Guest Editorial: Principled Republicans Stand Together in November By Senator Russ Fulcher I support the Idaho Republican Party platform and other elected officials and candidates that do as well. Yes, there are a couple of platform planks that may not be realistic in the foreseeable political climate, like promoting the repeal of the 17th amendment and a return to sound currency backed with gold and silver. But like the rest of the points in the document, they are principled beliefs that reflect on the Constitutional, Christian foundation responsible for our republic. Also, like many Americans I have admiration for Ronald Reagan and how he conducted himself as a public servant. In 1976, Reagan narrowly lost the republican nomination for President to Gerald Ford. But after that loss, he continued to promote the republican principles he believed in and others who supported the same. Although on a smaller scale, I too narrowly lost a race - for the republican nomination for Idaho Governor. Having experience in a political environment, I understand why Reagan did what he did after his loss. I wish to follow that example, and here is why: When I made the difficult decision to challenge a sitting Governor from my own party, it was because I disagreed on what are the best solutions to our problems. The Governor and I agreed what the problems are - which, generally is too much government control over citizens. Contrast that with the positions taken by the democrat candidates and their party. They generally take the position that increasing government control over citizens is the answer to our problems. I disagree, and cannot support the democrat nominee for Governor or the other democrat candidates on the November ballot. In my view, their philosophy of increasing government control is wrong for a free society. For a number of appropriate reasons, political campaigns tend to focus on economic issues. Tax policy and regulatory environment play a huge role in the health of peoples fiscal well-being. But it is often social policies that shape our culture - how leadership deals with issues relating to life, death, family and marriage. As with most issues, I agree that government involvement should be minimized. But actions driven by vocal activists and the courts force more government involvement. This brings me back to the importance of the core beliefs of my party. There is a stark difference between the positions of the republican party platform and the democrat party platform. Republicans tend to adhere to the foundational value system reflected in the Constitution of the United States. The democrat platform tends to treat that same Constitution as a dynamic document whereby rationalization can justify just about any sort of evolution of our values. I communicate this to point out that Idahoans have a choice in November - vote for the candidates that support republican principles of less government and regulation, or face the ramifications of economic and social policies that have had disastrous results in democrat-controlled areas of our nation. And just because someone claims to be republican doesnt mean that they adhere to the principles as espoused in the party platform. I encourage Idahoans to ask all candidates what they believe and why. Over the next 4 years Idahos legislature will pass over 1,000 pieces of legislation. The Governor will make over 1,000 appointments. It is not in Idahos best interest to have government-growth democrats that believe our Constitution is a dynamic (changing) document making those decisions. Principled republican leaders will lead using the values that make our state great. I support the republican principled nominees that believe in our platform and ask like-minded Idahoans to do the same.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:22:33 +0000
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