2010 Thurston County Republican Party Platform

We Are Republicans Because…

The Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.—“

Just as these inspiring words united the Patriots to create a new nation, these words unite Americans to stand up for the God-given rights inscribed in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The platform of the Thurston County Republican Party helps us understand our mission and to communicate our desire to protect these timeless values for our families, our children and our posterity.

Life

Principles of Government

WE BELIEVE government exists by the consent of the governed and it must be restrained from unnecessarily intruding into the freedoms of its citizens. The function of government is to protect unalienable, God-given rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

WE SUPPORT the constitutional principle that “powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the State, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

WE FAVOR governing at a level as close to the people as possible.

Family Values

WE AFFIRM parental rights and Washington’s Marriage Defense Act, as the traditional family is the foundation of our society.

WE AFFIRM protection of all innocent life, born and unborn, as the unalienable right endowed by our Creator.

Liberty

Right to Bear Arms

WE SUPPORT the second amendment of the Bill of Rights as the foundation that protects all other individual rights. No government should set standards that infringe on this basic individual right to keep and bear arms.

Foreign Policy & Military

WE BELIEVE peace and freedom are best secured through the maintenance of a strong and well-equipped military.

WE BELIEVE the national sovereignty of the United States should never be subjugated to any foreign or international body. Further, WE BELIEVE that foreign combatants should be tried in military courts.

WE BELIEVE a fundamental responsibility of the federal government is to protect our sovereign borders from unauthorized crossing.

Criminal Justice

We BELIEVE the level of punishment should be assessed in proportion to the crime with the following objectives in mind: Prevention, Restraint, Rehabilitation, Deterrence, Education and Retribution.  Therefore, we SUPPORT rehabilitation programs, imprisonment for life without parole, criminals making restitution to victims and capital punishment.

Judicial

WE BELIEVE the Constitution provides for a delicate balance of power between the three branches of government. An activist Judiciary undermines the Constitution and usurps the authority of the Legislative and Executive Branch.

WE SUPPORT a literal interpretation of the Constitution.

Secure Borders & Immigration

We BELIEVE that America has greatly benefited from LEGAL immigrants who begin a new life reflecting American values and traditions. This must continue.

WE SUPPORT ensuring the integrity of our borders and vigorous enforcement of the current border and employment laws.

Religious Freedom & Expression

WE BELIEVE the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and speech. Therefore the right to express our religious beliefs and practices including voluntarily prayer both in public and private is guaranteed.

Pursuing Happiness

Health Care

WE SUPPORT legislative efforts to cooperate with health­care providers to expand affordable health care for all our citizens and encourage the use of the Health Savings Accounts or other consumer directed options.

We SUPPORT tort reform, fraud prevention and REJECT government-run universal healthcare.

Environmental Concerns and Property Rights

We BELIEVE we should be good stewards of the environment.

WE BELIEVE that private property rights are fundamental to our personal freedom. When regulations interfere with such rights, policies need to ensure no parties would be unjustly enriched or impoverished.

WE RECOGNIZE the necessity to balance environmental quality with private property rights and the needs of natural resource-based businesses.

Energy

WE BELIEVE that all energy plans must encourage new technologies, renewable energy sources and further exploration of domestic energy supplies.

Human Services & Welfare

WE SUPPORT a government safety net after all else fails, while maintaining that we value individuals, families and charitable organizations helping the needy. The welfare system needs to promote self-sufficiency through mandatory work and training.

Tax & Economic Policy

WE SUPPORT the necessity for limited taxation in order for government to perform services that meet essential public needs. WE SUPPORT establishing a priority ranking list of essential public needs. To this end we believe taxes should be as low, simple, fair and equitable as possible.

WE RECOGNIZE property ownership as a constitutional right, the only right for which we are required to pay taxes. As such, individual property owners should not be "taxed" out of their homes. Property taxes should not increase more than one percent per year, unless approved by a vote of the people. We reaffirm Initiative 960 and demand the Legislature reinstate its provisions and make them permanent by constitutional amendment.

Education

WE BELIEVE education is the tool to build a strong republic. Therefore, WE SUPPORT school vouchers and parental authority in choosing public, private or home education and curriculum contents.

WE SUPPORT promoting competitive excellence in education and policies to meet the needs all students.

Join with the Thurston County Republican Party as we promote and defend these principles and values.