The Mackinac Declaration

At this crucial point in the history of our grand republic and our great state, we, the undersigned, do affirm our beliefs in the following:

A broad, inclusive and open Republican Party is the natural home of conservatism.

Winning electoral majorities requires a party of ideas and an opposition that proposes alternatives to the policy of those who govern and legislate.

An informed and engaged electorate that holds all those who seek their vote to account is necessary in our system of representative government.

While partisanship is a time honored aspect of our political tradition, discussions of public importance must remain civil and constructive. The politics of division must be avoided.

Though change is necessary, reforms of those governments seated in Lansing and Washington must be grounded against the whims of the moment.

Carelessly throwing away ageless ideals — religion, morality, self-restraint — in the pursuit of unrestrained liberty is imprudent and will contribute to an increasingly broken society.

Efforts to limit the federal government’s role to that envisioned by the framers of the Constitution will be championed by a new generation of leaders — committed to the first principles — who will emerge from the fifty states.

Government is not only important, but fundamentally necessary to maintain order and protect our rights and property. By limiting government to its core functions — which at the state and local levels are education, infrastructure and the preservation of the public safety — government can be a positive force.

Signed this twenty-first day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and eleven, and of the independence of the United States of America two hundred and thirty-five.

Schoolcraft County Republican Party

Randy Bishop
Northern Michigan Patriots
 
Timothy Boyko
Chairman, Charlevoix County Republican Party

Craig Burgers
Ingham County Republican Party

Dan Gremore
Kent County Republican Party

Keith LaCosse
Member, Michigan Republican State Committee

Dennis Lennox
Executive Committee Member, Cheboygan County Republican Party

Greg Ostrom
Chairman, Saginaw County Young Republicans
 
Dennis Pittman
Executive Director, Oakland County Republican Party
Member, Michigan Republican State Committee

Trevor Pollo
District Director, Michigan FairTax Campaign

Scott Saionz 
Treasurer, Wayne County Republican Party
Member, Michigan Republican State Committee

Rob Sisson
National President, Republicans for Environmental Protection

Jack Waldvogel
Chairman, Emmet County Republican Party

Paul Walker
Chairman, Schoolcraft County Republican Party
 
Chris Wicker
Allegan County Republican Party