North Carolina Federation of College Republicans Platform
Preamble
We, the members of the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans, assert the strong moral principles of conservative philosophy; and in so doing, represent a growing majority of Carolinians. We hold that (1) the God-given sanctity of life must be respected and protected throughout all its stages; (2) lower taxation leads to smaller, less intrusive government, which ultimately results in greater freedom for the individual and greater prosperity for society; (3) individual freedom, both moral and economic, must not be seized without force nor right through excessive governmental control; (4) just warfare is an ethical concept and one of the primary functions of our government is the defense of its citizenry; (5) education, by formal means or life experience, is key to self-fulfillment and good citizenship; (6) a healthy environment is crucial to a healthy life; (7) the leaders of our Republic must honor and preserve the original meaning of the U.S. Constitution; and (8) all Americans should participate in our free elections and representative government.
Article I: Constitution
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans vigorously defends the original integrity of the U.S. Constitution.
1. We hold that the plain meaning of the Constitution should be the law of the land.
2. We support the strict constructionist judicial philosophy of reading the plain meaning of the Constitution, as our Founding Fathers intended.
3. We believe that any changes to the Constitution should be made as prescribed within the founding document.
4. We reject attempts to discredit the original meaning of the Constitution by legal Darwinists, who claim that such meaning must "evolve" over time.
5. We oppose activist judges, who see appointment as a lifetime invitation to dictate their will through legislating from the bench.
6. We vow to support the nomination and appointment of conservative judges and justices who will uphold our laws and the Constitution.
Article II: Life
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans fully believes in the sanctity of all human life.
1. We hold that every human being has innate value, endowed by its Creator.
2. We recognize that life begins at conception and must be respected from that point forward
3. We believe that human dignity is not lessened, marginalized, or lost through a person's dependence or helplessness.
4. We oppose the termination of unborn children, the procedure of partially birthing a child to destroy it, and all active forms of euthanasia.
5. We also oppose the destruction of embryos for research and the concept of human cloning.
6. We support adoption and parental rights to monitor and control the so-called "family planning" decisions of minors.
7. We support a constitutional amendment which explicitly acknowledges that human life begins at conception, although we concurrently hold that the Constitution ought to already be understood as mandating this statement.
8. We believe that pro-life candidates running for high office, particularly those seeking the Presidency or Senate should be supported by our Grand Old Party and the great people of North Carolina.
Article III: Lower Taxes
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans holds the dual proposition that lower taxation is both a moral and economic victory for the average American.
1. We believe that lower taxes lead to smaller, less intrusive government.
2. We recognize that higher taxation makes our state less attractive to both individuals and businesses, harming residents, while discouraging the influx of jobs and new talent.
3. We believe that less governmental intrusion, coupled with more expansive economic power vested in the individual, grants Americans substantially greater freedom.
4. We believe that greater freedom leads to greater enterprise, benefiting the one and bettering the many.
5. We also hold that great freedom allows superior moral and intellectual development
6. We vigorously oppose the continuing collectivization of economic authority in the hands of governmental elite, as well as their attempts to redistribute working people's wealth according their own whims.
7. We shame those who seek higher taxes to divide Americans with entitlements and subsidies, or promise thereof, for the hidden purpose of creating electoral constituencies.
8. We reject the idea that budget shortfalls mandate hikes in taxation.
9. Our answer to problems of deficit spending is a reduction in spending.
Article IV: Freedom
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans believes in the founding vision of America; the vision that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights.
1. We hold that individual freedom is a Divine gift that should not be taken without warrant.
2. We believe that the necessary limitations on people were well imposed by the Constitution of our Founding Fathers and that these limitations should not be unduly expanded.
3. We specifically denounce attempts to infringe on the First Amendment right of free speech and the
Second Amendment right to bear arms.
4. We denounce those who seek to undermine the basis of our freedom; that is, belief in God and the innate value of the human being.
5. We oppose the emasculation of freedom, through redistribution of wealth by government taking.
6. We oppose limiting freedom for the purpose of racial discrimination; whether springing from greed, prejudice, or fair intention (including affirmative actions).
7. We vow to serve as a conservative voice for all Carolinians and as a bulwark against those who would
infringe upon their God-given rights and freedoms.
Article V: Just Warfare
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans believes that self defense, or just warfare, is a moral and ethical concept.
1. We hold that the defense of our populace is a primary function of government.
2. We believe that an overwhelmingly strong United States military is key to a peaceful world and global economy.
3. We declare our desire to maintain the United States as the world's sole super power.
4. We vow to fight any attempts to lessen or destroy the sovereignty or military might of our great nation.
5. We recognize that terrorism requires a modern understanding of just warfare and realize that, at times, the fight must be taken to the enemy.
6. We acknowledge that the integrity of our nation's borders must be defended and that the lack of security thereof constitutes a dire national problem.
7. We strongly support our troops and hold the highest respect for their sacrifices.
8. We will not tolerate unpatriotic and un-American hatred directed towards those who would give their life, to save our way of life.
Article VI: Education
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans believes that education, or the process of learning, is fundamental to living well and finding the good.
1. We hold that learning should be a life long process.
2. We recognize that learning can take place in both formal and informal settings.
3. We believe that great respect should be accorded to educators, students, and alumni; to encourage
further scholarship and recognize the value of continuing education.
4. We strongly believe that an educated workforce creates more wealth for all.
5. We believe that North Carolina should provide the most excellent possible education for the children of our state.
6. We put forth that on the whole, parents are the best judge of their child's needs.
7. We believe that parents should choose what sexual information is relayed to their children in an academic setting.
8. We oppose school-based social programs that attempt to bypass parental authority.
9. We strongly support school choice; to allow parents the freedom needed to best educate their children, including the freedom to home school them.
10. We also hold that school choice introduces competition into a stagnant and monopolistic bureaucracy that is adverse to needed change.
11. We believe that competition induces positive change, because it forces organizations to improve.
12. We hold that superior teaching results in superior education
13. We believe that teachers should be compensated, retained, and promoted based on the quality of their service, not its length.
14. We hold that all schools, public or otherwise, should seek to instill in their students the moral Western values of our country; in part, by prominently displaying the American flag, accompanied by the American motto, "In God we trust."
15. We support the reintroduction of prayer in public schools.
16. We resist any attempts to rend the testament, "under God," from the Pledge of Allegiance.
17. We oppose liberal social engineering in schools, particularly when at the expense of the taxpayer.
18. We believe that all children should have equal access to higher education, based on merit and free of racial discrimination.
19. We vigorously encourage all high school graduates to seriously weigh the benefits of the college experience.
Article VII: Environment
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans is a strongly environmentalist organization.
1. We believe that North Carolina's pristine environment must be protected, along with the greater environment of our nation and the world.
2. We are committed to preserving our state's air quality, clean water, grand forests, and diverse wildlife.
3. We support government regulations where necessary and encourage self-regulation.
4. We believe that landowners should be compensated when their property is taken, or the use thereof restricted, in the interests of conservation.
5. We support environmental policy based on sound scientific judgment, not pseudoscience or popular mythology.
6. We strongly believe in reaching out to other nations, in an international effort to reduce and control world pollution.
The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans encourages enthusiastic participation in all local, state, and federal elections.
Article VIII: Elections
1. We promise to vigorously pursue the awakening of political interest in all our state's collegiate scholars, as well as young graduate and professional students.
2. We believe that the will of the people must be heard if our system of government is to remain fair and effective.
3. We are confident that increasing voter interest will lead to a greater nation.
4. We are also confident that the Republican Party will continue to thrive while competing in fair elections.
5. We believe that every vote counts and that the act of voting is a civic duty.
6. We believe elections can be won with the politics of selfless volunteerism.
7. We believe that elections can be won through the promotion of our own ideas and not the belittlement of our opponent’s ideas.
Together, we can bring ideas and idealism back to the forefront of politics.
Article IX: Immigration
1. We are a nation of immigrants, all of us being descended from or being immigrants ourselves, proud to undertake a difficult mission to enjoy the liberties and opportunities America has or had to offer.
2. We laud those who have come to this country to enjoy the liberties and opportunities, and through which have improved the life of their descendents.
3. We believe that all immigrants to this nation should come through these lines and, like us or our ancestors complete the immigration process with respect for our laws and procedures.
4. We believe our government has the duty to secure our border and to prevent illegal immigrants from violating our laws and unfairly benefiting from our public resources.
5. We believe that, like us or our ancestors, that immigrants to this country should learn English, not to benefit ourselves, but because it is necessary for them to survive and thrive in their new nation.
6. We condemn other governments and regimes that oppress their people, who undertake to make slaves out of their people, and who force people out of their homes at gunpoint. We welcome those people from communist nations and other totalitarian states who love liberty and opportunity.
Conclusion
As members of the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans, we stand for conservative values, social awareness, and the politics of selfless volunteerism. We represent the best of our Grand Old Party and we are its future. With a growing base of thousands in statewide membership, the College Republicans have become a relevant player in Carolina politics. Republican candidates have come to appreciate the enormity of our influence and we have helped many to achieve electoral victory. By that token, membership in our Federation is a prestigious badge that politicians and pundits alike have come to respect. Join us and help make a difference...
Originally Written by John Plecnik (Duke University)
Amended in Convention in 2008 by Samuel Tasher (Duke University)
Amended in Convention in 2009 by Amber Kite (NCSU), Anna Gravely (Meredith), and Bethany Greene (UNC-W)