A Republican Refresher Course
The following is a twenty-minute refresher course for those Republicans who have decided the conservative movement is trying to tear apart the party. The rest of you may take notes as well, because I’m only going to say this once:
We’re not trying to tear the party apart! We’re doing our damnedest to strengthen it by cutting out the cancer from within!
And now for the course. The following is an outline of our beliefs. The points contained herein are what we, as conservatives, would like to see every Republican official sign and be bound to before they take office.
If the party would truly unite under this document — the one that is designed to unite us all — then there would be no debate right now. But what we have are liberals who know that South Dakota is a red state, so they run under the banner of the Republican party. They are not Republicans who differ in opinion from us, they are Democrats too cowardly to run on their own ticket.
So without further ado, I present to you this revolutionary document, outlining our beliefs. And in doing so, I ask you:
Who are the real party faithful?
2008 Platform
SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY
Preamble
The South Dakota Republican Party believes that the fundamental principles of the Republican Party are rooted in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of South Dakota. The Party supports the preservation of our Republic, its ideals and institutions for the good of all Americans and adamantly opposes the erosion of these cherished freedoms.
The South Dakota Republican Party believes the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, liberty and integrity must be honored. The Party supports our heritage of religious freedom and personal responsibility.
The South Dakota Republican Party believes in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, gender, age or ability.
The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes the free enterprise system and the work ethic of our people as the foundation of our economic success and security.
The South Dakota Republican Party believes the 21st Century requires continued responsible leadership. Leadership must neither burden nor hinder individual rights and efforts. Leadership must also be mindful of the Republican Platform and the fundamental principles of the Constitution of the United States of America. We believe the most effective and responsible government is government closest to the people.
The South Dakota Republican Party believes the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations. The best government is that which governs least.
We believe South Dakota is a great place to live, raise and nurture a family, and provide opportunity for everyone. To these ends, and for the people of South Dakota, the Republican Party offers, pledges, and commits itself to the following platform.
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy
1. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a strong and viable economy for agriculture, our number one industry, with a strong emphasis on new technologies, labeling and value-added products that increase the value of our agricultural products.
2. The South Dakota Republican Party supports free, fair and competitive markets, both domestic and foreign, for all agriculture products. We support allowing agricultural producers to use any and all business opportunities available. We believe free, fair and competitive markets are best for both the producer and the consumer.
3. The South Dakota Republican Party supports conservation of our natural resources. We also support the continued development and funding of water resource projects that will enhance our economic viability and assure sufficient water quality and quantity in the best interest of our state.
4. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a clean environment with fair and reasonable standards for maintaining clean air, clean water and a healthy environment through the application of technically sound management practices.
5. The South Dakota Republican Party supports efforts to take advantage of the state’s incredible renewable energy resources. Renewable energy, such as ethanol, biodiesel, and power created by water, wind, solar energy and biomass, must become a larger piece of our nation’s energy supply. South Dakota should work toward becoming a leader in the production and delivery of energy.
6. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the mining, petroleum development, forestry, energy, and agricultural industries of our state, for their contributions to our economy and supports the responsible multiple use of our public lands. In support of the responsible multiple use of our public lands, we discourage further designation of wilderness and roadless areas.
7. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a responsible increased harvest of the Black Hills National Forest to make a healthier, more sustainable resource that reduces losses from destructive forces such as catastrophic fires or insect infestations.
8. The South Dakota Republican Party supports efforts to reduce losses to public and private lands from destructive forces such as catastrophic fires and infestations from insects, weeds and pests, such as prairie dogs, originating from public lands.
9. The South Dakota Republican Party supports responsible waste management, which protects the environment and allows local units of government to make decisions for their communities.
10. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the development of sound recreation projects throughout the state without adversely affecting agriculture, fish, wildlife and other natural resources and with due consideration toward property owners who have property affected by such development.
11. The South Dakota Republican Party strongly supports private property rights.
12. The South Dakota Republican Party supports implementation of the national process to identify the country of origin of meat sold for human consumption.
13. The South Dakota Republican Party supports efforts to reduce the amount of sediment entering the Missouri River mainstem reservoirs and supports the removal of sediment that has, or will, enter the reservoirs. American Indians and others in South Dakota with interest in the Missouri River should be involved in the decision-making process.
Economic Development and Jobs
14. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the expansion and promotion of business and industries to create new jobs in the state, particularly those that will use South Dakota resources.
15. The South Dakota Republican Party supports public and private efforts to promote, develop, and fund South Dakota tourism.
16. The South Dakota Republican Party strongly encourages collaboration between business and education.
17. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the continued use of innovative and successful programs that promote continued economic growth and diversity for all South Dakotans and ensure that our South Dakota youth have opportunities to remain in the state.
18. The South Dakota Republican Party supports fair compensation for all citizens, regardless of race, creed, gender, age or ability, and continued support of the current right to work provision in our state constitution.
19. The South Dakota Republican Party believes government should not have an unfair advantage in competition with private enterprise.
20. The South Dakota Republican Party supports and salutes the men and women of Ellsworth Air Force Base for their efforts in maintaining a strong national defense and encourages the strengthening of the current mission and adding more missions to Ellsworth Air Force Base.
21. The South Dakota Republican Party supports and salutes the men and women of the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard and Reserves for their efforts in maintaining a strong national defense and for supporting local projects and missions.
22. The South Dakota Republican Party supports partnerships, and cooperation between telecommunications providers and government to improve affordable access and service to all South Dakota residents. The Party supports the increased use of telecommunications technology by education, business and government. The Party supports efforts to attract higher-paying technology jobs to South Dakota.
23. The South Dakota Republican Party continues to support the development of the deep science and engineering lab at Homestake Mine for scientific and research purposes which will have long lasting economic impact throughout the entire state.
23A. The South Dakota Republican Party acknowledges the important contribution railroads have made in the past to our state. A new and expanded east-west rail link is vital to our energy and economic security.
23B. The South Dakota Republican Party acknowledges that all phases of energy production, distribution, and consumption are fundamental building blocks to our state economy and to our national security. As such, we encourage the construction of energy infrastructure projects as vital to the development and sustainability of our economy.
Health and Human Services
24. The South Dakota Republican Party affirms its commitment to the physical, mental, social “Tiospaye” (extended family) and spiritual well-being and quality of life for all our citizens.
25. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes that South Dakota continues to make strides in health care. We support the concept that individual states should develop and control their own health care plans as determined by local needs and support interstate cooperation among business groups.
26. The South Dakota Republican Party supports and encourages a working relationship between government, health-related organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, and individuals to address the quality, access and affordability of health care, including pharmaceuticals, especially in rural areas of South Dakota.
27. The South Dakota Republican Party affirms its commitment to addressing the needs of our citizens who are physically and/or mentally unable to care for themselves.
28. The South Dakota Republican Party reaffirms that parents, being the primary nurturers, are responsible for financial support, moral training, education, childcare and discipline of their children.
Education and Cultural Affairs
29. The South Dakota Republican Party supports our state’s commitment to quality education consistent with Republican values. The Party supports public, private and home school educational opportunities for all students in South Dakota. The Party supports a continuing emphasis on educational opportunity so South Dakota students can have the same knowledge and skill levels as the best students in the world. Education should remain among our highest priorities.
30. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes that good reading skills are key to success in life. The Party supports improvements in reading programs at all grade levels as the foundation for all subsequent learning.
31. The South Dakota Republican Party supports parental choice and local control in education in our state.
32. The South Dakota Republican Party supports sex education classes that include instruction to students on the social, psychological and health gains to be realized by abstinence from sexual activity until marriage. No state-sponsored sex education should glamorize or support adolescent sexual activity to students.
33. The South Dakota Republican Party affirms its commitment to a quality, safe educational environment conducive to learning, which is free of crime, violence, illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco use.
34. The South Dakota Republican Party supports state aid to education within the financial limits of the state of South Dakota.
35. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a post-secondary technical and university system that will provide the highest quality education for all our citizens to address the challenges that are presented by today’s state, national and global economy.
36. The South Dakota Republican Party supports and encourages ethnic harmony in our multi-cultural state. The Party reaffirms its support of efforts to increase awareness of the rich and changing cultural diversity of South Dakota’s citizens.
37. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the teaching of the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the S.D. Constitution, the Federalist Papers and other important historical documents. The Party also supports emphasizing the principles and values upon which our nation was founded
37A. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools and opposes deletions, changes or amendments to the Pledge. The Party supports the display of the South Dakota Motto- “Under God, the People Rule” in our schools. The Party also supports display of the Ten Commandments in our schools.
38. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the state’s continuing efforts to supply and use technology in our schools. The Party supports programs that give teachers, administrators and school specialists the special skills, tools and technology they need for improving educational opportunities for their students.
39. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes the importance and value of the cultural, artistic and historical resources of South Dakota.
39A. The South Dakota Republican Party supports English as the official language for South Dakota and the nation.
Governmental Affairs
40. The South Dakota Republican Party continues to support the people of South Dakota in their long-standing commitment to reject personal or corporate income or estate taxes at the state level and support the reduction and eventual elimination of the income tax at the federal level.
41. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the continued review and reduction of federal, state and local taxation to protect the long-term economic viability of all people of South Dakota.
42. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes that government is primarily funded by the taxes which come from individuals and businesses. The Party encourages government at all levels to operate efficiently, share services wherever possible and limit or reduce government spending when possible.
43. The South Dakota Republican Party supports states’ rights and opposes government mandates, especially those which do not provide the funding, or the means of funding, necessary to carry out such mandates.
44. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a balanced state budget with the maintenance of an adequate reserve fund and supports a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.
45. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the funding of construction, repair, maintenance and development of quality transportation infrastructure in a fair, innovative and equitable manner throughout the state.
46. The South Dakota Republican Party respects the American flag and supports an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect our flag from acts of desecration.
47. The South Dakota Republican Party supports with all our hearts those men and women and their families in all branches of the armed forces past and present who have sacrificed their time and lives for our country.
48. The South Dakota Republican Party supports efforts to provide increased retirement opportunities by allowing individuals to privately invest a portion of their Social Security funds.
49. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes that voting is the cornerstone of our republic. It is a right and a privilege, which should not be taken for granted, and must be treated with dignity. The South Dakota Republican Party supports efforts to ensure a voting process that guarantees every eligible South Dakotan a valid vote.
50. The South Dakota Republican Party encourages dialogue pertaining to Article VI of the United States Constitution concerning treaties related to South Dakota.
51. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the appointment of Federal judges that support a strict constructionist view of the Constitution.
51A. The South Dakota Republican Party believes the free flow of information empowers and energizes a republic and serves to keep the process of government honest and robust.
Public Safety and Security
52. The South Dakota Republican Party supports the fair and equal administration of justice to protect the general public and their property, to assist the victims of crime, punish as well as rehabilitate offenders and assist in the transition of offenders into society.
53. The South Dakota Republican Party supports public decency standards. We support the right of and encourage local South Dakota communities to implement and enforce such standards.
54. The South Dakota Republican Party supports law enforcement that assures every citizen’s right to live in a crime free environment. We applaud, appreciate and promote respect of those involved with public safety in South Dakota.
55. The South Dakota Republican Party supports our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms and opposes any further attempts to restrict private firearms ownership.
56. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a strong emergency response system in South Dakota.
57. The South Dakota Republican Party supports a strong and reasonable approach to homeland security while protecting our borders; and maintaining a secure state and nation.
Family and Community Values
58. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes the family as the central core of society and the foundation of our state and nation, and supports the family as it nurtures the spiritual growth that fosters generosity of spirit and responsible citizenship.
59. The South Dakota Republican Party recognizes that our country was founded in faith upon the truth that self-government is rooted in religious convictions. The Constitution guards against the establishment of state-sponsored religions and honors the free exercise of religion. The courts must respect this freedom and the original intent of the framers of the constitution.
60. The South Dakota Republican Party encourages parents/guardians, schools and libraries to secure their computers against on-line pornography and predators.
61. The South Dakota Republican Party opposes music, videos, printed or electronic media that glamorizes illegal drug usage and the exploitation or abuse of adults and children.
62. The South Dakota Republican Party believes that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and must never be redefined to include civil unions of same-sex couples, or groups of individuals. To defend the sanctity of marriage, we support the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment and appropriate South Dakota laws.
63. The South Dakota Republican Party reaffirms its long-standing historic support and respect for the sanctity of human life, including the unborn, the elderly, the chronically ill and the terminally ill.
64. The South Dakota Republican Party opposes partial birth abortion and supports the congressional ban on partial birth abortion. We support those who provide alternatives to abortion or offer adoption services.
65. The South Dakota Republican Party, consistent with South Dakota law, opposes funding abortions with public resources.
65A. The South Dakota Republican Party opposes all embryonic stem cell research. The Party, however, supports alternatives to stem cell research that do not involve the killing of human embryos.
I, A. Gideon Oakes, pledge that I support and uphold the platform of the South Dakota Republican Party, as adopted by delegates from counties across the great State of South Dakota.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
And Let’s read it before we Pledge!
I haven’t yet and I will.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I so pledge!
August 1st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Marilyn and Art Oakes, Custer County
August 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Gid -
I think you continue to miss my point. I was referring to the SDCAC, and the Mainstream coalition, not individuals encouraging conservatives to be active in the GOP (as I have myself since before my own website’s inception).
Members of the GOP banding together to promote conservative values as well as the party candidates that support those views is what we should be doing. Throwing stones at the GOP from the outside is not. There is a difference.
Unless you demand that everyone sign a pledge to walk in absolute lock step from now until the day they die, you will never get anyone to agree 100%.
The better way is to try to inspire those who might be misguided through leadership and having the courage of your convictions. As opposed to demanding an absolute compliance which in unachievable.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:57 pm
And again, Pat, this isn’t a personal battle, so don’t take it as such. But you keep repeating inflammatory phrases such as “throwing stones at the GOP from the outside”, as if that’s what we’re doing. I told Jason the same thing… get out of the defensive posture long enough to actually read what I’m saying.
I’m asking the question: What’s the point of having a platform if we don’t follow it? Don’t we ask immigrants to swear to uphold the U.S. Constitution if they want to be an American citizen? What’s wrong with upholding the platform of the SD Republican Party?
August 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
And what’s the purpose of the platform, if not to unite us under a common set of beliefs?
August 1st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
What Pat Powers is advocating is that as individuals we can be controlled one by one. As an organization, which is a First Amendment right, we are a threat to the powers that control.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
1. You are a very smart person. As we well know, the liberals have control over the SDGOP and have inserted their philosophy into the platform.
There is much work that needs to be done to restore it.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I finished reading the Platform and I so pledge.
Isn’t this how our forefathers fought?
August 4th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Steve: normally I agree with you, but, the measure to open up the State Government is great in concept but it is too much. The way I understand it is: If one of my family members has a bid contract with a State agency, I can no longer contribute to a candidate of my choice.
I think that is over kill.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
#10,
I dont think that is correct. Section 6 says “imediate” family member and the language is written to prevent the elected officials from soliciting, OR ACCEPTING MONEY FROM YOU.
Section 6. Beginning on the date a government contract is awarded and extending until two years following the conclusion of that contract, no holder of the public office with ultimate responsibility for the award of the contract, no candidate for that office, and no person acting on behalf of either, may knowingly solicit, accept, or direct a contribution from the holder of the government contract or an immediate family member of the holder. No candidate or other person may knowingly accept or make a contribution that is solicited or directed in violation of this section. A person who knowingly violates this prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, in addition to other penalties, make full restitution to the donor. A knowing violation of this section is deemed corrupt misconduct.
for example; If you or your family made widgets for the State, would you want to be called by the elected official that awarded the contract to “squeeze” you for a nice big healthy “donation” ??. It would be great if folks read IM 10 as well as the platform.
Section 6 actually protects the holders of State contracts from being “squeezed and extorted for monies to keep the contract, or to prevent some type of re-bidding. Besides, when and if contract holders turn up on elected officials and candidates donor lists, that looks mighty SKUNKY, doesnt it ?
Kind of reminds me of a current court case involving the sales of state lands and some “possible” underhanded/under the table “fees” that were paid to a state DOT employee.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
FYI, “immediate family” generally in SD law means “under your roof”. It does not mean “realatives” ie spouse and children living at home.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Thank you for reminding me again why I am not a Republican.
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
“The South Dakota Republican Party supports our state’s commitment to quality education consistent with Republican values”
Republican values? What are you forcing on the rest of people? There is separation of State and religion. Do you have a clue why? Because you have to respect those who do not believe your junk.
And I see you hate gays. Nice going. Just like blacks and women. You people have a long history of hate and oppression. If I had a gay son, I want him in a school system that will teach other kids it’s okay to be gay. But not in your intolerant world. No, in yours he is ostracized and feels suicidal. You people are so evil in your beliefs. Disgusting.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 am
Popalot, you try too hard to be like the rest of the liberals…You know you don’t HAVE to be Canadian. Or can’t you afford to pay for your own insurance?
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
As I said before, which you didn’t understand I suppose, I make more than twice the average income. So Healthcare is a net loss for me. I can afford it and I help pay for others who make less. Got that?
Got it? I contribute more than I take out. Your definition of a liberal is somebody who wants to mooch, so I prove your theory is full of bunk. Try again.