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Barrow County Republican Party Platform
(Approved July 16, 2007)
Introduction
The Barrow County Republican Party offers this platform as
a guide to voters and candidates for office within Barrow County. Not every
Republican will share all the beliefs or support every plank in this
document. As a guide, it offers a means for voters of Barrow County to
identify with the basic ideas of the Republican Party, and provides a
standard to which an individual voter or candidate can compare their own
philosophy.
Section 1. Taxes
The Barrow County Republican Party recognizes that taxes
are inevitable if there is government. We believe in fiscally conservative,
common sense tax practices and fair taxes such as the fair tax or flat tax.
Generally speaking, increasing taxes on Barrow County citizens will be
interpreted as an attempt to create a bigger government. As Barrow County
grows we expect nothing greater than a proportionate growth in tax receipts.
Section 2. Gun Rights
We cannot disarm criminals by disarming the law-abiding
citizen. Because such a plan would only make us easier victims, we oppose
and reject any attempt to lessen in any way the right of all law-abiding
citizens to own and bear arms as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. We urge
our elected officials to do no less.
Section 3. Criminal Justice
The Barrow Republican Party believes that making our
cities, counties, and state safer places to live requires stronger
sentencing, a limitation on plea bargains, an end to paroles for
convenience, and a stronger emphasis on the rights of victims.
Section 4. Property Rights
The right to keep and own property is crucial in a free
society. We oppose laws and regulations that limit or restrict the use and
transfer of private property beyond the requirements of public use.
Section 5. Education
We support quality public education for all our citizens.
We encourage the pursuit of academic excellence, as opposed to political
correctness, as the primary goals of our schools. We look forward to the
removal of federal and state influence in local curricula determination. We
reaffirm our support for private and home schooling as options to
traditional public education.
Section 6. Immigration
We support legal immigration and the integrity of our
borders. We oppose taxpayer dollars being spent on support of illegal
aliens.
Section 7. Infrastructure
Republicans recognize the need for public services. Many
public services require at least some government guidance. We believe that
there must be a cohesive plan developed by governmental agencies in
conjunction with the private sector to address traffic, and other growth
issues. However, the role of government should extend only as far as
absolutely necessary to provide reasonable service. To the extent the
private sector can supply a given service, government should yield to
private business, thus ensuring the fairest, most competitive, most
efficient means of achieving the desired service.
Section 8. Health Care Reform
We must not allow expanded government control of health
care. A further intrusion by government at any level will only serve to
destroy the quality and limit the availability of what is the finest system
of health care in the world. Any growth in provision of health facilities
and resources must be through charitable, non-governmental civic
organizations, or private business. Individuals and private organizations
must directly bear a significant portion of the fiscal responsibility
required to ensure an enduring, high quality health system. Free markets and
responsible patronage are the most powerful and efficient means of ensuring
innovative and affordable quality health care.
Section 9. Abortion
We support equal opportunity for all people. This is a
basic right that extends to all people including the unborn. We oppose using
public revenues for abortion, and will not fund organizations that advocate
it.
Section 10. Welfare
Private organizations should be encouraged to increase
their commitment as the government decreases its involvement. We recognize
the ideal goal is to end dependency. This will allow for the elimination of
welfare programs, lower taxes, and the opportunity for the free market
economy to provide economic growth and jobs.
Section 11. Non-essential Services
Essential services provided for by our government are
those deemed indispensable. Without essential services our freedom,
security, community and future would be in jeopardy. Those services that are
not indispensable are non-essential services and should be provided in the
private sector.
Summary
The Barrow County Republican Party recognizes the
importance of the participation of the county's citizens in the process of
government. We encourage every citizen's active participation in community,
school and government organizations and meetings.
The price of freedom is constant vigilance. We invite all
citizens of Barrow County, indeed every American, to become more aware and
more involved in the world around them.
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