5742 Words And Counting – My #mngop Platform Resolution
February 3rd, 2012Control A, DELETE
On Tuesday February 7th, Minnesotans gather together for Precinct Caucuses. Each of the 3 major parties holds Caucuses. I went through convener training last night and learned there will be over 4000 Republican Caucuses going on Tuesday night. (For anyone who needs some info on convening GOP Caucuses, go here for documents and here to find your precinct)
One of the big things that happens is activists get to submit resolutions to change or modify the Republican Party of Minnesota Platform. I was spurred into writing this post today after receiving an 800 words email about things one specific special interest group wants to add to the Platform. The platform as it stands today is already 5742 words long. Its polluted with contradictions and uber specific stuff only a handful of people even understand in some cases and in other its petty stuff aimed at an individual or group.
The platform should be a statement of principles, not abused with legislative decries. It shouldn’t take a nap, bathroom break, and a bottomless cup of coffee to read through the document. This is not legislation. This should be a basic generalization of what Republicans should stand for or believe in so that the less intone and active public has an idea, and Legislators can have subtle reminders. Instead people and groups put their lawyer crafted and or quicksand traps in there to bash a Legislator or dozen while trying to prove that they think they are more qualified to hold public office. In many cases, these people will be surprised to hold a belief that is well outside the majority of public opinion, or that absolutely no one cares about.
But as it goes every year, tons of special interests and passionate activists are lining up and preparing their laundry list of to dos and to don’ts they plan to add to the 5742 word document that is only actually glanced at about this time every 2 years. It will get longer, more complex, more confusing, and be taken less seriously.
Therefore, be it resolved that the entire current Republican Party of Minnesota Platform be deleted and replace it with the following which would serve as our platform until the next Precinct Caucus cycle where changes and or additions could be made.
The Republican Party of Minnesota stands for four core values:
• Personal Responsibility
• Free Enterprise
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Limited, Sensible GovernmentThose four values are guide posts for our beliefs and principles.
Promote Economic Prosperity
We support lowering the tax burden, exercising spending restraint, and creating and maintaining a fair, honest and competitive business environment to promote economic prosperity and once again make Minnesota the economic engine of the Upper Midwest.
Preserve Civil Rights
We support defending the right to life, protecting religious, political and economic liberties, and respecting personal privacy and property to preserve civil rights and ensure that government treats all of its citizens equally under the law.
Educate our Children
We support the belief that parents are responsible for their children’s education and that parents, teachers and local school boards can make the best decisions about our children’s education.
Strengthen our Families and Communities
We recognize the blessings that God has bestowed on this great Nation. We also recognize the sanctity of human life and the central role of the traditional family in our society. We work to defend those values in order to strengthen our families and communities.
Protect Public Safety
We believe that the most fundamental function of government is to keep citizens and our property secure.
Strengthen the Rule of Law
We support limiting the power of attorneys and frivolous lawsuits, increasing the responsibility of the jury, protecting judicial elections and holding judges accountable to strengthen the rule of law and prevent abuse of our legal system.
Enjoy and Protect our Natural Resources
We believe that proper stewardship of our natural resources and agricultural lands is best achieved through sound science and adherence to constitutionally guaranteed property rights.
Make Government Smaller and Better
We support keeping government functions in state, local or private hands, electing honest and responsive legislative bodies and advocating for fair election processes to make government smaller and better.
Defend America at Home and Abroad
We believe that we can maintain peace by having a strong national defense, securing our borders and by encouraging all people to seek freedom, democracy and free enterprise.
This is actually the current statement of principles. Let’s throw the entire thing out and start over with something simple. 5742 words is way WAY too much. That sums it up perfectly. This document isn’t supposed to legal in nature, nor is it actual law.
Delete and replace!
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