| Paid for by Merrimack Republican Town Committee. Dick Barry, Chairman. |
Merrimack Republican Town Committee |
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PREAMBLE
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
THE FIRST IN THE NATION PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVANTAGE
A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE
JOBS AND THE ECONOMY
TAXES AND SPENDING
THE FAMILY
LAW AND ORDER
THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE JUDICIARY
EDUCATION
THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROPERTY
HEALTH CARE
CONCLUSION
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PREAMBLE
We, New Hampshire Republicans, are united by our belief in God, individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited
government, limited spending, limited taxes, economic opportunity, homeland security, compassion for the truly needy
and our confidence in the strength of families, places of worship, communities and volunteerism. The principles and
programs set forth in this Platform reflect the beliefs and values that characterize the New Hampshire Republican Party.
While Republicans may hold diverse opinions on specific legislative proposals, such differences should not deflect from
advancing the principles that unite us as a Party. As united Republicans, we will seek to apply the principles embodied in
this Platform and the National Republican Party Platform to our vision for the future of New Hampshire.
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II. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire is proud to be the birthplace of the Republican Party. The "Grand Old Party" was established at a
meeting convened by Amos Tuck in Exeter, New Hampshire on October 12, 1853. Since that first meeting, the New
Hampshire Republican Party has flourished, forming the majority in our citizen legislature for over a century.
The Republican Party is, and historically has been, the Party of ideas and bold leadership in New Hampshire. The
foremost convictions that distinguish our Party in New Hampshire are:
· Protecting the fundamental rights of the people and enhancing their freedom.
· Promoting a limited government that is open, responsive and fully accountable to and in touch with its citizens
without interfering in their personal, daily lives.
· Electing Republican candidates who uphold the highest standards of integrity, morality, ethics, responsibility and
accountability in their personal lives, during campaigns and while performing their official duties.
· Recruiting Republican candidates who uphold the proud and historic traditions of our Party and its Platform, which
is essential to the future of our Party.
· Promoting voter registration to all eligible citizens and increased participation in the electoral process.
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III. THE FIRST IN THE NATION PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary elections were held in 1910, 57 years after the founding of the
Republican Party. The importance and integrity of the Presidential Primary to the people of New Hampshire and the
nation is recognized in the primary law RSA 653:9 that requires that the New Hampshire Primary be first in the nation.
For decades, the New Hampshire Presidential Primary has stood as a proving ground for candidates of all parties who
seek the nation's highest office. The New Hampshire Republican Party derives strength from this process. We advocate
the preservation of New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary status.
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IV. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVANTAGE
We believe that New Hampshire's unique quality of life, as a place to live, raise a family, do business and visit, creates
the New Hampshire Advantage as evidence by NH being the most livable state in the union. Careful stewardship and the
hard work of generations of visionary Republicans have nurtured New Hampshire's remarkable qualities. We are
committed to preserving and protecting the quality of life that has made New Hampshire great. The chief components of
the New Hampshire Advantage, which reinforce our commitment to succeed, include:
· The character of individual citizens and the strength of traditional family life.
· The productivity and work ethic of our workforce.
· The Granite State's well deserved reputation as among the best places to live in America.
· Freedom from broad based sales and income taxes.
· Our State's leading role in the economic recovery of New England.
· The top national performance rating of New Hampshire's students as well as the national reputation of our private
colleges, University System and Community Technical Colleges.
· Standing behind our state motto, "Live Free or Die."
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V. A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE
The State of New Hampshire
The government of New Hampshire exists to preserve and protect inalienable rights endowed by our Creator for the
benefit, protection and security of its citizens. Republicans reaffirm that New Hampshire is a sovereign state in a nation
of states and oppose centralization of power. To maintain this doctrine, the Republican Party:
Supports the constitutional principle that the three branches of government are separate and independent and that none
should be more powerful than another.
Supports efforts to stop Washington from mandating unfunded federal programs on our state and local governments,
and will work to hold the federal government to the same standard against unfunded mandates as we do our state
government under the New Hampshire Constitution.
Opposes the enactment of federal programs that contradict the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Respects New Hampshire's honored veterans by ensuring that they receive the benefits that they have rightfully earned
and deserve.
New Hampshire's State Government
New Hampshire's government and its elected officials must, above all else, preserve and protect individual liberty. The
New Hampshire Constitution affirms that our government is founded upon the people's consent and is instituted for the
general good. The preservation of the rights of our people should always constrain the actions of government because
our government has only as much power as the people choose to give it. We will advocate this concept of government
by working to encourage greater voter participation at all levels of government, as well as reform our campaign finance
laws to guarantee full and prompt disclosure. We believe in the citizens' right to access government information to the
extent such disclosure does not violate the security of our state or the privacy of individual citizens.
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VI. JOBS AND THE ECONOMY
Economic Development
A strong New Hampshire economy secures the livelihoods of our families. We remain committed to making New
Hampshire the best place in the nation to live, to visit and to do business, whether for small businesses, traditional
manufacturing, or the latest emerging technologies. Our approach to economic development is founded upon:
Creating a supportive business climate and increasing tourism.
Working to provide an environment favorable to increasing the creation of private sector jobs.
Working to prevent over-regulation of business, particularly with respect to small businesses.
Improving telecommunications and technology access to rural areas of our state.
New Hampshire's Work Force
New Hampshire's highly motivated work force is essential to our economic prosperity. In an effort to expand the market
both at home and abroad and develop productive employment with safety, rewards and dignity for workers of all ages, we
will work to:
Bring high-speed internet access to every region of the state.
Continue our emphasis on educating and training our work force.
Graduate students in state-of-the-art technology.
Affirm the right of all citizens to join labor organizations freely, whether they choose to bargain collectively or individually,
without coercion and intimidation.
Support the "right to work" by adopting legislation necessary to ensure this principle for all workers.
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VII. TAXES AND SPENDING
Low Taxes, Low Spending
Republicans realize that low taxes are the result of low spending. We believe that controlling spending and minimizing
taxes are the best ways to protect the economic and civic well being of New Hampshire residents. We believe in
promoting lower taxes to attract business development and expand economic opportunities by:
Maintaining a locally controlled tax system consistent with our commitment to keep New Hampshire a desirable place for
people to live, work, raise their families and locate their businesses.
Supporting local control of spending and taxes designed to support local services.
Tax Free New Hampshire
We reject higher taxes and excessive government spending with the belief that taxes unfairly erode earnings, contribute
to the growth of government and provide disincentives for economic growth. To affirm our strong opposition to any
broad-based taxes, including an income, sales or capital gains tax, we will:
Support cutting or eliminating taxes which inhibit enterprise, earnings and savings, such as the Interest and Dividends
Tax and the Business Enterprise/Business Profits Tax.
Oppose taxation of the Internet.
Support a safety net that lowers the property tax for those who can least afford it.
Urge the Public Utilities Commission to work to reduce New Hampshire's electric rates.
Work to limit the growth of state spending to not more than the rate of inflation, taking into account population growth,
such as by adopting a Taxpayers Bill of Rights.
Oppose casino and video-lottery gambling as means of raising government revenue.
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VIII. THE FAMILY
Preserving Marriage and Family
We realize that the family's most important function is to raise the next generation of Americans. We place our highest
priority on promoting and preserving the family as the most important institution of human development by:
Recognizing marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman.
Opposing recognition by the State of New Hampshire all other forms of civil unions, regardless of where such unions were
formed (other states, U.S. territories, foreign countries).
Believing the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed upon; supporting a human life
amendment to the Constitution and endorsing legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections
apply to unborn children; requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions; barring the use of public resources to
fund or promote abortion; banning the procedure of partial-birth abortion; supporting the appointment of judges who
respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.
The New Hampshire Republican State Committee not supporting financially or by in-kind contributions, any candidate or
nominee of this party who opposes measures to end partial-birth abortions.
Commending and encouraging those individuals and organizations who provide alternatives to abortion by meeting the
needs of mothers through adoption, support, counseling and educational services.
Encouraging scientific research using adult and cord blood stem cells; opposing the use of embryonic stem cells; and
supporting a comprehensive ban on human cloning, the creation of human embryos solely for experimentation, and the
public funding thereof.
Protecting Marriage and Family
Family life can nurture love of country and faith in God. To protect marriages and families as the central core in society
for enhancing morality, integrity, responsibility and concern for others, we:
Favor equitable treatment of both parents in child custody and child support determinations and oppose policies that
unnecessarily separate fathers, mothers, parents and children.
Oppose actions that inhibit and/or supplant the role of parents in the care and upbringing of children.
Will work to ensure due process rights of those accused of child abuse or neglect and to ensure that children are placed
only in loving, non-abusive homes.
Are committed to respecting our senior citizens by improving their financial security, physical well being and quality of life.
Oppose euthanasia, physician assisted suicide and support increased implementation of palliative care.
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IX. LAW AND ORDER
Ensuring Safety
The New Hampshire Advantage cannot survive without safety and security for individual citizens. In order to ensure
peace and tranquility in our communities, Republicans:
Develop and implement a comprehensive Homeland Security Program for New Hampshire consistent with the Federal
Homeland Security Department plan.
Offer steadfast support for our law enforcement and emergency response personnel.
Emphasize self-control and personal responsibility as the primary means to counteract unlawfulness.
Believe in the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms to defend themselves, their families and their property;
support Part I, Article 2-a of the New Hampshire Constitution guaranteeing the right to keep and bear arms; oppose
passage of local, state or federal laws and/or regulations that violate this fundamental right or the imposition of any
taxation, licensing restrictions, or registration of firearms upon law abiding citizens; oppose fingerprinting and
photographing law-abiding citizens as a coercive contingency of obtaining a permit to carry a firearm. We oppose
renewal of the federal “Assault Weapon Ban.”
Support measures to protect and secure our international border with Canada, our airports, our water supply and the
Seabrook nuclear power plant, without unnecessary infringement upon our civil rights.
Will work to reduce drunken driving and substance abuse through a comprehensive program of education, prevention,
rehabilitation, treatment and law enforcement.
Enforcing Laws
We propose that those who commit crimes be swiftly and surely punished consistent with due process of law. We support
increased efforts to enforce penalties against those who commit crimes by:
Strengthening prosecution and fair enforcement of death penalty laws.
Enforcing the prosecution of perpetrators of voter fraud and election tampering.
Supporting the adoption of the Felony Murder Rule allowing prosecutors to seek a murder charge against those who
commit a felony resulting in a death.
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X. THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE JUDICIARY
The Legal System
The Republican Party believes that the New Hampshire Advantage is, in part, secured and promoted by a legal system
that upholds the safety, values and freedoms of law-abiding citizens. We will work to maintain a legal system that
provides every citizen prompt and impartial justice by:
Promoting our belief that under the New Hampshire Constitution, the power to tax is reserved for the people and their
elected representatives, not the judicial or executive branches.
Adopting a constitutional amendment to Part II, Section 73-a of the New Hampshire Constitution in order to restore the
traditional role of our General Court as New Hampshire's supreme legislative authority.
Recognizing that frivolous lawsuits are burdensome to our legal system, a detriment to the New Hampshire economy, and
an abuse of the judicial process.
The Judiciary
New Hampshire's independent and impartial judiciary, as one of the three separate and independent branches of
government, is entrusted with the protection of the constitutionally and otherwise guaranteed legal rights of the people.
To ensure that the first priority of our judiciary is to serve the people's needs by expediting justice and ensuring fairness,
we will:
Support the traditional role of the judiciary in interpreting the constitutional and statutory rights of individuals and
organizations.
Support the appointment of judges who recognize their proper and limited interpretive role in our constitutional system.
Seek to extend the Right-to-Know Law to the non-adjudicatory functions of the judicial branch.
Support the reasonable and periodic oversight of judicial officers, including reasonable term limitations for judges.
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XI. EDUCATION
Preamble
The Republican Party believes that the primary focus of education should be on academic achievement. In a global
economy where outsourcing is commonplace, our students must be proficient in math and science. In order for our
nation to survive and prosper, our students must have a thorough understanding of history and the philosophical
concepts upon which our government is based. Self-esteem based educational programs which undermine academic
achievement do not serve the long term interests of our children.
Excellence in Education
Educating the citizens of New Hampshire is our hope for the future of this great state. We believe that New Hampshire
must provide its children an education based upon excellence. We recognize parents as first and primary teachers. We
oppose state interference with parental rights and believe that:
Only parents can be entrusted to control the education of their children and choose schools that best suit their children's
needs.
Laws should be implemented to encourage school choice and competition and allow all parents to choose the best
public, private, charter or home school program for their children.
School vouchers or tuition tax credits should be made available to assist in school choice.
The so-called "Blaine Amendment" should be repealed so as to end discrimination against religious schools.
Local Control and Education Funding
As Republicans, our goal is to meet the cost of education as efficiently as possible. It is our belief that citizens who
control their own education budgets have the strongest incentives to spend their money wisely. It is the position of the
Republican Party that:
Local control of education policy and education funding creates the best-managed school systems.
The New Hampshire Constitution be amended to empower the people and their elected representatives to set
educational funding and policy goals.
Where possible, state and federal school aid should not contain mandates that prevent parents and local taxpayers from
making educational decisions for their own communities.
We demand that the federal government fully fund its commitment to special education mandates under the IDEA.
The Classroom
Republicans believe that a quality education advances good citizenship, knowledge, self worth and enables informed
participation in public and governmental affairs. To improve and strengthen the classroom, we believe in:
Supporting innovative measures to reduce overly burdensome tuition costs while increasing the national competitiveness
of our education system.
Working to implement the nation's highest competency and accountability standards for our teachers and students;
empowering teachers to maintain orderly, disciplined classrooms; and compensating teachers based upon their
performance.
Working to promote abstinence as the first line of defense in health education curricula.
Working to develop and teach a curriculum that emphasizes personal responsibility and consequences for one’s actions.
Reviewing and reforming the teacher certification process.
Support payroll protection legislation to allow teachers to decide upon allocation of their dues for political purposes.
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XII. THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROPERTY
Land Conservation
The beauty of New Hampshire as a place in which to live and work depends upon a healthy environment. It is vital that
our society commits itself to the preservation of our natural resources and the wise use of our open spaces to maintain
our special quality of life. As Republicans, we:
Promote preserving open space, scenic vistas and historic and cultural landscapes.
Preserve sensitive ecosystems and effectively manage wildlife.
Encourage landowners to keep their property open and accessible to responsible recreation.
Will work to provide public access to all of New Hampshire's public lands and great ponds, subject to adequate protection
for indigenous plants and animals.
Affirm that private property rights are fundamental under the Constitution and that we will ensure that property owners
are compensated justly for property taken by government through regulation.
Advocate banning the importation of sludge into New Hampshire.
Propose bringing all of New Hampshire's coal and oil-fired power plants into compliance with clean air standards.
Support banning the use of the gasoline additive MtBE in New Hampshire.
Encourage the private sector to provide a balanced, safe and environmentally sensitive transportation system to provide
greater commuter and commercial access to and within our state.
Will work to improve our highways and reduce traffic congestion while working to improve access for recreation and
tourism to rural areas of our state.
Encourage the use and development of renewable energies.
Natural Resources
Our parks, lands, waterways, wildlife, ground water, air quality, fuels and other natural resources are valuable assets that
require diligent statewide management based upon sound science and reasonable societal costs. To preserve these
important facets of New Hampshire's unequivocal quality of life, we recognize the need to:
Deal effectively with waste disposal and pollution.
Preserve the multiple uses of the White Mountain National Forest.
Promote the wise use of our forest products.
Support low cost means to protect, develop and market New Hampshire agricultural and high value natural resource
products.
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XIII. HEALTH CARE
Care For All Citizens
New Hampshire citizens are the healthiest in the country. We believe that the health care of all state citizens is an
important factor in the well being and economic success encompassed in the New Hampshire Advantage. In order to
improve the health care of all citizens,:
We support efforts for higher quality health care and better access to health care and prescription drugs, while reducing
costs of health insurance and medical malpractice insurance coverage.
We are committed to providing for the special needs of our senior citizens, including opportunities for personalized home
health care and less expensive alternatives to hospital stays and prescription medication.
We support increased use of market forces to provide and improve health care.
We will work to provide citizen access to the information necessary to make informed health care decisions, including
information about the quality and cost of services provided by physicians, hospitals and insurers.
We will support efforts to draw insurance companies back to New Hampshire, thereby increasing the health care options
available to New Hampshire citizens.
We support efforts for higher quality healthcare, including the latest in technological advancements.
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XIV. CONCLUSION
The members of the Republican Party in the great state of New Hampshire established this Platform of Republican
principles. Registered Republicans were encouraged to submit amendments to the statements mentioned herein. The
Platform Committee accepted written, faxed, mailed or e-mailed amendment proposals.
The Executive Committee of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, Chairman Wayne Semprini presiding,
approved this Platform on September 7, 2006.
The delegates of the New Hampshire Republican Party, meeting in Convention in Concord, New Hampshire on Saturday,
September 30, 2006 in pursuant to RSA 667:21, I. hereby adopt the forgoing.
May God bless the United States of America and the State of New Hampshire.