We Are Libertarians

We Are Libertarians

Rodger Paxton, Libertarian Party of Arkansas secretary, explains why Libertarian candidates are inevitable asked the question, “Why are you running against a good Republican” or a “libertarian Republican.” The question derives from “a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a Libertarian.”

Paxton says that Republicans and conservatives throw around words like “Republican-libertarian,” conservative libertarian,” and “constitutional libertarian” as if these word salads have some sort of meaning. “They do not,” he writes.

“A libertarian is someone who believes in the non-aggression principle, plain and simple …that …

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Local Government Should Focus on Freedom

Local Government Should Focus on Freedom

Local governments should focus on using existing revenues more efficiently, monitoring the effectiveness of school funding, and simplifying rules for land use and zoning. Those are three key recommendations in the John Locke Foundation’s new City and County Issue Guide 2014.

The new guide arrives before local governments begin planning for their 2014-15 budget years.

“This guide covers topics ranging from taxes to transit, from smart growth to stadiums, from education to economic development,” said Dr. Roy Cordato, JLF vice president for research and resident scholar. “The common …

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Help Lucas Overby Make (More) History

Help Lucas Overby Make (More) History

Lucas Overby became the first Libertarian candidate for Congress to participate in a nationally televised debate with his Republican and Democratic opponents Feb. 1. He is running for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Republican Bill Young held the seat for 43 years, until his death last year.

The March 11 special election has been getting it’s fair share of national press and it is clear the duopolists are taking it seriously. The GOP convinced David Jolly, a former aide to Rep. Young , to put a seven-figure income as a lobbyist on the back …

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Libertarian Party Turns 42

Libertarian Party Turns 42

The Libertarian Party was formed 42 years ago today, on Dec. 11, 1971, in the living room of David Nolan in Denver, Col. Disillusioned Republicans, Democrats and political newcomers hope to create an alternative to the old parties.

The party held its first national convention held in June 1972, also in Denver. They nominated John Hospers, a philosophy professor at the University of Southern California, for president and Tonie Nathan for vice president. The party was only on the ballot in Colorado and Washington. The ticket …

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New Voters Continue to Shun Major Parties

New Voters Continue to Shun Major Parties

The number of voters registering in a major party continues to decline in North Carolina, even as the total number of registered voters in continues to rise. As of Nov. 2, there were 6,475,017 registered voters: 2,764,123 registered Democrats, 1,990,192 registered Republicans, 22,173 registered Libertarians, and 1,698,529 registered unaffiliated.

The decline in the percentage of voters registered as Republicans or Democrats reached a new record low of 42.69 percent. The number of unaffiliated voters is now at 26.23 percent and the Libertarian portion is at 0.34 …

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Both Major Parties Increase State Spending

Both Major Parties Increase State Spending

It doesn’t matter who’s running things in Raleigh, Republicans or Democrats. State spending will still increase.

“Regardless of political platforms and campaign speeches, the data show spending in North Carolina has increased over the last 30 years,” writes Sarah Curry, director of fiscal studies at the John Locke Foundation. “The last ten years have seen rapid increases in state spending across all categories, a dangerous precedent when the financial stability of America is not at its strongest.”

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Vote Libertarian to Stop Reckless Spending

Vote Libertarian to Stop Reckless Spending

The overwhelming majorities of  Democrats and Republicans who passed one more government debt and spending hike proves that they are incurable and can never be convinced to do the right thing, Libertarian Party political director Carla Howell said in a statement today.

“Republicans who control the U.S. House, and who therefore control the purse strings of the federal government, sold Americans down the river — their job prospects, their kids’ future, the security of seniors, and everyone’s vital health,”  she said.

While Republicans made concession after concession, …

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LP Joins Rally to Stop NSA Surveillance

LP Joins Rally to Stop NSA Surveillance

Libertarian Party press release

The heroic revelations made by whistleblower Edward Snowden have let the world know: The National Security Agency is watching you and has undermined the fabric of the Internet. Its overreaching surveillance creates a climate of fear, chills free speech, and violates our basic human rights — your Fourth Amendment right to privacy.

But a movement is building to change all this.

The Libertarian Party was among the first groups to join a growing coalition of organizations operating under the umbrella Stop Watching Us, which …

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Libertarian Party Opposes U.S. Intervention in Syria

Libertarian Party Chair Geoffrey J. Neale today strongly opposed any U.S. military intervention in the civil war in Syria.

“There is no Constitutional justification for America to unilaterally use force in Syria,” Neale said.

“Syria is not threatening our country,” he added. “We have no national interest in intervening there. There are no reasons for the U.S. to support either the Assad dictatorship or the opposition warlords.”

“It’s sadly ironic, and disturbing, that just as we’re commemorating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and the March on Washington, …

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LP: Restore the Fourth Amendment

LP: Restore the Fourth Amendment

The are no abuses of power in the National Defense Authorization Act, or the Patriot Act, or in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act courts, a Libertarian Party spokesman said. The fact that these laws were passed is the abuse.

“There are no ‘abuses’ of the NDAA — the NDAA is an abuse,” said Carla Howell, LP political director. “There are no abuses of the Patriot Act — the Patriot Act is an abuse. Voting for the Patriot Act or NDAA is an abuse. Leaving them on …

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