What is the party platform of the Libertarian Party?

Question

i disagree with both the Republican and Democratic parties on many issues. Instead of voting split ticket, or Indepedendent, I'd like to try the Libertarian party: i'd just like a little more information. I'm attracted to the ideals of complete personal freedom, although I don't like the way the Dems are trying to bring it about, and HATE the way the Reps are crushing it. Thanks~

If you know something about this also: Who is running for the Libertarian Party in the 2008 Presidential election?

Answer 1

In a nutshell: socially liberal and fiscally conservative.

Answer 2

The platform of the Libertarian Party is not as extreme as the two previous answerers indicate.

Put generally, if you are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, you are probably more libertarian than anything else.

The official Libertarian Party platform is on their website (see sources below).

The planks of the platform are derived from one principle: Individuals 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.

Most government programs violate that principle.

Libertarians want smaller government. Libertarians want to restore the freedom and liberties of people and remove the coersion and intervention of politicians in our daily lives.

However, libertarians, especially those in the Libertarian Party, do believe that American government should exist to perform certain fundamental duties.

Most libertarians support a strong military for DEFENSE, a police force to protect individual rights, and a just court system to arbitrate disputes and prosecute wrongdoers.

Most libertarians support equality for homosexuals, ending the War on Drugs, free trade, civil liberties, and other ideals the Democrats USED to stand up for.

Follow the links below for more info. And try the "World's Smallest Political Quiz" if you're not sure how you feel.

Answer 3

Briefly put, that government is best which governs least. Or, the government should only have a role in the (very few) things that couldn't be done by an individual or a group of individuals. Unfortunately the people in government seem to believe that the world is their oyster and nothing is outside of their reach. And they're only doing it for a good cause, of course. Sure. The problem with the Libertarian Party is that they seldom if ever get elected to anything, so you can quickly feel like you're wasting your vote. But it's good to delve into the Libertarian Party literature, if only to know that there are people who stubbornly resist any attempt to encroach our freedoms. And then you find yourself listening to the latest showboat politician and his or her grand scheme, and you're much more centered when you think to yourself, "You want to do WHAT?!!!"

Answer 4

The Liberterian ideal is the tiniest government possible. No entitlements, no public schools, no welfare, no socialized medicine, no parks, no science/research funding, no regulation of business...ideally, governments should do only the things that governments can do, like enforce criminal laws, raise an army, build roads, etc. Additionally, the government should interfere as little as possible in the affairs of people and businesses.

I used to be a libertarian. Now i can't stand them. You know what turned me--deregulation of the energy market in California. Not only did prices rise quite high, a number of the energy markets deliberately gouged customers by creating artificial shortages. And, for the most part, got away with it. Simply put, minorities need protection from the majority, and the poor need protection from the wealthy (& corporations).

Answer 5

The Libertarian platform is pretty much To Each His Own.