Monday, September 11, 2023

Ever heard of the Lift Principles?

 Ever heard of the Lift Principles? LIFT stands for limited government, individual liberties, free enterprise, and traditional values


https://www.txccri.org/lift-principles (Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute)


Limited Government:

-government should be fiscally responsible

-not wasteful, fraudulent, or inept by increasing public debt

-taxation should never be employed for the purpose of redistributing wealth

-government should not restrict productivity, economic growth, or savings

-government should encourage self-sufficiency and promote the work ethic among its citizenry

-public funds should not be used for people who are capable, but unwilling to provide for their own needs

-government welfare programs for the needy should strive to enforce dignity of the individual, strengthen the family unit, and individual’s potential for self-sufficiency


Individual Liberty:

-laws tend to restrict free exercise of liberty and property

-no law should pass unless there is compelling reason to do so

-proponents of any law should have the burden of proof that the passage is necessary

-rights of the individual should, but not be limited to, those rights guaranteed in the Constitutions and the Bill of Rights of the United States

-rights should include God-given rights of freedom

-the individual is more important than the state

-individual's obligation to conduct himself as a responsible and productive member of society

-all citizens are entitled to security of their persons and property

-government’s primary task is the maintenance of law and order to ensure these rights are protected

-system of just must afford each persona access to competent representation and a level playing field to ensure justice can be met


Free Enterprise:

-through free markets, individuals and groups form relationships and exercise self-government 

-states should intervene to establish minimum health and safety standard that encouraged competition

-it is dangerous when the government chooses to use power to regulate free people 

-individuals have the right to choose in free market systems

-individuals have the responsibility to inform themselves to make choices that best suits their needs

-government should actively enforce fraud statutes

-government should not attempt to protect the public from what it perceives as poor choices

-private property is the cornerstone of a free nation

-communal needs should not override private property rights for the sake of convenience


Traditional Values:

-family is the foundation of society

-government should not interfere in its function as little as possible

-family unity and inter-dependency is necessary to foster and encourage culture, learning, and long-term national stability

-parents have rights and obligation in the upbringing of their children, including their moral, intellectual, and physical development

-marriage is meant to be a permanent relationship between one man and one woman and is the foundation for healthy and stable families

-human life is sacred and inviolable from conception to natural death

-protections of the unborn and elderly, compassionate care for the sick and infirm are essential elements of a culture of life and necessary for the health of civil society

-traditional American ideals must be preserved and impressed upon each generation

-duty, honor, and love of country are some of those values, but equally important are the pursuit of justice and equality before the law