Below are my goals for the Hunt County Republican Party. I have also provided a list of how I stand on specific issues. What I have stated below under issues is my issue policy statements that I will work on as Chairman. You will find an index/summary below of both sections. By clicking on the link for that section or that issue it will take you further down the page where I go into more detail about the specific issue or goal.
I have included a reference in the detailed section to the Texas GOP official platform if it exists. You can find the Texas GOP platform by clicking here (note: this will open a new window and take you to the Texas GOP website).
While the Hunt County Republican Party Chairman does not set public policy the answers have been provided as a way for you the republican voter to see what I believe. If you have any specific questions you would like an answer to please email them to me at josh@furnish2012.com and I will email you my response and consider putting the answer on the website.
These are my goals for the Hunt County Republican Party. From day one I will work to enact these goals and build consensus with the precinct leaders to achieve these goals.
Statement 1: It is my goal to strengthen conservatism within our local party. As the population continues to shift we will find more democrats wanting to run as republicans. We refer to many of these individuals as RINOs because they say they support conservative principles but their actions show that they are really Republicans In Name Only. Some democrats will run as a republican because the Republican Party is in the majority here in Hunt County. Since we already have RINOs within the party and as elected officials we must take steps now to combat this and also take steps to mitigate its effects in the future. The concern is with candidates and elected officials that run as republicans but do not believe in conservative principles. It is the responsibility of the Party and its Chairman to communicate the platform of the party to its candidates and elected officials. Here are my goals to help strengthen conservatism within the Hunt County Republican Party.
GOAL 1:
To strengthen the local party we must first understand what we believe as a party, not just nationally but locally. We will achieve this through policy discussion with the local party. The platform committee must assess the issues we are currently facing at all levels of government including local government and schools. After understanding all the different issues we must come up with real solutions to the problems we are facing locally. The Republican Party is the party of answers and solutions if we take the time to thoroughly look at the issues, come up with the answers and communicate this to our elected officials.Statement 2: Most of the Texas Republican Party platform and those platforms developed at the local level are for policies at the Federal or State level. As a party it is not enough to develop a platform that only sets a standard for our State and National leaders. We must also develop our platform to answer the problems of local government and schools. In the absence of a clear platform on local issues, our local republican elected officials have from time to time strayed from the underlying principles of the role of government. By having policy discussions and passing appropriate resolutions and platform measures the party can lead in changing how our County, City and School governments operate.
For too long local governments and schools have gotten a pass with the Republican Party. We must develop concrete answers for today's problems and make them part of our party platform. Once solutions have been drawn up the precinct leaders or convention delegates will vote on these matters. We cannot be afraid of tackling the hard issues facing our community. As your next Chairman I will work to ensure that we develop a stand on local issues and communicate that position to our elected officials.
GOAL 2:
As part of strengthening the local party it is my plan to create a monthly educational seminar where elected officials from within the county are invited to learn about specific issues facing us locally and nationally. People with knowledge of these specific issues will present the conservative viewpoint to the community. Also a separate educational forum will be conducted for elected officials to understand the proper role of government. It is my experience that many elected officials don’t know the role or proper use of government and get ideas from the “elected official” associations they belong to. These associations are made up and run by individuals who want big government. As a party we must ensure that our republican elected officials understand that just because it is law does not make it moral. These forums will be for elected officials and presented by other elected officials or experts in the field of study, with the specific purpose of educating and challenging the elected officials to run and operate government within its proper bounders in accordance with our party platform and resolutions.GOAL 3:
We must develop a positive image within our local community. Today most republican voters do not know who their precinct leader is, or who the County Chairman is. It is my goal to start educating the voters precinct by precinct as to who their party representatives are. This will be done through precinct door to door efforts conducted by precinct leaders and precinct level meetings. Precinct leaders will be asked to hold meetings in their precinct in order to find out what the voters they represent are concerned about. The precinct leader should be the mouthpiece to elected officials for the voters in their precinct. Precinct leaders will undergo precinct leader training conducted by myself. I will work to fill all precinct leader positions to ensure all republican voters are represented county wide. As part of developing a positive image in our community, the party will need to engage in more charitable activities benefiting the local community. The precinct chairman will be responsible for holding periodic meetings within the precinct and inviting guest speakers in to educate his neighbors on the issues facing us both locally and nationally.GOAL 4:
We have many areas within the county that are pockets for the democrats. It is my belief that over time, through education we can change the belief system of many democrats. As we start to see more and more democrats vote republican we have to ensure that a program is in place that will identify these voters and work to educate them on the basics of free market capitalism, taxes, and how money works. These types of issues provide access to voters who commonly believe the problem with local, state and national governments are centered on taxes. These issues are easy enough to talk about and can be proven through science, math, and facts and figures. I will put together a program where we identify democrats that are voting republican and work to educate them on the basics of fiscal conservatism. The more we educate them, the more likely they are to vote for a fiscally conservative candidate over a RINO during the republican primary.Statement 3: Political parties have to raise large amounts of money in order to adequately help conservative political campaigns. The Hunt County Republican Party currently does not raise large amounts of money. I will build upon the party's current fundraising schedule and expand it so that the party can adequately help fund campaigns and provide needed funds for party advertising and get out the vote efforts.
GOAL 5:
To raise necessary funds the party will have a major dinner fundraiser where the goal is to maximize participation from party members. We will include advertising from local businesses and candidates. Auxiliary organizations will be instrumental in ensuring that a major fundraiser gets put together successfully. This fundraiser will be an additional fundraiser on top of fundraisers already being put together by the GOP club. This fundraiser will raise a substantial amount of money for the party.GOAL 6:
I will create a Chairman’s club that is composed of high dollar donors. These funds will be used to fund the strategic long term plan of the party including technology and building acquisition. The Chairman’s club will be run by the Chairman and will hold periodic lunch or dinner meetings to raise additional funds.GOAL 7:
Other auxiliary groups will be formed in conjunction with the auxiliary groups already in existence and recognized by the Texas Republican Party. The other groups include but are not limited to the College Republicans, Young Republicans, and Federation of Republican Women. Each group is designed to target specific groups within the Republican Party. Each group will have its own officers and raise funds. The groups will have to adhere to both the Hunt County and Texas Republican Party platforms to be recognized by the County Party. These groups will be instrumental in identifying other conservatives within the county and getting them involved in raising funds and electing conservatives to office. It is important with any volunteer organization that plenty of leadership opportunities are made available.GOAL 8:
Once we have the necessary structure in place, I plan on organizing a grassroots club similar to that of the State Party. This club would raise campaign funds with the promise that once a donation is made we will not send out fundraising letters or call them for a donation. As part of this effort we will establish fundraising guidelines, appoint a fundraising director and establish fundraising goals.GOAL 9:
I will ask all republican elected officials and republican members of local city councils and schools boards to be involved in building the local party. This will be done through both volunteering their time and donating a percent of their elected salary back to the party. These funds will be used entirely to help elect conservatives to office. Any candidate not willing to give back to the party will not be considered for endorsement, contributions or volunteers.Statement 4: Our party must be organized, transparent and communicate our vision and platform to the public. This primarily can be done through targeted advertising and having a web presence. Through these efforts we can continue to build the image of the Hunt County Republican Party to ensure that the voters continue to identify with our principles even as population demographics change or district lines change through redistricting.
GOAL 10:
As a political party that depends on the opinion of the voting public to continue to win elections, we must ensure that we are transparent as possible. I plan on including on the website, a list of all elected officials, party officials and precinct committeeman with a way to contact them. A master calendar for all auxiliary organizations, clubs and campaigns to be able to add items to the calendar will also be included. It will also include a tutorial on how to get involved at the precinct level. A copy of the party bylaws, rules, and platform will also be published online. I will also work to put a tool on the website for voters to look up their voter registration data online, where they vote and who represents them.GOAL 11:
The party primarily is responsible for Get Out The Vote efforts here in Hunt County. I will work to fill precinct level positions and work to have enough volunteers to man, at a minimum, targeted conservative precincts with the goal of eventually manning all precincts and party headquarters with volunteers on Election Day. We should be seeking to maximize conservative voter participation during each and every election whether it be during the primaries, general election or city/school elections.GOAL 12:
As your next Chairman I will bring to the table a long history of political involvement in helping to elect conservatives to office, running and organizing a local party. I will provide the much needed leadership in getting problem elected officials in line with the party platform. I will bring my experience as a political consultant to the table to help us elect strong conservatives in every office here in Hunt County including school board and city races.This is my position on various issues. The issues are listed in alphabetical order. If you would like me to publish how I stand on issues not listed, please email me at: josh@furnish2012.com
I believe that environmental regulation is best left to the States. As such I agree with Governor Perry that the EPA should be eliminated. Their mission was originally to ensure we had adequate gas and oil production. They have failed in that mission and now work to prevent gas and oil production in the United States. (page 24)
Climate Change has been proven scientifically to not be happening. Those pushing for climate change have been exposed as purposefully lying and manipulating data to show that climate change is happening when it is not. These special interest groups have one thing in common and that is the elimination of property rights. It is their belief that to achieve their goals of climate control, individuals cannot own property. As a firm believer in property rights being the corner stone of our nation’s founding I am 100% opposed to carbon credits, climate control or environmental treaties. (Page 25).
The United States has seen a drastic downward slide in morality. Until the people of this nation repent and turn from their sin our nation will continue to slide.
As a Christian Conservative I am 100% pro-family. Today we are seeing the changing of the historical definition of family right before our very eyes. It is being changed in the classrooms and at the Universities. It is being changed by judicial activism and with the help of the media.
I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. I will work to ensure that our elected officials understand the position of our local party and the importance of marriage and a strong family. When the family structure is hurt it causes unintended consequences on the very fabric of society. I am 100% opposed to gay marriage.(Page 13).
For further information about my position on marriage, and my response to personal attacks on my position at the Hunt County Republican Party Convention, please click here.
I am 100% opposed to Obamacare because the federal government does not have the authority to mandate a citizen purchase a product. The federal government has consistently made a mess of virtually every program they have created. This program would be no different. Healthcare is best left to individuals to decide through the free market. (Page 17).
I am not ashamed to say that I have been 100% pro-life my entire life. I personally believe that we as a party have not done enough to hold our republican elected officials accountable on pro-life issues and funding of abortions. As a Christian Conservative I believe that life begins at conception. I believe that the proper role of government is to protect life, not sanction the taking of innocent life.
I believe that the issue of abortion is the number one issue facing this nation. For this single issue we will be judged by God, as a nation. The blood of the innocent is on our hands as a nation and it is a litmus test for me in who I support for elected office. We have no room in the Republican Party for those that support abortion. As your next Chairman I will make it a priority, once approved by the precinct leaders, to meet with all elected officials that have policy oversight on the issue of abortion. I will communicate the party's pro-life position and ensure they understand that we are sending them to represent us to overturn abortion. I will also work with other like-minded pro-life groups to ensure pressure is getting put on our elected officials to overturn abortion.
Democrats are confused as to what the meaning of life and liberty are. The government through its function of protecting life is to protect life even that of the unborn child. Democrats will claim that a woman has a right to choose what to do with her own body. Liberty,though, stops when it violates someone else’s rights. You only can exercise liberty as long as it does not take away or harm someone else’s liberty. Democrats believe that being pro-choice is standing up for liberty, which it is not. You cannot have liberty unless you protect life. The moment a woman makes a choice to harm that child, even though it is in her body, she is engaging in not only the taking of life but robbing the child of liberty. (Page 14).
NOTE:Democrats frequently confuse themselves over these types of issues. For example they claim that healthcare (or any other social program) is a right and believe government should provide healthcare to all. The only way they can accomplish such a plan is by taking liberty and property away from someone. Again, you cannot take liberty from someone in the name of liberty and call it liberty, which they frequently do.
Taxes are necessary when used for constitutional purposes and those purposes that are in line with protection of life, liberty and property. Much of what the federal government spends tax dollars on though is not constitutional and for that reason a lot of what the federal government wants to do,like Obamacare, I am against. At all levels of government we have waste that must be eliminated. All government entities should operate under a balanced budget in order to keep taxes as low as possible. Greater time should be spent with cities, schools and counties in sharing of facilities, staff and equipment in order to reduce property taxes. Since our government both federally and state wide was organized over 100 years ago and with the greater technological increases we have today, our government and the people should start taking a look at having government operate smarter.
Keeping taxes low is essential for economic growth and prosperity in our nation. I am in favor of efforts to repeal the Federal income tax. Locally our cities, schools and county spend to much on services and programs that are not essential to the running of efficient government. By eliminating this waste we could see immediate tax relief. Part of my goal if elected Chairman is to work within the party to develop ways for local governments to lower property taxes and make government run more efficiently. (Page 24)
I am in favor of requiring all voters to show some form of government ID that proves they are who they say they are. Here in Texas, a local Tea Party group found hundreds of deceased people had voted. This type of behavior would be stopped or slowed down considerably by requiring an ID. The excuse that it hurts minorities could very easily be taken care of. A policy can be passed that would allow the elections office or a state office to print an ID for voters who don't have any other ID. They would have to prove their identity just like they would to obtain any other ID. It is my belief because of Federal voting laws the ID would have to be provided for free (at taxpayer cost), so it would not cost anything to go and vote. What is at stake here is that the elections remain legitimate, dependable and honest. We need to give our elections workers the tools they need to ensure that each person only gets one vote. We need to ensure that only U.S. Citizens are allowed to vote. The fact that you have to say who you are when you vote shows the level of privacy that is accepted already for voting. Requiring a photo-id to prove you are who you say you are is in line with giving your name and verifying your address. If the fear that poor individuals or minorities would be hindered because of the cost, the cost of a voting ID in lieu of another ID could be picked up by tax payers to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to go and vote. (Page 11).
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