Republican Party 101...
The Republican party also called the GOP (Grand Old Party) came into existence in 1845. It's mission was to end slavery and to promote a stronger business climate. Small business owners, farmers, African-Americans, and factory workers were stalwart supporters of the GOP.
Abraham Lincoln became the Republican nominee at the 1860 Republican National Convention. The Republicans held the White House 60 of the next 100 years by applying the principles of limited government and protecting our liberty.
Section two of the National Platform states: "That the maintenance of the principles in the Declaration of Independence...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed is essential to the preservation of our Republican institutions and the Rights of the States must and shall be preserved".
Oklahoma's Republican Platform mirrors much of the National platform which was written 154 years ago. The principles of the GOP have proven to be timeless, and many Oklahoma Republicans still believe they are powerful virtues to be preserved.
One principle that has given the GOP such broad appeal is the understanding that free markets make free people. The Oklahoma Republican Platform states; "economic freedom is the cornerstone of individual liberty and the private sector and free market principles are best to stimulate economic development rather than government subsidies."
The most powerful economic engine available, is the creativity of the individual. Success is more readily attained when the fruits of ones labor is protected from the overreach of government through taxes or favored subsidies.
Frederic Bastiat said, if a law takes from one person and gives it to other person to whom it does not belong, then that law should be abolished without delay, for it is evil and a fertile source for further evils to grow. Even an isolated incident should be abolished because it is sure to grow into a whole system of government plunder.
The aforementioned 18th Century French philosopher was unknowingly laying the fiscal foundation for the Republican Party Platform which would be birthed 5 years after Bastiat died.
The Oklahoma GOP platform promotes, government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Our party was never designed to be ran by special interests, consultants, or politicians. The grassroots are the first and last line defense of Republican ideas in Oklahoma. The defense of liberty and limited government are principles most Republicans can rally around to protect.
Dedicated to Liberty,
Randy Brogdon