The Libertarian Party's Response to the State of the Union Address

[Chancellor]

The Libertarian Party's Response to the State of the Union Address

The following is a response by Libertarian Party National Chairman William Redpath


Washington, D.C. - Following President Bush's annual State of the Union Address, the Libertarian Party issued their response from National Chairman William Redpath:

Tonight's State of the Union address went much as expected. Instead of calling for a more limited role of the federal government in American society, the President laid out plans that would only increase the government's intervention into the realm of economics, health care, education and foreign policy. It is unfortunate to see that after seven years of increasing the size of government and increasing the government's presence in the day to day lives of all Americans, the President refuses to limit the scope of the federal government, a once championed virtue of the President's party. The President's last State of the Union address encapsulated his legacy of an abandonment of the principles of limited government and individual freedom.

While the Libertarian Party applauds the President on taking a stand against wasteful government spending--though his administration has been a large contributor to this problem--and opening up more foreign markets to trade, we offer the following solutions to issues the President brought up in his address:

Economics: The President's economic stimulus plan is based on a flawed and outdated economic premise. The best solution to an economic slowdown is increasing the ability for businesses to grow and reinvest in the economy. Instead of increasing the federal deficit by $150 billion dollars, the federal government should focus its energy on eliminating taxes that restrain economic growth. Eliminating taxes such as the death tax and capital gains taxes, and lowering income tax rates on private citizens, will free up vital capital that can be reinvested into the economy. Additionally, the federal government should remove all trade barriers that prevent free trade with other nations. This is a more sound economic policy that presents real solutions instead of the window-dressing that is the President's stimulus package.

Education: The President's 'No Child Left Behind Act' has failed from the very beginning, and its reauthorization would be a travesty to the American education system. Instead of unfunded, federal mandates with the intent of fixing our failing public schools, alternatives involving the private sector should be explored. Increased local control over public schools and the increased use of private alternatives will increase the quality of education for all American children. We call for abolishing the Department of Education and removing the federal government from educating our children.

Health care: Far too long have our politicians tried to find a government fix for the health care problem we have in America. Government interference in the health care system is the root of the problems we face. Only in eliminating government subsidies of health care will we find relief from increasing costs. The Libertarian Party calls for the elimination of all government entitlement programs related to health care.

Foreign Policy: America will spend more than $1 trillion dollars in foreign wars started during the Bush administration. Because of such, the economy is in jeopardy and America's reputation abroad has suffered traumatic blows. On top of this, Americans have seen their civil liberties violated time after time. The Libertarian Party calls for a withdrawal from Iraq following the proper lines of withdrawal, executed by our commanders on the ground. We also call for an abandonment of the reckless policy of pre-emptive war, and a restoration of civil liberties lost under such laws as the Patriot Act and the amendments to FISA. The Libertarian Party reminds our leaders in power of the great words of Samuel Adams:

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.

In this perilous time, when our freedom is attacked from both inside our borders by corrupt politicians and from outside by foreign aggressors, we call for prudence, wisdom and above all, an adherence to the United States Constitution, which reigns sovereign over all individuals of American society.



Redpath is a resident of Leesburg, Virginia, where he lives with his wife Melinda. Redpath has served as the Chairman of the Libertarian Party since 2006. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting Official Website of the Libertarian National Committee. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Chancellor Washington, D.C. - Following President Bush's annual State of the Union Address, the Libertarian Party issued their response from National Chairman William Redpath: 1. Economics: The President's economic stimulus plan is based on a flawed and outdated economic premise. The best solution to an economic slowdown is increasing the ability for businesses to grow and reinvest in the economy. Instead of increasing the federal deficit by $150 billion dollars, the federal government should focus its energy on eliminating taxes that restrain economic growth. Eliminating taxes such as the death tax and capital gains taxes, and lowering income tax rates on private citizens, will free up vital capital that can be reinvested into the economy. Additionally, the federal government should remove all trade barriers that prevent free trade with other nations. This is a more sound economic policy that presents real solutions instead of the window-dressing that is the President's stimulus package. 2. Education: The President's 'No Child Left Behind Act' has failed from the very beginning, and its reauthorization would be a travesty to the American education system. Instead of unfunded, federal mandates with the intent of fixing our failing public schools, alternatives involving the private sector should be explored. Increased local control over public schools and the increased use of private alternatives will increase the quality of education for all American children. We call for abolishing the Department of Education and removing the federal government from educating our children. 3. Health care: Far too long have our politicians tried to find a government fix for the health care problem we have in America. Government interference in the health care system is the root of the problems we face. Only in eliminating government subsidies of health care will we find relief from increasing costs. The Libertarian Party calls for the elimination of all government entitlement programs related to health care. 4. Foreign Policy: America will spend more than $1 trillion dollars in foreign wars started during the Bush administration. Because of such, the economy is in jeopardy and America's reputation abroad has suffered traumatic blows. On top of this, Americans have seen their civil liberties violated time after time. The Libertarian Party calls for a withdrawal from Iraq following the proper lines of withdrawal, executed by our commanders on the ground. We also call for an abandonment of the reckless policy of pre-emptive war, and a restoration of civil liberties lost under such laws as the Patriot Act and the amendments to FISA. 5. In this perilous time, when our freedom is attacked from both inside our borders by corrupt politicians and from outside by foreign aggressors, we call for prudence, wisdom and above all, an adherence to the United States Constitution, which reigns sovereign over all individuals of American society.

#1
It is (probably) a wishful desire that a businessman would Re-Invest those funds back into economy. He/She may and/or may Not follow that concept at all.
Free trade with other nations ? Uncontrolable ? Unmonitored ?
In other words :
- a governing body (along with its domestic and foreign policy) would become pile of garbage, because some guys want to trade with others in order to gain some profits
What happens if other nations are less-friendly - put it very mildly- to our state ?

#2
Level of education in every state Must be the same, so students present the knowledge on equal level. Otherwise, some states create half-illiterals and other ones export scientists, in comparison.
U.S.A. - with its 50 states - stands for One, and not for separate ones.

"No Child Left Behind" is a project of mockery. The level of education in U.S. should have been Twice (at least !!!) higher, in comparison to actual one. The U.S. governing body Must spend and/or allocate 3-5 times more funds for education, in order to complete that task.
Otherwise, we would continue to create half-brains, most likely.

Then, calling for a limited role and/or removal of U.S. governing body from controling and/or monitoring the system of education in U.S., is weird concept - put it extremely mildly.
Level of education is the key element for every single system.
What do you want to create in students brains, guys ? "Club-soda" ?
If "Club-soda", then you are on your way to copy today's governing bodies. Enjoy your concpet, guys.

#3
The Libertarian Party has no clue on the following subject :
- insurance companies, and their policy
A "special status" has been granted to insurance companies.
That "special status" - granted to insurance companies, allows those insurance companies to dictate conditions for all health-care programs in U.S. In order to remove that status, the Libertarian Party would have to issue sets of Laws/Acts/Bills, etc.

There are 2 ways (as far as I am familiar with) to provide all the people with affordable health-care program :
1.
"democratic" appraoch, as of today : some guys can afford health-care program (that covers all the medical aspects)
2.
"less-democratic" approach, as of tomorrow : set the limit for lawsuits and control insurance companies health-care programs very closely, including permament monitoring of those ones
The option 2 is the only solution all the people to have affordable health-care program.
How the Libertarian Party is going to proceed with it ?

#4
Foreign Policy is not about trade, only.
It is a "horse-engine" that reflects all the state's outcomes, as well, where the source of energy is the most crucial element for a state to exist, function, make progress, etc.
According to you guys, U.S. should give up the energy (re)sources.
Do you mind I ask the question :
- what is the substitute
(Camels ??? )

The concpet of pre-emptive war should be abolished.
We should wait untill others attack us. Am I correct ?

#5
I think we already said something similar, some millieniums ago.
It makes me think, we are going to continue that re-print.
Corruption is a part of any system. U.S. is not the exception, since we all belong to the same species : Homo Sapiens.

P.S.
"The Good Shepherd"
- "We have America, you are just visiting" (not quotted)
"3 Days Of The Condor"
- "We play games, as others" (not quotted)

[grandpa]

Quote by: Rainbow It is (probably) a wishful desire that a businessman would Re-Invest those funds back into economy. He/She may and/or may Not follow that concept at all.

It could backfire and probably will. The problems we have cannot be "invested" away, or solved by attorneys.

Grandpa h.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Rainbow #1 It is (probably) a wishful desire that a businessman would Re-Invest those funds back into economy. He/She may and/or may Not follow that concept at all. Free trade with other nations ? Uncontrolable ? Unmonitored ? In other words : - a governing body (along with its domestic and foreign policy) would become pile of garbage, because some guys want to trade with others in order to gain some profits What happens if other nations are less-friendly - put it very mildly- to our state ?

Good businessmen re-invest in their businesses and this is re-investing in the economy. As for trade with other nations, you might read the Constitution with regard to the legislative branch's power concerning tarifs, etc.

#2 Level of education in every state Must be the same, so students present the knowledge on equal level. Otherwise, some states create half-illiterals and other ones export scientists, in comparison. U.S.A. - with its 50 states - stands for One, and not for separate ones.

Why must the level of education in every state be the same? What makes you think it's the same now?

"No Child Left Behind" is a project of mockery. The level of education in U.S. should have been Twice (at least !!!) higher, in comparison to actual one. The U.S. governing body Must spend and/or allocate 3-5 times more funds for education, in order to complete that task. Otherwise, we would continue to create half-brains, most likely.

The federal government does not have a constitutional role in education and you should read again what the Libertarian Party Chairman said about NCLB: "The President's 'No Child Left Behind Act' has failed from the very beginning, and its reauthorization would be a travesty to the American education system." Why must the people in, say, Rhode Island pay for some of the education in, say, Mississippi?

Then, calling for a limited role and/or removal of U.S. governing body from controling and/or monitoring the system of education in U.S., is weird concept - put it extremely mildly. Level of education is the key element for every single system. What do you want to create in students brains, guys ? "Club-soda" ? If "Club-soda", then you are on your way to copy today's governing bodies. Enjoy your concpet, guys.

The federal government presently has a very limited role in education. For example, it does not actually control the education system and has nothing whatsoever to do with state education standards or curricula.

#3 The Libertarian Party has no clue on the following subject : - insurance companies, and their policy A "special status" has been granted to insurance companies. That "special status" - granted to insurance companies, allows those insurance companies to dictate conditions for all health-care programs in U.S. In order to remove that status, the Libertarian Party would have to issue sets of Laws/Acts/Bills, etc. There are 2 ways (as far as I am familiar with) to provide all the people with affordable health-care program : 1. "democratic" appraoch, as of today : some guys can afford health-care program (that covers all the medical aspects) 2. "less-democratic" approach, as of tomorrow : set the limit for lawsuits and control insurance companies health-care programs very closely, including permament monitoring of those ones The option 2 is the only solution all the people to have affordable health-care program. How the Libertarian Party is going to proceed with it ?

You falsely assume that it is the federal government's responsibility to provide health care for anyone. There is no constitutional authority for the federal government to be involved in health care schemes.

#4 Foreign Policy is not about trade, only. It is a "horse-engine" that reflects all the state's outcomes, as well, where the source of energy is the most crucial element for a state to exist, function, make progress, etc. According to you guys, U.S. should give up the energy (re)sources. Do you mind I ask the question : - what is the substitute (Camels ??? ) The concpet of pre-emptive war should be abolished. We should wait untill others attack us. Am I correct ?

Yes, it's true that foreign policy is not just about trade. The Libertarian Party does not propose an isolationist policy but, instead, a non-interventionist one - a policy where the United States is not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.

#5 I think we already said something similar, some millieniums ago. It makes me think, we are going to continue that re-print. Corruption is a part of any system. U.S. is not the exception, since we all belong to the same species : Homo Sapiens. P.S. "The Good Shepherd" - "We have America, you are just visiting" (not quotted) "3 Days Of The Condor" - "We play games, as others" (not quotted)

Did we say something similar millennia ago? The "call for prudence, wisdom and above all, an adherence to the United States Constitution, which reigns sovereign over all individuals of American society" is valid.

[HelioPrime]

Quote by: Chancellor Additionally, the federal government should remove all trade barriers that prevent free trade with other nations. This is a more sound economic policy that presents real solutions instead of the window-dressing that is the President's stimulus package.

Now wonder RP has trouble getting votes from workers who depend on american heavy industries for job security. Faced with more costs to produce goods than outside competition I guess we might as well kiss GM, Ford, and others goodbye.

Education: The President's 'No Child Left Behind Act' has failed from the very beginning, and its reauthorization would be a travesty to the American education system. Instead of unfunded, federal mandates with the intent of fixing our failing public schools, alternatives involving the private sector should be explored. Increased local control over public schools and the increased use of private alternatives will increase the quality of education for all American children. We call for abolishing the Department of Education and removing the federal government from educating our children.

I love hearing from teachers in inner cities and rural towns about how much they despise the idea of removing federal or even most state control from education. As much as they hate Bush's education policies, their pretty well certain without money from the government many of these schools would fail and the level of education between the suburbs and inner cities would only increase.

Giving local control is terrible in the mind of some educators because it opens the doors to different standards and to bringing things like creationism back into the classroom. Of course allowing creationism is no surprise from RP who doesn't believe in evolution.

Health care: Far too long have our politicians tried to find a government fix for the health care problem we have in America. Government interference in the health care system is the root of the problems we face. Only in eliminating government subsidies of health care will we find relief from increasing costs. The Libertarian Party calls for the elimination of all government entitlement programs related to health care.

3% RP in FL. No surprise. I think libertarians are going to have to wait for the baby boomers and the elderly to pass on.

I have a british prof. this year. He laughs at the idea of private healthcare. He mentions how easy it is to see a doctor or specialist in London, and how everything is still cheaper. He can't understand how anyone could want to remove healthcare that benefits everyone. Selfish americans is what he calls libertarians.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Chancellor 1. Good businessmen re-invest in their businesses and this is re-investing in the economy. As for trade with other nations, you might read the Constitution with regard to the legislative branch's power concerning tarifs, etc. 2. Why must the level of education in every state be the same? What makes you think it's the same now? The federal government does not have a constitutional role in education and you should read again what the Libertarian Party Chairman said about NCLB: "The President's 'No Child Left Behind Act' has failed from the very beginning, and its reauthorization would be a travesty to the American education system." Why must the people in, say, Rhode Island pay for some of the education in, say, Mississippi? The federal government presently has a very limited role in education. For example, it does not actually control the education system and has nothing whatsoever to do with state education standards or curricula. 3. You falsely assume that it is the federal government's responsibility to provide health care for anyone. There is no constitutional authority for the federal government to be involved in health care schemes. 4. Yes, it's true that foreign policy is not just about trade. The Libertarian Party does not propose an isolationist policy but, instead, a non-interventionist one - a policy where the United States is not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. 5. Did we say something similar millennia ago? The "call for prudence, wisdom and above all, an adherence to the United States Constitution, which reigns sovereign over all individuals of American society" is valid.

#5
Am I to understand that members of the Libertarian Party do not belong to Homo Sapiens ? :-)

#4
Does it mean the Libertarian Party would advocate a passive approach, when it comes to crucial - to U.S. - (re)sources of energy, political events all over the world, etc. ?

#3
In other words :
The Libertarian Party offers the same and/or similar - in comparison to other political parties - solution for health-care, and that means : no solution.

#2
What is the difference - between the Libertarian Party vs. Other Political Parties - with a reference to education in U.S. ?

The Libertarian Party has a solution #1
The Democratic Party has a solution #2
The Republican Party has a solution #3
The ... etc. has a solution # ...

The difference :
- onomastics, digits, ranking, etc.

#1
I see no reason to follow that chart.

Determination, Findings, etc.
- the Libertarian Party appears to be yet another element within the U.S. political arena, presenting no and/or prosaic solution(s) to the People. Since other political parties (in U.S.) oscillate around similar values, you all deserve the same : ban.

Are you wondered that the military-industrial-finance groups do not give a f--- about politics, yet ???

What is more important to the Libertarian Party :
- the Constitution
- or
- the People
???

P.S.
Party shades are meaningless, since the People create a state.
Stop copying others (regardless of your righteousness), since that is a wrong approach, and create your own one instead.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: HelioPrime Now wonder RP has trouble getting votes from workers who depend on american heavy industries for job security. Faced with more costs to produce goods than outside competition I guess we might as well kiss GM, Ford, and others goodbye. I love hearing from teachers in inner cities and rural towns about how much they despise the idea of removing federal or even most state control from education. As much as they hate Bush's education policies, their pretty well certain without money from the government many of these schools would fail and the level of education between the suburbs and inner cities would only increase. Giving local control is terrible in the mind of some educators because it opens the doors to different standards and to bringing things like creationism back into the classroom. Of course allowing creationism is no surprise from RP who doesn't believe in evolution. 3% RP in FL. No surprise. I think libertarians are going to have to wait for the baby boomers and the elderly to pass on. I have a british prof. this year. He laughs at the idea of private healthcare. He mentions how easy it is to see a doctor or specialist in London, and how everything is still cheaper. He can't understand how anyone could want to remove healthcare that benefits everyone. Selfish americans is what he calls libertarians.

Ron Paul is a Republican. He is not running as Libertarian. Knock off this damned red herring crap!