The below article is from About.com. My comments are in red.
Like most political platforms, the Libertarian Party platform is turgid, vague, and abstract. It also tends to be a little bit utopian in its approach, which can make it difficult to ascertain where the Party stands on specific issues facing the country right now.
This is not a specific criticism of the Libertarian Party, mind you; the Democratic and Republican party platforms are much, much more turgid (to the point where they can't be read in one sitting), much more vague (to the point where they often sound as if they're advocating the same policies), and much more abstract (relying on Mom-and-apple-pie patriotic rhetoric instead of concrete policy proposals). But the difference is that the Democratic and Republican parties have enough money to pay people to run campaigns that give us an idea of what the parties stand for.
The Libertarian Party doesn't have that much money, so I'm proud to present the world's shortest platform summary of the party that brought you the World's Shortest Political Quiz.
Fiscal Policy: Very right-libertarian. The Libertarian Party opposes taxation in pretty much all forms, and deals with the revenue loss by opposing entitlement programs in pretty much all forms. This means that people keep more of what they earn, but it also means that there is no social safety net. And ambitious new proposals--such as universal pre-kindergarten and universal health care--are obviously not compatible with this objective.
Eh I am not too sure about this. No Taxes means more of my money for me- but what about public services for the good of the public, likes schools and hospitals? Some public taxes I think are required. Corporations: Eliminate all federal subsidies to private corporations, as well as all antitrust laws.
OK. I can live with that.Public Services: Eliminate the Postal Service. Transfer all government services, from public schools to landfills, to private ownership.
See my above. Where I think that some public services are good and needed, I don't think that all are. Could the post service be privatized and run better? Yeah...but then who would deliver my HooterLovers catalog?Property Rights: Would restrict public domain to immediate public use, and sell or give away most public property to private owners.
See my above. I think public parks are a good thing and I don't mind spending a bit of money so others can enjoy them.Criminal Justice: Would eliminate all antidrug laws and legalize prostitution. Would end random police roadblocks.
Uh....no.Free Speech: Would abolish the FCC and allow private ownership of broadcast frequencies. Opposes all restriction of free speech, including free speech restricted in the name of national security.
Again, no.Church and State: Calls for reduced IRS regulation and monitoring of tax-exempt churches.
Second Amendment: Strongly opposes all gun control, as well as regulation of alternative weapon technologies (mace, Tasers, and so forth).
eh... Some regulation is good- no felons with guns, etc. The Draft: Calls for the abolition of the Selective Service System and amnesty for any citizen who has ever resisted the draft.
Oh, I think all you little ****ers need at least two years nation service. Reproductive Rights Pro-choice, but opposes all federal funding of abortion and most federal entitlements for women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term, including the child tax credit. Opposes involuntary or fraudulent sterilization.
ok.LGBT Rights: Opposes "don't ask, don't tell." Believes that marriage is a private contract, and should yield no government benefits regardless of the gender of the partners.
Hey, I don't care if you **** goats. Just don't think my church is gonna give you a party because of it.Immigrants' Rights: Argues that borders should be open but surveilled--everyone who does not pose a threat to public health or national security should be allowed to enter the country legally. Would eliminate all federal benefits to undocumented immigrants. I
think borders should be a ****ing Iron Wall. You get in if you are safe or ask nicely. No benifits other than a one way ticket home for the wall jumpers.the rest is from the libertarian's website:
3.1 National Defense
We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances. We oppose any form of compulsory national service.
If that means pulling our troops out of the world then no. We should kill the enemy on the enemy's soil- not ours.3.3 International Affairs
American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and its defense against attack from abroad. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.
We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny...we just won't do anything about it.So, where I agree with a few of the Libertarian's viewpoints, I don't on a majority.