What Is A Moderate Republican? Are You One?

By: Jim McGrody (texasplaintalk)
Plaintalk from the Texas Hill Country - It's My party Too!

What does it mean to be a Moderate Republican?

One often hears the expression, “Strong on defense, fiscally conservative and socially moderate”.

Although this is the essence of the answer it does not go far enough to allow the
shaping of public policy.
Strong on Defense
A moderate Republican believes in a strong defense policy which recognizes
that, for the foreseeable future, there are people out there who want to kill us and
we must insure a strong military presence supported by a strong budget.
A moderate Republican supports public policy that strengthens our military and
provides continued focus on Homeland Security. In time of war, a moderate
Republican would support legislation that provides special, yet constitutional,
powers to federal, state and local public agencies; providing that such measures
include Congressional oversight and expiration dates requiring Congress to
revisit such legislation from time to time.
Moderate Republicans believe that it is not possible to defend against every
conceivable kind of attack in every conceivable location at every minute of the
day or night. Defending against terrorism and other emerging 21st century
threats may well require that we take the war to the enemy. The best, and in
some cases, the only defense is a good offense.
Moderate Republicans believe that the transformation of the U.S. military is
needed to prepare for new and unexpected challenges. We must be prepared for
surprise. We must learn to live with little or no warning.
Fiscally Conservative
A moderate Republican believes that tax cuts stir growth and job creation.
However, a moderate is not necessarily opposed to new spending – provided
that such spending is offset, when possible, with appropriate cuts of ineffective
programs. Earmarks should be controlled, if not eliminated. And, there must be
transparency in the reporting of all spending. Finally, all spending programs must
have a “sunset” date insuring that no program overstays its legislative purpose.
The budget should be balanced and if we forego a tax cut to help bring the
budget into balance, so be it.
Fiscal and monetary policy should provide incentives for the private sector to
invest in their businesses. Such investment will drive job growth and the
economic engine of America.
Common sense regulatory policies are both appropriate and necessary.
Socially Moderate
A moderate Republican believes that there should be no religious litmus test to
be a member of the Party.
A moderate Republican believes that abortion is a difficult issue and he/she may or may not be pro-life. However, public policy should be so directed as to make abortion rare and a deeply-informed decision. Adoption alternatives should be aggressively developed and funded.
A moderate Republican believes that federal funds should not be used for
abortions and supports legislation that restricts such use.
A moderate Republican believes that end-of-live decisions are a matter between
the patient, his or her family and his or her doctor.
A moderate Republican believes that social policy should be based on broadly
based moral positions and not personally-held religious beliefs.
Rigorous personal integrity and personal responsibility are critical to the
successful implementation of social policy.
Moderate Republicans believe that marriage is, indeed, a sacred institution and
should be protected. Given the biological imperative of a marriage between one
man and one woman, such marriages should be supported with appropriate
legislation and tax policy. However, recognizing the pluralistic nature of American
society, civil unions should be recognized but not encouraged vis-à-vis tax policy.
Equal opportunity must be the rule of law. A moderate Republican believes that
all men are created equal but that equal ‘outcomes’ must not be socially
engineered.
The Environment
A moderate Republican supports public policy premised on the notion of
stewardship. A policy that promotes affordable, reliable, and secure energy
supplies by increasing conservation, investing in new technologies, developing
renewable energy technologies, and exploring for new domestic sources of
energy.
A moderate Republican believes that nothing is more conservative than
conservation. He/she believes that we should safeguard the resources on which
the health, recreation, and economic prosperity of present and future Americans
depend. There is nothing conservative - and certainly nothing wise - in
squandering our energy, clean air and water, beloved landscapes wildlife,
wilderness, wetlands, and other natural resources.
Health Care
When it comes to health care, a moderate Republican believes that the proper
role of government is to protect the freedom of all people to improve their own
health. Patients and their doctors – not lawyers or bureaucrats – should decide
which treatment is best. Good choices in a health care system built on free
market principles and aggressive tax policy ultimately translate into higher quality
and better care.
Immigration Policy
A moderate Republican believes that a government that cannot secure its
borders and determine who may enter and who may not, fails in a fundamental
responsibility. As we take steps to secure our borders and enforce our laws, we
must also ensure that our immigration laws and policies advance our national
interests, and that the immigration process itself is as fair, efficient, and effective
as possible.
A moderate Republican believes that there are three phases to a successful
immigration strategy for the 21st Century:
1. Secure the Borders
2. Deal with Current Levels of Illegal Immigrants
3. Establish Comprehensive Programs for a 21st Century Immigration Policy
Trade Policy
A moderate Republican believes that our trade policy should rest firmly on the
foundation of free and open markets and that free trade is one of the most
important avenues to promote growth.
A moderate Republican believes that trade agreements expand America's
marketing opportunities and the jobs that go with them.
A moderate Republican believes that bringing more countries and people into the global
marketplace will make America safer and create new markets for its products worldwide.