Independent Party has high hopes.Conservatives to field 54 candidates statewide

Las Vegas Review Journal ^ | 5/14/02 | JANE ANN MORRISON

[LarryLied]

The Independent American Party of Nevada, an ultra-conservative party whose members believe the GOP is too liberal, hopes to mount a field of 54 candidates across Nevada this year.

Nine of the 54 are from the Hansen family, the mainstay members of the party, which is for gun rights and against gay rights.

Joel Hansen, who is running for Clark County district attorney, said if all 54 file it will more than double the number of candidates the party has ever put forward and will serve as a tribute to his brother, party founder Dan Hansen, a Sparks contractor killed Jan. 22 in a truck rollover. The largest number of candidates the party has ever put on the ballot is 25.

Joel Hansen explained the growing popularity of Independent Americans by uttering one name -- Gov. Kenny Guinn -- as proof there is "not enough difference between Republicans and Democrats." As evidence, Hansen cited the labor unions' endorsement of Guinn and the fact Democrats have no major candidate to run against him.

Hansen also credited the party's growing numbers to people becoming "tired of big government, high taxes and oppression."

Eight Independent Americans were among 17 people who filed for office Monday at the Clark County Election Department. Two party members filed with the secretary of state for statewide offices.

Hansen described the Independent Americans as "the only pro-life party" and said, unlike Republicans, all its candidates support Question 2, which supporters say is needed to prevent the recognition of gay marriages in Nevada.

Opponents contend the question is a form of discrimination. At the state Democratic Convention Saturday, AFL-CIO leader Danny Thompson described Question 2 as being "about hate, discrimination and unfairness."

Hansen said the Republican Party's endorsement of Question 2 was a "Johnny-come-lately endorsement. We didn't have to wait for polls to decide whether to endorse it."

Dan Hansen founded the party in 1972. It went dormant in the 1980s and in 1992 was reactivated. The Independent Americans have not seen any of their candidates elected in Clark County since 1992.

Ten years ago, Nevada had about 300 Independent Americans; today the party has 14,691 Nevadans. However, county clerks believe that number is inflated because some people believe they are filing as independents.

Among the party members who filed Monday at the Clark County Election Department: Steven Dempsey, who refused to give his address, so he filed for the 1st Congressional District the same way a homeless person would by using four cross streets. However, he was able to access an ATM machine to pay the filing fee. He refers to himself as "Captain Truth."

How much impact will the Independent Americans have on close races?

Hansen said the party pulls from conservative Democrats as well as conservative Republicans, so he rejected the idea that his party could help elect Democrats by pulling from Republicans.

"There are a lot of conservative Democrats who are pro-life, pro-Question 2, who are pro-Second Amendment, who can't bring themselves to vote for Republicans but will vote for an Independent American candidate, " he said.

Democratic State Party Chairman Terry Care said his inclination "is to say they'll pull more from Republicans," which would be good news for his party's candidates. In what is expected to be a tight congressional race between Democrat Dario Herrera and Republican Jon Porter, Care said, "It will help Dario. It could help us with some of the more closely contested state Senate races as well."

Independent American Party candidates Steven Dempsey, left, and Joel Hansen file for office Monday at the Clark County Election Department

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(Partial)
National Platform

of the Independent American Party

(Adopted by National Committee on 19 January 2002)

(Note:  The following Legacy and Family sections of the platform have been adopted, subject to revision for writing style.  Additional sections, outlined below, are expected to be adopted at subsequent National Committee meetings.)

 

LEGACY

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

God

We honor and recognize the Creator as the giver of our Rights and Liberties (Declaration of Independence). We believe that to maintain freedom, our political institutions must be founded upon faith in God and moral law (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson).

We fully support the first official Presidential Proclamation issued in the United States, "...it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will... that we may unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations... [and] to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue..." (by George Washington, October 3, 1789 in response to a joint request by both Houses of Congress to institute a national day of Thanksgiving and prayer).

Christian Nation

We acknowledge that America is historically and demographically a Christian nation tolerant of all religions. We believe the First Amendment protects the right to publicly acknowledge God. We recognize the Bible (America’s first school textbook) as the primary source of principles upon which our Laws and Constitution are founded.

We fully support our national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" and oppose any efforts to remove it from our coins and currency. We believe the First Amendment to the Constitution, allows for Prayer in all public buildings, allows for Bible reading, and allows the display of the Ten Commandments in public places.

First Amendment

We believe in keeping government out of religion, not religion out of government. We believe that religion is basic to good government. We uphold the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion.

We support the original meaning of the separation of church and state prohibiting the establishment of a national religion (e.g., Church of the U.S.). "Separation of church and state" does not mean prohibiting God from every aspect of public life.

Paganism

We oppose secular humanism, paganism and Satan worship, not in terms of freedom of speech, nor as an attack on religious beliefs, but in terms of its ultimate negative impact upon families, communities, the survival of our Nation, and the erosion of those principles and values which have made this Country great

PATRIOTISM

Love of Country

We consider Patriotism as a manifestation of how we express our love for this great Country, its ideals and potentials, and in our being vigilant in protecting and preserving our Constitution, freedom, all other fundamental rights, and heritage.

We affirm that Patriotism does not mean blind submission to Government. Since the American flag is the symbol of our freedom and the sacrifice of countless Americans, we strongly oppose any desecration of the flag.

Vigilance

We believe that Patriotism requires vigilance in protecting our Rights and Liberties. We commend those who have taken a lawful stand against all threats, foreign and domestic, in defending our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and our National Sovereignty and Independence.

We agree with the attitude of Patrick Henry: "Give me Liberty or give me death!" We consider it Patriotic for every American to inform self and others, to sound the alert, and to stand up for America while freedom can still be preserved.

Citizenship

We favor responsible voting, civic involvement and community service. We favor taking personal responsibility for one's actions. We oppose blaming our mistakes, crimes, sins and other failings on the environment, genetics, upbringing or "society."

 

FAMILY

TRADITIONAL FAMILY

Family Unit

We recognize that the traditional family unit, not the government, is best suited to promote character development, the advancement of morality, decency, propriety, integrity, honor, personal responsibility, patriotism, citizenship, community involvement, service, sacrifice, teamwork, respect and tolerance for differences in religion, race, and culture. 

We recognize that marriage is meant to be a union of one man and one woman. We encourage laws which strengthen and support the traditional family and its values.

Family Rights

We support the parents' fundamental right and responsibility to nurture, educate, and discipline their children. We affirm the rights and duties of families in the care of their elderly and handicapped members. Assumption of any of these responsibilities by any governmental agency usurps the fundamental right of the parents.

Government Intrusion

We oppose the intrusion into the family by any government agency unless absolutely necessary to protect children or adults from truly abusive situations. Even in these situations due process must be accorded all parties involved. There shall be no presumption of guilt based on "anonymous" tips and those accused must have their Constitutional right to face their accusers in a court of law guaranteed (6th Amendment).

Child care or the regulation of child care is not a legitimate function of government but is an unconstitutional intrusion into the private affairs of American families.

MORALITY

Promotion

We favor voluntary promotion of moral values in the entertainment media, including the internet, television, radio, music, motion pictures, reading material, etc. We favor the promotion, by schools, the media and clergy, of abstinence from non-marital sex.

We oppose homosexuality, same-sex marriages, sexual exploitation of children, fornication, incest, bestiality, sodomy, adultery, pornography, etc. as threats to traditional family values and as an abomination to the Creator.

We see perversion and immorality as the primary cause behind the fall of all great nations. We maintain that people engaging in acts of homosexuality have no special rights or privileges, and those living in such relationships have no familial rights or privileges such as adoption of children and legitimacy of marriage.

Government

We support legislation protecting the Family from mounting influences which weaken the Family unit. While respecting individual rights and agency, we oppose legitimizing immorality. Neither Congress nor the federal courts should infringe the rights of state and local governments to enact constitutional laws restricting public obscenity, pornography, and illicit sex acts, especially prostitution and homosexuality (10th Amendment). We oppose the use of tax dollars to finance immoral art, literature, speech or actions.

LIFE

Sanctity and Protection of Life

We affirm that life begins at conception, and that the fetus is a human being with the same inalienable rights as all mankind. We are opposed to abortion with rare exceptions. We advocate the security and protection of all human life, including the unborn, handicapped, infirm, and aged. We oppose cloning of human life. We oppose the distribution and use of all abortion-type pharmaceuticals.

Government

The paramount responsibility and obligation of any government is to protect the life and all other rights of each person within its jurisdiction. We oppose government funding and support at any level of any organization or entity, foreign or domestic, which advocates, encourages or participates in the practice of abortion. 

We refute the suggestion that parents have a legal right to kill their own children, whether born or unborn. We are opposed to partial-birth abortion, which is clearly infanticide.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND GAMBLING

We recognize that alcohol, drugs and gambling are among the chief causes of poverty, broken homes, juvenile crime, political corruption, and wasted manpower in the United States.

We favor Legislation which provides stronger deterrents against committing crimes under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. We favor stiff penalties for DUI and other drug and alcohol-related violations. We support the right of local governments to place restrictions on the sale and advertising of alcoholic beverage products. We support efforts to restrain the sale and use of illegal drugs

We consider gambling as a threat to the financial stability of the home. We oppose government sponsorship, involvement in, or promotion of gambling, e.g., lotteries, or subsidization of tribal casinos, etc.

* * * * *

Outline of other sections to be considered at future National Committee meetings:

FREEDOM

        A. GUN RIGHTS
        B. PROPERTY RIGHTS
        C. RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
        D. LIBERTY
        E. OTHER RIGHTS

EDUCATION

        A. ACADEMIC
        B. VALUES
        C. AUTHORITY
        D. HOME SCHOOL

SOCIETY

        A. CRIME
        B. HEALTH
        C. SOCIAL SECURITY
        D. WELFARE
        E. NATURAL RESOURCES

MONEY

        A. FREE ENTERPRISE
        B. TAXATION
        C. MONEY & BANKING

CONSTITUTION

        A. GENERAL
        B. LEGISLATIVE
        C. EXECUTIVE
        D. JUDICIAL
        E. STATES RIGHTS
        F. CON-CON

GOVERNMENT

        A. GENERAL
        B. ELECTIONS
        C. FEDERAL USURPATION

DEFENSE

        A. MILITARY READINESS
        B. NATIONAL SECURITY
        C. HEMISPHERIC DEFENSE
        D. INTERVENTION

SOVEREIGNTY

        A. DOMESTIC
        B. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
        C. GLOBAL GOVERNMENT

 

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Freedom is our Heritage and our Destiny!

[vance]

**Nine of the 54 are from the Hansen family.

So nepotism is the order of the day? The new Kennedys?

[poet]

"Nine of the 54 are from the Hansen family,"

Do we need another family group to determine who will run against whom in the future if they are sucessful?

We already have the bushs, kennedeys, lodges, rockefellers, etc., etc who determine our candidates along with the unseen power brokers?

Their platform sounds wonderful, but, don't we now have a similiar set of like principles in a document called the Constitution?

Possible future corruption by a new powerful family?

Not for me, thank you.

[xvb]

Sounds more like a cult, than a political party. And of course these types hurt the GOP.

[poet]

"these types hurt the GOP."

Respectfully, I disagree. The gop hurts the gop. They have shown they stand for ANYTHING that will get them votes.
They are no longer the opposition of the demrats, they are accomplices. Don't believe me? check out what has transpired in the last year domesticcally. Isn't "war" a great diversion?

[LarryLied]

Any Nevada freepers know more about this party and the Hansons?

Torie...your take on the Nevada races if you would :-)

[winodog]

I know they have been around for a long time. As far as this family becoming the bushes or clintons, that is not gonna happen.

I would support them and probaly vote for some of them.I think all conservative groups like this one need to band together to form one party.There are too many out there dividing the vote.A third party needs to arise out of somewhere. Nevada is a good aplace as any.

The GOP is not going to become more conservative untill they are defeated and the dems take over the house, senate and P.I can see this party taking votes away from Porter and I would hate to see the scumbag Darrio become a member of congress but I bet that is what happens.

[bkwells]

Never heard of 'em.... But I've only been in the state less than 2 years.

[LarryLied]

The Democrat party achieved the success it did because other groups such as the Socialist Party and the Communist Party USA used it as a proxy. At times they opposed the DNC head-on but usually they voted Democrat and used their numbers as a magnet to drag the party to their position. Conservative third parties spend more time going after the Republican party than Democrats. The 14,000 members of the IAP is a nice voting block. Enough to be a power broker in the Republican party in the state. They should use their power rather than squander it by defeating Republicans. If they don't, they will suffer the same fate as the Libertarian Party.

[deport]

• Independent American Party of Nevada
• Independent American Party -- National [hqtrs... UT]

[LarryLied]

Thanks for the national link. They are against the FTAA: Stiff Right Jab: Obsta Principiis

There has to be, or should be, a conservative group between the lunatics Libertarians who want open borders and those who fear free trade.

See they are starting a chapter in Hawaii. Are Mormons heavily represented in this party?

[deport]

Are Mormons heavily represented in this party?

I have no idea.... Just found the site when doing a google on them...

[rellimpank]

--they have less numbers than the Libertarians and as has been mentioned, they probably pick up some votes that are for an "Independent".

In the '98 senatorial election, the margin of victory for Harry "Clinton" Reid was about 400 votes statewide--The Libertarian got about that many, the American Independent got about the same and about 400 votes were "spoiled" and unretrievable in the Reno area. If any of these groups of votes had gone to John Ensign, Reid would have lost--

[LarryLied]

Even more tragic because Ensign is no RHINO.

[winodog]

Good point and many people who would have voted for ensign voted against him because he softened his pro gun, anti abortion platform and ran more as a moderate.

[LarryLied]

Can't decide if this is good or not.

[Bob J]

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[weikel]

Banning gambling would kill Nevada these guys are the types of conservatives who hurt our image( they want to force a puritanical society on us thats a diffrent type of totalitarian then a commie but still a totalitarian).

[weikel]

Yep my opinion too these puritan types should be ruthlessly purged from the Republican party.

[weikel]

Banning gambling in Nevada would be economic suicide for that patch of desert.