Louisiana GOP Becomes First State Republican Party to Accept Bitcoin

[muh_roads]

http://www.coindesk.com/louisiana-gop-becomes-first-state-republican-party-accept-bitcoin/

Tanaya Macheel (@tanayamacheel) | Published on September 17, 2014 at 10:19 BST

The Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP) is now accepting contributions in bitcoin via its official website, making it the first major state-level executive committee to turn to bitcoin payments for monetary support.
Only the Libertarian Party has made the same move – in Louisiana and Texas – following guidance from the US Federal Election Commission (FEC) determining that political campaigns and political action committees (PACs) can accept bitcoin as a form of in-kind donation under current federal election laws.
Speaking to CoinDesk, LAGOP executive director Jason Doré said other states may soon follow suit as their party leaders learn more about bitcoin.
Doré told CoinDesk:

“I think the rise of bitcoin’s popularity and use is forcing many public officials to learn about it. Still, many elected officials are not aware of it. If the bitcoin community embraces the use of bitcoin to support and oppose political campaigns, the role of bitcoin will only grow.”

Bitcoin campaign contributions are not the party’s first experience with the digital currency; it has also paid BitPolitic, the group that helped prepare LAGOP to launch bitcoin transactions on its website, in bitcoin.
BitPolitic provides consulting services to political candidates, campaigns and organizations that want to learn about bitcoin technology and incorporate it into the political system.
The LAGOP is using bitcoin payment processor BitPay to accept donations.
Fears over regulation

Doré said the move by the LAGOP was partly motivated by finding better ways to reach and engage its supporters, but that bitcoin also already embodies many conservative principles, such as embracing innovation and the free market, and opposing inflationary monetary policy.
Unfortunately, Democrats may be likely to target bitcoin for regulation, he said, calling for conservatives to “actively fight attempts to impose crippling regulations on the bitcoin community”.

“We know that the leadership of the Democrat Party has rarely met a regulation and a tax it doesn’t like. We see how Democrat-controlled cities have opposed innovative transportation companies like Uber and Lyft in favor of government monopolies.”

Doré juxtaposed left-leaning attitudes on government taxes and regulation against the inflow of libertarians and conservatives that have publicly embraced bitcoin.
Most of the bitcoin-embracing political candidates on this year’s midterm election ballot are running on the Libertarian ticket.
California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Congressman Jared Polisand California Congressional candidate Christina Gagnier are among the few Democrats that accept the digital currency for campaign donations. Although Polis in particular has been an outspoken advocate of the digital currency.
A list of some of the major US political candidates that accept bitcoin can be foundhere.
The view on the New York BitLicense

In the interview, Doré also took aim at the BitLicense regulations proposed by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), which he categorized as demonstrative of New York’s liberal bureaucracy.
Doré said:

“Those who seek to tax and regulate everything they can will certainly be looking to do the same to bitcoin […] These types of regulations are meant to strangle the growing bitcoin community while it is still in its infancy.”

Further, he insinuated that the LAGOP will seek to ensure that Louisiana does not take similar steps that could threaten bitcoin and its innovative potential.
Doré concluded: “In Louisiana, we will continue to take a different approach than our friends in New York by working to create an environment where innovators flourish.”

[torchbearer]

Criminals run the LAGOP central committee. The people who used violence on us at the convention. They have been starved for funds because they beat down their own membership. Thus, they will take any form of payment.

[Matt Collins]

Criminals run the LAGOP central committee. The people who used violence on us at the convention. They have been starved for funds because they beat down their own membership. Thus, they will take any form of payment.

They are trying to appeal to our crowd by looking trendy and hip

[Keith and stuff]

Great news for alternative currencies. It started with NH Rep. Mark Warden taking bitcoins for his campaign. NH was the first state to allow it. Now that the Feds have allowed it, even folks in LA are doing it. When will all states be doing this?

[torchbearer]

They are trying to appeal to our crowd by looking trendy and hip

desperate.

[torchbearer]

Great news for alternative currencies. It started with NH Rep. Mark Warden taking bitcoins for his campaign. NH was the first state to allow it. Now that the Feds have allowed it, even folks in LA are doing it. When will all states be doing this?

I have a Xapo debit card that uses the Visa network to use my bitcoins anywhere. I believe it works in conjunction with bitpay.

[William Tell]

Lol, "someone will take my stuff if I donate it" OH JOY!

Hey, I don't even really like Bitcoin, but I will take them, or Euro's, or just about anything of value if you give it to me free of chart. Your welcome