In 1996, the Libertarian Party became the first third party to earn ballot status in all 50 states two presidential elections in a row and currently the Libertarian Party is organized in all 50 states.
The Libertarian Party's platform, when stated simply, is that they are socially liberal and believe in laissez-faire markets. Still, they are not that simple minded. They believe in overturning the 16th amendment, believing that the free market and the private sector are the greatest at not only creating jobs, but at caring for the poor. The Libertarian party believes that the entire social welfare system should be eliminated, saying that those that cannot support themselves must once again learn to rely on supportive family, church, community, or private charity to bridge the gap.
Concerning Immigration, they don't believe in Amnesty, a wall, a fence on the border, heavier security on the border or a national ID. What they do believe in is making the law "more closely conform to how millions of normal people actually live." Basically making the process of applying for citizenship much simpler then the way it currently is with all the red tape and bureaucracy. The plan that the party has laid down concerning immigration is that newly legalized workers can be assessed fines and back taxes and serve probation befitting the misdemeanor they've committed. They can be required to take their place at the back of the line should they eventually apply for permanent residency."
They believe that the drug war is part of our conflict and that our border issues come from our 'War on Drugs' which, like all wars we are in, are something that Libertarians as a party oppose. They point to the prohibition of alcohol when speaking about the 'War on Drugs.' Making alcohol illegal, Libertarians contest, caused the formation of the mafia and organized crime, which caused a lot of violence in the name of making and selling illegal alcohol. It is argued that the gangs of today and the violence on the border is caused by the prohibition of drugs. If drugs are made legal, then organized crime won't have business in transporting and selling them. They believe that this will cause a decrease in illegal immigration and violence on the border.
An important thing to mention also is that the Libertarian Party favors the repeal of all crimes without victims.
The party also believes that, "sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the government's treatment of individuals." They believe in equal rights for marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration and military service. They believe that consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships.
They would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. They have two pillars of what they consider 'sane foreign policy', which are: Building positive relationships, with an emphasis on free trade and avoiding negative relationships, with an emphasis on military non-intervention.
All of that to say that the Libertarian Party is THE small government party. The party of the free-market and of individual liberties, regardless of whether or not they agree with what you do with those individual liberties. The biggest concern of the Libertarian Party, as I can see it (notice I'm writing my own opinion now) is that no one infringes on another person's rights. And finding that line will always be the ongoing debate, but it seems, at least, that the Libertarian Party knows where it is and where it wants to go. They do have enough ballot access to win enough electoral votes to win the White House in November. Their candidate, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson also is about half way to being eligible to debate in the three presidential elections against the Democrat and the Republican nominees.
Libertarian Party Website
Find Your State
Libertarian Party Facebook
Other Libertarian Party Social Networks
And remember that following them on Facebook or Twitter, or even receiving email updates doesn't mean you've cast your vote for their candidate, it just exposes you to a new side of the debate, opens you up to new information, should you be interested in it. I'd like to think that if you're here, that you are.
Lastly, if you're interested in the Libertarian Party and like what you've read, look for my post on Gov. Gary Johnson and the Vice Presidential Nominee Jim Gray, in the next few weeks.
