Posted on 05/11/2008 3:07:06 PM PDT by TBP
America's Independent Party has as its goal the return of our nation to a set of foundational principles. We call them "the American Principles." The word "principle" comes from a Latin root which means "first things." The American Principles are the "first things" that our country should consider – in domestic policy, foreign policy, the internal functioning of government, and in using the "bully pulpit" of public office and the political arena to promote certain societal virtues and behaviors.
America's Independent Party recognizes that these "first things" are clearly defined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
We also believe that there is room for debate over prudential policy matters within certain parameters of fundamental American political thought and a framework of ordered liberty.
America's Independent Party seeks a return to an approach to government that facilitates that respectful and necessary debate, thereby drawing on the collective wisdom and knowledge of the entire body of the sovereign people. We truly do believe in government of, by, and for the people, and our intent is to foster it by every means at our disposal.
Though in civic terms we call ourselves "independent," we fully acknowledge our utter dependence, as individuals and as a nation, on Almighty God and His divine Providence and Protection. We also recognize, and seek to actively fulfill, our obligations as individual citizens to the whole body of the people, as well as our responsibility to maintain standards of high moral character, both personally and in our public life.
Because the stated ultimate purpose of our Constitution is "to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity," we recognize the personhood of all unborn children and their protection by the Fifth and the Fourteenth Amendments. The right to life of all innocent persons, from conception to natural death, is God-given and unalienable. For the principled man or woman, no compromise is possible concerning such a critical matter of life and death. We believe that violators of this supreme right, in their words and actions, are unfit for any office of public trust, since this constitutes the breaking of the oath of office and the destruction of the very basis of our liberty.
The protection of the life, liberty, and private property of the people is the primary reason for the existence of human government, and more particularly, of our precious American republican form of self-government. This is why we willingly accept no breach of the rights of the free exercise of religion, free speech, free press, free assembly, free association, and the right to petition government for the redress of grievances. We defend all of the enumerated rights listed in our Bill of Rights, and, in addition, all natural rights which are not enumerated, as per the Ninth Amendment.
The right of self-preservation and self-protection is inherent in all persons, communities and societies, which is why we fiercely defend the indispensable provisions of our Second Amendment. Liberty cannot be defended if the people have been stripped of the physical means of doing so.
We seek to restore the intended balance between the three separate branches of our government, and to strictly limit government to the enumerated powers granted and expressed by the will of the people of the United States in our Constitution. All existing functions of the executive branch that are outside of those enumerated powers must be eliminated. All spending and regulation by the legislative branch that lies outside the enumerated powers must cease. Judges who attempt to legislate from the bench, or who abandon the clear principles of our Constitution, must be checked if liberty and justice are to prevail in our society once again. We call for the restoration of adherence to the provisions of the Tenth Amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
We believe in a supremely strong, prepared, and well-equipped civilian-controlled United States military, and a bold, visionary and intelligent program of principled constructive engagement with the rest of the world. For us, "peace through strength" is not a mere slogan. It is the means of survival for our country in a very dangerous and often hostile world. Our friendship should be a sought-after possession of all men and women of good will everywhere in the world. Our enmity should be something that all rightfully fear.
As Ronald Reagan opposed and defeated the designs and desire of the Soviet Union to dominate the world and place it under the tyranny of their Evil Empire, we oppose the Islamic extremists. This opposition is not based in opposition to their religion, but in a complete rejection of their political ideology and actions. Since the first principle of America is the protection of innocent human life, an ongoing state of war exists between us and any who would use acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians to forward their political aims.
We completely oppose any action that surrenders the political and economic sovereignty of the United States and its people, and support the immediate restoration of that sovereignty wherever it has been eroded.
We support the immediate securing and continuous vigilant maintenance of our sovereign territory and borders. We oppose any private or governmental action that rewards illegal entry into the United States in any way, and demand speedy and full enforcement of our laws concerning all such activities.
We consider the federal income tax to be destructive of our liberty, privacy, and prosperity. Therefore, we are working toward its complete elimination and the repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We recommend that the current system be quickly replaced by a fair, simple, noninvasive, visible, efficient, consumption-based retail tax similar to the proposal popularly known as the FairTax. However, there are other constitutional tax reform proposals that are worthy of the people's consideration.
We also call for the repeal of the Seventeenth Amendment. Its enactment greatly reduced the power of our state legislatures and state governments – which are much closer to the people – and damaged our system of federalism.
While we do not acknowledge that our Constitution limits Congress in any way from protecting traditional marriage between one man and one woman, we support passage of a federal marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of removing any confusion or misunderstanding in the minds of judges.
America's Independent Party is, at its core, a practical party. We believe that the American Principles work whenever they are practiced diligently. And so, we ask that you join with us in restoring and defending America and thereby securing the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
Thank you Guenevere...
Could you describe the platform of such a party? That would be an interesting exercise, IMO.
I like a lot of what the Independents have to say, except the lack of explicit support for the WOT. Given the ‘aged’ positions they’ve outlined, I’d be interested in what you might propose.
Thanks...
Could you be so kind to answer some of the concerns listed by Doughty One and others.
Fraid I’d have to join you on that count. I didn’t want to go into that, but you’re right from my point of view.
So, the federal government should be the arbiter of morals? Isn't the (correct) argument re Roe v Wade that the federal government has no business legislating morality? Isn't that a matter to be left (sink or swim) to the states? Isn't that what federalism is all about? Isn't that how we got into this mess in the first place? And now the Independent Party wants to use the same force of the federal government to enforce its version of morality?
???????
If I may be so bold, DoughtyOne I don't think Cindy meant...'Never mind it's Alan Keyes'....
..I think she meant 'Never mind answering the question, I know it's Alan Keyes.
Between now and then if a legitimate individual who is actually capable of serving as President of the United States (has the necessary free market, government or military leadership credentials over the years, and/or in managing huge budgets and/or leading tens of thousands of people in a large organization with consistently good results), gains ballot access in enough states to signify an Electoral Victory were he/she to take all those states, and his/her party had a solid, conservative platform, has significant name-brand national conservative endorsements, and is noted, hated and most importantly feared or ridiculed by the MSM, then I will switch the Duncan Hunter write-in vote in to an actual vote for such a Conservative Alternative for President. As usual, loyal conservative Republicans for state and local officies will get my vote from there on down, on the ballot.
I will be NOT be voting for ANY socialists or RINOs/liberal-lovers this year for President, take that to the bank! My vote will be on principle and principle alone. That (upon many other choices and subsequent actions in my lifetime) is what I will stand and face my Creator with when that judgement day comes. When I raised my voice, speaking for myself, under oath (which is what a signed ballot actually is) did I tell the truth and say that the names I checked or wrote in represent the best choices for our nation as well as the closest thinking to mine?
Some may do otherwise, but as for me, I am not going to LIE UNDER OATH when that moment comes. I know I can live with my conscience afterward.
What do yall know about him. He seems like a good man but the reparations issue bugs me. He seems very conservative otherwise though.
Find out the facts on the 'reparations' question.
I don't believe he said it & think some folks are twisting the story.....there are more than a few naysayers on FR who rush to discredit whenever Keyes name is mentioned.
Goes without saying ......:o)
No harm in learning more about where he stands. Maybe he could come here and talk to us:’)
ping
As Ronald Reagan opposed and defeated the designs and desire of the Soviet Union to dominate the world and place it under the tyranny of their Evil Empire, we oppose the Islamic extremists. This opposition is not based in opposition to their religion, but in a complete rejection of their political ideology and actions. Since the first principle of America is the protection of innocent human life, an ongoing state of war exists between us and any who would use acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians to forward their political aims.
Just wanted to make sure you saw these paragraphs.
This platform is a work in progress, as the new party gears up. The final product will not be completed until the national convention, which will take place soon.
That's why it's labeled as a "provisional platform." This is just a starting place. A pretty good one, I think.
Suggested revisions, subtractions, or additions are sought and needed. I won't say we'll follow every suggestion, but I guarantee that every suggestion will be thoroughly considered.
For the record, I'm the founder and provisional chairman.
Dr. Keyes is running as an independent. The party is preparing for the future.
By the way: America's Independent Party will endorse candidates based on proven adherence to the American principles, not based on party label.
We believe that the Republican Party, under John Judas McCain, is a dead letter. But that doesn't mean that we think republicanism, or conservatism, or constitutionalism, are. Quite the contrary. They're our only hope.
Thanks Guenevere!
We aspire to having the best platform of any American political party ever.
With your help, that can happen.
There’s an email address you can send your ideas to at http://www.selfgovernment.us .
Stay tuned!
If anyone wants on or off the Keyes ping list, send me a FReepmail.
All laws “legislate morality.” The only question is whose morals are going to be enforced.
The traditional family was given to us by God, is part of the natural order, and is the foundational institution of our entire civilization.
Congress has always had the power to protect it.
I would remind you that several states would not have been allowed into the Union unless they forever forsook plural marriage.
The leaders of America's Independent Party have always fully supported the War on Terror, and still do.
And the man we endorse for President, Alan Keyes, had the job of fighting state-sponsored terrorism for Ronald Reagan.
I appologize CindyDawg. I had thought we agreed on this, but it seems we didn’t. You take care.
Thank you Guenevere. I appreciate you pointing that out.
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