Who we are & What we Believe
The RLC-MI, a state chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus, consists of politically active Michiganders who believe in advancing libertarian principles and limited government policies within the Republican Party. (We think the GOP desperately needs our guidance and help.)
What are these principles? You can read about them below. You can also check out our updates to see how we apply these principles to today’s most pressing political issues.
While RLCers fairly disagree with each other about plenty of issues, it’s fair to say that we’re politically active because we share a desire for liberty. And we work together because we find ourselves on the same side in our struggles for liberty far more than the alternative. If you share this same desire for freedom and its blessings, we hope you’ll take a moment to join us.
The Republican Party?
You might, at this point, find yourself wondering something like, “Didn’t the Republican Party just preside over the largest expansion of the federal government in decades? And you RLCers are talking about limited government, and hoping to have Republicans deliver it?” These are excellent questions. The short answer is that the Republicans responsible for these tragedies deserve to be replaced in favor of principled advocates for liberty. Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for more elaborate answers to these, and other common questions.
Principles*
The Republican Liberty Caucus supports individual rights, limited government and free enterprise.
We believe every human being is endowed by nature with inherent rights to life, liberty and property that are properly secured by law. We support a strict construction of the Bill of Rights as a defense against tyranny; the expansion of those rights to all voluntary consensual conduct under the Ninth and Tenth Amendments; and the requirements of equal protection and due process under the Fourteenth Amendment.
We support the Constitutional restrictions on federal government powers enumerated in Article I, Section 8 as an absolute limit on all government functions and programs. We oppose the adoption of broad and vague powers under the guise of general welfare or interstate commerce.
We oppose all restrictions on the voluntary and honest exchange of value in a free market. We favor minimal, equitable, and fair taxation for the essential functions of government. We oppose all legislation that concedes Congressional power to any regulatory agency, executive department, or international body.
We support the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, the republican form of government it requires, and the right of all citizens to fair and equitable representation.
We believe these are also the proper positions of the Republican Party.
*Principles adopted by Delegates of the RLC at its biannual meeting, May 22, 2004.