As I have watched the current spectacle of our GOP Presidential race unfold, I am as worried as anyone over the future of both my country and my party. Based on last night’s results (in Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, and Mississippi), it is becoming clearer to me that either Donald Trump or Ted Cruz will become the nominee of the GOP this year, even if the nomination process is goes beyond one ballot at the convention.
What also is clear is that voter anger against, and distrust of, Washington includes anger and distrust toward elected Republicans in Congress, and their consultants, lobbyists, think-tank supporters, and media apologists; and this anger and distrust spills over to cover all of the unelected factional leaders at the national, state and local levels. These people, many of whom don’t even like or trust each other, are now derisively referred to collectively as the “establishment” by our grassroots activists and November-only voters, who are driving a movement to change the Republican Party and the way Washington operates. Unfortunately, Mitt Romney, who is the poster child of our voter’s image of the “country-club Republican,” only made matters worse by inserting himself into the debate last week and calling many of these voters “suckers” for supporting Trump.
Then, in the midst of this fever, came the news of Nancy Reagan’s death—almost like an omen that the “Age of Reagan” has come to an end, and something new is taking its place.
My hope is that the GOP—the party of Lincoln and Reagan—will survive this unsettling time; and that, if it is to transform, it will continue to be the party dedicated to preserve the exceptional ideals that formed this nation. Whatever happens in Cleveland and beyond, we must remember that since 1856 our party has stood for certain principles, even as the times, and our policy preferences and priorities, have changed. If America is to survive these troubled times, its founding principles must survive our party’s present turmoil.
So, we must insure that the “new” party that arises from this turmoil is dedicated to a set of principles that reflects the best of our heritage, while being relevant to the new era we have entered. To do this, I believe our party must abandon its tendency of the last few decades to produce ever longer, more policy-specific platforms, and replace it with a simpler platform embracing our shared principles—a platform more like those original platforms from 1856 and 1860 that were drafted as the party was forming.
So, to divert our attention from the current campaign, and to foster a discussion of what such a new Republican platform might look like, I am going to present the following draft for your consideration. Please read it, think about it, and give me your comments, as well as the edits, subtractions or additions you would make to draft your own proposed platform.
As Republicans, we are dedicated to the proposition that all individuals “are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” We believe that the Federal Constitution was adopted and amended to advance this proposition; that each of the ten amendments included in the Bill of Rights, and the Fourteenth Amendment, are necessary to constrain the power of all levels of government and to protect specific rights of the people, while preserving the delegated responsibilities of each state government; and that the Federal Constitution, as amended, must be interpreted and applied as it was written. We believe that all other laws, regulations, and treaties must be subservient to the fundamental proposition of the Declaration of Independence as advanced and secured by the Federal Constitution. We believe that the preservation of this fundamental proposition is a sacred trust held by Americans for their fellow countrymen, and as a beacon for all humanity.
As Republicans, we believe that the preservation and promotion of human life, and of the dignity of each individual’s life, is the most fundamental responsibility of our society and government. We believe that “liberty” means the freedom of the will of each individual, the exercise of which must be protected to the greatest degree that is consistent with safety and security. We believe that the proper exercise of liberty inevitably guides each citizen toward the pursuit of happiness, which is the ageless desire for a life well spent.
As Republicans, we believe that the division of responsibility among local, state and national governments, and the national republican government of limited and separated powers, as designed in the Federal Constitution, is the best protector of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and of the property rights needed to secure these inalienable rights; and that the proper exercise of liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the best protector of our republic.
As Republicans, we believe that the exercise of liberty and the pursuit of happiness produces the greatest good for all citizens with an economy based on free markets and fair free-trade, which allows each citizens to reach his or her God-given potential; but we also believe that limited government and a free economy cannot be sustained without the active participation by each citizen in the life of our neighborhoods through the creation and maintenance of the family unit, the creation of businesses that employ our neighbors, and the engagement of our neighbors in the civic life of our neighborhoods. We believe that the promotion of the welfare of our neighbors is a civic duty of each citizen, because—no matter how well intended—bureaucracies can’t love our neighbors, only people can. Therefore, we believe that each citizen owes a duty to each other, and to future generations, to care for each other and this nation, and that government at all levels should adopt policies that promote the exercise of this duty by each citizen, rather than the delegation of this duty to government.
As Republicans, we believe that a self-governing republic cannot endure without promoting the development and exercise of each citizen’s character and wisdom. We believe that it takes a strong character, and the exercise of wisdom, to use liberty to make the right choices that promote the pursuit of happiness and sustain a functioning society of free people. We believe that strong character and wisdom are developed by recognizing and teaching the difference between right and wrong, and by encouraging citizens to make right choices and engage in good behaviors; but also by tolerating, and learning from, an acceptable range of wrong decisions in our personal lives. And, we believe that the fundamental right to freely exercise religion provides each citizen with a path toward learning and developing the character and wisdom needed to sustain a society of free people, and that this fundamental right must be respected by each citizen and protected by government.
As Republicans, we believe that this republic is a sovereign nation containing a unique society, which is grounded in the heritage of Western Civilization and shares the English language. We believe that it is our duty to preserve this nation and society, and to assimilate all of our neighbors into the culture of our society. We believe that assimilation must never coerce anyone to adopt ideas, practices or faiths with which they disagree, but rather must provide each citizen with the tools needed to become full participating members of our free society. And, while we believe that continuing to invite others into our society to share in our ideal is our duty to humanity, our duty to our countrymen requires that such invitation be honored with a commitment by all newcomers to respect our laws, to assimilate into our culture, and to preserve our unique society.
As Republicans, we believe that the only appropriate uses of our armed forces, or appropriate purposes for our alliances, are to protect and defend our countrymen, our nation, our allies, our fundamental interests and ideals, and our borders. We believe that the defense of our country requires the maintenance of the strongest military on Earth, and our continued exploration of space; but that our most effective defense arises from the protection and promotion of our fundamental principles at home.
As Republicans, we believe that the present age requires that we immediately and thoroughly alter the prevailing approach to governance of this republic consistent with the Federal Constitution and our inalienable rights described in the Declaration of Independence. Such change requires
- the containment, and ultimate defeat, of our enemies, and the protection and support of our allies, abroad;
- the protection of our most basic rights to freedom of speech and religion, to bear arms, and to the privacy of our persons and homes;
- a comprehensive approach to immigration that defends our borders, our heritage, and our language, while still welcoming newcomers who come to our neighborhoods legally;
- a complete reorganization of our educational system at the state and local level to produce self-responsible citizens capable of flourishing in a free society, and a free and global economy;
- a non-coercive assimilation that welcomes all our neighbors, including newcomers, into our culture and society;
- the effective mentoring of our neighbors at the state and local level to break the cycle of under-education, under-employment and over-incarceration that presently condemns so many families and communities to multi-generational poverty;
- the promotion of fair free-trade, and the dedication of resources at the state and local level to re-train adults throughout their lives, so that they can be productive citizens regardless of the consequences they will experience as result of free trade;
- new federal and state zero-based budgets that prioritize and promote the exercise of personal responsibility for ourselves and our neighbors as the foundation of our social safety net, while preserving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for those who truly need economic assistance from society as a whole;
- the replacement of Obamacare with a health-care system that allows patients and doctors to control their relationship based on principles of the free market;
- the reduction of federal regulations and taxes that burden private job creation, and the adoption of a sunset process that requires periodic review of all federal regulations for elimination, amendment or renewal;
- energy independence and environmental prudence, consistent with our national security needs and sound science; and
- coordination of all levels of government to modernize our nation’s infrastructure and electrical grid, reconstruction and modernization by our national government of our military capacity, and a re-dedication by our national government to space exploration.
As Republicans, we know we will disagree from time to time about the best policies needed to turn our principles into concrete policies, but we shall not waiver from these principles. To these principles, and to our continuing experiment in republican government, we hereby re-dedicate ourselves with the pledge of our ancestors: the pledge of our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
Ok, let your comments fly.
Sharon says
Well stated Mr. Hubbard. I hope you take this to the State Convention
Greg Aydt says
A new platform? What a concept! http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu/archives/361370.php
jerry patterson says
Ed, A wonderful and inspiring narrative. .However, it appears “as republicans” we’re about to nominate Donald Trump. So, “as Republicans” we’re toast and we deserve all the bad that comes to our nation and our party for being so damn dumb. . Jerry Patterson
Beverly Uhlmer says
Jerry Patterson, I definitely agree! It took every ounce of willpower last evening to keep from throwing the remote control at the television when I heard Trump had taken 3 more states!!
Burnstein says
I can’t stop Trump from gaining the nomination. But I have a plan to make sure this never happens again.
Dave Giles says
Well stated, thanks, Ed — know a lot of thought went into this —
Ed Vidal says
Good but too wordy for today’s attention spans. Better to say that Republicans stand for conservative principles:
1. Fiscal responsibility.
2. Limited government.
3. Free enterprise.
As well as:
4. Right to life.
5. Gun rights.
6. Marriage and family values.
This list sums up what conservatives stand for.
bob42 says
America will surely survive. What is uncertain is if the Republican brand you present as solidified is actually so.
A lot has changed since 1856, both within your party and without.
Connie says
Y’all are forgetting the “little people” who have worked, paid taxes fought our wars, in short, kept this country going and kept all the “establishment” in power. That establishment has done nothing but bought votes from “special interests” and “minorities” at the expense of these very same people who pay their salaries. Can you really blame them for being angry? The attitude of the elected elite is: “The people are too stupid to really understand, so we will make decisions for them.” Well,, the little people have found champions in Sanders, Trump, and Cruz. I am not saying they will get all they are expecting, but it is high time Sen. McConnell, Sen Cornyn, Sen McCain, and Sen Graham and alll those who caucus with them are kicked out and some veterans and people who have actually worked for a living begin making decisions for this country. I highly respect Jerry Patterson. Sad to see him on the “establishment” side.
Janet Thomas says
Connie, Patterson’s been on the establishment side for quite some time. With the current political turmoil, we’re finally seeing the true colors of people like Patterson and the RNC.
Janet Thomas says
The RNC and other establishment Republicans have finally exposed themselves for what they really are and what many conservatives already knew – frauds. They believe that the “party” belongs to them, they pick the nominees, they decide who gets elected and who doesn’t. I voted for Cruz, I didn’t vote for Donald Trump, but “we the people” have spoken and “we the people” are deciding who the Republican nominee will be. The more ads the RNC runs trashing Trump and the more the establishment Republicans huddle in their little corners trying to figure out how to defeat Trump, the more votes he gets. “We the people” are tired of being used, manipulated, pandered to and treated like uneducated neanderthals. “We the people”, the American people, are symbolically taking pitch forks to the government. Get used to it.
Fat Albert says
Ed:
No offense, but your platform sounds exactly like what the Republican party and it’s candidates have been telling me for decades. Of course, they’ve been consistently lying. . . . but they sure can talk pretty.
Anybody can come home and talk like a conservative. Remember when that paragon of conservatism, Tom DeLay, told us that there just wasn’t anywhere in the Federal Budget to cut spending? And legislators quickly learn how to play those games with their votes – how many times did the House vote to repeal Obama care (knowing full well that such a bill would never get past the Senate, much less Obama’s veto pen) and yet when the chance came to defund the program. . . . . well the “conservatives” were suddenly bereft of backbones.
The Republican party has played us for fools for decades, much like the Democrats have played minorities. Now, faced with an uprising, they look up with innocent faces and say, “no, really, this time will be different! Honest! We mean it!”
It’s entirely possible that the Republican party will survive this election cycle. But they will do so without my help. I will no longer assume that an “R” beside a candidates name means they’re a good choice (see Devon Anderson, candidate for District Attorney). And I will no longer cast votes for bad choices. If that means that no candidate in a particular election gets a vote, then so be it.
lorensmith says
Hey Fat, Good on ya mate. Methinks you and I agree on this…
The Republican party has played us for fools for decades, much like the Democrats have played minorities. Now, faced with an uprising, they look up with innocent faces and say, “no, really, this time will be different! Honest! We mean it!”
Neither Here Nor There says
It may surprise you that the Democratic Party is majority White;
http://www.gallup.com/poll/160373/democrats-racially-diverse-republicans-mostly-white.aspx
Fat Albert says
By the way, please do not read my post above as a vote for Donald Trump – he’s no more conservative that Hillary Clinton. He’s just a better showman.
randy kubosh says
I have been reading Big Jolly for a long time now. I haven’t voiced my thoughts very often, but this election has me so energized, I can hardly think about anything else, mainly because the Republican Party has been lying to us, making promises that they never keep, and we finally have someone who is standing up to the Republican Elite!. This movement is bigger than Trump himself. It’s awesome and I really believe that we finally have a serious chance at fixing the many many things in this country that are broken! including our party! POWER TO THE PEOPLE! GO TRUMP! WIN, BABY WIN! Randy Kubosh
Ed Vidal says
Randy: Agree with you complaint, but the solution is Ted Cruz.
Donald Trump is a New York progressive who has supported the Democrat establishment from Jimmy Carter to Harry Reid, Senator Schumer and Hillary Clinton. You should listen to Trump’s sound bites praising them, and look at his financial contributions.
He has not been an office-holding politician, but for 40 years he has played at buying politicians in order to use public power for his private purposes – – see eminent domain.
Erich says
As the Washington Post (and others) have reported, last October Trump said “We made a terrible mistake getting involved there [in Afghanistan] in the first place,” then later that month he said “Iraq was a disaster. Not Afghanistan, because that’s probably where we should have gone in the first place.”
Referring to Syrian refugees, last September Trump said “on a humanitarian basis, with what’s happening, you have to” accept them, then less than a month later, he told supporters at a campaign rally and said on Fox News that accepting the estimated 10,000 refugees President Obama has agreed to take could result in “one of the greatest military coups of all times.”
Referring to Planned Parenthood, in July he said: “Absolutely they should be defunded,” then in August he opposed taxpayer dollars going to abortions but said he’d probably keep the money flowing to Planned Parenthood because of all the “good” things the women’s nonprofit health care clinic does.
Referring to military spending, in August he said, “I want to build up the military so nobody messes with us.” Then two months later he said he still believes in a strong military — but that he’d get there by cutting funding for it: “We can do it for a lot less.”
Referring to ISIS, last August he said he would “send troops in” to Iraq and “bomb the hell” out of Islamic State-owned oil fields in Iraq to defeat the terrorist group. But in September he said, “Let them fight it out. Let Russia take care of [Islamic State].”
Regarding taxes, last August he said, “You can have fair tax, you can have flat tax, you can take the existing plans that we have and simplify,” but in the very same interview he went on to say, “The one problem I have with the flat tax is that rich people are paying the same as people that are making very little money,” he said before promoting some kind of “graduation” tax upward. Since when is a graduated tax “flat”?
That doesn’t exactly sound like the remarks of a principled conservative (or a principled liberal for that matter). Trump’s popularity is due in large part to the fact that he’s telling folks what they want to hear. His problem is that he’s telling folks what they want to hear.
randy kubosh says
By the Way, Ed, I really like that photo of you, you are always so well groomed! You are a class act, we don’t agree on this Ed, but I still love ya just the same. your friend Randy Kubosh