You don’t necessarily have to be a member of the Libertarian Party to appreciate it. In a new piece for the Federalist, Acton’s director of programs, Paul Bonicelli suggests that there are libertarian questions that voters of all parties should be asking. Libertarians, with a focus on limiting federal power, question the size and scope of the state and its bureaucrats, as anyone supporting individual freedom should.

Some of the questions Bonicelli offers are:

Does the U.S. Constitution permit the government to do this?What would this power look like if it were expanded dramatically in scope or in time?Does this power represent the government putting its thumb on the scales to prefer petitors over others, perhaps based on their relative power and influence?Are we acting out of fear, anger, or self-promotion?Is there any evidence the government is any good at this?What would your worst enemy do with this power?

This election has been plagued by strong emotions and plenty of “hurt feelings,” but Bonicelli suggests that a more rational and reasonable approach to selecting a candidate would behoove the American people. Read Bonicelli’s piece in its entirety and see also Ken White’s “Libertarianism as ten questions rather than ten answers” at Popehat.