Libertarian Democrat

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A libertarian Democrat is a person who subscribes to libertarian philosophy while typically voting for and being involved with the United States Democratic Party. Their views may also differ from Libertarian Party members.

Contents 1 Principles 2 History 3 Politicians and media personalities 4 See also 5 References

[edit] Principles

Libertarian Democrats tend to place the civil libertarian aspect of their philosophy ahead of the economic one. Libertarian Democrats sometimes support trade restrictions on imports based upon the human rights conditions abroad.^[1] They are more likely than most Democrats to support the separation of marriage and state, tax cuts, the decriminalisation of drugs (particularly marijuana), and the defense of gun rights. Some libertarian Democrats may be more comfortable with higher levels of government control over land and the environment^[2] than Libertarian Party members or paleolibertarians, but they typically remain open to "free-market solutions to environmental problems."^[3] They differ from many progressive Democrats in that they tend to favor the restriction of government-provided services only to "any necessary services that cannot currently be provided adequately by the non-government sector (non-profit or for-profit groups)."^[4] They are typically pro-choice but may be for or against the death penalty. They tend to favor limited government involvement in most areas of life.

[edit] History

The Democratic Freedom Caucus, founded in 1996 by ex-Libertarian Party member Andrew Spark, Hanno Beck, and Mike O’Mara.^[5], is claimed by Paul Gagnon to represent what some see as the Democrats' growing libertarian Democratic movement. Other libertarian Democratic groups include Stonewall Democrats.

[edit] Politicians and media personalities

Libertarian Democrats include Camille Paglia, Mike Gravel, comedian Dennis Leary[1][2], Frank Gonzalez, Tammy Bruce[3] and the late civil rights activist Moorfield Storey. Elected libertarian or libertarian-leaning Democrats include former Presidents Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, and former Tennessee Representitve Davy Crockett.[4][5]

[edit] See also

• Bourbon Democrat
• Geolibertarianism
• Green libertarianism
• Libertarian Republican
• Progressive libertarian

[edit] References