Mahaska GOP

Thanks to Calvin Meinders who has ably represented the Mahaska Republican Central Committee on the Platform Committee at the County and District Conventions for more than ten years! This year, in working on the platform, Calvin was joined by Stephen Stam and Jon Stanford.

Mahaska County Republican Party Platform approved at Convention March 7th, 2026

Preamble

With trust in God, and fidelity to past and future generations, we uphold the principles of individual responsibility and liberty, adherence to Biblical moral standards, a strong national defense, a free enterprise system, and respect for the sanctity of human life.  We believe in retaining the original intent of our Founding Fathers as embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We believe that a high moral character is necessary of all citizens, in both private and public life, to ensure the proliferation of these principles for future generations.

Following are four priority planks that we expect our elected officials to enact. Should our elected officials fail to legitimately attempt the enactment of these planks in the next legislative session, we empower our local Central Committee to use their authority and influence to replace the delinquent official with someone who will honor our expressed will.

1. We support an amendment to the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Iowa that protects innocent human life from conception to natural death. Abortion will be considered 1^st degree murder and will be punished as such.
2. We support the banning of abortion pills by mail.
3. Eminent domain should be used solely for public use with the burden of proof upon those attempting to take property; therefore, we support legislation preventing any taxing authority from using the power of eminent domain for private benefit. Contested Eminent Domain cases should be decided by vote of those in the district of the property.
4. We support proof of citizenship and residency as requirements for voter registration. We believe voters should be required to present a valid, State of Iowa approved picture I.D. before voting.

1. Life

We believe human life is a sacred gift from our Creator and is a fundamental right as outlined in the Declaration of Independence.  This right is innately valuable in every stage and development, including the unborn and the elderly, the terminally or chronically ill, and the mentally or physically handicapped.  No human life should ever be diminished, and innocent human life must never be taken arbitrarily.

1. We affirm that every innocent person, including the unborn child, has the God-given and Constitutional right to life beginning at conception and ending at natural death. Abortion will be considered 1st degree murder and punished as such.   
2. We reaffirm our support for an amendment to the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Iowa that protects innocent human life from conception to natural death.
3. Whereas DNA evidence is allowed in our Judicial system as proof of identity, we believe that DNA proves that a fetus upon conception, has DNA separate, from his parents, identifying him as a separate individual, with all the rights endowed him by God and by the Constitution of the United States, that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
4. We oppose using public revenues to fund abortions or organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which advocate abortion.
5. We favor improving, strengthening, and simplifying the adoption process by married couples of one man and one woman.
6. We support legislation requiring consent by a parent and/or legal guardian before a minor child receives reproductive services and products. Such law should require proof of identity of the parent in order to protect children from continued abuse by sexual predators who pretend to be the parent.
7. We support the banning of abortion pills by mail.
8. We strongly urge that the 2002 Human Cloning Ban, which was redefined in the 2007 Iowa Legislature, be reinstated. 
9. We believe euthanasia, assisted suicide, and infanticide are murder. To this end, hospice care should be used for palliative care, and not as a cover for euthanasia, assisted suicide or infanticide.
10. We oppose the removal, by order of a court or state agency, of fluids or nourishment from those who are either acutely or terminally ill.  We believe the decision should be left to the family or conservator.
11. We believe in “conscience clause” legislation so that no physician, pharmacist, other health care provider or adoption services provider can be penalized for refusing to prescribe, dispense or participate in the procurement of abortion or anything contrary to the conscience of the health care provider.
12. We support reinstating the death penalty in Iowa because it is a deterrent to the violent crime of murder.

2. Liberty

1. We oppose widespread, warrantless data collection on innocent U.S. citizens.
2. We support a ban on traffic violation cameras and vehicle recognition cameras.
3. We support a parental rights amendment to the United States Constitution stating that parents, not the government, are responsible for and should be fully in charge of the upbringing (education, protection, discipline, etc.) of their children whether they choose public, private, home or alternate education.
4. We believe that for our public educational system to be successful, it must be accountable to the parents of the community and not be influenced by any international organization. 
5. We do not believe that more money ensures better education. We believe tax credit is due to families who choose non-government education since they pay taxes as well as tuition.
6. Tax credits for elementary and secondary education should follow the student regardless of whether the student attends public or private school or is home schooled.
7. We believe the biblical account of Creation and the supporting scientific arguments should be presented to all students as part of a well-rounded curriculum.
8. We support schools instructing abstinence outside of marriage as the surest way to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and associated psychological problems.  We oppose the distribution of condoms, other contraceptives and feminine products in government schools.
9. We support voluntary prayer in government schools and the use of the Bible as a textbook.
10. We support displaying the Ten Commandments in public places.
11. We call for the abolition of the Federal Department of Education and the downsizing of the Iowa Department of Education in favor of local control.
12. We believe that teachers’ salaries should be based on performance rather than solely on tenure and education level.
13. We oppose state funding for daycare and/or preschool.
14. We oppose the teaching of sex education in any form, at any grade level without written parental consent.
15. We believe the goal of education is the development of knowledgeable and responsible individuals; therefore, we are committed to excellence in undergraduate education and call for a priority emphasis on systematic intensive phonics, reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, objective science, and the true history of the United States of America.
16. The teaching of CRT was prohibited by Iowa HF802. We believe CRT, Critical Theory, racism, identity training, or Social Emotional Learning are all under the same umbrella. CRT, (or CRT-like concepts), divisive, and identity-based concepts do not belong in our schools. Schools should not be allowed to work around this law by a matter of semantics.
17. We believe government institutions, including schools and public libraries, must not provide access to obscene or sexually explicit content.
18. We believe that the public library board should be elected by the community. These board members have control over library books, movies, programs, employees, and visuals. Libraries are meant to educate our children, not to influence them. Furthermore, we also believe that books that are harmful to minors and rated R movies and books should be separated into their own section and labeled. Minors must have the legal parent or guardian’s signature to check them out.
19. We believe that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that our nation’s foundation and subsequent blessings flow from adherence to and respect for the Judeo-Christian ethic
20. We support an amendment to the Iowa and United States Constitutions stating that “Only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized, and that neither the Federal government, any state government, or the political subdivisions thereof may create or recognize a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals”.
21. We believe access to sexually explicit material, especially on the Internet, poses a serious threat to our families and children. Therefore, we must strengthen and enforce our laws to protect our families and children.
22. We call upon the Iowa Legislature to rescind “no-fault divorce” laws. 
23. We uphold the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, with references to the Creator as presently written, and believe that it is constitutional and does not violate separation of Church and State but ensures freedom of religion and not from religion.
24. We oppose any law, ordinance or policy that would approve the practice of homosexuality. 
25. We strongly oppose the UN “Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
26. We call for the repeal of sexual orientation as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Code and reject any additional similar legislation to Local, State or National Code.
27. We reject any civil rights protection for those engaged in or promoting pedophilia or other sexual perversions.
28. We believe justice is grounded in personal rights in balance with public safety.
29. We believe the role of government is to uphold the law and maintain order, to protect the innocent, resolve disputes and punish crime.
30. We assert that the Constitution of the United States of America is the highest law of the land and cannot be superseded by any international law, treaty or agreement. We are opposed to the use of Sharia law.
31. We believe the language in the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence is as relevant today as when it was penned. Any attempts to revise or deviate from the original intent of said documents must be vigorously opposed.
32. We support legislation affirming that no person, employee, corporation or member of a corporation shall be forced to participate in a behavior; provide a service; fund a behavior, whether directly or indirectly; or promote a behavior or idea, whether directly or indirectly to which they object on religious grounds.
33. The right to bear arms is inherent in the right of self-defense, and defense against tyranny, conferred on the individual and the community by our Creator to safeguard life, liberty, and property, as well as to help preserve the independence of the nation.  We strongly believe in the Second Amendment, which guarantees individuals the right to keep and bear arms without government intervention. We support the repeal of current laws that infringe upon our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.  We oppose attempts to restrict ownership of guns by law-abiding citizens and stand against all laws which would require the registration of guns or ammunition. 
34. We support the elimination of “gun free zones”.
35. We support the repeal of state and federal “hate crimes” legislation, since it is an attempt to criminalize the perceived thoughts and/or beliefs of persons rather than obtain justice based on action(s) alone. 
36. We support enforcement of existing federal, state and local obscenity and pornography laws.
37. We support tort reform and a cap on punitive damages.

3. Property

1. Eminent domain should be used solely for public use with the burden of proof upon those attempting to take property. Eminent domain for private benefit should be banned.  Contested cases should be decided by vote of those in the district of the property.
2. The South-Central Regional Airport is use of Eminent Domain for private benefit, a poor use of our tax dollars today and a long-term drain on our money. 
3. We are highly skeptical of the claims regarding “Climate Change” and demand that any government actions taken regarding them must be based upon reproducible scientific evidence.
4. We support the preeminence of personal property, economic prosperity and freedom of property owners to manage their property above the protection of wildlife that is not endangered.
5. We call for the total elimination of tax incentives for the capture and transportation of CO2. We call for similar elimination of tax incentives regarding methanol.
6. We call for the abolition of the Federal Department of Agriculture, returning control back to the state and local governments.  We decry any Federal regulations that infringe upon farmers’ rights.
7. We believe animal husbandry decisions and production practices should be decided by individual farmers, not the government.
8. We believe that all defendant parties should be compensated by the losing complainant for all costs incurred in contesting invalid complaints relating to farming and animal feeding operations.
9. We believe that strict criminal and civil penalties should be imposed upon individuals or organizations that willfully destroy, vandalize or terrorize legitimate businesses, people or personal property.
10. Nuisance liability should not be imposed based on standards adopted after the defendant’s conduct occurred.
11. We oppose the “Waters of the U.S.” regulation which endangers property rights of farmers.

4. National Sovereignty and Defense

1. We believe that Congress should establish an immigration policy that furthers the cultural, social, and economic interests of the United States, and that a sound immigration policy coupled with vigorous enforcement of immigration laws is essential to securing our homeland.
2. We call for a complete immigration moratorium for the next 5 years.
3. We believe only United States citizens or legal immigrants are entitled to constitutional protections or government services.
4. We support empowering local and state governments in cooperation with federal agencies in identifying and processing illegal immigrants.
5. We call for English to be designated as the official language of the United States.
6. We propose heavy monetary fines against employers and businesses that willfully hire illegal immigrants. We propose criminal penalties for repeat offenders and willful non-compliance.
7. Illegal immigrants who commit felonies should be deported.
8. We support building a fence to protect the United States’ borders from illegal immigrants.
9. We assert that the Constitution of the United States grants “birthright Citizenship” only to those children born to United States citizens and not visiting foreigners, work visa holders, or illegal aliens.
10. We believe there should be a death penalty for someone caught and convicted of carrying out a terrorist attack on U.S. soil where there was a death or the intent to cause death.
11. We believe the United States should not and cannot negotiate with terrorist organizations.
12. We urge continued economic and military support for Israel. We support Israel in their natural and God-given right of self-governance and self-defense within their own lands.
13. We believe the United States should never sacrifice its sovereignty or relinquish control of its soil to the United Nations or any other international body.
14. We proudly commend our Veterans for their vital service to our nation. The government needs to care for 100% of veterans’ service-connected disabilities.
15. We oppose the admission of refugees to the U.S. without proper vetting.
16. We do not support any part of the United Nations Small Arms Treaty.

5. Commerce

1. We support voluntary state programs that provide tax credits to install targeted conservation programs to achieve improved water quality in impaired watersheds.
2. We oppose any and all federal agricultural subsidies.
3. We support legislation that encourages the development of small businesses in Iowa.  We oppose special incentives, tax policies, subsidies, regulations or laws that give one lawful, domestic industry or industry segment or business an advantage over another.
4. We call for the reduction of the corporate tax rate to encourage business development and growth.
5. We support the elimination of the EPA.
6. We support Iowa’s Right to Work law.
7. We call for the repeal of all minimum wage laws.
8. We affirm the right of the employer to hire and fire as they see fit.
9. We believe that no banking institution should refuse a loan to a business or individual based on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) score.
10. We support specific, finite periods for all programs at every level of government and tying government funding to periodic program evaluation.
11. We believe that less government is better government. We should strive to have fewer government restrictions, fewer government employees and lower taxes.
12. We support every reasonable effort on the part of all governments and taxpayers to limit taxing and spending.
13. We are opposed to socialism. We believe that the purpose of taxation is to fund the constitutionally mandated functions of government, not to “redistribute the wealth,” or to fund ever increasing social programs.
14. We believe social problems are best handled by private groups or benevolent organizations, not by the government. 
15. We support the goal of energy independence within the United States.
16. We support the deregulation of the building and operation of oil refineries to encourage expansion to meet our needs.  We oppose government subsidies for this industry.
17. We support reasonable deregulation and expansion of nuclear energy.
18. We support the continued use and expansion of coal as a source of energy.
19. We oppose foreign ownership or control of infrastructure, land and water.
20. We oppose the conversion of any existing Iowa interstates, highways and thoroughfares into toll roads.
21. We should maintain an environmental policy that protects the right of humans before all other species.
22. We call for the governor to withdraw from the Governors’ Wind & Solar Energy Coalition.

6. Government

1. We call for a dramatic reduction to the size and scope of government at all levels. We believe the federal government should be strictly limited to the eighteen enumerated powers in the United States Constitution with all others left to the States and to the people in accordance with the Tenth Amendment.
2. We strongly oppose judicial legislation and call upon the other branches of government at all levels to limit the judiciary to constitutionally enumerated powers. 
3. We call upon judges to uphold traditional family values, uphold the sanctity of human life, and adhere strictly to the original intent of the Constitution or face impeachment and removal.
4. We call for the appointment of constructionist judges to the Supreme Court and term limits for them.
5. We call for the phased replacement of the Social Security System with a new private and voluntary system.
6. We support line-item veto authority for the President of the United States.
7. We believe “In God We Trust” should be on the face of all United States currency and coin.
8. We believe before voting on a bill, congressmen and senators must first have a working knowledge of the full bill.
9. We believe candidates running as Republicans for any local or state office should be required to complete and return to the Republican Party of Iowa a signed questionnaire indicating whether the candidate agrees, disagrees or is undecided about each plank of the current party platform.
10. We support the First Amendment rights of ministers and clergy. We oppose the civil and criminal prosecution of ministers exercising those rights.
11. We support the repeal of the same day voter registration for all local, state, and federal elections.
12. We support proof of citizenship and residency as requirements for voter registration. We believe voters should be required to present a valid, State of Iowa approved picture I.D. before voting.
13. We support one day election – whereby the polls close at 10:00 pm.
14. We support the right of registered political parties to oversee the voting with human presence and video technology.  We support the same rights for surveying the count.
15. We support the elimination of voting drop boxes and sending out nonofficial voting forms.
16. We support the reduction of absentee voting.
17. We support paper vote – no more use of voting machines
18. We oppose one world government and all world government-imposed bodies.
19. We believe that every citizen has the Constitutional right to pray, read the Bible and discuss their faith in private and in public, including in public institutions.
20. We believe that voluntary public prayer shall be allowed on all public property.
21. We believe the Supreme Court should use almost exclusively the Constitution and American precedent.
22. We call for an end to all forms of affirmative actionand the use of race, ethnicity or skin color to categorize and divide Americans on all government forms, including the census.
23. We believe that all elected officials must be bound by and subject to the same laws, rules and regulations as the general public.
24. Pursuant to the 2018 Ombudsman report “No Model for Transparency,” we call for the abolition of the Iowa Public Information Board.
25. We call for the Iowa Legislature to subject itself to the open meetings laws it imposes on all other government bodies.
26. We believe that emergency powers must be reformed. A declared emergency shall not last more than 15 days without the consent of the Iowa House and Iowa Senate.
27. We support Congressional participation in Social Security and the elimination of Congressional Pension.  Their retirement can be funded just like all other Americans.
28. We believe Congress should participate in the same healthcare system as the American people.
29. We believe Congressional pay should rise by the lower of the CPI or 3%.
30. We object to coerced lobbying through dues and fees paid to memberships associations. 
31. We believe taxpayer dollars should not be used for lobbyists.
32. We believe no previously elected official should be permitted to register as a lobbyist until they have been out of office for 5 years.
33. We call for an audit of all departments of the Federal Government every three years.
34. We support rescinding all prior Iowa applications for an Article V Convention and support the upholding and enforcing our current Federal and State Constitutions.
35. We call for the elimination of all FISA courts.
36. We believe that healthcare is best provided by the private sector, and that universal or government healthcare will reduce the quality and availability of care. Hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers should be accountable to patients– not to politicians, insurance bureaucrats or HMO Administrators.
37. We call for the rescinding of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in its entirety.
38. We support the privatization of Medicare and its prescription benefits.
39. We believe HIV/AIDS should be classified as a communicable disease, not a disability, and treated as such under current law. 
40. We believe that to be eligible for social security retirement benefits one must have paid in, or be the spouse of one who has paid in, for a minimum of 40 quarters, and must be a United States citizen.
41. We believe a person should pass a drug test before being eligible for welfare.
42. We strongly believe the right to decline a vaccination or any other medical treatment as an inalienable right. We oppose medical treatment requirements and mandates and believe medical decisions should remain private between a patient and doctor.
43. We believe that the powers granted to the Iowa Medical Professional Boards (Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Veterinary, etc.) should be limited. Boards should not threaten punitive action to those members providing care. The provider/patient relationship must preside when patients give informed consent.
44. We believe no individual should be forced against their will to utilize a medical device such as a mask nor should they be restricted access to public institutions based solely on their choice to not utilize a medical device. Individuals have the sovereignty to make decisions about their own healthcare.
45. We support policy solutions to create transparent competition among Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and address the ways PBMs profit at the expense of independent pharmacies, patients, employee health plans and taxpayers.
46. We support a balanced budget at state and federal levels within 3 years through significant cuts in spending and taxes.
47. We demand paying down the national debt.
48. We support the repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the elimination of the IRS, and replacing all federal income taxes with a fairer tax system. An option would be federal flat tax not to exceed 10%.
49. We call for the phasing-out, over four-years, of all federal departments, programs, regulations, and expenditures that are not expressly authorized by the United States Constitution.
50. We oppose any effort to establish a universal basic income.
51. We urge change of the Internal Revenue Code to allow a religious organization to address issues without fear.
52. We support the ability of Iowans to fully deduct the amount they pay in federal income taxes on their Iowa Income Tax Return.
53. We support the passage of the Peoples’ Right to Vote Amendment to the Iowa Constitution, which would require a vote of the people to ratify tax increases.
54. Tax and fee revenues collected for specific purposes must be used for the purposes for which they were collected.
55. We support zero base budgeting.
56. We oppose governmental funding of advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood, AARP, ACLU and other citizen groups.
57. We believe that earmarks must be eliminated.
58. We believe sports, entertainment, and the arts should be funded by users and voluntary donors, not by tax dollars.
59. We call for a freeze on borrowing money from China.
60. The 1% sales tax in Mahaska County needs to go towards county projects not Oskaloosa projects.
61. We call for the elimination of the “death tax.”