Libertarian Party lauds Reagan

The Libertarian Party of California, President Reagan's home state, has called him "a great champion of individual liberty, personal responsibility and, arguably, the most libertarian-leaning president in modern history."

A statement from the party applauds Reagan, who died Saturday, for his attempts to control the size and power of the federal government, quoting from his first inaugural address: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem."

The Libertarian Party advocates for a much smaller federal government and few regulations on the basic rights of Americans.

Reagan is further quoted as quipping, "We don't have a $1 trillion debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a $1 trillion debt because we spend too much."

The statement also lauded the Reagan philosophy embodied in this quote: "You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream – the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order – or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism, and regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would trade our freedom for security have embarked on this downward course."

The Libertarians praise the former president for his role in ending Soviet communism and the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

Though some libertarians have criticized Reagan for not doing more to stem the growth of federal spending during his eight years in office, the California Libertarian Party had only complimentary things to say about the Gipper.

"On behalf of Libertarian Party members in California and liberty loving people everywhere, I honor the memory of this great man, this great freedom fighter, and extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and her family," said Aaron Starr, chairman of the Libertarian Party of California.