WINNEBAGO COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM CONSPECTUS
Introductions
Although differences of opinion exist on many issues, we as a people share a common dream and common goals emanating from the ethical and moral standards on which this nation was founded. We seek:
A strong America to protect its citizens and support democratic ideas throughout the world.
A vibrant and growing economy that improves the standard of living for all.
A smaller, more effective and less intrusive government that trusts its citizens to decide what is best for themselves.
A society where we feel safe and secure in our homes, on our streets and in our communities.
A system where children receive the best education available including learning of the moral and ethical values on which this nation was founded and on which it became great.
To be a people of compassion with the will to care for those who cannot care for themselves.
Principles
Because we believe the American Dream should be attainable by all, necessary educational opportunities which can lead to better and more secure jobs, home ownership, and personal security must be available.
Because a growing and dynamic economy will create more and better paying jobs, with greater work security, we believe in lower taxes and a simpler tax system, in tandem with fair and open trade coupled with a balanced federal budget and debt reduction.
Because wasteful government spending and over-regulation increase the need for taxes and are the greatest obstacles to job creation and economic growth, the conditions must be controlled by:
A Balanced Budget Amendment to the US. Constitution.
A common sense approach to government regulation so we can eliminate unnecessary rules, and can control the expenses often associated with the implementation of those regulations deemed necessary.
Because we recognize an obligation to foster hope and opportunity for those unable to care for themselves and also recognize the burden placed on taxpayers, we support welfare programs that are free of waste, fraud, and abuse; that require work from those who are capable; and that are designed to help persons on welfare to become self-supporting. We decry childbearing out of marriage.
Because Americans must feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities, we believe in the need for tough law enforcement, especially against juvenile crime and drug trafficking, and by stiff penalties imposed by judges who are continually aware of the suffering victims of crime.
Because we believe institutions such as the family are the backbone of a healthy society, we hold that the government must support traditional families, and reaffirm respect for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Because our children need the best education possible, we believe in the need for parental involvement and family choice in schooling; teacher authority and accountability; more control by local school boards; a return to a stress on teaching of basic subjects in safe and orderly classroom; and the meeting of grade accomplishment standards by students in order to advance to the next grade level.
Because of a debt the nation owes to older Americans for their efforts and accomplishment, we believe we must continue our commitments to them by preserving and protecting Medicare and Social Security.
Because a good society rests on ethical foundations, we believe that families, communities, and religious institutions can best teach the values of honesty, responsibility, hard work, compassion, and mutual respect.
Because the greatest strength of our country is its people, not the government, we believe today's government has grown too large, is too intrusive, and is too involved in things the people can better do by themselves.
Because Americans trust in themselves, we believe governments closest to the citizens (local and state) should control programs like education and welfare, thereby returning to the states, power usurped by the federal government.
Because we are stewards of our natural resources, we believe we must restore, protect, and enhance the environment while maintaining respect for property rights.
Because we are all part of one America, we oppose discrimination. We believe in the equality of all peoples before the law and that individuals should be judged by their abilities and accomplishments and not by their race, creed, gender, disabilities, nor physical features.
Because we live in a changing difficult, and dangerous world, we believe that peace can be assured only through strength, that a strong national defense is necessary to protect America at home, and secure its interests abroad. This must be coupled with the value of moral and ethical presidential leadership that will insure our integrity and credibility throughout the world.
GOALS
Improve the standard of living.
Expand tax relief for economic growth.
Maintain a balanced budget; Reduce spending and the deficit.
Create Jobs.
Utilize science, and technology to improve the quality of life.
Increase home ownership.
Promote free and fair trade.
Pursue government regulatory reform.
Restore the justice system so courts no longer make laws nor invent new 'rights' that threaten the safety, values, and freedoms of law-abiding citizens.
Support a Human Life Amendment to the Federal Constitution, and legislation that makes clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children.
Develop a sensible immigration policy.
Support traditional families as the basic units of a free society.
Improve education through school choice, setting achievement levels to insure a student is ready for the next level, stress the "3 R's" and instruct children in the nation's history, democratic values and Western Civilization.
Improve the nation's health care.
Stabilize Social Security and improve retirement systems.
Provide a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment, and improve and preserve our public lands.
Support agriculture by tax reduction, both estate and capital gains taxes, for those who produce America's food and fiber.
