2010-05-28 Updates to the 2010 LP Platform Committee Report

The committee chose to order its recommendations by level of committee support, with survey support as a secondary sort.

3.4 Free Trade and Migration (credible) - 17-0 - 72.8% 
2.10 Retirement and Income Security (charitable society) - 16-0 - 76.6%
2.10 Retirement and Income Security (phase out) - 16-1 - 84%
3.2 Internal Security and Individual Rights - 15-0 - 92.6%
2.8 Education - 14-1 - 90.1%
1.6 Self-Defense (individual) – 14-1 - 89.1%
3.4 Free Trade and Migration – (not req public asst) - 14-1 - 79.5%
1.2 Personal Privacy (3rd pty records) - 14-2 - 80.9%
1.3 Personal Relationships - 13-1 - 86.8%
1.0 Personal Liberty - 13-2 – 83.8%
3.3 International Affairs – 13-2 [adopted after survey]
2.0 Economic Liberty - 12-0 - 92.2%
2.5 Money and Financial Markets - 12-0 - 90.5%
3.1 National Defense - 11-0 - 89.4%
2.9 Health Care (state lines) – 10-2 - 90.7%
1.5 Crime and Justice (insert drugs) - 10-4 - 83.6%
1.2 Personal Privacy (strike drugs) – 10-5 - 89.1%
1.1 Expression and Communication (rest of 1st Am) – 9-1 – 89.1%
1.1 Expression and Communication (supporting, subsidizing) - 9-4 - 87.8%
2.3 Energy and Resources - 8-5 – 77.4%
2.2 Environment - 8-6 – 81.0%
2.9 Health Care (tax code inequities) - 7-5 - 86.5%
1.6 Self-Defense (private property) – 7-6 - 82.9%
3.5 Rights and Discrimination - 7-4 – 93.4%

3.3 International Affairs

committee adopted this new recommendation on 2010-05-28 by a vote of 13-2

American foreign policy should emphasize our defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements.  American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and its defense against attack from abroad. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.

2.2 Environment
committee adopted by vote of 8-6
survey support 81.0%
amended 2010-05-28 by vote of 12-2 to retain the first sentence but replace “sensible” with “responsible”

We Libertarians support a clean and healthy environment and sensible responsible use of natural resources. Private landowners and conservation groups have a vested interest in maintaining natural resources. Pollution and misuse of resources cause damage to our ecosystem.  Governments, unlike private businesses, are unaccountable for such damage done to our environment and have a terrible track record when it comes to environmental protection. Protecting the environment requires a clear definition and enforcement of individual rights in resources like land, water, air, and wildlife. Free markets and property rights stimulate the technological innovations and behavioral changes required to protect our environment and ecosystems. We realize that our planet's climate is constantly changing, but environmental advocates advocacy and social pressure are the most effective means of changing public behavior.

1.2 Personal Privacy

committee voted 13-2 on 2010-05-28 to merge the third recommendation for 1.2 into the first, which is now:

We Libertarians support the protections provided rights recognized by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure should include records held by third parties, such as email, medical, and library records. Only actions that infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed crimes. We favor the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims, such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes.

2.3 Energy and Resources

committee adopted by vote of 8-5
survey support 77.4%
committee voted 11-2 on 2010-05-28 to change “modern capitalistic society” to “modern society” in this recommendation:

While energy is needed to fuel a modern society, government should not be subsidizing any particular form of energy. We oppose all government control of energy pricing, allocation, and production.
Energy is needed to fuel a modern society. Government should not be subsidizing any form of energy. Energy sources need to compete in an open and free market, which rewards new technological advances. Our current dependence on carbonbased fuel has led to our involvement in wars throughout the globe, threatened our national security, increased pollution, and diverted money that could be spent on finding new clean alternative energy options.