Recently, I’ve been asking how local party leaders are thinking about the political issues shaping both our country and our community. National debates tend to dominate the news, but local chapters often bring a different perspective to the conversation.

To explore that, I sent a set of the same questions to the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties of Fayette County. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing each party’s full, unedited responses. We’ll be starting with the Libertarian Party.

This article features the perspective of Danny Dolan, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Fayette-Coweta. His answers offer a clear view into how Fayette’s Libertarians approach topics ranging from national policy to local priorities.

What stands out is a consistent focus on individual liberty, limited government, and fiscal restraint. Whether addressing national concerns like taxation, Social Security, and civil liberties or weighing in on local topics like property taxes, zoning, and school choice, the Libertarian vision presents a distinct alternative to the more familiar positions of the major parties.

What follows is a chance to hear directly from one of Fayette County’s most active Libertarian voices. No edits. No filters. Just a candid take on where we are and what should come next.

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Please briefly describe who you are and your role or involvement with your local party organization.

I’m Danny Dolan, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Fayette-Coweta, GA. I coordinate our local outreach, organize monthly meet‑ups, and represent our chapter at the state and national level.

In your view, what have President Trump and the current Republican leadership in Congress done well?

President Trump rolled back some regulations and issued pardons for over 1,500 non‑violent offenders—acknowledging that we over‑criminalize too many peaceful acts. Beyond that, however, there’s little to praise when spending remains sky‑high, civil liberties are being jeopardized, and policy decisions are erratic and uncertain.

What have President Trump and the current Republican leadership done poorly or should have done differently?

They launched trade wars with “retaliatory” tariffs based on shaky numbers, snarled supply chains at our ports, and risked empty shelves. Trump has even floated Soviet‑style price controls to cap consumer costs—an authoritarian move that would only worsen distortions. The same Republicans in Congress who praised DOGE have kept Biden‑era spending levels in place (even eyeing a trillion‑dollar military budget), while Trump has loosened police oversight, backed civil‑asset forfeiture, and approved visa revocations that trample due process.

How does your party offer a different or better path forward than the opposition?

We push for genuine fiscal responsibility—balanced budgets, deep spending cuts to match any tax relief, and ending pointless foreign interventions. Plus, we champion civil liberties like due process and free trade without partisan strings attached.

How would you assess the state of the U.S. economy since January 2025? What policies do you credit or blame for that outcome?

Growth has been tepid while inflation remains stubborn—no surprise after years of huge deficits, stimulus bubbles, shutdowns, and an activist Federal Reserve. We want to abolish the Fed, end its rate‑manipulation, balance the budget, and let free‑market prices guide our economy.

Many provisions in the 2017 tax reform bill are set to expire. What specific tax changes do you support or oppose?

We support all tax cuts without condition—taxation is theft—but warn that unless Congress pairs those cuts with real spending reductions, deficits will balloon, inflation will spike, and future generations will be left footing the bill.

What should be done to strengthen or reform Medicare?

Healthcare policy needs to center on patient choice, price transparency, and individual savings. We’d allow patients to comparison‑shop for drugs—even across borders—and end the evergreen patent extensions that keep prices artificially high. Lower drug costs will reduce dependency on insurance and Medicare, putting power back in patients’ hands.

What is your party’s position on the long-term sustainability of Social Security, and what changes (if any) would you propose?

Social Security is not sustainable—a Ponzi scheme that can’t last. We won’t yank benefits from current retirees or disabled persons, but younger workers should have the right to opt out and direct their payroll taxes into private retirement accounts with real returns that can be passed on to their heirs.

Do you believe the U.S. government has struck the right balance between national security and individual liberties when it comes to the right of habeas corpus? Should this right ever be suspended, and under what circumstances?

Due process is absolute and applies to everyone—citizen or not. We’re not formally at war with most of the countries whose nationals we detain, so habeas corpus shouldn’t be suspended except under a clear, declared war.

Should any president — including Trump — be allowed to serve more than two terms? Why or why not?

No. George Washington set the two‑term precedent, and after FDR we codified it into law to prevent any president from holding power indefinitely.

What are the most important issues facing Fayette County right now, and how is your party addressing them?

Property taxes are skyrocketing, zoning rules are too restrictive, and we keep building big projects without accounting for maintenance costs. We’ve backed the new state homestead exemption and push for rigorous cost‑benefit analyses before any major spending.

How has your party supported or opposed policies at the state level that impact Fayette County?

We supported the recent homestead‑exemption bill—so homeowners aren’t crushed by soaring assessments—and we’ve warned local governments not to opt out and deny residents that relief.

How does your party plan to support local schools and educational priorities in Fayette County?

We champion school choice—vouchers, charter expansions, and education savings accounts—so parents can pick the best fit for their children instead of being stuck in one district. Education should be directed by parents and students, not systems.

How does your party view the current state of housing affordability and growth in Fayette County? What changes, if any, would you support?

We need to loosen zoning to allow duplexes, townhomes, and accessory units—boosting supply will gradually ease housing costs over time.

Specifically, what has your party done to benefit Fayette County or its residents?

Last year we sent our first local member to the 2024 Libertarian National Convention, and we’re now collecting ballot‑petition signatures to qualify Libertarian candidates for the 2026 statewide races. We support more choices for voters in elections.

How do you see Fayette County changing politically in the next 5–10 years?

Our growing population has brought a greater diversity of opinion. We need to be open to working with neighbors of all backgrounds—Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents. Libertarians are also pushing for reforms to ballots and ballot access, giving all voters a better opportunity to express their views more fully.

Do you believe partisan politics are helping or hurting local governance in places like Fayette County?

Partisanship often blocks common‑sense solutions and new ideas—people vote red or blue instead of what works. We focus on issues, not party labels, to get things done.

If someone wants to get involved in your local chapter or attend events, what’s the best way to do that?

We meet monthly—our next gathering is Friday, May 23 at 6 PM at the Line Creek Bus Barn in Fayetteville. Join us on Facebook (facebook.com/LPFCGA), check lpgeorgia.com/events, or email [email protected]. We welcome guests and friends from across the political spectrum!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers about your party’s goals or values in 2025?

We’re committed to smaller, smarter government—balanced budgets, real civil liberties, and an end to wasteful wars. Our priority in 2025 and 2026 is going to be breaking down barriers to allow more choices for voters. If you are living in peace with your neighbors, without violence or fraud: Your life is your life, your business is your business, and your property is your property.