Abolishing slavery, free speech, women’s suffrage; in today’s stereotypes, none of these sounds like typical Republican issues, yet they are stances the Republican Party; positions that the Republican Party fought for, in opposition to the Democratic Party.
Reducing the government; streamlining the bureaucracy; returning power to the states; these issues don’t sound like they would be the promises of the party of Lincoln, the party that fought to preserve the national union, but they are- and logically so. With a core belief in the idea of the primacy of the individual, the Republican Party, since inception, has been at the forefront of the fight for individual rights and responsibility, in opposition to a large, bloated government out of touch with the individual it is to represent and govern.
I Am A Republican Because…
I believe the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each individual has moral sovereignty over his own life.
I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
I believe that capitalism has brought to this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity previously unknown to human-kind.
I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility, allowing individuals to keep the money they earn.
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.
I believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.
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, while fully adhering to the Constitution of the United States.
I believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and the inalienable rights of people throughout the world.
Finally, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.