Michael McDermott, a Libertarian, running for New York State Governor, is asking voters to cast their vote on an alternative party line - any line but Democrat or Republican - and preferably his party's line this year.
It is not a waste, McDermott says, but a wise use of a vote - for the message it sends to Albany.
As a Libertarian, McDermott is in favor of keeping government out of personal relationships, stopping government from spying on citizens, and ending prison terms for non-violent, no victim offenses.
He supports preventing New Yorkers from being told what medical plans they must buy via Obamacare.
The Libertarian Party supports "minimum government and maximum freedom."
The party platform reads in part, "We affirm the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms….
"The only role of government in the economic realm is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is protected. All efforts by government to redistribute wealth, or to control or manage trade, are improper….
"(People) should be free to choose with whom they trade and set whatever trade terms are mutually agreeable.
"We call for the repeal of the income tax, the abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all federal programs and services not required under the U.S. Constitution….
"Government should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent. We support the passage of a 'Balanced Budget Amendment' to the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not raising taxes.
"(We oppose all) government subsidies and bailouts to business, labor, or any other special interest.
"We would restore authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government….
"Retirement planning is the responsibility of the individual, not the government. Libertarians would phase out the Social Security system and transition to a private voluntary system. The proper and most effective source of help for the poor is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals. We believe members of society will become more charitable and society will be strengthened as government reduces its activity in this realm.
"The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself….
"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to agree to such new governance as to them shall seem most likely to protect their liberty."
These are the main planks of the Libertarian platform.
If it sounds right to you, Michael McDermott, candidate for New York governor, wants you to cast your vote on the Libertarian line this November.
And make your voice heard.
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