What Libertarians Believe
The Libertarian Party is called the “Party of Principle” because every stance we take in how government should operate is decided upon whether the action increases individual liberty, freedom and choice. We believe government’s role should be limited to protecting life, liberty and property while leaving its citizens alone to forge their own destiny through voluntary interactions with others.
Civil Liberties
Libertarians want all 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. We also believe that the government must treat all people equally before the law. Libertarians will protect all of your rights all of the time.
Crime and Justice
Libertarians believe that the label of “crime” should be limited to actions of force or fraud against another individual or group. We believe that such crimes should be prosecuted and punished by our justice system while other victimless actions, such as voluntarily consuming a substance, should not be a crime at all.
Economy
Libertarians believe that deregulation allows businesses to innovate and create tremendous value for consumers and more jobs for employees. Libertarians believe that the only proper role of government in the economy is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is protected.
Education
Libertarians advocate for a free market in education in which parents, teachers, and students would make their own choices. Public education, characterized by monopolistic zoning, lends itself to inefficiencies as competition is removed and the average cost per student to the taxpayer is typically greater than that of private school tuition but with less successful student outcomes.
Foreign Policy
Libertarians believe in free and open trade between countries which promotes global prosperity and peace. Protectionist policies, such as import tariffs, create trade wars that restrict productivity and hampers innovation. Libertarians also believe that the United States should have an impenetrable national defense but should not involve itself in the affairs of other nations.
Gun Ownership
Libertarians strongly believe in every persons’ right to arm themselves in self-defense. The loss of gun ownership rights should only occur when proper due process is followed and an individual is convicted of a violent crime. Libertarians object to the loss of any rights simply due to being placed on a government watch list.
Healthcare
Libertarians believe that healthcare prices would decrease and quality and availability would increase if healthcare was freed from government meddling and control.
Immigration
Libertarians believe that if someone is peaceful, they should be welcome to immigrate to the United States. The United States should not build walls, physically or legally, but make it easier for immigrants to attain work visas and the remove all arbitrary quotas allowing employers to hire as they have positions that need filling.
War on Drugs
Libertarians believe that it is immoral for the government to dictate which substances a person is permitted to consume, whether it is alcohol, tobacco, herbal remedies, saturated fat, marijuana, etc. These decisions belong to individual people, not the government. Furthermore, the War on Drugs has imprisoned millions of non-violent people.