Statement of Principles
Revised 2013
Simply stated, the libertarian philosophy is, “Live and let live.” Each individual must be free to do as she or he pleases as long as she or he does not infringe upon the equal rights of others. This is the central idea of our Declaration of Independence.
More specifically, “live and let live” means that force must not be used on an individual, unless that person has initiated the use of force or fraud. This is the simple but powerful principle from which Libertarian Party’s positions on all issues are logically and consistently derived.
All laws empower the government to use force on people. Some laws deter and punish those who would initiate force, as in murder, robbery or assault, for example. These laws are entirely consistent with the legitimate purpose of government, which is to protect and secure our rights. However, many other laws just restrict or even violate our rights, quite the opposite of protecting and securing them. Thus, our governments, as they grow ever larger, utilize oppressive force on peaceful people through their complex thicket of laws.
Libertarians advocate maximizing liberty by eliminating the use of force on honest, peaceful people.
Platform
1.1 Self Ownership: People have exclusive control over their physical bodies. People who do not own their bodies completely are the slaves of others.
1.2 Property rights: Ownership of external, scarce resources is determined in accordance with the principles of homesteading, contractual title transfer, and restitution to compensate victims of property rights violations. Property owners have the right to have and use their property as long as they do not violate the rights of others.
1.3 Non Aggression Principle: Aggression is the initiation of force, or the threat thereof, against, or the unconsented-to use of another person’s property; including fraudulent takings of property. All acts of aggression are illegitimate and unjust, whether committed by private actors or the state. Use of force is legitimate as defense against/retribution for aggression.
1.4 Individualism: The individual person is the basis for all rights, agency, thought, and action.
1.5 Voluntary interaction: Humans are social creatures who identify with and organize themselves into groups. People interact with one another either voluntarily or forcefully. Forceful interaction is either aggression or in response to aggression. Voluntary interaction is a necessary foundation for a peaceful, civilized society.
1.6 The State: The State is an organization which attempts to forcefully maintain a monopoly on violence and decision making in society. The State is the most dangerous aggressor in society.
Defense of Liberty:
2.1 The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired property — against aggression. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the individual right to keep and bear arms without being questioned as recognized by Article I, Section 21, of the PA Constitution and also the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. We oppose all laws at any level of government requiring registration of, or restricting the ownership, manufacture, transfer or sale of firearms, ammunition, or any other tools of defense.
2.2 We uphold and defend the rights of every person, regardless of any aspect of identity, including sex, wealth, race, color, creed, age, national origin, personal habits, political preference, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Freedom of Thought and Expression:
2.3 We support full freedom of expression and oppose all government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology. We support the freedom to engage in or abstain from any forms of expression, including peacable religious activities and worship that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.Our support of an individual’s right to make choices in life does not mean approval of those choices.
2.4 Parents or legal guardians have the right to raise their children according to their own standards and beliefs.
Freedom of Association:
2.5 We support freedom of association as integral to individual rights. A free society demands all individuals be able to voluntarily associate with or dissociate from anyone for any reason. We oppose all forms of segregation and anti-discrimination laws.
2.6 Any arrangement between consenting adults which does not involve force or fraud, must be free from government interference. Criminalizing voluntary non-violent behavior has unintended consequences, and often harms those it was intended to aid.
2.7 Government has no power to define or “license” social institutions such as marriage, or to impose any restrictions thereon.
Voluntary Exchange:
2.8 We support separation of economy and State. Governments must not regulate, restrict, or prohibit voluntary exchange. We oppose all forms of economic interference as egregious violations of individual rights and voluntary exchange.
2.9 No government should operate, subsidize, license, or collaborate with any business as this is “crony statism,” or corporatism. The use of corporatist institutions to restrict the rights of individuals under the guise of “private companies can do what they want,” is as much an act of aggression as overtly statist institutions doing the same.
2.10 We want all members of society to have abundant opportunities to achieve economic success. A competitive free market economy allocates resources in the most efficient manner which produces the most wealth and best satisfies everyone’s wants. Any person or group has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market. We oppose all mandates or controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates. Competing currencies must not be prohibited.
2.11 Labor markets must be open and free. Terms of employment must always be voluntarily negotiable between employees and employers. Employers must be free to decide whether or not union membership is a condition or disqualification for employment.
2.12 We oppose occupational licensing and advocate that professional communities be free to establish their own standards.
2.13 We call for the repeal of laws regulating the physical requirements of buildings and equipment.
Criminal Justice:
2.14 Only actions that infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed crimes. We call for the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims. Criminal laws must be limited to dealing with violations of the rights of others through force or fraud, or deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. We support restitution of the victim to the fullest degree possible at the expense of the criminal or the negligent wrongdoer. The rights of due process, habeas corpus, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied. Judges must provide a mandatory instruction at every criminal trial to inform juries of their common-law right to judge not only the facts but also the justice of the law, and thus their ability to nullify the prosecution. It must not be illegal for anyone to so-inform jurors.
2.15 The so-called “war on drugs” has failed utterly and has actually made recovery from addiction more difficult. In addition to its huge cost, it has incarcerated millions for victimless “crimes” and easy availability of potentially harmful substances is still widespread. Individuals have the absolute right to decide what substances they will use or consume. We call for ending the war on drugs, commuting the sentences of non-violent offenders and expunging their records.
2.16 The injustice of “civil asset forfeiture,” where property is confiscated without compensation and without due process, must be ended immediately.
Privacy:
2.17 We support the right to be secure in our persons, homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure or warrantless spying must include records held by third parties, such as email, medical, and bank records.
Education
2.18 Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice at lower cost. Schools should be managed locally to achieve greater accountability and parental involvement. We support the right of parents/legal guardians to educate their children without government involvement or influence.
Healthcare:
2.19 Healthcare decisions belong to individuals, not government. We call for the full separation of healthcare and State, restoring free markets, informed consent, and medical privacy. No government or institution may mandate vaccines nor may they restrict or mandate any medical treatment. We oppose vaccine passports, medical discrimination, and liability shields for pharmaceutical companies. Medical freedom is a fundamental right.
3.1 The legislative process, and the administration of government, must be open and transparent. Accordingly, all proposed legislation must be available in its final form for public review and comment at least 5 days before being voted on by the legislature. Before voting for or against any bill, it is the duty of each legislator to have personally read and understood the bill in its entirety. All state government budgets and expenditures must be available for review by the citizens on the Internet.
3.2 Article I, Section 5 of the Pennsylvania Constitution specifies that all elections shall be free and equal. Pennsylvania’s restrictive ballot access laws clearly violate that requirement and some provisions have even been declared unconstitutional in federal court. They must be repealed immediately. Any political party that can demonstrate a modicum of public support must be qualified to nominate candidates to appear on general election ballots. No taxpayer dollars should ever be spent for the benefit of any private political organization (such as funding primary elections or subsidizing conventions). Parties may establish their own rules for nominating procedures, primaries and conventions, but must bear all costs of their operations.
3.3 Continued use of Plurality voting is a pernicious problem hiding in plain sight. Plurality works extremely poorly and actually is a significant cause of increasing polarization which is reaching dangerous levels. All public elections must use a much better voting method that enables voters to indicate both which candidates they like and which candidates they do not like.
3.4 The practice of gerrymandering must end. Those in power must not have the ability to draw electoral districts to suit their own purposes. Instead, a completely impartial geometric procedure should be used to draw districts.
3.5 We oppose the practice of government borrowing which creates an obligation for future generations. It is the equivalent of taxation without representation. Balanced budgets must be required for all governments at all levels. Budgets must be balanced by greatly reducing spending, not by increasing taxes. Whatever taxes there are must be few in number, simple, broadly based, pay-as-you-go and must not require that citizens file tax returns.
Pennsylvania Issues:
4.1 The primary mission of the Pennsylvania National Guard is to aid Pennsylvanians in the most desperate times. National Guard members have been unavailable to fulfill that mission in recent decades because of unwarranted commitments to the Federal executive branch. Thus, we call on the Governor of Pennsylvania to withhold or withdraw approval of the transfer of the Pennsylvania National Guard to Federal control in the absence of:
a) A military invasion of the United States, or
b) An unjust insurrection, or
c) A calling forth of the Guard by the federal government in a manner provided for by Congress to execute the Laws of the Union, provided that said Laws were made in pursuance of the delegated powers in the Constitution of the United States.
4.2 Individuals have the inherent right to make decisions regarding the food they grow, purchase, sell, and consume. Small scale and local food producers play a vital role in providing diverse, high-quality food options to individuals. Government regulations on food production violate consumer choice, stifles innovation, and cartelizes food production. We support the deregulation of food markets, the lifting of anti-farming zoning restrictions, the repeal of ineffective and unnecessary food safety regulations, and the abolition of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
4.3 We support the reduction of the scope of the Liquor Control Board up to and including its abolition and the deregulation of the importation, exportation, production, transportation, selling, and consumption of alcohol.
4.4 Plentiful, reliable, and cost effective energy is essential for human flourishing. We support the deregulation of energy markets, ending restrictions on energy production and export, ending energy subsidies, and the abolition of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
4.5 We support the reduction of the scope of the Pennsylvania department of education up to and including its abolition and the repeal of state standardized tests and curriculum.
4.6 We support the reduction of the scope of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation up to and including its abolition and the privatization of all transportation goods and services.