PLATFORM
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
The rights of American citizens proceed from The Creator, not from the government. Government authority proceeds only from the consent of the People. Individuals, including the unborn, have the intrinsic right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Individuals and families are responsible for their behavior. Public policy should encourage and empower their efforts to provide for their own health, safety, education, moral fortitude, and personal wealth.
LIMITED GOVERNMENT
Federal, state and local governments should be transparent and limited to their respective roles, in accordance with the Tenth Amendment. The size of government, government regulations, and entitlement and transfer programs, should be limited to essential, inherently governmental functions.
PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH AND THE RULE OF LAW
National security, national sovereignty, public safety, the right of self-defense, the rule of constitutional and statutory law, and civil justice should be preserved without excessive burdens to civil liberty.
LOWER TAXES
Individuals, families and the government should be responsible in their spending. Taxpayers expect the government to be efficient and avoid waste with their money. The State should only collect taxes to fund legitimate government functions. Government taxes and fees should be limited to essential, inherently-governmental functions and not for the forced redistribution of wealth, or disproportionate advantages for targeted interest groups.
RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a right, which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amendment.
FAMILY INTEGRITY AND THE AMERICAN MORAL TRADITION
Traditional American families should be encouraged and supported by policies to nurture strong marriages consisting of one man and one woman, to support moral values, and to create, control and maintain their individual wealth with minimal interference from government.
We acknowledge the immutable biological reality of, and the differences between, the two sexes, male and female, as well as their unique and complementary functions, to be the foundation for natural human life.
QUALITY EDUCATION
Parents, should have the right to rear and educate their children according to high standards of character and quality, with minimal government interference. Parents are ultimately responsible for their family’s education and should be able to choose among traditional, charter, home school, on-line, private, or other alternative schools. School children should not be restricted in their rights to voluntary prayer, religious expression, and acknowledgement of God, the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
LEGISLATIVE INTEGRITY
Legislators should lead through personal moral integrity, and should consider this Platform responsibly before supporting or opposing legislation.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The North Dakota Republican Party Executive and State Committee represents rank and file Republicans throughout the state. In order to do so to the best of their abilities members must conduct themselves with decorum and respect for each other as well as ensure they conduct themselves in a way that does not reflect poorly on themselves, or the Party. Membership on the Executive and State committee is a privilege granted to us by our members and we should do our best to always represent them and the Party in a positive manner. We should conduct ourselves in a way reflective of our stated values. A Republican should be able to be identified not just by their words, but also their actions. However, in order to be successful in this goal, the standard of conduct must be set by the Party’s leaders on the Executive and State Committee. This Code of Conduct outlines the expectations of members of the Executive and State Committees of the NDGOP.
In all interactions, treat others with respect, civility, and without discrimination. Robust debate is a cornerstone of our Republic, but should be conducted with decorum and with respect for the other person and their ideas. We can, and should, disagree respectfully. Avoid the public denigration of local, state, party, and federal elected officials. In addition the public denigration of the party as a whole is also unacceptable. Continually seek to improve the party by contributions of time, talent, and treasure. Active engagement in improving knowledge, skills, competencies, and awareness of relevant new developments at the local, state and federal level help drive the Party forward. Consider the qualifications, quality, and the source of information before dispensing it with the expectation that as a member of the Executive Committee you represent the state party as a whole. Communications put forth by a member of the Executive Committee should be made knowing they represent not only themselves, but by the nature of their position, the state party as a whole. Endorsements, verbally, or by way of action, of individuals not formally recognized by the state party as Republicans should be avoided as it sows dissension and is detrimental to the success of the party and its stated goal of electing Republicans. Accurately and truthfully represent the statements and stances of fellow Republicans. Asking for clarification of a stance is always better than assuming a stance on a given issue. Intentional misrepresentation of someone’s statement or stance is unacceptable. The goal should always be to represent and speak the truth to the best of our ability. Make informed decisions in the performance of your party duties that adhere to all relevant laws and regulations. Maintain the confidentiality of information acquired through your participation in or membership with the executive committee that is generally recognized as non-public, confidential, or privileged. Abstain from behavior that will unjustly cause harm to the reputation of the Party, its members, and/or its elected officials. Avoid situations that create actual, potential or perceived actions unbecoming of a member of the party or are detrimental to its success. To include, but not limited to:
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Abuse or Assault
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Acts of Intimidation
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Discrimination
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Public Intoxication
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Sexual Harassment
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Use of Illicit Substances
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Other Illegal Activity
Perceived violations of this Code of Conduct should be reported to the Chairman so he is aware of conduct that could be detrimental to the success of the North Dakota Republican Party.