/ooc This party arises from the Libertarian Party. I feel the Libertarian Party was built on too broad a platform, so each member had a different view of what the party was about. Though some language and even a few views of the following platform are up for debate, the spirit isn't. /ooc
The Freedom Party
The Freedom Party is committed to a Lockean view of government. Government exists to protect citizens from each other, not as an end in itself. We are not anarchists, we recognize that government is a necessary evil and that small amounts of taxation and regulation are needed. We also believe that government should stay as much as possible out of people's personal lives.
Economic Policies
Free Trade- We support free trade. We support joining the WTO. We support joining NAFTA or any other trade agreement. We do not support subsidies for industry. If a Eutopian industry can't survive, the workers should go to more profitable segments of the economy.
Taxation- We believe taxes should be low and mildly progressive. Taxation should not be used as a method to redistribute wealth.
Business Regulation- Businesses should be forced to meet environmental standards set by law. They also must not resort to monopolistic and otherwise unfair business practices. Their public reports and accounting must be accurate.
Campaign Finance- Funding political campaigns and political commercials is a form of speech and should be protected. However, when you speak, others will know it is you. Similarly, political contributions should be listed on a publically available document, so citizens may know who is funding their politicians.
The Environment
The environment is something we all must share, therefore, hurting the environment is something that affects other people. We support enforcement of environmental regulations on businesses and citizens alike. There must be a balance, however, in what regulations we create. Any regulation that ultimately makes the business more efficient and profitable is a good one. For those that do not, we must weigh the potential benefits against the potential costs, rather than adopting any and all regulations that come along. Those regulations that do get passed should be strictly enforced.
Foreign Policy
Again, we seek balance. Our foreign policy must be neither too active nor too isolationist. Our military must be strong enough to defend our borders. When we deploy our forces elsewhere, it should only be as part of a broad coalition. We seek continued enrollment in the UN and enrollment in NATO for our defensive welfare.
We should seek close ties with both the US and Europe. We support the existence of Israel, but wish to urge them to abandon the settlements. We support trade agreements with most nations. We support democracy and human rights everywhere.
Social Freedoms
Free Speech- We believe that free speech is essential to an open and democratic society. We do not support censorship of printed materials, television, or radio waves. This protection includes content considered pornographic or hateful. The limits to free speech are slander, libel, and speech which creates a clear and present danger for other citizens.
Free Press- The state must not interfere with the freedom of the press, with the same exceptions as free speech.
Free Assembly- People have the right to group together with whomever they want, and exclude whomever they want. The state should allow but not support exclusionary groups.
Free Religion- People should be allowed to worship how they please, providing they don't harm others in pursuance of their worship. The state should not support any one religion, nor should it discriminate against religious groups.
Right to Bear Arms- One of the chief safeguards of personal freedom is an armed populace. If the government has all the guns, it is likely to become much more intrusive.
Privacy- Except in extreme cases of self-destructive behavior(such as attempted suicide) the government should not interfere with personal decisions that do not affect others.
Personal Freedoms
Drugs- Minor drugs which do not pose an immediate health risk, such as marijuana or anabolic stereoids, should be legal. Harder, more dangerous drugs may be regulated, but addicts should be treated rather than pushed into a cell with violent criminals.
Abortion- We hold that the government should not step into issues of personal privacy, however, we recognize that that is a specious argument in this case. The controversy is over whether the fetus inside is a living human being or not. If it is, than it is subject to the same rights as all other humans. Party members are left to their conscience and their understanding of the science involved to vote on this issue.
Gambling- Should be legal, and not a state monopoly.
Prostitution- Should be legal, however, local governments may make injunctions against public solicitation. All prostitutes should be registered and tested for disease as well.
Conscription- A violation of personal freedom. We are against both military and labor conscription.
Current members-
George Jetson(founder)
The Freedom Party
The Freedom Party is committed to a Lockean view of government. Government exists to protect citizens from each other, not as an end in itself. We are not anarchists, we recognize that government is a necessary evil and that small amounts of taxation and regulation are needed. We also believe that government should stay as much as possible out of people's personal lives.
Economic Policies
Free Trade- We support free trade. We support joining the WTO. We support joining NAFTA or any other trade agreement. We do not support subsidies for industry. If a Eutopian industry can't survive, the workers should go to more profitable segments of the economy.
Taxation- We believe taxes should be low and mildly progressive. Taxation should not be used as a method to redistribute wealth.
Business Regulation- Businesses should be forced to meet environmental standards set by law. They also must not resort to monopolistic and otherwise unfair business practices. Their public reports and accounting must be accurate.
Campaign Finance- Funding political campaigns and political commercials is a form of speech and should be protected. However, when you speak, others will know it is you. Similarly, political contributions should be listed on a publically available document, so citizens may know who is funding their politicians.
The Environment
The environment is something we all must share, therefore, hurting the environment is something that affects other people. We support enforcement of environmental regulations on businesses and citizens alike. There must be a balance, however, in what regulations we create. Any regulation that ultimately makes the business more efficient and profitable is a good one. For those that do not, we must weigh the potential benefits against the potential costs, rather than adopting any and all regulations that come along. Those regulations that do get passed should be strictly enforced.
Foreign Policy
Again, we seek balance. Our foreign policy must be neither too active nor too isolationist. Our military must be strong enough to defend our borders. When we deploy our forces elsewhere, it should only be as part of a broad coalition. We seek continued enrollment in the UN and enrollment in NATO for our defensive welfare.
We should seek close ties with both the US and Europe. We support the existence of Israel, but wish to urge them to abandon the settlements. We support trade agreements with most nations. We support democracy and human rights everywhere.
Social Freedoms
Free Speech- We believe that free speech is essential to an open and democratic society. We do not support censorship of printed materials, television, or radio waves. This protection includes content considered pornographic or hateful. The limits to free speech are slander, libel, and speech which creates a clear and present danger for other citizens.
Free Press- The state must not interfere with the freedom of the press, with the same exceptions as free speech.
Free Assembly- People have the right to group together with whomever they want, and exclude whomever they want. The state should allow but not support exclusionary groups.
Free Religion- People should be allowed to worship how they please, providing they don't harm others in pursuance of their worship. The state should not support any one religion, nor should it discriminate against religious groups.
Right to Bear Arms- One of the chief safeguards of personal freedom is an armed populace. If the government has all the guns, it is likely to become much more intrusive.
Privacy- Except in extreme cases of self-destructive behavior(such as attempted suicide) the government should not interfere with personal decisions that do not affect others.
Personal Freedoms
Drugs- Minor drugs which do not pose an immediate health risk, such as marijuana or anabolic stereoids, should be legal. Harder, more dangerous drugs may be regulated, but addicts should be treated rather than pushed into a cell with violent criminals.
Abortion- We hold that the government should not step into issues of personal privacy, however, we recognize that that is a specious argument in this case. The controversy is over whether the fetus inside is a living human being or not. If it is, than it is subject to the same rights as all other humans. Party members are left to their conscience and their understanding of the science involved to vote on this issue.
Gambling- Should be legal, and not a state monopoly.
Prostitution- Should be legal, however, local governments may make injunctions against public solicitation. All prostitutes should be registered and tested for disease as well.
Conscription- A violation of personal freedom. We are against both military and labor conscription.
Current members-
George Jetson(founder)
