2008 Kittitas County Republican Platform
The Kittitas County Republican Party re-affirms our commitment to the Constitution and the principle that the power of the government derives from the consent of the people. Economic progress, cultural advancement, and ethical principles flourish best when citizens are free. We believe the United States should be a republic with the federal constitution as the supreme law and the autonomy of the states to enact such further regulations as are appropriate and consistent with the federal constitution. We believe in the division of powers as intended by our nation?s founders. We believe the bedrock of America's progress is the inventiveness of the human spirit and hold true to the principal that the American dream is limited only by one?s courage and talent. We believe America?s opportunities are available because of the actions of those who have fallen in protection thereof and are to be earned, not given. To this end we support the following principles:
1. LIFE: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
We believe that the words of the Declaration of Independence are as valid today as they were in 1776. Mankind possesses certain inalienable rights, among which is the right to life. Government must protect innocent human life.
2. PROPERTY RIGHTS: ANOTHER BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
Property rights are also a basic human right. Property rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and are fundamental to our form of government. By protecting property rights we preserve economic stability, free markets, and principles of self determination. We believe in limiting regulation in order to protect the possession and enjoyment of our property. We believe the determination of land uses, zoning, and divisions of land should and will vary from community to community and the regulation thereof should remain local rather than with the state or federal government. We believe the power of eminent domain should be authorized only in the case of actual public benefit and subject to just and timely compensation.
3. TAXES
We believe the use of taxation must be viewed as a privilege granted by the people and not a right of the government. Taxes must be held to the lowest possible level to encourage both business and personal development while providing for basic services. We oppose any form of taxation that is derived from the death of an individual. We believe government should be good stewards of our taxes and should scrutinize spending at all levels in order to reduce unnecessary expenditures and waste. As citizens we are expected to manage our finances wisely and not incur unnecessary and unmanageable debt. The standard for our government should be no less demanding.
4. ECONOMY
We believe a robust economy is achieved though free market principles and is the best solution for a middle class squeeze. Governmental intervention should be limited to protecting the market place and market equality and should not subsidize or bail out failing companies. Government should promote small business growth by limiting taxation and regulations which hinder small business development.
5. EDUCATION
We believe an excellent education for all children through grade twelve is the responsibility of every parent. We believe education must focus on reading, writing, mathematics, sciences, and the arts in order to prepare our students for a global marketplace. The ability to communicate effectively in English is not only crucial for our native children, but also for those who join our community and economy. Students and educators alike must be held to high educational and ethical standards. Educators should strive to impart understanding the fundamentals of our government and history, the importance of civic responsibility, accountability, honesty, integrity, and duty. Accountability demands that educators, parents, students, and the general public be informed about the educational standards to be met and whether the educators and students have successfully achieved or failed to achieve these standards. We believe that local school boards (whether public, private, or religious), in conjunction with parents, should set these standards.
We believe higher education and vocational training are necessary in today?s marketplace. In order to ensure access to these tools, students should compete for admission and financing. Higher education should be viewed as a privilege, not a right. It should be challenging and the standard for graduation should be high. Graduates should be prepared for global success. Given the importance of education, we believe access should remain affordable and predictable.
6. SECURITY
We believe that the person and property of our citizens should be protected from both foreign aggressors and from criminals. In protection thereof, we believe the government must maintain a standing, combat-ready military. We believe in and support diplomacy and international law. We accept our role and responsibility to intervene in conflict around the globe to support emerging democracies, to defend our allies, or to protect basic human rights. We believe the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms must never be denied or impaired. While we support the efforts of the federal and state government to promote cooperation among security agencies, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement, we believe in the protection of our civil liberties.
We believe in equal and balanced justice, demanding those convicted of crimes be dealt with quickly and decisively. While we support rehabilitation efforts, we believe those efforts should remain balanced with accountability and should treat the repeat offender more seriously. We believe those who violate our laws forfeit certain civil rights, including the right to vote. We believe our borders must be protected and foreign nationals who violate our laws should be expelled upon conviction and barred from reentry.
7. IMMIGRATION
We believe those who wish to become naturalized citizens must do so within existing laws. We recognize there are many who seek prosperity in the United States and recognize that their efforts support our economy. To that end, we support a guest worker program that authorizes foreign nationals to work in the United States for a prescribed time period. We do not intend this as a path to naturalization.
Immigration law and policy should be set at the national level. Therefore, we oppose cities and other sub-national political jurisdictions undercutting national immigration law by making themselves sanctuary areas.
8. HEALTH CARE
We believe that an individual's health is their greatest asset and we support every individual's right to seek medical treatment at the time and in the manner of their own choosing. We encourage innovation in the private sector that will assist individuals to secure adequate medical coverage. One such plan is tax-free medical savings accounts that individuals may use to pay for medical insurance premiums and for other health related expenses. We believe the government should not provide a single payer, socialized, universal health coverage system but instead should seek free market solutions to reduce the cost of health care and improve the medical and insurance industries.
9. ELECTIONS
We believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to register and cast a knowing vote. We believe the government must ensure fair and secure elections for its citizens. We believe only those legally authorized to vote should be permitted to do so. We support campaign finance reform, limiting corporate and union participation, and capping the total contribution authorized.
10. AGRICULTURE
We support agriculture as vital to our economic and social prosperity. We support legislation which protects agriculture and oppose burdensome regulations, unfair trade practices, and unreasonable pricing. We believe we must protect agricultural water rights.
11. ENERGY
We support and encourage a federal and state energy policy that promotes reliable, efficient and inexpensive energy sources. While we support alternative energy, the energy market should not rely on tax subsidies for long-term economic viability.
Energy security and energy independence should be a national priority. While conservation can play a role, we cannot solve the problem of energy security and energy independence by conservation alone. The production of additional energy from a variety of sources is a necessity.
12. ENVIRONMENT
We believe we must take responsibility to protect and preserve our environment and natural resources. We believe we should approach environmental regulation cautiously, using evidence based on unbiased scientific information, and taking into consideration the unintended consequences of any regulatory decision.
13. FOREIGN TRADE
We cannot expect citizens of other countries to buy our products unless we buy their products. Unilaterally amending our existing trade agreements will create economic disaster for Kittitas County, the State of Washington, and the United States. Some of the highest paying jobs in Washington and the United States are in our export industries, as evidenced by the foreign sales of Microsoft and Boeing products. Hay producers in Kittitas County, a major underpinning of the local economy, sell hay in the export market. Subsidiary jobs in transport, banking and Washington ports, all of which pay living wages and salaries, depend upon foreign trade. Unilaterally amending trade agreements would destroy substantial numbers of these jobs, making it difficult or impossible for these workers to support their families.
14. IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA
Terrorists should not be allowed a safe haven. We support the military operations in Afghanistan and the surge in Iraq.
We support the current diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran and North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.
15. TRANSPORTATION
Investment in our transportation infrastructure is critical to both rural and urban economies. Washington taxpayers deserve accountability for the money that they provide to transportation agencies. We support independent audits of all publicly funded transportation agencies by the state auditor. We believe that transportation projects that go beyond basic transportation, such as the proposed underground viaduct in Seattle, should be funded through regional transportation improvement districts.
1. LIFE: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
We believe that the words of the Declaration of Independence are as valid today as they were in 1776. Mankind possesses certain inalienable rights, among which is the right to life. Government must protect innocent human life.
2. PROPERTY RIGHTS: ANOTHER BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
Property rights are also a basic human right. Property rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and are fundamental to our form of government. By protecting property rights we preserve economic stability, free markets, and principles of self determination. We believe in limiting regulation in order to protect the possession and enjoyment of our property. We believe the determination of land uses, zoning, and divisions of land should and will vary from community to community and the regulation thereof should remain local rather than with the state or federal government. We believe the power of eminent domain should be authorized only in the case of actual public benefit and subject to just and timely compensation.
3. TAXES
We believe the use of taxation must be viewed as a privilege granted by the people and not a right of the government. Taxes must be held to the lowest possible level to encourage both business and personal development while providing for basic services. We oppose any form of taxation that is derived from the death of an individual. We believe government should be good stewards of our taxes and should scrutinize spending at all levels in order to reduce unnecessary expenditures and waste. As citizens we are expected to manage our finances wisely and not incur unnecessary and unmanageable debt. The standard for our government should be no less demanding.
4. ECONOMY
We believe a robust economy is achieved though free market principles and is the best solution for a middle class squeeze. Governmental intervention should be limited to protecting the market place and market equality and should not subsidize or bail out failing companies. Government should promote small business growth by limiting taxation and regulations which hinder small business development.
5. EDUCATION
We believe an excellent education for all children through grade twelve is the responsibility of every parent. We believe education must focus on reading, writing, mathematics, sciences, and the arts in order to prepare our students for a global marketplace. The ability to communicate effectively in English is not only crucial for our native children, but also for those who join our community and economy. Students and educators alike must be held to high educational and ethical standards. Educators should strive to impart understanding the fundamentals of our government and history, the importance of civic responsibility, accountability, honesty, integrity, and duty. Accountability demands that educators, parents, students, and the general public be informed about the educational standards to be met and whether the educators and students have successfully achieved or failed to achieve these standards. We believe that local school boards (whether public, private, or religious), in conjunction with parents, should set these standards.
We believe higher education and vocational training are necessary in today?s marketplace. In order to ensure access to these tools, students should compete for admission and financing. Higher education should be viewed as a privilege, not a right. It should be challenging and the standard for graduation should be high. Graduates should be prepared for global success. Given the importance of education, we believe access should remain affordable and predictable.
6. SECURITY
We believe that the person and property of our citizens should be protected from both foreign aggressors and from criminals. In protection thereof, we believe the government must maintain a standing, combat-ready military. We believe in and support diplomacy and international law. We accept our role and responsibility to intervene in conflict around the globe to support emerging democracies, to defend our allies, or to protect basic human rights. We believe the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms must never be denied or impaired. While we support the efforts of the federal and state government to promote cooperation among security agencies, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement, we believe in the protection of our civil liberties.
We believe in equal and balanced justice, demanding those convicted of crimes be dealt with quickly and decisively. While we support rehabilitation efforts, we believe those efforts should remain balanced with accountability and should treat the repeat offender more seriously. We believe those who violate our laws forfeit certain civil rights, including the right to vote. We believe our borders must be protected and foreign nationals who violate our laws should be expelled upon conviction and barred from reentry.
7. IMMIGRATION
We believe those who wish to become naturalized citizens must do so within existing laws. We recognize there are many who seek prosperity in the United States and recognize that their efforts support our economy. To that end, we support a guest worker program that authorizes foreign nationals to work in the United States for a prescribed time period. We do not intend this as a path to naturalization.
Immigration law and policy should be set at the national level. Therefore, we oppose cities and other sub-national political jurisdictions undercutting national immigration law by making themselves sanctuary areas.
8. HEALTH CARE
We believe that an individual's health is their greatest asset and we support every individual's right to seek medical treatment at the time and in the manner of their own choosing. We encourage innovation in the private sector that will assist individuals to secure adequate medical coverage. One such plan is tax-free medical savings accounts that individuals may use to pay for medical insurance premiums and for other health related expenses. We believe the government should not provide a single payer, socialized, universal health coverage system but instead should seek free market solutions to reduce the cost of health care and improve the medical and insurance industries.
9. ELECTIONS
We believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to register and cast a knowing vote. We believe the government must ensure fair and secure elections for its citizens. We believe only those legally authorized to vote should be permitted to do so. We support campaign finance reform, limiting corporate and union participation, and capping the total contribution authorized.
10. AGRICULTURE
We support agriculture as vital to our economic and social prosperity. We support legislation which protects agriculture and oppose burdensome regulations, unfair trade practices, and unreasonable pricing. We believe we must protect agricultural water rights.
11. ENERGY
We support and encourage a federal and state energy policy that promotes reliable, efficient and inexpensive energy sources. While we support alternative energy, the energy market should not rely on tax subsidies for long-term economic viability.
Energy security and energy independence should be a national priority. While conservation can play a role, we cannot solve the problem of energy security and energy independence by conservation alone. The production of additional energy from a variety of sources is a necessity.
12. ENVIRONMENT
We believe we must take responsibility to protect and preserve our environment and natural resources. We believe we should approach environmental regulation cautiously, using evidence based on unbiased scientific information, and taking into consideration the unintended consequences of any regulatory decision.
13. FOREIGN TRADE
We cannot expect citizens of other countries to buy our products unless we buy their products. Unilaterally amending our existing trade agreements will create economic disaster for Kittitas County, the State of Washington, and the United States. Some of the highest paying jobs in Washington and the United States are in our export industries, as evidenced by the foreign sales of Microsoft and Boeing products. Hay producers in Kittitas County, a major underpinning of the local economy, sell hay in the export market. Subsidiary jobs in transport, banking and Washington ports, all of which pay living wages and salaries, depend upon foreign trade. Unilaterally amending trade agreements would destroy substantial numbers of these jobs, making it difficult or impossible for these workers to support their families.
14. IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA
Terrorists should not be allowed a safe haven. We support the military operations in Afghanistan and the surge in Iraq.
We support the current diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran and North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.
15. TRANSPORTATION
Investment in our transportation infrastructure is critical to both rural and urban economies. Washington taxpayers deserve accountability for the money that they provide to transportation agencies. We support independent audits of all publicly funded transportation agencies by the state auditor. We believe that transportation projects that go beyond basic transportation, such as the proposed underground viaduct in Seattle, should be funded through regional transportation improvement districts.
