The Libertarian Party Platform

In 1980, David Koch ran as the Libertarian Party's vice-presidential candidate. Let's take a look at the 1980 Libertarian Party platform which David Koch ran on then, and which now inspires many of today's Republicans, both in the leadership and in the rank and file :

1. "We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission."
2. "We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaid programs."
3. "We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services."
4. "We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry."
5. "We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary."
6. "We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service."
7. "We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes."
8. "We support the eventual repeal of all taxation."
9. "As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately."
10. "We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws."
11. "We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended."
12. "We condemn compulsory education laws ... and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws."
13. "We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit."
14. "We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency."
15. "We support abolition of the Department of Energy."
16. "We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation."
17. "We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system."
18. "We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets."
19. "We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration."
20. "We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration."
21. "We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children."
22. "We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and 'aid to the poor' programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals."
23. "We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households."
24. "We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act."
25. "We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission."
26. "We support the repeal of all state usury laws."

Mack's opposition to Obamacare is political. A former sheriff of Graham County, Arizona he is the founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, a group he described as "the army to set our nation free". He serves on the board of Oath Keepers, a right-wing group made up of police and military veterans. He's been an outspoken opponent not only of the American Care Act (ACA) but of all federal authority. "The States do not have to take or support or pay for Obamacare or anything else from Washington, DC," says Mack. "The States are not subject to federal direction."
       In November 2014 self-employed Richard Mack's wife was hospitalized and then in early January he himself suffered a heart attack. His son launched a GoFundMe campaign. (an online way for individuals to beg for charity) "It is difficult and humbling to say that we need your help but we do."
        He's raised $45,000 so far toward a $60,000 goal from a little over 1,000 donors.

More widely reported is the case of Luis Lang, a 49-year-old self-employed resident of Fort Mill, South Carolina who always prided himself on paying his own medical expenses. . . When the Charlotte Observer first wrote about Lang he was angry at Obamacare. . . He suffered a series of mini strokes earlier this year and ended up with bleeding in the eyes, a partially detached retina and a need for very expensive medical care to save his eyesight. He's been out of work since December. (thereby losing insurance protection).
       He chose not to buy insurance. He now needs financial assistance. When confronted with significant medical expenses he tried to sign up but discovered enrollment had closed a month earlier. . .Lang is not a public figure. He's not a political rallying point. Moreover, his is a case study in personal irresponsibility. He is a long time smoker who has been lax in controlling his diabetes. He knew that his eyes needed serious medical attention for some time.
       He is now poor enough to qualify for Medicaid but South Carolina's Republican controlled legislature has refused to expand Medicaid. Nevertheless, his wife Mary said, "(My husband) should be at the front of the line, because he doesn't work and because he has medical issues."
       His family and friends have rallied to his support, largely because of his political activities.
       His GoFundMe campaign has raised $26,000 toward a $30,000 goal from over 1300 donors. . . Lang was asking for help primarily from strangers who didn't know who he was.

Examples of
Conservative Responses

One donor wrote, "Thank you for your sacrifice in the fight for our freedom."
        Another said, "Keep up the fight and with the full armour (sic) of God we will prevail. Thanks be to God for your stand for freedom and for not giving in to the Obama care demands."
        Another commented, "May God continue to watch over you and bless all that you do for this nation under siege."
        And another declared, "Thanks for never surrendering to federal tyranny."

Examples of Liberal Responses

Revealingly, a significant majority of those who gave were self-described liberals,
        One donor wrote, "The party of personal responsibility (has) left you hanging on your own consequences. Progressives like me think that's just cruel."
        Another disclosed, "From a first generation immigrant Communist. Good luck brother."
        Another reflected, "From a godless liberal feminist but my 89 y/o dad has macular degeneration and so my heart goes out to anyone who's having vision trouble."
        Still another pointed out, "Sir, I know if the shoe was on the other food you would expect me to 'pull myself up by my own boot straps" and wouldn't contribute. But I'm compassionate and think we all owe something to each other."
        Another commented, "I want to say something clever and sassy about your right wing stupidity, but all I can feel is compassion. I hope you get the medical care you need."
        And still another observed, "I too am a bleeping liberal who thinks no one should suffer due to bad choices, bad luck, or bad policies of conservative dogma."

After reviewing the comments, Lang reflected on his GoFundMe page, "I have to give a big thumbs up to the liberal side. Even though you have crucified me in your comments, but you spoke with your heart with donations…As far as the conservative side goes, I wish they would step up to the plate and do their part."