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REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS POSITION STATEMENT
RLC Website ^ | December 8, 2000 | Republican Liberty Caucus

Posted on 07/24/2002 3:47:01 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS
POSITION STATEMENT

As adopted by the General Membership of the Republican Liberty Caucus at its Biannual Meeting held December 8, 2000.  

BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Liberty Caucus endorses the following principles:

1.0 FEDERALISM

1.1 The power of the federal government should be limited, as per the tenth amendment to the U. S. Constitution.

2.0 EDUCATION

2.1 The U. S. Department of Education should be abolished, leaving education decision making at the state, local or personal level.
2.2 Parents have the right to spend their money on the school or method of schooling they deem appropriate for their children.

3.0 HEALTH CARE

3.1 Free market health care alternatives, such as medical savings accounts, should be available to everyone, including senior citizens.
3.2 The federal entitlement to Medicare should be abolished, leaving health care decision making regarding the elderly at the state, local, or personal level.

4.0 TAXATION

4.1 The tax system of the United States should be overhauled.
4.2 There should be a national debate discussing various alternative means of taxation including but not limited to a single flat income tax, repealing the income tax and replacing it with a national sales tax, and reducing spending to the point where the income tax can be repealed without the need to replace it with a national sales tax or any other form of taxation.
4.3 The capital gains tax should be *eliminated*.
4.4 The inheritance tax should be *eliminated*.
4.5 The new tax system should be implemented *promptly*.

5.0 WELFARE

5.1 The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services should be abolished, leaving decision making on welfare and related matters at the state, local or personal level. All Americans have the right to keep the fruits of their labor to support themselves, their families and whatever charities they so choose, without interference from the federal government.
5.2 All able-bodied Americans have the responsibility to support themselves and their families.

6.0 CRIMINAL JUSTICE

6.1 Every American has the right to keep and bear arms. We affirm our support for the second amendment of the U. S. Constitution.
6.2 All people, regardless of position in the public or private sector, should be held equally accountable under the law.
6.3 The *only* litmus test for Supreme Court or other judges should be their determination to accurately interpret, not amend, the Constitution. Judges have *no* authority to make new law.

7.0 CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

7.1 Election campaigns should not be subsidized by tax payers.
7.2 No individual should be compelled to support a political candidate he or she does not support. Government should not empower trade unions to collect funds from their members for use as political contributions without their members' expressed consent.
7.3 All limits on campaign contributions should be eliminated.
7.4 There should be full and timely public disclosure of all the sources and amounts of all campaign contributions upon their receipt.

8.0 FEDERAL BUDGET

8.1 There should be an amendment to the U. S. Constitution to require a balanced budget, provided it includes a supermajority requirement to raise taxes and provided it does not empower the judiciary to unilaterally raise taxes.
8.2 Honest accounting dictates that all federal expenditures should be on budget.
8.3 Each budget should be derived based upon the justification for and needs of each program, with no program being either budgeted for or increased automatically.

9.0 GOVERNMENT REFORM

9.1 The U. S. Department of Commerce should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the U. S. Constitution.
9.2 The National Endowment for the Arts should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the U. S. Constitution.
9.3 The National Endowment for the Humanities should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the U. S. Constitution.
9.4 The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the U. S. Constitution.
9.5 Subsidies to agricultural and other businesses should be eliminated.
9.6 Corporate taxes should be eliminated simultaneously and proportionally with the elimination of subsidies to businesses.
9.7 Recommendations by the Grace Commission and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) should be reviewed and implemented, where possible, beginning immediately.
9.8 Privatization of government assets, management and services should be implemented for cost-effectiveness wherever applicable.

10.0 TRADE

10.1 The U. S. government should inhibit neither the exportation of U. S. goods and services worldwide, nor the importation of goods and services.
10.2 The United States should not be answerable to any governing body outside the United States for its trade policy.

11.0 DEFENSE

11.1 U. S. military should be deployed only where there is a clear threat to vital U. S. interests and only with the consent of the U. S. Congress.
11.2 It is the duty of the federal government to provide a system to defend against missile attacks.
11.3 No branch of the military should be put in harm's way without a clear entrance and exit strategy and a goal, which when achieved, constitutes victory.
11.4 U. S military personnel should always be under U. S. command.
11.5 U. S. armed forces should be all-volunteer.
11.6 Military draft registration should be eliminated.
11.7 Foreign aid is often more harmful than helpful and should be curtailed.

12.0 PROPERTY RIGHTS

12.1 The government should not take private property without just compensation.
12.2 All unconstitutional regulation of private property should be repealed.

13.0 DRUGS

13.1 While recognizing the harm that drug abuse causes society, we also recognize that government drug policy has been ineffective and has led to frightening abuses of the Bill of Rights which could affect the personal freedom of any American. We, therefore, support alternatives to the War on Drugs.
13.2 Per the tenth amendment to the U. S. Constitution, matters such as drugs should be handled at the state or personal level.
13.3 All laws which give license to violate the Bill of Rights should be repealed.

Entered into the record December 8, 2000


TOPICS: Issues
KEYWORDS: banglist; positionstatement; rlc
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To: ThomasJefferson
>>>Having said that, taking no position is not a pro-abortion postion, except in the eyes of a very small minority.

I'm glad you're anti abortion. Most members of the Constitution Party are also anti abortion, at least the ones I know here in Colorado. But when people take a neutral stand on the killing of innocent human life, especially at these early developmental stages in the woman's womb, that is tantamount to directly supporting abortion on demand and the pro choice position, or at the very least enabling this horrific procedure to continue.

41 posted on 07/25/2002 9:59:56 AM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: Reagan Man
 Even if that means opposition to America's successful
national drug control policy.

Please elaborate.  What is the successful nature
of the War on Drugs?  How has it reduced drug
use, kept drugs out of the country, and maintained
our constitutional rights?  How has the constitutional separation of powers
between federal government and the states been impacted by the War on Drugs?

42 posted on 07/25/2002 10:00:25 AM PDT by gcruse
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To: Reagan Man
But when people take a neutral stand on the killing of innocent human life, especially at these early developmental stages in the woman's womb, that is tantamount to directly supporting abortion on demand and the pro choice position, or at the very least enabling this horrific procedure to continue.

In your mind. But not in mine.

What you are saying is that no group can organize to work toward certain goals if they take no position on abortion. I disagree.

43 posted on 07/25/2002 10:04:35 AM PDT by Protagoras
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To: eshu; JR; All
And as I noted, I doubt we'll see any.
The usual RINO candidates will mouth some platitudes about 'support' for RLC positions, then renege on them if elected.
- Samo, - same old bull.

Someone, anyone, tell me, show me it isn't so.
44 posted on 07/25/2002 10:05:31 AM PDT by tpaine
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To: ThomasJefferson
Well, you're entitled to hold any belief on the issue of abortion you may choose. I happen to think its the greatest issue of our time. Imagine, so-called intelligent, God fearing creatures, chucking this ultimate and critical responsibility aspect of life, in favor of killing one of their own kind. There has been roughly 40,000,000 innocent human lifes taken since 1973 through the abortion procedure and most of them came about, in the name of life style choices. I find that totally immoral and repugnant. In all actuality, abortion is a crime against humanity and mankind.
45 posted on 07/25/2002 10:14:29 AM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: NC_Libertarian
It's unfortunate that the RLC has taken that position.


Read it again, - they are neutral, and did not take that 'unrestricted' position.
46 posted on 07/25/2002 10:17:01 AM PDT by tpaine
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To: Reagan Man
Well, you're entitled to hold any belief on the issue of abortion you may choose.

And you as well. But this thread isn't about abortion. Then again, from what you have said, EVERYTHING seems to be about abortion to you.

The question is, can groups have no position on abortion while they focus on other things, or not. You seem to think not. Oh well.

PS, I used to be in a bowling league which took no position on abortion, I guess they were pro-abortion.

47 posted on 07/25/2002 10:22:16 AM PDT by Protagoras
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To: Reagan Man
Put a sock in it. - This is not an abortion thread, or forum. - The RLC position is neutral.
48 posted on 07/25/2002 10:23:07 AM PDT by tpaine
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To: Reagan Man
 God fearing creatures, chucking this ultimate
and critical responsibility aspect of life

That's an interesting thought.  How ironic, then,
that priests, bishops, and popes are called to celibacy,
denying the births of countless humans in the name
of God.

49 posted on 07/25/2002 10:32:54 AM PDT by gcruse
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To: ThomasJefferson
>>>And you as well. But this thread isn't about abortion. Then again, from what you have said, EVERYTHING seems to be about abortion to you.

I've attempted to be civil with you, but that seems to be an effort in futilty on my part. The critical aspects of political positions taken by the Republican Liberty Caucus is exactly what's at issue on this thread and to deny that is the case, is to run from the truth. I don't expect you'll stop huffing-n-puffing, anytime soon.

If you want to compare you're bowling league with the Libertarian Party, I offer no resistence. Look, abortion is supported by Libertarian's in general. I'm a strong pro-lifer and am opposed to the libertarian philosophy in general. Your basic argument over abortion is intelliectually bankrupt. This is the political, social and cultural issue of our time. If you're too blind to see that, that's not my fault. You're pathetic.

50 posted on 07/25/2002 10:36:28 AM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: Reagan Man; Jim Robinson
I've attempted to be civil with you, but that seems to be an effort in futilty on my part.

LOL, I don't think so. Your blood pressure is rising despite my polite responses. As soon as your postion is refuted in a rational credible way, you lose your cool.

The critical aspects of political positions taken by the Republican Liberty Caucus is exactly what's at issue on this thread and to deny that is the case, is to run from the truth. I don't expect you'll stop huffing-n-puffing, anytime soon.

Please define "huffing and puffing". Oh you mean pointing out that groups don't need to take a postion on every topic? That huffing and puffing?

If you want to compare you're bowling league with the Libertarian Party,

OOPS!! There is the real agenda. A hatred of the libertarians. It didn't take long to get around to it.

Look, abortion is supported by Libertarian's in general. I'm a strong pro-lifer and am opposed to the libertarian philosophy in general.

Off topic, this thread isn't about the Libertarian Party or abortion.

Your basic argument over abortion is intelliectually bankrupt.

Hmmm, funny, you said you were happy that I am anti-abortion. Hmmmm, I guess you want me to be pro-abortion? LOL

This is the political, social and cultural issue of our time. If you're too blind to see that, that's not my fault. You're pathetic.

Personal attacks are a the last course of action for the defeated.

Hey, maybe Robinson will pull your post or your priviledges for violation of the rules. It is his thread, and his site. LOL

51 posted on 07/25/2002 10:49:21 AM PDT by Protagoras
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To: Reagan Man
This is a thread about uniting for Liberty. A positive idea. Changes can not be made 5, 10, 20 issues at a time. LIBERTY is a BIG and meaningful word inspire unity. I find your desire to debate something in the Long List of issues posted to be petty , disruptive and out of line.
52 posted on 07/25/2002 11:08:31 AM PDT by madfly
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To: madfly
It seems that many posters on this forum have such an obsession against individual liberty that they attempt to hi-jack every thread and turn it into an attack on libertarians. Some have become so bold (due to the lack of rebuffs from the mods) that they even hi-jack the threads of the site owner. Much to the detriment of the forum. A shame, IMO.
53 posted on 07/25/2002 11:23:12 AM PDT by Protagoras
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To: NC_Libertarian
I would definately vote for any Republican who supports the above position.

And I'll bump that. Too bad the RNC isn't giving us that option this time here in NC. I tend to disagree with some of the anti-WOD crowd for legalization, however it is not the general government's concern. It should be handled at the state level. I would like to see a pro-life adoption as well. I don't see myself leaving the Southern Party anytime soon but I generally vote for the Republican candidate (unless of course it's local and in a lot of cases Republicans just don't run at the local level). But if the RLC gains strength in the Republican party, I could easily support candidates that they offered

54 posted on 07/25/2002 12:00:55 PM PDT by billbears
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To: ThomasJefferson
>>>Personal attacks are a the last course of action for the defeated.

I haven't engaged in any personal attacks. Just political debate. You've lost the argument and now your whining about it. That's nothing new. And your attempting to use standard convoluted reasoning for your failure to best me on the issues. Standard fair for the intellectually and emotionally challenged.

>>>Hey, maybe Robinson will pull your post or your priviledges for violation of the rules. It is his thread, and his site. LOL

If you want to make outrageous and foolish threats that you can't back up, so be it. Better yet, get your own website, invite me onto it and then ban me. LMAO Like I said, you are pathetic. When you stop crying and want to engage in civil debate on the political issues of our time, this conservative will be around. Just PING me. Until then, rant on little man.

55 posted on 07/25/2002 12:06:19 PM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: madfly
>>>This is a thread about uniting for Liberty.

This is a thread about the Republican Liberty Caucus. That makes its positions on the issues highly relevent to conservatives like me and the current national debate on all the issues. If you read my initial post, you would have understood that. But instead, you've become petty yourself and chosen to define what is proper debate for Free Republic. Guess you don't believe in freedom of speech and the Bill of Rights either. Figures.

56 posted on 07/25/2002 12:11:59 PM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: Reagan Man
I haven't engaged in any personal attacks. Just political debate.

Political debate and no personal attacks? LOL, OK, Lets examine it.

I don't expect you'll stop huffing-n-puffing, anytime soon.
You're pathetic.
Standard fair for the intellectually and emotionally challenged.
Like I said, you are pathetic.
When you stop crying and want to engage in civil debate on the political issues of our time, this conservative will be around.
Just PING me. Until then, rant on little man.
Your basic argument over abortion is intelliectually bankrupt.

All refer to me personally and some name calling trown in for good measure. Nice try, but your idea of debate is nothing more than personal attack when your points are shown to be without substance.

If you want to make outrageous and foolish threats that you can't back up, so be it.

What threats? Please enumerate them.

57 posted on 07/25/2002 12:19:59 PM PDT by Protagoras
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To: ThomasJefferson
Yawn. More circle jerk rhetoric. Man, will you ever stop crying and whining? Answer: I think not.
58 posted on 07/25/2002 12:25:00 PM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: Reagan Man; Jim Robinson
"WHEREAS libertarian Republicans believe in limited government, individual freedom and personal responsibility"

What does this mean to you?

Thanks for posting this, Jim. I honestly hadn't seen it before.

59 posted on 07/25/2002 12:27:04 PM PDT by Slip18
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To: Reagan Man
Not crying and whining at all. Never did, laughing at you mostly.

Why not think of a few more personal attacks and insults? It changes the subject away from your contention that any group who doesn't take a postition on abortion is automatically pro-abortion. LOL, great stuff, keep it up.

60 posted on 07/25/2002 12:28:45 PM PDT by Protagoras
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