Libertarian Party On the Issues

As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives, and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others.
We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized.
Consequently, we defend each person's right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The world we seek to build is one where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, without interference from government or any authoritarian power.
In the following pages we have set forth our basic principles and enumerated various policy stands derived from those principles.
These specific policies are not our goal, however. Our goal is nothing more nor less than a world set free in our lifetime, and it is to this end that we take these stands.
-- Preamble of the national Platform of the Libertarian Party

Cut Back Government at All Levels

Government in America has grown to the point where it has become the master rather than the servant of the people. It threatens our liberties and is destroying our economy. The Libertarian Party advocates cutting government and taxes through privatization of activities now performed by government, elimination of useless agencies and regulations, and adherence to the philosophy that government be limited to those functions that cannot be served by individual action, the market, or voluntary charity.

Make Our Streets Safe

The Libertarian Party supports individual liberty and responsibility, and advocates holding criminals responsible for the harm they cause. To this end, we present an outline of policies to make our streets safe again.

End the "War on Drugs"

This insane "war", which is more and more becoming a war on the civil liberties of all Americans, interferes with the freedom of peaceful citizens, wastes taxpayers' hard-earned money, corrupts law-enforcement officials -- and does little to reduce the use of drugs! The Libertarian Party supports the relegalization of drugs as the only moral and practical answer to this problem.

Preserve the Right to Self-Defense

The Libertarian Party supports the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of life and liberty.

Stop Attempts at Censorship on the Internet

The Libertarian Party opposes the so-called "Communications Decency Act", which would impose restrictions on freedom of expression on the Internet far beyond those which apply to traditional speech and press.

Improve the Market for Health Care

Instead of proposing expensive government programs and new regulations for health care, the Libertarian Party advocates free-market solutions to provide choice and quality in this important area.

Provide Choice in Education

As with health care, the Libertarian Party advocates choice, rather than more taxpayer money or government bureaucracy, as the way to bring quality education to our children.

More Information

For more information on Libertarian Party positions on issues, consult the following:

LP of California Platform: The official position of the Libertarian Party of California on a wide range of issues.
National LP Positions: Principles, Platform, Program, and Press Releases.
Articles from LP News: The newsletter of the national Libertarian Party.
Articles from LPC News: The newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Calfornia.

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