The social part of the term refers to the reality that humans are social beings. Politically speaking, it means I acknowledge, rather than fear or deny this reality. I am committed to public policy that reflects our social nature, public policy that benefits ALL members of society, not just the elite or other special interest groups. That is why the foundation of my campaign is full employment, a reduction of the work week and Healthcare-for-all.

It is the inability or refusal of politicians to recognize and accept our nature as social beings that results in public policy, particularly economic and health care policy that allows and even rewards the anti-social behavior of the corporate and economic elite who rule our nation. I will not make that mistake.

The awareness of our nature as social beings also means I disagree that all problems, both public and private, are best solved by the so-called "free market." This mythical free market is in fact largely controlled by and primarily benefits the corporate, economic and political elite. Free market principles hold that humans are not social beings but selfish, greedy, brutal, competitive beasts. While humans are certainly capable of such behavior, as demonstrated by criminals and those who control our have not/have a lot economic system, these are pathological behaviors, not the behaviors of normal, healthy, well-adjusted, human beings.

Our highways and city streets work most efficiently and safely when drivers demonstrate cooperative social behavior rather than selfish, competitive behavior. So to our society, the economic system, and all public policy, works best when it is based upon the reality that we are social beings and that our well-being is intertwined with the well-being of others.

Recognizing our social nature does not mean I oppose all competitive behavior. Fair economic competition has the potential to efficiently create and distribute ideas, products and services that enhance individual lives and promote the greater good. But even brutal, competitive activities like boxing and football have rules and regulations that acknowledge that sport (and life) can not work very well if it is just a free-for-all. Economic activity and all human activities (except perhaps art) work best when there are fair and logical rules, regulations and guidelines that take into account our nature as social beings. And that, in brief, defines the social in social libertarian.

A libertarian believes in freedom. Politically speaking, it means eliminating government control of private behavior. Some libertarians also believe in eliminating rules and regulations guiding public commerce. However, it is the Constitutional role of government to "promote the general Welfare." Therefore, it is the proper role of government to regulate commerce to "promote the general welfare." Defining the general welfare is, and must be, an ongoing and open debate that must include members from all realms of society, including the poor and working and middle class Americans who are now excluded from political debate and the determination of public policy.

Libertarianism, like all philosophies, tends to work best when it operates as a living nuanced guide rather than an inert set of ideas. To be a fully functioning human being requires a flexibility of mind and behavior. One must be able to hold two seemingly opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. For instance, one must be able to understand the necessity for government rules and regulations to guide public behavior, such as driving a car or engaging in public commerce, while opposing government interference in private behavior.

My libertarianism can best be summed up by my unwavering belief that private behavior is exactly that, private. The freedom of the individual, in all private matters, must never be usurped by government. It is not the role of government to approve or disapprove, reward or punish private behavior. And it is never the proper role of government to use our tax dollars to punish private behavior.