What is the government’s role?
I believe the government has only three essential functions. First and foremost, protecting our personal security and the nation’s defense against foreign military aggression is a proper constitutional power and burden of the federal government.
Infrastructure; I believe one of the government’s primary roles is to promote and support a robust infrastructure. Providing tax dollars for power, roadways and highways, telecommunications, water supplies, and many more of the “big ticket” “grand” projects that benefit us all.
Congress should determine monetary policy, and the issuance of money should be strictly regulated with direct congressional oversight. There is no role for a Federal Reserve. There is no role for a Federal Reserve. Private clearinghouses and deposit insurance system offers the finest protection and competition for safety against ruinous depressions and inflation.
Abortion
I am personally opposed to abortion. I oppose government funding of abortions. I don’t believe there should be any specific law for or against abortion. I consider abortion murder, and we have plenty of laws that already prohibit murder.
Business and Economy
Governments should keep their hands out of business other than the courts to sort out the protection of lives and property. Voluntary economic exchange is the only way. Government intervention is not justified. Further, government interference in business on behalf of some citizens at the expense of others is inherently unfair.
Consumer Protection
In principle, federal safety regulation can and should be abolished in favor of market institutions analogous to Underwriters Laboratory certification. I say restrict the FDA oversight to safety, leaving efficacy up to the marketplace.
Criminal Justice
In a free society, crimes would be limited to aggression against persons and property, including fraud. So-called “victimless crime” laws are incompatible with liberty. Today, drug laws are among the most destructive, counter-productive, and anti-freedom laws on the books.
Drugs
Those who wish wisely or foolishly to use drugs should be free to do so, and those who wish to keep drug use off their property should similarly be free to do so. In this regard, using or not using it should be left up to wisdom in experience, moral ethics, and science.
Education
Education and government must be kept apart from the way church and government must be. Protect the right of parents to acquire the education they desire for their children.
Elections and Politics
If the federal and state governments were limited to their few constitutional functions, politicians would not be able to bestow favors to special interests. Some politicians abuse their power and strip citizens of their inherent rights and liberties without just election processes.
Environment and Energy
There should be a free market in energy without government subsidies or excessive regulation. If energy production causes demonstrable harm, producers should be subject to civil penalties.
Foreign Policy and National Security
Foreign intervention is only when a case can be made that the legitimate defensive and security interests of the United States is directly involved.
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of religion must be total and unqualified in the private sector. Government should not discriminate in its own policies in terms of religion, but it should also get out of areas like education, where it only creates intractable and unsolvable religious controversies.
Freedom of Speech
There should be no restrictions on free speech so long as it does not cause material or physical harm to others.
Gun Rights
The private ownership and use of firearms or other weapons in a non-invasive way are fully legitimate. Government regulation, licensing, and registration of guns should be abolished.
Healthcare
There should be a truly free market in healthcare without government restrictions or excessive limitations. Consumers should be able to buy health insurance across state lines and without joining a group or in a market distorted by government incentives or subsidies.
Immigration
Open borders for all who enter peacefully and do not pose a threat by relying on the state or welfare measures.
Infrastructure
I believe one of the government’s primary roles is to promote and support a robust infrastructure. Providing tax dollars for power, roadways and highways, telecommunications, water supplies, and many more of the “big ticket” “grand” projects that benefit us all.
Marriage and Family
The government should play no role in marriage but yield to natural law standards. Any individuals should be allowed to enter into a contract of civil union protected by contract law. If some wish to have “gay marriage” and others do not, each should be free to adopt the appropriate rules so long as property rights are respected.
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare, Medicaid, if needed, should be privatized. A better alternative is to allow local communities to build a support system for these needs directly as needed.
Military
The military should be robust and state-of-the-art. It should be adequate to defend all enemies all the time. All military duty should be voluntary. There should be no military draft.
Minimum Wage and Workers’ Rights
Wages should be set by the market. Workers should have the right to join, or not join, a union they choose without being subject to coercion. There should be no minimum wage.
Monetary Policy
Congress should determine monetary policy, and the issuance of money should be strictly regulated with direct congressional oversight. Having said that, I believe there is no role for a Federal Reserve.
Privacy
The government should not engage in tracking or surveillance of citizens without a legal warrant. The Patriot Act should be repealed.
Social Security
Phase it out entirely. Retirement should be a personal responsibility, not a political football.
Taxes
The income tax should be eliminated. The alternative would be National, State, and Local sales taxes. You could build in for the lower-income families some waivers or rebates.
Trade and Globalization
Unilateral free trade is the best and simplest policy. Free trade, migration, and association are fully legitimate so long as property rights are protected.
Bill Slantz 