A Libertarian Approach to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis with a significant threat to human lives and the government response has created an additional economic problem, that threatens to change the world for years to come. In the face of the COVID threat, fear has led to irrationally broad support for an authoritarian response to the crisis and massive expansion of government reach despite clear evidence of government failure contributing to the severity of the crisis. The response has been both politicized by the extremists on either side of the mainstream political spectrum and is being used by both sides to push their pre-existing agendas, such as gun control in Massachusetts and abortion bans in Texas.
The increasing number of restrictions are expanding the reach of government into everyday life. While the government of Massachusetts has focused on disrupting businesses and advisories for individual behavior, some towns have begun to impose fines to micro-police their citizens' behavior.
A Libertarian response to the crisis would look very different: A decentralized focus on private initiative and individual responsibility, while protecting the rights of all. Limiting the reach of government and permanently reducing bureaucratic regulations that stand in the way of solving problems as opposed to the forced shutdowns and temporary relief packages.
It is important that Libertarians voice their opposition to the extreme measures and rights violations and call for a rational approach based on scientific evidence, not fear and speculation. Speak up in your community.
The Libertarian Policy Institute has put together a deeper exploration of these options.
Read more...
COVID and Voter Choice Suppression in MA
https://voterchoice2020.org/
Governor Baker, protect lawful firearms owners!
The combination of discriminatory regulation, the government shutdown, and ideological instrumentalization of the crisis is creating a very concrete risk of serious legal problems for lawful firearm owners in Massachusetts. Massachusetts requires firearms owners to be licensed, however license renewals are currently not being processed and the government of the Commonwealth has not put any emergency extension in place. Furthermore, some local licensing authorities are reportedly providing misleading information to license holders who are attempting to renew.
The Republican Governor Baker, has not only pushed an anti-2nd-Amendment agenda by declaring firearms retail and training facilities "non-essential" - explicitly against Federal guidelines. His administration is directly creating a situation in which law abiding citizens may become criminals overnight simply due to the government refusing to acts on its own regulation. This is an unacceptable situation.
Call or email your representatives to voice your concerns. You can find their information here.
Firearms owners with an expiring license need to pay close attention to the required steps in order to protect themselves. Find out more from the Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts.
LP Mass to GOP Governor: Respect the 2nd Amendment
The Libertarian Party of Massachusetts calls on the Baker Administration to respect civil liberties in the Commonwealth, particularly the rights enshrined in the 2nd Amendment, and to acknowledge firearms retailers and shooting ranges as essential businesses.
The Republican Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, continues to use the COVID-19 crisis to advance an anti-2nd-Amendment agenda: After initially adopting the updated Federal guidelines on essential businesses, which includes firearm retailers and shooting ranges as essential, on March 31 the guidelines on the state website were changed to exclude these firearm businesses.
“The Democrat-dominated Massachusetts political establishment has for a long time been hostile towards the constitutional rights of lawful firearms owners in the Commonwealth.” said Don Graham, Chair of the Libertarian Party in Massachusetts. “Singling out firearms businesses that serve the law-abiding civilian firearm owners and selectively shutting them down is just another example of that bias. That it is a Republican Governor pushing an anti-2nd-amendment agenda, demonstrates that the GOP only pays lip service to our individual rights. The Libertarian Party is the only major political party to unwaveringly support the 2nd Amendment along with the whole Bill of Rights. Voters who support the 2nd amendment should remember that in November."
Libertarian Presidential Debate at the LAMA 2020 Convention
Watch a recording of the Libertarian Presidential Candidates' Debate at the LAMA 2020 State Convention (virtual) on March 22nd:
The following great candidates participated:
Moderator: Dan Fishman (former LAMA Chair and current Executive Chairman of the Libertarian Party at the national level)
Massachusetts Primary 2020
The Massachusetts primary is March 3, 2020. If you are registered as Unenrolled (independent) or Libertarian, pull a Libertarian ballot and support one of our candidates.
- Arvin Vhora
- Vermin Supreme
- Jacob Hornsberger
- Samuel Robb
- Dan Berhman
- Kim Ruff
- Ken Armstrong
- Adam Kokesh
- Jo Jorgensen
- Max Abramson
For more information please see the Massachusetts Libertarian Party website.
LAMA Chair Marc Mercier on National Gun Violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Libertarian Association of Massachusetts unreservedly condemns any form of violence. As Libertarians, we adhere to the Non-aggression Principle, which advocates that persons may not initiate force, or the threat of force, against another or another’s property. We believe, as all good people believe, that each person has an inherent right to be secure in their persons and possessions.
With compassion and comfort, we offer our deepest condolences to the victims, as well as their friends and families, who have suffered at the hands of the disturbed offenders committing these reprehensible acts.
LAMA Chair Lyons comments on Bob Kraft arrest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Libertarian Party of Massachusetts
Jeff Lyons, Chairman
Phone: 617-286-3618
E-Mail: [email protected]
Upon learning that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots had been charged for soliciting prostitution in a massage parlor in Jupiter Florida, Jeff Lyons, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts issued the following statement:
"The Libertarian Party has always asserted that consenting adults should be able to exchange whatever goods and services they wish, so long as both parties willingly agree to the terms. It should be pointed out that had Robert Kraft been in Nevada, this would have been a legal activity.
"The Libertarian Party of Massachusetts believes that human sex trafficking is a serious crime, and the organizers of such crimes should be targeted, not consenting adults engaged in a commercial transaction.
"The government should not be seeking to restrict commerce, nor should it pass a moral judgement on consensual activities between adults. Assuming both parties in this case were adults and consenting, we call for the immediate dismissal of the misdemeanor charges against Bob Kraft and the decriminalization of prostitution, which we believe would deny human traffickers the ability to operate a black market. Until consensual sexual commerce is legalized, I fear these heinous acts will continue."
------
The Libertarian Party platform includes the following plank:
2.10 Sex Work
The Libertarian Party supports the decriminalization of prostitution. We assert the right of consenting adults to provide sexual services to clients for compensation, and the right of clients to purchase sexual services from consenting sex workers.
