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As a member of
the Libertarian Party
I hereby petition the 2008 Platform Committee to restore as much of the
2004 Platform as it can.
In making this request, I am not saying that
every word in every plank of the 2004 Platform was perfect and should be
retained intact, exactly as it was worded at the end of the 2004
Convention.
However, I am concerned that a small number of overzealous reformers,
voting at an unusually small national convention, was able to remove the
great majority of a document that evolved over three decades and
incorporated the thinking of thousands of dedicated Libertarians. The 2006
convention was less than half the size of the 2004 convention, and was not
representative of the party membership at large. The irresponsible vote to
destroy most of our platform was a great disservice to our Party, and
should be undone as much as possible.
For this reason I urge the members of the Platform Committee to vote to
revert to the 2004 Platform as the basis for any changes to be submitted
to the delegates in Denver. Some changes and additions are no doubt
necessary, but there simply will not be time to construct, refine and
adopt a comprehensive platform starting with the shriveled 2006 version.
Furthermore, I urge the Platform Committee and the delegates to the 2008
Convention to base their platform recommendations and votes on the
enduring principles of our Party, as stated in the Statement of Principles
and affirmed in the statement we each signed upon joining this Party,
renouncing the initiation of force.
At this crucial time in history, where our lives and liberties are
threatened by both of the old-line parties, it is imperative that the
Libertarian Party offer a clear, uncompromising alternative to the
politics of statism. Our message must be what it has always been: a clear
statement of support for the principles of self-ownership and
self-determination. Tepid calls for "less" of various statist incursions
on our lives and property should be left to the Republicans and Democrats.
When Ron Paul, seeking the nomination of the Republican Party, is calling
for the elimination of the Federal Reserve system and repeal of the
Federal personal income tax, can we do any less?
If the Platform Committee ignores its responsibilities and presents a
report to the convention that does not substantially reverse the damage
done in 2006, I will support a move on the convention floor to reject that
report and revert to the 2004 Platform as the starting point for the 2008
Platform.
Signed:
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