That is a self-evident statement. It is the fundamental concept of freedom. You own your life. No individual or group can make any higher claim on your life than you. Nor can you, as an individual or member of a group, make a higher claim on anyone else’s life. To be deprived of life through force is murder.
Because you own your life, you also own your actions. You are free to engage in any action you like, as long as it does not specifically deprive another individual of their freedom. You may enter into any relationship or association with any other individual, as long as it is consensual. To be deprived of liberty through force or coercion is slavery.
Because you own your life, you also own the fruits of your labors. You own what you produce. This is your property. Property can consist of your money, your house, or your lava lamp. No individual or group has a higher claim on your property than you. Nor do you have a higher claim on any other individual’s property. You are free to consensually exchange your property for the property of others. To be deprived of property through force or coercion is theft.
I’d like to ask you a basic question: Which of your freedoms are you willing to surrender to the government? Are you willing to surrender your life? Are you willing to surrender your liberty? Are you willing to surrender your property?
Today, both of the two major political parties are asking you to sacrifice your freedoms. A vote for one of the two parties is a vote for which of these freedoms you are willing to surrender.
Democrats force you to surrender your property. They believe that the poor, the unions, or the uninsured have a higher claim on your property than you do. They believe the government has the authority to confiscate your property in order to redistribute it to other individuals, based upon their judgment of worthiness.
Republicans force you to surrender your liberty. They believe that the church, the corporations, or the majority have a higher claim on your liberty than you do. They believe the government has the authority to enforce a moral code, and they want to determine who you marry, what you put into your body, and who your enemies are.
Throughout history, when a government was willing to take liberty or property by force or coercion, they ultimately devolved into taking the most fundamental of all freedoms…life.
This happened in antiquity at the hands of Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great. It happened in the middle ages at the hands of the kings of Europe and the inquisitors of the church. It happened in the modern era at the hands of Nazi Germans, Stalinist Soviets, and Maoist Chinese.
There is only one political party in America that holds the fundamental principle of freedom above all other issues:
The Libertarian Party.
The Libertarian way is a logically consistent approach to politics based on the moral principle of self-ownership. Each individual has the right to control his or her own body, action, speech, and property. Government’s only role is to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud.
As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others. We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships. Only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized.
Consequently, we defend each person’s right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The world we seek to build is one where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, without interference from government or any authoritarian power. Stop supporting the lesser of two evils.
Stop supporting the two-party political machine. Join the Libertarian Party.
Many of you will argue that a third party candidate will never win. You may think that supporting a third party is throwing your vote away. Allow me to explain why that type of thinking will ensure that true and meaningful change never happens.
Some people will continue to vote for a candidate because of an (R) or (D) next to their name. They may have done this all their lives, hoping that “this time, it will be different.” Ask yourself this: Has it ever really been different?
How many times have you voted Republican because you believe in economic freedom? Have the Republicans ever delivered true economic freedom? Our tax system is broken and unjust. Our debt is unsustainable and unending. Our small businesses are being crushed by regulation.
How many times have you voted Democrat because you believe in civil liberties? Have the Democrats ever delivered true individual liberty? Gays and lesbians are still second-class citizens. There are plants that you are forbidden to possess or use. You can be forced to fight wars that you oppose.
If there is ever to be real and lasting change, you must stand up for your beliefs. The time is now to support candidates who will protect ALL of your freedoms, not just select ones.
It is your time to act. To speak. To vote your conscience. Take action today.
The Libertarian Party is the largest third party in America, with over 200,000 registered voters. In recent elections, the Libertarian Party has run more candidates on the ballot for local, state and national offices than all other third parties…combined.
You can make a difference by supporting Alexander Snitker, Libertarian for U.S. Senate. This is a true, grass-roots campaign is looking for volunteers for canvassing, fund raising, viral marketing, multimedia production, and a host of other positions. Contact us today to find out how you can help.
