As we approach the March 1 primary and mid-term elections, this column will discuss the broad principles of what the Republican Party stands for.
Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan captured the essence of this in a recent op-ed. She called for the GOP to provide sane leadership, stand against excess and put itself forward as being worthy of leadership.
Noonan opined that “the party should retain its ancestral beliefs – for power being held closest to the individual and the family, and radiating out from there to the county, state, and nation,” adding that “the party was meant to be Main Street, not Wall Street or any other center of concentrated power – big business, big-tech. Really anything that begins with big.”
Amen to that! Powerful forces in our nation seek to centralize authority and eviscerate the 10th Amendment to the Constitution which 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.” Our nation’s founders realized that the most effective government is that which is closest to the people.
The challenges we face in 2022 may differ from previous generations; our party must be in line with the issues and crises of the times.
The GOP should follow these principles as it seeks congressional control, as well as retake the presidency in 2024.
• Be the party of religious freedom. This is what led many to emigrate to America. While a state sponsored religion is prohibited, we’re free to worship as we please. It needs to stay that way! Forces of darkness seek to remove any expression of faith from the public square. We oppose them.
• Support a strong national defense. The U.S. military is the strongest on earth. It is also a meritocracy that does not distinguish its leadership based on color, ethnicity or religion. This is how it should be. The GOP supports the military so that it can fulfill its role in keeping America safe, as opposed to being focused on social justice issues which others prefer.
• Be the party of fiscal responsibility. Neither party gets a good grade on this over the past 20 years, but the GOP needs to lead. As the pandemic’s excessive spending subsides, let’s have several years of spending freezes, then limit annual budget growth to the combination of inflation and population growth. Had this principle been adopted several decades ago, we would have surpluses today instead of deficits.
• Be the pro-America party. We’re proud of our Constitution and pledge to uphold all amendments and the Bill of Rights. We are honored to be Americans. It’s both sad and disgusting to see so many Americans bash the Unites States as an irredeemably bad nation. Shame on them.
• Be the pro-legal immigrant party. Despite what you hear from some demagogues, America is the most welcoming nation of earth – close to 1 million immigrants per year are allowed to legally enter the USA. Immigrants work hard and offer vitality and renewal to our nation. What we don’t favor is breaking the law via illegal immigration. We are a nation of laws. Republicans believe in following the law.
• Be the party of parents. Support parents as they face bullying and indifference from all too many school districts in America.
• Be the party of free enterprise and opportunity for all Americans. Support entrepreneurs who don’t want to be thwarted and over-regulated to the point of being unable to conduct business. For every new regulation an existing one needs to be eliminated. Capitalism has lifted more people out of poverty than any Marxist or Socialist nation could ever dream of. GOP equals Great Opportunity Party.
• Be the party of renewed manufacturing. During the Trump years businesses were able to repatriate money held offshore with limited taxation penalties. This led to a boom in good paying manufacturing jobs for Americans. More of this needs to be encouraged. Let others bow down to the tyrant Chinese Communists; the GOP will support the creation of American jobs.
• Protect Social Security and Medicare – these programs were approved by both parties to help seniors feel secure in their retirement. Sadly, both programs face actuarial shortfalls. A bi-partisan commissioned appointed by President Clinton offered a variety of options to financially strengthen them. Failure to do so will lead to severe cuts in both programs. It’s time to dust off these recommendations for the good of the country.
If you feel that these principles and values align with your own, and oppose radical extremism, then please join our party as we work to continuously improve the greatest nation on earth.
Rich Sena is a local Republican.
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