PLATFORM OF THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
Adopted March 2024
PREAMBLE
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men were created equal, that they are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed.” ~Declaration of Independence
The Snohomish County Republican Party reaffirms the words of our founding fathers that we are one nation under God, dedicated to preserving the Republic we were given, and the integrity of the principles in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Republicans believe the primary responsibility of the government is to protect the rights of the individual; each person’s ability, dignity, freedom, right of conscience and responsibility must be honored and recognized. The role of the traditional family, as the basic unit of our community, must be respected, protected, and nurtured. We believe in free enterprise, private property rights, medical autonomy, and encouragement of individual incentive are fundamental to our free society.
PURPOSE
This platform is a statement of the goals and purposes of the Snohomish County Republican Party; it is an action plan on policy matters. These are the principles that define the proper role of government, the limits to its reach to protect our freedom, while addressing current issues.
We dedicate time, talent, and efforts to electing those candidates who represent these principles and commit to implementing them into public policy.
SECTION 1: Limited Government
We believe limited government is essential to a free society. Our Founders created a Constitution granting the federal government only limited and enumerated powers, underscored by the passage of the Tenth Amendment. Constitutional limitations on powers of the federal and state governments are essential toward building economic prosperity and fostering individual freedom. Needless duplication of state and federal programs and policies should cease.
SECTION 2: Liberty, Rule of Law, and Justice
The priority of government is to protect the individual God given rights of its citizens. The government must act within its constitutional limits to protect our liberty and freedom from the government itself. It is the responsibility of our lawmakers to enact only minimal regulations that are necessary to serve and protect the rights of the citizens.
The US and Washington State Constitution are the supreme law of the land. They serve to protect the individual citizens’ rights. Those rights were framed in order of importance by the founders and shall NOT be infringed.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech (or thought), or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the RIGHT of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. We have the constitutional right to assemble and protect ourselves from our own government as well as invading forces, mass-infiltration of illegal immigrants, cartels and traffickers at our open borders and shores, should that need arise. We also support reciprocity between Washington and all other states for holders of state issued concealed carry permits.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Today, this must include government access to the citizens digital footprint whether obtained through public/private partnership, shared foreign intelligence spying (FVYE or Five Eye), or direct access unwarranted search and seizure.
Both the State and National constitutions provide the framework for proper legislative process.
All laws and regulations shall be written by our legislators and not by unelected bureaucrats, special interest stake holders, NGO’s, or their attorney’s.
The Executive branch shall NOT legislate by executive order, emergency powers should be provided to the government for NO longer than 7 days to allow time for our full legislature to assemble, deliberate and legislate as a FULL deliberative body and NOT by committee.
The Judiciary’s responsibility is to rule on existing laws and original intent; NOT to legislate from the bench.
The Government is to work for and on behalf of the people, we call on all officials to embrace this philosophy. Special interests and certain stake holders have become the focus to the detriment of the law-abiding, tax paying citizens.
We support a constitutional amendment that requires at least one citizen parent for a baby born in USA to be considered an American citizen.
We expect all laws to be enforced for the benefit and well-being of the people, in as much as these laws are in harmony with the Constitution and The Bill of Rights.
We expect all laws to be for the benefit of all the people without regard to or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
We expect our elected officials to be held to the same standards as any other citizen. There is one standard of law, and it is to apply to every citizen equally.
Republicans believe in open, honest, and transparent elections, where citizens have the right to audit and verify the results for themselves. We believe in the rule of law which states in our Constitution that only U.S. citizens are legally qualified to vote.
By law only a US citizen may register to vote in the US, must prove compliance with eligibility standards, and must provide picture ID with proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
Voter Rolls must be audited for citizenship and legal eligibility.
Chain of custody standards must be implemented to ensure security of the election.
We believe the most effective way to secure elections is to return to same day, vote in person, paper ballots, counted and processed on election day.
Section 3: Civil & Religious Liberty
The establishment clause of the first amendment has long been upheld as the standard preventing government from interfering in the church’s affairs. We support the original intent of the 1st Amendment concerning religion.
We support the right of individuals to exercise their religious principles, in their personal lives and in the management of their private businesses.
We support restricting the use of emergency orders or any other subversions of the constitution to restrict religious congregation or expression in any form.
We affirm the people of this nation and state have the right to create law through the initiative process, we call on the legislature to maintain this practice and not attempt to subvert the will of the people.
SECTION 4: Family & Marriage
A strong loving family is the safest and most nurturing environment for the upbringing, care, and moral training of children. It provides a foundation for a healthy community and a strong nation both now and into the future. Traditional marriage and family values, based on marriage between one biological man and one biological woman, is the foundation of a strong nuclear family and a free society.
We believe marriage is a religious establishment protected under the 1st amendment; government has no place defining or redefining its purpose or meaning.
We believe the parent is the primary stakeholder in a child’s life, we do NOT co-parent with the government.
We believe, for the safety and spirit of fairness, biological women and biological girls have the right to sports, restroom or locker room facilities separated and distinguished by their own biological sex.
SECTION 5: Sanctity of Life
Life is an unalienable right which shall not be infringed. No public funding should be used for any act which violates the right to life. We believe improved adoption processes will save millions of lives and help mothers choose LIFE over death.
Taxpayer funds should not be used for abortions, euthanasia, and assisted suicide nor organizations namely, Planned Parenthood that provide them. We support legislation which mandates that parents and guardians of minors be notified prior to such minors procuring medical procedures, including abortion.
We oppose the use of aborted human embryo cells in medical research, pharmaceuticals or any other industry that seeks to use them.
We stand opposed to human trafficking in all forms including but not limited to sexual slavery, sexploitation, organ harvesting and slave labor.
We support adoption reform, education, and resources to support parents in unplanned pregnancies.
SECTION 6: Quality of Healthcare
The American healthcare system has been overrun by bureaucrats who have allowed big-pharma and profits to effect consumer choice and access to quality health care. Insurance companies and attorney’s often make decisions on what care the patient has access to. We have one of the most expensive health care systems, yet many do not have access to life saving treatments. Doctors are often forced to cater treatment plans to government mandates, government assurances of safety and effectiveness without proof, simply following a guideline or following orders to keep their license or job instead of putting the patient’s safety and needs first.
Americans deserve quality, affordability and the freedom the choose their health care plans and providers and insurance plans. Health care reform must continue to be patient-focused and centered on the relationship of individuals with their health care providers using marketplace solutions that work to improve health outcomes, guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions, reduce unnecessary treatments allow for more innovation, introduce greater price transparency and remain accessible for all Americans.
Reform of the FDA approval process for both new and generic drugs has the potential to reduce drug costs and improve health outcomes, while deregulation of health insurance across state lines and meaningful tort reform can reduce medical service costs.
The absolute right of individuals and families to make medical determinations for themselves and their loved ones must never be surrendered to any government body or agency without vigorous due process. Considering the recent COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing debate concerning future vaccinations, we strongly oppose mandatory vaccination and treatment policies, lockdowns and vaccine passports.
Physicians, healthcare providers, pharmacy owners, and healthcare organizations must retain the right to exercise their professional judgment and freedom of conscience to provide for their patients in a manner consistent with the Hippocratic Oath of “First, do no harm.” Americans deserve quality, affordability, and the freedom to choose their health-care providers and insurance plans.
Government does not have the authority to mandate any invasive medical procedure, including vaccines even in times declared an “emergency”.
Health care reform must continue to be patient-focused and centered on the relationships of individuals with their health-care providers using marketplace solutions that work to improve health outcomes, guarantee coverage for preexisting conditions, reduce unnecessary treatments, allow for more innovation, introduce greater price transparency, and remain accessible for all Americans.
We support parental consent for minors who seek medical procedures, treatments, or pharmaceuticals. Parents are and always should be the primary stakeholders in their children’s welfare and medical decisions and have a right to access all health care information concerning their minor children.
We oppose all procedures leading up to gender reassignment in youth including puberty blockers and genital mutilations and view these procedures as child abuse.
We oppose government run and mandated health care. We believe the “Affordable Health Care Act” must be completely repealed.
We support the free-market principles to allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines.
We support cost-control through tort reform.
We support the right of employers, employees, and medical providers to define their benefits package without government intrusion.
Government does not have the right to any personal information exchanged between health care provider and patient.
We oppose any taxpayer funded illegal drug use sites, and needle exchange programs.
SECTION 7: Education
We believe education should prepare our children to enter adulthood with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a competitive employment. We recognize parents as a child’s primary teacher and advocate. Parents must have the primary right, responsibility, and choice in the education of their children.
Education must be knowledge-based and focus upon mastery of reading, writing and arithmetic in the lower grades. The K-12 curriculum must include English, writing, literature, math, personal finance, history, civics, geography, technology, science, foreign language, and the arts.
We support the right of parents to choose where and how to educate their children.
We oppose education and information in schools regarding the promotion of sexual behaviors and alternative lifestyles. We believe in parental authority over moral issues. We oppose Social Emotional Learning and Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
We believe that funding emphasis should be in the classroom and not in administration.
We support using standardized testing such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) as a check on schools and districts, but not as the ultimate authority or a requirement for graduation or as the measure of teacher evaluation.
We believe that local control of school curriculum serves students better than federal regulations and Common Core standards.
Washington schools and education should operate independent of federal funding and legislation.
We oppose the practice of schools taking students for birth control, abortions, hormone blockers, gender re-assignments, and other medical or psychological treatments. These practices are a clear violation of parental rights.
SECTION 8: Property Rights
Private property rights concern the legal and personal ownership of title or exclusive right to the control of property, which is protected by our Constitution.
We support the Washington State Constitution’s protection of individual private property rights as a core function of state, county, and local governments. Property rights must be reinforced and upheld.
We support the U.S. Constitution’s principle of individual private property rights over collective policy such as environmental mandates or government interests. These priorities must be re-established and maintained in Snohomish County.
We support repealing the Washington State Growth Management Act, which is an outgrowth of United Nations Agenda 21, including Vision 2030 & 2050, which infringes on private property rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
We support due process and the right of appeal regarding private property ownership and utilization. These must be strengthened and upheld to protect individuals from government intrusion.
We support full and fair compensation to property owners for all loss of use or lost market value due to environmental and/or regulatory mandates.
We believe the natural resources derived from personal private property including water, rainfall, minerals, and oil, are not owned by the government, and shall not be usurped, taxed, or otherwise infringed upon by any governmental agency.
SECTION 9: Community
We believe a strong work ethic is principal to American values. We believe in empowering individuals to work and contribute to society. Because enabling addicts to destroy their lives is inhumane, we oppose supervised heroin injection sites. We support funding for additional high-quality addiction treatment programs so that chronic, repeat offenders must choose jail or treatment and can be sent to either one immediately without option to self-check-out. Finally, we call for an increase in the quality and number of mental health facilities and hospitals to meet the needs of those who suffer from severe mental illness.
We value integrity, morality, commitment, patriotism, civility, gratitude, service, charity, thrift, and industry. We expect the promotion of these American values in schools and other publicly funded programs and events.
We favor local controls and governance close to the people. Community problems are best avoided or resolved through families, churches, local agencies, schools, and charities.
Homeless encampments in public areas should be prohibited. Homelessness is a tragic part of our society now more than ever, in large part due to mental health and drug addiction. It is inhumane to allow people to live in unsheltered squalor and unfair to everyone to have to deal with the consequences of this problem. We support the enrollment of all homeless in secure, clean and safe housing that is governed by enforceable rules. Low barrier homeless camps and tiny home villages without rules need to be closed. Homeless lawbreakers should be enrolled in treatment and actively engaged with social services if they wish to remain in the county’s public spaces. Otherwise, incarceration should be a conduit to services. A strong work ethic is a foundational American value, and all populations should be empowered to work and contribute to society as they are able. We support employment assistance, vocational training, and substance treatment for all homeless people. Living on the street must not be an option.
Government must distinguish and separate the components of homelessness, drug addition, mental illness, and housing costs. Each component must be dealt with individually.
SECTION 10: Transportation
A robust highway system is necessary for prosperity, commerce, and recreation in the State of Washington.
We believe that the reduction of traffic congestion should be the top priority of the Washington State Department of Transportation. (WSDOT)
We support the creation of new and expanded roadway infrastructure to reduce traffic congestion as the top priority of the WSDOT. We oppose any changes to zoning ordinances that allow higher density housing without a commitment to additional roadway infrastructure to support it.
We adamantly oppose adding any tolls to the state highway system; it is double taxation. We call for removing the toll structure on I 405.
Fuel taxes shall be used for the purpose of road and infrastructure construction and maintenance, and not be diverted to subsidize mass transit and bicycle lanes.
We oppose the use of GPS or any other means to tax automobile use per mile.
We oppose use of “revenue bonds” to bypass the voters on budgetary limitations on mass transit systems that do not pay for themselves.
SECTION 11: Economic Opportunity
Washington State should create a Business-friendly environment to promote robust economic growth.
We support the reduction of excessive taxation and regulation and interference on businesses and individuals.
We support the repeal of the Cap in Trade tax.
We support free market solutions to promote economic growth and prosperity as opposed to more government involvement.
We recognize the right to organize into private sector unions and to do so by secret ballot. We also recognize the right of individuals to opt out of union membership.
We oppose closed door negotiations between public sector unions and any Government officials.
We support the rights of union members to determine the allocation and use of their dues.
SECTION 12: Fiscal & Monetary Policy
Fiscal responsibility is essential to uphold the basic principles established in the United States Constitution in order to protect the sovereignty of the United States. Elected officials have a responsibility to control taxation and eliminate wasteful, inappropriate government spending. Spending must be aligned with priorities of government as those priorities are defined by the state and federal constitutions.
We support cutting the Federal budget, capping spending to a percentage of GDP, and adding a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Tax dollars should not be used to fund non-governmental entities such as NPR, Planned Parenthood, Twitter, Meta, etc.
We support requiring a 2/3 majority of the Washington State legislature to vote for any tax increase, as repeatedly approved by the voters.
We oppose a state income tax including capital gains tax, long term care tax, and the & PFLA tax.
We support a broader, flatter, simpler federal income tax.
We support openness and transparency in governmental and fiscal decision making.
Sales tax on Public Works Projects should be eliminated; this process diverts gas taxes intended for road projects back into the general fund.
We support thorough and independent audits of the Federal Reserve, National and State government, and their agencies.
SECTION 13: National Sovereignty
We believe the preservation of liberty is dependent upon the sanctity of our national sovereignty. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The President shall not negotiate, and the Senate shall not ratify, any treaties, U.N. resolutions, agendas, or foreign law, religious or otherwise, that are contrary to the U.S. Constitution. Agenda 21/2030, the Kyoto Protocol, Sharia Law, and other agreements threaten our sovereignty. Therefore, judges, state and local authorities must be barred from using or applying foreign agendas, laws, and resolutions for the purposes of interpreting the State and U.S. Constitutions and laws passed pursuant thereto and must be bound by their original intent. The sovereignty of the people of the United States must be protected and preserved.
SECTION 14: National Security
A strong national defense is necessary for government to fulfill its primary function, which is protecting its citizens and their individual rights. The United States faces near- and long-term security threats from our adversaries: growing cybersecurity and espionage threats, illegal border crossings, and the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. America’s national policy of peace through strength, coupled with enhanced border security, alliances with freedom-loving countries and diplomacy which has American interests as its highest priority are essential to safeguarding the national security of a sovereign United States.
The security of our nation is the responsibility of our federal government, its military, its law enforcement agencies, and a vigilant public. Peace comes through strength and deterrence.
We affirm alliance and defensive support to foreign nations, that share our principles of freedom, liberty, and national sovereignty.
We honor all past and current obligations to our troops, veterans, and their families. We support improving pay, allowances, and benefits.
Gun-free zones are not an effective deterrent to crime or terrorism, but rather encourage both. We support the right of individuals to be responsible for their own security.
SECTION 15: Borders and Immigration
The U. S. Constitution’s core principles of national sovereignty and domestic tranquility rest on impermeable international borders, upheld by justice predicated on enforced regulation of immigration. Without strong borders and enforced immigration regulation, there can be no national sovereignty, domestic tranquility, or ability to “secure the Blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” The federal and state governments are responsible for:
Securing our international borders and coastlines and building a border wall.
Enforcing existing immigration laws.
Sanctioning employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Ending all entitlement access to illegal immigrants.
Making English the official language of the United States.
We affirm the right of states to enforce immigration laws.
We support legal immigration and assimilation into our American culture.
We oppose the creation and practice of sanctuary cities, counties and states.
We support local law enforcement agencies (including all State, County, and municipal agencies) to work in cooperation with ICE.
We support a mass deportation of the Biden administration created mass invasion of our country through our porous and unsecured ports and boarder.
SECTION 16: Protection of Agriculture & Natural Resources
We believe vibrant agriculture and natural resource industries are critical to the health of the Washington economy and environment. Societies rise and fall based on the strength of agriculture. The free market is the best mechanism to secure a strong agricultural base. Abundant, domestically produced fertilizer, food, and access to water, essential technology and equipment are critical to our state’s prosperity and national security. We insist on the return of federally managed public lands to the states as promised in their Enabling Act, excluding existing national parks, congressionally designated wilderness areas, tribal lands, and military installations. Federal public lands shall become state public lands to be managed in accordance with state and local plans. State or federal acquisition of land should be curtailed, and procedures established for the disposition of lands for which there is no compelling public need. State trust lands need to be managed for the benefit of the entities entitled to their proceeds. We encourage local government to fully utilize state and federal statutes mandating coordination with agencies to protect agricultural and timber industries from overreaching regulations in rulemaking and plan revisions.
SECTION 17: Energy & Environment
We have a duty to protect the environment without violating individual property rights. Private land ownership enhances good stewardship of the land through each owner’s responsible oversight. We also believe that energy development should not be distorted by subsidies or crony capitalism.
We support energy independence. We support offshore and domestic drilling. We support making use of all available energy resources including safe nuclear power and hydroelectric dams.
We support reducing regulations and costs that hinder re-licensing of energy producing facilities.
We support the free-market determination of best energy production.
We oppose policies, taxes, and regulations based on the politics of climate change.