Nebraska

Nebraska Republicans
by Danielle China

           As the Nebraska Republican Party, we believe that the strength of the state and what we may accomplish as a state is rooted in our people. It is believed that the maintenance of the government of the state of Nebraska is critical to the input and participation of the citizens of this state. The government that we, the Nebraskan Republican Party believes in, is a “good government”. This government should guarantee to individuals equality before the law regardless of race, creed, age, gender, national origin, or income level and that each person’s ability, dignity, and freedom, as well as responsibilities, must be recognized and honored. The government should promote the health, welfare, and safety of the individual and that government’s proper function is to do only those things which individuals cannot do for themselves. We as the Republican Party of Nebraska believe that this party can be used as a vehicle for all persons who desire a positive and responsive government at the city, county, state, and national levels.
           The top issues that the Nebraskan Republican Party are concerned with are: Agriculture, Economic Development, Education, Health Care, Human Rights, Family, Fiscal Responsibility, Environment & Natural Resources, Social Services, and Defense and Foreign Policy.
           Agriculture is seen not only as a basic industry to Nebraska, but as a cornerstone of the economy. Programs to help agriculture, both long and short term must be able to balance between the commodity groups to ensure that the individual commodities will not be adversely affected. Support for the development of research and development facilities within our state party is very strong. Our leading agricultural commodities in 1995 were cattle, corn, hogs, and soybeans.
The belief of economic development for the Republican Party is deep rooted in the fact that full employment and the creation of economic opportunity is for all citizens of Nebraska through the free enterprise system. Aggressive and judicious recruitment of business for the state is supported for the retention of business within the state as well as the repeal of the capital gains tax to help spur economic development and the creation of jobs. Along with the provision of fundamental services in a quality manner, the establishment of fair and equitable policies of taxation, the encouragement of expansion, and reducing government regulation for businesses on the state of Nebraska. It is also supported that the development of enterprising zones is needed to assist in the further development of businesses where needed to stimulate economic growth.
The Nebraskan Republican Party also believes that education plays a vital role in the development of effective and responsible citizens. This is supported by the affirmation of the local school board holding the primary responsibility of their respective school districts as well as all children (K-12) receive an excellent education. Federal control and funding of education is opposed due to the fact that it erodes the fundamental parental right to control their own children’s education. The School-to-Work Career program is vehemently opposed because this will
           1) not only turn our free enterprise system into a planned and managed economy
           2) it places the burden of training of the students on taxpayer rather than the employer
           3) also every student has the right to determine their own future and career path, there is no need for students to be forced into a career path at the elementary/secondary age
           All educators and administrators who assist in the preparation of the student for their future decisions are commended and recognized from our state party because they are securing the future of the freedom and security of the United States.
We also support educational alternatives because the family is a basic function of the state. We encourage the families to take a larger role in their children’s education. We also encourage the “support of parental choices in the are of education as adding to the richness and diversity of our culture and the pluralistic matrix of American society”. The reinforcement of aforementioned statement “we support an education system based on a parental choice voucher program…” this drives the principles of the free market competition into education.
           It is also believed that every citizen should have access to quality and affordable health care. The availability of health care in rural areas is necessary to support economic development within the neighborhood. Reimbursements must be adequate to the providers in order for necessary health care services to be provided to all Nebraskans. These reimbursements must also be at such a level such that the uncompensated costs of health care are not shifted to other paying consumers. A health care plan must place the individual first and therefore implement such measures such as medical savings account so that families will always have control over their health care options. It is also supported that the American family should have the ability to purchase their own health insurance privately and if this is allowed there should be legislation that allow a 100% deductibility off their taxes for this private purchase. We also believe that individuals have to right to be educated and informed of all possible exposures to all health harming elements regardless of any legal basis of confidentiality. Schools should not provide comprehensive health services because this is a right of the family. If this family right is usurped it will undermine the integrity of the family that this country is founded on. Taxpayer family planning clinics are also opposed as well as minors receiving contraceptives without prior parental consent and all health care facilities should be subject to federal regulations and inspections.
           Our strong support of human rights reaffirms our position that everyone has the inalienable right to human dignity and equal treatment under the law. It is our belief that equal rights and responsibilities is basic to a free society. No discrimination should take place regardless of being physically or mentally challenged, race, religion, color, creed, gender, age, marital status, or national origin. We believe that equal pay and benefits should be given for equal work for all people. It is opposed that any extra effort made to extend special laws or privileges to anyone based upon sexual preference.
Our commitment is reaffirmed by the freedoms that are given and guaranteed by the constitution of the United States for the freedom of religion and speech. We also reaffirm the privilege that all people can practice the same, including the right of students to practice voluntarily prayer in school and commencement ceremonies.
           The unborn child, we believe, has fundamental rights. We endorse legislation to amend the 14th amendment to include protections for the unborn child. We believe that life is to be cherished, not eliminated; therefore, we do not support the use of public revenues or organizations that fund abortion as well as the testing or introduction of abortifacients (such as RU486). We support the alternatives to abortion such as adoption to help meet the needs of the expectant mother.
We oppose the practice of euthanasia, assisted suicide, infanticide, fetal tissue research, and partial birth abortion. We believe that the traditional criteria for death be used before organs are harvested for donation as well as it is the individuals right to determine to utilize artificial maintenance to sustain life.
           As stated previously in our party platform, we believe that family is a foundation that is needed in our country; therefore society is only as strong as the institution and scanty of marriage and the family. We believe that family, home, religion, and the neighborhood are institutions that this country was founded on. Because this country was founded on aforementioned basis, we seek to eliminate the red tape that prevents and prolongate the adoption process for those families who have the ability to provide a strong family with traditional values. To us it is a national disgrace that children are trapped in a foster care system when there are families who are ready, willing and able to adopt.
           We as the Nebraskan Republican Party, have different beliefs as to what the federal and state fiscal responsibilities are. For federal, we belief that balancing the budget is essential to continued economic growth. We have committed ourselves to not only eliminating the deficit and debt but also eliminating excessive spending. We support a constitutional amendment that requires a balanced budget and the repeal of the capital gains tax. For state fiscal responsibilities, we believe that there must be limits on the increases in state spending by the state and local governing bodies. State policy must reflect basic changes in our economy. As well as tax equity being best secured with a relatively broad base with a minimum of exemptions in conjunction of low tax rates. Elected officials are encouraged and urged to modify statutes and policies of the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations regarding public sector wages and evaluate the various tax policies of the state for the purpose of reducing property taxes.
           Environment and natural resources are vital to the survival of the agriculture of the state of Nebraska; therefore our main concern is using, conserving, and management of both soil and water. Neither of these resources should be considered as a saleable resource. They must be conserved for this and all future of all Nebraskan generations. Other environmental policy should be balanced between environmental concerns and economic concerns and yet not threaten private property rights.
           In regards to social services, we as the Nebraskan Republican Party, believe that the government and society should provide assistance to those who can not provide for themselves. Yet simultaneously, the individuals should learn to become self-supporting, productive individuals with pride in their independence.
           Our belief in defense and foreign policy is deeply rooted in the belief that spread of democracy and economic liberty is the best guarantee of peace. We believe that “Peace thorough strength” is the Republican policy for survival and the triumph of America and the freedom that it stands for which precludes a hollow military. Our men and women should be the finest trained military and if a hollow military was to be created, an effective and resilient military would not be built in a day if we have to go to war. In addition, we, as Americans, can not ruin our greatest asset, for whom we depend upon for our security.
As the Nebraskan Republican Party, we support our veterans and guarantee that funding will be maintained to their hospitals and medical care system. Also, we fervently oppose homosexuals in the military in order to keep good order, morale, and discipline.
           Regarding foreign aid or involvement, we as a nation should a have a national interest and a reasonable relationship. In order for this to be determined, we support a review of such programs to ensure that they are effectual and justified.