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The '''Libertarian Party''' ('''LP'''/'''L''') is an [[United States|American]] political [[party]] founded in 1971 that advocates [[libertarian]] political views. In terms of [[Presidential election]]s, the party reached its peak in popularity in [[United States presidential election, 1980|1980]], receiving about 1% of the vote<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections]</ref>. In terms of political activity (number of candidates, access to the ballot, and elected office holders), the Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party, although it is still much smaller than the biggest two American political parties.  

The '''Libertarian Party''' ('''LP'''/'''L''') is an [[United States|American]] political [[party]] founded in 1971 that advocates [[libertarian]] political views. In terms of [[Presidential election]]s, the party reached its peak in popularity in [[United States presidential election, 1980|1980]], receiving about 1% of the vote.<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections]</ref> In terms of political activity (number of candidates, access to the ballot, and elected office holders), the Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party, although it is still much smaller than the biggest two American political parties.  

It is active in all 50 states and has more than 200,000 registered voters. Most Libertarian Party elected officials are in office at the local level of government.<ref>[http://www.lp.org/article_85.shtml Frequently asked questions about the Libertarian Party]</ref> The party has permanent ballot status in 27 out of 50 states and runs candidates in all 50.  In 2008, the party nominated [[Bob Barr]], a former Republican Congressman from Georgia, as its nominee for the [[2008 Presidential Election]].  In the [[2012 Presidential Election]] [[Gary E. Johnson]] was nominated, who also is a former Republican.

It is active in all 50 states and has more than 200,000 registered voters. Most Libertarian Party elected officials are in office at the local level of government.<ref>[http://www.lp.org/article_85.shtml Frequently asked questions about the Libertarian Party]</ref> The party has permanent ballot status in 27 out of 50 states and runs candidates in all 50.  In 2008, the party nominated [[Bob Barr]], a former Republican Congressman from Georgia, as its nominee for the [[2008 Presidential Election]].  In the [[2012 Presidential Election]] [[Gary E. Johnson]] was nominated, who also is a former Republican.

==Party Platform==

==Party Platform==

The Libertarian Party platform is a combination of fiscal [[conservative|conservatism]] and social [[liberal|liberalism]] with a strong emphasis on individual [[liberty]] and [[responsibility]]. Libertarians believe in [[free market]] economics, protection of [[private property]], and the individual's right to perform any action which is peaceful and honest. These are the fundamental principles which guide the rest of the platform. <ref>Libertarian Party, [http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml National Platform of the Libertarian Party]</ref>

The Libertarian Party platform is a combination of fiscal [[conservative|conservatism]] and social [[liberal]]ism with a strong emphasis on individual [[liberty]] and [[responsibility]]. Libertarians believe in [[free market]] economics, protection of [[private property]], and the individual's right to perform any action which is peaceful and honest. These are the fundamental principles which guide the rest of the platform.<ref>Libertarian Party, [http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml National Platform of the Libertarian Party]</ref>

===Abortion===

===Abortion===

===Gay Marriage===

===Gay Marriage===

The Libertarian Party believes that consenting adults should be allowed to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships free from government intervention. It believes that much of the cultural tension involved with [[Same-sex "marriage"|gay marriage]] and gay rights would go away once personal relationships are kept private, solely defined by the persons involved.<ref>Libertarian Party, [http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml#sexgend National Platform of the Libertarian Party]</ref>. However, many in the party would support [[marriage privatization|privatizing the definition of marriage]]. A press release from the party implied that this would effectively permit [[polygamy]] as well, saying "We should settle for nothing less than a society in which the legal code is wiped clean of references to a person's sexual identity or depends on '''how many sexual partners they have.'''" <ref>[http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/libertarians-say-marriage-equality-only-one-step-toward-ending-legal-discriminat Libertarian Party release, June 10 2011]</ref>

The Libertarian Party believes that consenting adults should be allowed to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships free from government intervention. It believes that much of the cultural tension involved with [[Same-sex "marriage"|gay marriage]] and gay rights would go away once personal relationships are kept private, solely defined by the persons involved.<ref>Libertarian Party, [http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml#sexgend National Platform of the Libertarian Party]</ref> However, many in the party would support [[marriage privatization|privatizing the definition of marriage]]. A press release from the party implied that this would effectively permit [[polygamy]] as well, saying "We should settle for nothing less than a society in which the legal code is wiped clean of references to a person's sexual identity or depends on '''how many sexual partners they have.'''" <ref>[http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/libertarians-say-marriage-equality-only-one-step-toward-ending-legal-discriminat Libertarian Party release, June 10 2011]</ref>

===Gun Control===

===Gun Control===

===Taxation===

===Taxation===

The Libertarian Party strongly supports cutting all [[taxes]]. It believes that the size of government can be drastically lowered by cutting wasteful spending and [[privatization|privatizing]] certain services. <ref>Libertarian Party: Issues & Positions. [http://www.lp.org/issues/cut-taxes.shtml The Libertarian Party: Working to slash your taxes!]</ref>

The Libertarian Party strongly supports cutting all [[taxes]]. It believes that the size of government can be drastically lowered by cutting wasteful spending and [[privatization|privatizing]] certain services.<ref>Libertarian Party: Issues & Positions. [http://www.lp.org/issues/cut-taxes.shtml The Libertarian Party: Working to slash your taxes!]</ref>

===War on Drugs===

===War on Drugs===

The Libertarian support [[illegal aliens]] and free immigration.

The Libertarian support [[illegal aliens]] and free immigration.

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Libertarianism]]

*[[Libertarianism]]