...Freedom and Liberty...

... Libertarianism

Libertarians, as the name implies, value liberty. The core idea is that every person owns his or her life.

Libertarians believe that you are free to do as you choose, as long as you don't harm others.

Libertarians apply a common-sense approach to problem solving that respects and protects you and your family.

Key Tenets of Libertarianism are...

Adoption of laissez-faire principles which would reduce the state's role in economic government. This would include, among other things, markedly reduced taxation, privatization of Social Security and welfare (for individuals, as well as elimination of "corporate welfare"), markedly reduced regulation of business, rollbacks of labor regulations, and reduction of government interference in foreign trade.

Protection of property rights.

Minimal government bureaucracy. The Libertarian Party states that the government's responsibilities should be limited to the protection of individual rights from the initiation of force and fraud.

Support for the protection of civil liberties, including the right to privacy, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and sexual freedom.

Opposition to civil rights laws that regulate the private sector, such as affirmative action and non-discrimination laws.

Opposition to the censoring of television and radio pathways.

Abolition of laws against "victimless crimes" (such as prostitution, driving without a seatbelt, use of controlled substances, fraternization, etc.).

Opposition to regulations on how businesses should run themselves (e.g., smoking bans).

A foreign policy of free trade and non-interventionism.

Support for a fiscally responsible government including a hard currency (commodity-based money supply as opposed to fiat currency).

Abolition of all forms of taxpayer-funded assistance (welfare, food stamps, public housing, Health care, etc.)

Support for the unrestricted right to the means of self-defense (such as gun rights, the right to carry mace, pepper spray, or tasers etc).