Republican Principles

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

The Republican Party was formed in 1854 by people who were opposed to slavery. Today, the principle of liberty that led individuals to oppose slavery inspires the Republican Party to oppose the idea that the rewards of a person’s labors should be given to others and that our lives should be managed by government bureaucracies.

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln expressed the philosophy of the Republican Party with these words.

“…to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do, for themselves, in their individual capacities. In all that people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere."

After the Civil War Republicans passed the Thirteenth Amendment which outlawed slavery.  They also passed the Fourteenth Amendment which guaranteed equal protection under the law and the Fifteenth Amendment which helped secure voting rights for African-Americans.  The first African-American Congressional Representatives and Senators were Republicans.

Republicans believe that the principles of the party should be based upon the precepts laid down by the founders of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

  • Limitations on the powers of government
  • Emphasis on individual freedom and rights
  • Equality under the law for all persons
  • Separation of powers among the executive, legislative and judicial branches

Republicans believe that good government is based upon the individual and that each person’s ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized.

Republicans also believe that Free Enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative and incentive have given the United States an economic system unparalled in history.

Republicans further believe that Americans should value and preserve their feelings of national strength and pride and, at the same time, share with people everywhere a desire for peace and freedom and the extension of human rights throughout the world.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS

The modern Democratic Party was founded by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The central idea of the Party is for the government to adjudicate the distribution of resources among various groups competing for the same monies. Present day Democrats view the United States as an array of groups whose demands must be met and not as a community of individuals.

Democrat administrations have worked to centralize power in Washington D.C. The party has favored federal interventions instead of allowing states and local communities to solve their problems. These federal interventions have resulted in federal regulations and controls that are usually written and administered by unelected bureaucrats.

I AM A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE . . .

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of 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 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 innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

FINALLY, I BELIEVE the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful government.