Libertarian Platform rewrite by John DeMeo from 2006[]
- Complete platform rewrite [1] in one page.
By John DeMeo, Posted January 09, 2006[]
- The platform should focus on principles and rules of thumb rather than specifics. Further details can be left to individual candidates. This proposal avoids the stridency that has been political death.
Individual Rights[]
Basic Principles[]
We support free markets, social tolerance, and limited government. The role of government is to protect individual rights. The use of force to achieve other social and economic goals is counterproductive and immoral.
Free Markets[]
Capitalism is the only economic system consistent with a free, prosperous and compassionate society. To promote a free market economy, the government must not regulate or impede any non-coercive, non-fraudulent, environmentally responsible economic activity.
Social Tolerance[]
Each individual has the right to act as he desires, providing he respects the rights of others and takes responsibility for his actions. To encourage self-responsibility, protect individual freedom, and promote harmony, the government must be prohibited from regulating or legislating any non-fraudulent, non-coercive, environmentally responsible personal activity.
Limited Government[]
We will vastly reduce taxes and spending,and will limit government to those activities which protect individual rights, and those activities which cannot be provided by the private sector. We will strengthen the existing justice system. We will maintain vital infrastructure indefinitely, unless free market options become available. All other government operations – including welfare, education, pensions, and health care -- will be phased out, privatized or replaced with free market alternatives. Our foreign policy will avoid entangling alliances, foreign quarrels, and foreign interventions. A strong military will secure the lives, liberty, and property of the American people in the United States.