wd3
Subject: Libertarian Party FAQ: Commonly Asked Questions
Date: 4 Mar 1996 03:15:12 GMT
NNTP-Posting-User: jwd3
Summary: This article contains answers to ten commonly asked questions about


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                   TEN ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
                         ABOUT THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY

           [Text of a flyer distributed by the Libertarian Party.]


1. What is a Libertarian?

   To put it simply, Libertarians believe that you have the right to live
   your life as you wish, without the government interfering -- as long
   as you don't violate the rights of others. Politically, this means
   Libertarians favor rolling back the size and cost of government, and
   eliminating laws that stifle the economy and control people's personal
   choices.
   
2. Are Libertarians liberal or conservative?

   Libertarians are neither. Unlike liberals or conservatives,
   Libertarians advocate a high degree of both personal and economic
   liberty. You might think of it this way: Libertarians "borrow" from
   both sides to come up with a logical whole.
   
   For example, Libertarians agree with conservatives on the need for
   freedom in economic matters; in favor of lowering taxes, slashing
   bureaucratic regulation of business, and charitable -- rather than
   government -- welfare. But Libertarians also agree with liberals on
   tolerance in personal matters; in favor of people's right to choose
   their own personal habits and lifestyles.
   
3. How big is the Libertarian Party?

   The Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party in America
   -- and growing! We're active in all 50 states, and there are hundreds
   of vigorous state, county, and local Libertarian organizations.
   Despite unfair and restrictive ballot access laws passed by the
   Republicans and Democrats in many states, there are already more than
   100,000 registered Libertarians in 24 states around the USA.
   
4. Do Libertarians win many elections?

   More and more all the time. Right now, there are over 130 Libertarians
   serving in public office. We've elected Libertarian State
   Representatives in New Hampshire and Alaska, mayors in California, and
   more than a dozen city council members in other states. Other
   Libertarians serve on school boards, as city commissioners, as
   selectmen, on town budget committees, and as judges of elections.
   
   Our 1992 presidential candidate, Andre Marrou, was on the ballot in
   all 50 states, and won hundreds of thousands of votes. Libertarian
   candidates for state and federal offices won more than 2.2 million
   votes in 1994, and more than two dozen Libertarians were elected to
   public office last year alone.
   
5. What is my $25 membership fee used for?

   Your annual membership payment -- which gets you a subscription to our
   monthly newspaper LP News -- helps finance our work to spread the word
   about the Libertarian Party. With your help, we can keep the media
   informed, run advertisements, and send information to more Americans;
   We also support Libertarian candidates, support pro-freedom
   legislation, provide resources to our state and local organizations,
   and much more!
   
6. Why do you ask me to sign a membership statement?

   Libertarians are working to reduce the role of government in society.
   A government that was only concerned with protecting individual rights
   would no longer be initiating force to achieve the political and
   social goals of politicians and special interest groups.
   
   That's why we ask Libertarian Party members to sign the statement --
   to remind us of the need to reduce the power of government, and to
   dedicate our political efforts towards achieving that goal.
   
   One other question commonly asked is: Does it mean that Libertarians
   are pacifists, or don't believe in the right of self-defense? No. The
   key word is that we don't advocate the _initiation_ of force. We
   believe all individuals have the right to use force to defend
   themselves, their families, and their country.
   
7. What kind of people join the Libertarian Party?

   All kinds -- people who used to be Republicans, Democrats, and
   independents -- from all walks of life. They have joined us because
   they realize that we're the only political party working for their
   personal and economic liberty.
   
   Another question we're sometimes asked: Is political extremist Lyndon
   LaRouche in your party? No. LaRouche has never been associated in any
   way with the Libertarian Party. He runs for office as a Democrat.
   
8. Why don't I hear more about the Libertarian Party?

   We're still a relative newcomer in American politics, and the media
   have been slow to realize that the Republicans and Democrats now have
   serious competition. But, as the party becomes more successful, we're
   attracting more and more favorable attention.
   
   For example, former Senator William Proxmire (D-Wisconsin) said: "The
   Libertarian Party is a breath of fresh air ... They are offering a
   clear alternative."
   
   The Investor's Business Daily wrote: "Long consigned to the political
   wilderness... libertarians are seeing their ideas accepted by state
   and local governments, once the undisputed turf of Democrats. Regional
   governments increasingly are adopting free-market policies originally
   developed by libertarian thinkers, making what were once considered
   extreme views part of the mainstream."
   
9. Are Libertarians having an impact on American politics?

   Hard-working Libertarians have been active -- and victorious -- in
   many political areas. Among our achievements:
   
  TAX REDUCTION:
  
   The Libertarian Party was instrumental in repealing the state income
   tax in Alaska, and Libertarian legislators in New Hampshire were
   leaders in the fight to roll back higher business taxes.
   
  HEALTH CARE REFORM:
  
   During the national debate over health care, the Libertarian Party
   released a comprehensive health care reform proposal. The plan, which
   harnesses the power of the free market to reduce costs and increase
   consumer choice, won praise from across the political spectrum. The
   party also organized grassroots lobbying and public debates, and held
   private meetings with Congressmen to help turn the tide against any
   government takeover of America's health care system.
   
  CHOICE IN EDUCATION:
  
   The Libertarian Party has vigorously fought for free market reform in
   education to increase educational opportunities for all children.
   We've worked for referendums and sponsored legislation that would
   return tax money to parents so they can choose the best school for
   their children -- instead of being at the mercy of failing government
   schools.
   
  CIVIL LIBERTIES:
  
   The Libertarian Party is working to defend your civil liberties by
   ending Drug Prohibition. For example, in New Hampshire, a Libertarian
   State Representative cosponsored a bill restricting the state's
   ability to seize property from people not convicted of any offense in
   drug-related cases.
   
   On issue after issue, in all 50 states, Libertarians are successfully
   defending the Bill of Rights, free enterprise, free trade, private
   charity, and individual liberty.
   
10. Should I join the Libertarian Party?

   Ask yourself: Is government too big or too small? Are taxes too high
   or too low? Does the government regulate my business too much or too
   little? Does the government control my personal life too much or not
   enough?
   
   If you agree, like most Americans, that government is too large, too
   expensive, and meddles too much, the Libertarian Party is for you!
   
