Libertarian Party/Constitution Party

[davagd0284]

I am thinking of joining one of the two parties and registering as an independent in the state of PA. Would anyone be able to describe to me the main differences between the two parties? Also, if any are members of one of the two parties, please let me know what your experiences are with the party and its members? Thanks!!

 

[Kludge]

The Constitution Party believes that it should be able to allowed to base laws on issues of morality (almost always stemming from Christian principles).

The Libertarian Party is more pure, unbiased libertarianism, has more members, and always whoops CP ass when it comes to gaining ballot access. And their membership gifts are spiffy

 

[tonesforjonesbones]

I am a Christian and I like the Constitution Party a lot. Their mention of Jesus in the preamble will turn people off..sorry to say, Don't get me wrong...I love Jesus as much as anyone..but if a political party becomes exclusionary, it won't get very far in a diverse nation. We have to focus on something that is common ground with all faiths and peoples...the US CONSTITUTION, and the Libertarian Party will do that.

 

[skyorbit]

The Constitution PArty and the Libertarian Party agree with each other and are basically identical at the national level.

The difference is, the Constitution party sees the Constitution as Restraining only the Federal Government -- whereas the Libertarian Party wants government at all levels restrained.

While I agree with federalism and the CP and LP will be allies where it counts (taking out Washington) If a Libertarian Party member was on the floor of a state legislature, and CP member there -- might be an opponent because they disagree on the roles of state government -- although the CP would be much more fiscally conservative then any Republican.

Tracy

 

[mport1]

The Constitution Party is very protectionist and isn't really into liberty.

 

[NightOwl]

The Constitution Party is very protectionist and isn't really into liberty.

I'm not a member of the Constitution Party and I'm resolutely libertarian on everything, but statements like this are really unhelpful. "Isn't really into liberty"? The CP would abolish nearly all government agencies, dismantle the empire, abolish the Fed, abolish the IRS, and on and on down the line. How sectarian are we going to be, for heaven's sake? That platform "isn't really into liberty"? Come on.

 

[amy31416]

And their membership gifts are spiffy

Doobage?

 

[haigh]

Voters consistently show they value associating to a candidate who has a chance of winning. Agree or not, this sense of a 'wasted vote' associated to the minor parties has a strong negative influence.

This leaves us with two viable strategies that can run in parallel, one change the Republican party from the inside, and two, pick one of the third parties that on your really big issues is OK AND has some chance of making numbers that will impact platforms and policies of future elections. Based on past elections that puts the LP ahead of the CP.

But a choice today is not a commitment for the rest of your life. If Ron Paul's basic ideas of foreign policy and small government were shared by a large percentage of voters, you can be sure there will be lots of factions and candidates to choose from.

 

[WRellim]

The Constitution Party is pushing forward the ideas and concepts of returning to a CONSTITUTIONALLY limited government. It's membership is growing, and while it will be pushing Baldwin's candidacy, the emphasis is on getting more CP members in as local office holders.

The Libertarian Party is now dying. It has given up any presumption it once had to being based on "pure, unbiased libertarianism" and has sold itself to the highest bidder and chosen a candidate with virtually no character, a career "history" of rather horrid anti-liberty pro-state, but a modest year of claiming to be a "changed man." The local groups tend to be very argumentative and divisive, and tend to waste whatever momentum they gain in major election years -- and this year it appears everything local will be sacrificed to the national. As a result, despite the claims of "ballot access" this will probably be the last year that the LP is considered to have any consequence.

 

[Kludge]

The Libertarian Party is now dying. It has given up any presumption it once had to being based on "pure, unbiased libertarianism" and has sold itself to the highest bidder and chosen a candidate with virtually no character, a career "history" of rather horrid anti-liberty pro-state, but a modest year of claiming to be a "changed man." The local groups tend to be very argumentative and divisive, and tend to waste whatever momentum they gain in major election years -- and this year it appears everything local will be sacrificed to the national. As a result, despite the claims of "ballot access" this will probably be the last year that the LP is considered to have any consequence.

Hah.... Barr is polling over 5% nationally and membership is growing at amazing rates. We have local candidates lined up across the nation and are making leaps toward a serious congressional run.

Barr's high profile makes him an excellent proponent of Libertarian relevancy - as is the current role for third party POTUS candidates. No one believes Barr will win, but we know he will help convert more to the LP.

 

[mrchubbs]

The difference that I see between the two parties is that the Constitution Party tends to be more Christian oriented and speaks of the Bible in their platform. They also tend to be more strict on illegal immigration than the Libertarian party, although with Barr as the Libertarian nominee it may not seem like that since he's pretty strict on illegal immigration. Also abortion is another point of difference, but again Barr is a pro-life guy even as the Libertarian nominee.

For a much better perspective just read their platforms and compare. That will give you an idea about their goals, but each candidate does have their own goals that may or may not coincide with the platform (just like the Dems and GOP).

Libertarian Party Platform:
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml

Constitution Party Platform:
http://www.constitutionparty.com/party_platform.php

I get turned off by the religious undertones/overtones of the Constitution Party so I lean Libertarian myself.

Enjoy.

 

[Kludge]

If I remember from the LNC, Barr stated that we need to lax border security a bit, and remove quotas.

 

[WRellim]

The Constitution Party is very protectionist and isn't really into liberty.

Versus the Libertarian Party which is mainly known for it's desire to smoke pot, gamble (online and offline) and hire prostitutes (or perhaps be prostitutes?) -- because that is what they think is most important about "liberty." (Oh, and they hate, Hate, HATE anything that has anything to do with Christianity, and now apparently Islam as well -- Maharishi's, Yoga, and New Age stuff are all A-OK though, probably because of the doobage and free-sex).

Of course, with Bob Barr and his gang in charge now, that will all be changing... ("Bye Bye Doobie").

 

[WRellim]

Hah.... Barr is polling over 5% nationally and membership is growing at amazing rates. We have local candidates lined up across the nation and are making leaps toward a serious congressional run.

Barr's high profile makes him an excellent proponent of Libertarian relevancy - as is the current role for third party POTUS candidates. No one believes Barr will win, but we know he will help convert more to the LP.

You keep telling yourself that. Write those predictions down. Post them on your Refrigerator door.

Then see if, after November, they are really true.

 

[skyorbit]

Hah.... Barr is polling over 5% nationally and membership is growing at amazing rates. We have local candidates lined up across the nation and are making leaps toward a serious congressional run.

I guess I kind of will saw the same thing about Barr as we say about McCain. Just like they're no point in unifying behind a Republican nomanee who's more liberal then the Democrats. I'm not sure we should be unifying behind a candidate just because he's polling at 5% when he doesn't represent the "Party of Principle" Platform well.

I kind of feel, by compromising, by the time the LP has any viability, it'll be just as corrupt as the Republican.

Tracy

 

[Kludge]

Versus the Libertarian Party which is mainly known for it's desire to smoke pot, gamble (online and offline) and hire prostitutes (or perhaps be prostitutes?) -- because that is what they think is most important about "liberty." (Oh, and they hate, Hate, HATE anything that has anything to do with Christianity, and now apparently Islam as well -- Maharishi's, Yoga, and New Age stuff are all A-OK though, probably because of the doobage and free-sex).

Those are civil liberties that must be restored to us, among others. If you think the LP stands for pot, porn and gambling.... We've done our job. Why would you ever want to ban these liberties unless you don't believe in individual freedom and self-responsibility?

Please, cite where the LP "hate, Hate, HATE" Christianity and/or "apparently" Islam.

 

[Kludge]

You keep telling yourself that. Write those predictions down. Post them on your Refrigerator door.

Then see if, after November, they are really true.

Look for at least 10% in Jackson County, Michigan.

 

[WRellim]

Those are civil liberties that must be restored to us, among others. If you think the LP stands for pot, porn and gambling.... We've done our job. Why would you ever want to ban these liberties unless you don't believe in individual freedom and self-responsibility?

What you fail to understand is that other than amongst "Libertarians" -- the theme of "Pot, Porn [aka Sex for money] & Gambling" really only appeals as a PRIMARY GOAL to the perpetually juvenile and the fringe college students (the ones who don't vote).

And indeed, in my opinion, the job you have done has been one of MIScharacterizing "libertarianism" as one of "Pot, Porn & Gambling" -- and it is a grave disservice to the public at large.


They reject liberty because that is ALL that they see... a bunch of undisciplined "libertines."

Please, cite where the LP "hate, Hate, HATE" Christianity and/or "apparently" Islam.

For the HATE of Christians, try about half of the posts here on RPF from "Libertarians." The hatred is rife.

For the HATE of Islam... cf Bob Barr.

 

[WRellim]

Look for at least 10% in Jackson County, Michigan.

Well, write it down on the Fridge, then.

I say you get 1% max. The other 9% will fall for either Obama (to keep McCain out) or for McCain (to keep Obama out) ...or they'll be too stoned to vote ...or well whatever.

 

[Kludge]

What you fail to understand is that other than amongst "Libertarians" -- the theme of "Pot, Porn [aka Sex for money] & Gambling" really only appeals as a PRIMARY GOAL to the perpetually juvenile and the fringe college students (the ones who don't vote).

And indeed, in my opinion, the job you have done has been one of MIScharacterizing "libertarianism" as one of "Pot, Porn & Gambling" -- and it is a grave disservice to the public at large.

What do you feel libertarianism should be characterized as if not absolute liberty?

For the HATE of Christians, try about half of the posts here on RPF from "Libertarians." The hatred is rife.

For the HATE of Islam... cf Bob Barr.

To my knowledge, my entire family is Christian. I do not hate Christianity, I find it irrational and misguiding which I believe is the general sentiment among Libertarians.

I still don't catch the hatred of Islam connection with Bob Barr.