Platform of the Arizona Libertarian Party
adopted in Convention January 21, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ
Introduction
As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice their values or property for the benefit of others. We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized.
Inclusion
We affirm and incorporate all the principles and policy positions outlined in the National Platform of the Libertarian Party. We encourage the reader to first view the platform of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC). In cases where there are topics of special interest to Arizona or where a topic is not covered in the LNC Platform, we take the following stances to supplement the views expressed in the national platform.
Economic Liberties
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No commercial enterprises should be granted legal monopoly status, including the water, electricity, gas and telecommunications utilities. Government should not hinder private entities attempting to compete with the public utilities. Elected officials should actively seek to divest government of its power and influence over the utility market.
Eminent Domain should be abolished since it is a threat to the institution of private property and an inevitable source of abuse of power and personal enrichment by politicians and bureaucrats.
We see Occupational Licensing as undue and unwarranted restrictions on individuals’ rights to work and earn a living in any manner they choose. Government can properly prosecute for fraud and misconduct, but should not become a gatekeeper that serves to insulate professionals from competition. We support the repeal of all statutes licensing occupations or professional practices. Trades and professions can freely set voluntary standards of accreditation.
Taxpayers should never be forced to fund private development. We would end all taxpayer subsidies for sports stadiums, entertainment venues, and every other type of industry.
Corporate entities are not people, and possess no rights distinctly from the individuals within them. Individuals who form corporations neither gain, nor lose, any right they had previous to incorporation and are liable for their acts of willful negligence and fraud.
Recognizing that government bonds are simply deferred taxes, they should be avoided in all circumstances. State and local governments should take action to pay off existing bonds as quickly as possible, and refrain from the issuance of new bonds.
Exposing people to pollution without their consent is a violation of rights and should be treated as such. Polluters, either public or private, should be required to make full compensation for any personal injuries or property damages that they cause.
All government restrictions upon private use, voluntary transfer of water rights, and pricing of water should be eliminated.
Personal Liberties
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Parents have the right to raise their children according to their own values, without interference by government, unless there is evidence of physical abuse or criminal neglect. The functions of remedying physical abuse of children belong to law enforcement and courts.
Laws requiring the use of seat belts and helmets are misguided, paternal, and should be repealed. Individuals must assume responsibility for their own safety. Red Light and Speed Cameras are a revenue generating scam that preys upon motorists. They should be removed from Arizona’s roadways.
The right to possess firearms for self-defense and to protect against tyanny is clearly enumerated by both the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution of State of Arizona. To ensure children are better protected against attackers in schools, we support the abolition of “Gun-Free Zones” in public schools.
The proper focus of a system of criminal justice is to require criminals to provide restitution to the victims of their crime. We recognize the right of the victim to pardon or come to a private settlement with the criminal. We oppose all laws creating “crimes” without victims. Private prisons create a perverse profit motive to incarcerate more citizens. Where prisons exist, they should be run by the state, and their only purpose is to separate those who inflict physical harm on others from civil society. Imprisonment should be considered a last resort to prevent violent offenders from continuing to inflict violence against others.
We hold that all human beings have rights, not merely the citizens of a particular country. Although private owners have the right to restrict others from trespassing on their property, government restrictions on the liberty of travel, residence, and employment, such as immigration and emigration laws, mandatory identification papers, and work permits, are violations of human rights, and we call for their abolition.
We would extract government from the role of deciding which consenting adults can get married and repeal laws created to distribute assets and social benefits between people who are married.
We recognize the sovereignty of indigenous people and reject all interference in their affairs from every level of government, including eminent domain land seizures.
We support equality under the Law, and condemn any law that either rewards or punishes any individual based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or any other group identification. It is the State’s duty to protect the rights of each individual equally.
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.