Will you take a Libertarian-America First (Libertaria First) hybrid?
What would be the difference between it and the Libertarian party fronted by Liberal?
This will be my last post here tonight, but if you can differentiate yourself from Liberal, go for it.
I apologize in advance for any incoherence.
Since this is a reactive subset of libertarianism, I will do my best to respond to Liberal’s post:
Military protection will be enhanced by withdrawing US forces deployed overseas (with the exception of those in Afghanistan). Border security will also be enhanced. Otherwise agreed.
Union protections/entitlements are to be mitigated. (I’m not sure if this is implicit in Liberal’s quote). Otherwise agreed.
Agreed.
Federal taxation will be a flat income tax without exemptions. Age, marital status, and number of dependents will not affect the tax rate. Said tax rate will decline as the national debt is paid off.
Agreed.
Agreed.
Now to differentiate Libertaria First:
Crime and Punishment
The possession of drugs and sale thereof to adults shall be legal, and all imprisoned solely for these offenses are to be freed. Said substances are to be treated in a manner analogous to alcohol today. Age of majority for all such substances is to be uniform, preferably 18. In the long run the availability of information and properly manufactured drugs will lead to an equilibrium. Some small subset of the population may suffer from tainted drugs, as some do from moonshine today.
We consider incarceration for extended periods of time to border on the inhumane. Sentences of imprisonment may only be given for the more severe violent crimes, with the standard duration being for life. Lesser felonies will result in some duration of forced labor on national infrastructure.
Firearms
Every adult has the right to possess any non-automatic firearms. The federal government and the individual states may not keep a record of these. Possession of automatic firearms is to be heavily regulated, with a permit requiring testing for proficiency and psychological competence; the fee for such a permit shall not exceed its administrative costs.
Immigration and Naturalization
Libertaria First will implement prerequisites for immigration on a point system that places value on job skills, experience, education, and proficiency in English, though not all will be necessary. There will be no regional/national immigration quotas; rather, there will be a total quota, and the most qualified prospectives will be permitted to immigrate. The southern border will be secured, and deportation of illegal immigrants will begin. Birthright citizenship will be abolished. Naturalized citizens will be eligible to run for the presidency.
(Note - the last point is not necessarily relevant to the platform, but rather self-serving, as I’m naturalized)
Education
While the government should continue to fund education in general (at least for a long transitional period), certain changes will take place.
K-12 education will be changed to reflect the more successful systems in Japan and South Korea. There will be greater emphasis on mathematics at the lower levels. Social promotion (letting a failing student continue to the next grade) will be forbidden. High schools will specialize as math/science, liberal arts, and vocational skills. Any athletic activities other than standard physical education and JROTC may not be funded by the state. Although public colleges and universities are directly subsidized, the state will not provide individual loans or grants. Certain departments will be eliminated from public universities and left to the private sector - the extent has yet to be determined, but stuff like Ethnomusicology will definitely get the axe.
Foreign Policy
Before anything else, we will withdraw our troops from Iraq. We are not preventing a civil war, merely delaying it.
We will minimize interference in foreign affairs, especially around Russia’s borders. The UN will be politely asked to relocate its headquarters. No more foreign aid, with the exception of that going to rebuild Afghanistan. Weapons may not be sold to countries other than stable liberal democracies. We will build lots of nuclear power plants and tell the Saudi theocrats to FOAD as soon as possible. We will not sign international environmental treaties.
If Priceguy is taking the Socialist banner, I suppose I will represent my own party, the Scorpion Party. We laugh at the large, cumbersome GOP elephant, for we are almost as scary & easier to feed. We are also one person so far.
This frees me from having to awkwardly represent the Democrats, the Socialists, the Greens, Democracy is Freedom – Daisy, the Libertarian National Socialist Green Party, the Communists, the Royalists, the Monarchists, the Cult of Cthulhu, or perhaps most problematically, the Monster Raving Loony Party; but as an advocate of ballot fusion, I will gladly throw my support behind one of those (not actually the Cult of Cthulhu) or accept nominations from, well, anybody.
I’ll be back later with actual positions.
I’m. only a Limey but can I stand for “Lets Have a Party”
My Manifesto is basically LETS HAVE A PARTY.
I’m not, so feel free to grab it.
I’ve never heard of The Moderate Independent Party, so I did some searching. Are you suggesting that I represent this group, WhatExit, or did you just make up that name thinking it reflecting the tenor of my postings on political subjects? If the former, I’ll need to do some reading before I commit. I’d be happy to participate-- just trying to find the right slot.
I just made up the name, I saw you listing yourself as an independent a few times and I consider you a moderate. I never heard of that group.
Was that website a joke site? I think it may have been…
Jim
Hey, I though personal insults were limited to the BBQ Pit. 
Please define your own position and party.
I hadn’t heard of it either. I just knew that I’ve converged with John on more issues than anyone on the board, so offered before.
I’ll let you know, I just donated $50 by Paypal and expect to receive my first newsletter in the mail shortly.
OK, I guess I’m Socialist #3. Story of my life.
And I was ready to be the candidate of a party with a name like “Reconstruction & Justice - SCORPION.”
The second debate on the Economy, Health care, Social Security & Poverty has been started.
I think I’m going to pass on throwing my hat in the ring, What Exit. I applaud your effort, but it looks like there are more candidates than non-candidates in the debates, and adding one more will make that even worse. My positions, except on Iraq and some other foreign policy areas, are close enough to Sam Stone’s that I wouldn’t be added that much anyway.
Sounds good, I hope you will at least enter the debate as a questioner. I always appreciate your posts on political debates.
Jim
Well, I’m in the middle of Hilaire Belloc’s The Servile State, in which he insists that he’s not a Socialist, & I’m wondering if anyone’s going to find my moralistic Distributive stance intelligible as “Socialism,” so I’ll just be the Scorpion for right now.
Still don’t have a platform drafted, been hard to make myself sit down & type. But I finally got a sort of quick speech up for the first two debates, yay!
And yes, I very nearly decided to throw up my hands & support the Scientific Results Party or whatever it’s called.
I have started the third debate: The SDMB mock election Debate #3: Global Warming, Energy Policy, Green Issues & Tech.
Two of my favourite Dopers running for two of the most interesting parties. But every election day I face the same dilemma. Orange! Green! Orange! Green! Who to choose?
So… how does everyone feel about solar housing, energy independence, and electrified transport?