The bedrock philosophy of the Libertarian Party is stated exquisitely and succinctly in Section 35, Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Alabama:

"The sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property, and when the government assumes other functions, it is usurpation and oppression."

This means that Libertarians believe in and support smaller, MUCH smaller government; less intrusive, MUCH less intrusive government, personal (NOT government) ownership of our property including our bodies; and a strong dependence on "personal responsibility".

In order to accomplish these goals, we espouse returning to the size and purpose of government dictated in the Constitution of The United States. If it is not expressly called for in The Constitution, the Federal Government should not collect and spend money to accomplish that function or program. These excludable functions include at a minimum: health, education, welfare and the police function. When this is accomplished, there will be no requirement for income, social security or Medicare taxes. The tax system could revert to that prior to 1913, and there would be no need for the involuntary redistribution of individual wealth under which we now labor.

The government does not own our bodies or our rightfully acquired property. WE OWN THE GOVERNMENT. The government should not promulgate laws telling us what we may and may not do with what is rightfully ours.

All of our actions must be based on a strong sense of responsibility to and for ourselves, to and for our community. The golden rule applies.

It is we Libertarians who stand for the traditional American values of liberty and self-reliance, rather than this strange notion that has been introduced into the American body politic that the government knows what is best for us. We are the ones who want to get big government out of your life, who trust you to run your own life and raise your own kids as you see fit.

Big government is bad. Small government is good!!!