From vimrich Tue Mar 15 17:39:42 1994 Date: Tue, 15 Mar 94 17:39:41 -0500 From: vimrich (Vernon Imrich) To: vimrich Subject: RLC Status: R Date: 13 Mar 94 22:44:56 -0800 From: Republicans.For.Liberty@liberty.wmeonlin.sacbbx.com (Republicans For Liber ty) Subject: Statement of Principles To: libernet@Dartmouth.EDU Republicans for Liberty Statement of Principles As libertarian Republicans, we agree with the founders of this Republic that all human beings are by nature endowed with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life., liberty, and property, and that it is the right and the duty of the people to alter or to abolish any government which trespasses upon these rights. These rights are not created or granted by government or society; natural rights consist simply of the freedom to exercise one's natural faculties and abilities independent of any assistance, interference, or handouts from the state. All attempts to expand rights so as to include entitlements which impose positive obligations on other people, such as taxpayers, constitute unwarranted invasions of natural rights. Specifically, we recognize the natural right of all human beings to enjoy the fruits of their labor and to make use of their property in whatever way they see fit, provided that they do not physically interfere with others or others' property. We oppose all forms of taxation and all economic regulations except for the common laws relating to fraud, trespass, and theft. We recognize that the only economic system consistent with human rights is a laissez-faire market economy. We recognize that the ultimate strength of a country lies in the virtue and courage of its people. Accordingly, we support those values which are commonly called "traditional values" -- responsibility, self-reliance, frugality, prudence, and self- discipline. We recognize that such values can only grow and flourish in voluntary institutions and organizations such as families, neighborhoods, churches, and cooperative associations. While government is not capable of creating such institutions and the values that they sustain, government can and has systematically gutted and destroyed the power and authority of institutions such as the family and thereby done immense harm to the values of this country. As a means of restoring the strength of the family and other voluntary institutions, we call for the prompt and complete privatization of health care, education, old-age pensions, and welfare. We oppose all government intervention in the relations between parents and children, except where the life, liberty, or physical safety of the child is endangered. While we hold varying opinions on abortion, we oppose government funding of abortion as a violation of freedom of conscience of those taxpayers who are morally opposed to abortion. We oppose all attempts to impose morality and values through government, recognizing that morality can only arise through voluntary institutions. Specifically, we view the War on Drugs is an unwarranted and disastrously unsuccessful attempt by government to abrogate parents' responsibility to inculcate appropriate values in their children. We do not condone the use of addictive drugs, but we recognize that only institutions such as the family, church, and neighborhood can instill in people responsibility and self- respect in dealing with the issue of drugs. Prohibition of drugs has not prevented drug abuse; the primary result of prohibition has been to create an enormously profitable criminal industry which terrorizes large parts of our cities. We similarly oppose all attempts to use government to impose moral values in areas such as sexual behavior, speech and writing, and religion. Governments' attempts to impose values always end up being destructive of the very values they claim to support. We are internationalists who believe that human beings of all countries are endowed with the same natural rights as Americans. We favor complete freedom of travel and trade across international borders. However, we recognize that the American government lacks the competence to intelligently intervene in the affairs of other countries; we oppose foreign interventions carried out by the U.S. government as invariably infringing upon the liberties of both Americans and foreigners. We oppose all attempts to subject the American people to the control of any international organization or supranational commission or regulatory agency. Just as we oppose government welfare at home, we also oppose all government actions, such as "foreign aid," which compel American taxpayers to give their money to foreigners abroad or to aliens resident in this country. While we are firm supporters of Constitutional guarantees of civil liberties, we also recognize that the right to security and safety in one's person and possessions is a central human right. Accordingly, we believe that the primary purpose of our judicial system should be to mete out swift, certain, and rigorous justice to those who commit violent crimes against innocent people while respecting the rights of the victims and of those who are innocent. We recognize the right to keep and bear arms as one of those inalienable natural rights which Americans possessed prior to the founding of this Republic and which may not be infringed by any legitimate government. We oppose all forms of petty governmental paternalism -- such as seat-belt laws and helmet laws -- which assume that government is better qualified than we ourselves to provide for our own safety and happiness. We view all forms of conscription as involuntary servitude. We specifically oppose all forms of government-sponsored "national service" programs as ill-advised and expensive attempts to regiment the American people and to control, demean, and bureaucratize true volunteer activities. Since freedom of association is the fundamental right of voluntary social organization, we oppose all laws which either prohibit or require businesses, private organizations, or individuals to engage in either affirmative action or discrimination on any basis, including race and sexual orientation. People are entitled to associate, or to decline to associate, with anyone they wish. The ongoing collapse of socialism and authoritarian government around the world heralds a new century of peace, prosperity, and human freedom. We urge the Republican Party and our country to eagerly embrace this new era. We believe that our values of individual liberty and responsibility are shared by most Americans, and that, by steadfastly and unflinchingly promoting these values, the Republican Party can bring a rebirth of hope and freedom to the American people. For further information: Eric Roberts Voice: (209) 745-6680 FAX: (209) 745-6678 -or- (916) 987-9940 Prodigy: JPPR87A Internet: jppr87a@prodigy.com -or- Eric.Roberts@liberty.wmeonlin.sacbbx.com David H. Miller Voice: (916) 972-9026 FAX: (916) 987-9940 Internet: David.Miller@liberty.wmeonlin.sacbbx.com Jim Brausch Voice: (916) 987-7676 FAX: (916) 987-9940 Internet: jim@liberty.wmeonlin.sacbbx.com -or- jim1@netcom.com