Did You Know About the Libertarian Party?
As an author, I am required to do a great deal of research; the results of which I am sharing with you.
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Did You Know About the Libertarian Party?
In recent years there has been mounting confusion over what is a libertarian and what is a conservative, so I thought it wise to do the research.
What follows are several stands on the issues as included in the 2012 Libertarian Party Platform. Many of their stands are agreeable to conservatives, but not all.
The confusion is even greater when you realize that many libertarians have joined the Republican Party and call themselves Conservatives. So we need to be able to identify them and understand them if we are to vote wisely.
I will state the Libertarian view on an issue and follow it with my view as a Conservative.
Abortion:
Oppose interference in what is an individual right to decide.
I disagree with this stand. As a Christian and Conservative I believe abortion is murder.
Second Amendment
• Right to bear arms
• Oppose all gun registration
I agree that we have the right to bear arms. I am undecided as to gun registration. In general I agree with their stand.
Free Trade
• Opposed to government redistribution of wealth
• Opposed to trade controls
Redistribution of wealth is contrary to the very principles of our constitution. I oppose it.
Trade Controls are another matter. I think these need to be rethought and reduced, but some regulation needs to be done.
Property Rights
Supports property rights.
I fully agree.
Government Finance & Spending
• Repeal of Income Tax (I agree)
• Abolish the IRS (I agree)
• No national debt (generally agree, but I believe government should have the right to borrow)
• Balanced Budget Amendment (I agree)
• Lower Taxes (I agree)
Education
• Free Market (I agree if this includes private and home schooling)
• Parental authority (I agree)
Health Care
• Free market health care system (I agree)
• Right to purchase insurance across state lines (I agree)
Social Security
• Retirement planning is an individual responsibility (I agree)
• Phase out government-sponsored Social Security (I agree depending on how phase out is managed)
National Defense
• Maintain sufficient military to defend U.S. (I agree)
• Avoid entangling alliances (I support the constitution which provides for treaties, etc. and their enactment. I would support more constitutional safeguards.)
• No draft (I agree and fully support voluntary armed forces)
• Not world's policeman (Agree, but also recognize that with great power comes great responsibility)
These are just some of the stands. You may have noticed that most of these issues found me in agreement. I dare say most conservatives would agree. But we disagree where personal liberty is involved, as libertarians would allow abortions and drug use.
I also disagreed with avoiding entangling alliances, which to me means no treaties. The constitution gives our government the power to negotiate treaties, which means our forefathers supported it. Moreover, while we are not the world's policeman, we are the most powerful nation in the world and our friends need us. Even if they don't like to admit it.
Libertarians are not conservatives. The Libertarian Party itself makes a difference between libertarians and conservatives on their website.
R_Frederick Riddle
-------
Did You Know About the Libertarian Party?
In recent years there has been mounting confusion over what is a libertarian and what is a conservative, so I thought it wise to do the research.
What follows are several stands on the issues as included in the 2012 Libertarian Party Platform. Many of their stands are agreeable to conservatives, but not all.
The confusion is even greater when you realize that many libertarians have joined the Republican Party and call themselves Conservatives. So we need to be able to identify them and understand them if we are to vote wisely.
I will state the Libertarian view on an issue and follow it with my view as a Conservative.
Abortion:
Oppose interference in what is an individual right to decide.
I disagree with this stand. As a Christian and Conservative I believe abortion is murder.
Second Amendment
• Right to bear arms
• Oppose all gun registration
I agree that we have the right to bear arms. I am undecided as to gun registration. In general I agree with their stand.
Free Trade
• Opposed to government redistribution of wealth
• Opposed to trade controls
Redistribution of wealth is contrary to the very principles of our constitution. I oppose it.
Trade Controls are another matter. I think these need to be rethought and reduced, but some regulation needs to be done.
Property Rights
Supports property rights.
I fully agree.
Government Finance & Spending
• Repeal of Income Tax (I agree)
• Abolish the IRS (I agree)
• No national debt (generally agree, but I believe government should have the right to borrow)
• Balanced Budget Amendment (I agree)
• Lower Taxes (I agree)
Education
• Free Market (I agree if this includes private and home schooling)
• Parental authority (I agree)
Health Care
• Free market health care system (I agree)
• Right to purchase insurance across state lines (I agree)
Social Security
• Retirement planning is an individual responsibility (I agree)
• Phase out government-sponsored Social Security (I agree depending on how phase out is managed)
National Defense
• Maintain sufficient military to defend U.S. (I agree)
• Avoid entangling alliances (I support the constitution which provides for treaties, etc. and their enactment. I would support more constitutional safeguards.)
• No draft (I agree and fully support voluntary armed forces)
• Not world's policeman (Agree, but also recognize that with great power comes great responsibility)
These are just some of the stands. You may have noticed that most of these issues found me in agreement. I dare say most conservatives would agree. But we disagree where personal liberty is involved, as libertarians would allow abortions and drug use.
I also disagreed with avoiding entangling alliances, which to me means no treaties. The constitution gives our government the power to negotiate treaties, which means our forefathers supported it. Moreover, while we are not the world's policeman, we are the most powerful nation in the world and our friends need us. Even if they don't like to admit it.
Libertarians are not conservatives. The Libertarian Party itself makes a difference between libertarians and conservatives on their website.
R_Frederick Riddle
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