Libertarian Stance on Issues: Difference between revisions

'''Free Speech and Communications'''

Libertarians defend the rights of individuals to unrestricted freedom of speech, freedom of the press and the right of individuals to dissent from government itself. We recognize that full freedom of expression is possible only as part of a system of full property rights, such as the freedom to own and use the internet, printing press, a broadcasting station and similar property-based freedoms.  

Libertarians believe in the right of peaceful people to immigrate into the United States.  Many support restrictions due to disease or criminal history. Some support stronger restrictions on other criteria.  All agree that welfare programs should be phased out and that doing so will discourage those who come to this country primarily to obtain such benefits.

Libertarians generally oppose the property, gas, excise, cigarette, alcohol, soda, payroll, gun and income tax as well as tariffs. A few support sales or "fair" tax ideas. Most support various forms of user fees. Many libertarians, including especially [[Anarcho-capitalists|Anarcho-capitalism]], often use the slogan "taxation is theft".

Libertarians strongly believe in free trade both within national borders and among members of different nations.  They believe free trade leads to a health economy and peaceful international relations.  However, most libertarians oppose "free trade" agreements like GATT, WTO and NAFTA, believing they are managed trade pacts which often benefit powerful special interests and hurt less powerful business interests.

Libertarians are opposed to spending tax money on public schools, because the schools' purpose is often indoctrination into government ideology.  Most public schools provide substandard educations as opposed to private schools which emphasize education over ideology and where students can choose curriculum that best fit their needs.

'''Healthcare'''

 

Social welfare programs are the majority of national and many state budgets because politicians effectively have bribed various voting constituencies, like the elderly, the poor, students, and voters in general.  These programs often redistribute wealth from low income workers to high income retirees and bureaucrats, many of whom are promised large pensions after only 20-30 years of work. In the early 1900s the federal and state governments began to create such programs to shut down the thousands of popularly voluntary associations which provided such services to the truly needy, without massive bureaucratic overhead and fraud.  Without having so much of their income siphoned off for poorly administered programs, taxpayers could contribute to truly effective social welfare programs. Libertarians propose selling off most federal assets to create accounts to help truly disabled elderly and other individuals and to create educational and job opportunities for others.