Platform for State of Iowa
2008
With trust in God, and in fidelity to
generations past and generations to come, we respectfully submit
this platform to the State Convention.
Preamble
As Republicans we continue to uphold the
principles of individual responsibility and liberty, adherence
to traditional moral standards, a strong national defense, a
free enterprise system, and respect for the sanctity of human
life. We believe in retaining the original intent of our
Founding Fathers as embodied in the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution. We believe high moral character is a
necessity of public servants. The highest standard of character
should be embodied in both private and public life. We encourage
the proliferation of these principles and their passage to
future generations.
Planks
1.
A Right to Life
We believe life, from conception to natural
death, is a sacred gift from the Creator and thus is an
inalienable right as outlined in the Declaration of
Independence. Therefore:
1.1.
We affirm that every innocent person,
including the unborn child, has the God-given and Constitutional
right to life beginning at conception and ending at natural
death
1.2.
We reaffirm our support for an amendment
to the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the
State of Iowa that protects innocent human life from conception
to natural death.
1.3.
We oppose using public revenues to fund
abortions or organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which
advocate abortion.
1.4.
We commend those who provide alternatives
to abortion by meeting the needs of mothers and offering
adoption services. We furthermore support their right to
perform the services in a manner that does not violate their
values.
1.5.
We support a ‘Woman’s Right to Know Law’
whereby performers of abortions must provide complete factual
information to the pregnant woman about the complications of
abortion, the biological development of the unborn, fetal pain,
and the availability of alternatives to abortion.
1.6.
We support legislation requiring that upon
completion of informed consent as outlined in “Woman’s Right to
Know Law” there shall be a three (3) day waiting period before
any abortion services can be provided.
1.7.
We support legislation requiring consent
by a parent and/or legal guardian before a minor child receives
an abortion or any other reproductive services and products.
Such law should require proof of identity of the parent in order
to protect children from continued abuse by sexual predators who
pretend to be the parent taking their child for an abortion.
1.8.
We support the reversal of Roe vs. Wade.
1.9.
We support the use of non-embryonic stem
cells to advance modern medical research. We oppose somatic cell
nuclear transfer (human cloning), embryonic stem cell research,
human fetal-tissue research from induced abortions, and the
commercial use or sale of fetal parts.
1.10.
We strongly urge that the 2002 Human
Cloning Ban, which was repealed in the 2007 Iowa Legislature, be
reinstated.
1.11.
We believe euthanasia, assisted suicide,
and infanticide are murder.
1.12.
We support the ban of partial birth
abortion.
1.13.
We oppose the removal, by order of a court
or state agency, of fluids or nourishment from those who are
either acutely or terminally ill. We believe the decision
should be left to the family or conservator.
1.14.
Whereas DNA evidence is allowed in our
Judicial system as proof of identity, we believe that DNA proves
that a fetus upon conception, has DNA separate, from his
parents, identifying him as a separate individual, with all the
rights endowed him by the Constitution of the United States,
that among these are the right to life liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness.
1.15.
We believe in “conscience clause”
legislation so that no physician, pharmacist or other health
care provider can be penalized for refusing to prescribe,
dispense or participate in the procurement of abortion or
anything contrary to the conscience of the health care provider.
1.16.
We support the confidential statistical
reporting of abortion procedures to the State Health Department
by all doctors and facilities performing abortions in Iowa.
2.
Agriculture
We believe that preservation of the family farm,
primary producers of produce, crops and livestock, is vital to
the economic condition of our communities, state and nation.
Family farms should be allowed to operate as free, independent,
responsible producers and not be encumbered by onerous
regulations. Therefore:
2.1.
We call for the abolition of the Federal
Department of Agriculture, returning control back to the state
and local governments.
2.2.
We support limiting governmental
regulations of agriculture that maintain quality products, value
environmental safety, and allow for economic viability.
2.3.
We believe Iowa’s agricultural industry is
vitally important to America’s food supply, renewable fuels
industry and the ability of our next generation to choose
farming as a career.
2.4.
We support voluntary programs at the state
level that provide tax credits to install targeted conservation
programs in order to achieve improved water quality in impaired
watersheds.
2.5.
We oppose a moratorium on new livestock
farms.
2.6.
We believe in state initiatives that will
sustain the family farm.
2.7.
We encourage the use of cost effective
bio-fuels.
2.8.
We oppose any and all federal agricultural
subsidies. We support tax breaks and tax credits for bio-fuel
technology and production.
2.9.
We support local control of agricultural
zoning practices.
2.10.
We believe animal husbandry decisions and
production practices should be decided by individual farmers,
not the state or federal government.
2.11.
We believe that all defendant parties
(including but not limited to county governments and DNR) should
be compensated by the losing complainant for all costs incurred
in contesting invalid complaints relating to farming and animal
feeding operations.
2.12.
We believe that strict criminal and civil
penalties should be imposed upon individuals or organizations
that, under the guise of protection of animals, willfully
destroy, vandalize or terrorize legitimate businesses, people or
personal property.
2.13.
We support a national policy to protect
agricultural producers from unfair international market
practices and that recognizes a farmer’s right to form business
relationships that can reduce financial risk and provide income
opportunities for farm families.
2.14.
We oppose the creation of a mandatory
federal funding for National Premise I.D. registration and the
National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
2.15.
We support the "Country of Origin"
labeling on food products. All foods imported by the United
States must be held to the same standards of enforcement as
those foods produced in the United States.
2.16.
We oppose the filing of “nuisance”
lawsuits by anyone who knowingly moved into areas zoned as
agricultural.
2.17.
We oppose efforts to control consumer food
choices through selective taxation of any agricultural
commodity, to include meat, dairy, or any other agricultural
product.
2.18.
We support bio-technical agriculture and
any effort to open worldwide markets to bio-technical products.
2.19.
We support increased efforts to convert
and incorporate farm products into value-added products.
2.20.
We support the promotion, public
awareness, and tolerance for standard farming practices,
increased preservation of farmland, and efforts to preserve
Iowa’s agriculture industry.
2.21.
We support maintaining the Iowa Secretary
of Agriculture as an elected office and not as an appointed one.
2.22.
We support environmental practices for the
Missouri and Mississippi rivers that take into account the
importance of their use in shipping raw materials and
agricultural commodities.
2.23.
We support an increase in the availability
of agricultural land through a reinstatement of the Homestead
Act. Lands made available through the reinstatement of the
Homestead Act, shall only be made available to natural persons
who are U.S. citizens. Homesteaders must themselves live on and
work the land for a period of ten (10) years before securing
title.
3.
Business and Economic
Development
We believe that less government is better
government. We support every reasonable effort on the part of
all governments and taxpayers to limit taxing and spending. We
believe that the purpose of taxation is to fund the
constitutionally mandated functions of government, not to
“redistribute the wealth," or to fund ever increasing social
programs. We believe social problems are best handled by private
groups or benevolent organizations, not by the government. We
should strive to have fewer government restrictions, fewer
government employees and lower taxes. Therefore:
3.1.
We believe environmental problems can be
solved more efficiently with innovation and technology than with
more litigation and more government regulation.
3.2.
We believe that free enterprise and the
encouragement of individual initiative are essential to economic
opportunity, growth and prosperity.
3.3.
We support Iowa’s Right to Work law.
3.4.
We support a concerted effort that
encourages the development of small businesses in Iowa.
3.5.
We call for the reduction of the corporate
tax rate to encourage business development and growth in Iowa.
3.6.
We call for the repeal of all mandatory
minimum wage laws.
3.7.
We affirm the right of the employer to
hire and fire as they see fit.
3.8.
The United States must do more to
strengthen and balance our international trade policies and
ensure its presence and competitiveness in the world market. We
support the continuation of free trade and insist on fair trade.
3.9.
We support the 1988 Supreme Court Beck
decision prohibiting workers from being required to pay any part
of their union dues or agency fees for political purposes or
non-bargaining activities.
3.10.
We support specific, finite periods for
all programs at every level of government and tying government
funding to periodic program evaluation.
3.11.
We support the repeal of the Davis-Bacon
Act, which increases costs and reduces competition for federally
financed construction.
3.12.
We believe that the Federal Reserve System
should be phased out and our currency then returned to the gold
and/or silver standard.
3.13.
We believe that landlords should have the
same rights as other business owners. Non-payment of rents
should be considered a “theft of service.”
3.14.
We believe that all individuals and
business owners have the freedom to choose the quality of air in
their home and establishments.
3.15.
We call for the reduction of the corporate
tax rate and we call for the elimination of the capital gains
tax.
4.
Education
We believe parents, not the government, are
responsible for and should be fully in charge of the education
of their children. We believe that in order for our educational
system to be successful, it must be accountable to the parents
of the community. Therefore, parents should be afforded as many
options as possible including private, home or alternative based
education. We do not believe that more money ensures better
education. We believe reimbursement is due families who choose
non-government education since they pay taxes as well as
tuition. Therefore:
4.1.
We advocate choice in education and we
support the parental right to choose public, private, home or
alternate education for their children without government
interference.
4.2.
We oppose all legislation from any level
of government, including ratification of international treaties
that would interfere with or restrict educational choice.
4.3.
We support equitable tax relief for
families whose children do not attend government schools.
4.4.
We support parental rights legislation
stating that parents have the right to direct the upbringing and
education of their children.
4.5.
We believe the biblical account of
Creation and the supporting scientific arguments should be
presented to all students as part of a well-rounded curriculum.
4.6.
We recommend that educators stress
abstinence outside of marriage as the surest way to prevent
pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and
associated psychological problems. We oppose the distribution
of condoms and other contraceptives in government schools.
4.7.
We support voluntary prayer in government
schools and the use of the Bible as a textbook.
4.8.
We support displaying the Ten Commandments
and the American flag and the Iowa flag along with the daily
recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in its entirety in
government schools and classrooms.
4.9.
We propose abolishing “No Child Left
Behind” and returning control of education back to local
communities.
4.10.
We reject the mandate that there be a core
curriculum enforced on all education systems.
4.11.
We call for the abolition of the Federal
Department of Education, and the removal of this position from
the Cabinet. In addition, we support downsizing the Iowa
Department of Education. We believe that control of education
should be left to the parents, teachers and local school boards.
4.12.
We believe that teachers’ salaries should
be based on performance rather than solely on tenure. We support
programs that reward superior teachers and outline procedures to
remove ineffective educators.
4.13.
We oppose compulsory preschool and any
proposal to change the age at which children are required to
attend school.
4.14.
We recommend that local school boards
require all high school students to take a course in personal
finance with emphasis on personal debt, savings and investments.
4.15.
We oppose the promotion of homosexual life
styles in government schools.
4.16.
We oppose the teaching of sex education in
any form, at any grade level without written parental consent.
4.17.
We believe the goal of education is the
development of knowledgeable and responsible individuals;
therefore, we are committed to excellence in undergraduate
education, and call for a priority emphasis on systematic
intensive phonics, reading, writing, spelling, mathematics,
objective science, and the true history of the United States of
America.
4.18.
We support English as the official
language in the government education system.
4.19.
We recommend that tax-funded libraries
include creation science and religious texts and materials.
4.20.
We support criminal background checks and
periodic drug testing for teachers, administrators, staff and
volunteers in government schools
4.21.
We believe in equal access to payroll
deduction for other government school collective bargaining
units, such as Professional Educators of Iowa.
4.22.
We believe government school textbooks,
curriculum and guest speaker agendas must be made available to
anyone requesting this information. Parents should have the
right to have their children “opt out” of any special event or
non-core class without negative impact on their child’s class or
academic standing.
4.23.
We believe government schools and public
libraries must control access to objectionable content (print,
audio, or video) by minors in keeping with acceptable community
standards.
4.24.
We support fast-track teacher
certification to allow competent professionals to teach in our
schools.
4.25.
We believe educators at all levels should
be required to have comprehensive communication skills in
English.
4.26.
We support adding knowledge of illegal
immigration status to the mandatory reporting requirements for
educators at all levels.
5.
Energy and
Transportation
We believe a dependable, accessible and
affordable supply of energy is essential to the economic
strength and security of the United States. We believe access
to an adequate transportation infrastructure is necessary for a
free market economy to succeed. Therefore:
5.1.
We support the goal of energy independence
within the United States.
5.2.
We support the development and production
of domestic renewable fuels.
5.3.
We support tax incentives to stimulate
private research for alternative fuels.
5.4.
We support exploration and drilling for
oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the outer
continental shelf.
5.5.
We believe that, with appropriate
safeguards to protect the environment, exploration for and
utilization of oil in Alaska, the balance of the United States
and offshore should be supported and encouraged rather than
impeded or prevented in order to reduce our dependence on
foreign source oil.
5.6.
We support the deregulation of the
building and operation of oil refineries to encourage expansion
to meet our needs.
5.7.
We support giving tax credits to
homeowners and builders who incorporate alternative energy
sources in their homes.
5.8.
We support improving the rail system to
meet the increasing need to move products, materials and
passengers at a more efficient cost.
5.9.
We support reasonable deregulation and
expansion of nuclear energy.
5.10.
We support the continued use and expansion
of coal as a source of energy.
5.11.
We call for the abolition of the Federal
Department of Energy, returning the control to the state and
local governments as it was prior to the Carter administration.
5.12.
We oppose foreign ownership or control of
toll roads, highways, public access roads or harbors.
5.13.
We oppose the conversion of any existing
Iowa interstates, highways and thoroughfares into toll roads.
6.
Family Values
In keeping with the reality that we are endowed
by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that our
nation’s foundation and subsequent blessings flow from adherence
to and respect for the Judeo-Christian ethic, we affirm the
following:
6.1.
Traditional, marriage-based (one male and
one female) families are intrinsically procreative and thereby
essential to a stable, thriving, and lasting civilization.
Therefore, public policy must always be pro-family, encouraging
marital and family commitment, while also supporting parental
rights and responsibilities.
6.2.
We support an amendment to the Iowa
Constitution stating that “To secure and preserve the benefits
of marriage for our society and for future generations of
children, marriage between one man and one woman is the only
domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this
state.”
6.3.
We support an amendment to the United
States Constitution stating that “Only marriage between one man
and one woman shall be valid or recognized in the United States,
and that neither the Federal government, any state government,
or the political subdivisions thereof may create or recognize a
legal status identical or substantially similar to that of
marriage for unmarried individuals.”
6.4.
We encourage adoption of children by
heterosexual married couples consisting of one man and one
woman.
6.5.
We oppose adoption by same-sex couples.
6.6.
We believe access to sexually explicit
material, especially on the Internet, poses a serious threat to
our families and children. Therefore we must strengthen and
enforce our laws to protect our families and children.
6.7.
We believe in the sanctity of marriage and
call upon the Iowa Legislature to rescind “no-fault divorce”
laws.
6.8.
We believe that parents are responsible
for their children and we support the rights of parents to
discipline and protect their children.
6.9.
We uphold the Declaration of Independence
and the Pledge of Allegiance, with references to the Creator as
presently written, and believe that it is constitutional and
does not violate separation of Church and State, but ensures
freedom of religion and not from religion.
6.10.
We oppose any law, ordinance or policy
that would approve the practice of homosexuality.
6.11.
We strongly oppose the UN "Convention on
the Rights of the Child."
6.12.
We call for the repeal of sexual
orientation in the Iowa Civil Rights Code and we oppose any
other legislation or executive order granting rights,
privileges, or status for persons based on sexual orientation.
6.13.
We believe the father of a child, born or
unborn, has the same rights and responsibilities as the mother
in all matters regarding the child.
7.
Government
We believe the primary purpose of government is
to protect the inalienable rights of life and liberty and,
beyond its constitutional functions, there is nothing that can
be done by government as efficiently as it is done by the people
of this great Republic. We believe the people have the ability,
the dignity and the right to make their own decisions and to
determine their own destiny without encumbrance or interference
from government. We call for a return to limited government at
federal, state and local levels, allowing for maximum personal
and economic freedom. Therefore:
7.1.
We call for a dramatic reduction to the
size and scope of government at all levels. We believe the
federal government should be strictly limited to the eighteen
enumerated powers in the United States Constitution and that all
others should be left to the States and to the people in
accordance with the Tenth Amendment.
7.2.
We strongly oppose judicial legislation
and call upon judges at all levels to adhere, strictly, to the
original intent of the United States Constitution and their
respective state constitutions. We further support the use of
constitutional impeachment processes to remove those judges who
do not uphold the United States Constitution or their respective
state constitutions.
7.3.
We call for the appointment of strict
constructionist judges to the Supreme Court.
7.4.
We call for the replacement of the current
Social Security System with a new private and voluntary
retirement investment program.
7.5.
We support line item veto authority for
the President of the United States.
7.6.
We oppose government ownership of any
gambling facility or activity including lotteries.
7.7.
We believe “In God We Trust” should be on
the face of all United States currency and coin.
7.8.
We believe before voting on a bill,
congressman and senators must first have a working knowledge of
the full bill.
7.9.
We believe candidates running as
Republicans for any local or state office should be required to
complete and return to the Republican Party of Iowa a signed
questionnaire indicating whether the candidate agrees, disagrees
or is undecided about each plank of the current party platform.
7.10.
We call for the repeal of the
McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act.
7.11.
We support the First Amendment rights of
ministers and clergy. We oppose the civil and criminal
prosecution of ministers exercising their First Amendment
rights.
7.12.
We support the repeal of the same day
voter registration for all local, state, and federal elections.
7.13.
We support proof of citizenship and
residency as requirements for voter registration. We believe
voters should be required to present a valid, State of Iowa
approved picture I.D. before voting.
7.14.
We oppose one world government and all
world government imposed bodies.
7.15.
We oppose foreign interests employing
lobbyists to solicit the Congress or the President of the United
States.
7.16.
We call on our courts to interpret and
apply the First Amendment as the framers intended. The First
Amendment prohibits the establishment of a state religion and
permits the exercise of religious freedom. Neither the courts
nor government agencies should misuse or misunderstand the First
Amendment so as to create a barrier to the free voluntary
expression of religious belief.
7.17.
We oppose statehood for the District of
Columbia.
7.18.
We believe prayer in public institutions
should not be prohibited.
7.19.
We believe that voluntary prayer shall be
allowed on all public property.
7.20.
We believe the Supreme Court should
reject all foreign amicus briefs seeking to influence American
law; should ignore foreign constitutions and laws in
interpreting American law and the United States Constitution;
should cease citing foreign court rulings for precedence when
interpreting American law; and should protect our sovereignty.
7.21.
We call for an end to all forms of
affirmative action.
7.22.
We believe the State of Iowa should
immediately discontinue funding "Vision Iowa" projects.
7.23.
We believe that all elected officials must
be bound by and subject to the same laws, rules and regulations
as the general public.
7.24.
We believe that all entities spending
public monies must be required to follow generally accepted
accounting principles.
7.25.
We believe that all mandated programs must
be fully funded by the mandating government body.
7.26.
We support sunset laws requiring all
federal and Iowa agencies to expire automatically after a stated
number of years unless renewed by law.
7.27.
We demand that all Republican national
organizations stay out of primary elections in all states.
Contributions to the Republican National Committee, the National
Republican Senatorial Committee, and the National Republican
Congressional Committee should not be spent for the purpose of
defeating Republicans in primary elections.
7.28.
We oppose the use of Presidential singing
statements to modify the interpretation, execution, or otherwise
alter the intent of congressionally passed legislation and call
on Congress to sanction any President engaging in this
unconstitutional expansion of executive power.
8.
Health and
Human Services
We believe that healthcare is best provided by
the private sector, and that universal or government healthcare
will reduce the quality and availability of care. Hospitals,
doctors, and other healthcare providers should be accountable to
patients– not to politicians, insurance bureaucrats or HMO
Administrators. Further, we believe people are healthier,
happier and more productive when they have the freedom and
responsibility to provide for themselves and their families
without government interference. Therefore:
8.1.
We support consumer based / non-government
solutions to our healthcare needs.
8.2.
We support the privatization of Medicare
and its prescription benefits.
8.3.
We believe HIV/AIDS should be classified
as a communicable disease, not a disability, and treated as such
under current law.
8.4.
We support felony prosecution of any
HIV/AIDS carrier who willfully exposes another person.
8.5.
We support mandatory reporting of HIV/AIDS
and other communicable diseases by all infected healthcare
professionals and support patient access to the results of those
tests.
8.6.
We support the right of all health care
and mortician professionals to have knowledge of the AIDS/HIV
status of patients prior to providing services.
8.7.
We support the realignment of the
allocation and reimbursement of Medicare. Reimbursements to Iowa
should be fair.
8.8.
We believe that to be eligible for social
security retirement benefits one must have paid in, or be the
spouse of one who has paid in, for a minimum of 40 quarters, and
must be a legal citizen of the United States.
8.9.
We encourage innovation in the treatment
of diseases at the research and bedside levels, as well as
encourage continued American investment in pioneering science
that will result in better treatments to prevent and lessen the
toll of chronic disease.
8.10.
We believe our health care system should
refocus on keeping people healthier through disease prevention
and care management, and encourage self-management and
prevention.
8.11.
We believe health care providers should be
able to offer reduced billing rates to the poor, uninsured or
under-insured without facing sanctions for “billing fraud” from
insurance companies or the government. Health insurance
companies and Medicare/Medicaid should not receive discounts
that the uninsured private citizens are unable to access.
8.12.
We support making tax breaks currently
provided to businesses for health insurance be made available to
all citizens. We also support allowing the current Health
Savings Accounts signed into law by President Bush to be funded
by all individuals no matter what type of insurance or lack of
insurance that they may carry.
9.
Immigration and
Homeland Security
We believe that Congress should establish an
immigration policy that furthers the cultural, social, and
economic interests of the United States, and that a sound
immigration policy coupled with vigorous enforcement of
immigration laws is essential to securing our homeland.
9.1.
We believe only United States citizens or
legal immigrants are entitled to constitutional protections or
government services.
9.2.
We support empowering local and state
governments in cooperation with federal agencies in identifying
and processing illegal immigrants.
9.3.
We call for English to be designated as
the official language of the United States.
9.4.
We believe English should be the official
language of both the State of Iowa and the federal governments.
9.5.
We propose heavy monetary fines against
employers and businesses that willfully hire illegal immigrants.
We propose criminal penalties for repeat offenders and willful
non-compliance.
9.6.
We support an increase in the number of
visas for highly educated immigrants or those with special
skills.
9.7.
Illegal immigrants who commit felonies
should be deported.
9.8.
There should be a transient worker visa
program making it easier for law enforcement to identify legal
workers in the United States.
9.9.
We insist that the Iowa Legislature follow
the lead of the state of Oklahoma which adopted Oklahoma House
Bill 1804 which addresses the illegal alien problems dealing
with identity theft, terminates public assistance benefits to
illegal aliens, empowers state and local police to enforce
federal immigration laws, and punishes employers who knowingly
hire illegal aliens.
9.10.
We call on the Iowa Legislature to enact
legislation similar to that of the Legal Arizona Workers’ Act.
9.11.
We support the use of the E-Verify
verification system to confirm immigration status.
9.12.
We support building a fence to protect the
United States’ borders from illegal immigrants.
9.13.
We call for the immediate pardon of border
agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean and any other border
agents wrongly imprisoned while protecting our United States
borders.
9.14.
We assert that the Constitution of the
United States grants “birthright Citizenship” only to those
children born to a parent or parents who are citizens of the
United States and not to those children of visiting foreigners,
those here on work visas, or illegal aliens.
9.15.
We are opposed to sanctuary cities and/or
states, and they should not receive federal funding.
9.16.
We believe the census at the end of each
decade, which is used to determine representation according to
population, should be used only for the reapportionment of
current citizens and legal immigrants.
9.17.
We believe there should be a death penalty
for someone caught and convicted of carrying out a terrorist
attack on U.S. soil where there was a death or the intent to
cause death.
9.18.
We support Section 287(g), “Delegation of
Immigration Authority” under the “Immigration and Nationality
Act,” a joint effort between local, state, and federal agencies
to enforce existing laws.
9.19.
We oppose driver’s licenses for illegal
immigrants.
9.20.
We oppose any and all nationally based
I.D. systems and call for an immediate repeal of the “Real I.D.
Act”.
9.21.
We support a legal test case asserting an
interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States
Constitution that children born to illegal immigrants do not
automatically become United States Citizens.
9.22.
We support the continued use of Guantanamo
Prison as long as needed.
10.
Law and Justice
We believe justice is grounded in personal rights
in balance with public safety. We believe the role of government
is to uphold the law and maintain order, to protect the
innocent, resolve disputes and punish crime. We support
fundamental tort reform to reduce lawsuit abuse.
10.1.
We assert that the Constitution of the
United States of America is the highest law of the land and
cannot be superceded by any international law, treaty or
agreement.
10.2.
We believe the language in the United
States Constitution and Declaration of Independence is as
relevant today as when it was penned. Any attempts to revise or
deviate from the original intent of said documents must be
vigorously opposed.
10.3.
We support a parental rights amendment to
the United States Constitution stating that parents have the
right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
10.4.
We support the current wording of the
Pledge of Allegiance.
10.5.
Eminent domain should be used solely for
public use with the burden of proof upon those attempting to
take property; therefore we support legislation preventing the
seizure of private property for economic development purposes.
10.6.
We reject the efforts of the Iowa District
Courts to redefine “marriage” in the state of Iowa by granting a
“divorce” to two females who were granted a “civil union” in the
state of Vermont. The court lacked authority to recognize such a
relationship because Iowa Code Section 595.2(1) defines that
“only marriage between a male and a female is valid.” We censure
Judge Jeffrey Neary of the Woodbury County District Court for
his attempt to legislate by judicial fiat.
10.7.
We strongly believe in the Second
Amendment, which guarantees individuals the right to keep and
bear arms without government intervention, and support the
repeal of current laws that infringe upon our Constitutional
right to keep and bear arms.
10.8.
We support “right to carry” laws and a
“shall issue” permit system with national reciprocity among
states to all legally qualified applicants.
10.9.
We support the repeal of state and federal
“hate crimes” legislation, since it is an attempt to criminalize
the perceived thoughts and/or beliefs of persons rather than
obtain justice based on action(s) alone.
10.10.
We support reinstating the death penalty
in Iowa.
10.11.
We support federal legislation to make
cyber terrorism a federal felony.
10.12.
We support enforcement of existing
federal, state and local obscenity and pornography laws.
10.13.
We support more stringent sex offender
laws.
10.14.
Non-profit religious organizations should
not be subject to the anti-bullying bill.
10.15.
We strongly oppose Governor Culver’s
“Bully Bill” and will endeavor to reverse and eliminate this
piece of legislation.
10.16.
We support repealing Governor Vilsack’s
executive order allowing restoration of felons’ right to vote
without due process.
10.17.
We support requiring individuals,
including juveniles, to make restitution for their crimes.
10.18.
We support tort reform and a cap on
punitive damages.
10.19.
We believe public school buildings should
not restrict possession of firearms for those legally possessing
a concealed carry permit.
11.
National
Defense/Foreign Policy
We believe in our Party’s long standing
commitment to a strong national defense and support the
President’s use of military force to protect and defend the
United States and our allies against any enemy. We believe our
foreign and domestic policies must be based upon our strategic
national interests and must always jealously guard our nation’s
sovereignty.
11.1.
We believe the best way to support our
military men and women is to support the mission of the troops
in the war on terror and the full prosecution of the war until
our goals are achieved. We support achieving success in the war
against terrorism and radical Islamic fascism.
11.2.
We believe the United States should not
and cannot negotiate with terrorist organizations.
11.3.
We believe terrorism is a national
security issue and not a law enforcement problem.
11.4.
We urge continued economic and military
support for our ally, Israel.
11.5.
We believe the United States should never
sacrifice its sovereignty or relinquish control of its soil to
the United Nations or any other international body.
11.6.
We call for the United States’ immediate
withdrawal from the United Nations and the removal of the United
Nations from the United States.
11.7.
We believe the United States must not
participate in the formation of a North American Union.
11.8.
We support international efforts to end
genocide throughout the world.
11.9.
We support the abolition of the Department
of Homeland Security. We support the restructuring of federal
agencies to ensure coordination on matters of international and
domestic terrorism.
11.10.
Congress shall pass no law or enter into
any treaty that would infringe on the sovereignty of the United
States. We are opposed to the NAFTA Super-Highway and the Law of
the Sea Treaty.
11.11.
We proudly commend our Veterans for their
vital service to our nation. We further assert that their great
sacrifices must never be forgotten.
11.12.
We support better pay and benefits for our
military, veterans, and their families.
11.13.
Republicans honor the service and
sacrifice of our current and past veterans. We also express
support for our country’s veterans and veteran’s issues,
including housing, access to health care services including
mental health care, employment, emergency financial assistance
and honoring the fallen. Further, we urge our city, county,
state and federal governments, and veteran’s service
organizations to provide all possible assistance to our
veterans. Specifically, there must be adequate funding for the
Department of Veterans Affairs and other veterans initiatives.
11.14.
We support the Terrorist Surveillance
Program to intercept communications between terrorists in other
countries and individuals in the United States.
11.15.
We support the right of military
recruiters to be free from harassment and harm. We support
military recruiters having access to government schools and
institutions.
11.16.
We believe that securing our ports,
transportation network, and infrastructure from terrorism must
be a national security priority.
11.17.
We believe the Medal of Honor recipients
should be exempt from state and federal income taxes. They have
paid their “dues”.
11.18.
We support the State of Iowa in enforcing
federal laws protecting former jobs for returning National Guard
and reservists. The jobs would be at previous pay and seniority.
12.
Natural
Resources/Environment
We believe we must be responsible stewards of our
national resources and environment. Our policies should reflect
that stewardship and protect our national sovereignty and
private property rights. We must adopt a common sense approach
that takes into consideration the environmental and economic
impact. We must continue to encourage waste reduction and
recycling and encourage soil, water and wildlife conservation
practices. Therefore:
12.1.
We should maintain an environmental policy
that protects the right of humans before all other species.
12.2.
We support long term goals geared toward
increasing the pheasant population and continued support for
current fish and wildlife re-stocking programs.
12.3.
We oppose attempts to eliminate hunting
and trapping of wild game.
12.4.
We encourage various methods of reducing
the overpopulation of deer and turkey including longer seasons.
12.5.
We believe the United States must make
necessary changes to current existing laws, code, or regulations
in order to allow responsible exploration, mining and production
of domestic oil and coal resources.
12.6.
We believe the United States should
encourage development of alternative energy resources with the
ultimate goal of becoming self-sufficient.
12.7.
We oppose entering into any international
environmental treaties.
12.8.
Firearms training completed by any member
of the United States Military shall be a suitable substitute for
a hunter safety class and shall qualify any citizen for a hunter
license.
12.9.
We are highly skeptical of the scientific
claims regarding “Global Warming” and demand that any government
actions taken in regards to them must be based upon sound
scientific evidence.
12.10.
We support the preeminence of personal
property, economic prosperity and freedom of property owners to
manage their property above the protection of wildlife that is
not endangered.
12.11.
We demand the restoration of the right to
carry concealed or unconcealed firearms in national parks and
wildlife areas to defend against dangerous animals and
criminals. We believe that administrative procedures used by
the National Park Service and executive powers exercised by past
Presidents to infringe the right to keep and bear arms are
unconstitutional.
13.
Taxes and
Spending
We believe the purpose of taxation is to fund
only the constitutionally authorized functions of government. We
call for an end to all unconstitutional expenditures of public
monies and for dramatic tax cuts at federal and state levels.
Therefore:
13.1.
We support a balanced budget at state and
federal levels through significant cuts in spending and taxes.
13.2.
We assert that significant spending and
tax cuts will produce substantial economic growth and increased
government revenue.
13.3.
We call for the United States Congress to
make permanent the Bush tax cuts and repeal the Alternative
Minimum Tax.
13.4.
We support the repeal of the Sixteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution, the elimination of
the IRS, and replacing all federal income taxes with a fairer
tax system.
13.5.
We call for the responsible phasing-out
over a four-year period of all federal non-enumerated
departments, programs, regulations, and expenditures that are
not expressly authorized by the United States Constitution.
13.6.
We support the ability of Iowans to fully
deduct the amount they pay in federal income taxes on their Iowa
Income Tax Return.
13.7.
We support the passage of the Peoples’
Right to Vote Amendment to the Iowa Constitution, which would
require a vote of the people to ratify tax increases.
13.8.
Tax and fee revenues collected for
specific purpose must be used for the purposes for which
collected.
13.9.
We support zero base budgeting.
13.10.
We support the elimination of taxation of
social security and pension benefits.
13.11.
We support the permanent elimination of
the estate, gift, and inheritance taxes, while retaining the
step-up in basis to fair market value on the assets in a
descendant’s estate.
13.12.
We oppose governmental funding of advocacy
groups such as Planned Parenthood, AARP, ACLU and other citizen
groups.
13.13.
We oppose government taxation of Internet
commerce.
13.14.
We believe that earmarks must be
eliminated and a transparent system created for Federal spending
in Congressional districts requiring a vote by the full
Congress.
13.15.
We support balancing the federal budget
and paying down the national debt.
13.16.
We oppose any tax increase on alcohol and
cigarettes.
13.17.
We believe commercial sports,
entertainment, and the arts should be funded by users and
voluntary donors, not by tax dollars.
13.18.
We support the repeal of efforts to take
away Iowans’ right to vote on our local option sales tax (SILO)
and replace it with a permanent statewide sales tax increase
which puts school infrastructure funds at great risk of being
raided by state government and expands taxation of Iowa small
businesses.
13.19.
We support amending the Iowa Constitution
to require 2/3 vote of both houses of the Iowa General Assembly
to pass any bill that has the effect of raising state
individual or corporate income taxes, state sales and use taxes
and fees. We further support amending the Iowa Constitution to
limit state general fund spending to no more than 90% of
estimated revenue and to require 2/3 vote of both houses to
spend any of the state’s 10% reserve fund.
13.20.
We oppose government interference with
legal content on the internet and we oppose a sales tax on items
bought and sold on the internet.
14.
Commendations
We, the Republican Party of Iowa, hereby commend
the dedication and hard work of each of our Republican elected
leaders:
14.1.
President George W. Bush
14.2.
Presidential Candidate, Senator John
McCain
14.3.
U. S. Senator Charles Grassley
14.4.
U.S. Representative Steve King, Fifth
Congressional District
14.5.
U.S. Representative Tom Latham, Fourth
Congressional District
14.6.
Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of
Agriculture
14.7.
David Vaudt, Iowa State Auditor
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