And I agree on the four issues mentioned - there are other issues in which I agree with the LP, such as the second amendment and most cases where the government oversteps its authority (can you say "seat belt laws"?).
The LP has a role to play, I'm glad they are there. At least it gives people who feel politacally marginalized an alternative to the far left. But they overstate their importance. Rather than checks and balances, I'd say it's a case of the tail trying to wag the dog. Oregon voters reject new tax proposals religiously, even while electing Demos to statewide office.
Yes, I think we are more in agreement than disagreement. I just tend to have problems with people that scream and rant and rave that the party has no right to exist. I still call it a check and balance - no party spoke against the tax except the LP. Republicans, particularly those that choose not to distinguish themselves from democrats, ought to take some lessons from both the LP's amplified press release and the voice of the people. As such, I see people choosing the LP as an alternative to the moderate-leftist right as well as the authoritarians and statists that frequently wish to impose their beliefs upon others.