bruce Bangerter
IAP National Chairman