OCR Text |
Show November 1970 Page3 UTAH FARM BUREAU Utah Farm Bureau That secrecy in government affairs should not be tolerated except as actually essential to national security. In strong and responsible state and local units of government and in protection of state laws against federal pre-emptio- Official Policy Resolutions 1970-7- 1 n. That farm people have the right and the responsibility to speak for themselves through organizations of their choice without coercion or government intervention. That the powers not specifically delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people and that such powers cannot be by federal statutes and must not be preempted by the courts. pre-empt- ed Farm Bureau philosophy America's unparalleled progress is based on freedom and dignity of the individual, sustained by basic moral and religious concepts. Freedom of the individual versus concentration of power which would destroy freedom is the central issue As approved by the Utah Farm Bureau House of Delegates in all societies. November 20, 1970 at Salt Lake City, Utah Economic progress, cultural advancement, and ethical and religious principles flourish best where men are free, responsible individuals. We reaffirm our belief that freedom may best be secured through the following concepts and actions: Farm Bureau is a free, independent, voluntary organization of farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formu- lating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity, and social advancement and, thereFarm Bureau is by, to promote the national local, statewide, national, and international in its scope and influence and is and in character. well-bein- non-partisa- non-secr- n, g. non-sectaria- We believe in the republican form of government as provided in the constitution; in limitations upon government power; in maintenance of equal opportunity; in the right of each individual to worship as he chooses; in separation of church and state; and in freedom of speech, press, and peaceful assembly. Property rights are among the human rights essential to the preservation of individual freedom. Individuals have a moral responsibility to help preserve freedom for future generations by participating in public affairs and by helping to elect candidates who share their fundamental beliefs and principles. The Constitution Capitalism n, et Farm Bureau beliefs We, as Farm Bureau members, belfeve: In our Constitutional form of government and its division of powers. In freedom of speech, press, and peaceful assembly. In separation of church and state and in the right of each individual to worship according to the dictates of his own conscience, to the extent that such activities do not infringe upon the rights of others. That is a precious heritage which can be preserved only by the active, intelligent assumption of basic citizenship responsibilities by all people. In the American competitive enterprise system, in which property is privately owned, privately managed, and operated for profit and individual satisfaction, and in which supply and demand are the 'ultimate determinants of market price. That efficiency of production and maximum per capita production are primary elements in determining standards of living. That property rights cannot be separated from human rights and are essential to the preservation of individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. That the exercise of free will, rather than force, is consistent with the maintenance of liberty. In the right of very man to choose his own occupation; to be. rewarded according to his productive contribution to society; and to save, invest, and spend, or convey to his heirs, his earnings as he chooses. That the centralization of power and authority in the federal government, the movement to socialize America, the apathy of the American people toward this trend, and the apparent lack of responsibility on the part of individual citizens are among the greatest dangers threatening our republic and our system of private competitive enterprise. That the Constitution is the basic law of the land and that changes in long established interpretations should be made only through Constitutional amendments. That the trend toward increased centralization of power in the federal government has led us far into socialism which is the stepping stone to communism. That such planned economy concepts as socialism, facism, communism, and other forms of totalitarianism should be opposed wherever and in whatever .form they may be found. That candidates for public office and employees of government at all levels should state their beliefs with respect to capitalism, socialism, and communism. That individual freedom and opportunity must not be sacrificed in a quest for guaranteed security. That the exercise of monopolistic power in any form whether by government, industry, labor, or agriculture jeopardizes freedom and In government by law, impartially administered, without special privilege. That government propagandizing of the electorate threatens the maintenance of That establishment by the government of organizations of citizens which may in any way remain under its political influence or control threatens the continuation of self-governm- self-governme-nt. nt. State and local government We believe that the maintenance of strong, independent, and responsible state and local government is imand inperative to the preservation of dividual freedoms. Public functions should be performed by the qualified unit of government closest to the people without coercion by administrative agencies of the federal government. We favor the assumption of responsibility by state and local units of government for the exercise of their appropriate functions. We urge State and County Farm Bureaus to study the modernization of local government and take an active role in making their local governments effective. Basic principles Purpose of Farm Bureau ministration of law without special privilege, and government by law rather than by men. The judicial function should be performed by the Judicial Branch rather than by the executive agencies. We are concerned about the tendency of the United States Supreme Court to invade the legislative area, to expand federal authority at the expense of state law, and to affirm executive interpretations of statutes beyond the intent of Congress. We urge that appointees to the United States Supreme Court be selected from those best qualified with a minimum of 10 years experience in a state supreme court or a United States court. Supreme Court Justices should be retired by the age of 70. The Judiciary should draft and adopt a code of ethics to assure the impartial administration of justice. Long and firmly established interpretations of the Constitution should be changed only by the adoption of Constitutional amendments. There is cause for serious concern regarding the investigational procedures of the Internal Revenue Service because basic Constitutional protections against search and seizure are being infringed. The principles of due process are being disregarded. We urge that judicial restraint be reasserted on such, activities to protect the concept that a man is innocent until proved guilty. The Constitution of the United States was well designed to secure individual liberty by a division of authority among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches and the diffusion of government powers through the retention by the states and the people of those powers not specifically delegated to the federal government. Stable and honest government with prescribed and limited powers is essential to freedom and progress. The trend toward centralization of power and responsibility in the federal government violates Constitutional purpose. It has reached a point dangerous to state sovereignty and individual freedom and should be reversed. The Constitutional prerogatives of each branch of the federal government should be preserved from encroachment by the other branches. The Executive Branch Expansion of the power of the Executive Branch is undesirable. We recommend that the Executive Branch: (1) Exercise restraint in seeking broad, discretionary powers from Congress; (2) Refrain from pressuring individual members of Congress to obtain enactment of legislation; and (3) Avoid interpreting laws beyond the scope affirmatively spelled out by Congress. Government propagandizing of the electorate jeopardizes and should be discontinued. We deplore the use of government financed agencies, organizations, or committees to develop policy or promote legislation. This practice is contrary to sound principles of The primary responsibility of the United States Department of Agriculture is to administer the laws and regulations affecting agriculture in an impartial and equitable manner. Secrecy in government affairs should be avoided except when essential to national security. self-governm- nt. The Legislative Branch Congress must assume the responsibility to preserve our federal system by reversing the trend toward centralization of authority in the Executive and Judicial Branches. Federal programs should not be used as vehicles to force state and local governments to conform to federal authority. We urge Congress to safeguard its legislative prerogatives by: (1) Insisting that federal expenditures be approved by Congress on an annual basis; (2) Avoiding delegation of broad, discretionary powers to the Executive Branch; and (3) Enacting corrective or conforming legislation where the Supreme Court has invaded the legislative area. Congress should adopt a code of ethics which clearly delineates the conduct and activities that should be expected of its members. The Judiciary We believe in an independent Judiciary, impartial ad- - self-governm- private competitive enterprise We believe in the American capitalistic, private, competitive enterprise system in which property is privately owned, privately managed, and operated for profit and individual satisfaction. We believe in a competitive business environment in which supply and demand arc the primary determinants of market prices, the use of productive resources, and the distribution of output. We believe in the right of every man to choose his own occupation; to be rewarded according to his contribution to society; and to save, invest, spend, or convey to his heirs his earnings. These rights are accompanied by the responsibility that each man has to meet the financial obligations he has incurred. We believe that government operation of commercial businesses in competition with private enterprise should be terminated. Socialism and communism Tolerance of socialist and communist group practices in our land threatens to destroy the American way of life. The welfare state is based on centralization of power in the federal government and the redistribution of the benefits of our economic system by political means and is akin to socialism and communism. We reaffirm our opposition to all socialistic and communistic economic systems. We recommend that: Our government encourage the cooperation of other nations in this endeavor. The basic principles of Americanism with emphasis upon freedom and dignity of the individual and our private competitive enterprise system, as compared with the objectives and characteristics of communism and socialism be taught in the schools. Legislation be enacted to restrict the use of the mails for communist propaganda. The House Committee and the Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security be continued. It be recognized that communists as well as other subversive elements are at the forefront in many of the fcivil disorders and student demonstrations. law Respect for citizens throughout the nation should proResponsible tect the concept that ours is a government of laws, not of men. We must emphasize adherence to laws and respect for properly constituted authorities. Lawlessness of many types is prevalent in the United States. Some Supreme Court decisions provide greater protection to the accused than to society. These make the task of law enforcement more difficult. We condemn the acts of those who incite or participate in riots, defile the flag, or burn draft cards. We recognize the right of citizens to dissent, but protests and demonstrations should not interfere with the rights of others and must not be permitted to deteriorate into civil disorder and anarchy. Each individual should be held liable for his acts when participating in or inciting such disorders. |