My previous post contained links to my critique of Cass Sunstein’s essay “Why I am a liberal” as well as links to my review of Philip K. Howard’s new book on Everyday Freedom. But both my critique of Sunstein and my review of Howard beg the question, What am I for? Simply put, if I were “king for a day“, what actions would I propose in order to expand the classical liberal system of natural liberty? So glad you asked! My dream political platform would consist of three simple and common sense planks:
- FEDERAL LEVEL. At the national level in Washington, D.C., I would repeal the entire Code of Federal Regulations root and branch … all of it! (If the U.S. Congress is unwilling to do this, perhaps the next president could do so via a global Executive Order. Also, moving forward, any proposed regulation must be approved by both houses of Congress in order to become binding law. That’s how you “drain the swamp”, folks.)
- STATE/LOCAL LEVEL. At the State and local levels of government, I would abolish zoning, planning commissions, occupational licenses, etc. once and for all. (If State legislatures are unwilling to take this radical but liberating move, then the courts should step in by striking down zoning laws and occupational licenses as unconstitutional takings. That’s how we create affordable housing and expand economic opportunities to all people.)
- STATE & FEDERAL LEVELS. Last but not least, at both the State and federal levels I would abolish income taxes, or what I like to call labor taxes. (Better yet, let’s replace all existing taxes either with a VAT or with a land value tax; i.e. “tax landlords, not labor”!)
Suffice it to say, I will further elaborate on each one of these libertarian proposals in future blog posts.
prior probability 