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Libertarian Party

created by michaelm

(thing) by AnonymousStoner (4.9 y) (print)   ?   (I like it!) 2 C!s Wed Apr 04 2001 at 8:56:59

The Libertarian party was founded in December of 1971, and has since risen to be the third largest United States political party.

The Libertarian platform is mostly based on the philosophy of Libertarianism, which values personal freedom and that the federal government exists only for the purposes set forth in the Constitution. According to their Statement of Principles:

We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.

The Libertarian Party platform includes ending the failed "War On Drugs", a free market economy, keeping the Internet free, and keeping the military home as a purely defensive force.

The Libertarian 1996 and 2000 presidential candidate was Harry Browne, and in 2000 it fielded more than 1430 candidates nationwide, of these 280 for Congress.


(thing) by sekicho (2.1 hr) (print)   ?   (I like it!) 1 C! Fri Jul 11 2003 at 2:22:29

Yes, the Libertarian Party stands for limited government and expanded civil liberties, but that has to be taken in context. Go to their website, www.lp.org, and you'll discover that:

The most important step is to end government control of education... to transfer control of education from bureaucrats to parents and teachers and encourage alternatives to the public school monopoly.

It is time to recognize that welfare cannot be reformed: it should be ended. This includes eliminating AFDC, food stamps, subsidized housing, and all the rest. Individuals who are unable to fully support themselves and their families through the job market must, once again, learn to rely on supportive family, church, community, or private charity to bridge the gap.

The Food and Drug Administration is clearly an unnecessary burden on the American health care system. There is no evidence that agency offers Americans any real protection, but there is massive evidence that it is causing great harm -- driving up health care costs and depriving millions of Americans of the medical care they need.

Wouldn't we be better served if naturalist organizations, such as the Audubon Society or Nature Conservancy, took over the management of our precious parks?

So in reality, even though the Libertarians may seem to be on the crazy left when it comes to civil liberties, they're on the crazy right when it comes to economic issues, and essentially believe that everything the government does can be done better by a corporation or NGO.

If you're a firm believer in the power of laissez-faire, then the Libertarians will definitely appeal to you. If you're deathly afraid of corporate kakistocracy, then you should probably look to another party come Election Day.


printable version
chaos

Libertarianism Why won't people kick both parties out? Libertarian views on age of consent laws Kakistocracy
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress libertarian News from the Libertarian Party Milton Friedman
Do you really think voting for a third party candidate is going to "send a message"? Harry Browne individual freedom political party
minimal state Amendment X LSD Kooks
anarchy Conservative Party War On Some Drugs I sucked a lot of cock to get where I am
1999 Ron Paul Neal Boortz laissez-faire
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