In Opposition to Law and Order
Our Declaration of Independence opposes unnecessary law enforcement, indeed the very concept of law and order.
Excessive law enforcement results from too many laws. Every law, rule, regulation, or tax authorizes enforcement. If resisted, force is increased; complete resistance is met with lethal force.
We institute government to protect everyone’s rights, but grant government no other justification for the use of force. Should our government fail to protect everyone’s rights, or violate even one person’s rights, we have the duty to alter or abolish it. That is democracy.
The U.S. Constitution was founded on such principles: powers were limited to those listed; three independent branches provided checks and balances.
The experiment was relatively successful. Many Americans had great liberty. Freedom encouraged invention and innovation, resulting in great wealth.
Gradually, the Supreme Court eroded the limitations. It ruled that Congress “obviously” may regulate immigration, a power not in the Constitution. Recently, the Court let Congress regulate anything that “might affect” interstate commerce, which is everything.
Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, free from regulation. That is liberty. It is not orderly.
Some people prefer tyranny to the chaos of liberty. Some advocate for majority rule, unrestrained by natural rights, natural law, or constitutions: tyranny of the majority. Establishment political parties seek control of all three branches, avoiding checks and balances to enable the tyranny of one-party government.
People do not change governments for light reasons, but a law-and-order establishment is testing our tolerance. There may be revolution and a new government, which might be better, but might be worse.
The Libertarian Party offers the alternative: altering government, not abolishing it. Libertarians defend each person’s right to activities that are peaceful and honest. We welcome the diversity that freedom brings.
We stand with our Declaration in opposing “law and order” and unnecessary law enforcement.