What Is A Libertarian?

Libertarians favor eliminating laws that stifle the economy and control people’s personal choices. We believe in rolling back the size and cost of government enabling you the right to live your life as you wish, without the government interfering -- as long as you do not violate the rights of others.

Where do Libertarians Stand on Topics Important to Washington County citizens?

Environment

We believe you have a right to clean air and water today, and that your children have the right to the same tomorrow.

Three steps are important to achieve these goals:

•  Eliminate Government’s sovereign immunity from prosecution for destroying the environment.  Government is the greatest single polluter in the U.S.  Libertarians would make the government responsible for its actions.
• Encourage private ownership.  Many environmentalists were once wary of private ownership, but now recognize that establishing the property rights of native people, for example, has become an effective strategy to save the rain forests.
• Use restitution to restore the environment and as a deterrent to destructive behavior.  Individuals, companies, and governments that pollute must be held responsible for cleanup costs.

Annexation

All citizens deserve the ability to determine what political subdivision governs them and what taxes they pay.  No property should be annexed without a vote of the affected population.

Cities that believe they are providing beneficial services to citizens outside their boundaries should ask those citizens if they want continuation of the services for their tax dollars.

Crime

Protecting the rights and interests of victims should be the basis of our criminal justice system. We believe that anyone who harms another person should be held responsible for that action.  We would also make criminals pay restitution to their victims for the damage they've caused, including property loss, medical costs, pain, and suffering.

It is estimated that drug addicts commit 25% of all auto thefts, 40% of robberies and assaults, and 50% of burglaries and larcenies.  Drug prohibition does more to make Americans unsafe than any other factor.  It inflates the cost of drugs, leading users to steal to support their high priced habits.

Free Speech

We defend the rights of individuals to unrestricted freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right of individuals to dissent from government.

We oppose any abridgment of the freedom of speech through government censorship, regulation or control of communications media.

Gun Control

One of the most important protections we have against government tyranny is that we are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty, before a jury, in a proper trial.  Gun control advocates would declare all gun owners guilty without trial, simply for owning guns. Prohibition didn't stop liquor use; the drug laws can't stop drug use. Making gun ownership illegal will not stop gun use.

Immigration

The freedom to immigrate is a freedom of opportunity.  The Libertarian Party has long recognized the importance of allowing free and open immigration, understanding that it leads to a growing and more prosperous America. We value the contribution of immigrants; however, we recognize that the right to enter the United States does not include the right to economic entitlements such as welfare.

Fighting Poverty

The Libertarian Party believes it is time for a new approach to fighting poverty. The following steps outline a program based on opportunity, work, and individual responsibility.

• Increase employment opportunities by reducing taxes and government red tape.
• Welfare should be privatized. This includes eventually eliminating AFDC, food stamps, subsidized housing, and other governmental programs.
• Increasing tax credits for charity will re-energize private charities.
• All  parents should have the right to decide what school their children will attend.  It is essential to restore choice and the discipline of the marketplace to education. Only a free market in education will provide the improvement in education necessary to enable millions of Americans to escape poverty.

Taxes

Libertarians believe that if government's role were limited to protecting our lives, rights, and property, then America would prosper and thrive as never before. The Federal government could then concentrate on protecting your Constitutional rights and defending us from foreign attack.

Instead of tending to the basics, government has grown into a bloated conglomerate of political services that gets larger every year -- with no end in sight.

We Need Your Help!

Other politicians have not focused on reducing the size or cost of government, nor have they protected your freedoms. We need your help to build a powerful political party to get the job done -- the Libertarian Party!

Contact Libertarian Party of Washington County at:           www.LPWC.org

or by phone at 503 924-5991.