I’ve spent some time over the last couple of days reading web sites and blogs that are dedicated to reforming the Libertarian party. I am not entirely sure yet which side of the fence I fall on, so I want to discuss the advantages and disadvantages that I see with each approach.

The Libertarian party currently has the reputation of being extreme and non-compromising. If a moderate Democrat or Republican looks at the Libertarian platform, which states that all drugs should be legal and Social Security should be terminated, they would consider the word “extreme” to be a major understatement. There is also a perception, which I don’t feel is entirely accurate, that party members are not willing to accept any compromised solution that results in more government than the goals set forth in platform would allow.

The reformers believe that the party is too radical, and would like to bring it more into the mainstream. They would accomplish this by basically taking the “smaller government” side of current political issues, reducing the size of government over time in small steps. For example, they would campaign for medical marijuana, private accounts for Social Security, and eliminating pork spending.

In theory, this would expand the party’s base, making room for new members and politicians who would be willing to cut spending and legalize marijuana, but perhaps would not be ready to repeal the income tax and eliminate the FDA.

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