Okie GOPer NOper 2009 Platform Part I

Part II is posted here: http://okstonewall.org/forums/index.php?topic=3269.0

OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN PARTY 2009 PLATFORM
Table of Contents
Statement of Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
I. Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Preamble
A. Marriage, Children, and Adoption
B. Right-to-Life and Medical Ethics
C. Healthcare
D. Elderly and Vulnerable
E. Religious Freedom
F. General
II. Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .8
Preamble
A. Philosophy
B. Curriculum
C. Administration and Management
D. Higher Education
III. State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Preamble
A. Crime and Punishment
B. Economic Development
C. Election Reform
D. Environment, Water, and Energy
E. Immigration
F. Insurance
G. State - All Levels of Government
H. State Agencies and Departments
I. State Legislation/Legislature
J. Transportation
IV. Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Preamble
A. Defense
B. Foreign Policy
C. United Nations
D. Constitutional Issues
E. Social Security
F. Agriculture
G. Immigration
H. Election Reform
I. Federal General
J. Energy
V. Budget & Taxation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
National Preamble
A. Federal Budget & Taxation
State Preamble
A. State Budget and Taxation
VI. Addendum . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
A. Republican Party
B. Commendations
C. Condolences
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STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

We believe in limited government, individual liberty, and personal moral responsibility.
We believe Oklahoma should be a place of opportunity where people who work hard and abide by
the rules can pursue their own dreams with a reasonable expectation of success.
As Republicans we believe:
1. Our rights of life, liberty, and property are natural rights granted to us by God and
protected by the Constitution.
2. In the right to worship as we please without government intrusion or interference.
3. The federal government’s power is constitutionally limited, yet responsible for protecting our
sovereignty, establishing justice under law, and securing our liberty through a strong national
defense and effective law enforcement.
4. God is the Author and Creator of life and that all human life, both born and unborn, should be
protected.
5. In traditional marriage consisting of one man and one woman.
6. It is the private sector and free market principles that best stimulate economic development
rather than government subsidies or programs.
7. Taxes collected at all levels of government should be used only for legitimate government
functions, and those functions carried out efficiently so that tax rates may be kept as low as
possible.
8. That government closest to the people governs best and is preferred to centralized control.
9. It is the right of every parent to act in his or her children’s best interest including choosing the
form of education, whether public school, private school, or home school.
10. We should welcome immigrants who want to legally seek freedom and opportunity, who want
to work for a living and who will embrace our values, learn the English language, and respect
our national sovereignty.
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I. FAMILY

Preamble:
Traditional marriage, consisting of one man and one woman, is designed to provide for each
family member’s physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and social well-being. Both parents are
needed to support and encourage happiness, health, and a good education for their children,
creating the next generation of citizens who are constructive members of society. Multigenerational
families foster mutual respect and cooperation while providing support for extended
family members and forming enduring relationships. We believe God is the Author and Creator of
human life and that each individual should be treated with dignity and compassion. We insist that
any candidate receiving money and/or support from the Republican Party shall affirm and promote
the Pro-Life concept.

A. Marriage, Children, and Adoption

1. We affirm the state’s recognition that marriage between one man and one woman is a covenant
relationship, instituted by God, not to be entered into casually, and is fundamental to our very
existence and survival as a nation. Therefore, we strongly support a U.S. Constitutional
amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
2. We believe that the family is the cohesive element that maintains social order and protects
individual rights. The duty and privilege of nurturing our young people belongs to parents and
the traditional family. We support the right of parents to rear, educate, discipline, nurture, and
spiritually train their children without government interference. We also acknowledge and
support those who choose the vocation of homemaking.
3. We support tax policies, enactment of legislation, and public assistance policies that encourage
a commitment to traditional marriage and to strengthening families.
4. We support Federal and State legislation, which prohibits recognition of same-sex marriages,
civil unions, and/or domestic partnerships.
5. We oppose efforts to redefine marriage. Employers and taxpayers should not be forced to
violate their convictions or to bear the cost of granting “same-sex marriages” the benefits that
are due traditional marriages.
6. We believe that in order to encourage and protect family values, those promoting
homosexuality or other aberrant lifestyles, should not be allowed to hold responsible positions
over children which are not their own or over other vulnerable persons.
7. Children are a special gift from God, and their safety and protection are paramount. We
support strict adherence to due process of law during child abuse investigations. We oppose the
immediate removal of children from responsible family members unless abuse allegations are
confirmed or the child is in immediate danger.
8. We believe extended traditional family members should be eligible for foster care payments if
a child is being placed into their foster care. We recommend these payments be obtained from
the negligent parent(s).
9. We support holding the Department of Human Services and other State agents accountable and
provide for civil and criminal penalties when agents are negligent or abuse their authority.
10. We encourage an adoption process that recognizes the rights of parents while maintaining
safeguards for the children. Except for adoption by a qualified relative (as defined by existing
law), we support adoption only by traditional families.
11. We believe marriage should not be entered into casually and should not be dissolved easily.
Therefore, we call for states to repeal “no-fault” divorce statutes.
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B. Right-to-Life and Medical Ethics

1. We believe that at the point of conception, a person is granted the rights guaranteed in the U.S.
Constitution, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. We believe in the sanctity and value of human life from conception through natural death. We
oppose abortion (including the use of RU-486 or other abortion-inducing drugs), partial-birth
abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, mercy killings, embryonic stem-cell research, cloning,
distribution of cloned parts, and the funding of such by the government. We believe that human
embryos created by Invitro-Fertilization (IVF) are fully human and if not wanted by the genetic
parents, should be preserved until adoption. We support a Constitutional Amendment
protecting innocent human life.
3. We support the right of obstetrical and gynecological residency programs to refuse to provide
abortion training and the individual’s right to refuse to perform or assist in abortions. We also
support the right of hospitals, medical professionals, and pharmacists to refuse to participate in
abortions or dispense abortion-inducing drugs.
4. We recognize that learning of an unexpected pregnancy is a life-changing moment.
Therefore, we desire that a mother-to-be have sufficient time to explore all options
regarding this new life. We recommend at least a 14-day waiting period for a woman
considering an abortion and also strongly support and recommend that she be provided with:
a. Time-informed consent.
b. Information identifying the developmental status of the unborn child.
c. At least one ultrasound.
d. Evidence indicating that the unborn child can feel sensations of pain.
e. Information regarding the psychological and medical risks associated with
abortion, including the link between breast cancer and abortion.
f. Information on services available to mothers who choose to carry their children
to birth.
5. We believe in and support the father’s parental rights and responsibilities from conception
onward.
6. We support initiatives, which provide alternatives to abortion and respect life including
adoption.
7. As long as the unsafe practice of abortion continues, we insist that abortion clinics be required
to comply with the same medical and safety standards required of hospitals.
8. As long as abortion is available, we support enactment of legislation to require parental
notification and authorization at least 14 days prior to an abortion on a minor.
9. We believe in the teaching of abstinence as the only effective way of preventing pregnancies
and sexually transmitted diseases.
10. We further support parental notification before a minor is given birth control information
and/or contraceptives.
11. We support legislation that prohibits using any unborn child for the purpose of harvesting
and/or any service related to the donation or purchase or sale of organs and/or tissue.
12. We support the enactment of laws banning embryonic/fetal stem cell research and
encourage adult stem cell, amniotic stem cell, and/or umbilical cord blood stem cell
research.
13. We oppose unethical scientific experimentation.
14. We oppose the manufacture of human life through the process of cloning.
15. No person shall have nourishment and/or water withheld, unless that individual has signed a
written legal directive.
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C. Healthcare

1. We support the patient, family, doctor relationship and oppose nationalized medicine.
2. We oppose any legislation including international treaties, restricting the manufacture,
distribution, sale, or possession of nutritional substances other than necessary for
manufacturing, sanitation, full and accurate listing of all ingredients and tamper proofing. We
support full consumer access to safe alternative treatments including access to any and all
information regarding nutritional substances through any means of communication.
3. We believe parents should receive complete information and must give informed consent prior
to their child, or themselves, receiving any immunizations and may refuse any such
vaccination(s) for medical, religious, or other reasons of conscience without retribution.
4. We oppose any mandate requiring school age girls to be vaccinated with Gardasil, a new
vaccine against certain strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer.
5. We support privatization of the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs.
6. We support the development of a truly market-driven, health care delivery system that replaces
the employer and governmental third party payment systems, and further support:
a. Personal responsibility and education about maintaining health.
b. Options that include Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and/or Medical Savings
Accounts (MSA) that can be voluntarily contributed to, by a citizen or an
employer. These accounts should be made available to Medicare participants.
c. Accounts (HSA/MSA) that allow the individual freedom of choice in services in
both traditional and alternative healthcare options.
d. An individual’s right to elect not to have health insurance.
7. We oppose mandatory data collection including but not limited to the harvesting of DNA from
newborns or other individuals, brain scans, or genetic tests.
8. We support allowing individuals, private groups, and/or small businesses, the freedom to form
collective purchasing groups for the purpose of acquiring the healthcare of their choice.

D. Elderly and Vulnerable

1. We support the origin and sanctity of life as an inalienable right from God alone, and as being
defined in the Constitution of the United States. This definition of life begins with conception
and ends at natural death due to the failure of the body to survive its environment. We support
the protection of those who cannot defend themselves including the unborn, the disabled, and
the elderly.
2. To encourage family members to care for their loved ones, we support tax policies that help
alleviate costs.
3. We support financial policies that do not penalize the elderly who choose to marry.
4. We support strict standards, which preserve the dignity of the elderly and vulnerable when in a
retirement or nursing home.
5. We support vigorous prosecution of those who financially exploit or otherwise abuse the
elderly and/or vulnerable.

E. Religious Freedom

1. Our Founding Fathers based our Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of
Rights, and our early laws on the Bible and on traditional Judeo-Christian ethics and values.
We believe these documents are the basis for law, order, and behavior, allowing individuals,
including government workers and officials, the freedom to involve God in all activities
according to their conscience.
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2. We believe the religion clause of the First Amendment was meant to protect an individual’s
freedom of religion, not remove religion from public life.
3. We believe church leaders have the same freedom of speech rights as leaders of other
organizations, without the threat of penalties, including the loss of tax-exempt status for their
churches.
4. We oppose any government oversight, harassment, licensing, or taxation of religious
institutions and their ministries.
5. We support retaining the religious significance of national holidays and the display of religious
symbols in public places and oppose the removal of such.
6. We strongly support federal and state legislation to encourage and preserve inscriptions in or
on public buildings and on our currency, that have references to God, such as “In God We
Trust”.
7. We strongly support retaining the phrase “One Nation Under God” in the Pledge of
Allegiance.

F. General

1. We oppose the promotion of homosexuality, the elimination of laws against sodomy, and the
granting of minority protection or special status to any person based upon sexual preference or
lifestyle choices.
2. We believe that homosexuality is not a genetic trait but a chosen lifestyle.
3. We support limiting welfare benefits only to legal citizens of the United States, including
military service members and their dependents. We believe in a welfare policy that promotes
family unity, hard work, and individual responsibility. Those who repeatedly misuse the
system, or fraudulently misrepresent themselves, should forfeit further assistance.
4. We support the elimination of the state Lottery because of the negative effects on Oklahoma
families.
5. We support drug testing for any person applying for or receiving any type of government aid.
If illegal drugs are found to be present, all government assistance should be terminated until
that person is drug free for at least six months. We believe anyone who is a habitual illegal
drug user should not receive any type of government aid.
6. We support programs including faith-based organizations that promote traditional marriage,
marriage enrichment, abstinence education, and encourage responsible parenting.
7. We call for individuals, families, churches, and private organizations to take responsibility in
meeting the needs of the citizens of the community.
8. We encourage rigorous enforcement of all anti-pornography laws. Government agencies or
tax-supported institutions, especially libraries and public schools, should not provide access to
pornography and should provide adequate Internet security to prevent such access.
9. We affirm the right of private associations to admit or deny membership based on what that
association’s conscience dictates.
10. We recommend the FCC strictly enforce rules and regulations currently governing
indecency within visual media and all of the broadcast industry to include swift, severe, and
expensive penalties upon all parties involved.

11. We support citizens being active watchdogs on media, giving positive and negative
feedback on shows by letter writing, supporting and/or boycotting advertisers.
12. We believe that government should not fund any organization that opposes the ideas and
principles contained in the Republican Platform.
13. We appreciate Republican leaders who recognize that the family is the basic ingredient for a
stable and strong community, city, state, and country.
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II. EDUCATION

Preamble:
We acknowledge our dependence upon Almighty God and ask His blessings upon our students and
their parents, teachers, and nation. It is the right and responsibility of parents to direct their
children’s upbringing and education whether public, private, charter, or home school, without
interference, regulation, or penalty from the government.
The primary goal of public schools should be to teach proficiency in the basic subjects of phonicsbased
reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, sciences, traditional history
including our founding documents, the Godly heritage of our nation, and critical thinking skills.
Locally elected school boards should have the authority to determine and implement all public
school curricula, policies, and procedures for their districts. We demand excellence and
accountability from all tax-funded institutions of education in Oklahoma. The federal government
has no constitutional role in education; furthermore, we support the creation of a free market
education system. We believe Oklahoma students are among the best and brightest and deserve a
quality education.
A. Philosophy

1. The traditional family unit, consisting of a (husband) man, (wife) woman and child(ren), is the
foundation of our social structure. The Oklahoma Department of Education and various Boards
of Regents should uphold and teach this definition of traditional family, at all levels of public
school and higher education.
2. Funding of School-to-Work in any form should be eliminated. Individuals should have the
right to choose their own education and career. We oppose any tracking system, which
presumes to know what is best for the individual and economy or predetermine the occupations
of students.
3. Parents and legal guardians, not the government, have the right and responsibility to educate
their children. We support a parent’s choice of schools, including public, private, parochial,
charter or home school. We believe all parents should be allowed to use their education tax
dollars for the family’s choice of schooling by the use of vouchers and/or tax credits.
4. Parents have a right to exempt their children from required school vaccinations for medical
reasons, religious reasons, or other reasons of conscience. No child should be required to take a
medication as a requirement for attending a public school.
5. Parents have a natural right to home school their children. We oppose any and all regulation of
home schooling.

6. We affirm the right of students and teachers to the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by
the First Amendment, including the right to wear and display religious symbols, voluntary
vocal prayer, optional Bible and religious study, religious expression including holidays, and
equal access to use of school facilities for these activities.
7. The American flag should be displayed in the classroom. Students should start the day by
reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including “one nation under God,” and be taught the history
of and respect for our American flag.
8. We support parental access to examine and evaluate all educational, assessment, psychological,
medical, physical, and all other records pertaining to their children. Before any physical or
mental screening, active parental consent must be obtained.
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9. Student participation in any program or counseling should be based upon prior written parental
consent without repercussion (opt in vs. opt out). Notification to parents should be clear,
simple, and descriptive.
10. The Ten Commandments should be posted in all public schools as a means of moral guidance
along with our national motto “In God We Trust” and the Bill of Rights.
11. We oppose the deliberate misuse of standard English and the alteration of historical facts.
12. We believe in high educational standards with a goal of academic literacy. Promotion and
graduation for all students in Oklahoma should be for demonstrated academic achievement. A
high school diploma should represent a 12th grade level of proficiency in basic subjects.
13. Public schools shall not prohibit the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was
founded. Public schools shall be prohibited from promoting other worldviews such as, but not
limited to, secular Humanism, New Age philosophy, deep ecology, reincarnation,
psychotherapy, channeling, transcendental meditation, altered states of consciousness or any
occult practice.

14. Computer technology and calculators should only be used after basic math, reading, and
writing proficiency are achieved in order to reinforce, not replace, the learning of basic skills.
15. The imposition of national curricula, aptitude testing, and teacher certification or education
standards on any Oklahoma school is not acceptable.
16. To comply with the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Federal Department of
Education should be eliminated and its functions transferred to the states, local communities,
and parents.
17. We believe the public school system is for the benefit of U.S. citizens and for those who have
the legal right to be here.
18. We oppose any government required community service as a condition of graduation.

B. Curriculum

1. Basic school curricula should include reading, composition, literature, mathematics, science,
history, and government. Reading shall include phonics instruction, and composition shall
include grammar and spelling instruction. We encourage the teaching of art, music, foreign
languages, sports/physical fitness, and the option of using the Bible as a history or literature
text.
2. American heritage should be taught in public schools and include representative government,
limited government, the lives and beliefs of the founders, the influence of the Bible and
religion on our laws and principles, and the concept of free enterprise. Students should study
directly from the primary founding documents, which teach the distribution of power among
the three branches of federal government and between federal and state government.
3. We support high morals and “Character First Education” as legitimate elements of public
school curricula.
4. We believe that the scientific evidence supporting Intelligent Design and biblical creation
should be included in the Oklahoma public school curricula, and where any evolution theory is
taught, that both should receive equal funding, class time, and material. Teachers should have
the freedom to cover creation science without fear of intimidation or reprimand.
5. Local school boards should exercise their right to choose curriculum and textbooks without
state limitations.
6. Parents must maintain the right and responsibility to educate their children regarding
sexuality and sexual conduct. Neither classroom instruction nor school-based health services
shall usurp parental rights, in order to direct sex counseling or to dispense contraceptives.
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7. Any mandated sex education shall hold to the following guidelines:
a. Neither homosexual nor extramarital sexual activity shall be presented as safe,
nor shall they be presented as morally or socially acceptable behaviors.
b. HIV shall be presented as incurable and fatal.
c. Abstinence or lifetime fidelity shall be presented as the only safe sexual
practice.
d. All materials and instruction shall be open to prior parental review (opt in vs.
opt out).
8. Fully informed parental consent shall be required for any psychological, medical or pseudopsychological
techniques including “values clarification,” any form of “death education,”
“self-esteem,” or other social/emotional concepts.
9. We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light in
public schools.
10. Criteria for high school graduation shall be at least equivalent to the level of knowledge
required for naturalized citizenship.
11. Multiculturalism promotes cultural segregation and should not be taught. We respect
different cultures and support teaching our commonalities as U.S. citizens.
12. English is the dominant language of our nation and should be the primary language taught in
public schools with other languages offered as electives.
13. We support curriculum that promotes national sovereignty and opposes one world government
and global citizenship.

14. We oppose all federally mandated programs, such as No Child Left Behind, and support
academic freedom in the classroom.
15. We support the right of parents to personally observe all classroom instruction and activities.

C. Administration and Management

1. The State school funding formula should be simplified and made more understandable and
equitable.
2. We oppose the OEA sponsored ballot initiative (“HOPE”), which would raise taxes
automatically in order for per child spending to meet the regional average.
3. Open student transfer, with receiving school approval, should be implemented.
4. Public school teachers should have the right to refuse to financially support any organization
incompatible with their personal beliefs, goals, or objectives as educators.
5. We oppose all unfunded mandates.
6. Teachers should not be coerced to adjust standards for any failing students, including
athletes.
7. A positive competitive spirit in all public school activities, including athletics and
academics, should be encouraged.
8. Compulsory education should continue to be applied only between the ages of 8 and 16, as set
forth in the Oklahoma Constitution.
9. High school seniors should not be required to attend a full school day if they have otherwise
satisfied graduation requirements. The district should receive a full day’s financial credit by the
State Dept. of Education for those seniors.
10. The Teachers Retirement Fund should be actuarially funded with full public disclosure.
11. Extensive background checks of prospective school employees are necessary, with the right of
local school boards to refuse employment to anyone.
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12. Unions must be limited to negotiate wages and conditions of employment. We believe that
these organizations should be denied tax-exempt status and all federal funds since they are
labor unions and lobbying bodies. Any administrator who discriminates against any employee
who refuses to join a particular union shall forfeit their credentials and/or teaching certification
in Oklahoma.
13. Teachers, school administrators, and the local school board should work together to set and
implement policies that give teachers the freedom and authority to lawfully maintain order and
discipline.
14. We believe the practice of “mainstreaming” special needs students must be the decision and
the responsibility of the parents.
15. We call for the enforcement of Oklahoma statutes that prohibit teachers from striking during
the school year.

16. Efforts should be initiated to merge teaching resources and better utilize the technical and
educational resources available.
17. School administrations should be allocated based on enrollment.
18. Local school districts should be able to place year-end excess monies into an interest
bearing account to encourage fiscal responsibility, and they should not be penalized by the
State Dept. of Education for doing so.
19. We support public independent auditing of all public schools and institutions of higher
education in Oklahoma.
20. We oppose national teacher certification.
21. We support legislation requiring that lottery funds should be applied in addition to, not as a
replacement for, State funding of schools.
22. We support scheduling all educational elections on the same dates as General Elections.
23. We support the granting of authority to the Oklahoma Legislature to review any tests that must
be administered by Oklahoma Public Schools as a result of State or Federal mandates.

D. Higher Education

1. We support meaningful reform in the structure of our higher education system, including:
a. Evaluation of all programs and elimination or reform of substandard programs.
b. Control of grade inflation.
c. Accountability of administrators to include performance evaluation.
d. Reform of the faculty tenure system.
e. Budgeting tied to comprehensive planning process with increases in funding
directly related to specific goals and objectives listing expected improvements.
2. We believe state appropriated higher education funds should support state citizens only.
3. Federal and state grants and other aid for higher education should be applied consistently and
fairly without regard to marital status.

4. Students should be able to use taxpayer-funded scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to
obtain a degree in the field of their choice, including religious studies.
5. There should be a required course in phonics for elementary teacher certification, as well as for
certification at all levels of reading and language arts.
6. We support an amendment to the Whistleblowers Act to specifically include institutions of
higher education.
7. College students should have a Students Bill of Rights to ensure their due process rights are
protected.
8. Federal education programs, such as “TRIO,” should be consolidated and placed under the
administration and funding of the state.

9. We support strict adherence to the law that requires the majority of the nine-member Board of
Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (“OSU”) be actively engaged
in farming or ranching.
10. The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall not add additional campuses, beyond existing
campuses without the approval of the State legislature.

Part II is posted here: http://okstonewall.org/forums/index.php?topic=3269.0