One libertarian's stances/opinions

I am a libertarian. I am a firm believer in individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets, and always a small government limited only to its constitutionally authorized functions - the principles our nation was founded upon and which once made us both great and greatly admired worldwide. Our nation achieved that greatness and respect, and we reaped the fruits of our labor because we lived in a society that welcomed innovation, creativity, and self-reliance. We didn't look to a government to care for us or protect us, we looked to ourselves - and it worked! And you know what? It will still work - if we return to the values we as a people once cherished.

I believe you - far better than a government bureaucrat - can best spend your money to benefit you and your family. I don't think you need government bureaucrats to make economic and social decisions for you. I trust you can do a much better job for yourself! That's why I want to get the government out of our lives. You should make the decisions for your life. I should make the decisions for mine. You should be free to control your life - as others must be free to control theirs. Tyranny or liberty - it's your choice.

Since many have often seem confused by what a libertarian would think about issues, I offer the following as one libertarian's stances. Of course, libertarians may differ on individual issues, but as an individual who will not compromise my libertarian principles, I share my views and opinions.

--Christine Smith

Where I Stand:

Abortion/Stem cell research - No taxpayer funds for either. Americans and private research have a right to both. I do not believe the government should prevent a woman from having an abortion, though I believe Americans should not be forced to pay for or encourage it in any way. Personally, I believe life begins at the moment of conception, but I would never arrogantly presume nor want my government to force its will upon another woman. Abortion should be neither encouraged nor discouraged in any manner by the federal government. It is not an issue for federal executive decision. (Roe vs. Wade was a judicial decision, not an executive.) Thus, neither 'pro life' nor 'pro choice' groups/initiatives should be funded or supported in any way by the federal government. Similarly, the American taxpayers should not be forced to fund any research they may disagree with, but those who favor such research should be able to freely support its research without restriction.

Accountability - Many have asked me for my opinion of whether independent investigations regarding the Iraq War as well as regarding 9/11 are justified. My answer is yes. I believe in government accountability and transparency. Transparency means you, the citizenry, will again control your government: its spending, its international operations, and hold those who violate your trust accountable. Thus, due to the number of Americans who have serious questions about both those matters: I believe a full investigation of the 2003 invasion of Iraq is needed so that any governmental and military wrongdoing can be prosecuted, similarly an independent investigation into the 9/11 tragedy is justified.

Discrimination - Women, minorities, and any other group which has been previously discriminated against should be treated equally by the federal government, etc., but with no preferential treatment. I believe in equal rights when it comes to government benefits and employment but never special rights. I oppose the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. In people's personal lives and businesses all should have the freedom to discriminate - never should our freedom to associate with or not associate with be infringed upon - private association and private enterprise ability to freely hire or fire should be respected, but when it comes to federal government employment or benefits (including marriage benefits), they must be offered equally to all and employment based on qualifications only.

Drugs - Legalize. End the insane drug war and all the injustices imposed upon Americans because of it. All non-violent drug "offenders" incarcerated at local, state and federal levels should be pardoned. The decision to ingest, in any manner, any drug is the choice of the individual and no business of the government. The "drug war" increases misery and violence - it's a racist policy doing nothing to alleviate addiction or crime.

Economy - Let's get on a path to economic prosperity! This can be accomplished by ending the artificially controlled economy (and consequential inflation) we now suffer under - abolish the Federal Reserve and you end our economic oppression. I am for competing currencies and an end to taxation on gold/silver. I believe in the free market. It's the only thing that ever worked. We're struggling now only because of the federal government's control of the market. I'm convinced that if we stop the government control of our economy and trade, everyone's standard of living will rise. And if we reduce the size and power of government, we'll reduce its cost. The key is ending federal government overspending, best accomplished by ending the warfare and welfare state.

Education - Get government out of education so we have real school choice and quality education free from forced agendas. Public education is yet another big government failure.We mustn't entrust something as precious as the educating of our children to government. I am for independent free-market education/schooling because I believe parents should decide what is best for their children. Our spiritual, moral, intellectual, religious and political values determine the type of education we wish our children to receive, so take the power of education away from the government.

Environment - Let's stop the biggest polluter of the environment - the federal government. It pollutes without accountability, gives subsidies to pay for more environmental destruction, provides sovereign immunity to polluters, and leaves victims with nothing. This is because the federal government has no vested interests in our land and water. Let's end federal special interest lobbying & federal intrusion into environmental matters nationwide, and respect state and local control regarding environmental protection, conservation, land use, ecosystem management, public health, private and trust ownership of land, etc. Then we will see real environmental protection.

Free Trade & Free Market - I am for true free trade. Trade free from all government intrusion and regulation. I oppose NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT, WTO, etc. because American businesses should be free to do business with any nation in the world without restriction. I am for a free market where there is no interference whatsoever from the government - no subsidies, no bail-outs, no anti-trust laws, no price controls - a market that allows business to succeed (or fail) as it will without any artificial control from government. A free market will regulate itself in regards to prices, and all will benefit.

Foreign Policy - End U.S. government meddling in the affairs and conflicts of foreign nations. End the empire building. I am for the immediate withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, and believe all U.S. bases in areas worldwide which pose no direct threat to America should be closed. End all U.S. government sanctions and embargoes - brutal policies which have cruelly victimized and killed thousands. End all U.S. government intervention/intrusions in the governments and elections of foreign nations. I oppose all foreign aid; it should simply be replaced with free trade. I also think it is disgusting that the U.S. government is the largest arms dealer in the world, and believe we must put an end to the U.S. military-industrial complex delivering U.S. taxpayer-financed military weaponry to other nations.

Guns - Your gun rights are not negotiable. I am for restoration of the 2nd Amendment. I oppose gun control laws.

Health care - Affordable high quality health care will happen when we get the federal government out of it. Health freedom is the answer - free from the FDA - free from all government regulation - and free from all government involvement. It's government involvement in health care which has caused the exorbitant medical costs at every level. If we were to eliminate all government involvement/regulations/subsidies and other control, costs of health provision as well as insurance would drop drastically to an affordable level for most Americans. Prior to 1965 our nation had the highest quality health care at a fraction of today's cost and everyone benefited (those who could afford the low cost care had it and those who could not were often provided care by doctors/hospitals anyway as well as by charitable organizations because it was then possible for such care to be given without government interference preventing it)- the only thing that changed was the government jumping into it forcing medical providers and pharmaceutical costs up. The high cost of medical care goes to pay for government bureaucrats and their time consuming expensive regulations, agencies, and enforcement of such bureaucratic wastefulness upon your medical care and provider. Private sector health care operated perfectly well and would again. Returning health care rightfully to the private sector, where it belongs, would create efficiency thereby drastically reducing costs, and create a far more compassionate society where health care as well as insurance is affordable for almost everyone.

Human rights - The fundamental rights and civil liberties of all must always be ensured with all guaranteed due process of law. American citizens must never be subjected to military (Pentagon) trials/tribunals but always protected with due process of law and prosecution only in federal courts. Foreigners, too, must never be subject to torture and rights such as habeas corpus respected. Neither national crisis or heinous criminal acts justify the use of torture or indefinite imprisonment of any human being.

Internet - Keep it free from government regulation and taxation.

Immigration - I am for free movement, free enterprise and free association of people. Freedom is the greatest culture of America. End the government welcome wagon of welfare benefits and forced subsidizing of immigrants, and allow people to come, go, and work as they please. The "war on immigration" leads to suffering, hardship, and detrimental economic effects and the stripping away of our civil liberties as Americans.

Jobs & Corporations - End all corporate welfare and bail-outs. Return to a free market based economy where a business succeeds or fails based on its own merit not government involvement.

Privacy - I oppose the Real ID and all unconstitutional intrusions and violations of our economic and personal privacy.

Social Security - privatize.

Tax - Abolish the income tax & IRS and replace with nothing. You have a right to keep what you earn. We have more than adequate federal revenue, without the federal income tax, for the essential constitutionally authorized functions of the government. We must repeal the federal income tax and abolish the IRS. We don't need to rearrange payment of such taxes, we just need to reduce the size (and its waste & corruption) of government.

Technology/Energy - Americans are innovative! Let a true free market solve problems. I oppose all government subsidies (such as the current government subsidized ethanol programs) and oppose the imposition of international restrictions upon American businesses. If alternative solutions are feasible they will prosper on their own merit - not by government subsidization. If it is truly the belief and the will of the American people to address any environmental/energy issue, they can accomplish it not through regulation but with their pocketbook support or boycott of matters that concern them - it doesn't require government regulation it just requires the will of the consumer operating in a true free market where private agendas receive no government support. Keep all technology unregulated.

War & Terrorism - Stop the U.S. government empire building and all its cruel victimization of thousands worldwide. End our history of militarism by returning to a U.S. government enforced/limited under the Constitution in which only Congress can declare war (the president can only enforce/wage such war after Congress has declared it). Bring our troops home from around the world. I am for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops and government personnel from Iraq. I oppose all wars of aggression. We should lead the world into greater liberty only by serving as a beacon - an example - not by aggression. Government should try to keep us out of war - not police the world - and not start wars of aggression. Defend American soil and shores. Our troops and military resources must be used only to defend America. For that, we must maintain a strong defense, and efficient effective communication between our own intelligence gathering agencies. We must stop our government from being the provocateur it has become. We must end all US government meddling in the affairs and conflicts of all other nations. Close military bases and end all military presence in parts of the world that pose no direct threat to our land and waters and which we have no business being in. Further, acts of terrorism must be tried as the criminal acts they are and not used as an excuse for the government to wage war against civilians in sovereign nations nor an excuse to rationalize the stripping of our civil liberties and fundamental rights as Americans.

Victim-less "crimes" - All individual personal choices, as long as they harm no other, should be legal. Law must be used only to protect you from those who would harm you. Law is misused and abused when used to supposedly protect you from yourself. For example, I am for legalization of drugs and prostitution. The government intrusion into someone's personal life must be stopped. Law (and its fines or incarceration) should be reserved only for those who harm others, and most current federal law enforcement actions are unconstitutional.

Welfare - End federal welfare - stop stealing money from some Americans to give to others - that's not charity, it's robbery. The "war on poverty" ironically makes more people poor and traps them in a cycle of dependency from which they often never escape. Let our generosity and compassion guide our giving. Let Americans keep all the money they earn, and the generosity of private charity, churches and individuals can provide for those in need far more efficiently and effectively. You know how and whom you wish to help far better than welfare agencies. No matter what "good cause" is claimed for the existence of most federal agencies , if the federal government is not constitutionally authorized to be involved in an activity, such agencies and programs must be abolished; anything the market can provide effectively the government should stay out of --and the market does just about everything more effectively, and any agency which has become fundamentally corrupt and has significantly deviated from a valid constitutionally authorized function should be abolished. Those currently financially struggling will be the ones who most benefit from a free market economy (where prices for all services drop considerably), free from government regulation (and its high bureaucratic overhead-taxation-elevation of costs of services), and keeping all the money they earn in their own pocket to spend as they choose.