Document:National Platform 2004: Difference between revisions

NOTE: In 2000 and 2002 the LP US decided to summarize and make permanent platform structure and language to allow continued and foreign use suitable for long term change, express the Libertarian 'state of the art,' create a variety of platforms for different uses, and instructed its platform committee to thereafter create short term campaign platforms based on issues of interest. This result, known as the "Standard Platform" was adopted as the property of the LP membership and as a reference document; it was re-designed for easier presentation and permanent long-term use. It was intended to have greater fidelity to the original intent and design by a Commitee led by Michael Gilson with input on language from several hundred LP activists and people in office. Gilson, who had designed the original platform with Robert Nozick and others, also developed several testings and brainstorm groups. It was approved unanimously in the largest LP Convention ever and retired immediately to make way for political campaign platforms.  

The initial 1 page Executive Summary is for political candidates and presentations, and is meant for to be coupled with a reading list or web-links to libertarian groups that provide many transitional proposals. The extended platform that follows is a basis for LP or self-guided activist projects using standard formats for project management, assissting as a basis for discussion the creation of lobbying efforts or coalitions that then write their own platform. One result of the method may be seen at http://www.ERCPinellas.org . Contrary to what is reported on many websites, the extended platform is extremely short and comprehensive i terms of subjects treated compared to e.g. GOP and Democratic party platforms. The reformat  does not reflect the program version, which divides the platform into action programs of seven platform steps each.