Rick believes in a reduced role for government. Government involvement is only justified in cases where the defense by a third party of life, property, and free exchange is required. He recognizes the Constitutional authority of the federal Government to "regulate commerce," but believes that this regulation should only extend itself to assuring that American citizens are able to participate in fair and free exchange in a free market. He believes that the word "regulate" means to assure that free markets allow all to participate without limitation -- not to assure that only a limited few are allowed to participate.

Rick supports government funding for research only in cases where national security and the development of the American economy require it. In almost all cases, this means that research and development can occur through corporations, private foundations, and individuals interested in the benefits, both financial and intellectual, of such research and development.

Rick supports the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, which indicates that the states, not the Federal Government, are responsible for transportation, education, and other policy areas not specified in the Constitution.

Links to more information about
the Role of Government in America

Understanding the Libertarian Philosophy
Essay by Joseph Knight, on Force, Role of Government
and Libertarian Philosophy.
http://www.daft.com/~rab/liberty/libphilo.html

Quotes about the Role of Government

"The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of good government."

--Thomas Jefferson to
Maryland Republicans, 1809. ME 16:359

"A noiseless course, not meddling with the affairs of others, unattractive of notice, is a mark that society is going on in happiness. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy."

--Thomas Jefferson to
Thomas Cooper, 1802. ME 10:342