We, as Young Conservatives, seek to resurrect our movement’s meaning and political relevance by re-discovering, not re-defining, our movement’s principles for a new generation of Americans; 

We, as Young Conservatives, believe that Conservatism is best understood as a philosophy of experience – an attempt to steward the wisdom of the ages forward to solve the problems of the present, and provide a valuable inheritance for future generations;

We, as Young Conservatives, believe that each person has been granted unique talents and gifts by our common Creator, and that history has shown man’s spiritual freedom to be inseparable from his economic freedom.  Man’s quest for spiritual virtue provides the indispensable social support for his quest for prosperity, and that any increase in the size of the state harms all parts of man’s free-will; Click to read rest of Preamble

Platform

We, as Young Conservatives, believe the challenges ahead require us to assert that:

I. CENSORSHIP DOCTRINE

• Political speech is the most important type of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.  We support the free exchange of ideas and oppose all attempts to re-impose a doctrine of censorship on America’s airwaves.   

II. UNION CARD CHECK

• Americans have the right to work, the freedom to organize if they so choose, and be protected from forced unionization and intimidation by preserving the right to a secret ballot.

III. ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

• A key challenge of our generation will be to harmonize economic growth with environmental preservation.  Foreign and domestic regulations that limit our economic growth stifle the very means by which we can preserve our environment and prosperity. 
• We endorse market-based solutions that provide conservation and alternative energy sources to our global and domestic environmental challenges.  

IV. HEALTH CARE

• The federal government is not an insurance company and should not operate as one.  The mandates and bureaucracy that drive up prices and diminish individual choice are a result of current government intervention, not free market choice. 
• True healthcare reform allows individuals the healthcare plan of their choosing, portability from job to job, and encourages healthy behavior and individual responsibility. 

V. FEDERAL SPENDING/ STIMULUS

• Every challenge facing the American people does not require a federal office and federal funding, especially during times of economic uncertainty. 
• Federal spending must be brought back into alignment with federal constitutional responsibilities, in order to pay down the debt and restore fiscal accountability.
• Spending requests, including earmarks, should be open to review by the American people and subject to debate by all members of Congress, regardless of party.  

VI. TAX RELIEF

• We believe that taxation is the transfer of money from the people to the government and as such, our tax code should be simple, uniform, and reward hard work rather than punish success. 
• We oppose any tax proposal which harms the freedoms and spending power of American workers and families, as well as the nation’s largest employer - small businesses.

VII. EDUCATION CHOICE

• Students get the best education when their parents have a choice because competition breeds better education standards, holds educators accountable, and places local control over the school district.
• In order for students to compete and succeed in the 21st century, we endorse school choice plans wherever desired by parents and their communities.   

VIII. FEDERAL JUDGES

• Judges should base their decisions on the actual text of the Constitution and intent of the law.  Judges should err on the side of restraint and defer to the people’s elected representatives when presented with issues not addressed in current law. 
• While we believe judicial nominees deserve an up or down vote on the floor of the Senate, all nominees should be qualified, competent, and exercise judicial restraint.

IX. PROTECTING MARRIAGE

• We as young conservatives believe in protecting the sanctity of marriage, as defined by a sacred union between one man and one woman. 
• As a matter of public policy, states should be able to choose, by the people or through their elected representatives, the standards for, and the transferability of marriage.   

X. PROTECTING RIGHT TO LIFE

• We believe the right to life is every human being’s most fundamental right.  When there is another value in conflict with life, the presumption should always be on the side of life. 
• In matters of public policy, we believe in increasing the number of adoptions, decreasing the number of abortions, ending taxpayer funded abortion, as well as supporting adult and umbilical stem cell research. 
• We respect the freedom of states individually to choose their own abortion laws, while encouraging them to support life.

XI. IMMIGRATION REFORM

• We need to reform our broken immigration system through attrition, border and workplace enforcement, reducing bureaucratic hurdles that discourage legal immigration, and encourage sensible attempts at cultural assimilation, which is essential for our shared national identity. 
• Any attempt of amnesty for illegal immigrants is not fair to those who have played by the rules, waited patiently in line, and who wish to truly embody the American dream. 

XII. FREE TRADE

• American goods and services can compete with any country on earth.  Our ability to compete is based on free market principles, encompassing free trade and expanding markets for goods and services.
• Government policy should be to incentivize domestic business and entrepreneurship in order keep businesses and jobs in America.
• Any legislation promoting protectionism or isolation, including onerous regulation or taxation will limit our prosperity and will ultimately cost American jobs.

XIII. DEFENSE & SECURITY

• For the safety of our nation and our citizens and allies abroad, every effort must be made to prevent transnational acts of terrorism.
• This requires a vigilant military, credible intelligence, completion of the multi-national missile defense shield, and an increased and sustained effort to win the war of ideas for freedom, liberty, tolerance and the rule of law. 

XIV. DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS

• Leaders of countries that are hostile to the U.S. and her citizens shall not be rewarded with direct meetings with U.S. leaders, unless substantial preconditions are met.  One on one direct meetings without preconditions weakens America’s prestige in the world and provides legitimacy to regimes hostile to the U.S.  

XV. INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

• No resolution or judgment from a transnational organization should ever supersede the dominion of the United States Constitution, the laws of the United States, and the sovereignty of the American people.  This includes treaties attempting to usurp America’s sovereignty in international seas or courts.