The Libertarian Party was created in December of 1971 by people who had the same vision of America as its founders – “a world where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, a world of peace, harmony, opportunity, and abundance.”
Former Republican Congressman Bob Barr is the party’s nominee for the 2008 presidential election. As the name suggests, the LP believes the government should take a “hands off” approach to governing. It’s platform is reflective of this. Besides the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility, Libertarians believe:
- The reduction of constitutional safeguards should be eliminated
- Only actions that infringe on the rights of others can be called crimes
- Government should not define, license or regulate gender, gender identity, marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws
- Abortion is a personal choice and not subject to government interference
- Free markets and property rights stimulate the technological innovations and behavioral changes required to protect our environment and ecosystems
- All government control of energy pricing, allocation, and production should be eliminated
- Repealing the income tax and abolishing the IRS is necessary
- Education is best provided by the free market system and supports parental rights to choose the way they want their children educated and the school they attend
- People have the right to a free-market health care system and the right to choose the level of health care and health insurance they want, as well as their right to choose their doctor
- The Social Security system should be replaced by a private voluntary system
- The military should be maintained for national defense, and not be used to police the world
- Governmental intervention in foreign affairs should come to an end, including military and economic aid and condemns the use of terrorism by any entity against the innocent
- Borders should be closed only to those who pose a threat to security, health or property
- Free trade should be supported
- Bigotry should be condemned government should not deny rights based on sex, wealth, creed, color, age, national origin, personal habits, sexual orientation or political preference
- Laws that exclude any candidates or parties should be repealed