Pure Principles Platform: Amendments

A Directional Principles subcommittee vote will be considered complete when

  • a majority votes one way or the other, or
  • when 1) a quorum (half plus one) of members have expressed opinion about or acknowledgement of the proposal and 2) either 72 hours have passed since the vote was called, or 24 hours have passed since that quorum was achieved, whichever is later.

Members acknowledging a proposal without expressing a clear vote will provisionally count as abstaining.

Recently Considered

1.5. Delete Opposition To All Firearms Restrictions

  • Proposed 2008-02-06 by Mattson
  • Delete: The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired property — against aggression, whether by force or fraud. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the right to keep and bear arms. We oppose all laws at any level of government requiring registration of, or restricting, the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition. We oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Mattson
  • Nays: Haller, Holtz
  • Timed Out 2008-02-09

2.1. Oppose Reqts For Self-Protection Equipment

  • Proposed 2008-02-06 by Mattson
  • Add: The owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of — or in any manner enjoy — their property without interference, until and unless the exercise of their control infringes the valid rights of others. Property rights are entitled to the same protection as all other human rights. We oppose all controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates. We oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment. We oppose all violations of the right to private property, liberty of contract, and freedom of trade. The right to trade includes the right not to trade — for any reasons whatsoever. Where property, including land, has been taken from its rightful owners by the government or private action in violation of individual rights, we favor restitution to the rightful owners.
  • Ayes: Haller, Holtz, Mattson
  • Nays: Aitken
  • Timed Out 2008-02-09

2.2. Oppose Future-phobic Technology Restrictions

  • Proposed 2008-02-06 by McLendon
  • Add: Pollution of other people's property is a violation of individual rights. We support the development of an objective system defining resource rights as individual property rights. The laws of nuisance and negligence should be modified to cover damage done by air, water, and noise pollution. While we maintain that no one has the right to violate the legitimate property rights of others by polluting, we strenuously oppose all attempts to transform the defense of such rights into any restriction of the efforts of individuals to advance technology, to expand production, or to use their property peacefully.
  • Ayes: Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nays: Aitken, Mattson
  • Timed Out 2008-02-09

2.6. Rewrite Labor Markets Plank

  • Proposed 2008-02-06 by McLendon
  • Old: We support the right of free persons to voluntarily associate in, or to establish, labor unions. We support the concept that an employer may recognize a union as the collective bargaining agent of some or all of his employees. We oppose governmental interference in bargaining.We call for the abolition of government agencies that restrict entry into any profession. No consumer should be legally restrained from hiring unlicensed individuals.
  • New: We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. No consumer should be legally restrained from hiring unlicensed individuals. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain.
  • Note: Differs from recently-defeated rewrite of 2.6 by not including this: "No worker should be legally penalized for lack of certification"
  • Ayes: Aitken, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Timed Out 2008-02-09

3.3. No World Government

  • Proposed 2008-02-06 by Mattson
  • Add: The important principle in foreign policy should be the elimination of intervention by the United States government in the affairs of other nations. American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and the defense — against attack from abroad — of the lives, liberty, and property of the American people on American soil. 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 oppose U.S. government participation in any world or international government.
  • Ayes: Haller, Mattson
  • Nays: Aitken, Holtz
  • Timed Out 2008-02-09

1.1. Oppose Aiding/Attacking Religion

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: We support full freedom of expression, and oppose government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology. We recognize that freedom of communication does not extend to the use of other people's property to promote one's ideas without the voluntary consent of the owners. We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.
  • Ayes: Burden, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson
  • Approved 5-3 2008-02-05

1.4. List Rights of the Accused

  • Proposed 2008-01-30 by Holtz
  • Propoosal: The purpose of a justice system is to provide restitution to those suffering a loss at the expense of those who caused the loss. Government exists to protect the rights of every individual including life, liberty and property. Criminal laws should be limited to violation of the rights of others through force or fraud, or deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. Individuals retain the right to voluntarily assume risk of harm to themselves. We oppose reduction of constitutional safeguards of the rights of the criminally accused. The rights of due process, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied. We assert the common-law right of juries to judge not only the facts but also the justice of the law.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Burden, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz, Mattson, McLendon
  • Nay: Ferguson
  • Approved 7-1 2008-02-05

1.5. Give Substance to RTKBA

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired property — against aggression, whether by force or fraud. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the right to keep and bear arms. We oppose all laws at any level of government requiring registration of, or restricting, the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition. We oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense.
  • Ayes: Burden, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson
  • Approved 5-3 2008-02-05

2.0. Oppose Consumer Paternalism

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: A free and competitive market allocates resources in the most efficient manner. Each person has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market. The only proper role of government in the economic realm is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is protected. We oppose all government interference with voluntary and contractual relations among individuals. People should be allowed to deal with one another as free traders; and the resultant economic system, the only one compatible with the protection of individual rights, is the free market. While we support strong and effective laws against fraud and misrepresentation, we oppose paternalistic laws that impose prices, define standards for products, or otherwise restrict free choice.
  • Ayes: Haller
  • Nays: Aitken, Burden, BCapozzi, Ferguson, Holtz, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 1-7 2008-02-05

2.1. Oppose Consumer "Protection" Restrictions

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: The owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of — or in any manner enjoy — their property without interference, until and unless the exercise of their control infringes the valid rights of others. Property rights are entitled to the same protection as all other human rights. We oppose all controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates. We oppose "consumer protection" laws and advocate the repeal of all laws banning or restricting the advertising of prices, products, or services. We oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment. We oppose all violations of the right to private property, liberty of contract, and freedom of trade. The right to trade includes the right not to trade — for any reasons whatsoever. Where property, including land, has been taken from its rightful owners by the government or private action in violation of individual rights, we favor restitution to the rightful owners.
  • Ayes: Burden, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 4-4 2008-02-05

2.2. Expand Environment and Resources Plank

  • Proposed 2008-02-06 by
  • Proposal: Pollution of other people's property is a violation of individual rights. We support the development of an objective system defining resource rights as individual property rights. The laws of nuisance and negligence should be modified to cover damage done by air, water, and noise pollution. While we maintain that no one has the right to violate the legitimate property rights of others by polluting, we strenuously oppose all attempts to transform the defense of such rights into any restriction of the efforts of individuals to advance technology, to expand production, or to use their property peacefully. The role of planning is properly the responsibility and right of the owners of the land. We oppose all government control of energy pricing, allocation, and production.
  • Ayes: Burden, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 4-4 2008-02-05

2.3. No Employer Tax Collection

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Holtz
  • Proposal: All persons are entitled to keep the fruits of their labor. We call for the repeal of the income tax, the abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all federal programs and services not required under the U.S. Constitution. We oppose any legal requirements forcing employer or business owners to serve as tax collectors. Government should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent. We support the passage of a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not by raising taxes.
  • Ayes: Burden, Haller
  • Nays: Aitken, BCapozzi, Ferguson, Holtz, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 2-6 2008-02-05

2.4. No Legal Tender Laws

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: We favor free-market banking, with unrestricted competition among banks and depository institutions of all types. Individuals engaged in voluntary exchange should be free to use as money any mutually agreeable commodity or item. We support a halt to inflationary monetary policies, the repeal of legal tender laws and compulsory governmental units of account. We call for the abolition of all regulation of financial and capital markets.
  • Ayes: BCapozzi, Burden, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nay: Aitken, Ferguson
  • Approved 5-2 2008-02-05

2.6. Replace Labor Markets Plank

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Old: We support the right of free persons to voluntarily associate in, or to establish, labor unions. We support the concept that an employer may recognize a union as the collective bargaining agent of some or all of his employees. We oppose governmental interference in bargaining.We call for the abolition of government agencies that restrict entry into any profession. No consumer should be legally restrained from hiring unlicensed individuals.
  • New: We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. No worker should be legally penalized for lack of certification, and no consumer should be legally restrained from hiring unlicensed individuals. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain.
  • Ayes: BCapozzi, Burden, Haller, Holtz
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 4-4 2008-02-05

2.7. No Compulsory Education

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: We advocate the separation of education and State. Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice. We support the repeal of all compulsory education laws As an interim measure to encourage the growth of private schools and variety in education, including home schooling, we support tax credits for tuition and other expenditures related to an individual's education.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Haller, Holtz
  • Nays: BCapozzi, Burden, Ferguson, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 3-5 2008-02-05

2.7. No Government Schools

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: We advocate the separation of education and State. Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice. We support an end to government operation, regulation and subsidy of schools and colleges. As an interim measure to encourage the growth of private schools and variety in education, including home schooling, we support tax credits for tuition and other expenditures related to an individual's education.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Burden, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nays: BCapozzi, Ferguson, Mattson
  • Approved 5-3 2008-02-05

3.1. Abstain Totally From Foreign Quarrels

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world. We should avoid entangling alliances, abstaining totally from foreign quarrels and imperialist adventures. We oppose any form of compulsory national service.
  • Ayes: Haller
  • Nays: Aitken, BCapozzi, Burden, Ferguson, Holtz, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 1-7 2008-02-05

3.3. Individual Rights Trump Treaties

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: The important principle in foreign policy should be the elimination of intervention by the United States government in the affairs of other nations. American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and the defense — against attack from abroad — of the lives, liberty, and property of the American people on American soil. 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 oppose any treaty under which individual rights would be violated.
  • Ayes: BCapozzi, Burden, Haller, Holtz
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson, McLendon
  • Defeated 4-4 2008-02-05

3.3. No World Government or Foreign Aid

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: The important principle in foreign policy should be the elimination of intervention by the United States government in the affairs of other nations. American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and the defense — against attack from abroad — of the lives, liberty, and property of the American people on American soil. 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 oppose U.S. government participation in any world or international government. We support the elimination of tax-supported military, economic, technical, and scientific aid to foreign governments or other organizations.
  • Ayes: Burden, Haller, McLendon
  • Nays: Aitken, BCapozzi, Ferguson, Holtz, Mattson
  • Defeated 3-5 2008-02-05

3.5. Deregulate Private Discrimination

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: Government should not deny or abridge any individual's rights based on sex, wealth, race, color, creed, age, national origin, personal habits, political preference or sexual orientation. While we condemn bigotry as irrational and repugnant, we oppose any government attempts to regulate private discrimination. Parents, or other guardians, have the right to raise their children according to their own standards and beliefs, without interference by government — unless they are abusing the children.
  • Ayes: Burden, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nays: Aitken, BCapozzi, Ferguson, Mattson
  • Defeated 4-4 2008-02-05

3.6. Replace Electoral Reform Language

  • Proposed 2008-01-29 by Grow
  • Proposal: We support electoral systems that are more representative of the electorate at the federal, state and local levels. As private voluntary groups, political parties should be allowed to establish their own rules for nomination procedures, primaries and conventions. We call for an end to any tax-financed subsidies to candidates or parties and the repeal of all laws which restrict voluntary financing of election campaigns. We call for the repeal of restrictive state laws that effectively prevent new parties and independent candidates from being on the ballot. We oppose laws that effectively exclude alternative candidates and parties, deny ballot access, gerrymander districts, or deny the voters their right to consider all legitimate alternatives.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Burden, Ferguson, Haller, Holtz, Mattson, McLendon
  • Approved 8-0 2008-02-05

Remove Redundancy in 3.7. Constitutional Govt

  • Proposed 2008-01-17 by Ferguson
  • Proposal: The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. Government is instituted to protect individual rights. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Ferguson, Haller, Holtz, Mattson, Roland
  • Nays:
  • Approved 7-0 2008-01-29

New: 3.7. Constitutional Government

  • Proposed 2008-01-12 by McLendon
  • Proposal: The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. Government is instituted to protect individual rights. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself.
  • Ayes: BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz, McLendon, Roland
  • Nays: Aitken, Ferguson
  • Approved 2008-01-18

Remove Population Control From 1.3

  • Proposed 2008-01-14 by Ferguson
  • Proposal: We oppose all coercive measures for population control.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Ferguson, Mattson
  • Nays: Haller, Holtz
  • Abstaining: Capozzi
  • Approved 2008-01-18

Add Suicide to 1.2. Personal and Bodily Privacy

  • Proposed 2008-01-08 by Holtz
  • Proposal: Append the 1976-2004 language: We advocate the repeal of all laws interfering with the right to commit suicide as infringements of the ultimate right of an individual to his or her own life.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Haller, Holtz, McLendon
  • Nays: Burden, Ferguson, Mattson, Roland
  • Abstaining: BCapozzi
  • Defeated 2008-01-13

All-Volunteer Juries

  • Proposed 2008-01-10 by Jon Roland
  • Proposal: We favor all-volunteer juries and assert the common-law right of juries to judge not only the facts but also the justice of the law.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Burden, Ferguson, Holtz, Mattson, Roland
  • Nays: Haller
  • Abstaining: McLendon
  • Approved 2008-01-13

Jury Nullification

  • Proposed 2008-01-10 by Jon Roland
  • Proposal: We favor all-volunteer juries and assert the common-law right of juries to judge not only the facts but also the justice of the law.
  • Ayes: Roland
  • Nays: Aitken, Burden, Ferguson, Haller, Holtz, Mattson
  • Abstaining: BCapozzi, McLendon
  • Defeated 2008-01-13

Approve BylawsCom SoP Change

  • Proposed 2008-01-09 by Holtz
  • Proposal: We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend all aggression against the rights of the individual. […] We, on the contrary, deny the right of any government to do these things, and hold that where governments exist, they must not violate the rights of any individual
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Burden, Ferguson, Holtz, Mattson, McLendon
  • Nays: Haller
  • Approved 2008-01-13

Split abortion silence

  • Proposed 2008-01-07 by Holtz
  • Proposal: Split our DP abortion menu's silence option (the first of 5 choices in plank 1.3) into two separate choices:
    1. Say nothing more than the above. The PlatCom's report and motions should pro-actively seek the elimination of any abortion plank/language that still exists in the Platform at the time our report and motions are considered.
    2. Say nothing more than the above. The PlatCom's report and motions for eliminating/replacing legacy planks should make an exception for any abortion plank/language that still exists at the time our report and motions are considered, and at most seek merely to adapt that surviving plank/language to the style of the rest of the Platform if they don't match.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Ferguson, Holtz
  • Nays: Mattson, Roland
  • Abstaining: Burden, Haller, McLendon
  • Approved 2008-01-13

Securing Liberty - Additions

  • Proposed 2008-01-08 by McLendon
  • Proposal: Government is instituted to protect individual rights, and the protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. The principles which guide a legitimate government in its relationships with other governments are the same as those which guide relationships among individuals: no individual, group, or government may initiate force against any other individual, group, or government. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself.
  • Ayes: McLendon, Ferguson, Haller
  • Nays: Aitken, BCapozzi, Burden, Holtz, Mattson, Roland
  • Defeated 2008-01-13

Securing Liberty - Deletions

  • Proposed 2008-01-08 by McLendon
  • Proposal: [[span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"]]The principles which guide a legitimate government in its relationships with other governments are the same as those which guide relationships among individuals: [[span style="font-weight: bold;"]]no individual, group, or government may initiate force against any other individual, group, or government.
  • Ayes: McLendon
  • Nays: Aitken, Burden, Ferguson, Haller, Holtz, Mattson, Roland
  • Abstaining: BCapozzi
  • Defeated 2008-01-13

Retirement and Income Security: Deletion

  • Proposed 2008-01-06 by Ferguson
  • Proposal: Retirement planning is the responsibility of the individual, not the government. Participation in Social Security should be made voluntary. The proper source of help for the poor is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.
  • Ayes: Aitken, Ferguson
  • Nays: BCapozzi, Burden, Haller, Holtz, Mattson, Roland
  • Defeated 2008-01-13

New: 3.7. Constitutional Government

  • Proposed 2008-01-08 by Capozzi
  • Proposal: [[span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"]]The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. No conflict exists between civil order and individual rights; government is instituted to protect individual rights. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself.
  • Ayes: BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz, Mattson
  • Nays: Aitken, Burden, Ferguson, McLendon, Roland
  • Failed 2008-01-12

Environment and Resources: Deletion

  • Proposed 2008-01-06 by Holtz
  • Proposal: Individuals have the right to homestead unowned resources, both within the jurisdictions of national governments and within unclaimed territory.
  • Ayes: Holtz, BCapozzi, Aitken. McLendon
  • Nays: Haller
  • Approved 3-1 on 2008-01-09

Environment and Resources: Addition

  • Proposed 2008-01-06 by Holtz
  • Proposal: The laws of nuisance and negligence should be modified to cover damage done by air, water, and noise pollution.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz. McLendon
  • Nays:
  • Approved 4-0 on 2008-01-07

Representative Government: Addition

  • Proposed 2008-01-06 by Holtz
  • Proposal: We call for the repeal of restrictive state laws that effectively prevent new parties and independent candidates from being on the ballot.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz. McLendon
  • Nays:
  • Approved 4-0 on 2008-01-07

Government Finance and Spending: Addition

  • Proposed 2008-01-06 by Holtz
  • Proposal: We support the passage of a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to the US Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not by raising taxes.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz. McLendon
  • Nays:
  • Approved 4-0 on 2008-01-07

New: 4.0. Omissions

  • Proposed 2008-01-06 by Holtz
  • Proposal: Our silence about any other particular government law, regulation, ordinance, directive, edict, control, regulatory agency, activity, or machination should not be construed to imply approval.
  • Ayes: Aitken, BCapozzi, Haller, Holtz. McLendon
  • Nays:
  • Approved 4-0 on 2008-01-07
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