Standing firmly by its motto, "Live and Let Live," the Libertarian Party espouses a society in which all people can act as independent and free members of a political system that champions the rights of the individual. The party's membership has grown substantially since its birth in the home of business executive David Nolan in Colorado in 1971, with a current total of more than 162,000 registered Libertarians in 24 states.

At the core of the Libertarian Party's platform is a desire to significantly reduce the size of the federal government and make it less intrusive in the lives of the people. Supporters favor the elimination of all taxes, the development of an economy based entirely on free-market ideals, the repeal of all laws that curb people's ability to make personal choices, and the defense of personal liberties and the Bill of Rights. Libertarians believe the government's functions should be confined to national defense, crime control and support of the court system.

The Libertarian Party believes that it is important to create a strong network of local and state parties in addition to its quest to succeed at the national level. Currently, they have affiliate organizations in all 50 states and hundreds of local groups across the country. The party's national headquarters currently lists, among others, a mayor in California and more than 30 city council members as holding office under the Libertarian label.

The Libertarians have been active on the national level since the party's inception more than 25 years ago. They have run a candidate in every presidential election since 1972, and 1996 marked the third election in which their candidate was placed on the ballot in all 50 states. The Libertarian candidate in the 1996 election was Harry Browne, an author and investment advisor. Browne, a longtime Libertarian, had never held a political office when he entered the race. He received 485,759 votes. Overall, the Libertarian Party ran more than 800 candidates nationwide in 1996, and ultimately seven were elected or re-elected to office.

Libertarian Party

Address:
2600 Virginia Ave., N.W.
Suite 100
Washington, D.C. 20037

Phone:
(202) 333-0008

Fax:
(202) 333-0072

E-mail:
hq@lp.org

Web Site:
http://www.lp.org/

Links:
• Cato Institute
• Good Links for Libertarians
• free-market.com: A Starting Point For Liberty on the Internet
• Revolution -- Ammo for Freedom Fighters