Minnesotans for Limited Government - Platform
(Adopted May 27, 2008)

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
Minnesotans for Limited Government (MNLG) is dedicated to promoting the idea that individual and economic freedom be the first consideration of any government action. Therefore, MNLG seeks a nation in which all government officials strictly adhere to the principles outlined in the United States Constitution. MNLG maintains the notion that the powers of the federal government and its officials are limited to those that are expressly outlined in the Constitution. We recognize that the Bill of Rights is a fundamental document that secures individual rights for all and therefore demand that the Bill of Rights be held in the highest regard amongst all levels of government.

TAXATION
MNLG supports a simple and equitable tax policy that is required by the Constitution. Therefore, we support the reduction and elimination of most taxes including the income tax, property taxes, estate tax, capital gains tax, and the marriage tax, among others. We support the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. We support a mandatory balanced budget on both the state and federal level.

NATIONAL DEFENSE
MNLG advocates a strong national defense. We support war only under provisions set fourth by the United States Constitution. We hold in great regard the separation of powers in declaring and conducting war and therefore we support war only under provisions set fourth by the United States Constitution. Furthermore, we oppose any foreign military intervention dictated by the United Nations or any other international organization to the United States as it directly undermines US national sovereignty. MNLG also believes that a voluntary army is the foundation of a free nation and we therefore oppose any compulsory draft registration or conscription.

ENTITLEMENTS
MNLG promotes personal responsibility and private charity over government entitlement. Therefore, we support the reform of individual and corporate welfare.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES
MNLG supports the right of a free individual to make choices and live with their consequences. Essential to Americans’ individual liberties is the 2nd amendment, which supports the right to keep and bear arms. MNLG also recognizes that that the recent enactment of the U.S. Patriot Act along with The Homegrown Terror and Radicalization Act, the Military Commissions Act and the John Warner Defense Authorization Act are an outright attack on Americans’ civil liberties. We thus seek immediate repeal of all acts listed above by Congress. Under the United States Constitution The Federal Government has no right to regulate domestic relations between individuals and further opposes Title IV-D federal intervention in state martial dissolution and paternity cases.

ECONOMIC FREEDOM
MNLG recognizes economic freedom to be an essential element to individual liberty. As such we seek to reduce both the regulatory and tax burdens that inhibit the success of local businesses. We recognize that low taxes and a business environment conducive to the Minnesota entrepreneurial spirit is the best way to keep both good companies and quality employees in Minnesota. On the federal level we support sweeping monetary policy reform and encourage our federal representatives to repeal or seek major reform to Sarbanes-Oxley. We acknowledge the success of the free-market and therefore discourage any attempt by the government that restricts competition. We support free-exchange between individuals without government interference.

EDUCATION REFORM
The future of a nation depends on the success and education of its children. We support education reform using free-market principles, which will introduce competition into the education market. As educational decisions are best handled on a local level we call for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
MNLG encourages transparency and accountability in all levels of government. MNLG believes that all government entities be required to release a detailed budget statement that is easily available to the public. We also reason that government bureaucracy be held to the same reporting standards that are expected of private businesses. MNLG proposes that a well-informed citizenry is essential to freedom hence we want to eliminate roadblocks that prevent the citizenry from receiving public information. Furthermore, we support the Freedom of Information Act. MNLG also support that information claimed under the State’s Secrets Privilege be subjected to confidential judicial review.

FOREIGN POLICY
MNLG supports a foreign policy of freedom. We advocate the founders’ recommendation of trade and diplomacy with all, and entangling alliances with none. We oppose the idea of any presidential doctrine sending troops to engage in spreading democracy through force or undermining the sovereignty of foreign nations without a declaration from Congress.