Progressive Libertarian Party
The Progressive Libertarian Party (PRL) is a minor political party in the State of Florida. The party was started in 2001 as a semi-protest semi-joke by independent Michael J Posner who was frustrated with major party polictics, yet not ready to sign on as a libertarian candidate. Despite this, the party claims on its website that it was "Semi-founded in approximately 1808, [and that] the PLP has quietly done nothing since then until now. Taken over in a recent bloodless coup, the PLP is ready to come out of the shadow and seek its rightful place among the other less fulfilling parties."
The party combines the libertarian philosophy of the libertarianism for adults, including limited government, non-legislation of morality, low taxes, decentralized authority, with two major philosophy differences: special protection for children and seniors, and a pay if you play attitude towards adult responsibility. According to its website, "Government is to [sic] large, with to [sic] much power and control."
Platform
Major platform issues include:
1. Elimination of all income tax and move to a federal sales tax.
2. Balanced budget at all government levels.
3. Elimination of many federal programs such as education, commerce etc.
4. Privatization of the postal service, social security and other federal programs.
5. Mandatory two years of national service for all high school graduates (military or national peace corp).
6. Temporary sterilization of children below the age of 18.
7. Special sin sales tax for all items that may Contribute to societal harm, tax adjusts to cover cost to society.
8. Universal health care for all children and seniors.
9. Responsibility for all actions, for example, all men who get women pregnant must pay to support child.
Membership
The PRL, a registered minority party has over 85 registered voters in the state, which makes it one of the fastest growing minority parties in the state. According to the party's sole press release:
Chairman Michael Posner stated, “Despite a complete lack of effort, people throughout the great state of Florida have managed to register as members of the Progressive Libertarian Party. We do not know how or why nor do we actually care. However, as a big tent party we say, what the hell. Finally, I note that we have more registered voters than the American Poor People Party, the British Reformed Sectarian Party, The Moderate Party, Prohibition Party and the Possibility Party. With any luck, we’ll soon catch up to the ALP whoever they are.”
Chairman Posner continued, “We have no plans to do anything different in the future.”
The PRL also advises that the party is planning a big upgrade to its website, including the use of color and possibly more words.