Posted on 05/09/2010 1:15:35 PM PDT by tonyome
Tea party activists said there were at least 100 convention delegates from one group, the Maine Patriots, as well as an unknown number from another group, Maine Refounders. Support for the new platform was fairly overwhelming, well beyond what could be attributed to the tea party alone. Efforts to table it were stomped, and it passed handily.
(Excerpt) Read more at pressherald.com ...
About time.
Wow !
I HAVE HOPE DEAR GOD. I HAVE HOPE.
Based on their Senators, their old platform must have been “hang to the left of the Democrats”.
Fantastic!
The GOP and the DNC are concerned. It’s about damn time!
GRIP!
(Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians)
Now will the two RINO sisters be sent packing?
I thought it would be good if I posted the text of the new Platform that was adopted:
Preamble:
In the course of a nation’s history, it is natural that political philosophies will evolve which run contrary to the original principles evident at the time of that nation’s founding. A nation founded in tyranny will by its nature spawn sentiment in direct opposition to that tyranny. Conversely, a nation which is dedicated to protecting the rights of its people, and seeks to bind the excesses of power which naturally accrue to governments, is subject to the evolution of factions which strive to throw off those shackles of restraint and gather power and influence over the people. Freedom is not a pre-existing condition into which everyone is delivered. Freedom and personal liberty are conditions of existence which are hard fought for and once won, must be maintained. Each generation must be taught anew the importance of eternal vigilance against those who would disregard the limits imposed on government, and usurp powers not granted to them by the people.
Today this state and the nation are in crisis precisely because we as a people have failed to maintain that vigilance. We have failed to pass down from one generation to another the critical knowledge and lessons that history provides. We have let rot from within, the foundation upon which freedom and prosperity must be built for it to survive.
This election cycle is unique in the history of both this state and our nation. We are presented with a situation in which WE THE PEOPLE, must re-educate ourselves and our neighbors, and put the knowledge of liberty to work in the elections this November. Years of neglect have allowed factions detrimental to the core principles of this nation, to entrench themselves in both political parties, and undermine the education of Constitutional principles vital to the survival of the republic.
The Tea Party movement is reminiscent of the principled revolt that led to the birth of the Republican Party in 1854. In June of that year, Horace Greeley referred to the newly formed Republicans as “…united to restore the Union to its true mission of champion and promulgator of Liberty…”. This year it is incumbent upon those Republicans who strive to protect and defend our Constitution, to reclaim that heritage.
It is within this context that We, the citizens of Maine united by free association as Republicans, dedicated to seeing the principles which brought forth the birth and ascendance of this State and these United States once again made dominant and pledge our unwavering allegiance, not to a political party, but to the Constitution of the State of Maine and the Constitution of the United States of America. The Republican Party is the vehicle through which we seek to better unify and promote those in pursuit of these goals.
The principles upon which the Republican Party was founded, to which we as Citizens seek return, and to which we demand our elected representatives abide, are summarized as follows:
1. The Constitutions, both State and Federal, are the framework to which any and all legislation must adhere.
2. State sovereignty must be regained and retained on all issues specifically relegated to the States by the constitution.
3. National sovereignty shall be preserved and retained as dominant over any attempted unconstitutional usurpations of such by international treaty.
4. It is the responsibility and duty, of “We the People”, to educate both ourselves and others; to demand honest elections free of corruption, and to hold our elected officials to the highest standards of honesty, integrity and loyalty to the constitution.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
In pursuit of these principles we endorse and shall promote the following initiatives.
I. To Form a More perfect Union
a. All legislation must adhere to the restrictions outlined in the Constitution to protect the individual from intrusive government.
b. Direct the State of Maine to join with other states in asserting our 10th amendment sovereignty rights which protect us from unconstitutional federal government intrusions.
c. Insist on strict adherence to our 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms.
d. Pass a “Read the Bill” act, to insure clarity, and eliminate the corruption associated with side issues, earmarks, pork or riders.
e. Oppose “Localism and Diversity”, the Fairness Doctrine or whatever else such attempted restrictions are labeled. Any restriction on speech is by definition NOT free speech.
f. Reject the Employee free -choice Elimination- act, as an unconscionable affront to the right to a secret vote.
g. Restore integrity to the electoral process:
i. Prohibit any public funding of advocacy groups such as ACORN, no matter what it or its affiliate organizations rename themselves; New York Communities for Change, New England United for Justice etc.; Conduct thorough investigation of their activities and voter fraud and prosecute violations.
ii. Eliminate motor voter and other voter fraud mechanisms; institute secure voter registration and identification systems.
iii. Reject any effort to give foreign citizens the right to vote in the US in any situation or capacity.
h. Oppose any and all treaties with the UN or any other organization or country which surrenders US sovereignty. Specifically:
i. Reject the UN Treaty on Rights of the Child.
ii. Reject “LOST” the Law Of The Sea Treaty.
iii. Reject any agreement which seeks to confiscate our firearms.
i. Restore the process of assimilation of immigrants to preserve the benefits of an advanced educated and prosperous society. Rescind Maine’s sanctuary State status. No amnesty, no benefits, no citizenship -ever- for anyone in the country illegally. Arrest and detain, for a specified period of time, anyone here illegally, and then deport, period.
j. Pass a Congressional reform act which includes the following provisions:
i. Term Limits: 12 years only, in any capacity.
1. Two Six year Senate terms
2. Six Two year House terms
3. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms
ii. No Pension
iii. Congress participates in Social Security under the same rules as the general public.
iv. Congress can no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
v. Congress participates in the same health care plan as the general public. No preferential plans or treatment.
vi. Congress is subject to and must abide by all the laws they impose on the general public.
II. To Establish Justice:
a. Restore “Constitutional law” as the basis for the Judiciary.
b. Reassert the principle that “Freedom of Religion” does not mean “freedom from religion”.
III. To Insure Domestic tranquility:
a. Promote family values.
i. Marriage is an institution between a man and a woman.
ii. Parents, not government, are responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their children, whether disciplinary, educational, or medical.
iii. We recognize the sanctity of life, which includes the unborn.
IV. To Provide for the Common Defense:
a. Discard political correctness, make public the declaration of war (Jihad), made against the US on 23 Feb 1998, and fight the war against the United States by radical Islam to win.
b. Seal the border and protect US citizens along the border and everywhere, as is the prime directive of the Federal Government.
V. To Promote the General Welfare:
a. Return to the principles of Austrian Economics, and redirect the economy back to one of incentives to save and invest.
b. Cut spending, balance the budget, and institute a plan for paying down debt. Proclaim that generational debt shifting is immoral and unconscionable and will not be tolerated!
c. Pass and implement Fed bill #1207 (Introduced by Ron Paul), to Audit the Federal Reserve, as the first step in Ending the Fed.
d. Return to transparent and honest reporting of economic statistics free of gimmicks and distortions.
e. Require the government and all its agencies adhere to the same GAAP accounting rules that businesses must follow.
f. Restore the provisions of welfare reform removed with the stimulus bill.
g. Defeat Cap and Trade, investigate collusion between government and industry in the global warming myth, and prosecute any illegal collusion.
h. Freeze current stimulus funds, prohibit any further stimulus bills, and apply all unspent funds towards the debt they created.
i. Promote energy independence aggressively by removing the obstacles created by government to allow private development of our resources; natural gas, oil, coal, and nuclear power.
j. Institute Zero based budgeting on all programs.
k. Espouse and follow the principle: It is immoral to steal the property rightfully earned by one person, and give it to another who has no claim or right to its benefits.
l. Clarify that healthcare is not a right. It is a service. As a compassionate society we will aid those in need. However, the government takeover of healthcare is not only unconstitutional, but detrimental to the entire healthcare system. Only market based solutions will solve the problems.
i. In the state of Maine:
1. Remove the restrictions on health providers, (as was done in New Hampshire), to increase competition, drive down the costs, and increase the options available.
a. Bring Maine standards in line with national average.
b. Allow purchase of insurance across state lines. LD 290
c. Enact tort reform as exemplified by Texas.
d. Eliminate Dirigo
VI. To Secure the Blessings of Liberty:
a. Restore a vigorous grounding in the history and precepts of liberty, freedom, and the constitution to the educational process. As Thomas Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”
i. Eliminate the Department of Education and restore schools to local control as specified in the constitution.
b. Repeal and prohibit any participation in efforts to create a one world government.
The O-baggers don’t like the TEA Party much
There is the money quote (if you're an "insider").
★ FREEDOM! ★
Sore losers deny reality. The conventioneers who passed the platform 2 to 1 are mainstream Republicans.
yitbos
Thanks for the great news.
Woo hoo!!
Rebellion is brewing!!
God bless Maine!!
But I sure dig their platform! Praying for the best!!
Ronald Reagan is smiling...
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” - Ronald Reagan
HOLY COW! That is magnificent!!
“Remember November”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3APuNTmqbDY
“Remember November” Ad (PART 2) - Response to Far Left Media Lies about Campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NrfGx6LqXI&feature=related
Oh, And just because the libs are so terrified of the previous videos and because they thought they owned the internet and are sooooo very offended if anyone uses their techniques... Chrissy Matthews....Have a look at this one:
PARALLELS - Obama & Hitler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHa21UCtNYg&feature=related
OOOh Chrissy, F* you and thanks for the free air time!
That’s why the progressives try so hard to denigrate the tea party movement. It scares the heck out of them.
i. Term Limits: 12 years only, in any capacity.
1. Two Six year Senate terms
2. Six Two year House terms
3. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms
Term limits may be a good idea (I have my doubts, though I'm not a fan of professional politician, either) but there is no way that they can be applied via statute, to Congress. Eligibility for congressional office is determined solely by the US Constitution. And that's exactly what the Supreme Court said last time the issue came up.
i. Term Limits: 12 years only, in any capacity.
1. Two Six year Senate terms
2. Six Two year House terms
3. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms
ii. No Pension
iii. Congress participates in Social Security under the same rules as the general public.
iv. Congress can no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
________________
YES! YES! YES!
“Maine Republican Party Delegates Shock Establishment by Adopting Tea Party Platform”
How long until Snowe and Collins follow Snarlin’ Arlen out the door?
It is a long time until November, but I will do my best to stay focused on the prize.
WOW!!!!
i. Prohibit any public funding of advocacy groups such as ACORN, no matter what it or its affiliate organizations rename themselves...
i. Eliminate the Department of Education and restore schools to local control as specified in the constitution.
My least favorite...
j. Pass a Congressional reform act which includes the following provisions:
i. Term Limits: 12 years only, in any capacity...
Unless and until we reduce the size of the federal government, I do NOT want the bureaucrats to be running the place, and with term limits, every freshman class would be at a disadvantage against the well-protected, heavily unionized federal government workers.
Yes, very shocking, a platform that supports the Constitution and the founding principles of this country. Outrageous!
Thanks for posting the text. Overall, I’d give it fairly high marks. I might quibble about a few items and wish that a couple of important things were there that aren’t, but not bad.
Not that most Republican leaders will pay it any mind, mind you.
the left and their media will not stop either as they are sh%% scared of what the tea party stands for
Now if only the national Republican party would adopt the same platform, there may be enough previous non-voters to go to the polls to elect candidates who promise to adhere to these fundamentals and actually get enough Republicans in Congress to not only have a majority, but also be able to overturn an obama veto. And over time, maybe create a series of Constitutional amendments to mandate most of these provisions!
Next time, remember to add in a rule dis-allowing Unions to garnish paychecks for dues. Make them come and take dues directly from members.
Once you turn them into a collection agency, they are through.
Yellow Snowe and Floozy Collins will switch parties.
The Big MO as in Momentum!
Bask bask...Glow glow.
Activists stunning Republican platform win...
In what can only be seen as quite an impressive development a coalition of Ron Paul supporters and social conservatives have had their platform voted in at the Maine Republican Party Convention . The organization and effectiveness of this effort is quite frankly stunning. Due to a lack of organization and foot dragging the platform committee of the Maine Republican Party was blindsided by this effort.
The effect it will have on Maine politics could be quite epic in scope. It has certainly stunned the Republican Party Establishment and the Maine media.
The coalition that wrote the document came together via the tea party movement, however it goes far farther into the social conservative and conspiracy realm than some would have liked. Instead of merely sticking to the core values of fiscal restraint, free market and adherence to the Constitution(s) it delves into the areas of social and foreign affairs.
The Maine has been all over the story as one can imagine and has over-shadowed the major debate between the seven candidates for governor. As Matthew Gagdon says in his piece on the Pine Tree Politics site. www.pinetreepolitics.com/2010/05/09/maine-republican-platform-becomes-political-football/
"...my biggest problem with the platform is that it seems almost entirely written with the Federal government in mind. Certainly, with a Republican Party that has become consumed with opposing the growing Federal behemoth, that is to be expected to some degree, but in the end this is a document that is supposedly written to tell the Maine voters why they should support the Republican Party."
NewsOk makes the point that the tea party influence was downplayed. This is an interesting move and makes sense considering its divergence from the tea party core values. http://newsok.com/maine-gop-platform-nearly-overshadows-candidates/article/feed/157127#ixzz0nSlQGrpy
"While the Knox County group downplayed tea party influence, the platform's preamble acknowledged the tea party movement, describing it as "reminiscent of the principled revolt that led to the birth of the Republican Party in 1854."
What is of interest is how its being spun as being libertarian. The fiscal conservative aspects of the document are obvious attraction to libertarians. The social conservative aspect of the document would be quite a turn-off. Unfortunately the press are making the mistake of believing that Ron Paul followers are representative of all libertarians.
The document is quite long and rambling. Rather than merely sticking to the Constitutions of both the US and Maine it delves into many issues that are actually not the remit of the state. There is in fact very little mention of Maine at all.
Its unclear how this will go down with candidates. It seems fairly obvious that those who are running in Southern Maine which is less conservative might have a difficulty defending some of the stances. It remains to be seen how this will affect the governor candidates or whomever ends up winning the nomination.
Will a state-wide electorate be as keen as the activists who drafted the document? Or the nominee face the prospect of distancing himself from the document or risk alienating independents who will be key to any victory?
Pete Harring of Maine Refounders (paintmainered.ning.com/) sees the positive side to this and is very pleased that it has been passed.
"There is no more wishy washy statements in our Platform. This is a great accomplishment, there is no room for interpretation. Our core principles and values are clearly defined. The attendance and the energy that filled the air was absolutely inspiring. Our numbers are growing, True conservative values and the meaning of our Constitution is on the minds of many. Patriotism and common sense are alive and grow"
It remains to be seen whether or not this will help or hurt the Republican Party of Maine. The writers of this platform seem to believe that all conservatives in Maine are of the social variety. Or rather they hope that those concerned with social conservatives aspect of the platform will ignore these concerns for the overall theme of the document.
You can read the whole thing here (www.asmainegoes.com/content/new-language-gop-platform) and decide for yourself.
Its certainly going to make politics in Maine a far more interesting thing than has been of late. Its tossed a hand grenade of epic proportions into the Republican Party of Maine. We have no idea who the casualties are going to be.
The Democrats will be rubbing their hands with glee and be pouring over this document for issues to use in the forthcoming general election.
One has to wonder if it might provide a template for revised platforms in other states. And no doubt there are those who would like to replicate the success of the organizational efforts of the Knox country activists. How it was achieved was nothing short of brilliant.
This should send a shiver through every Republican Party state organization. Is this a return to the “as Maines so goes the nation” days of old?
David Brooks has to be devastated.
Love the platform. An issue that has no been addressed is that those politicians that get their power from the economically disadvantaged, have a vested interest in keeping those voters economically disadvantaged.
I say that rather than saying that politicians cannot vote themselves a raise, have their pay tied to the national average income.
A politician will only earn a certain percentage above the national median family income, and said politician must pay from these funds and only these funds for any staffers hired by said politician.
If this were to pass, politicians would have a vested interest in seeing that everyone prosper economically, especially when you consider that raising the average is easier when the poor earn more, than when the rich earn more.
Years ago I saw this happen on a county level. It was quite interesting, but until we elect candidates who don’t simply give lip service to the party platform...it’s just a show.
If this keeps up I wonder if there might result a two party split. The conventional Republican Party, and the Tea Party Republicans.
Wow! Way to go Maine. This will have Stephen King crapping in his for days.
sfl
Tea Party movement principles ping
Pray hard that we will prevail!!
Go Maine go!
bttt
But I read an article by some liberal on FR yesterday that said the Tea Party was dead.
I am glad to see Maine taking action. I Hope the momentum keeps up across the country.
First, we're coming for the RINOs.
Then, we're coming for the Socialists.
They SHOULD be afraid. Very afraid.
They used to say “As Maine goes, so goes the nation”!
Wow, I hope that is an indicator in this case, but how Maine has fallen, since they had to stop saying that.
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