Autonomy Party

A masterful synthesis,

creating the greatest political society.

Drafted by Founder Andrew Bushard

Last Revised 05/25/09

Preamble:   The Autonomy Party is a party of servant leadership, meaning we seek to consider and advance the best needs of all.  Total autonomy for the individual is the goal of this party.  Thus far human institutions have sacrificed this for ill gotten gains.  This party recognizes that leftist thought is very true in its analysis of our political system but its solution is wrong and problematic for autonomy purposes.  Likewise, classic Libertarianism is wrong in its analysis of our political system, yet its solution and program of action is right for what it is, (alleviating government oppression).  We recognize that both capitalism and government encroach on the rights of living beings.  This party aims to synthesize the analysis of the leftists with the action program of Libertarians.  We seek to restore autonomy to all individuals; all life will be autonomous.  We seek to erect an autonomous society which violates the rights of none.  

Platform:

Libertarian principles shall allow privately owned individually owned businesses to operate.  

Political prisoners (such as Mumia Abu Jamal and Leonard Peltier) prisoners shall be immediately granted a fair trial by a jury of their peers, and if the jury indeed determines an unjust conviction, the prisoner shall be compensated adequately for losses. All drug war prisoners shall immediately be freed and compensated for their losses.

We the Autonomy Party recommend that we abolish the Federal Communications Commission!  Freedom of the Press is a right, not a privilege.  The radio spectrum is not to be bought or sold. The radio spectrum shall be accessible to all people: rich, poor, and middle class.       

Abolish the FBI, CIA, and all other oppressive bureaucracies.

We hope the Autonomy Party revolution spreads like wildfire worldwide. We hope the ethical travesties of the world perish, but we shall strive in the process to protect the splendid diversity of worldwide cultures. To make this more conceivable, let's take German culture as an illustration. The Autonomy Party believes a revolution has no right to destroy the tradition of eating sauerkraut, but every right in the world, to destroy the German tradition of heavy beer consumption.

It's very unfortunate that students in America have to break their backs just to get a higher education. Especially when many other countries provide nearly free education to students. Let us have free education here too. Not only that, we believe that education is a job, an investment of society. Students should be paid to attend college, as they often are for graduate school. The image of student poverty shall vanish. Students should not have to worry about money matters. They shouldn't have to worry about working a job and going to school, school is a job in itself. Students should be able to explore themselves during college and participate in stimulating activities and relax, plenty of time for traditional work later. Educated citizens benefit all of society, so it is only right to pay students sufficient wages for increasing their value to society. Becoming better citizens is one of the best jobs imaginable.

The internet is a wonderful vehicle for free expression, you get a real open dialogue with a plurality of viewpoints.  This is rare. The internet may have some garbage, but the opportunity it provides for free expression is unparallel.  The government should not be censoring the internet.  We can't let the internet fall into the trap that mainstream media has fell into long ago.  There's still alot of good on the internet; let's not allow the internet to suppress views like the rest of mainstream media.   

It is very important to view our program to consist of intermediate steps.  Some ideas may seem to make other ideas irrelevant.  We realize that it is important to strive for all our goals.  Some may not be totally achievable, but if we advancing any, it is good.  For example, some might say that calling for barter contradicts our call for a progressive income tax.  As long as we have money we should have a progressive income tax, but if we advance to a barter society, then we probably wouldn’t have to be concerned about a progressive income tax on money.  The revolution may take steps thus it is important to flesh out all these steps.

Jello Biafra highly recommends the legalization of squatting. It is a good idea.

John Walsh, of America’s Most Wanted believes in a Victims Rights Amendment to the constitution.  We also believe this is a very good idea.

We believe that all radical political organizations should be given access to free photocopying, laminating and other duplicating procedures (according to VERY limited parameters, of course).  Radical political organizations are often strapped for cash, and could benefit immensely from free photocopying. 

A new cabinet system shall be adopted.  We shall keep cabinet positions that are needed such as Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State, but we should raise create other prominent cabinets based upon Autonomy Party planks.

The adoption of Monarchism and the degree to which it is adopted shall be determined by what the leadership deems to be beneficial to the advancement of justice and liberation.  We could have local kings and queens and maybe a national king if it is feasible and beneficial.  If monarchism would be deemed appropriate, the Autonomy Party leader could be king or queen or perhaps we could have a separate ceremonial king or queen.  The question of Monarchism is open at this point, and we realize it has much virtue.  It is certainly one of the better ways to go.  Monarchism shall be accepted or embraced according to whether it hinders or helps cultivate the vision we love.    

In a like manner, we propose a fair minimum wage.  It is sick that workers do much of the work, yet often get compensated miserably.  Slavery is getting paid dismal wages for tough work.  Workers deserve to keep some of the wealth they create, it shouldn't all go back to the owners.  Wages below a certain rate of say 10 dollars an hour amount to exploitation.  Workers are at the owner's mercy, we believe the government should ensure workers are being paid adequately.  There should be laws against theft and paying people too little is just about tantamount to theft.    Workers deserve to be compensated for the work they provide for their employers. 

The Post Office is not inefficient.  The Post Office is efficient.  It's amazing how far one 34 cent stamp will send a letter.  Mail is one of the most wonderful things of life.  Personal letters are one of the highest joys.  Email is wonderful, but a good old fashioned letter hits the spot like nothing else.  We would like to see the Post Office delivering mail on Sunday. No we don't want to overwork the hard working postal workers, so we recommend reassigning workers of government positions we seek to abolish.  If possible, we would like mail delivered twice a day.  Mail is exciting, and what other party so zealously glorifies the Post Office?

There shall be no redistribution of wealth or a centralized planning of the economy.  The Autonomy party feels the most appropriate way to deal with the inequities and natural disparity of capitalism to attack the underlying systematic, societal problems generating these injustices.  The Autonomy party feels redistribution of wealth and centralized planning is often a rote knee jerk reaction, and does not get ultimately get to the root of the problem.

In criminal law, defendants shall be sentenced according to the context of their environment, and instead of the favors granted to the wealthy and privileged today, far more leniency will be granted to the poor and disadvantaged.  We desire to essentially eliminate the anti poor bias of the current criminal justice system.

Do away with our nationalist symbols like the flag, eagle, and anthem and instead replace them with Autonomy Party substitutions which glorify the real liberation in life.

We demand absolutely no tax breaks for religion.

Our nation must abolish the racially biased, class biased capital punishment.

We demand separation of church and state.

Eliminate all current repressive ballot access laws, allow for easy access of third parties, eliminate ballot access laws and political campaign laws which favor the wealthy or the two main parties.

Politicians like Richard Nixon shall not be granted amnesty for crimes, which if committed by ordinary citizens would incur great punishment.

Flag burning shall be deemed as a legitimate expression of political dissidence, but no one should want to burn the new Autonomy Nation Flag.

We do not want drafts or conscriptions as we want the most loyal folks to defend our sXe, Autonomy Republic.  Our Military shall be prepared to defend our virtuous republic.  Anyone who sacrifices life or limb for our republic shall be deemed a first class hero.

The Autonomy Party believes we should have regular festivals, parades, rallies, marches etc. to celebrate the glory of the Autonomy Party Revolution.  Attendance should be voluntary, but we highly encourage our citizens to partake in such inspiring events.

We do not believe in censorship.  Freedom of speech is a noble idea and it ensures the richness of public discourse continues to flow.  It's wrong to think a mere idea so petrifying that is must be censored.  We believe in counteracting wrong action with government intervention, but not speech.  This way, people can air their gripes and concerns openly which allows them to vent and the Autonomy Party Republic to be protected against rage being bottled up.  Even art that has little or no redeeming value like 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny" deserves to be expressed.  We must allow the chaff, in order for the wheat to grow.  Freedom of speech is one of the things that makes our country great, the Autonomy Party hopes to maintain this honorable tradition for as many years as possible.  We must be on guard for current tendencies to suppress freedom of speech, so we can preserve this special right. 

We believe this freedom of speech should even apply to pornography.  American culture so often promotes the suppression of sexual urges. This has lead to perversities such as child molestation.  It is often healthy to vent sexual drives, people should have outlets to vent.  We don't endorse pornography that degrades women, but think that we are already too repressive sexually, repressing sex more can only makes things worse.  Of course, child porn is not kosher. 

We do not like these free trade treaties like NAFTA, GATT and FTAA.  These seem to be vehicles for corporate interests and they also tend to destroy the sovereign laws of nations, states and cities.  They are not protecting the people who need the most protection.  They are so very often a curse for workers.  We shouldn't sign such things.     

To encourage free expression and public discourse, we believe a soapbox should be installed by the White House.  Also soapboxes should  be installed in prominent places in virtually all cities and towns. 

Our government should start a campaign making travels for bicyclers as easy as possible.  We should provide car free zones, bicycle paths, frequent tune up stations, etc. 

Police shall be trained first in human skills, and last in violence skills.  The police shall be viewed as a necessary evil, and every step shall be made to assure the position of police officer, which is oh so easy to abuse, can cause the least damage possible and do good for society.  Safeguards against police abuse shall be strict.  Institutional racism will be attacked with a vigilant drive.  Institutional racism is a horrendous evil, and it is a prime goal to purify government agencies from it.  A vast number of persons working for the U.S. military services shall be reassigned to domestic police duty.

The U.S. government has no right to encroach on the rightful sovereignty of indigenous people.

The power of this country’s chief executive must be greatly increased.  Our current system is laden with dreadful gridlock, which stifles the advancement of true justice.  It’s time to empower our nation’s leader, so righteousness can ensue!  Our government must be more hierarchical and autocratic, if justice is to prevail.  To achieve the objectives of the Autonomy Party, our chief executive must possess awesome power.  Our Autocratic Leader must be able to appoint loyal followers to important government positions to ensure that liberation is carried out swiftly.  In traumas, a democratic system with its endless gridlock, will only lead to peril.  Our democratic system has thrown a large thorn in the side of liberation and justice.  An empowered leader can change all that!  Strong leaders are what gets the job done.  The animals don’t need democracy, they need rights!  

In order to maximize government function, we propose a unicameral legislative system which is appointed by the chief executive.  Indeed, there are noble ideals about a bicameral legislative system, but it just doesn’t get the job done.  It is wasteful and inefficient, feeding the perpetual fire of government gridlock, which stands in the way of great justice and liberation.

The chief executive shall have the right to veto any legislation coming out of the unicameral legislative house.  Also, the chief executive may enact executive orders any time which are deemed appropriate.   

We encourage more town hall meetings.  Citizens should be encouraged to participate in government not by direct democracy, but by forums for expression and feedback.  Town hall meetings should be set up everywhere, where our government can obtain suggestions to govern better, which will be implemented at the chief executive’s discretion.  This way we can maximize the need for citizen participation without introducing endless gridlock.