IDAHO REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
ADOPTED JUNE 17, 2006, IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO
PREAMBLE
WE ARE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE:
We believe the strength of our nation lies with our faith and reliance on God our Creator, the individual, and the family; and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
We believe the United States Constitution is the greatest and most inspired document ever devised by Man, and that the republican form of government which it gives us is the best guarantor of freedom in history.
We believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
We believe free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this Nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
We believe government must practice fiscal responsibility, and that taxpayers shall allow the government only the money necessary to provide appropriate functions.
We 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.
We believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. That government is best that governs least.
We believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong, while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
We believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to promote peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
We believe that the rights of individuals can only be maintained by exercising personal responsibility for behavior.
We believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.
We therefore adopt the following Platform:
I. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT
Financing government: The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that government is financed only from taxing its citizens. We believe the size and cost of government, as well as the national debt, must be reduced. We believe Social Security should be stabilized, diversified, and privatized to expand individual retirement options. We commend our entire Republican delegation for strong support of a balanced budget.
Taxation: We do not support additional federal taxation. The problem is not lack of revenue - rather, it is excessive expenditures. We urge our Republican federal officeholders to work to reduce federal expenditures, control federal expansion, and limit the size and scope of government. We will spare no lawful effort to retain an all-Republican congressional delegation.
Legislature: Our State Legislature, which has been directed by Republicans for more than three decades, is a model of fiscal responsibility. Our governors, senators, and representatives deserve credit for balancing the state budget and working to improve Idaho's economy. We can attain growth in a sound, responsible manner by holding taxes down, granting business incentives, and refusing to grant excessive demands for spending. We support reduction of Idaho’s income tax rates and, where possible, a reduction in property tax rates by local government. We must strongly support all Republican legislative candidates in order to retain our substantial majority in Idaho's House and Senate.
State Tax System: Idahoans deserve a tax system that is predictable, fair, and balanced. Our income, sales, and property taxes provide for a stable and dependable source of income for our governmental needs. We believe Idaho's tax structure should remain friendly to businesses and families, as jobs and income are absolutely essential to adequate funding of schools and other government obligations.
Local Government: Effective and efficient operation of our local government offices is of vital importance to Idaho. We must elect Republicans to county and local offices to deal with the reality of limited income.
II. BALANCED BUDGET
The Idaho Republican Party commends efforts of Republican Congressional leaders to balance the federal budget. The Idaho Republican Party demands that the budget be balanced, and that a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution be secured.
On the state level, we support zero-based budgeting for Idaho. Each governmental entity must justify its expenditures before its budget request is approved.
III. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
The Idaho Republican Party has led America in the fight to reduce the growth of government bureaucracy. We have promoted private enterprise and individual initiative in the marketplace as the real solutions to U.S. domestic policy challenges. The national Republican Party must retain the Presidency and its majorities in the U. S. Senate and House. Elected officials must review all executive orders, and work to eliminate those which adversely affect states’ rights.
IV. EDUCATION
The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that the future of this great state lies with our faith and reliance on God our Creator, in our strong efforts to uphold family values, and in the quality of education provided for its citizens. We believe that successful education is a joint responsibility of the individual, the family, and the community. As with government in general, we believe the most effective, responsible and responsive educational system is that system closest to the people.
We support efforts to strengthen our public school system.
We believe in improving the quality of education for every child by maximizing parental choice through expanded support for public charter schools, public virtual charter schools, school choice programs, and accountable public school systems. We believe all public school students are entitled to our support, and to fair and equitable funding.
We believe that educational priorities must focus on early childhood reading development, teaching basic academic skills, providing additional opportunities for students to excel, and graduating students with employable skills.
We believe Idaho's public school system should provide quality education in a disciplined and safe environment. This system should provide the basic skills that permit our children to function as literate citizens.
We strongly support vocational programs and continuing education programs that recognize the need to provide good alternatives to college educational programs.
We recognize the importance of Idaho's higher education system in continuing the education of our citizens. The education and research that occurs at our institutions of higher learning contributes substantially to a vigorous economy, heightened competition and a vibrant participatory government.
We are proud of our many dedicated, professional teachers and educators who have committed their lives to educating Idaho's children. We value the contribution our teachers make to our society.
We believe that in order for public education to be successful, schools and families should work together with mutual respect and cooperation.
We call for responsible management, focused goals and direction, and increased accountability from our public school system.
We recognize the increasing role of technology in society. We encourage policymakers and educators to be leaders in promoting such new opportunities.
We believe competition produces excellence in education, and that parents have the right to choose which schools their children attend. We support the right of parents to pursue private parochial and home school options. Tax credits for non-use of public schools and other forms of parental choice should be encouraged as competitive options for educating children.
We value the important role played by our private, independent, and parochial schools, colleges and universities.
V. GOVERNMENT AND FISCAL AFFAIRS
The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that local initiative, knowledge and individual responsibility are effective resources for solving local problems.
We recommend that present federal programs which have been found to be non-productive, not cost-effective, or that have outlived their usefulness should be terminated. State and federal programs which could be better managed at the local level should be transferred to local units of government or private enterprise wherever and whenever possible.
The level of government requiring the mandate must fund programs mandated by Federal and State governments.
We endorse fiscal responsibility in government including balanced budgets, limited government spending, management by objective, and forward planning at all levels. Unnecessary growth of state and local government has a negative impact on both the conduct of business and on our individual lives. We endorse the review of all government-sponsored programs, and their assumption by private enterprise where appropriate and workable.
The Idaho Republican Party believes the State of Idaho should strongly assert its sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Idaho Republican Party supporting the right of every citizen to seek elective office, affirming the right of voters to vote for the candidate of choice, recognizing the need for experience and institutional memory in elective office, and recognizing the difficulty of filling important offices in smaller cities and counties, opposes the re-imposition of term limits in Idaho.
The Idaho Republican Party recommends that Section 2, Article III, of the Idaho Constitution be amended as follows:
• Strike paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). (These sections refer to reapportionment of the Legislature by an appointed commission.)
• Add new paragraph (2) to read as follows: “Whenever there is reason to reapportion the Legislature or to provide for new congressional district boundaries in the state because of a new federal census, all reapportionment decisions shall be made by the Idaho Legislature.”
VI. AGRICULTURE
The Republican Party recognizes that agriculture is and will continue to be a fundamental and necessary industry in Idaho, our nation, and the entire world.
We believe The Republican Party advocates that the American farmer can compete freely and trade fairly in foreign markets. We recognize that the primary function of government in agriculture should be service, research, and the promotion of markets. We oppose the use of an embargo of agricultural products as an instrument of foreign policy.
We must recognize that water is vital to Idaho agriculture and other industries.
Modification of Idaho's historic water laws must be considered with extreme caution. The federal government shall not infringe upon state jurisdiction over Idaho water.
We endorse the preservation and strengthening of the family farm unit as the foundation of agriculture and one of the basic strengths of this nation.
VII. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
We reaffirm our commitment to the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution: "No person shall be ... deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
The right to own, use, care for, and market property is a fundamental tenet of all free nations. The vigilant protection of private property rights safeguards for citizens everything of value.
We support strong enforcement of the "takings" clause to keep citizens secure in the use and development of their property.
We oppose any federal, state or local regulation that would diminish a property owner's right to develop his property in a positive and productive way.
Because state and federal governments administer the majority of Idaho lands, we need to limit and, if possible, reduce the amount of land owned or administered by the government. We affirm to all government officials and employees that property rights are not granted by the government - rather, government is directed by the governed to protect the rights of private property owners.
VIII. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that the quality of our natural environment can be protected and enhanced while having reasonable, orderly growth.
We believe there should be greater emphasis on multiple use, local control, and minimal government regulation, and that federal regulations shall not restrict the sovereignty of the State of Idaho.
We believe the administration of federal environmental policy must be modified. We recognize that all federal acts, statutes, management plans, initiatives, and orders (such as the Interior Columbia River Basin Management Plan, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act) must be based on full evaluation of all relevant factors, including peer-reviewed scientific data. These evaluations must give equal consideration to potential human suffering caused by restriction or elimination of basic human needs such as jobs, energy and overall quality of life. We support federal and state measures to re-establish the primacy of state government for implementation of environmental policy.
We recognize Idaho’s need for the utilization of natural resources for Idaho’s economic growth and for the benefit of all Idahoans. The dimensions and boundaries of our wilderness area should be determined by Idahoans. The remaining road less areas should be released for multiple use.
We advocate congressional action to limit presidential authority in creating or expanding national parks and monuments pursuant to the Antiquities Act.
We advocate reasonable management for the protection of Idaho soils, aquifers and surface waters from contamination from all sources.
We support the concept of forest health because it promotes long-term land use including livestock grazing, timber, wildlife, recreation, mining and all other beneficial forest uses for the people of Idaho.
We encourage the State of Idaho to seek authority to oversee the utilization of natural resources on federal lands within the state.
IX. INL
We recognize the great importance of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to Idaho's economy. This facility is one of the State’s largest private employers. The staff is highly skilled and highly educated. The work done at INL is crucial to both private commerce and to our nation’s defense.
Research in safety in the production of nuclear energy is crucial to our nation's future. We support research and development missions that provide safe, economical nuclear power. We also support new nuclear technology that has greater safety, produces less waste, and resists proliferation.
We support the formation of partnerships between federal, state and local governments and private utility companies to build generating nuclear plants in Idaho.
We endorse the agreement developed by former Governor Philip E. Batt as the best possible alternative to contain and diminish any possibility of nuclear contamination of Idaho's environment.
We commend our congressional delegation for its steadfast support of INL. We encourage the delegation, the state, DOE Idaho, and INL management to assure continued research and development, transfer of technology, new missions, and development of alternative energy treatments and storage methods. We support their continued efforts to secure the opening of long-term storage sites.
X. FISH AND GAME
The Idaho Republican Party recognizes the value of wildlife resources for the state.
We encourage the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to manage fish and wildlife to enhance fishing and hunting and hunting opportunities for Idahoans and the tourist industry, while respecting private property rights of landowners.
We oppose federal designations which restrict or eliminate hunting and fishing and access for all our citizens on public lands in Idaho.
We reaffirm the Idaho Republican Party's opposition to reintroduction of wolves and grizzlies into Idaho.
XI. COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AND TRANSPORTATION
The Idaho Republican Party encourages the broadening and strengthening of Idaho's base of commerce and industry built on agriculture, timber, mining, manufacturing, processing, technology, and energy.
We support balanced multiple use of our natural resources and all associated businesses. This can be achieved through encouraging economic development in the areas of manufacturing, processing, technology, energy, tourism and other industries, as well as providing a friendly business climate under which our natural resource industries at state and national levels can thrive.
Transportation is an integral part of commerce and industry, essential for movement of goods and people in the State of Idaho. We call upon the federal government to recognize that transportation needs are vastly different in western states than in eastern states, and request that regulatory oversight reflect recognition of those differences.
We call upon railroads to increase service levels to better serve the State of Idaho in movement of goods. We believe that restrictions being proposed by the federal government in the road-less conservation plan will have undue and unnecessary negative impact on the natural resource industry, and subsequently on Idaho’s rural economy.
A competitive market, free of undue governmental competition, restriction, coercion, or interference, is critical to Idaho's economic well-being.
We recognize that the United States of America uses a system of free enterprise and capitalism wherein individuals work for profits and rewards and are entitled to the product of their efforts. When government appropriates private property or investment expectations, full restitution all be made, including reimbursement of legal and interest expenses.
Support innovative and responsible programs by industry to reduce pollution in every practical way Government should intervene only where such efforts fail or must be supplemented by law.
State government and private enterprise must work cooperatively toward development and growth of the convention and tourism business, which is becoming increasingly important to Idaho's future.
We endorse economic development and expansion in Idaho and pledge to make every effort to provide a business climate that will attract such growth. We support greater cooperative efforts between the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, and the business community to promote economic development, with increased emphasis on depressed rural economies in Idaho.
We support adequate funding of Idaho's Constitutional Defense Fund for the legal defense of Idaho's sovereignty in issues including, but not limited to, the balanced use of Idaho's land, agriculture, mining, timber, manufacturing, processing, and energy resources and their associated businesses.
We believe that free trade agreements have, on the whole, been beneficial to the economies of the United States and the State of Idaho, but we recognize that free trade has been detrimental to some important elements of the Idaho economy. Therefore, we support the development of industries within Idaho that benefit from increased trade, and we support appropriate revisions to free trade agreements to ensure fairness to Idaho industry.
XII. WATER
The Idaho Republican Party recognizes the critical importance of water to this state. We will aggressively defend Idaho's right to appropriate and manage water within its own borders without interference from the federal government.
In support of this concept, we support continued federal and state legislation to prevent inter-basin transfer of Idaho's water to other areas.
We encourage policies that will more fully use and develop our water while supporting the Idaho state law of prior appropriation, based on the principle of "first in time is first in right" for the benefit of all Idahoans.
We believe that safeguards exist to protect Idaho's scenic and recreational rivers without creating more restrictions or regulations on Idaho's river system.
We call upon the federal government cease and desist from calling on further water for flow augmentation for fish conservation until the benefit of this use has been proven by unequivocal, thorough scientific research. Further, Idaho waters can only be approved for out-of-state use by legislative action by the State of Idaho, from willing sellers through established rental pools.
We support increased retention of Idaho water through recharge and the acquisition of new reservoir sites.
The Idaho Republican Party supports quality of private life and economic stability of Idaho families, communities, and industries, and opposes removal or breaching of existing dams.
We support all legal opposition to any and all efforts to usurp Idaho's sovereignty over water within Idaho borders. Further, we support the attorney general in defending the state’s position on these and all other water issues, and support the State Legislature in continuing to adequately fund the Idaho Constitutional Defense Fund for these purposes.
XIII. ENERGY
Recognizing that energy is vital to the economic growth of industry within our state, the Idaho Republican Party strongly supports a progressive, common-sense, equitable energy policy that encourages research and development of our energy resources, including hydroelectric power, petroleum, nuclear energy, and new technologies.
Idaho has the lowest electrical rates of the fifty states. Nothing should be done in the deregulation process that might raise those rates. The benefits of hydroelectric power should be retained for the citizens of Idaho. We support the Idaho Congressional Delegation's efforts through federal legislation to opt out of any mandated deregulation.
We encourage continuous review and updating of all energy resources and their multiple use benefit for our citizens.
XIV. LABOR
The Idaho Republican Party recognizes the important contribution to the state's economy from its labor force, both in the private and public sector.
The Party encourages and supports joint responsibility of employee and employer in developing and maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment.
No qualified individual should be denied equal opportunity for employment. We support the Idaho Human Rights Commission, which allows for initial in-state handling of employment discrimination. We believe that hiring quotas are inherently discriminatory and should not be required.
We believe that Idaho employees are best served by the creation of a strong economy and a favorable job market. Idaho's Republican governors and Legislature deserve credit for these positive conditions.
We encourage the continued development of education and vocational training to support a well-trained workforce for an expanding Idaho economy.
The Idaho Republican Party believes that public employees should be hired, retained, and promoted based on individual merit. Furthermore, we believe that public employees should be fairly and equitably compensated through rates of pay and benefits comparable to those paid by private industry for jobs of like value.
We oppose any effort to repeal the “Right to Work” in Idaho as a violation of the equal opportunity for employment and the freedom of association guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
XV. ECONOMY
The Idaho Republican Party believes that economic growth is the key to enhancing the quality of life our people so richly deserve. Fiscal responsibility in the form of balanced state and federal budgets is essential to achieve this goal.
We encourage the Governor and State Legislature to:
• Evaluate each state agency for efficiency and effectiveness and conduct recommended performance audits,
• Pass legislation that will privatize those agencies which would be better managed as private corporations,
• Create a business environment that promotes development and/or expansion of businesses in Idaho, and eliminates all onerous and repressive government regulation, and
• Support a tax structure that promotes savings and investment by the taxpayers and investment by businesses in research, development, plant and equipment.
This we propose in order to create jobs for all Idahoans and for our children, who follow, and to maintain and enhance our quality of life.
We believe there is an inseparable link between a vibrant economy and a high-quality education system. It takes a vibrant economy to provide the tax base necessary to fund a high-quality education system. Equally, it takes a high-quality education system to provide the highly skilled labor force necessary to meet the demands of a growing, vibrant economy.
XVI. AMERICAN FAMILY
We believe the traditional family to be the basic unit of society. Government officials and legislators are called upon to protect the traditional family and use all means possible to prevent expansion of the definition of marriage beyond that of a bond between one man and one woman.
Traditional family values are the foundation of our nation. Families, not government programs, are the best way to properly nurture and protect our children, care for our elderly, preserve and perpetuate our cultural and spiritual heritage, and assure that our traditional values are transmitted to the next generation.
Many of the ills of society can be attributed to the breakdown of the family and to the increased use of illegal drugs.
We believe that Idaho's social and fiscal programs should reinforce parental responsibility and authority, and not promote or reward the disintegration of the family. The generational cycle of dependence and despair must be broken. The answer is in education, job opportunities, and individual and family responsibility.
We support a tax system that strengthens a family's economic ability to care for and support its members. We applaud the Idaho Legislature for its action to eliminate the marriage penalty in the Idaho tax code and support efforts to eliminate it on the federal level.
We reaffirm our support for the sanctity of life and the rights of the unborn child. We recognize many strong and diverse views within our party membership on this issue.
We oppose the use of federal or state tax funds to aid in the destruction of human life. We oppose the use of Idaho taxpayer funds to finance so-called “health” abortions. We do not support abortion based on sex selection, convenience, or as a method of birth control. We oppose partial birth abortion and support legislation to abolish this practice. We support parental consent for minors to obtain an abortion. We strongly encourage adoption as an alternative to abortion and support legislation that expands opportunities and provides assistance to the adoptive process.
XVII. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE
We believe that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. After a person is convicted of a crime, however, we believe in swift and just punishment for the lawbreaker and immediate payment of restitution to the victim.
Courts and the prosecutors should continue to recognize the substantial rights and interests of crime victims in the judicial process and assure that the victims of serious crimes are not ignored.
We believe the death penalty is an appropriate consequence for the most heinous crimes, and that further reform should be made to the appellate procedures so the penalty can be carried out in a timely process.
Our party encourages the Idaho Legislature to modify the post-conviction relief statutes to enable DNA considerations where appropriate.
We recognize the enormous financial burden placed upon society by criminals. Therefore, we support requiring inmates, to the extent they are capable, to perform labor or otherwise contribute to the cost of their incarceration.
We recognize that juvenile justice is a major concern. We support timely accountability and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. We support dealing with youth offenses early to reduce future impact to the welfare and correction systems.
Recognizing the dreadful consequences of illegal drug and substance abuse in our society, we call upon our national, state and local leaders to refocus efforts in the war on drugs. We encourage all Idaho citizens, and their religious, civic, and community organizations, to be actively engaged in this effort.
We support creative alternative sentencing, such as drug courts, and treatment for non-violent offenders.
The Idaho Republican Party supports the right of the individual to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and article one section eleven of the Idaho State Constitution. We commend efforts of organizations to preserve and foster that right, including Right-to-Carry laws.
We further believe in protection of the American firearms industry against harassing lawsuits that blame them for the acts of criminals. We call for more enforcement of current laws against violent criminals, not more “gun control” aimed at law-abiding citizens.
XVIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE
The Idaho Republican Party supports a private enterprise health care delivery system that provides cost-effective, quality health care with minimal government regulation and interference.
We recognize the need for and promote effective and accessible health care for all individuals.
We support the rights of individuals to select their health care provider.
We oppose socialized medicine and any other attempts to encourage socialism in America.
We believe the emerging concepts of “defined contribution plans” and “medical savings accounts” should continue to be encouraged, because truly positive market forces can only occur when the fundamental right to make individual marketplace decisions is restored to Idahoans.
We believe the primary responsibility for the health and welfare of our citizens resides with individuals and their families. We encourage all people to exercise the responsibility of the individual and the family in making healthy life choices and caring for their own health and well-being.
We believe health and welfare programs should be administered with a minimum of bureaucracy and a goal of helping all recipients return to a self-sustaining and productive life. We encourage the citizen advisory committees over health and welfare programs to reassert their oversight responsibilities. We reject the practice of active recruitment of employed and employable people as welfare and Medicaid recipients.
We support enforcement of child support laws in order to assure the restoration of parental responsibility and the enhancement of financial security for children.
XIX. NATIONAL DEFENSE
The Idaho Republican Party supports a strong national defense. We support strong contingents of our U. S. Armed Forces. We strongly support our Idaho National Guard under the command of Idaho’s governor. We believe in peace through strength, so that our children will enjoy the blessings of freedom.
We support the efforts that are underway to establish an effective National Missile Defense System to protect American citizens. We also oppose any efforts to re-enter the ABM or any other treaty restricting America’s ability to protect itself from attack.
We support President Bush’s efforts to combat terrorism, including the use of military force, in response to the events of September 11, 2001, and any other terrorist threats to our nation. We support the securing the national border and the prosecution of those who violate our laws.
American combat troops should not be used as "world policemen." UN combat operations should be supported by a multi-national coalition, and where U. S. forces are committed in UN combat operations, the United States should retain ultimate command of its forces.
We support the Office of Homeland Security. We believe it will accomplish its mission, and the rights of all Americans will be best protected by enforcement of existing law. The Patriot Act is necessary to facilitate cooperation between law enforcement agencies. We support appropriate amendments to limit incursions upon personal freedoms, rights, and liberties of American Citizens.
XX. VETERANS
The Idaho Republican Party believes that America owes her freedom to the service of its military veterans. In fact, the nation owes them more than thanks. We reinforce our commitment to their needs both at home and abroad. We support the Idaho National Guard and commend their response to the request of the nation to serve our country.
XXI. OLDER AMERICANS
The Idaho Republican Party has always supported and will continue to support older Americans. The party will work to preserve and promote opportunities in America so that older Americans can provide for themselves. Those unable to care for themselves will have access to services available in Idaho – city, county, state and federal.
The Idaho Republican Party will continue to oppose policies that penalize older Americans who continue to work.
XXII. SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS
America's small business entrepreneurs have led the way in fueling the economic recovery and provide the engine for future economic growth. We must keep them strong to ensure lasting prosperity.
The Idaho Republican Party reaffirms its historic ties with business people and pledges continued efforts to help this energetic segment of our economy continue to provide jobs for our citizens.
We support a climate conducive to small business growth. Over-regulation and excessive regulatory requirements break the back of small business. Such regulation must be reduced and eliminated.
We support creation and maintenance of a tax base that is fair and equitable to all businesses.
XXIII. INTEGRITY IN GOVERNMENT
We, as Idaho Republicans, expect all individuals in government at all levels, including elected officials, to conduct themselves within the highest and strictest standards of personal conduct in carrying out their duties.
The people of Idaho demand leaders who will uphold their oath of office and the Constitution and are accountable to the people who elect them. We call upon the State Republican Party Chairman to communicate to the
party at large information regarding adherence by Republican legislators to the state party platform and resolutions adopted at our state conventions and party meetings. We ask that all candidates certify they are not a candidate, officer, delegate nor position holder in any party other than the Republican Party.
We firmly believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is the government closest to the people.
XXIV. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT
The Idaho Republican Party believes that government works best when its citizens become actively involved. The Party encourages all citizens to engage in healthy debate on all issues that will increase citizen control of government.
We encourage all citizens to educate themselves in constitutional government and to be full participants in the political process.
Our party seeks to heighten the level of discourse by encouraging all office holders, candidates and citizens to be civil, dignified, honest and forthright in their discussions, actions, statements and political processes. This includes the actions of special interest groups who provide support for or against any Idaho candidate.
The Idaho Republican Party Believes that Primary elections in the Idaho Republican Party should be open to all the people who have registered as a Republican prior to the primary election and that the Idaho Legislature should pass legislation that would provide for the same. To allow those who have no loyalty or allegiance to the Idaho Republican Party or its' platform and Resolutions to select our candidates is simply not proper.
XXV. ELECTION OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
The Idaho Republican Party opposes any attempt to undermine the constitutional people to select justices in an open competitive election process.
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