Controversial Issues

Suppose we define the broader libertarian movement as those who abhor the initiation of force, and thus desire to minimize same. Even with this rather narrow definition of libertarian, we have room for strong disagreements.

If the Libertarian Party is to represent the entire movement, it must recognize some of these differences and allow the tent to be big enough to hold those with strong disagreements on some issues.

This area is for discussion of such hot-button issues. The purpose of having articles of this nature is not so much to persuade people to change their minds (though that may happen), but to:

1. Get libertarians of the various factions to understand the views of those who disagree on these issues, to recognize that the other side is still libertarian and rational vs. statist or idiotic.
2. To seek common ground, subsets of these issues where most libertarians can agree. It is such areas of strong agreement across the spectrum of libertarian thought where the Libertarian Party should focus as a group. Where different libertarian factions disagree, individual candidates and activists can take their respective stands on their own.

Articles on all sides of these controversies are welcome! The captions below list ways in which libertarians can disagree with the current LP position. This is not meant to endorse these positions, but to encourage discussion and inclusion of all libertarians into the same party.

The Abortion Question

Is abortion murder? Or is the right to an abortion a natural right? Is there a common ground where libertarians on either side of this scientific question can agree?

Toward a Compromise on Abortion by Michael Bindner. The who, what, why, what and how of a compromise on the abortion questoin.

Thoughts on Abortion by S. Michael Moore. A secular case for taking a more pro-life stance.

Voting Reform

Are term limits a step towards more liberty or a restriction on voter choice? Should we endorse alternative election systems like proportional representation? And what about the voting rules withing Congress?

Why Alternative Parties Must Get Range Voting, or DIE by CLAY SHENTRUP. Plurality voting leads to a two-party system. So does IRV. Range voting is far superior to either; it allows voters to rationally consider more than two choices.

The Good and the Tolerable by Devin Ray Freeman. Approval Voting lets you vote for more than one, but, even given the option to vote for more, most voters might vote for just one anyway. An Approval-like ranking system is proposed to encourage the people to vote for more than one.

A Glitch in Approval by Devin Ray Freeman. Approval Voting is very simple and opens real choices up to the voter. Approval has one big drawback. An added step is proposed to contend with that.

A Proposal to Limit Congress' Power by Joseph Godwin.

1. Every law, or resolution having the force of law, shall relate to but one subject, and that shall be expressed in the title.

Anyone for a Bullet in the Foot? Instant Runoff! by Devin Ray Freeman. An explanation of what Instance Runoff Voting (IRV) is, and why it would be foolhardy for the LP or any freedom-minded party to support it.

The Immigration Issue

Freedom to immigrate is freedom. However, can a free country allow unlimited immigration and stay free? What if authoritarians immigrate en masse? Can a country with a huge wealth disparity stay free? What happens when there is a large population of non-voting non-citizens in the country?

Border Proposals by Jason Archer. Some proposals for LP immigration advocates on all sides of the debate to consider.

War and Foreign Policy

War requires initiating force. No bomb is smart enough to hit only the guilty. It takes tax dollars to maintain an army and fight a war.

On the other hand, is is libertarian to stand aside and do nothing when genocide is occuring? Is isolationism really the most efficient foreign policy?

The lifting of U.S embargo to Cuba must be conditioned on the lifting of the rigid blockade of the Cuban Communist Party by Lillian Simmons. The lifting of U.S embargo to Cuba must be conditioned on the lifting of the rigid blockade of the Cuban Communist Party against the Cuban People.

Taxes

Taxation is theft. Libertarians hate taxes. But can a free society keep its freedom without a tax supported military? Is tribalism really preferable to democratic government?

For those libertarians who believe in some taxes, which taxes should we have? And for those who belive we can eventually go to zero taxes, which taxes should we have in the interim as we phase out government? Do we just keep nibbling down the hated income tax or do we replace it with something else?

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