OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN PARTY 2009 PLATFORM
Table of Contents
Statement of Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
I. Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Preamble
A. Marriage, Children, and Adoption
B. Right-to-Life and Medical Ethics
C. Healthcare
D. Elderly and Vulnerable
E. Religious Freedom
F. General
II. Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .8
Preamble
A. Philosophy
B. Curriculum
C. Administration and Management
D. Higher Education
III. State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Preamble
A. Crime and Punishment
B. Economic Development
C. Election Reform
D. Environment, Water, and Energy
E. Immigration
F. Insurance
G. State - All Levels of Government
H. State Agencies and Departments
I. State Legislation/Legislature
J. Transportation
IV. Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Preamble
A. Defense
B. Foreign Policy
C. United Nations
D. Constitutional Issues
E. Social Security
F. Agriculture
G. Immigration
H. Election Reform
I. Federal General
J. Energy
V. Budget & Taxation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
National Preamble
A. Federal Budget & Taxation
State Preamble
A. State Budget and Taxation
VI. Addendum . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
A. Republican Party
B. Commendations
C. Condolences
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STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
We believe in limited government, individual liberty, and personal moral responsibility.
We believe Oklahoma should be a place of opportunity where people who work hard and abide by the rules can pursue their own dreams with a reasonable expectation of success.
As Republicans we believe:
1. Our rights of life, liberty, and property are natural rights granted to us by God and protected by the Constitution.
2. In the right to worship as we please without government intrusion or interference.
3. The federal government’s power is constitutionally limited, yet responsible for protecting our sovereignty, establishing justice under law, and securing our liberty through a strong national defense and effective law enforcement.
4. God is the Author and Creator of life and that all human life, both born and unborn, should be protected.
5. In traditional marriage consisting of one man and one woman.
6. It is the private sector and free market principles that best stimulate economic development rather than government subsidies or programs.
7. Taxes collected at all levels of government should be used only for legitimate government functions, and those functions carried out efficiently so that tax rates may be kept as low as possible.
8. That government closest to the people governs best and is preferred to centralized control.
9. It is the right of every parent to act in his or her children’s best interest including choosing the form of education, whether public school, private school, or home school.
10. We should welcome immigrants who want to legally seek freedom and opportunity, who want to work for a living and who will embrace our values, learn the English language, and respect our national sovereignty.
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I. FAMILY
Preamble:
Traditional marriage, consisting of one man and one woman, is designed to provide for each family member’s physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and social well-being. Both parents are needed to support and encourage happiness, health, and a good education for their children, creating the next generation of citizens who are constructive members of society. Multigenerational families foster mutual respect and cooperation while providing support for extended family members and forming enduring relationships. We believe God is the Author and Creator of human life and that each individual should be treated with dignity and compassion. We insist that any candidate receiving money and/or support from the Republican Party shall affirm and promote the Pro-Life concept.
A. Marriage, Children, and Adoption
1. We affirm the state’s recognition that marriage between one man and one woman is a covenant relationship, instituted by God, not to be entered into casually, and is fundamental to our very existence and survival as a nation. Therefore, we strongly support a U.S. Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
2. We believe that the family is the cohesive element that maintains social order and protects individual rights. The duty and privilege of nurturing our young people belongs to parents and the traditional family. We support the right of parents to rear, educate, discipline, nurture, and spiritually train their children without government interference. We also acknowledge and support those who choose the vocation of homemaking.
3. We support tax policies, enactment of legislation, and public assistance policies that encourage a commitment to traditional marriage and to strengthening families.
4. We support Federal and State legislation, which prohibits recognition of same-sex marriages, civil unions, and/or domestic partnerships.
5. We oppose efforts to redefine marriage. Employers and taxpayers should not be forced to violate their convictions or to bear the cost of granting “same-sex marriages” the benefits that are due traditional marriages.
6. We believe that in order to encourage and protect family values, those promoting homosexuality or other aberrant lifestyles, should not be allowed to hold responsible positions over children which are not their own or over other vulnerable persons.
7. Children are a special gift from God, and their safety and protection are paramount. We support strict adherence to due process of law during child abuse investigations. We oppose the immediate removal of children from responsible family members unless abuse allegations are confirmed or the child is in immediate danger.
8. We believe extended traditional family members should be eligible for foster care payments if a child is being placed into their foster care. We recommend these payments be obtained from the negligent parent(s).
9. We support holding the Department of Human Services and other State agents accountable and provide for civil and criminal penalties when agents are negligent or abuse their authority.
10. We encourage an adoption process that recognizes the rights of parents while maintaining safeguards for the children. Except for adoption by a qualified relative (as defined by existing law), we support adoption only by traditional families.
11. We believe marriage should not be entered into casually and should not be dissolved easily.
Therefore, we call for states to repeal “no-fault” divorce statutes.
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B. Right-to-Life and Medical Ethics
1. We believe that at the point of conception, a person is granted the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. We believe in the sanctity and value of human life from conception through natural death. We oppose abortion (including the use of RU-486 or other abortion-inducing drugs), partial-birth abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, mercy killings, embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, distribution of cloned parts, and the funding of such by the government. We believe that human embryos created by Invitro-Fertilization (IVF) are fully human and if not wanted by the genetic parents, should be preserved until adoption. We support a Constitutional Amendment protecting innocent human life.
3. We support the right of obstetrical and gynecological residency programs to refuse to provide abortion training and the individual’s right to refuse to perform or assist in abortions. We also support the right of hospitals, medical professionals, and pharmacists to refuse to participate in abortions or dispense abortion-inducing drugs.
4. We recognize that learning of an unexpected pregnancy is a life-changing moment.
Therefore, we desire that a mother-to-be have sufficient time to explore all options regarding this new life. We recommend at least a 14-day waiting period for a woman considering an abortion and also strongly support and recommend that she be provided with:
a. Time-informed consent.
b. Information identifying the developmental status of the unborn child.
c. At least one ultrasound.
d. Evidence indicating that the unborn child can feel sensations of pain.
e. Information regarding the psychological and medical risks associated with abortion, including the link between breast cancer and abortion.
f. Information on services available to mothers who choose to carry their children to birth.
5. We believe in and support the father’s parental rights and responsibilities from conception onward.
6. We support initiatives, which provide alternatives to abortion and respect life including adoption.
7. As long as the unsafe practice of abortion continues, we insist that abortion clinics be required to comply with the same medical and safety standards required of hospitals.
8. As long as abortion is available, we support enactment of legislation to require parental notification and authorization at least 14 days prior to an abortion on a minor.
9. We believe in the teaching of abstinence as the only effective way of preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
10. We further support parental notification before a minor is given birth control information and/or contraceptives.
11. We support legislation that prohibits using any unborn child for the purpose of harvesting and/or any service related to the donation or purchase or sale of organs and/or tissue.
12. We support the enactment of laws banning embryonic/fetal stem cell research and encourage adult stem cell, amniotic stem cell, and/or umbilical cord blood stem cell research.
13. We oppose unethical scientific experimentation.
14. We oppose the manufacture of human life through the process of cloning.
15. No person shall have nourishment and/or water withheld, unless that individual has signed a written legal directive.
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C. Healthcare
1. We support the patient, family, doctor relationship and oppose nationalized medicine.
2. We oppose any legislation including international treaties, restricting the manufacture, distribution, sale, or possession of nutritional substances other than necessary for manufacturing, sanitation, full and accurate listing of all ingredients and tamper proofing. We support full consumer access to safe alternative treatments including access to any and all information regarding nutritional substances through any means of communication.
3. We believe parents should receive complete information and must give informed consent prior to their child, or themselves, receiving any immunizations and may refuse any such vaccination(s) for medical, religious, or other reasons of conscience without retribution.
4. We oppose any mandate requiring school age girls to be vaccinated with Gardasil, a new vaccine against certain strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer.
5. We support privatization of the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs.
6. We support the development of a truly market-driven, health care delivery system that replaces the employer and governmental third party payment systems, and further support:
a. Personal responsibility and education about maintaining health.
b. Options that include Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and/or Medical Savings Accounts (MSA) that can be voluntarily contributed to, by a citizen or an employer. These accounts should be made available to Medicare participants.
c. Accounts (HSA/MSA) that allow the individual freedom of choice in services in both traditional and alternative healthcare options.
d. An individual’s right to elect not to have health insurance.
7. We oppose mandatory data collection including but not limited to the harvesting of DNA from newborns or other individuals, brain scans, or genetic tests.
8. We support allowing individuals, private groups, and/or small businesses, the freedom to form collective purchasing groups for the purpose of acquiring the healthcare of their choice.
D. Elderly and Vulnerable
1. We support the origin and sanctity of life as an inalienable right from God alone, and as being defined in the Constitution of the United States. This definition of life begins with conception and ends at natural death due to the failure of the body to survive its environment. We support the protection of those who cannot defend themselves including the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly.
2. To encourage family members to care for their loved ones, we support tax policies that help alleviate costs.
3. We support financial policies that do not penalize the elderly who choose to marry.
4. We support strict standards, which preserve the dignity of the elderly and vulnerable when in a retirement or nursing home.
5. We support vigorous prosecution of those who financially exploit or otherwise abuse the elderly and/or vulnerable.
E. Religious Freedom
1. Our Founding Fathers based our Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and our early laws on the Bible and on traditional Judeo-Christian ethics and values. We believe these documents are the basis for law, order, and behavior, allowing individuals, including government workers and officials, the freedom to involve God in all activities according to their conscience.
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2. We believe the religion clause of the First Amendment was meant to protect an individual’s freedom of religion, not remove religion from public life.
3. We believe church leaders have the same freedom of speech rights as leaders of other organizations, without the threat of penalties, including the loss of tax-exempt status for their churches.
4. We oppose any government oversight, harassment, licensing, or taxation of religious institutions and their ministries.
5. We support retaining the religious significance of national holidays and the display of religious symbols in public places and oppose the removal of such.
6. We strongly support federal and state legislation to encourage and preserve inscriptions in or on public buildings and on our currency, that have references to God, such as “In God We Trust”.
7. We strongly support retaining the phrase “One Nation Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
F. General
1. We oppose the promotion of homosexuality, the elimination of laws against sodomy, and the granting of minority protection or special status to any person based upon sexual preference or lifestyle choices.
2. We believe that homosexuality is not a genetic trait but a chosen lifestyle.
3. We support limiting welfare benefits only to legal citizens of the United States, including military service members and their dependents. We believe in a welfare policy that promotes family unity, hard work, and individual responsibility. Those who repeatedly misuse the system, or fraudulently misrepresent themselves, should forfeit further assistance.
4. We support the elimination of the state Lottery because of the negative effects on Oklahoma families.
5. We support drug testing for any person applying for or receiving any type of government aid.
If illegal drugs are found to be present, all government assistance should be terminated until that person is drug free for at least six months. We believe anyone who is a habitual illegal drug user should not receive any type of government aid.
6. We support programs including faith-based organizations that promote traditional marriage, marriage enrichment, abstinence education, and encourage responsible parenting.
7. We call for individuals, families, churches, and private organizations to take responsibility in meeting the needs of the citizens of the community.
8. We encourage rigorous enforcement of all anti-pornography laws. Government agencies or tax-supported institutions, especially libraries and public schools, should not provide access to pornography and should provide adequate Internet security to prevent such access.
9. We affirm the right of private associations to admit or deny membership based on what that association’s conscience dictates.
10. We recommend the FCC strictly enforce rules and regulations currently governing indecency within visual media and all of the broadcast industry to include swift, severe, and expensive penalties upon all parties involved.
11. We support citizens being active watchdogs on media, giving positive and negative feedback on shows by letter writing, supporting and/or boycotting advertisers.
12. We believe that government should not fund any organization that opposes the ideas and principles contained in the Republican Platform.
13. We appreciate Republican leaders who recognize that the family is the basic ingredient for a stable and strong community, city, state, and country.
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II. EDUCATION
Preamble:
We acknowledge our dependence upon Almighty God and ask His blessings upon our students and their parents, teachers, and nation. It is the right and responsibility of parents to direct their children’s upbringing and education whether public, private, charter, or home school, without interference, regulation, or penalty from the government.
The primary goal of public schools should be to teach proficiency in the basic subjects of phonicsbased reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, sciences, traditional history including our founding documents, the Godly heritage of our nation, and critical thinking skills.
Locally elected school boards should have the authority to determine and implement all public school curricula, policies, and procedures for their districts. We demand excellence and accountability from all tax-funded institutions of education in Oklahoma. The federal government has no constitutional role in education; furthermore, we support the creation of a free market education system. We believe Oklahoma students are among the best and brightest and deserve a quality education.
A. Philosophy
1. The traditional family unit, consisting of a (husband) man, (wife) woman and child(ren), is the foundation of our social structure. The Oklahoma Department of Education and various Boards of Regents should uphold and teach this definition of traditional family, at all levels of public school and higher education.
2. Funding of School-to-Work in any form should be eliminated. Individuals should have the right to choose their own education and career. We oppose any tracking system, which presumes to know what is best for the individual and economy or predetermine the occupations of students.
3. Parents and legal guardians, not the government, have the right and responsibility to educate their children. We support a parent’s choice of schools, including public, private, parochial, charter or home school. We believe all parents should be allowed to use their education tax dollars for the family’s choice of schooling by the use of vouchers and/or tax credits.
4. Parents have a right to exempt their children from required school vaccinations for medical reasons, religious reasons, or other reasons of conscience. No child should be required to take a medication as a requirement for attending a public school.
5. Parents have a natural right to home school their children. We oppose any and all regulation of home schooling.
6. We affirm the right of students and teachers to the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment, including the right to wear and display religious symbols, voluntary vocal prayer, optional Bible and religious study, religious expression including holidays, and equal access to use of school facilities for these activities.
7. The American flag should be displayed in the classroom. Students should start the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including “one nation under God,” and be taught the history of and respect for our American flag.
8. We support parental access to examine and evaluate all educational, assessment, psychological, medical, physical, and all other records pertaining to their children. Before any physical or mental screening, active parental consent must be obtained.
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9. Student participation in any program or counseling should be based upon prior written parental consent without repercussion (opt in vs. opt out). Notification to parents should be clear, simple, and descriptive.
10. The Ten Commandments should be posted in all public schools as a means of moral guidance along with our national motto “In God We Trust” and the Bill of Rights.
11. We oppose the deliberate misuse of standard English and the alteration of historical facts.
12. We believe in high educational standards with a goal of academic literacy. Promotion and graduation for all students in Oklahoma should be for demonstrated academic achievement. A high school diploma should represent a 12th grade level of proficiency in basic subjects.
13. Public schools shall not prohibit the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was founded. Public schools shall be prohibited from promoting other worldviews such as, but not limited to, secular Humanism, New Age philosophy, deep ecology, reincarnation, psychotherapy, channeling, transcendental meditation, altered states of consciousness or any occult practice.
14. Computer technology and calculators should only be used after basic math, reading, and writing proficiency are achieved in order to reinforce, not replace, the learning of basic skills.
15. The imposition of national curricula, aptitude testing, and teacher certification or education standards on any Oklahoma school is not acceptable.
16. To comply with the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Federal Department of Education should be eliminated and its functions transferred to the states, local communities, and parents.
17. We believe the public school system is for the benefit of U.S. citizens and for those who have the legal right to be here.
18. We oppose any government required community service as a condition of graduation.
B. Curriculum
1. Basic school curricula should include reading, composition, literature, mathematics, science, history, and government. Reading shall include phonics instruction, and composition shall include grammar and spelling instruction. We encourage the teaching of art, music, foreign languages, sports/physical fitness, and the option of using the Bible as a history or literature text.
2. American heritage should be taught in public schools and include representative government, limited government, the lives and beliefs of the founders, the influence of the Bible and religion on our laws and principles, and the concept of free enterprise. Students should study directly from the primary founding documents, which teach the distribution of power among the three branches of federal government and between federal and state government.
3. We support high morals and “Character First Education” as legitimate elements of public school curricula.
4. We believe that the scientific evidence supporting Intelligent Design and biblical creation should be included in the Oklahoma public school curricula, and where any evolution theory is taught, that both should receive equal funding, class time, and material. Teachers should have the freedom to cover creation science without fear of intimidation or reprimand.
5. Local school boards should exercise their right to choose curriculum and textbooks without state limitations.
6. Parents must maintain the right and responsibility to educate their children regarding sexuality and sexual conduct. Neither classroom instruction nor school-based health services shall usurp parental rights, in order to direct sex counseling or to dispense contraceptives.
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7. Any mandated sex education shall hold to the following guidelines:
a. Neither homosexual nor extramarital sexual activity shall be presented as safe, nor shall they be presented as morally or socially acceptable behaviors.
b. HIV shall be presented as incurable and fatal.
c. Abstinence or lifetime fidelity shall be presented as the only safe sexual practice.
d. All materials and instruction shall be open to prior parental review (opt in vs. opt out).
8. Fully informed parental consent shall be required for any psychological, medical or pseudopsychological techniques including “values clarification,” any form of “death education,” “self-esteem,” or other social/emotional concepts.
9. We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light in public schools.
10. Criteria for high school graduation shall be at least equivalent to the level of knowledge required for naturalized citizenship.
11. Multiculturalism promotes cultural segregation and should not be taught. We respect different cultures and support teaching our commonalities as U.S. citizens.
12. English is the dominant language of our nation and should be the primary language taught in public schools with other languages offered as electives.
13. We support curriculum that promotes national sovereignty and opposes one world government and global citizenship.
14. We oppose all federally mandated programs, such as No Child Left Behind, and support academic freedom in the classroom.
15. We support the right of parents to personally observe all classroom instruction and activities.
C. Administration and Management
1. The State school funding formula should be simplified and made more understandable and equitable.
2. We oppose the OEA sponsored ballot initiative (“HOPE”), which would raise taxes automatically in order for per child spending to meet the regional average.
3. Open student transfer, with receiving school approval, should be implemented.
4. Public school teachers should have the right to refuse to financially support any organization incompatible with their personal beliefs, goals, or objectives as educators.
5. We oppose all unfunded mandates.
6. Teachers should not be coerced to adjust standards for any failing students, including athletes.
7. A positive competitive spirit in all public school activities, including athletics and academics, should be encouraged.
8. Compulsory education should continue to be applied only between the ages of 8 and 16, as set forth in the Oklahoma Constitution.
9. High school seniors should not be required to attend a full school day if they have otherwise satisfied graduation requirements. The district should receive a full day’s financial credit by the State Dept. of Education for those seniors.
10. The Teachers Retirement Fund should be actuarially funded with full public disclosure.
11. Extensive background checks of prospective school employees are necessary, with the right of local school boards to refuse employment to anyone.
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12. Unions must be limited to negotiate wages and conditions of employment. We believe that these organizations should be denied tax-exempt status and all federal funds since they are labor unions and lobbying bodies. Any administrator who discriminates against any employee who refuses to join a particular union shall forfeit their credentials and/or teaching certification in Oklahoma.
13. Teachers, school administrators, and the local school board should work together to set and implement policies that give teachers the freedom and authority to lawfully maintain order and discipline.
14. We believe the practice of “mainstreaming” special needs students must be the decision and the responsibility of the parents.
15. We call for the enforcement of Oklahoma statutes that prohibit teachers from striking during the school year.
16. Efforts should be initiated to merge teaching resources and better utilize the technical and educational resources available.
17. School administrations should be allocated based on enrollment.
18. Local school districts should be able to place year-end excess monies into an interest bearing account to encourage fiscal responsibility, and they should not be penalized by the State Dept. of Education for doing so.
19. We support public independent auditing of all public schools and institutions of higher education in Oklahoma.
20. We oppose national teacher certification.
21. We support legislation requiring that lottery funds should be applied in addition to, not as a replacement for, State funding of schools.
22. We support scheduling all educational elections on the same dates as General Elections.
23. We support the granting of authority to the Oklahoma Legislature to review any tests that must be administered by Oklahoma Public Schools as a result of State or Federal mandates.
D. Higher Education
1. We support meaningful reform in the structure of our higher education system, including:
a. Evaluation of all programs and elimination or reform of substandard programs.
b. Control of grade inflation.
c. Accountability of administrators to include performance evaluation.
d. Reform of the faculty tenure system.
e. Budgeting tied to comprehensive planning process with increases in funding directly related to specific goals and objectives listing expected improvements.
2. We believe state appropriated higher education funds should support state citizens only.
3. Federal and state grants and other aid for higher education should be applied consistently and fairly without regard to marital status.
4. Students should be able to use taxpayer-funded scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to obtain a degree in the field of their choice, including religious studies.
5. There should be a required course in phonics for elementary teacher certification, as well as for certification at all levels of reading and language arts.
6. We support an amendment to the Whistleblowers Act to specifically include institutions of higher education.
7. College students should have a Students Bill of Rights to ensure their due process rights are protected.
8. Federal education programs, such as “TRIO,” should be consolidated and placed under the administration and funding of the state.
9. We support strict adherence to the law that requires the majority of the nine-member Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (“OSU”) be actively engaged in farming or ranching.
10. The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall not add additional campuses, beyond existing campuses without the approval of the State legislature.
III. STATE
Preamble:
We believe all persons are responsible and should be held accountable for their actions. We believe in transparent and honest government with minimal intrusion, providing protection for all citizens with fair and equitable treatment, enforcement, and justice. We realize without economic freedom there is no political freedom. We believe the greatest incentive for the creation of wealth lies in the respect for private property rights and in the free enterprise system, which allows for the best and most efficient distribution of resources.
A. Crime and Punishment
1. We believe that the final solution to all crime is a change of heart and support the utilization of Christian faith-based and privately-financed programs to reduce recidivism and for the treatment of drug offenders as an alternative to prison.
2. We believe that the judicial process should be completed in a timely manner.
3. We believe that the criminal should make restitution for crimes. We believe that taxpayer money should not be used for victim restitution.
4. We support strict law enforcement and punishment for all crimes, including the use of the death penalty when appropriate.
5. We believe victims and/or their agents shall have the right to attend all hearings pertaining to crime(s) committed against them.
6. We support legislation that would eliminate the filing of frivolous lawsuits by incarcerated persons.
7. We oppose all “hate crime” and “thought crime” laws.
8. We support a profitable compensation when housing criminals from other states in Oklahoma.
9. We believe that the name of public officials convicted of felonies should be removed from any public buildings, bridges, structures, etc.
B. Economic Development
1. We believe that Oklahoma’s efforts to attract industry should be grounded upon the establishment of a favorable and friendly economic climate rather than upon tax and other governmental subsidies to individual businesses.
2. We support corporate and business laws and regulations to encourage business and economic development while reflecting free market principles, not corporate welfare through the Department of Commerce or similar agencies.
3. We support open competition in all industries to encourage economic development.
4. We support improving Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation system to make it more business friendly while protecting the rights of Oklahoma workers. The present court system should be changed to an administrative system.
5. We support the abolition of Tax Increment Financing districts because they encourage and enable fascism by creating taxes to fund collaborative public-private real estate investments.
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C. Election Reform
1. We encourage centrally-located polling places in each precinct to make them more accessible to voters.
2. We support the consolidation of election dates in order to conserve state money and to increase voter participation.
3. We support requiring the Bureau of Vital Statistics to report, in a timely manner, any deaths reported to them to all affected state and county agencies, especially county election boards.
4. We support requiring voters to present their valid government-issued photo ID and voter registration card before voting.
5. We support ending absentee and early voting two weeks prior to an election date and requiring the County Election Board to mark all absentee and early ballots on the voter registration roll.
6. We support a requirement that each vote cast in all elections be documented, by a paper or other physical record.
7. We support the secret ballot for all elections, i.e., union, business, political, etc.
8. We support less restrictive ballot access for all political parties, candidates, and ballot initiatives.
9. We support public access to the counting and tabulation of votes at all levels.
10. We believe a Political Action Committee (PAC) composed of or controlled by Legislators should not recruit candidates nor support any candidate until the primary selection process is complete.
11. We support county elections being declared nonpartisan.
12. We support allowing Oklahomans to hire out-of-state citizens to gather signatures on petitions.
13. We support restoring a 60% majority for all general obligation bond issues.
D. Environment, Water, and Energy
1. The responsible use of natural resources is essential for the benefit for future generations. We support environmental regulations that are based on sound science, that respect the rights of property owners and that do not impose unreasonable burdens on our state’s businesses.
2. We strongly oppose the State of Oklahoma selling water rights to out-of-state buyers.
3. We strongly oppose the use of eminent domain for any water sale.
4. We believe that a sustainable supply of water for a local area should be a priority before any permit is granted which would transfer water outside a local basin or aquifer area. Water is a natural resource, not a commodity, and should be protected for use by local residents, agriculture, and industry.
5. We believe that water permits should not allow the withdrawal of water in large volumes such that the private property rights of other landowners are infringed.
6. We believe the definition of hazardous waste should exclude animal waste.
7. We support the right of states to provide water for present and future use in the next 100 years within their borders by state residents before they can be appropriated or designated for use in other states.
8. We support an energy policy based on the efficient use and expansion of current sources such as fossil fuels, clean coal, and nuclear energy, and exploration and efficient use of other sources such as biofuels, wind, solar and water energy.
9. We believe that wind rights are a private property right.
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E. Immigration
1. We support strong enforcement of state and federal laws for dealing with illegal aliens, including but not limited to the removal of illegal aliens. We oppose any form of amnesty.
2. We support the elimination of “sanctuary cities” for illegal aliens.
3. We believe legal guest workers should assume social costs, such as education and health care for themselves and their dependents.
4. We support the meeting of legal requirements for citizenship to exclude the provision of “anchor babies.”
5. We support the implementation of the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (HB 1804 of 2007) as written.
6. We support substantial state fines for employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens.
7. We support issuing a driver’s license only to citizens and others who reside here legally, not to illegal aliens.
F. Insurance
1. We oppose no-fault insurance.
2. We oppose market interference by the State Legislature in setting insurance premiums.
G. State - All Levels of Government
1. We believe that the size of state government should be reduced in order to allow people to do those things they can do best for themselves.
2. We believe that outdated and irrelevant statutes should be repealed in keeping with the philosophy of smaller government.
3. We believe in transparent and honest government in the Oklahoma Legislature, all legislative committees, and state and county agencies:
a. We oppose any exemptions to the current Open Meetings & Open Records Act.
b. We support providing an enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with the Open Meetings & Records Act and with audit findings.
4. We support external annual performance and financial audits and also public disclosure of all financial records of public institutions including trusts, authorities, libraries, community foundations, all state retirement funds and teacher retirement funds.
5. We support the protection of all public employees, including higher education employees, by the Whistle Blower Act.
6. We believe all state agencies should be made accountable for maintenance of their records and accurate enforcement of rules, policies, and regulations.
7. We support term limits for all elected officers to be twelve years, excluding those already defined to a lesser term.
8. We believe that the judiciary should apply the law and should not make law or policy by fiat.
We support a strong review process for sitting justices.
9. We demand that all elected and appointed officials aggressively uncover, remedy and prosecute all waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
10. We support the repeal of Title 11, Section 22-104.1 of the OK Statutes, which enables a municipal corporation to engage in any business it is authorized to license.
11. We oppose unfunded mandates by the State Legislature and state agencies.
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H. State Agencies and Departments
1. We believe any recipient of public assistance funds should pass drugs tests and be a legal U.S. citizen and legal resident of Oklahoma to qualify.
2. We believe the Attorney General should be removed from the District Attorney’s Council so that locally elected officials have the proper degree of autonomy.
3. We believe that no governmental agency should require from any citizen any information that is not essential to the direct performance of the agency’s operation or mandate.
4. We support the elimination or consolidation of numerous authorities, boards, commissions, and agencies.
I. State Legislation/Legislature
1. We support any and all legislation that maintains our inalienable right to freedom of speech.
2. We believe that it is the responsibility of individual legislators to read and to be knowledgeable of all pieces of legislation prior to voting. We believe that all bills should be limited to one issue.
3. We oppose the final passage of any legislation before the full text has been written.
4. We support full funding and administrative consolidation of all state retirement systems under the same authority using the same formula for and providing the same cost of living adjustments (COLAs) and other benefits for all members.
5. We believe that all state-tribal compacts and agreements should require the approval of both houses of the Legislature in addition to the ten-member Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations.
6. We oppose further erosion and surrender of Oklahoma sovereignty to Indian tribes.
7. We support legislation rescinding Oklahoma’s previous calls for a U.S. Constitutional Convention.
8. We believe that Oklahoma should ratify a proposed Balanced Federal Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution promptly upon its submission to the states.
9. We support full protection of the U.S. Second Amendment rights in Oklahoma.
10. We support the Tenth Amendment in the Bill of Rights, which explicitly limits the Federal government’s powers to those enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. The Sovereign State of Oklahoma shall empower state law enforcement to restore peace and to protect Oklahoma citizens through the arrest and prosecution of any persons/agents attempting to inflict unconstitutional laws/mandates on its citizens.
11. We support the use of eminent domain only for public use and support excluding “blighted” as a reason for taking agricultural land. We oppose the use of eminent domain for private purposes or increased taxes.
12. We support the fundamental right to own and to enjoy our private property, and we oppose restrictions or losses of that right.
13. We support fair, just, and timely compensation for property owners when governmental regulations limit property use.
14. We believe that real property should be acquired by the state only with revenue from duly assessed taxes because donations increase the size of government and the tax burden on citizens who must maintain that property.
15. We believe any law or bill that restricts public records to any office in the county courthouse shall be removed from the books.
16. We support animal identification programs only if they are voluntary.
17. We support the appointment of County Election Board secretaries by a majority vote of state legislators representing all or part of each county instead of by the State Senate Pro Tem.
18. We support the implementation of "sunset laws."
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19. We support the adoption of English as the official state language with all official documents, signs, and forms printed only in English. One language is a practical means for unifying communication and will reduce taxpayer expense and strengthen communities.
20. We believe that the Oklahoma driver’s license should be required to reveal enough facial features to provide positive photo identification.
21. We support the repeal of mandatory fingerprinting or other traceable biometric information, and we oppose the maintenance of a biometric database, in connection with an application for a driver’s license or government ID.
22. We believe Oklahoma should “opt out” of the National Real I.D. Act and should not participate in any federal, national, or global I.D. scheme.
23. We support tort lawsuit reform.
24. We support permitting title insurance in lieu of an abstract for property transactions.
25. We believe the Oklahoma Lottery should be repealed.
26. We oppose the expansion of gambling in any form in Oklahoma.
27. We support strengthening protections for homeowners against any arbitrary zoning change, which damages property values and oppose “Sustainable Development”.
28. We support amending the current Right to Farm law to explicitly allow for expansion, production, technological changes and measures to protect these amendments.
29. We support legislation that serves all citizens with disabilities, that appropriately ensures the quality of life, allows community participation, and gives access to appropriate programs and services. This legislation shall not be specific to any one disability and should encourage individual and familial responsibility and independence.
J. Transportation
1. We support efficient and necessary spending on our state, county and local roads and bridges because they are essential for sustainable economic growth and development.
2. We support the elimination of toll roads.
3. We support legislation requiring that all state fuel and vehicle taxes and tag fees go to state, county and local transportation infrastructure.
4. We support the state and its citizens maintaining control of all transportation instead of selling or leasing control of that right to foreign entities, corporations, private/public partnerships, or other states.
5. We oppose the NAFTA superhighway.
6. We support a free market-based public transportation system as opposed to government funding.
7. We oppose public-private partnerships and the use of eminent domain to build and operate toll roads and bridges.
IV. FEDERAL
Preamble:
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land and should be interpreted according to the original intent of the founding fathers. We call for reaffirmation of our God-given rights enumerated in the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. Our founding fathers based the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and early laws on traditional Judeo-Christian Bible, ethics, and values. We believe that these documents are the basis for law, order, and behavior, allowing individuals, including government officials, the freedom to involve God in all activities according to their consciences.
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The Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches, are separate but equal, and are bound by the powers granted them by the Constitution, which limits the powers of the federal government and protects individual rights from illegal and excessive encroachment by the government. We support foreign policy that acknowledges the sovereignty of the United States and places the interests and values of its citizens above those of the United Nations or any international organization, publicprivate corporation/partnership or any private corporation. We believe in a strong national defense and support for our military.
Whereas, the founders of America used the philosophers Locke, Montesquieu, and Blackstone in the creation of our form of government and legal system; and given that, all these philosophers’ writings are replete with references to Biblical principles; and given that, these principles and the God of the Bible are referenced and used in America’s founding documents and legal system; we declare and affirm, that the Biblical Philosophy is the core and unique philosophy of American government and law. Given this fact, we support philosophical consistency between America’s governmental, legal, and societal institutions. We support the exclusive use of the Biblical Philosophy in these institution’s laws and policies.
A. Defense
1. We support maintaining a strong national defense and advocate “peace through strength.”
2. We support the continued effort to pursue and bring to justice terrorists and the entities that harbor or support them within the limits set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
3. We believe that adequate research and development of new weapons and defense technologies, including anti-ballistic missile systems, are a vital part of a strong national defense and should be fully funded.
4. We believe defense initiatives should protect against threats from weapons of mass destruction.
5. We support improved pay, living conditions, and educational opportunities for our armed forces to aid in retention and recruitment.
6. We support defense spending to provide clean state-of-the-art facilities, quality training, and the best equipment and training for our armed forces.
7. We oppose the erosion of our military’s readiness through:
a. “Gender-norming” for training and promotion.
b. Co-ed basic training and housing.
c. “Sensitivity training” that supports or promotes the homosexual lifestyle.
d. Openly practicing homosexuals serving in the military.
8. We oppose re-instituting the draft.
9. We oppose the use of U.S. military troops where they would not be under the leadership of American commanders.
10. We support an increase in veterans and survivors benefits and support the expeditious fulfillment of the promises written and implied of those benefits.
11. We oppose the relinquishment of strategically essential U.S. military facilities worldwide; and, we support the military’s unrestricted use of their training areas.
12. We support the goal of securing our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and the enhancement of national defense against espionage and terrorist activity while ensuring the protection of individual lives, property and rights as afforded by the U.S. Constitution.
13. We believe any learning institution that inhibits the normal operations of ROTC or military recruiters should be ineligible for government funding.
14. We assert that the oath of allegiance sworn by all U.S. military personnel shall be upheld under all circumstances; and furthermore, we assert that no other oath shall replace or amend it.
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15. We support the freedom of military chaplains to provide religious services, including in the name of Jesus.
16. We believe the military, under the command of the President, is the best judge to choose rules of engagement.
17. We support the historical values and uses of our military, and we believe its only mission should be national defense.
B. Foreign Policy
1. We support the revocation of “Permanent Normal Trade Relations” status and oppose admission to the World Trade Organization for any country that is a security threat to the United States.
2. We should support Israel politically, economically, geographically, and militarily.
3. Global commitments involving foreign aid or peacekeeping forces should be time-limited and include specific benchmarks.
4. We oppose any compromise of national sovereignty by treaties or trade agreements.
5. We oppose the sale of dual-use technologies by U.S. corporations not only to designated terrorist nations but also to antagonistic nations.
6. We oppose any transfer of wealth from the US taxpayers to any foreign governments, usually referred to as foreign aid.
7. We support the protection of American intellectual property rights including access to our patents.
8. We oppose the creation of a common currency for North, Central, and South America, other than the U.S. dollar as authorized and issued only by the United States.
9. We oppose foreign control over any ports or bases in or around the United States or the Panama Canal Zone.
10. We support policies that protect all U.S. allies.
11. We support the import of medication from other countries in order to lower the cost, if U.S. standards are enforced.
12. We support equal access to global markets for U.S. agricultural products and elimination of unfair limits.
13. Excessive trade deficits are a threat to our economic stability and our government should stop using them as a geo-political tool as a form of foreign aid.
14. We oppose the construction of a Transcontinental Super Corridor Highway (also known as NAFTA superhighway), The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, and the creation of The North American Union. Additionally, we oppose support of, or participation in, a new global compact called a League of Democracies, as we are a unique and constitutional, representative Republic. Furthermore, we oppose the creation of, or participation in, a Trans-Atlantic Common Market.
15. We oppose efforts by our government to pressure Israel or any other nation into negotiating with terrorists.
16. We urge Congress to withdraw from and avoid free trade pacts—such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and FTAA— because they threaten our national sovereignty.
C. United Nations
1. We believe that the United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that no other laws shall supersede it, including conventions, resolutions, rulings, treaties, mandates or any other laws or policies written by the United Nations or any other international organization.
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2. We oppose relinquishment of our national sovereignty to the United Nations and oppose the action of any international organization that would supersede the rights of a United States citizen or conscript their person or property in any fashion.
3. We believe the United Nations should be held accountable financially, ethically, and morally.
4. We oppose the United Nations’ treaty titled the Rights of the Child.
5. We oppose the Law of Sea Treaty because it would turn 7/10ths of the earth’s surface over to the United Nations.
6. We oppose the adoption of any United Nations sustainable development “Agenda 21” initiatives into the governmental planning authorities, policies, or body of law of the United States of America.
7. Be it resolved that the United States of America should withdraw from the United Nations and that the United Nations Headquarters be removed from United States territory.
8. We oppose a United Nations tax applied directly or indirectly to citizens of the United States.
D. Constitutional Issues
1. We affirm our right under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution to exercise our freedom of speech, including religious speech. We believe the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause was intended to prevent a state-sponsored or preferred religion, not to separate God from our government or to remove religion from public life.
2. We support the right under the Second Amendment for Americans to keep and bear arms; therefore, we oppose any attempts, whether by law or regulation at any level of government, to restrict any law-abiding citizen’s right to keep and bear arms, or which would restrict access to ammunition, or record the purchase thereof. We also oppose any federal taxation on firearms or ammunition.
3. We support the repeal of the Brady Bill.
4. We oppose any legislation that would require the use of trigger or other locking devices on firearms.
5. We support legislation that will protect gun manufacturers or resellers from lawsuits attempting to hold the manufacturers or resellers liable for misuse of guns.
6. We oppose any assault weapons ban and any efforts to register firearms or ammunition.
7. We oppose legislation that would require gun owners to purchase insurance policies covering the misuse of their firearms.
8. We believe the United States Constitution empowers the judiciary to interpret law, not create law, through judicial activism.
9. We oppose the use of parliamentary procedure to avoid voting on the confirmation of any judicial nominee.
10. We support the Tenth Amendment that states “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
11. We affirm the other provisions enumerated in the Bill of Rights, including the right to due process and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, nor should private property be taken for public use without just compensation. Therefore, we oppose the Patriot Act and call for its repeal.
12. We support, recommend, and encourage the display of religious symbols, including the Ten Commandments in public places.
13. We support capital punishment.
14. We support the effort to amend 42 U.S. Code, Section 1988 of the Civil Rights Act to rescind the authority of judges to award attorney fees in cases brought to remove or destroy religious symbols.
15. We support the present Constitutional requirement that the President be native born.
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16. If the United States is to have a central bank, it shall be under the control of the United States government, not a private bank like the Federal Reserve. The currency of the United States shall be backed by gold or silver.
17. We oppose court decisions based on International Law instead of American and Constitutional doctrine.
18. In keeping with the First Amendment, we believe that freedom of speech is fundamental to our system of governance and our society; therefore, be it resolved that we oppose the “Fairness Doctrine” that would, in fact, constrain free speech.
19. In keeping with the First Amendment, we oppose the concept of “Free Speech Zones”.
E. Social Security
1. We believe that Social Security and government pension funds should be used only for the original purpose for which they were intended and taken off-budget.
2. We support heightened security to safeguard individual Social Security numbers.
3. We believe taxpayers should have more ownership and control over individual Social Security accounts, including a percentage of their Social Security tax in private investments at their option.
4. We support repealing the 1993 Clinton tax on Social Security benefits.
5. We support the inclusion of the Legislative and Judicial Branches as part of the same Social Security program and the elimination of their current retirement programs.
F. Agriculture
WE SUPPORT:
1. The immediate implementation of country of origin labeling on all whole food and fiber products. We strongly support only products “born, raised, slaughtered, and processed” or “sprouted, harvested, grown and processed” in this country to receive a U.S. label.
2. Further study of genetically modified food products and the effects on food supplies.
3. The immediate enforcement of the Anti-Trust Laws by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture that affect the livestock packer concentration issue (1929 Stackers & Packers Act).
4. Reducing fuel taxes, both federal and state for agricultural use.
5. Eliminating all programs, including tax breaks, which support the production, sale, or distribution of genetically modified food (GMO).
WE OPPOSE:
1. Self-audit legislation monitoring large-scale swine and poultry producers.
2. Overly restrictive regulation of carbon and particulate matter emissions in the agricultural industry.
3. Animals being granted legal rights in the same fashion as human beings.
4. Our continued participation in the World Trade Organization, and urge Congress to withdraw from the WTO.
5. The compulsory registration and electronic chipping of livestock and the related costs to farmers and ranchers, via participation in the National Animal Identification Programs, at any level.
6. Livestock taxation.
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WE RECOMMEND:
1. That the USDA Agriculture appropriations be divided to accurately show the percentage of money set aside for agriculture.
G. Immigration
WE SUPPORT:
1. Legal immigration and appreciate and cherish the immigrants who have entered the country legally and gained their citizenship through hard work, determination, and an appreciation of our way of life and form of government.
2. Strict enforcement of current laws on illegal immigration with punishment to the full extent of the law and adequately funding the agencies responsible for their enforcement.
3. Securing our borders against potential enemies of the United States.
4. The principle that a person must have at least one parent as a U.S. citizen in order to be granted birthright citizenship.
5. A strictly regulated and enforced guest worker program.
6. The method for determining the number of immigrants and temporary visa holders allowed in the United States should be revised to prevent an adverse effect on our national security, wages, housing, the environment, medical care or schools, and that immigration preference be given to those possessing skills needed by our country.
WE OPPOSE:
1. Reconsideration of the amnesty issue known as “earned legalization.”
2. Illegal aliens being given the same privileges as U.S. citizens or legal aliens, including entitlements such as social security, health, education, and earned income tax credits, even if they or their children have work or student status.
3. Non-citizens having the right to vote.
4. Any amnesty or guest worker policy that does not require those individuals currently in the United States illegally to return to their native country or country of choice. We further oppose a “path to citizenship” that would grant citizenship to illegal aliens faster than to immigrants who have come to the United States through traditional legal means.
H. Election Reform
WE SUPPORT:
1. Continuation of the Electoral College as prescribed by the U. S. Constitution.
2. The repeal of the Motor Voter Act.
3. Requiring the use of a government issued ID at polling places.
4. Mandatory and swift penalties for voter fraud.
5. Repeal of the bipartisan McCain/Feingold Campaign Reform Act.
6. Strict verification of voter eligibility when registering.
7. That the current $3.00 Presidential Primary check-off on tax forms be changed to an add-on (where taxpayers who check the item pay the $3.00 by adding it to their tax bills, or reducing the $3.00 from their refunds).
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WE OPPOSE:
1. Broadcast of projected and/or actual election results before all the polls have closed.
2. Same day voter registration and postcard registrations due to the fact that these laws open the door to voter fraud and should be prohibited.
3. Campaign finance laws that restrict our First Amendment right to freedom of speech by limiting private contributions and resources.
4. Voting via the Internet.
I. Federal General
WE SUPPORT:
1. The reduction of government red tape and regulations.
2. The elimination of government funding for the Public Broadcasting System, the National Endowment for the Arts, and National Public Radio. We believe they are fully capable of sustaining themselves in today's market and should be denied tax-exempt status.
3. Free, open and fair markets.
4. A new national vision for space exploration, which expands the boundaries of our scientific knowledge, as well as increased funding for new technologies and new transportation systems to accomplish our goals.
5. Review and overhaul of the Endangered Species Act.
6. Abolishment of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Its powers, responsibilities, and authorities should be distributed to state policing agencies.
7. Abolishment of the Office of the Surgeon General.
8. Review and overhaul of the Environmental Protection Agency.
9. Review and overhaul of the Federal Department of Labor.
10. Abolishment of the federal minimum wage.
11. Repeal of federal legislation that requires paying prevailing union wages on government contracts.
12. Protection of public and private sector employee "whistle-blowers".
13. The enforcement of the Supreme Court's decision in the “Communications Workers of America vs. Beck” regarding the refunding of union dues used for partisan political activity.
14. A constitutional amendment setting term limits for the U.S. Congress.
15. Equal rights and opportunity for all. Therefore, we believe “affirmative action” is more harmful than beneficial.
16. The right of private associations to admit or deny membership based on what each association’s conscience dictates.
17. A Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to affirm legal protection for the unborn child.
18. Congress passing The English Language Act, which would make English our official language in the United States. We urge our congressional delegation to co-sponsor this bill.
19. Congress passing a National Right-To-Work law.
20. Implementation of "sunset laws" and "zero-based budgeting" and performance audits to require justification for government programs.
21. Travel by government employees and elected officials at tax payer’s expense should be severely restricted.
22. Keeping the phrase “In God We Trust” on U.S. Currency and support leaving “Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance.
23. Tort Reform that provides actual determination of injury costs to a plaintiff and a settlement that is in direct proportion to the injury as if it were suffered by the defendant.
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24. The appointment of federal judges who will interpret the U.S. Constitution according to the intent of the Framers rather than create law through judicial activism. We encourage the Congress to use appropriate constitutional action to discourage judicial activism.
25. Limiting the expansion of new lands in tribal trust.
26. Stricter penalties for the use of stun guns in the execution of criminal acts.
27. The transfer of welfare and any other federal/state entitlement programs, to the private sector, to help those who are truly incapable of self support, and the removal of those who do not qualify.
28. A requirement for all able-bodied welfare recipients to work for the private sector or a government generated job.
29. Restoration of the military’s practice to allow Scout Troops to meet on military bases.
30. The complete accounting of all MIAs and POWs that were engaged in military actions by the United States.
31. That Congress should impeach all justices – including Supreme Court Justices – who step beyond the boundaries originally intended in our founding documents.
32. The process of habeas corpus for legal U.S. Citizens and oppose any part of any legislation which abrogates it.
33. Repeal of the 16th Amendment, elimination of the IRS, lower federal spending, and an equitable low-rate consumption tax in place of the income tax.
34. The right of states to provide water for the present and future use in the next 100 years within their borders before water can be appropriated or designated for use in other states.
35. The repeal of Sarbanes-Oxley Law.
36. For the unity and security of our nation, we strongly encourage and support the establishment of English as the official language.
37. Aggressive security measures, including statistical profiling and monitoring phone calls of suspected terrorists in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.
38. When U.S. Conference Committees meet, they should consider only those items from the House and/or Senate. No additional expenditures and items shall be added.
WE OPPOSE:
1. Discrimination based on race, creed, disability, or sex.
2. Socialized medicine.
3. Embryonic stem cell research.
4. The Kyoto Accord Treaty.
5. All congressional pay increases until the federal budget is balanced.
6. Statehood for the District of Columbia and allowing its representative a vote in Congress.
7. A temporary assistance package for lenders or borrowers in mortgage foreclosures. The free market should be allowed to work.
8. The use of public/private partnerships to fund public infrastructure and services.
9. Whereas, the so-called “Real I.D.” Act is unconstitutional and amounts to an unprecedented grant of power to government in general, and the federal government in particular, we oppose implementation of a “national identification card” or any dermal, subdermal, internal or otherwise implanted device for the identification and tracking of any U.S. citizen or their personal property for any reason.
10. All bailout plans or transfer of wealth from those that work to those who made bad choices or don’t work.
11. The creation of a new federal internal security force.
12. The federal creation of wage caps.
13. The seizure of control of the census process by the president and we call for it to remain under
the control of the Department of Commerce. We oppose any non-citizen in the census.
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WE BELIEVE:
1. The government should be required to operate within a true and accurate balanced budget with the elimination of earmarks.
2. In faith-based organizations and the return of tax dollars to citizens so they can fund the organization’s work.
3. That all official business at all levels of government be conducted and printed only in English, our nation's common language.
4. That legislation should come from legislative bodies and not the judiciary or regulatory agencies.
5. That former federal legislators should be restricted from working as lobbyists for a period of seven years following their last legislative term.
6. Native Americans have been granted rights and privileges not afforded to other U.S. Citizens.
We encourage Congress to make such special rights and privileges more equitable with those of other citizens of the U.S.
7. That the 9-11 commission’s investigation was concluded prematurely and should be reopened.
8. That the individual right of property supersedes the governmental prerogative of eminent domain.
9. That the constitution provides for a clear and distinct separation of powers amongst the three branches of government and any governmental action that tends to promote or allow one branch of government to practice the power or powers of the other branches of government is a violation of the limits placed on government by the people.
10. That individuals, families, churches, and private organizations should take responsibility in meeting the needs of the citizens of the community.
11. That while all crimes are abhorrent, any definition of a “hate crime” or harsher penalties based on those definitions are, by their nature, an infringement of the right of conscience guaranteed by the First Amendment.
J. Energy
WE SUPPORT:
1. Creation and enactment of a national energy policy to reduce dependence on foreign sources.
We believe dependence on foreign energy sources is a national security issue.
2. Development of domestic resources, renewable fuels, and research for nonfood biofuels and other alternative energy sources.
3. Reasonable expansion of oil and gas exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and in offshore areas where it is currently prohibited. We believe that the federal government should work to ease restrictions in the search for natural resources.
4. The private expansion of oil and gas refining facilities.
5. The private expansion of nuclear energy.
6. Rejection of the “Cap and Trade” system for carbon dioxide as the approach to dealing with so-called “climate change”. This is really a pass-on tax, which is a disincentive for energy exploration and production and would result in skyrocketing consumer energy prices.
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V. BUDGET AND TAXATION
National Preamble:
We believe that the Constitution of the United States is the most remarkable civil document in the history of the world. It enumerates the powers that the people have granted to the federal government, reserving all others to the states or to the people. We believe that the federal government, over time, has come to ignore or circumvent the limitations placed on its authority by the Constitution. We are particularly concerned that our God-given rights and the right of states enumerated in the “Bill of Rights” (the first ten amendments to the Constitution) are in grave danger of being eviscerated.
As Republicans, we believe in the United States Constitution and that we have a God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We believe that the United States Constitution means exactly what was written and that its language should be strictly followed. We believe that all branches of the federal government are bound by its restrictions and do not have any authority to act outside of the Constitution, no matter how well intentioned, to grant benefits or dispose of personal private property. We reaffirm our belief that the Constitution recognizes the right of each citizen to equal treatment under the law. We oppose efforts by the federal government to create social change through governmental policy, commonly called ‘social or economic engineering.’
We believe that American people face a daunting and challenging economic reality. The problems that we face today are the results of decades of ever increasing governmental involvement in the free market system. The solutions to these problems will not be found in Washington, D.C. or in the respective state capitols. The solutions to our current economic issues start in local communities and will involve the recognition of economic realties and the value of hard work. The economic success of honest and hardworking individual Americans should be respected and not penalized by calls for ‘fairness’ or higher taxation. Freeing the American people to succeed and enjoy the fruits of their labor will be the most effective way to increase jobs, increase real wages, and to generally expand the American economy.
We believe in the time-honored Republican tradition of personal accountability and responsibility for our behaviors. We believe that charity belongs in the private and religious sectors and not in the hands of government at any level. All ‘charity’ conducted in the name of the state first requires the confiscations of the resources of private individuals. We believe that the objective of all forms of private charity should be the restoration and independence of individuals. The permanent reliance of able-bodied individuals upon a charity for basic subsistence is a tragedy and a waste of human potential.
Whereas, we as Republicans support the concept of private property, we view existing wealth and all income as belonging to the individuals and organizations that rightfully gained such property. Taxes are only valid where they provide for legitimate government functions, where they are the least amount necessary, where they are equitably derived, and where government agencies are held to strict accountability for the efficient use of these funds. We urge government at all levels to lower taxes to stimulate economic growth. We support the promotion of free enterprise with minimal government intervention. We oppose double taxation, the estate tax, any tax increases, fee increases, lottery or other revenue-raising schemes to balance the budget. Federal, state, and local budgets, should be balanced by decreasing spending, eliminating fraud and duplication of services.
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A. Federal Budget and Taxation
1. We support requiring a balanced federal budget, except in times of Congressionally-declared war.
2. We support repeal or consolidation of federal, state, and local programs found to be nonperforming, duplicative, or not authorized by the constitution.
3. We support reform of the congressional budget process that is out of control and laden with earmarks and other “pork barrel” spending. We insist that our representatives refuse to insert any “earmarks” that have not been debated openly and voted on in the Congress.
4. We support zero-based budgeting with transparency in government spending.
5. We support taking the Social Security Trust Fund off-budget. The Social Security Trust Fund and all other trust funds should be spent only for the stated purpose and not placed in the general fund.
6. We support tax policies that promote personal savings and capital formation.
7. We support elimination of the marriage penalty, capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax and double-taxation of dividends.
8. We support tax and economic policies that encourage industry and agriculture to expand business opportunities in the United States of America.
9. We support the Internet remaining free of government taxes, fees, and regulations.
10. We support a 60% majority vote by Congress to increase taxes, except for defense spending in time of Congressionally-declared war.
11. We support workable Medical Savings Accounts (MSA's), tax credits for medical insurance, and a free market approach to health care, which protects the traditional doctor/patient relationship. We reject further socialization of health care.
12. We support replacing the present special Congressional pension and health care benefits with the same ones that the citizens are forced to use, that is namely, private savings, Social Security, and Medicare. We recognize that Congress has no personal motivation to overhaul the present failing Social Security and Medicare systems because they have exempted themselves from them.
13. We support the repeal of the current incomprehensible and unfair tax code based on income as defined by the Congress. We support reducing the massive IRS bureaucracy.
14. We support making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent.
15. We support a requirement that all bills presented in Congress identify the specific Constitutional authorization.
16. We oppose taxes or other incentives for businesses that encourage the exportation of jobs from the United States to foreign nations.
17. We oppose governmental efforts to stimulate the economy or bail out troubled entities through massive increases in governmental spending, crushing debt, and massive tax increases. We also oppose proposals to simply “print money” to allow increased spending since it will further devalue our currency through runaway inflation.
18. We oppose federal “make-work” projects. Since money must first be taxed from the productive private sector, these programs do not generate economic growth.
19. We oppose the nationalization of private businesses and enterprises. We further oppose efforts to establish a governmental authority to provide support or subsidies in return for partial or complete control of private enterprises.
20. We oppose federal programs that enlarge the number of Americans dependent upon governments for their basic subsistence. We also oppose federal economic bailouts to the states or other entities.
21. We oppose overly restrictive or punitive fuel taxes and regulation of carbon and particulate matter emissions in the agricultural industry.
22. We oppose any carbon-credit or mileage tax.
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State Preamble:
We realize that without economic freedom there is no political freedom. We believe that the greatest incentive for the creation of wealth lies in the respect for private property rights and that the free market is the best and most efficient distributor of scarce resources.
We reaffirm our belief that the best government is that which is smallest, least intrusive, and closest to the people.
We deplore the legislative duplicity of raising taxes through the subterfuge of increasing fees, regulations, licenses, fines, adding toll roads, etc.
We applaud the Republican majorities in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and in the State Senate and their announced agenda of limited and accountable government, lower taxes, economic freedom, property rights, personal responsibility, the sanctity of the unborn, and strong traditional families.
A. State Budget and Taxation
1 We support annual indexing of the state homestead exemption and any capital gains taxation to account for inflation.
2. We support full funding for the unfunded liability of the Oklahoma Teacher’s Retirement Fund.
3. We support eliminating taxation on qualified retirement plans.
4. We support use of all vehicle fuel taxes and license fees for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges, as those taxes were originally authorized. Any tax or fee set up for a particular purpose should be used solely for that purpose or should be repealed.
5. We support repeal of Title19, Section 6A in Oklahoma Statutes that ties advalorum taxes to the compensation of elected or appointed officials and their employees.
6. We support lowering or removing the state sales tax on groceries.
7. We support regular and independent audits of city and county governments and entities such as the Career-Tech school system.
8. We support legislation requiring that state lottery funds be applied in addition to, not as a replacement for, state funding of schools.
9. We support legislation capping property valuation increases for seniors, reduction of state income tax rates and taxes on retirement income, and repeal of the estate tax to create a more business-friendly and retiree-friendly state.
10. We support a resolution by the Oklahoma Legislature insisting that the United States Congress obey the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
11. We support a Taxpayer Bill of Rights plan such as that proposed by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs to limit the annual growth in state government and to protect the “rainy-day” fund.
12. We support the use of “zero-based budgeting” to require justification of need.
13. We support setting the state personal exemption and standard deduction rates to be the same as the federal rates.
14. We support the equalization of taxes on retirement income for all classes of taxpayers.
15. We support allowing the voters in a school district to opt out of a Career Tech district and the corresponding millage levies.
16. We support requiring all initiative petitions to define the funding mechanisms.
17. We oppose the setting of salaries for county employees based on the assessed valuation of property in that county.
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18. We oppose a state mandated minimum wage.
19. We oppose state franchise taxes and taxes on business inventories and fixed assets.
20. We oppose de-facto (“automatic”) annual increases in assessed valuation of real estate.
21. We oppose de-facto control of the entire state election apparatus by the Senate President Pro-Tem.
VI. ADDENDUM
A. Republican Party
1. In order to strengthen grassroots involvement in elections, we encourage State and County GOP organizations to consistently conduct their business with openness and transparency, notify local media in advance of precinct meetings, and post locations and times on the Internet.
2. While Oklahoma Republicans may not agree on all issues, we participate to build a better state for future generations. We are hopeful that our party, while composed of many individual views, will unite within the Republican Party ideals of fiscal and moral conservatism. We believe the Republican Party is the best hope for translating positive and successful principles of government into action. With the passage of this platform, we unite and pledge our support.
3. We believe that grassroots reform begins with transparent and accountable governance at the local level; therefore, we urge counties to recruit and support Republicans for county and city offices in the courthouse and local governments throughout the state.
4. For a Republican candidate for elective office to receive the endorsement of the Oklahoma Republican Party, he must read and “mark up” a copy of the Republican Party Platform, indicating his agreement or disagreement with each plank, with explanation as necessary, and leave it on file at the State Republican Party office. [Refer to State Committee to enact as a party rule.]
5. In accordance with the Rules of the Oklahoma Republican Party, Rule 20(e), we respectfully request that the State Party rules be amended to include a plank, which would request that any Republican candidate for elective office who wishes to receive the endorsement of the Oklahoma Republican Party, be in agreement with at least 2/3 of the Republican Party Platform.
6. We reaffirm the need to rewrite and clarify the rules of the State Republican Party as was approved in the last State Convention but has not occurred. We believe that revision and updating of the Oklahoma State Republican Party Rules (2003) are needed and long overdue; therefore, we encourage the State Party to submit such changes to the next State Convention in April 2009, for adoption.
B. Commendations
1. We commend all of the women and men serving in the United States Armed Forces for defending our country.
2. We commend Rep. Frank Lucas and Sen. Jim Inhofe for their stalwart opposition to the bailout.
3. We commend Sen. Randy Brogdon for his fair and principled leadership as Chair of the 2007, 2008, and 2009 State Platform Committees.
4. We commend Kevin Calvey for his fair and principled leadership as Co-Chair of the 2009 State Platform Committee.
5. We congratulate the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs for 15 excellent years addressing important issues which impact the quality of life in Oklahoma including education reform, tax reform, lawsuit reform, health care, and worker’s compensation reform.
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6. We congratulate the Oklahoma Constitution Newspaper for 30 years of exemplary service to conservative political issues and in particular for publishing the annual Conservative Index of State Legislators.
7. We commend state Representatives Wright, Blackwell, Christian, Coody, Duncan, Enns, Faught, Johnson, Kern, Key, Liebmann, Moore, Murphey, Osborn, Ownbey, Reynolds, Ritze, Sanders, Terrill, and Thomsen for opposing inclusion in the House Journal, the introduction of an openly homosexual minister’s male “fiancé”.
C. Condolences
1. We express our condolences to the families and friends of those members of the Armed Forces, and all foreign service personnel, who have given their lives to help guarantee the freedom of our nation and Americans around the world.
Thank you to all of the members of the 2009 State Platform Committee who gave of their time and effort to work together to produce this document.
Co-Chairs
Senator Randy Brogdon
Kevin Calvey
Members
Seth Adams
Douglas Aitkenhead
Kaye Beach
Gregory Brunsman
Kenneth Brunsman
Donna Byas
Danny Cochran
Nancy Cochran
Benita Coffin
Marian Corcoran
George Cox
Laurette Cuellar
Angela Daniel
Cordon Dekock
Tom Douglass
Rodney Durr
Bill Edmondson
Mary Edmonson
Gloria Evans
Gaylon E. Freeman
Leo Goeringer
James Gottfried
Douglas Graham
John Greening
Shannon Grimes
Dennis Gronquist
Robert Groves
Ashley Hahn
Cindy Hale
Tisa Hanvey
Dwight Hardman
Carles Heaverin
Ada Hill
Linda House
Harry House
Matt Jackson
Ed Jantzen
Robert Dale Jones
Jill Justice
Estell Kauffman II
Linda Kauffman
Ronald Kriesel
Jerry LaFayette
Aaron Latham
Lowell LeFebvre
Dave Lowe
David Main
Roger Mattox
Jane McLaughlin
Kevin McLaughlin
Cynthia McMains
Barbara McRoberts
Bob Moore
Trudy Moore
Sally Paxton
Warren Paxton
Theresa Peralta
Charlotte Phillips
Darrell Phipps
Marceline Piper
Deborah Reiger
Donald Rominger, Jr
Ryan Shelton
Amy Sholtess
Carolyn Smith
Debra Smith
Austin Sneed
Gail Stice
Dick Stickle
Hellen Stickle
Nancy Stirman
Sherri Stone
Margo Tims
Robert Underwood
Lorin Vogeding
Roger Warren
Thomas Weaver
J. David Weston
LarryWilliamson
Joe Windes
BradyWright
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5 comments:
"2. We believe that homosexuality is not a genetic trait but a chosen lifestyle."
As Jon Stewart said to Mick Huckabee (paraphrased)
JS: "I live in New York, so I think it's fair to say that I know more gay people than you do and...I gotta say... being gay is much less of a lifestyle choice than religion is, and yet we protect the choice of a religious lifestyle but discriminate a homosexual one."
MH: "I am not a homophobe."
Under 'Education';
"...the Godly heritage of our nation, and critical thinking skills."
I don't know if I can carry on.... Damn you for posting this!
Oh For Fuck's Sake!
"13. Public schools shall not prohibit the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was founded. Public schools shall be prohibited from promoting other worldviews such as, but not limited to, secular Humanism, New Age philosophy, deep ecology, reincarnation, psychotherapy, channeling, transcendental meditation, altered states of consciousness or any occult practice."
That's it, I'm stopping, I can't take any more; they put secular humanism in with channeling!
Matt did you get to the part where they say they are against revisionists of american history? Right after stating the US was founded on Judeao-Christian values.
Or another one of my favorites:
7. That the 9-11 commission’s investigation was concluded prematurely and should be reopened.
TEH TWUFF IS OWT TEHERE!!!!11!!!one!!
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