I had some recent discussions recently about what made someone a Christian, and the topic of creeds came up. The creed is a statement of essential principles that -- according to the people who believe the creed -- every Christian must believe in. If you believe the creed, you're probably a Christian. If you don't, you're not.
And in this discussion that many of us have been having for years about mainstream Republicans vs. social conservative Republicans and so on -- a discussion that's really heated up since Nov. 2006 -- I wonder if maybe we shouldn't develop a Republican Creed.
There are many such creeds out there. Just Google the phrase. I think it could be a useful way to unify the diverse elements of our party, assuring each that we all agree on certain core principles; to judge candidates and electeds by; to recruit new Republicans; to exclude the few Republicans we don't want (like Lincoln Chafee); and more.
It would not be a platform, and would not mention any specific issues. It would be a statement of principles of liberty, of rights, or private ownership, of responsibility, of limited government. It would be a line in the sand, one far more useful for inclusion than exclusion, that would announce this is what a Republican is, and as long as you agree with the Creed, you're one of us, even if we disagree on many of the actual issues.
Is this a worthwhile goal? Some people don't like creeds: some call themselves Christians and are offended by the use of creeds. Is it an impossible task? Can we actually agree on a useful set of core principles? Do we even have a set of core principles?
What say you all?
Posted by pudge at May 29, 2007 02:47 PM | Email ThisI think that can be said at the national level as well. We don't know who we are, what we believe in, and we don't have a spine. Oh how I miss Ronald Reagan.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 29, 2007 05:47 PMAs often as I am dissapointed by Republican's inability to stay on track, etc. I would not even consider voting for anyone who espouses the ideas of the Left. It's not the letter after their name that even matters. It's the outright irrational radicalism that has swept over those on the Left. Look at the Nutroots. Look at the major loudmouths who speak for Democrats. Look at Hollywood, etc.
On the Left, there's nothing worth discsussing, because on the Left, it's Fairness Doctrine imposed on everything. Their way or the highway, etc.
Republicans have been having the meaningful debates on ideas in intra-party politics. And many of those great debates are carried here at SP.
That's why we have to defeat the Left first. Only then, will be be able to take the intra-party , rational debates to the national level and have reasonable discussions on important issues like Islamic Radicalism and Terror, Social Security, Immigration, etc.
The mind of the Left was closed long ago, and that's the best reason to vote Republican.
Posted by: Jeff B. on May 29, 2007 11:33 PMThere's a lot more unity on the Republican side than most people think. A creed would be a good way to lay it out. It would be ever better to get those on the Left on record as they stumble over questions asking whether they believe the creed, which would really be more of a statement to what makes this country great, and less of a Republican party philosophy.
Because what you list, should matter to all Americans, and did matter to the American Left, but unfortunately it does not anymore.
Posted by: Jeff B. on May 29, 2007 11:38 PMFor a start, may I propose "We believe that the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, acknowledge rights held by all Americans individually".
Posted by: sro on May 30, 2007 10:10 AMWe believe the United States was founded on the principle of freedom for all citizens - the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
We believe the principle of freedom on which this country was created requires that we embrace the founding principle that the people are sovereign, not the government.
We believe that the only infringement on that freedom should be when it interferes with the rights of another.
We believe the Constitution is the foundation document of our country; as with any good foundation, it is stable and will not shift with tides, winds, or the whims of others.
We believe that the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, acknowledge fundamental rights held by all Americans individually.
We believe that the surest way to enable the pursuit of happiness is through a free market, wherein people succeed according to their abilities by serving others.
We believe that the right of citizens to be secure in their homes and property is a fundamental requirement for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". We further believe that the government may not deprive them of that property except in cases of severe public need, and may not do so without due process and just compensation.
We believe in limited government: that is, that the Federal government's participation in its citizens' lives must be limited to those roles and powers enumerated in the Constitution and that all other governmental rights are reserved to the States; and that the Federal government must not interfere in duties reserved to the several States.
We believe in a society where all are equal under the law, regardless of race, creed, sex, or national origin. We believe equality of opportunity is the standard, not equality of outcome.
We believe the physical security of our nation is the first order of business for the Federal government following the protection of our Constitutional rights.
We believe that, as a nation of immigrants, the United States should welcome any who wish to come to our country in accordance with our laws and become Americans. Consequently, we believe being an American is a matter of attitude rather than of birth.
http://web.sa.sc.edu/republicans/creed.htm