Libertarian Party's positions

Missouri Libertarian Party takes positions on statewide ballot initiatives:Constitutional Amendment 1: Oppose. While it does not seem illogical, in principle, that counties with a charter form of government elect their county assessor, an amendment to the Constitution with language that exempts "counties with a population between 600,001-699,999" specifically to exempt Jackson County strikes us as absurd. What will happen when the population of Jackson County grows or shrinks to be outside this range? Will the Constitution be amended again? We feel that Constitutional Amendments should be broad-based, not targeted to some specific group or locale.

Constitutional Amendment 2: Oppose. This proposed amendment, which affects an extremely small number of people, strikes us as blatant political pandering. Arguments can be made to exempt many less fortunate groups from property taxes, so why this one? We would prefer to see property taxes lowered or eliminated across the board, which would create real economic prosperity. Increased economic prosperity will create more opportunities and resources for the less fortunate citizens of Missouri.

Constitutional Amendment 3: Support. We support this amendment prohibiting any new tax on the sale or transfer of homes.

Proposition A: Support. We are opposed to earnings taxes and find them to be even more unjust when imposed without the people's vote. Although the governments of St. Louis and Kansas City are unfortunately, yet predictably, addicted to their respective earnings taxes, the 10-year phase out period should provide a more than adequate adjustment period.

Proposition B: Oppose. Like most people, we find animal cruelty appalling. However, as Libertarians, we are opposed to the passage of ever more regulations that will have a broad-based and negative effect on legitimate businesses. There are already extensive laws on the books prohibiting animal cruelty.

GREG TLAPEK, 1569 N. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701