Essay: The Libertarian Party

www.lp.org
The Libertarian Party’s website (www.lp.org) explains and introduces readers to the platform and ideals of the party of principle, minimal government, and maximum freedom.  The Libertarian Party was founded over 42 years ago in 1971, by 8 activists in Colorado Springs, CO.  The Libertarian platform is meant to preserve personal freedoms as long as they don’t threaten someone else’s freedoms.  Freedom to pursue activities that are peaceful and honest.  Libertarians divide these freedoms or statements into four principles, personal liberty, economic liberty, securing liberty, and omissions.
The first principle is Personal Liberty each individual has the right to make their own personal choice, with choice there are consequences.  They believe in self-regulation; you are free to to do with your body as you like.  Use of drugs as long as it doesn’t harm others.  They believe that victim less crimes should not be prosecuted.  Abortion is a personal choice and government should be kept out of that decision.  Sexual orientation is also a personal choice that should not be ruled over by the government.  Libertarians believe that government is a body that should be protecting the peoples’ rights, not removing them.
Libertarians believe that the 4th amendment has been ignored by our government; they believe personal liberty needs to be restored.  Libertarians believe that the passing of the following laws are in direct violation of those 4th amendment rights.  These laws were created with the idea of protecting citizens, and that the government overreach is a huge abuse of their power.  Libertarians would like to see the following laws repealed: USA Patriot Act, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA, and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).  Libertarians believe spending $75 billion a year to spy on the American people is a huge injustice and would like those government agencies not only reined in but eliminated.
The seconded principle is Economic Liberty.  Libertarians believe that the government should stay out of dictating wages, rent, and interest.  The only roll of government should be to preserve property rights.  Libertarians believe that you should be able to keep money that you have earned.  They believe in eliminating income tax, and abolishing the Internal Revenue Service.  They would also like to eliminate all government programs and services not required under the US Constitution.  Some of these programs would include government funded education, Affordable Care Act and Medicare, Social Security, and welfare assistance.  They believe privatization of these programs would be more effective and create a more competitive environment in a free market system.  Libertarians believe that private groups and individuals will become more charitable; eliminating government will make people and programs more successful.
The third principle is Securing Liberty.  Libertarians believe the government should be used to protect personal liberties and nothing else. The military should be used only as a resource to protect American citizens from foreign threats, not as a police force for the world.  They believe government should not restrict free trade. Libertarians believe that people seeking political freedom and escaping from tyranny should be safe within our borders.  They believe we should control how people enter this country to insure its safe for everyone.  They also believe that tax dollars should not be used to fund political parties.
The fourth principle of the Libertarians is Omissions. Any statement or policy that is not mentioned is open to debate by the party.  This is considered a broad statement to cover any law that has not been mentioned in one of the three previous principles.  In a sense they have the right to debate new or existing laws/policies as a party and decided how to move forward.
An update to the Libertarian platform was debated and accepted at their presidential nomination convention in May.  After heated debate the party decided to call to the end of the death penalty.
The Libertarian Presidential nominating convention was called to order 8:40 a.m. Friday May 27th.  The convention recorded 985 delegates with 344 alternate delegates with all 50 states and D.C. represented.  This year’s convention shows an increase in participation, twenty times as many press passes were issued, then for the convention held 2012 The actual party numbers have increased by 30% in the last 5 months.
The Vice President debate was held Friday May 27, 2016.  To qualify to participate in the debate the debaters had to receive 10% of the votes of delegates in attendance that night (495).  The following candidates were included in the Vice President nominating debate: William Weld, Larry Sharpe, Allicia Darn, and William Coley.
The Presidential nominating debate was held Saturday May 28, 2016 night and was televised on C-span.  Candidates need 30 votes from party delegates to get nominated to participate.  Then had to receive 10% of the delegates vote in attendance that night (740) to participate in the debate.  The top 5 candidates that participated in the debate were Governor Gary Johnson, Austin Petersen, Darryl Perry, John McAfee, and Marc Alan Feldman.
Sunday morning May 30, 2016 was the Presidential and VP election for the convention.  Governor Gary Johnson will be the Libertarian Presidential nominee and William Weld will be the VP Libertarian nominee.  The Libertarian party is the only alternative political party in the United States expected to be on the ballot in all 50 states for the 2016 presidential election.
Nationwide there are 145 libertarians holding office.  Most of these elected officials are city councils, school boards, planning commissions, and mayors to name a few.  There will be 11 Libertarian candidates on the ballots in Utah.  These range from Governor to State House Representative.
Libertarians have a system to honor those with in their party.  First is the Hall of Liberty, this was created in 2012 and is considered a Libertarian hall of fame.  Other awards have been named after influential founding fathers; these have been awarded since 1996.   Another is the Thomas Jefferson Leadership award, which recognizes outstanding leadership.  The Patrick Henry award that is given to party members who run successful and inspiring campaigns.  The Thomas Paine Communication award, given to party members who communicate Libertarian ideas.  Finally, the Samuel Adams Activism award, this given to members who successfully help build party membership.
The reason I picked www.lp.org was because I was complaining about my choices for president and I had several people tell me there was another choice.  I wanted to know more about Gov. Gary Johnson, the only thing I did know was that he wanted to legalize marijuana.  I knew nothing about the Libertarian party.  The remainder of my paper is the info I found on Gov. Johnson and then some of the things about the lp.org that I found most interesting.
Gov. Gary Johnson is a two-term governor from the state of New Mexico.  He is hailed as a successful businessman and fiscally responsible.  As the governor of New Mexico he vetoed over 750 bills.  He has cut taxes 14 times, and maintained a balanced budget.  He was the first U.S. governor to call for an ending on marijuana prohibition.  He supports gay marriage, and is Pro-choice.  Johnson believes that are foreign policy should be changed.  We should not be in endless wars that are attempting nation-building.
William Weld is the VP nominee and a former Massachusetts Governor.  Weld served in office in the 1990’s and was an extremely popular governor.  Weld also supports same sex marriage and the Pro-choice movement.  He believes marijuana should be used for medical use and we should reevaluate the war on drugs.
The Libertarian party is very happy with the two power house nominees.  Between the two Governors they have more public sector experience then Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. In addition, it is one of the most experienced third party tickets in U.S history.  In this presidential election cycle several news media companies such as CNN, Forbes Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal have polled Gov. Gary Johnson with Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump.  So far Gov. Gary Johnson has polled at an average of 10% to 11%.  This is encouraging for the Libertarian Party as they have never polled higher then 1% in a presidential election.  The Republicans and Democrats have yet to secure their nominees and Gov. Gary Johnson is giving voters another option.
One thing that I found very interesting on the Libertarian website was a tab for running for public office.  They give several reasons why running as a Libertarian can make a difference.  I picked my favorites to list.  1) Giving voters another option.  A lot of seats run unopposed and making the established parties debate is good for everyone involved.  2) It gives the party free media coverage.  They used examples of how most press was tired of covering the same parties and candidates and a lot of time interviewers were kinder to the new kid on the block.  3) Helps over all party coverage people are tired of the Democrat and Republican babble.  People want a choice.  4) Satisfying your civic duty and helping you feel like you can make a difference.
What impressed me the most about the Libertarian website was not that they have a candidate that isn’t about media attention.  It was the change starts in our direct communities the focus was on building a system that encouraged fiscal responsibility and they were working their way up.  They are growing their party and are very proud that it is the 3rd largest party and its still growing.  The Growth of the Libertarian party was something that interested me as well.  In the election cycle of 2012 to 2014 the Democrat party saw a decrease of -1.7%, and the Republicans saw a decrease of -1.2%.  The Libertarian party experienced an increase of 20.7% registered Libertarians.  In the period of October 2014 thru February 2016 Democrats saw a decrease of  -3.3%, Republican -1.6%, and Libertarians saw an increase 3.0%.
When I picked this website for my report I felt I could be a Libertarian.  I agree with many of their platform statements.  I agree that government needs to be limited, and personal freedoms are disappearing rapidly.  I however do not agree with the drastic measure of eliminating the Internal Revenue Service and other government agencies.  Some regulation is going to be required.  I like that there is another option and and that their ideas and thoughts are being heard.  I am excited that Libertarians are bringing fiscal responsibility back to the discussion, government has had a blank check for too long.  I look forward to having another view point to consider.