I am a Republican Because... My Republican Principles…

I tend to vote Republican, but I am not always satisfied with what the Republican Party does because I don't believe that enough elected Republican officials act like Republicans when in office.  Nor do I think they communicate their positions all that well in many cases.

Take the principles below, for instance. The text written in black is sort of like motherhood and apple pie.  It sounds nice, but it has no substance behind it that would give people a good idea of where one stands or where one will take a stand when elected.

The principles come from the RNC website. I have annotated them in blue to put some substance behind them.

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. To that end, I will seek to find ways to restore individual autonomy within this nation. I will fight against the Nanny State and those who would take our rights from us because they think they know better than the rest of us.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability. To that end, I will seek to abolish federal and state programs that treat people differently by groups instead of because of individual circumstances.  I will fight preferences that unfairly disadvantage others solely because they do not fit into some politically approved group. I will seek equality before the law, not equality of outcome for outcome’s sake.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. Therefore, I will seek to lower barriers to that economic prosperity by keeping taxes low, simple to figure out, and uniformly distributed, by removing unnecessary over regulation of the economy and by keeping the government out of the way as much as possible.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. Accordingly, I will strive to reduce the scope and role of government so that we may reduce government spending, and keep taxes low without borrowing from future generations.

 I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least. For instance, I BELIEVE that the government should not be running our schools because this is something that could be effectively done by private organizations even it is financed by government.

In short I believe that the original intent of the founders, as incorporated in our Constitution, was that we were to have a limited government with clearly specified powers, that under the principles of federalism there was to be a separation of powers and that the federal government’s role was limited by the delineated powers assigned to it by the Constitution.  I believe that the Tenth Amendment should be taken seriously and that those powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states should remain with the states and with the people. I will act to return the government to that state.

I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. Therefore I would strive to move power and responsibility closer to the local level to the greatest extent possible.

I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times. To do this I believe we must support the principle building blocks of our national strength, which include, strong family units, our houses of worship, a spirit of individualism, a common language, and shared moral values.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. Therefore I believe in, upholding our laws, including our immigration laws, maintaining a strong military, securing our borders, and in a consistent outspoken defense of these principles in our foreign policy.

FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is can be the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government if we faithfully adhere to the logical conclusions of our beliefs.