Hi, I'm the Secretary for the LP Platform Committee. Our draft 2008 platform is at http://libertarianmajority.net/pure-principles-platform, which is considerably more terse than our past platforms. I'm writing to ask if you can still discern from the language below what the LP position is regarding DADT, DOMA, marriage equality, etc. -- in effect to give a preview of what grades you'd give us. Our relevant language is:
Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. No individual, group, or government may initiate force against any other individual, group, or government. Our support of an individual's right to make choices in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices.
Sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity should have no discriminatory impact on the treatment of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, adoption, immigration, or military service laws. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Government does not have legitimate authority to define or license personal relationships.
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 condemn bigotry as irrational and repugnant. 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. Parents, or other guardians, have the right to raise their children according to their own standards and beliefs.
Brian Holtz
Secretary, LP Platform Committee
Secretary, LP Platform Committee
