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Show was well designed to secure individual libertv- bv a division of authority- amongw the legislative, executive and judicial Utah Farm Bureau Federation (2) legislation nullifying c- - RESOLUTIONS for 1 975 Nowhere do the members of an organization speak with a more democratic voice than in Farm Bureau. These resolutions originated in policy development meetings; thev were approved in county annual business meetings and sent to the state convention for consideration, where voting delegates elected by their county Farm Bureau members adopted them after serious discussion. These policies will guide your organization throughout 1975. Court doctrine that the enactment of federal legislation preempts the field. We favor an amendment lo the Constitution to guarantee to each state the fundamental right to determine its own apportionment of one house of its legislature on some basis other than popu- branches and the diffusion of govern-me- n l powers through retention by the stales and the people of those powers not specifically delegated to the federal government. The Constitution is the basic lavs of the land and changes in k ed interpretations should be made only through constitutional amendments. The constitutional prerogatives of each branch of the federal k.government should be preserved from encroachment by the other branches. One of the greatest dangers threat-enin- g our republic and our system of private competitive enterprise is the apathy of the American people and apparent lack of responsibility on the part of individual citizens in allowing the socialization of America through the centralization of power and authoritv in the federal government. The trend toward centralization of power and responsibility in the federal k.government violates constitutional purpose. It has reached a point dangerous to state sovereignty and individual freedom and should be reversed. k k- long-establis- lation. The federal kgovernment should not withhold funds or threaten reprisals in h- w lo-c- al an effort to force state k.governments to take legislative or administrative actions not acceptable to the states. We favor the assumption of responsibility for the exercise of their ap- propriate functions by state and loof government. We urge state and anility Farm Bureaus to take an active role in making their local governments effective. cal units Capitalism - Private Competitive Enterprise Efficiency and high per capita ktf Hamilton, President Utah Farm Bureau Federation Elmo FARM BUREAU PHILOSOPHY America's unparalleled progress is based on freedom and dignitv of the individual, sustained by basic moral and religious concepts. Freedom of the individual versus concentration of power which would delrov freedom is the central issue in all societies. F.conomic progress, cultural advancement. and ethical and religious principles llourish bel where men are free, responsible individuals. I he exercise of free will, rather than force, is consistent with the maintenance of liberty Individual freedom and opportun-it- x must not be sacrificed in a quest for guaranteed sccuritx." We believe in government bv law. without administered. impartially special privilege. We believe in the representative form of government a Republic as provided in our 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. 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. We oppose the use of public funds for financing political campaigns. People have the right and the responsibility to speak for themselves individually or through organizations of their choice without coercion or government intervention. Government propagandizing of the electorate jeopardizes and should be discontinued. We deplore the use of government-finance- d agencies, organizations or committees to develop policy or promote legislation. This practice is contrary lo sound principles of Secrecy in government affairs should not be tolerated except as actually essential lo national security. Property rights are among the human rights essential lo the preservation of individual freedom. . self-governm- self-governme-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 stale and local governments to conform to federal auth-orit- y. We urge the Congress to safeguard its legislative prerogatives by: (af Insisting that federal expenditures V. be approved by Congress on an annual basis; (b) Avoiding delegation of broad, discretionary powers to the executive branch; and (c) 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 m The Judicial function should be performed by the Judicial branch rather than by executive agencies. We are concerned about the present tendenev of the Federal Judiciary to in- vade the Legislative area, to expand federal authority at the expense of state law. and to affirm executive interpretations of statutes beyond the intent of The Executive Branch Expansion of the power of the executive branch is undesirable. We recommend that the executive branch: (a) Exercise restraint in seeking broad, discretionary powers from Congress: (b) Refrain from pressuring individual members of Congress to obtain of legislation: and Avoid (c) interpreting laws beyond the scope affirmatively spelled out by Congress. The primary responsibility of the United States Department of Agricul- nt Congress. w The Supreme Court should confine itself to interpretations of the Constitution and should not perform a legislative function. We urge that appointees to the Supreme Court be selected from those best qualified with a minimum of ten years experience in a state Supreme Court or a United States court. Supreme Court justices should be retired by the age of 70. The investigational procedures of the Internal Revenue Service are a source of serious concern. Basic constitutional protections against search and seizure are being infringed, and the principles of due process are being disregarded. We urge that Judicial restraint be reasserted to protect the concept that a man is innocent until he is proved guilty. We are seriously concerned over the practice of many courts which overlook the rights of the injured party in effort to protect the cian vil rights of the accused and the con- w over-zealo- us vieted. Socialism and Communism Socialism and communism threaten 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 bene- k. fits of our economic system by political means and is akin to socialism and One of the greatest threatening our republic and our system of private competitive enterprise is the apathy of the American people. . dan-ger- s communism. We reaffirm our opposition to all x'ialistic and communistic economic systems. We recommend that: our government encourage the operation of other nations in this is kr States Rights The powers not specifically delegated to the federal Wgovernment bv the self-governm- k. ments. We support (1) efforts of state governments to assume responsibilities nism. to the slates and to rightfully belonging kr protect and defend states' rights, and Patriotism The foundation of a strong, unified W We believe in the right of everv k. his own occupation; to man to choose be rewarded according to his contribu-tio- n to society; and lo save, invest, spend or convey his earnings to his heirs. These rights are accompanied by the responsibility that each man has to meet the financial obligations he has incurred. en- -- Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people. We believe that the maintenance of strong, independent and responsible state and local government is imperative to the preservation of and individual freedoms. Public functions should be performed by the qualified unit of government closest to the people. There should be no coercion by administrative agencies of higher units of k.govern- k co- deavor. the basic principals of Americanism, with emphasis upon treedom 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 prohibit 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 civil disorders and student demonstrations. Candidates for public office and employees of government at all levels should state their beliefs with respect to capitalism, socialism and commu- to administer the laws and reguk lations affectingk. agriculture in an im- partial and equitable manner. ture pro- duction are primary elements in achieving standards of living. We believe in a competitive business environment in which supply and demand are the primary determinants of market prices, the use of productive resources and the distribution of output. We believe in the American capitalistic, private, competitive enterprise system in which properly is privately owned, privately managed and operated for profit and individual satisfaction. Government operation of commercial businesses in competition with private enterprise should be terminated. k We believe in an independent Judiciary. impartial administration wf law without special privilege, and government bv law rather than bv men. the Supreme m i The Constitution Stable and honest government with prescribed and limited powers is essential to freedom and progress. T he Constitution of the United States farmers right to work his land and care for his animals in the way he pleases is a basic part of Farm Bureau philosophy. A |