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CANDIDATE CORNER

2010 Elko County Republican Party Platform

Elko, Nevada - March 06, 2010

Limited Government

As a basic tenet all legislation and Federal Agencies must adhere to a literal interpretation of the U.S. Constitution as currently amended. Additionally, all points of matter shall be tested against the Tenth Amendment, in conjunction with Article I, Section 8, to determine if it is a State or Federal issue.

The Federal Government has expanded well beyond its Constitutional Limitations. It taxes too much, spends the people's money too loosely and regulates our lives too intrusively. We demand the return of government to traditional Republican fiscal conservatism while preserving budgetary flexibility for state and local authorities.

All environmental regulations shall be based upon best available and sound science. Existing environmental laws and regulations should be evaluated and reconsidered in consideration of this principle.

Private property rights are fundamental to a Republic and to economic prosperity. We support the rights of private owners and oppose eminent domain actions that take private property for private benefit or use. In response to the Kelo Decision, we support the Nevada Constitutional Amendment that prohibits the eminent domain taking of property for private benefit, or when it is in direct conflict with a majority of the voters.

The United Nations has become adversarial to United States' sovereignty. We support withdrawal from the United Nations and reject yielding authority for it to tax, regulate, or be involved with internal interests of the U.S., including but not limited to the Second Amendment, national parks, monuments, or bodies of water. We support eviction of the United Nations from U.S. soil.

The federal government shall not interfere with private free market health care. The individual shall have a freedom of choice regarding their medical insurance and medical treatment. All points of matter shall be tested against the Tenth Amendment.

U.S. House of Representatives and Senate shall pay into social security and not have a separate retirement. U.S. Congress shall not have their own health care system.

Taxes and Spending

We support elimination of all Federal taxes on income and support the Fair tax as proposed in H.R. 25 and Senate Bill 296. We demand repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment. Abolish the IRS.

We request that the State Legislature cut spending and avoid new taxes which will promote strong economic growth. We demand balanced state, local, and federal budgets, and we support the State Constitutional requirement of a 2/3 vote on tax bills.

There shall be no unfunded mandates on local governments, communities and U.S. legal citizens.

We support reform of Social Security, including establishment of private retirement accounts and prohibiting use of its funds for any other purpose. We support the repeal of the Government Pension Offset [GPO] and the Windfall Elimination Provision [WEP]. All citizens shall have the right to opt out of the system, but the government must honor its commitments to those who have paid, are legally in the U.S., and remain in the system.

The federal government shall not spend more than ten percent of the Gross Domestic Product [GDP] except in times of declared war.

We support honesty in budgeting legislation. Congress must put all expenditures on the books including obligations for entitlement programs.

Individual Rights

We affirm the Second Amendment right of individual American citizens to keep and bear arms and support the repeal of all legislation infringing on these rights. Limitations and/or exorbitant costs on ammunition and reloading supplies are just another form of infringement.

Mining

We support a strong minerals industry necessary for the United States to remain free and independent. We support the 1872 mining law and strongly oppose any laws, regulations, ordinances or any other legally binding actions that diminish the ability of the mining industry to discover and/or access minerals and mine them.

Ranching

We support the livestock industry in Nevada and support the recognition by federal agencies of the established rights to grazing on public lands that allow ranching's continued existence. Feral horses shall not be allotted Animal Units per Month [AUMs] in competition with commercial livestock unless they are for commercial use.

Fires are increasing in part because of reduced livestock grazing. Therefore, an increase in livestock grazing shall be encouraged immediately on Public Lands.

Immigration

We welcome legal immigrants from all nations, cultures, and races. We demand strict enforcement of all immigration laws by all levels of government. We demand that the federal government secure our borders. We oppose granting amnesty or documentation for illegal aliens. We do not support citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal aliens, illegal residents, or foreign visitors.

We support a time limit on all legal immigrants to become citizens.

Legislation

We support making English the official language of the United States of America. We oppose spending public funds for publication of documents in any language other than English. We support the right of an employer to require English to be spoken in the workplace. We oppose the payment of premium pay to government employees with the use of non English language and communicating with non English speaking individuals, this would exclude government employees performing U.S. Border Patrol or Port of Entry activities and government employees stationed at foreign territories or at U.S. Embassies.

We support the definition of marriage as only between one man and one woman.

We continue to support the Nevada legislative time limits of 120 day sessions every other year.

We advocate an advice and consent authority for local government in the application of state water law to water resource decisions. We support enhancing state and local water resource planning.

We support a "Public Economic Land Disbursement Program" that returns ownership of unused public land in the State of Nevada to the county of origin for future economic growth as an initiative to support economically struggling rural Nevada counties. As an initiative we urge that NRS 321 be enforced.

We oppose the collection and expenditure of dues or assessments by unions for political purposes without the annual written consent of its individual members.

We demand the repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act.

We support the Yucca Mountain Project as a Nevada owned entity and we embrace the opportunity to develop needed research, recycling and repository capabilities that enhance national security.

We demand the repeal of McCain-Fiengold and reaffirm the right of free political speech. We support legislation to require full disclosure, on the internet within 10 business days, of all donations made to political candidates.

We demand that the Federal government develop a National Energy Policy; including deregulation to reduce road blocks to develop already identified energy sources that will greatly reduce or eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.

We demand the repeal of the Federal Reserve Act and return of the power of minting and coining money to the Congress of the United States as so stated in the U.S. Constitution. In addition we demand a return to a gold and/or silver backed currency as provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

Until the Federal Reserve is eliminated, we demand a full audit of the entity and the elimination of fractional reserve banking in our current banking system.

We submit that the GOP accept a stance of firm opposition to Nevada unemployment compensation, as explained in detail in NRS Chapter 612, whereas these laws are inherently unjust, forcing business owners, both small and large, to expend hard earned money to support individuals (and former employees currently employed elsewhere) released from unaffiliated companies for reasons out of the control of the original business owner.

Elko County, and Nevada, supports a state water plan that will solve the water problems of Clark County without de-watering any of rural Nevada.

Administration and implementation of federal environmental regulations such as a Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act shall be fully delegated to the states. The role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [US EPA] and federal land management decisions and actions should be limited to that of an advisory entity only. The EPA shall have no authority to overrule other agency decisions. Federal and State agencies, especially those administering public land activity, must provide enterprise enabling actions and not impede legitimate undertakings on public lands.

Nevada employers and the people of Nevada should not have to pay unemployment benefits to people fired for illegal actions in the workplace. We request that legislation be adopted forbidding unemployment benefits being given in situations where illegal actions can be proven or when the judicial system has determined guilt and sentencing.

Repeal NAFTA and put tariffs on imported goods coming to the USA that have wrecked businesses in our country.

Sanctity of Life

We support protection of innocent human life at every stage from conception to a natural death. We oppose human cloning. We support the development of adult stem cell research. We support a right to life amendment to the Constitution of the United States. We oppose embryonic stem cell research. We oppose taxpayer funded abortions.

Under the Tenth Amendment, Nevada reserves the right to manage right to life issues in Nevada.

Elections

We oppose same day registration and voting. We demand revision of the current system of voter registration and identification to include proof of citizenship and residency at the time of registration, and positive identification at time of voting.

We demand that electronic voting only be allowed when uniquely numbered receipts are provided to the voter and results are made publicly available showing simultaneously all votes comprising the total by receipt number.

The ECRCC [Elko County Republican Central Committee] supports the caucus process. However, efforts need to be made to allow for out-of-area military personnel, working citizens, the elderly, the disabled, and mail-in precincts to participate.

Education

Competition and consumer choice are as essential to the success of education as to any other sector of our economy. Therefore, we support local control and parental choice among schools and teachers, including the ability of parents to choose to home school their children.

We demand full implementation of existing Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) with respect to education. We require teaching of reading, writing, science, history, economics, mathematics, technology, physical education, performing and visual arts, the U.S. Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence in schools.

We demand repeal of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program. Education shall be administered at the state and local level.

Patriotism

We recognize the importance of the national values expressed by our flag, anthem, Pledge-of-Allegiance, and other patriotic symbols that define us as a nation. We support legislation that prohibits the desecration of the American flag. We support keeping the words "under God" in the Pledge-of-Allegiance.

We support all active military personnel. The final authority for the rules of engagement shall be administered by the military theater commander.

Veterans

We support a strong Veterans Administration program to ensure that our veterans receive the care and support they were promised. We thank them for their service.

The 2010 ECRP Platform, adopted at the 2010 Elko County Republican Convention is available for download.

2010 ECRP Platform (Microsoft Word)

For questions concerning the platform or to have a voice on the Platform Committee, contact Paul Burton, Platform Committee Chairman, at platformchair@elkonvgop.org or 753-9096.

Note: The 2010 Nevada Republican Party Platform is available for download.

2010 NRP Platform (Microsoft Word)

The 2010 ECRP Resolutions, adopted at the 2010 Elko County Republican Convention are available for download.

2010 ECRP Resolutions (Microsoft Word)

For questions concerning the resolutions passed at the 2010 Convention, contact Jenn lackey-Hobbs or Dan Johnson, Resolutions Committee CoChairmen. Other resolutions may be passed at other times by the ECRCC will also be posted here.

ELKO COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

Resolutions for Debate and Adoption at the 2010 Convention

March 6, 2010

1. WHEREAS the Republican Party has deviated from platforms based on the United States Constitution, and

WHEREAS the Republican Party has become indistinguishable from the Democratic Party,

BE IT RESOLVED that Elko County Republican Party returns to the Constitution as basis for sound government to help lead the State of Nevada and the entire nation back to the country’s Constitutional roots.

2. WHEREAS John Carpenter has dedicated more than three decades to public service and support of Republican values in Elko County and Northern Nevada as an Assemblyman, County Commissioner, City Council Member, and in many other key roles,

BE IT RESOLVED that it is with great honor and appreciation that the Elko County Republican Party recognizes and thanks John Carpenter for his truly outstanding efforts.

3. WHEREAS the Elko County Republican Party depends on the hard work and efforts of dedicated Republicans,

be it resolved that the Elko Country Republican Party thanks Mr. Bill Nisbet, Ms. Nancy Ernaut, Mr. Reece Keener, and Mr. Ray Connelly for their many years of service.

4. WHEREAS the Elko County Republican Party has received many donations from Print N’ Copy of Elko, Nevada, in the form of printed invitations, printed schedules, and donated manpower, and

WHEREAS these donations have assisted greatly in disseminating vital information to Republicans, and

WHEREAS Print N’ Copy has shown on going dedication to the Republican Party,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Elko County Republican Party recognizes such assistance and says, “Thank you” to Print N’ Copy, owners Reese and Tami Keener, and the entire staff.

5. WHEREAS Republicans of Constitutional principles, holding great admiration for liberty, feel compelled to recognize patriots, and

WHEREAS Kurt and Marla Criss have allowed only their principles to guide them as they have committed their resources, time, personal honor, and good name for liberty, not for themselves but for all posterity, and

WHEREAS they have forgone the political power that comes with strong alliances with moderate or progressive Republicans, and

WHEREAS in the knowledge and sprit of the Founding Fathers, Kurt and Marla Criss have tirelessly engaged in the endless battle for constitutionalism,

BE IT RESOLVED that it is with great honor that the Elko County Republican Party recognizes Kurt and Marla Criss for their sacrifices for liberty, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that many can be noted for their contributions to the Nevada Republican Party, but not with the desire and passion to the preservation of its founding principles demonstrated by Kurt and Marla Criss.

6. WHEREAS the University of Nevada in Reno (UNR) has announced a plan to close the College of Agriculture, and

WHEREAS UNR is a land grant college and would lose that status if the College of Agriculture is closed, and

WHEREAS, agriculture has been part of the foundation of Elko County, Nevada, and the United States, and

WHEREAS, loss of a land grant college in Nevada would have negative far-reaching effects to the residents of Elko County and Nevada,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Elko County Republican Party encourages UNR President Milton Glick and the Nevada Board of Regents to reconsider or rescind this plan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Elko County Republican Party directs the Executive Committee to deliver this resolution in writing to President Glick and the Board of Regents.

7. WHEREAS much hard work and dedication on the part of many people is involved in the planning, organization, and execution of Elko County Republican Party business and particularly its convention,

BE IT RESOLVED the Elko County Republican Party wishes to thank the Executive Committee, committee chairs, committee members, volunteers, and others for their efforts and contributions in support of the Elko County Republican political process.