Introduction
The MarketLiberal Campaign Program includes policies chosen by these criteria:
- Addresses most of the top ten most important issues identified by Americans in recent polling, especially those that intersect with the LP Platform planks that have been most popular in the 2002-2006 plank retention voting.
- Leans toward including proposals that have been part of the LP Program, LPCA Program, Cato Policy Handbook, or campaign programs of recent or current libertarian Presidential candidates (Browne 1996, Browne 2000, Badnarik 2004, Paul 2008, Kubby 2008, Phillies 2008)
- Includes only proposals that would have some political viability in the next couple of legislative terms.
- Avoids proposals that are impractical in the absence of other reforms.
- Avoids proposals that a significant fraction of Libertarians oppose on principle.
- Balances outreach to the Left and Right.
- Leans against proposals that would violate the Small Government Pledge or the Liberty Compact.
Truth in Governance
Campaign Finance Freedom
Replace all campaign finance rules with prompt Internet disclosure of contributions. (Advocated by the Cato Policy Handbook.)
NOTA
Require NOTA as a choice in every race, even if the office is deemed too important to go unfilled if NOTA wins.
Liberty Amendment
Require the federal government to eliminate in 3 years 1) all activities not expressly authorized by the Constitution and 2) all taxes on personal incomes, estates, and gifts. (Repealing the income tax has been advocated by Browne in 1996 and 2000, Badnarik in 2004, and Kubby and Paul in 2008. Strict Constitutional constructionism has been advocated by Browne in 1996 and 2000, Badnarik in 2004, and Paul in 2008. Nine states have already passed the Liberty Amendment. David Nolan and Harry Browne both worked for the Liberty Amendment Committee before Nolan founded the LP.)
Healthcare
Interstate Competition
Allow interstate competition in health insurance. (Advocated by the Cato Policy Handbook.)
Equity for the Self-Employed
Make all healthcare spending tax deductible. (Advocated by the LP Program, LPCA Program, Cato Policy Handbook, Badnarik in 2004, and Phillies in 2008.)
Medicinal Liberty
Make FDA approval voluntary. (Advocated by the LP Program, Cato Policy Handbook, LPCA Program, Browne in 1996 and 2000, Badnarik in 2004, Paul in 2008.)
Retirement Security
Voluntary Social Security
Give those who choose to opt out of Social Security a Treasury bond with a present value equal to all their past payroll deductions and employer contributions plus inflation and real interest minus the present value of all SS benefits received so far. (Similar to policies advocated by Browne in 1996 and 2000, and Cato Policy Handbook.)
Education
Defederalize Education
Eliminate all federal spending on and regulation of K-12 education. (Advocated by the LP Program, Browne in 1996 and 2000, Badnarik 2004, Paul 2008, Phillies 2008.)
Privatize Education Via Tax Credits
Give dollar-for-dollar tax credits for all spending on the education of dependent or impoverished children. (Advocated by the LP Program, Paul 2008, Phillies 2008)
Crime
Decriminalize Marijuana
Decriminalize marijuana use and production by adults. (Advocated the by the LP Program, Cato Policy Handbook, Browne in 1996 and 2000, Badnarik 2004, Paul 2008, Kubby 2008, Phillies 2008)
Self-Defense for Victims
Require a shall-issue policy for concealed-carry permits for qualified law-abiding victims of property crimes or violence.
Smart Prison Use
Enable stricter sentences for violent criminals by paroling any prisoner never convicted of any crime against actual victims.
Civil Liberties
Freedom of Sexual Orientation
Require states to respect each other's laws regarding marriage and civil unions. Make federal law recognize civil unions for the purposes of immigration, inheritance, and adoption. End all military policies that discriminate by sexual orientation.
Freedom of Thought
Eliminate all laws making "hate" a separate or more egregious kind crime.
Freedom of Conscience for Jurors
Inform jurors of their right to acquit any violator of a law the jurors consider unjust.
Energy and the Environment
End Welfare for the Energy Industry
End all subsidies and liability limits for the energy industry.
Market-Smart Environmental Protection
Replace pollution regulations with a combination of pollution taxes and tradeable emissions licenses.