Draft of the 2012 Maine Republican Platform

To be considered by The Maine Republican State Convention, May 5-6, 2012 Throughout our nations history, generations of Americans have fought to preserve the Republic, our freedoms, and the American way of life. Today our constitutional republic is threatened by a failure to adhere to the principles put forth in our founding documents. A new generation is needed to rise up and put the nation back on track. As We the people are the stewards of the republic and guarantors of last resort, We the People of the Republican Party of the State of Maine humbly ask that you assist us in restoring the Constitutional government envisioned by our founders which led to generations of the greatest, most prosperous, and peaceful free nation in the history of man. It is only by restoring and adhering to the principles of Liberty that we can prevent the moral and economic collapse currently unfolding. I. This platform which encapsulates these principles and identifies the actions this convention advocates to implement them are summarized as follows. A. We proclaim allegiance not to the party, but to the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Maine. B. The Constitutions, both Federal and State of Maine, are the framework within which all legislation must adhere. Unalienable God given rights, a representative republican form of government, freedom of religion and speech, the right to bear arms, a strong local government, a limited federal government, protection from all enemies both foreign and domestic, limited regulation, low taxes, minimal local, state and federal debt, free market capitalism, and the rights to property are the inviolable precepts of freedom and prosperity encapsulated in our constitutions. The socialist agenda of progressivism, massive government, unsustainable debt and pursuit of pure democracy are incompatible with both constitution and the preservation of individual liberty. Therefore, progressive principles are incompatible with the principles of The Republican Party of the State of Maine. C. As it is the duty of all elected officials taking the oath/affirmation of office to uphold both the Maine and Federal Constitutions; it is incumbent upon them to read these documents in their entirety and reflect upon what is required of them to adequately fulfill their oath. II. Governor LePage, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the Secretary of State, and the Republican led 125 th Legislature have made significant progress toward achieving the goals laid out in the platform adopted by the 2010 Republican State Convention. A. Taxes: 1. They enacted the largest tax cut in Maine history, cutting $150 million in the first 2 years and $500 million over 4 years. 2. Removed 70,000 of Maines lowest income families from the tax rolls. 3. Increased the death tax exemption. 4. Allotted $31 million to relieve the tax burden of job creators. B. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Welfare: They terminated Maines status as a sanctuary state, turning off the magnet that draws illegal aliens to the state. Terminated most benefits for legal non-citizens in Maine. Imposed a drug test requirement for welfare recipients convicted of drug crimes. Enacted stricter sanctions for violations of welfare rules. A 5 year cap has been instituted on welfare eligibility. 1

C. Budget: 1. They paid $248 million owed to Maine hospitals. 2. Reduced the States unfunded pension liabilities by $1.7 billion (41%), to protect the benefits of our state workers. D. Economic Development: 1. Guided by the Governors Red Tape workshops, held with 1,000 job creators, the legislature passed LD 1 to reform the states dysfunctional regulatory system. 2. The Department of Economic Development has established a Red Tape Hotline in order to make Maine more business friendly. 3. They reformed health care insurance, allowing competition across state lines, reducing a prohibitive burden to job creation. III. In order to define the specific policies encompassed by said constitutional principles, and to build on the previously stated accomplishments, be it resolved: A. The government of Maine exists to preserve and protect certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights endowed by our Creator for the benefit, protection and security of all citizens and future generations. To maintain this doctrine the U. S. and Maine Constitutions are the framework to which all legislation must conform: 1. Oppose any law that contradicts the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; 2. Defend the individual's right to keep and bear arms as enumerated by the Second Amendment of the United States and the Maine Constitution; 3. Oppose any and all treaties with any country or organization which would surrender any US sovereignty; 4. Protect the American legal system from Sharia Law. B. The strength of Maine and the United States lies with the individual and that every person's dignity, freedom, liberty, ability and responsibility must be honored and protected: 1. The expression of religious faith must not be excluded from the public forum; 2. We appreciate and honor the service of active duty military and veterans, fire fighters, police officers, sheriffs, and EMTs, and all those who serve our state and nation; 3. The citizens of Maine are best capable of deciding how to live their lives, the fruits of labor and private property belong to the laborer; 4. Enforce current law regarding the assimilation of legal immigrants into Maine society; 5. Ensure the integrity of the election process; 6. Secure the U. S. borders in accordance with current Federal law; 7. Affirm English as the official language of the State of Maine. C. Capitalism, and free market system encourages individual initiative and is the basis of a prosperous economy; 1. Economic prosperity is achieved by passing pro-business laws that encourage investment, stability, and a positive business climate; 2. Freedom to Work laws secure the right of the employee to decide for themselves whether to join or financially support a union; 3. Health Care is a concern to all Maine citizens and should be affordable through free market solutions; 4. Private ownership of Maine land is fundamental to liberty; 2

a. Is consistent with our economic system; b. Provides Limited government control; c. Ensures good land stewardship; d. Affords property owners the right to develop the Maine Woods in a responsible and lawful manner. 5. Oppose all attempts to establish a Maine Wood National Park; preservation of the Maine Woods and open spaces through public and private initiatives is foundational to our way of life; 6. A comprehensive energy policy includes aggressively promoting removal of government obstacles restricting private development of energy resources, increasing supply, decreasing demand and encouraging alternative sources to help reduce dependence on foreign energy sources, thus ensuring affordable energy costs; 7. The Internet as it applies to our economy; a. Must be free from government taxation and unreasonable regulation; b. Should promote innovation, economic growth, investment, job creation and opportunity. D. The most effective, responsive and responsible government is that which is closest to the people and the least intrusive: 1. Municipal Home Rule is to be encouraged and respected; 2. Maine's college and university classrooms should be a marketplace of ideas where all individuals political and religious beliefs are expressed and respected; 3. The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal results; 4. Welfare reform is an on-going requirement to ensure it does not become a life style at the taxpayers expense; 5. Children must have access to the best educational opportunities possible through fiscal and academic accountability and educational choice; 6. Parents have the right to educate their children in their own homes or private schools and should be given tax relief if this is their choice; 7. Support the restoration of local control in education as specified in the constitution; 8. Preserve the right of Maine citizens to grow their own food for personal consumption and/or sale within the state. E. The family is the foundation and strength of a stable society; therefore the government should not interfere, but rather support and protect the integrity and rights of the family: 1. Promote Family values; 2. Marriage is defined as the union of one man and one woman; 3. Parents not government are most capable and responsible to make decisions in the best interest of their minor children, including medical, disciplinary and educational decisions; 4. We believe in the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death; 5. Discontinue using state taxes to fund Family Planning of Maine (FMA) and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE). F. Fiscal restraint and accountability for all levels of government is paramount: 1. Control spending at all levels of government, state, county and local to ensure fiscal stability and minimal debt for future generations; 2. All levels of government must cut spending, and institute a plan for reducing our debt; 3. Through sound fiscal management reduce the Maine tax burden; including fees; 4. Institute zero based budgeting in all programs and require the government and all agencies adhere to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAA); 5. Support the Office of Program Evaluation & Government Accountability (OPEGA), Maine's governmental oversight agency, and its mission to achieve effective and efficient state government; 3

6. All state quasi-independent government authorities must be held accountable, by law, to their board of directors, or the state legislature, or the governor to ensure prudent spending accountability and administrative transparency.

G. Moving forward Maine Republicans support the following initiatives: 1. We urge all Republican candidates to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and, if elected, to vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes and fees; 2. Reform the regulations and regulatory process having a negative impact and undue burden on private enterprise; 3. Ensure regulations recognize the value of Maine's outdoor heritage and promote responsible stewardship of the environment which is based on sound science; 4. Conform the state tax code to the federal tax code; 5. Promote competition in the health care system to lower costs for all Maine citizens by reducing regulations; 6. Repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) and all initiated components; 7. We support legislation that requires photo identification to vote in the State of Maine. IV. For years, Americans have had faith that their elected officials were there to protect and defend their interests. Without vigilance by the people, this trust is often misplaced. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to stay informed and involved in the American experiment of self governance. Those of us who have united behind the Republican banner invite you to join us in this task and support the Republican candidates for office that uphold these values.

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!