Declaration of American Values

We the undersigned believe these values represent the true aims of America.

Limited Government

1.Government is not the answer to all problems.

2.Government is meant specifically for defense, infrastructure, and preservation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

3.The Federal Government must be limited, and allow society to flourish. It is not to create the society in its desired image. Private Enterprise is valued before government intervention.

Civil Government

1.Debates and conflicts must be settled fervently, with civility, and nonviolently.

2.Class warfare tactics, and divisive leadership are detrimental to a culture.

3.Charity and non-profit organizations are more effective than government social programs. Charity and non-profit organizations should not be displaced by a monopolistic governmental takeover.

Federalism: A firm separation of powers

1.The three powers of government, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, must be preserved and govern according to the United States Constitution. Justices that legislate from the bench, most notably through a “living document� philosophy, are misusing their power.

2.As the Founding Fathers recognized, state and local government should be given deference by the Federal Government.

Social Values

1.Character counts. Repentance and forgiveness are virtuous.

2.The family is the backbone of a flourishing society.

3.Marriage is between one man and one woman.

4.Parents, not the government, are better able to govern children.

5.We believe that the right to life should be guaranteed to the unborn, and that full rights are conferred at conception.

6.As the Founders expressed, there shall be no Federal religion, including Atheism or any religious philosophy, such as secular humanism.

Fiscal/Economic Conservatism

1.Man is not merely a means to an economic end. He is intrinsically valuable.

2.Ownership of private property is a right, and should be respected. Except out of proper public necessity, it should not to be taken by the Federal Government.

3.Taxes are meant to provide infrastructure, defense, and to protect inalienable rights. They are not meant to reshape culture.

4.Low taxes stimulate business. Excessively progressive tax structures penalize success.

5.Big government stifles economic development.

6.The Government should avoid nationalizing non-competitive private business.

Immigration

1.Our nation is a nation of immigrants, and is strengthened by its diversity; for this reason, legal immigration is encouraged. Immigration laws should be examined if they are insufficient to meet population shifts, but illegal immigration should never be permitted.

2.We encourage assimilation and value cultural tradition, but within the boundaries of United States law.

3.While a national language is not a constitutional imperative, neither is it unconstitutional. It might also be pragmatic.

National Defense

1.A strong and well-funded military is vital to national defense and domestic tranquility.

2.We support proper care, respect, and honor for our Soldiers, both active and retired.

3.War must only be waged as a last resort to deter threats to our way of life.

Foreign Policy

1.The concept of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness� should be the chief export of The United States.

2.War must be just.

3.Diplomacy should be robust.

Second Amendment

1.That the Second Amendment is as important as the 1st, and should be protected.

2.The Second Amendment has historical and contemporary importance with regard to defense of families, the individual, and the Nation.

Environment

1.While we support a good and clean environment, we recognize that man is the steward of the earth, not the other way around.

2.While national parks, general cleanliness, and practical regulation are good practice (and thus should mostly lie in the hands of state and local governments), broad, sweeping, invasive, and impractical restrictions must not be passed.