Issue Position: Privacy and Universal Identification

Issue Position

3a. Privacy
Libertarians believe in an inherent right to privacy. As such, we oppose any legislation that permits government to become involved in our personal affairs where such authority has not been exclusively granted via a constitutional amendment. We hold that the purpose of government is to protect our rights and property, and should never become a threat to the very things it was established to protect.

3b. Real ID Act
Libertarians reject the presumption of federal authority in requiring universal identification. Given the opportunity, Libertarians would reject the federal "Real ID Act" and join the growing list of states who are safeguarding their citizen's privacy.

3c. NAIS
Libertarians reject the presumption of federal authority to require animal identification. Furthermore, imposing such requirements on individual ranchers and farmers while granting variances to corporate agri-businesses violates the equal protection clause of the constitution. Given the opportunity, Libertarians would amend the Texas Agricultural Code to remove authority for the Texas Animal Health Commission to develop and implement an animal identification system consistent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

3d. Police Powers - Searches
Libertarians call for the complete repeal of the USA-PATRIOT Act. We also call for the repeal of any and all laws which authorize the wiretapping or other search and seizure of private communications or property without a warrant issued in a free and independent court of law. Libertarians support legislation or judicial rules that forbid the execution of "no-knock" warrants unless there is probable cause that they are necessary to avoid death or serious injury to an innocent person. We require that all warrants be presented to the subject for examination, with an original signature and a copy of the affidavit attached, and that the subject have an opportunity to contact the court that issued the warrant to verify its validity.

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