Ron Carey, Minnesota Republican chair, has said that there are a lot of Minnesotans who are Republican but just don't know it yet. I believe that is particularly true in west central Minnesota. What are your core beliefs?
Republicans support the protection of individual liberty. We believe in the free enterprise system, the encouragement of individual initiative, personal responsibility, and property rights. We support the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. What do you believe?
Second, Republicans support a strong United States. The nation is at war against terrorism at home and abroad. We believe in a strong military and unwavering support of their mission. In 2002, a bipartisan majority in Congress voted to authorize the mission in Iraq. Yet we have heard a never-ending litany of criticism of the conduct of that mission for political gain. This month we have seen an increase in U.S. casualties in an attempt to influence American elections. Do we have the resolve to complete the mission? Do you think the enemy will quit trying to kill us if we leave Iraq?
Third, Republicans believe in limited government grounded in constitutional principles. We hold dear the principles embodied in the Constitution -- that the powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed, and the rule of law. Therefore, we believe that activist judges, elected by no one, should not legislate from the bench and infer constitutional provisions that don't exist in the document. Well-intentioned government programs have created entire communities of entitlement-dependent single-parent families. Is government always the solution or is big government the problem?
The Declaration of Independence says we are "endowed by their Creator, with... Unalienable rights... Life, Liberty and Pursuit of happiness." This document recognizes a higher power and establishes the right to life, the right to be free, but doesn't grant the right to happiness, only the pursuit of it. Republicans embrace these principles; many in the other party do not. What do you believe?
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Roland A. Nissen
Willmar
