Getting the basics right
September 27th, 2011 at 12:09 pm by David FarrarWhat was potentially a good news story, about ACT returning to its liberal roots, has been over-shadowed by the fact other candidates were unaware of Dr Brash’s speech advocating a change from the current cannabis laws.
The issue isn’t so much that there is a diversity of opinion within ACT on this issue, but that the rest of the ACT team were in the dark about the speech.
It is absolutely basic political management that a major speech from the leader should have been circulated in advance to key people in the party. To be fair to ACT, it is more difficult when your candidates are not the same as your caucus, as this is bread and butter parliamentary stuff. But regardless it was a major failure to not have had anyone run the speech through John Banks and other top candidates.
This is not to give them a veto on the speech, but to make sure there are no surprises, and you know what each will say. It was 100% predictable that the media would ask Banks for his view. Now if they were smart, Don would have even mentioned in his speech that John Banks doesn’t agree with him, but that he is (for example) open to having a debate and a conscience vote on the issue. And again with better political management, you would have had Banks have his response to the media prepared in advance.
If you don’t get basic political management right, potential supporters will be deterred from supporting your party, even if they agree on policies.
Related posts:
- Perigo on ACT
- Greens and corporate hospitality
- Are there any ACT members involved in the Brash bid?
- Don’s decision
September 27th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
It is not the first time, but surely Brash can not possibly be this inept. So the only logic I can see is that the end-game is to collapse the party and hope National then gather enough votes to govern alone. That sounds totally far-fetched, but then the incredible way this has come about makes that my logical conclusion.
If we moved to a SM electoral system, I’m pretty certain any surviving Act would fold back into National anyway.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Can someone tell me what ACT is?
Is it a liberal party, which champions personal responsibility and individual freedom in all things? That is, does it agree with the statement made by Sir William Harcourt, in 1872: “But liberty does not consist in making others do what you think right”? (This appears to be Don Brash’s view)
Or is it a conservative party, and thus believes that making others do what you think right is the role of the state? (This appears to be John Banks’ view).
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Have to say that so far Brash’s leadership has not been impressive. With National sadly drifting ever closer to Labour Liberalism we need a true Conservative party on the right, and ACT cannot fulfill that role, under any leader.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
After seeing the resignation of John Boscowan, and Banks stretching like a satisfied cat knowing he’ll get his way, my impression of the cannabis thing is one of the final chaotic wobble of a spinning top about to come to rest. I expect Banks will become an independent sometime in the next year or so, and ACT will go the way of the Alliance and Mauri Pacific party.
Brash is a failed gamble for ACT.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
“I expect Banks will become an independent sometime in the next year or so”
Another possibility is that Brash will resign after the election for failing to lift their poll results, and Banks could take over and reform the Party into a Conservative vehicle, in which case I amend my last comment. ACT might be useful yet.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
So isBanks in the loop or not. Never should be there. And that’s the big problem.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Cannabis law liberalization is not a pressing issue, its not even on most peoples radar even and for those who it is important are mostly on the left anyway.
What a dumb thing to put on the table – even more dumb when the rest of the party are not in favor.
Bizarre
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I suspect that the stance on dope has bugger all to do with Brash, this is the work of long time aspiring libertarian politician (and ACT media adviser) Lindsay Perigo.
I have a lot of time for Perigo as a former magnificent journalist, however his political views are extreme and have always proved unpopular, sadly it seems that Perigo is about to have the same influence on ACT as he has had on every other political party.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
This whole situation is inept beyond belief. Don Brash cannot remain leader being this inept.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
big bruv, I don’t think Perigo is still ACT’s media adviser. That would have been a convenient explanation.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
That’s more the sort of thing Labour would do.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Brash is a National Party stooge whose mission is to destroy ACT, frighten the horses and send actoid votes back to NAtional.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Far out…
Don must have been WASTED the night he typed up that speech, to make such a fundamental oversight!
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Brash is a cabbage. This is as Cactus said a thermonuclear clusterfuck.
Vote:Act are toast.
September 27th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Yes but in Cactus Kate’s World it’s ALL MEN who are bumbling, incompetent f*ckwits – not just Don Brash.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
To me this was a double fail – of policy AND political management. Except for the die hard libertarians this was not a burning issue on the right. For every drug liberalising libertarian (who would already be a shoe in to vote for ACT before Brash’s musings) there will be two conservative leaning professional parents of teenagers worried sick about the rampant cannabis use amongst their children’s social circle who would not be of a mind to liberalise the law surrounding this drug and who will now be much more likely to vote National as neither Key nor any of the Nats front bench have any intention of stirring this pot (excuse the pun!).
Yet another demonstration of Brash’s abysmal political instincts. For once I actually agree with MNIJ. Cactus Kate sadly is correct.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I bet number 3 on the list remains permanently secret. Who the hell’s going to volunteer to be part of it now?
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Dr Brash is financially bright yet still politically naive & he has given another demonstration of why Banks will prove toxic to his adopted party. The smarmy one hasn’t a liberal bone in his body & would be better described as a right wing control freak… ie. Helen Clark dressed in blue.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
For once MNIJ and I are in agreement.
Vote:Both ACT and Brash are too long in the tooth to make such a basic mistake.
September 27th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
BB: “I have a lot of time for Perigo as a former magnificent journalist, however his political views are extreme and have always proved unpopular ….”
By way of contrast, you appear to find Key’s political views not extreme enough for your liking, despite being popular (it seems) with the electorate at large.
If you’re prepared to recognise that conundrum, you’ll soon find that you don’t have it on your own.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
first time caller – “This is as Cactus said a thermonuclear clusterf..”
Slight hyperbole. Don’t suppose CK is a little sour at being overlooked for the list..
How to get rid of the Banks problem. That is the question. Wanker’s already making a nuisance of himself. Wonder if the little shit set Brash up. Wouldn’t put it past him. He’s guaranteed a seat.
He’s the political veteran who should have said, “No Comment”. Don’s a bit old to learn real politics maybe, but I’ll give him credit for at least raising the subject of decriminalization.
Anyone got any dirt on Banks?
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@ Lee01 “With National sadly drifting ever closer to Labour Liberalism we need a true Conservative party on the right, and ACT cannot fulfill that role, under any leader.”
Nor should it! ACT is supposed to be a liberal party. Obviously this is hopelessly compromised with the John Banks candidacy (if not before). Your comment makes about as much sense as saying that we need a fascist party, and United Future will never fulfill that role.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Sad to say, the only party I’ve ever voted for is as good as dead.
At least the crazies have no chance of winning the election, I’ll take National any day but no motivation to actually vote for them with a one-horse race like it is.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
“ACT is supposed to be a liberal party”
Yeah, cause we don’t have enough of those….
Strictly speaking ACT has always been a fusion of libertarianism and conservatism, and has often swung between those two poles depending on the issue.
We don’t need another Liberal party, we need a true Conservative one.
Liberalism is the disease. Traditionalism is the cure.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Adze – “I expect Banks will become an independent sometime in the next year or so”
MyNameIsJack – “National Party stooge whose mission is to destroy ACT”
Hmm. This becomes more and more suspicious. I can’t believe that Brash suddenly came out with this decriminalization idea without discussing it with his colleagues. He and Banks sit on boards together FFS.
The more I think about it, the more Machiavellian this is becoming, especially if Banks manufactures a rift and breaks away to found another Christian conservative movement, possibly in collusion with National. I think Banks is your stooge Jack, not Don.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Scott Chris
Regrettably you could drag something out of the reject bin at the back of the Auckland Zoo, dress it in a suit accessorised with yellow & blue & call it a winning candidate for the electorate of Remuera. Thus the recycled one is destined to haul his sorry arse back into parliament come November come what may.
I doubt that he has any skeletons in his closet…it will be full to overflowing with portraits of himself which he will kiss on a daily basis.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Alzheimer’s perhaps?
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
“especially if Banks manufactures a rift and breaks away to found another Christian conservative movement, possibly in collusion with National.”
Please Lord, let it be true!!!!!
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Lee01 (957) Says:
September 27th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Please Lord, let it be true!!!!!
http://www.meh.ro/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/meh.ro5565.jpg
ACT has always been a classical liberal, not conservative party. If you want a conservative party go vote for that anti-homo creationist Colin Craig.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
“Anyone got any dirt on Banks?”
Self made man, practicing Christian. Went to adopt a kid and couldn’t bear to break up the family so adopted them all. Seems to have raised them pretty well. That’s all from memory but should be enough to damn him.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
“ACT has always been a classical liberal, not conservative party.”
In practice it has always been a fusionist party.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusionism
ACT needs a makeover, and Liberalism, regardless of whether its classical liberalism, progreessive liberalism, lef-liberalism or smurf liberalism, is a rotting corpse.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
The worrying thing about this is not so much the story, but the way in which everyone jumps on Don Brash merely for raising it as a point of discussion (which wasn’t even the main focus of his speech). How do we have a democracy if we can not have an in depth discussion on the topis and agree that we need to look at the data?
The campbell live show which interviewed ‘people on the streets of Epsom’ was a disgrace in terms of peoples ability to actually think. Goes to show that higher income electorates do not equal higher intelligence.
As for John Banks, perhaps he should get his own families behaviour in order regarding drugs and alcohol before he gets on his high horse to preach to the rest of us.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
“Self made man, practicing Christian. Went to adopt a kid and couldn’t bear to break up the family so adopted them all.”
So in the world of Big Bruv, Courage Wolf and MyNameIsJack, he’s clearly evil and should probably be reported to the Human Rights Commission.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
“The campbell live show which interviewed ‘people on the streets of Epsom’ was a disgrace in terms of peoples ability to actually think. Goes to show that higher income electorates do not equal higher intelligence.”
Nope, just proves the intelligence of those who are prepared to go on TV interviews.
Also there’s plenty of merely average income parts of Epson electorate.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
One of the problems, perhaps, for ACT, is that many economic liberals tend to be socially conservative. So free markets, except for some substances which we will outlaw, and free contracts for labour, but state-sanctioned contracts for personal relations like marriage.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Lee01 (961) Says:
September 27th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
“Self made man, practicing Christian. Went to adopt a kid and couldn’t bear to break up the family so adopted them all.”
So in the world of Big Bruv, Courage Wolf and MyNameIsJack, he’s clearly evil and should probably be reported to the Human Rights Commission.
FYI I have a fuckload of respect for Banks’ stance on veganism and animal rights and his support for groups such as SAFE and Animal Freedom Aotearoa – something you Christians are unable to empathise with because you think animals were made by God to be tortured and murdered for food.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Courage Wolf
There’s room for all God’s creatures…right next to the mashed potatoes.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
nasska – I challenge you to watch the film Earthlings the whole way through and say that again:
Vote:
September 27th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
The conservative free marketeers sector of the political spectrum is looking a little crowded.
Surely that would leave room for the Classical Liberal Association (CLASS) Party, founded by our very own David P. Farrar?
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
CW,
Read and learn: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_vegetarianism
While I’m personally in favour of eating meat, I also believe strongly in limiting that for the sake of the earth (I eat meat only twice a week). I’m in favour of much stronger laws against animal cruelty, and opposed to industrial corporate farming practices. I try as much as possible to stick to ethical, organic and free range products.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
“The conservative free marketeers sector of the political spectrum is looking a little crowded.”
As I’m sure is already clear (hopefully), I don’t support free market capitalism.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
…”As I’m sure is already clear (hopefully), I don’t support free market capitalism.”…..
You’ve got us confused with people who give a stuff what you support.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
“You’ve got us confused with people who give a stuff what you support.”
Speak for yourself. Get up on the wrong side of bed today hmmm? Smile nasska, God loves you
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Glad to hear you don’t condone animal cruelty Lee. I don’t either that’s why I changed to much more powerful calibre than 243 WIN.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Johnboy,
don’t get me wrong, I’m not a hippy. I have no problem with hunting. Hunting is humane compared with what goes on at industrialised farms and slaughter houses.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Just pulling your holier than thou leg Lee.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Lee01 (965) Says:
September 27th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Johnboy,
don’t get me wrong, I’m not a hippy. I have no problem with hunting. Hunting is humane compared with what goes on at industrialised farms and slaughter houses.
I suggest you watch Earthlings as well (link above) – it covers factory farming as well as hunting and other issues such as experimentation etc.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
A Traditionalist platform for a renewed ACT.
1. Resacralization of the world versus materialism.
Vote:2. Natural social hierarchy versus an artificial hierarchy based on wealth.
3. The Crown, the Nation and the Family versus artificial globalisation and multiculturalism.
4. Stewardship of the earth versus the “maximization of resources.”
5. A harmonious relationship between men and women versus the feminist “war between the sexes.”
6. Agrarianism, handicraft and artisanship versus industrial mass-production.
7. Distributism versus corporate Capitalism and State Socialism.
8. Tradition versus cultural Marxism, Liberalism and Atheism.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
You better just stop eating Wolfie!
‘A Long Hard Look…
Scientists Prove Plants Feel Pain, Vegans Face Starvation
DALLAS–Research scientists at Baylor Medical Center have proven that plants, including vegetables, feel pain when subjected to trauma such as being yanked out of the ground, peeled, cooked, and eaten. “Veggies and plants initiate a massive hormone and chemical barrage internally when they suffer any kind of injury,” says professor Barry Lindzer. “This response is akin to the nerve response and endorphin release when an animal is injured. We cannot ignore the similarities.” When Tarnish asked professor Lindzer and his research team what they thought this finding might mean, they responded unanimously, “Nobel prize, baby!”
Other agencies, namely People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the sum total of the world’s hard-core vegetarians (known as vegans) registered formal complaints against the research. Their team of lawyers has already submitted a motion to have the results of the research destroyed or sealed. Others fear the damage has already been done. A spokesman for PETA said, “This is bad for us. Most of our members haven’t eaten anything since hearing about the results. Our lawyers are looking into suing Mother Earth for false advertising, but concede that the suit will probably be inconclusive. In the meantime we’ll be surviving on vitamin supplements and water.”
In an ironic related story, a dozen PETA protesters picketing the Hungry Carnivore Steak House in New York City were allegedly assaulted by three patrons of the restaurant. Eyewitnesses say that the picketers were making their typical nuisance display of scorn and righteous indignation over the willful consumption of “the flesh of murdered animals” outside the Hungry Carnivore when two unidentified men and a woman stepped out of the establishment and sprayed the picketers with several gallons of what appeared to be blood. Victims and bystanders alike were surprised to discover that the liquid was actually V-8 juice. The truly shocking result of the alleged attack was the reaction of the picketers. All of the PETA protesters were wracked with convulsions and suffered hours of dry heaves while many of the bystanders merely laughed. This reaction within vegetarianism’s great bastion of faith has many true believers reconsidering their dietary requirements. Others are quietly making funeral arrangements and the Environmental Protection Agency is considering declaring vegans an endangered species. ‘
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
“Just pulling your holier than thou leg Lee.”
Careful, you might get healed of something
Only God is holy.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
“Brash is a National Party stooge whose mission is to destroy ACT, frighten the horses and send actoid votes back to NAtional.”
“I suspect that the stance on dope has bugger all to do with Brash, this is the work of long time aspiring libertarian politician (and ACT media adviser) Lindsay Perigo.”
ACT has traditionally had a libertarian bent. The founders of ACT came from Labour! They formed ACT because of the left’s anti-free market views. ACT is supposed to be a socially liberal and free market party. Only recently have the socially conservative law and order nutjobs taken over the party. And look where it has got them. Floundering well below the 5% threshold with great uncertainty whether they will even get one MP back into parliament.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Back on topic as DPF says its politics 101 to have a no surprises policy as regards speeches and statements. Same goes in any well governed/managed organisation.
When the left hand and the right hand dont know what the others up to it aint a good look. Like how will they manage the really big stuff!!!!!
Sadly as one who has given their party vote to ACT from the start I find myself wondering what to do come 26 Nov. 2 ticks to the Nats to be sure or 1 tick to ACT to support my conservative leanings.
As a poster said maybe we need ACT to morph into a traditionalist party. One that supports the bed rock principles of our society
Vote:that have been undermined by the Left and the middle parties over the past 4 decades.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
“Only recently have the socially conservative law and order nutjobs taken over the party.”
Social conservatives were part of the party at its founding.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Oh really, idiot.
Traditionally a strong ally of the National Party on economic policy, ACT with its classical liberal tradition, comes closer on some issues (such as same-sex unions and legalized brothels) to the more liberal elements of Labour than to the more conservative elements of National members.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
joe90,
I did not say they were able to sway opinion on all matters, I said they were THERE, and part of the party. Try reading before you post a response.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Okay then, which Social conservatives were part of the party at its founding?.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Me for a start. I went to public meetings and voted ACT in the 96 and 99 elections. I also know that a large number of conservative Christians voted ACT. Also ACT mp Owen Jennings was a Christian.
“Act was also said to have a Christian-wing, led by the conservative MP Owen Jennings – a lay preacher, and the chairman of the Christchurch-based Christian Resource Centre. Certainly Act did not mind associating itself with New Right Christians such as David Green, author of the Business Roundtable published book, From Welfare State to Civil Society. Also, at Act’s 1998 annual conference, the keynote speaker was American, Father Robert Sirico, a strong proponent of the view that the church, not the state, should provide a society’s moral guidance.”
http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2009/03/act-party-history-24-socially-conservative-repositioning.html
Idiot.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
First the miracles and now Me for a start. I went to public meetings and voted ACT in the 96 and 99 elections
Nah, you’d be a lying sack of shit who thinks everybody is a stupid as you are.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Joe90,
Which part of, “Also ACT mp Owen Jennings was a Christian. Act was also said to have a Christian-wing, led by the conservative MP Owen Jennings – a lay preacher, and the chairman of the Christchurch-based Christian Resource Centre.” are you too stupid to understand?
Are you saying that Owen Jennings was not an ACT MP? Are you saying that David Green was not associated with ACT?
Get a grip you moron.
And if you want to abuse me, do it to my face like a man, not from behind a computer like a pathetic snivelling coward.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Thats what I thought. Joe90 runs away with his tail between his legs when his uninformed ignorance is exposed.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
I actually take Lee01′s point. The ACT party’s main focus has always been laissez-faire economics and in this regard they have drawn support from both the left and right and unfortunately those on the right are more likely to bring with them some socially conservative views. Also, while the party’s founders came from Labour, their appeal is more to the right.
It’s worth noting that the Civil Union Bill was rejected by 4 out of 9 ACT MP’s. That’s significant and does indicate the presence of social conservatism in what is supposed to be a liberal party. To me it appears that the social conservative group has well and truly taken over and personally I don’t think it should be calling itself a liberal party at all anymore. Brash may be leader but what is he the leader of? His associates have basically told him to go fuck himself.
Hopefully the party will cease to exist come November.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Banks is a tool, in every sense of the word. Nobody expects him to share ACT’s values. He is there to help keep ACT in Parliament as they try to build their way back to a high enough share of the party vote that they don’t need to resort to candidates like Banks any longer. As such, his views on policy are irrelevant.
There is no future for ACT in trying to mimic the National approach of continuing with failed policies while trying not to say anything that might upset someone. They need to be controversial and shouldn’t have chosen Brash as leader otherwise. He is there for a good time not a long time and I wish more MPs were like that.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Lee01 (976) Says:
September 27th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
While I’m personally in favour of eating meat, I also believe strongly in limiting that for the sake of the earth (I eat meat only twice a week). I’m in favour of much stronger laws against animal cruelty, and opposed to industrial corporate farming practices.
I try as much as possible to stick to ethical, organic and free range products.
Does that include your women/men as well??
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Lee01 (976) Says:
September 27th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
“Just pulling your holier than thou leg Lee.”
Only God is holy.
Nah not true, johnboy has a drawer fulla socks like that.
Vote:September 27th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
the ACT Party upholds the following principles:
That individuals are the rightful owners of their own lives and therefore have inherent rights and responsibilities; and
That the proper purpose of government is to protect such rights and not to assume such responsibilities.
Looks pretty liberal to me How the hell did banks get in here
Vote:September 28th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Weihana,
“personally I don’t think it should be calling itself a liberal party at all anymore.”
I have noticed that on the ACT website that they have dropped the “liberal party” bit from under the ACT name.
Griff,
“Looks pretty liberal to me How the hell did banks get in here”
That depends entirely on your defenition of terms like “Liberal” and “Conservative”. New Zealand seems to have adopted the American lexicon which would define ACT as conservative. Remember that the mainstream US right is a fusion of conservatism and libertarianism.
As to why social conservatives and Christians like Owen Jennings would support ACT, and even stand for them as Jennings did, their reasoning makes sense. They see the big government and the liberal-left state as a threat to their freedom to practice their religion and teach their children their values unimpeded by the state. Many conservatives support libertarianism for this reason. They fear that an intrusive state run by the liberal-left will force its values on them through “human rights” and “hate speech” codes and on their children through state education. Thats why ACT always did better amongst conservative Christians than the Christian parties themselves did.
Now personally I happen to think this is a flawed strategy in the long run, but I get why they follow it. I did myself for many years. I voted ACT in 96, 99 and 2002 for that reason.
Vote:September 28th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Brash is simply past it and the ACT party needs to look to refresh itself with some younger candidates who are more in touch with the electorate.
Vote:September 28th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Griff (853) Says:
the ACT Party upholds the following principles:
That individuals are the rightful owners of their own lives and therefore have inherent rights and responsibilities; and
That the proper purpose of government is to protect such rights and not to assume such responsibilities.
Yes, this is a classical liberal position and is still the primary principle on their website.
Vote: