CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="no-js" lang="en-US" xmlns:fb="http://ogp.me/ns/fb#" xmlns:addthis="http://www.addthis.com/help/api-spec" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/WebPage">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://michiganlp.org/platform/","20160215152405","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1455549845"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />   <meta charset="UTF-8"/> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1"> <title itemprop="name">Platform | MichiganLP.org</title> <meta name="description" content="The Libertarian Party offers you an alternative to the broken 2 party system in America. Libertarians support your freedom on all issues, all of the time."/> <meta name="keywords" content="libertarian, party, michigan, politics, liberty, freedom, lpmi, public policy, third party"/> <script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-73389288-1', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/images/favicon.ico"/>  <script> //<![CDATA[ window.mfn_ajax = "https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"; window.mfn_nicescroll = 40; window.mfn_prettyphoto = {style:"pp_default", width:0, height:0}; window.mfn_sliders = {blog:0, clients:0, offer:0, portfolio:0, shop:0, slider:0, testimonials:0}; window.mfn_retina_disable = 0; //]]> </script> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="MichiganLP.org » Feed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/feed/"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="MichiganLP.org » Comments Feed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/comments/feed/"/> <script type="text/javascript"> window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160215152405\/https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/72x72\/","ext":".png","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160215152405\/http:\/\/michiganlp.org\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=4.4.2"}}; !function(a,b,c){function d(a){var c,d=b.createElement("canvas"),e=d.getContext&&d.getContext("2d"),f=String.fromCharCode;return e&&e.fillText?(e.textBaseline="top",e.font="600 32px Arial","flag"===a?(e.fillText(f(55356,56806,55356,56826),0,0),d.toDataURL().length>3e3):"diversity"===a?(e.fillText(f(55356,57221),0,0),c=e.getImageData(16,16,1,1).data.toString(),e.fillText(f(55356,57221,55356,57343),0,0),c!==e.getImageData(16,16,1,1).data.toString()):("simple"===a?e.fillText(f(55357,56835),0,0):e.fillText(f(55356,57135),0,0),0!==e.getImageData(16,16,1,1).data[0])):!1}function e(a){var c=b.createElement("script");c.src=a,c.type="text/javascript",b.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(c)}var f,g;c.supports={simple:d("simple"),flag:d("flag"),unicode8:d("unicode8"),diversity:d("diversity")},c.DOMReady=!1,c.readyCallback=function(){c.DOMReady=!0},c.supports.simple&&c.supports.flag&&c.supports.unicode8&&c.supports.diversity||(g=function(){c.readyCallback()},b.addEventListener?(b.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",g,!1),a.addEventListener("load",g,!1)):(a.attachEvent("onload",g),b.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"complete"===b.readyState&&c.readyCallback()})),f=c.source||{},f.concatemoji?e(f.concatemoji):f.wpemoji&&f.twemoji&&(e(f.twemoji),e(f.wpemoji)))}(window,document,window._wpemojiSettings); </script> <style type="text/css"> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 .07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <link rel="stylesheet" id="ai1ec_style-css" href="//web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/plugins/all-in-one-event-calendar/cache/5cd55016_ai1ec_parsed_css.css?ver=2.3.8" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="siteorigin-panels-front-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/plugins/siteorigin-panels/css/front.css?ver=2.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="tp_twitter_plugin_css-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/plugins/recent-tweets-widget/tp_twitter_plugin.css?ver=1.0" type="text/css" media="screen"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="rs-plugin-settings-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/plugins/revslider/public/assets/css/settings.css?ver=5.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <style id="rs-plugin-settings-inline-css" type="text/css"> .tp-caption a{color:#ff7302;text-shadow:none;-webkit-transition:all 0.2s ease-out;-moz-transition:all 0.2s ease-out;-o-transition:all 0.2s ease-out;-ms-transition:all 0.2s ease-out}.tp-caption a:hover{color:#ffa902} </style> <link rel="stylesheet" id="style-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/style.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-base-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/base.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-btn-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/buttons.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-icons-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/fonts/mfn-icons.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-grid-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/grid.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-layout-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/layout.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-shortcodes-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/shortcodes.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-variables-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/variables.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-style-simple-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/style-simple.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-animations-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/assets/animations/animations.min.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-jquery-ui-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/assets/ui/jquery.ui.all.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-prettyPhoto-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/assets/prettyPhoto/prettyPhoto.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-jplayer-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/assets/jplayer/css/jplayer.blue.monday.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-responsive-1240-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/responsive-1240.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-responsive-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/responsive.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="Lora-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lora%3A400%2C500%2C700%2C800&ver=4.4.2" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="Roboto+Condensed-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto+Condensed%3A400%2C500%2C700%2C800&ver=4.4.2" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="Roboto-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto%3A400%2C500%2C700%2C800&ver=4.4.2" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="Patua+One-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Patua+One&ver=4.4.2" type="text/css" media="all"/> <link rel="stylesheet" id="mfn-custom-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/css/custom.css?ver=10.2.1" type="text/css" media="all"/> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.js?ver=1.11.3"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=1.2.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/plugins/revslider/public/assets/js/jquery.themepunch.tools.min.js?ver=5.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/plugins/revslider/public/assets/js/jquery.themepunch.revolution.min.js?ver=5.1"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="http://michiganlp.org/wp-json/"/> <link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="http://michiganlp.org/xmlrpc.php?rsd"/> <link rel="wlwmanifest" type="application/wlwmanifest+xml" href="http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/wlwmanifest.xml"/> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 4.4.2"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/platform/"/> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/?p=4577"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmichiganlp.org%2Fplatform%2F"/> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmichiganlp.org%2Fplatform%2F&format=xml"/> <style> #Header_wrapper {background-color: #002855;}#Subheader {background-color: rgba(247, 247, 247, 1);}.header-classic #Action_bar, .header-plain #Action_bar, .header-stack #Action_bar {background-color: #6D6E71;}#Sliding-top {background-color: #545454;}#Sliding-top a.sliding-top-control {border-right-color: #545454;}#Sliding-top.st-center a.sliding-top-control,#Sliding-top.st-left a.sliding-top-control {border-top-color: #545454;}#Footer {background-color: #002855;}body, ul.timeline_items, .icon_box a .desc, .icon_box a:hover .desc, .feature_list ul li a, .list_item a, .list_item a:hover,.widget_recent_entries ul li a, .flat_box a, .flat_box a:hover, .story_box .desc, .content_slider.carouselul li a .title,.content_slider.flat.description ul li .desc, .content_slider.flat.description ul li a .desc {color: #373737;}.themecolor, .opening_hours .opening_hours_wrapper li span, .fancy_heading_icon .icon_top,.fancy_heading_arrows .icon-right-dir, .fancy_heading_arrows .icon-left-dir, .fancy_heading_line .title,.button-love a.mfn-love, .format-link .post-title .icon-link, .pager-single > span, .pager-single a:hover,.widget_meta ul, .widget_pages ul, .widget_rss ul, .widget_mfn_recent_comments ul li:after, .widget_archive ul, .widget_recent_comments ul li:after, .widget_nav_menu ul, .woocommerce ul.products li.product .price, .shop_slider .shop_slider_ul li .item_wrapper .price, .woocommerce-page ul.products li.product .price, .widget_price_filter .price_label .from, .widget_price_filter .price_label .to,.woocommerce ul.product_list_widget li .quantity .amount, .woocommerce .product div.entry-summary .price, .woocommerce .star-rating span,#Error_404 .error_pic i, .style-simple #Filters .filters_wrapper ul li a:hover, .style-simple #Filters .filters_wrapper ul li.current-cat a,.style-simple .quick_fact .title {color: #2991d6;}.themebg, .pager .pages a:hover, .pager .pages a.active, .pager .pages span.page-numbers.current, .pager-single span:after, #comments .commentlist > li .reply a.comment-reply-link,.fixed-nav .arrow, #Filters .filters_wrapper ul li a:hover, #Filters .filters_wrapper ul li.current-cat a, .widget_categories ul, .Recent_posts ul li .desc:after, .Recent_posts ul li .photo .c,.widget_recent_entries ul li:after, .widget_mfn_menu ul li a:hover, .widget_mfn_menu ul li.current_page_item > a, .widget_product_categories ul, div.jp-interface, #Top_bar a#header_cart span, .testimonials_slider .slider_images, .testimonials_slider .slider_images a:after, .testimonials_slider .slider_images:before,.slider_pagination a.selected, .slider_pagination a.selected:after, .tp-bullets.simplebullets.round .bullet.selected, .tp-bullets.simplebullets.round .bullet.selected:after,.tparrows.default, .tp-bullets.tp-thumbs .bullet.selected:after, .offer_thumb .slider_pagination a:before, .offer_thumb .slider_pagination a.selected:after,.style-simple .accordion .question:after, .style-simple .faq .question:after, .style-simple .icon_box .desc_wrapper h4:before,.style-simple #Filters .filters_wrapper ul li a:after, .style-simple .article_box .desc_wrapper p:after, .style-simple .sliding_box .desc_wrapper:after,.style-simple .trailer_box:hover .desc, .woocommerce-account table.my_account_orders .order-number a {background-color: #2991d6;}.Latest_news ul li .photo, .style-simple .opening_hours .opening_hours_wrapper li label,.style-simple .timeline_items li:hover h3, .style-simple .timeline_items li:nth-child(even):hover h3, .style-simple .timeline_items li:hover .desc, .style-simple .timeline_items li:nth-child(even):hover {border-color: #2991d6;}a {color: #2991d6;}a:hover {color: #2275ac;}*::-moz-selection {background-color: #2991d6;}*::selection {background-color: #2991d6;}.blockquote p.author span, .counter .desc_wrapper .title, .article_box .desc_wrapper p, .team .desc_wrapper p.subtitle, .pricing-box .plan-header p.subtitle, .pricing-box .plan-header .price sup.period, .chart_box p, .fancy_heading .inside,.fancy_heading_line .slogan, .post-meta, .post-meta a, .post-footer, .post-footer a span.label, .pager .pages a, .button-love a .label,.pager-single a, #comments .commentlist > li .comment-author .says, .fixed-nav .desc .date, .filters_buttons li.label, .Recent_posts ul li a .desc .date,.widget_recent_entries ul li .post-date, .tp_recent_tweets .twitter_time, .widget_price_filter .price_label, .shop-filters .woocommerce-result-count,.woocommerce ul.product_list_widget li .quantity, .widget_shopping_cart ul.product_list_widget li dl, .product_meta .posted_in,.woocommerce .shop_table .product-name .variation > dd, .shipping-calculator-button:after,.shop_slider .shop_slider_ul li .item_wrapper .price del,.testimonials_slider .testimonials_slider_ul li .author span, .testimonials_slider .testimonials_slider_ul li .author span a, .Latest_news ul li .desc_footer {color: #a8a8a8;}h1, h1 a, h1 a:hover, .text-logo #logo { color: #444444; }h2, h2 a, h2 a:hover { color: #444444; }h3, h3 a, h3 a:hover { color: #444444; }h4, h4 a, h4 a:hover, .style-simple .sliding_box .desc_wrapper h4 { color: #444444; }h5, h5 a, h5 a:hover { color: #444444; }h6, h6 a, h6 a:hover, a.content_link .title { color: #444444; }.dropcap, .highlight:not(.highlight_image) {background-color: #2991d6;}a.button, a.tp-button {background-color: #f7f7f7;color: #747474;}.button-stroke a.button, .button-stroke a.button .button_icon i, .button-stroke a.tp-button {border-color: #f7f7f7;color: #747474;}.button-stroke a:hover.button, .button-stroke a:hover.tp-button {background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;color: #fff;}a.button_theme, a.tp-button.button_theme,button, input[type="submit"], input[type="reset"], input[type="button"] {background-color: #2991d6;color: #fff;}.button-stroke a.button.button_theme:not(.action_button), .button-stroke a.button.button_theme:not(.action_button),.button-stroke a.button.button_theme .button_icon i, .button-stroke a.tp-button.button_theme,.button-stroke button, .button-stroke input[type="submit"], .button-stroke input[type="reset"], .button-stroke input[type="button"] {border-color: #2991d6;color: #2991d6 !important;}.button-stroke a.button.button_theme:hover, .button-stroke a.tp-button.button_theme:hover,.button-stroke button:hover, .button-stroke input[type="submit"]:hover, .button-stroke input[type="reset"]:hover, .button-stroke input[type="button"]:hover {background-color: #2991d6 !important;color: #fff !important;}a.mfn-link { color: #656B6F; }a.mfn-link-2 span, a:hover.mfn-link-2 span:before, a.hover.mfn-link-2 span:before, a.mfn-link-5 span, a.mfn-link-8:after, a.mfn-link-8:before { background: #2195de; }a:hover.mfn-link { color: #2991d6;}a.mfn-link-2 span:before, a:hover.mfn-link-4:before, a:hover.mfn-link-4:after, a.hover.mfn-link-4:before, a.hover.mfn-link-4:after, a.mfn-link-5:before, a.mfn-link-7:after, a.mfn-link-7:before { background: #2275ac; }a.mfn-link-6:before {border-bottom-color: #2275ac;}.woocommerce a.button, .woocommerce .quantity input.plus, .woocommerce .quantity input.minus {background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;color: #747474 !important;}.woocommerce a.button_theme, .woocommerce a.checkout-button, .woocommerce button.button,.woocommerce .button.add_to_cart_button, .woocommerce .button.product_type_external,.woocommerce input[type="submit"], .woocommerce input[type="reset"], .woocommerce input[type="button"] {background-color: #2991d6 !important;color: #fff !important;}.column_column ul, .column_column ol, .the_content_wrapper ul, .the_content_wrapper ol {color: #737E86;}.hr_color, .hr_color hr, .hr_dots span {color: #2991d6;background: #2991d6;}.hr_zigzag i {color: #2991d6;} .highlight-left:after,.highlight-right:after {background: #2991d6;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.highlight-left .wrap:first-child,.highlight-right .wrap:last-child {background: #2991d6;}}#Header .top_bar_left, .header-classic #Top_bar, .header-plain #Top_bar, .header-stack #Top_bar, .header-split #Top_bar,.header-fixed #Top_bar, .header-below #Top_bar, #Header_creative, #Top_bar #menu {background-color: #002855;}#Top_bar .top_bar_right:before {background-color: #F1DE8F;}#Header .top_bar_right {background-color: #F1DE8F;}#Top_bar .top_bar_right a { color: #ffffff;}#Top_bar .menu > li > a { color: #ffffff;}#Top_bar .menu > li.current-menu-item > a,#Top_bar .menu > li.current_page_item > a,#Top_bar .menu > li.current-menu-ancestor > a,#Top_bar .menu > li.current-page-ancestor > a,#Top_bar .menu > li.current_page_ancestor > a,#Top_bar .menu > li.hover > a { color: #ffffff; }#Top_bar .menu > li a:after { background: #ffffff; }.menu-highlight #Top_bar #menu > ul > li.current-menu-item > a,.menu-highlight #Top_bar #menu > ul > li.current_page_item > a,.menu-highlight #Top_bar #menu > ul > li.current-menu-ancestor > a,.menu-highlight #Top_bar #menu > ul > li.current-page-ancestor > a,.menu-highlight #Top_bar #menu > ul > li.current_page_ancestor > a,.menu-highlight #Top_bar #menu > ul > li.hover > a { background: #f1c400; }.menu-arrow-bottom #Top_bar .menu > li > a:after { border-bottom-color: #ffffff;}.menu-arrow-top #Top_bar .menu > li > a:after {border-top-color: #ffffff;}.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li.current-menu-item > a,.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li.current_page_item > a,.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li.current-menu-ancestor > a,.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li.current-page-ancestor > a,.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li.current_page_ancestor > a,.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li.hover > a,.header-plain #Top_bar a:hover#header_cart,.header-plain #Top_bar a:hover#search_button,.header-plain #Top_bar .wpml-languages:hover,.header-plain #Top_bar .wpml-languages ul.wpml-lang-dropdown {background: #f1c400; color: #ffffff;}.header-plain #Top_bar,.header-plain #Top_bar .menu > li > a span:not(.description),.header-plain #Top_bar a#header_cart,.header-plain #Top_bar a#search_button,.header-plain #Top_bar .wpml-languages,.header-plain #Top_bar a.button.action_button {border-color: #F2F2F2;}#Top_bar .menu > li ul {background-color: #002855;}#Top_bar .menu > li ul li a {color: #ffffff;}#Top_bar .menu > li ul li a:hover,#Top_bar .menu > li ul li.hover > a {color: #f1c400;}#Top_bar .search_wrapper { background: #2991D6; }#Subheader .title{color: #002855;}#Subheader ul.breadcrumbs li, #Subheader ul.breadcrumbs li a{color: rgba(0, 40, 85, 0.6);}#Overlay {background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95);}#overlay-menu ul li a, .header-overlay .overlay-menu-toggle.focus {color: #ffffff;}#Footer, #Footer .widget_recent_entries ul li a {color: #ffffff;}#Footer a {color: #2991d6;}#Footer a:hover {color: #2275ac;}#Footer h1, #Footer h1 a, #Footer h1 a:hover,#Footer h2, #Footer h2 a, #Footer h2 a:hover,#Footer h3, #Footer h3 a, #Footer h3 a:hover,#Footer h4, #Footer h4 a, #Footer h4 a:hover,#Footer h5, #Footer h5 a, #Footer h5 a:hover,#Footer h6, #Footer h6 a, #Footer h6 a:hover {color: #ffffff;}#Footer .themecolor, #Footer .widget_meta ul, #Footer .widget_pages ul, #Footer .widget_rss ul, #Footer .widget_mfn_recent_comments ul li:after, #Footer .widget_archive ul, #Footer .widget_recent_comments ul li:after, #Footer .widget_nav_menu ul, #Footer .widget_price_filter .price_label .from, #Footer .widget_price_filter .price_label .to,#Footer .star-rating span {color: #002855;}#Footer .themebg, #Footer .widget_categories ul, #Footer .Recent_posts ul li .desc:after, #Footer .Recent_posts ul li .photo .c,#Footer .widget_recent_entries ul li:after, #Footer .widget_mfn_menu ul li a:hover, #Footer .widget_product_categories ul {background-color: #002855;}#Footer .Recent_posts ul li a .desc .date, #Footer .widget_recent_entries ul li .post-date, #Footer .tp_recent_tweets .twitter_time, #Footer .widget_price_filter .price_label, #Footer .shop-filters .woocommerce-result-count, #Footer ul.product_list_widget li .quantity, #Footer .widget_shopping_cart ul.product_list_widget li dl {color: #ffffff;}#Sliding-top, #Sliding-top .widget_recent_entries ul li a {color: #cccccc;}#Sliding-top a {color: #2991d6;}#Sliding-top a:hover {color: #2275ac;}#Sliding-top h1, #Sliding-top h1 a, #Sliding-top h1 a:hover,#Sliding-top h2, #Sliding-top h2 a, #Sliding-top h2 a:hover,#Sliding-top h3, #Sliding-top h3 a, #Sliding-top h3 a:hover,#Sliding-top h4, #Sliding-top h4 a, #Sliding-top h4 a:hover,#Sliding-top h5, #Sliding-top h5 a, #Sliding-top h5 a:hover,#Sliding-top h6, #Sliding-top h6 a, #Sliding-top h6 a:hover {color: #ffffff;}#Sliding-top .themecolor, #Sliding-top .widget_meta ul, #Sliding-top .widget_pages ul, #Sliding-top .widget_rss ul, #Sliding-top .widget_mfn_recent_comments ul li:after, #Sliding-top .widget_archive ul, #Sliding-top .widget_recent_comments ul li:after, #Sliding-top .widget_nav_menu ul, #Sliding-top .widget_price_filter .price_label .from, #Sliding-top .widget_price_filter .price_label .to,#Sliding-top .star-rating span {color: #2991d6;}#Sliding-top .themebg, #Sliding-top .widget_categories ul, #Sliding-top .Recent_posts ul li .desc:after, #Sliding-top .Recent_posts ul li .photo .c,#Sliding-top .widget_recent_entries ul li:after, #Sliding-top .widget_mfn_menu ul li a:hover, #Sliding-top .widget_product_categories ul {background-color: #2991d6;}#Sliding-top .Recent_posts ul li a .desc .date, #Sliding-top .widget_recent_entries ul li .post-date, #Sliding-top .tp_recent_tweets .twitter_time, #Sliding-top .widget_price_filter .price_label, #Sliding-top .shop-filters .woocommerce-result-count, #Sliding-top ul.product_list_widget li .quantity, #Sliding-top .widget_shopping_cart ul.product_list_widget li dl {color: #a8a8a8;}blockquote, blockquote a, blockquote a:hover {color: #444444;}.image_frame .image_wrapper .image_links,.portfolio_group.masonry-hover .portfolio-item .masonry-hover-wrapper .hover-desc { background: rgba(41, 145, 214, 0.8);}.masonry.tiles .post-item .post-desc-wrapper .post-desc .post-title:after, .masonry.tiles .post-item.no-img, .masonry.tiles .post-item.format-quote {background: #2991d6;} .image_frame .image_wrapper .image_links a {color: #ffffff;}.image_frame .image_wrapper .image_links a:hover {background: #ffffff;color: #2991d6;}.sliding_box .desc_wrapper {background: #2991d6;}.sliding_box .desc_wrapper:after {border-bottom-color: #2991d6;}.counter .icon_wrapper i {color: #2991d6;}.quick_fact .number-wrapper {color: #2991d6;}.progress_bars .bars_list li .bar .progress { background-color: #2991d6;}a:hover.icon_bar {color: #2991d6 !important;}a.content_link, a:hover.content_link {color: #2991d6;}a.content_link:before {border-bottom-color: #2991d6;}a.content_link:after {border-color: #2991d6;}.get_in_touch, .infobox {background-color: #2991d6;}.column_map .google-map-contact-wrapper .get_in_touch:after {border-top-color: #2991d6;}.timeline_items li h3:before,.timeline_items:after,.timeline .post-item:before { border-color: #2991d6;}.how_it_works .image .number { background: #2991d6;}.trailer_box .desc .subtitle {background-color: #2991d6;}.icon_box .icon_wrapper, .icon_box a .icon_wrapper,.style-simple .icon_box:hover .icon_wrapper {color: #2991d6;}.icon_box:hover .icon_wrapper:before, .icon_box a:hover .icon_wrapper:before { background-color: #2991d6;}ul.clients.clients_tiles li .client_wrapper:hover:before { background: #2991d6;}ul.clients.clients_tiles li .client_wrapper:after { border-bottom-color: #2991d6;}.list_item.lists_1 .list_left {background-color: #2991d6;}.list_item .list_left {color: #2991d6;}.feature_list ul li .icon i { color: #2991d6;}.feature_list ul li:hover,.feature_list ul li:hover a {background: #2991d6;}.ui-tabs .ui-tabs-nav li.ui-state-active a,.accordion .question.active .title > .acc-icon-plus,.accordion .question.active .title > .acc-icon-minus,.faq .question.active .title > .acc-icon-plus,.faq .question.active .title,.accordion .question.active .title {color: #2991d6;}.ui-tabs .ui-tabs-nav li.ui-state-active a:after {background: #2991d6;}table tr:hover td {background: #2991d6;}.pricing-box .plan-header .price sup.currency,.pricing-box .plan-header .price > span {color: #2991d6;}.pricing-box .plan-inside ul li .yes { background: #2991d6;}.pricing-box-box.pricing-box-featured {background: #2991d6;}.woocommerce span.onsale, .shop_slider .shop_slider_ul li .item_wrapper span.onsale {border-top-color: #2991d6 !important;}.woocommerce .widget_price_filter .ui-slider .ui-slider-handle {border-color: #2991d6 !important;}@media only screen and (min-width: 768px){.header-semi #Top_bar:not(.is-sticky) {background-color: rgba(0, 40, 85, 0.8);}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px){#Top_bar, #Action_bar { background: #002855 !important;}}html { background-color: #ffffff;}#Wrapper, #Content { background-color: #ffffff;} body, button, span.date_label, .timeline_items li h3 span, input[type="submit"], input[type="reset"], input[type="button"],input[type="text"], input[type="password"], input[type="tel"], input[type="email"], textarea, select, .offer_li .title h3 {font-family: "Lora", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 400;}#menu > ul > li > a, .action_button, #overlay-menu ul li a {font-family: "Roboto Condensed", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 400;}#Subheader .title {font-family: "Roboto Condensed", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 400;}h1, .text-logo #logo {font-family: "Roboto Condensed", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 300;}h2 {font-family: "Roboto Condensed", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 300;}h3 {font-family: "Roboto Condensed", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 300;}h4 {font-family: "Roboto Condensed", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 300;}h5 {font-family: "Roboto", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 700;}h6 {font-family: "Roboto", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;font-weight: 400;}blockquote {font-family: "Lora", Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;}body {font-size: 14px;line-height: 22px;}#menu > ul > li > a, .action_button {font-size: 16px;}#Subheader .title { font-size: 26px;line-height: 26px;}h1, .text-logo #logo { font-size: 32px;line-height: 32px;}h2 { font-size: 24px;line-height: 24px;}h3 {font-size: 18px;line-height: 20px;}h4 {font-size: 14px;line-height: 18px;}h5 {font-size: 12px;line-height: 17px;}h6 {font-size: 10px;line-height: 17px;}.with_aside .sidebar.columns {width: 23%;}.with_aside .sections_group {width: 75%;}.aside_both .sidebar.columns {width: 18%;}.aside_both .sidebar-1{ margin-left: -79%;}.aside_both .sections_group {width: 60%;margin-left: 20%;}@media only screen and (min-width:1240px){#Wrapper {max-width: 1242px;}.section_wrapper, .container, .with_aside .content_wrapper {max-width: 1222px;}.layout-boxed.header-boxed #Top_bar.is-sticky{max-width: 1242px;}} </style>  <script> //<![CDATA[ jQuery(window).load(function(){ var retina = window.devicePixelRatio > 1 ? true : false;if( retina ){var retinaEl = jQuery("#logo img.logo-main");var retinaLogoW = retinaEl.width();var retinaLogoH = retinaEl.height();retinaEl.attr( "src", "https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LPM_WebBanner_NoBKG.png" ).width( retinaLogoW ).height( retinaLogoH );var stickyEl = jQuery("#logo img.logo-sticky");var stickyLogoW = stickyEl.width();var stickyLogoH = stickyEl.height();stickyEl.attr( "src", "https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LPM_WebBanner_NoBKG.png" ).width( stickyLogoW ).height( stickyLogoH );var mobileEl = jQuery("#logo img.logo-mobile");var mobileLogoW = mobileEl.width();var mobileLogoH = mobileEl.height();mobileEl.attr( "src", "https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LPM_WebBanner_NoBKG.png" ).width( mobileLogoW ).height( mobileLogoH );}}); //]]> </script> <meta name="generator" content="Powered by Visual Composer - drag and drop page builder for WordPress."/> <meta name="generator" content="Powered by Slider Revolution 5.1 - responsive, Mobile-Friendly Slider Plugin for WordPress with comfortable drag and drop interface."/> <link rel="icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porcupine_small-50x39.png" sizes="32x32"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porcupine_small.png" sizes="192x192"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porcupine_small.png"/> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porcupine_small.png"/> <noscript><style> .wpb_animate_when_almost_visible { opacity: 1; }</style></noscript></head>  <body class="page page-id-4577 page-template page-template-page-full-width page-template-page-full-width-php siteorigin-panels color-custom style-default layout-full-width nice-scroll-on mobile-tb-left header-classic minimalist-header sticky-header sticky-white ab-hide subheader-title-left menu-highlight menuo-right menuo-arrows menuo-no-borders footer-sliding wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-4.7.4 vc_responsive">   <div id="Wrapper">  <div id="Header_wrapper">  <header id="Header">  <div class="header_placeholder"></div> <div id="Top_bar" class="loading"> <div class="container"> <div class="column one"> <div class="top_bar_left clearfix">  <div class="logo"> <a id="logo" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/" title="MichiganLP.org"><img class="logo-main scale-with-grid" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LPM_WebBanner_NoBKG.png" alt="MichiganLP.org"/><img class="logo-sticky scale-with-grid" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LPM_WebBanner_NoBKG.png" alt=""/><img class="logo-mobile scale-with-grid" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LPM_WebBanner_NoBKG.png" alt=""/></a> </div> <div class="menu_wrapper"> <nav id="menu" class="menu-header-menu-container"><ul id="menu-header-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-4471" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current-menu-ancestor current-menu-parent current_page_parent current_page_ancestor menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/about/"><span>About</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-4573" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/history/"><span>History</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4597" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current-menu-item page_item page-item-4577 current_page_item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/platform/"><span>Platform</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4655" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/resolutions/"><span>Resolutions</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4569" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/bylaws/"><span>Bylaws</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4472" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/officers-and-staff/"><span>Officers and Staff</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4473" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/affiliates/"><span>Affiliates</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-4482" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/events/"><span>Events</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-4847" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/conventions/"><span>Conventions</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4846" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/liberty-fest/"><span>Liberty Fest</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-59857" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/issues/"><span>Issues</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-59849" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/economic-issues/"><span>Economic Issues</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-59858" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/jobs-and-unemployment/"><span>Jobs and Unemployment</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59865" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/taxes/"><span>Taxes</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59853" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/government-spending/"><span>Government Spending</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59864" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/social-security/"><span>Social Security</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59861" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/minimum-wage/"><span>Minimum Wage</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-59846" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/civil-issues/"><span>Civil Issues</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-59847" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/civil-liberties/"><span>Civil Liberties</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59855" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/healthcare/"><span>Healthcare</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59850" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/education/"><span>Education</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59854" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/gun-rights/"><span>Gun Rights</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59862" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/poverty-and-welfare/"><span>Poverty and Welfare</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59848" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/crime-and-violence/"><span>Crime and Violence</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59851" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/environment/"><span>Environment</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-59863" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/social-issues/"><span>Social Issues</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-59856" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/immigration/"><span>Immigration</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59866" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/war-on-drugs/"><span>War on Drugs</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59859" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/lower-the-drinking-age/"><span>Lower the Drinking Age</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-59860" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/marriage-equality/"><span>Marriage Equality</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-59852" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/foreign-policy/"><span>Foreign Policy</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-4493" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/elections/"><span>Elections</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-4729" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/special-elections/"><span>Special Elections</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4730" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/general-elections/"><span>General Elections</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4907" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/elected-officials/"><span>Elected Officials</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-4845" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/news/"><span>News</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-59930" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/newsletter/"><span>Newsletter</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-4848" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/press-releases/"><span>Press Releases</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-4501" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/get-involved/"><span>Get Involved</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-60123" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/join-today/"><span>Join Today</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5010" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/donate/"><span>Donate</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></nav><a class="responsive-menu-toggle is-sticky" href="#"><i class="icon-menu"></i></a> </div> <div class="secondary_menu_wrapper">  </div> <div class="banner_wrapper"> </div> <div class="search_wrapper">  <form method="get" id="searchform" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/"> <i class="icon_search icon-search"></i> <a href="#" class="icon_close"><i class="icon-cancel"></i></a> <input type="text" class="field" name="s" id="s" placeholder="Enter your search"/> <input type="submit" class="submit" value="" style="display:none;"/> </form> </div> </div> <div class="top_bar_right"><div class="top_bar_right_wrapper"><a id="search_button" href="#"><i class="icon-search"></i></a></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </header> </div>   <div id="Content"> <div class="content_wrapper clearfix">  <div class="sections_group"> <div class="entry-content" itemprop="mainContentOfPage"> <div class="section the_content has_content"><div class="section_wrapper"><div class="the_content_wrapper"><header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Platform</span></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <h5 class="Textbody">(As revised in convention, May 9, 2015)</h5> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br/> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/images-22.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-4819"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4819 alignright" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/images-22-300x164.jpg" alt="images (22)" width="300" height="164" srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/images-22-300x164.jpg 300w, https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/images-22.jpg 303w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a>STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE:</b></p> <p class="Textbody" style="text-align: justify;">The Libertarian Party does not believe in or advocate the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>PREAMBLE:</b></p> <p class="Textbody" style="text-align: justify;">Libertarians seek a society based on personal liberty and responsibility—a society in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives. This most desirable method of organizing society is the natural order that arises when the inalienable rights of individuals to life, liberty and property ownership are respected and protected.</p> <p class="Textbody" style="text-align: justify;">People have the right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and pursue happiness in whatever manner they choose so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal rights of others. Libertarians welcome the peace, prosperity, and diversity that freedom brings.</p> <p class="Textbody" style="text-align: justify;">The essential precondition for a free society is that people follow their own dreams in their own ways without government interference. This precondition allows that the only legitimate function of government is the protection of the inalienable rights of its citizens. To that end, government at all levels should be strictly limited to the essential services necessary to uphold individual rights, maintain public order, and adjudicate disputes. Government at the state and federal level should be involved only in issues not best handled by local or regional government.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I. STATE GOVERNMENT</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">Federalism. To restore a necessary check on federal power, we advocate the repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.</li> <li class="Textbody">Federalism. We endorse the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reserves to our state and its people all powers not expressly delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, or prohibited from the states or the people by the U.S. Constitution.</li> <li class="Textbody">In the absence of a declaration of war by the United States Congress, we oppose any use of Michigan troops by the federal government for any purpose other than natural disaster relief.</li> <li class="Textbody">Individuals have the right to defend themselves and others. Article I, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution states: “Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.” We oppose any law that dilutes the right of a law-abiding person to own a firearm or other means of self-defense.</li> <li class="Textbody">We oppose any form discrimination by government based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or any other group identification. Each person has the same inalienable rights that the State has a duty to protect.</li> <li class="Textbody">State government should be removed entirely from the licensing process, including, but not limited to, occupational licensing. It has produced no better results than private licensing and amounts to another tax. For example, marriage licenses are contracts between individuals and should be left to the individuals, their attorneys and religious officials, without the need to pay the state for a stamp of approval.</li> <li class="Textbody">We support returning to a part-time legislature, which is sufficient to carry out the legislative duties as prescribed by our State Constitution.</li> <li class="Textbody">We advocate a sunset law requiring an automatic end to most government offices, agencies, departments, laws, regulations, taxes, and expenditures within ten years if not reauthorized.</li> <li class="Textbody">We oppose immunities for any public officials or employees for illegal acts or omissions. Like any citizen, they should be subject to criminal prosecution and held liable for any injuries caused by their actions.</li> <li class="Textbody">There should be maximum separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>II. ELECTIONS</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">The only electoral duty of the State government should be providing for fair and efficient conduct of elections. Political parties, like any private voluntary group, should be free from government control and allowed to establish their own rules for nomination procedures and conventions. All taxpayer-funded subsidies to candidates for public office and political parties, including primaries and conventions, should be eliminated.</li> <li class="Textbody">We support the addition of the alternative “None of the above is acceptable” to all ballots. We further propose that in the event that “None of the above is acceptable” receives a plurality of votes in any election, a new election shall be held for which none of the losing candidates shall be eligible. Other forms of voting should also be considered, such as instant runoff voting or proportional representation.</li> <li class="Textbody">Campaign finance laws are unwarranted restrictions of free speech or association and should be repealed.</li> <li class="Textbody">The time during which voters may circulate any statewide petition should be extended to two years.</li> <li class="Textbody">Voters should have the power of referendum on all existing or new legislation.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>III. COURTS</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">The current practice of forced jury duty should be replaced by volunteer juries.</li> <li class="Textbody">The common law authority of a trial by jury preceded our constitution and is the foundation of our legal system. If a jury of peers deems a law unjust, oppressive or inappropriately applied, it has the right and duty to acquit the defendant. We support the right of defendants to a fully informed jury, which would require judges to instruct jurors of their authority to judge not only the facts, but also the justice of the law according to their own good consciences.</li> <li class="Textbody">We support restitution for victims of crimes at the expense of the perpetrator. The victim should have the right to pardon the perpetrator, provided the victim is not threatened or coerced.</li> <li class="Textbody">Private adjudication of disputes by mutually acceptable judges or mediators should be encouraged.</li> <li class="Textbody">No-fault laws should be repealed because they deprive the victim of the right to recover damages from those responsible for causing harm.</li> <li class="Textbody">The right of trial by jury should be allowed in all civil or criminal cases.</li> <li class="Textbody">The use of civil asset forfeiture to enforce laws circumvents constitutional protections and should be ended.</li> <li class="Textbody">Random police roadblocks and other searches without probable cause bypass constitutional protections and should be prohibited.</li> <li class="Textbody">We support equal treatment and oppose sexual discrimination in any judicial proceeding adjudicating a parental right, privilege or obligation concerning his or her child.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>IV. PUBLIC SAFETY</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">Law enforcement cannot guarantee individual safety. Self protection is a personal responsibility. All individuals have the right to defend themselves and to possess the means to do so, as guaranteed by the State Constitution Article I, Section 6.</li> <li class="Textbody">State prison facilities should be used only for the incarceration of individuals who have proven themselves a threat to others.</li> <li class="Textbody">Curfew laws should be repealed as an individual’s behavior is not the responsibility of the state or municipality.</li> <li class="Textbody">Laws requiring the use of seat belts and helmets are misguided, paternal, and should be repealed. Individuals must assume responsibility for their own safety.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>V. VICE LAWS</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">Government should confine itself to protecting individuals from aggression, coercion and deceit. We oppose all laws and regulations that attempt to protect individuals from the consequences of their own behavior. While not necessarily condoning such activities, we advocate the repeal of all laws criminalizing gambling, possession and sale of drugs and alcohol, and sexual relations between consenting adults. All those presently incarcerated or ever convicted solely for the commission of these victimless crimes should be pardoned and their records expunged.</li> <li class="Textbody">Voluntary communities may enforce rules that prohibit certain activities to which all members subscribe, such as substance-free dorms.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>VI. TAXES</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">The legislature should find more voluntary means of supporting state services, such as lotteries and user fees.</li> <li class="Textbody">The income tax should be repealed.</li> <li class="Textbody">Taxation of privately owned real property should be eliminated. In effect, it makes the state the owner of all lands by forcing individuals to pay rent to the state or forfeit their title.</li> <li class="Textbody">The remaining personal property tax on Michigan businesses should be repealed.</li> <li class="Textbody">Tax favoritism should be illegal. Abatements, subsidies, credits, or other incentives to businesses based on geographical area, job creation, or any other criteria deny equal protection under the law.</li> <li class="Textbody">Sales tax on used merchandise that is resold results in double taxation and should be eliminated.</li> <li class="Textbody">Adding sales tax to products already subject to specific state taxes, such as gasoline and cigarettes, should be ended. This practice results in double taxation, as consumers are paying a tax on a tax.</li> <li class="Textbody">We oppose any sales or use tax on the Internet.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>VII. ECONOMY</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="Textbody">We believe in the free market, thus the complete separation of the economy and the state.</li> <li class="Textbody">No commercial enterprises should be granted legal monopoly status, including the so-called natural monopolies of electricity, natural gas, water supplies, telephones, and cable television. The Michigan Public Service Commission should be abolished and all rate regulation in these industries ended. The right to offer such services in the marketplace should not be curtailed. We also call on the legislature to end the state monopoly on lotteries.</li> <li class="Textbody">State regulation of industries such as insurance and communications, and professions such as medicine and law, should be ended. They should be regulated by trade or consumer groups.</li> <li class="Textbody">The condemnation of private property for public use should only be allowed when necessary for the protection of the rights of the citizens.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>VIII. Poverty</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Providing for the needy by forcibly taxing others is contrary to the legitimate function of government, which is to protect the rights of everyone. Disbursing charity from a welfare system costs society more than it gains. It is inefficient, open to fraud and abuse, and creates resentment. Traditional, voluntary sources of emergency support from families, churches, private charities, and mutual aid societies have always been more humane, more effective, and willingly borne by the givers. Therefore call for the complete disbandment of the welfare state.</li> <li>We oppose all attempts to criminalize the victims of coercion, such as the homeless. We therefore call for the immediate repeal of all laws against sleeping, camping, eating, feeding, or solicitation.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>IX. EDUCATION</b></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Education is an individual or parental responsibility and best handled at the most local level. We advocate the separation of school and state.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Because parents are best situated to decide what is in their own children’s best interests, we support all measures that enhance the educational choices available, such as charter schools, tax credits for private school tuition, and home schooling.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Compulsory attendance and truancy laws should be repealed. Students cannot be forced to learn, and teachers should not be forced to act as juvenile delinquency officers.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">All individuals, regardless of age, are entitled to the protections of the constitutions of the United States and Michigan. Random drug tests, locker searches without probable cause, censorship of student publications, corporal punishment, or any similar actions violate those rights.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">All votes relevant to school operations, including millage proposals, bond issues and school board elections, should be placed only on the regular, biannual ballot.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>X. ENVIROMENT</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Aside from public safety, there is no greater concern for the people of Michigan than having a safe, healthy environment. We look forward to the day when all property not required for police and court functions is returned to private ownership and control.</li> <li>We call for the restoration of every individual’s ancient, common law standing to sue for trespass any individual, business, government or other group that pollutes his or her property.</li> <li>We oppose creation of new government parks or wilderness and recreation areas. Such parks and areas that already exist should be transferred to non-government ownership. Pending such transfer, their operating costs should be borne by their users rather than by taxpayers.</li> <li>We support efforts to hold all individuals, businesses and governments accountable for the pollution they cause. With respect to so-called orphan sites, where those responsible for contamination of ground or water either cannot be found or cannot be made accountable for the damage they caused, we support the use of the Natural Resources Trust Fund currently earmarked for expansion of State parks to be redirected to clean up.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>XI. HEALTH CARE</b></p> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li>The most fundamental property right is an individual’s right to own and control his or her own body. All individuals have the right to determine their own health care needs and treatment. Exercise of this right does not remove the moral obligations not to violate the rights of others. We recognize the state, when it exists, has a duty to protect the rights of others, particularly those in society who are the most vulnerable, including: the very old, the very young, and the mentally handicapped. The state, where it exists, does have a duty to protect the life of all individuals, and should prosecute those who utilize force or fraud to end life.”</li> <li>The right of people to extend or end their lives with dignity should not be infringed. We support the freedom to use living wills and durable medical powers of attorney.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>XII. SECESSION</b></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We recognize the right to political secession. Exercise of this right, like the exercise of all other rights, does not remove legal and moral obligations not to violate the rights of others.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>XIII. INCLUSION</b></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Libertarian Party of Michigan ratifies and hereby includes in this document the platform of the national Libertarian Party.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>XIV. OMISSIONS</b></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Our silence about any other particular government law, regulation, ordinance, directive, edict, control, restriction, regulatory agency, or activity should not be construed to imply approval.</p> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_aNESb000F3dlNXMVRpT3VnTEE&usp=sharing">Previous Platforms</a></span></p>  <div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style" addthis:url="http://michiganlp.org/platform/" addthis:title="Platform"> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style"></a> </div></div></div></div> </div> </div>  </div> </div>   <footer id="Footer" class="clearfix"> <div class="footer_action"> <div class="container"> <div class="column one column_column"> Maximum Freedom For All. Equal Justice Under Law. Civil Rights & Civil Liberties. Freedom of Association. Personal Autonomy & Responsibility. The Freedom to Marry & the Freedom to Carry. Private Property & Free Enterprise. Peace & Prosperity. </div> </div> </div> <div class="widgets_wrapper"><div class="container"><div class="column one-fourth"><aside id="text-3" class="widget widget_text"><h4>Connect With Us</h4> <div class="textwidget"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://www.facebook.com/LibertarianPartyofMI"><img class="wp-image-56637" style="padding: 5px;" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/facebook.png" alt="Facebook Page" width="50" height="50" vspace="10/"></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://twitter.com/lpmi"><img class="wp-image-56637" style="padding: 5px;" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://oklahomalp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/twitter.png" alt="Twitter page" width="50" height="50"/></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://www.youtube.com/user/michiganlibertarian"><img class="wp-image-56637" style="padding: 5px;" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/youtube.png" alt="YouTube page" width="50" height="50"/></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://www.meetup.com/Libertarian-Party-of-Michigan/?https=off"><img class="wp-image-56637" style="padding: 5px;" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405im_/http://michiganlp.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/meetup.png" alt="Meetup page" width="50" height="50"/></a></div> </aside><aside id="search-3" class="widget widget_search"> <form method="get" id="searchform" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/http://michiganlp.org/"> <i class="icon_search icon-search"></i> <a href="#" class="icon_close"><i class="icon-cancel"></i></a> <input type="text" class="field" name="s" id="s" placeholder="Enter your search"/> <input type="submit" class="submit" value="" style="display:none;"/> </form></aside></div></div></div> <div class="footer_copy"> <div class="container"> <div class="column one"> <a id="back_to_top" class="button button_left button_js " href=""><span class="button_icon"><i class="icon-up-open-big"></i></span></a>  <div class="copyright"> Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone: 888.FREE.NOW. Paid for with regulated funds by the Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee, Inc. d/b/a the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Not authorized by any candidate. </div> <ul class="social"><li class="facebook"><a target="_blank" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://www.facebook.com/LPMINNESOTA/" title="Facebook"><i class="icon-facebook"></i></a></li><li class="googleplus"><a target="_blank" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://plus.google.com/b/118189012255717319972/118189012255717319972/posts" title="Google+"><i class="icon-gplus"></i></a></li><li class="twitter"><a target="_blank" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405/https://twitter.com/Libertarian_MN" title="Twitter"><i class="icon-twitter"></i></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div>   <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript"> var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"ui_atversion":300,"ignore_server_config":true}; var addthis_share = {}; </script>  <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript"> var addthis_product = "wpp-5.2.3"; var wp_product_version = "wpp-5.2.3"; var wp_blog_version = "4.4.2"; var addthis_plugin_info = {"info_status":"enabled","cms_name":"WordPress","cms_version":"4.4.2","plugin_name":"Share Buttons by AddThis","plugin_version":"5.2.3","anonymous_profile_id":"wp-37612129362242704c4bc5ce93a21936","plugin_mode":"WordPress","select_prefs":{"addthis_per_post_enabled":true,"addthis_above_enabled":false,"addthis_below_enabled":true,"addthis_sidebar_enabled":false,"addthis_above_showon_home":true,"addthis_above_showon_posts":true,"addthis_above_showon_pages":true,"addthis_above_showon_archives":true,"addthis_above_showon_categories":true,"addthis_above_showon_excerpts":true,"addthis_below_showon_home":false,"addthis_below_showon_posts":true,"addthis_below_showon_pages":true,"addthis_below_showon_archives":false,"addthis_below_showon_categories":false,"addthis_below_showon_excerpts":false,"addthis_sidebar_showon_home":true,"addthis_sidebar_showon_posts":true,"addthis_sidebar_showon_pages":true,"addthis_sidebar_showon_archives":true,"addthis_sidebar_showon_categories":true,"sharing_enabled_on_post_via_metabox":true},"page_info":{"template":"pages","post_type":""}}; if (typeof(addthis_config) == "undefined") { var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"ui_atversion":300,"ignore_server_config":true}; } if (typeof(addthis_share) == "undefined") { var addthis_share = {}; } if (typeof(addthis_layers) == "undefined") { var addthis_layers = {}; } </script> <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=wp-37612129362242704c4bc5ce93a21936 " async="async"> </script> <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript"> (function() { var at_interval = setInterval(function () { if(window.addthis) { clearInterval(at_interval); addthis.layers(addthis_layers); } },1000) }()); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" id="addthis_output-css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405cs_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/plugins/addthis/css/output.css?ver=4.4.2" type="text/css" media="all"/> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/core.min.js?ver=1.11.4"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/widget.min.js?ver=1.11.4"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/mouse.min.js?ver=1.11.4"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/sortable.min.js?ver=1.11.4"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/tabs.min.js?ver=1.11.4"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/accordion.min.js?ver=1.11.4"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/js/plugins.js?ver=10.2.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/js/menu.js?ver=10.2.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/assets/animations/animations.min.js?ver=10.2.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/assets/jplayer/jplayer.min.js?ver=10.2.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-content/themes/betheme/js/scripts.js?ver=10.2.1"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=4.4.2"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20160215152405js_/http://michiganlp.org/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js?ver=4.4.2"></script>  </body> </html>