National Chairman's Letter
Platform - Society
October 2003
Dear Independent American friends,
I want to comment on the Society section of our IAP National Platform. The
seventh belief point of the Introduction section of our Platform says:
7. [Society] We believe that government has no Constitutional authority
to convert to socialism; that state and local governments have the right and
moral obligation to discourage drug and alcohol use and gambling in their
jurisdictions; and that the safety of law-abiding citizens must take
precedence over the rights of criminals.
Many years ago our nation grew with an influx of law-abiding, hard-working,
freedom-loving people from many lands. Americans were industrious, hardworking
and independent of government aid. Towns were generally peaceful and quiet, with
little crime or disturbance. Residents felt secure in leaving their homes
unlocked and safe to stroll around after dark. They, with their communities,
bonded into a cohesive society.
The Society or seventh numbered section of our Platform includes the
subtopics Vigilance, Entitlement Programs, Substance Abuse and
Gambling, and Crime, and begins:
7. SOCIETY
Vigilance. Thomas Jefferson stated: "The
people [not government] ... are the only sure reliance for the preservation
of our liberty."
We maintain that every citizen now has an elevated responsibility to
become more aware of the threats to -- and to be more personally involved in
the preservation of -- our God-given rights and freedom. We oppose any
government control over personal vigilance and patriotism.
Americans once resisted tyranny. But now we no longer mind government
interference. We embrace the centralized government our forefathers warned of.
We have traded liberty for security; and have allowed government to become
all-powerful. Few Americans today would place their lives on the line for
freedom.
Entitlement Programs. We maintain that there is
no Constitutional authority for federal entitlement programs. We deem these
programs as needlessly expensive, ineffective, riddled with fraud and
corruption; these serve only to advance socialism. We assert that the
responsibility for personal welfare should be assumed first by the
individual and family, then by church and other charitable organizations.
While the federal government must honor its commitment to those who have
paid into Social Security, health care or welfare, we favor the voluntary
participation only, and a gradual phaseout of those systems.
We favor free enterprise and competition between practitioners and health
care providers. We support the people's right to choose any modality of
health care.
We now have a socialistic government. Our government is more than sixteen
times the size of what it was in 1960. Joseph Sobran says: "We are less
free, more heavily taxed, and worse governed than our ancestors under British
rule."
Workers no longer take pride in their craft or employment. Personal debt has
replaced thrift, saving, and responsible living in America. Free-loaders avoid
work to get government handouts and welfare.
Substance Abuse and Gambling. We recognize that
alcohol, drugs and gambling are among the chief causes of broken homes,
poverty, juvenile crime, political corruption, and wasted lives.
We favor only state and local legislation which provides stronger
deterrents against committing crimes under the influence of alcohol or
illegal drugs.
We consider gambling as a threat to the financial stability of the home.
We oppose government sponsorship, involvement in, or promotion of gambling,
e.g., lotteries, or subsidization of tribal casinos, etc.
There is an erosion of our society with the advent of alcohol, drugs and
gambling. One-third of America’s 13 million alcoholics are teenagers. Drug use
has increased 30 times in the past 40 years. America has over four million
gambling addicts -- many the result of state-sponsored lotteries.
While these and other vices are destroying countless lives and families, they
are also tearing at the very fabric of our society. Families are the
building blocks of our society and the strength of our nation. Our nation can
only be as strong as the homes within it.
Crime. We hold that the safety of law-abiding
citizens, and the preservation of their properties are fundamental God-given
rights, which take precedence over the rights of criminals.
We support only Constitutional provisions for the apprehension, speedy
trial, and fitting punishment for criminal acts. We favor criminals being
required to perform useful work to defray the costs of their imprisonment,
and, where possible, to provide restitution to their victims. We favor
capital punishment when appropriate.
We support the independence of local law enforcement from federal
intrusion and control. We oppose federalization of crimes which fall under
state jurisdiction. We recognize the sheriff as the ultimate authority of
law enforcement for each county.
5% of Americans become crime victims every year. 7% of of all criminals
commit 70% of all crimes in America. The U.S. is the world leader in violent
crime. At least one rape occurs every two minutes, yet the average sentence for
a rapist is 60 days. 15 to 20,000 murders take place annually, but there are
less than a hundred executions.
We no longer accept personal responsibility for our actions. We blame
antisocial and violent behavior on disease, genetics, environment, and
victimization. Our cultural psychosis says: Sex addicts are not responsible for
sex crimes. Gambling addicts are not responsible for thievery. Wife or child
battering is a disease. Mob mentality is temporarily excusable for rioters.
May we as individuals, and collectively as a nation, awaken to the plight of
our nation! May we strive to get federal government out of our lives and our
wallets with its socialistic programs. May we endeavor at the state and local
level to strengthen our community, family, and individual values. May we seek to
hold judges to a higher standard of judicial accountability in criminal cases.
For God, Family and Country!
Bruce Bangerter
IAP National Chairman
