By Liz Siegmund

During a recent press conference, President Biden stated that the Republican party does not know what values they represent and do not have a handle on their ideology.  While Biden is out of touch and denies the accomplishments of the previous administration, his words serve as a reminder that Republicans need to clearly state our values and our platform for the American people.

The ideology of the Republican party is based on American conservatism, which incorporates both social and fiscal conservatism. Republicans favor lower taxes, free-market capitalism, safe borders, necessary military spending, gun rights, deregulation, safer communities, parental rights and many more values that make our country a great place to live.

The history of the Republican Party, nicknamed the Grand Old Party (GOP) is important in understanding the present day platform. The GOP was originally formed during the 19th century to stand against the extension of slavery to the country’s new territories and, ultimately, for slavery’s complete abolition. In addition, its original mission included advocating for a free-market economy that countered the Democratic Party’s commitment to “take from the rich and give to the poor.”

The ideology of the Democratic party on the other hand, is chaotic. It is full of contradictions that keep the American people distracted, confused and dependent. This leads to the effect of “crippling” American citizens. Energy dependence on adversarial countries, dependence on China for products and manufacturing, inflation as seen in higher food prices, gas prices, utilities, interest rates, lumber, meat, automobiles, etc. and other threats to the principles called out in the preamble of the U.S. constitution.

Republicans believe that what counts are the basic principles of fiscal sanity, free trade, a strong stand on foreign adversaries, and character and personal responsibility. These convictions support those civil institutions such as family, voluntary associations and religion. These institutions should be protected from government meddling in order to preserve our country’s ability to be a force for good in the world.

Republicans have a legacy of supporting civil rights. The list is long; from abolition, to reconstruction, to the civil rights acts of 1875, 1957, 1960, and 1964, to today’s fights for equal opportunity, education reform, religious liberty, and safer neighborhoods. We embody the values from the first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, to the efforts of our party today.

The modern Republican Party supports state sovereignty against the power of the federal government in most cases, it opposes the federal regulation of traditionally state and local matters, such as policing and education. It advocates reduced taxes as a means of stimulating the economy and advancing individual economic freedom. The GOP opposes extensive government regulation of the economy, government-funded social programs, affirmative action and gun-control legislation. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to support religious freedom in the form of organized prayer in public schools. 

The Republican Party traditionally has supported a strong national defense and the aggressive pursuit of U.S. national security interests.

The cornerstone of our constitutional republic and of the Republican Party is stated in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Below is a brief comparison of Republican vs. Democrat ideologies.

Republicans continue to sow the seeds of hope, opportunity, and an independence that empowers every individual to achieve his or her God-given potential and seeks to advance the ideal of all freedoms for all people—regardless of race, color or creed into the future.

I’d say that Republicans do know what they stand for Mr. Biden.