Whig Party
Now that the presidential candidates are coming out of the woodwork, I started wondered, whatever happened to the Whig Party?
The Whig Party was formed in 1832 to oppose the policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party. The Whig Party believed that Congress should have more power than the executive branch and they wanted more modernization and economic development. They wanted more railroads, canals, and other improvements which proved useful in the development of the West.
The name came from the party of the English Whigs who favored Parliament keeping the king in check. The name was also used by the American Patriots during the Revolutionary War. These were colonists who favored an independent nation.
The Whig Party was only in existence for 24 years (1832 to 1856) but had some famous members including Daniel Webster, William Henry Harrison, Henry Clay, Zachary Taylor and Abraham Lincoln. Four Whig Presidents were elected – Harrison, Taylor, John Tyler and Millard Fillmore. Both Harrison and Taylor died in office and Tyler was expelled from the Party.
The Whig Party was eventually destroyed by defection to the Republican Party who was the strong anti-slavery party in the 1850s.
In January 2007, the State of Florida recognized the Florida Whig Party. The Whig party is back after a 150 year hiatus!
[...] Whatever happened to the Whig Party? [...]
I’ve actually thought about this before but was too lazy to research it. I love the design/content of your site you are doing a great job.
Great site and fun history lesson. Now if only we knew what became of the Bull Moose…
The whigs are back!
modernwhigs.org
I found this and thought an update was appropriate. The small Florida Whig Party has come a long way. They have 5 candidates for congress, one running for a county council, and made Fox News! Craig Porter, their candidate from Miami was on Neil Cavuto’s show and was good.
Thank you for covering the Florida Whig Party. I found this item a few moments ago and sincerely appreciate the accurate summary. For those who are interested in contacting us, feel free to call 352-873-4141 or email me at chairman@floridawhig.com
The Platform:
Fiscal Responsibility
Individual Responsibility:
Individuals must be responsible for their financial well being; however, those who suffer physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or family upheaval may need appropriate governmental assistance.
Corporate Responsibility:
Business entities shall operate under a free enterprise system and shall have the right succeed and fail.
Socialism is not progressive but rather regressive.
In the event of a business failure that is deemed critical to the security of the nation, governmental assistance to protect and return the entity to profitability may be necessary.
The determination that emergency government intervention in a business or industry is the prerogative of the Executive Branch, until Congress is convened; whereupon continuation or discontinuation of federal intervention must be publicly discussed and voted upon with all Members present (House and Senate) in their respective Chambers. All other matters before the Congress, other than consideration of an Act of War, shall be suspended until the matter of private industry intervention is resolved with a majority vote.
Government Responsibility:
Federal, state, and local governments must live within their means and maintain balanced budgets.
Trust funds must remain segregated from general funds and may not be used for any purpose other than the original intent; however, funds may be used if deemed dire and necessary for the defense of the nation during times of War as declared and voted upon by the Congress.
Governments must maintain an appropriate level of reserve funds, a portion of which shall be permitted to be used as sovereign investment funds, providing management is through a domestic third-party blind trust.
Government:
All federal, state, and local government employees must be free from, nor permitted to engage in, acts of intimidation or bribery of voters or restricted in political speech or campaign activities.
The use of any public funds designated for relief or public works for electoral purposes, directly or indirectly is morally wrong and must be made illegal.
It must be illegal for government officials to promise jobs, promotions, financial assistance, contracts, or any other benefit to coerce campaign contributions or political support.
Free and legitimate elections are critical to the survival of a nation, state, or local government; therefore, there must be zero tolerance with voter fraud.
The election system known as “Instant Run Offs” is efficient, effective, practical, and requires greater engagement by the voting electorate which will result in fewer radical candidates elected to office and greater representation of society.
The “Separation of Church and State” does not preclude mutual tolerance of religious beliefs. While government may not fund, support, or advocate one religion over another, the historical facts regarding the founding of the nation shall not be ignored or erased.
The “Separation of Powers” between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government must remain balanced and consistent with constitutional intent.
Restrictions on individual, corporate, and charitable campaign contributions, necessitates an absolute ban on foreign contributions and strict enforcement.
The United States Constitution:
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
The original intent of the Constitution shall govern all branches of the government.
Judicial activism undermines the Constitution.
The Second Amendment specifically states that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms” and thus permits the individual ownership of firearms; however, the states may implement reasonable regulation to ensure public safety.
States Rights:
Each state in the union is unique in its people, climate, history, economics, and geography. This union of unique states is what makes the United States special.
The Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution shall govern in that all powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states shall be reserved to the states and the people.
Unfunded federal mandates are contrary to the principle of the Tenth Amendment.
The 17th Amendment must be repealed to restore the balance between the three fundamental constituencies; national, state, and individuals. A legislature or governor without the authority to appoint their United States Senators lacks federal representation for the interests of the state. The House of Representatives represents “We the People”, the Electoral College ensures the President is lawfully elected to represent the majority (and should remain focused upon national interests, and the Senate represents the interests of the States. The 17th Amendment fundamentally upset the balance of power and eroded States Rights.
Safety & Security:
Federal:
A safe and secure border is critical to the nation, states, and local governments.
When a “Clear and Present Danger” to the safety and security of the nation exists, the President and Congress must act accordingly to protect the nation.
The “War Powers Act” requires revision to address situations where a “Clear and Present Danger” exists from rogue nation states and groups without national affiliation who operate within dysfunctional and non-cooperative nation states.
States:
Ensuring life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all residents must be the core function of state government.
An adequately staffed and trained National Guard must be able to meet national, state, and local needs.
Local:
Local public safety personnel are most often at the forefront of safety and security issues; as such, public safety personnel deserve adequate staffing, training, equipment, and compensation.
Politics has no place in public safety and especially in law enforcement; therefore, the election of Sheriff’s is a process that is arcane and dysfunctional at best.
Law enforcement executives must be prohibited from issuing badges or uniforms to non-sworn personnel or honorary and/or special deputy / police badges to anyone other than certified law enforcement personnel. In a post September 11, 2001 era, continuation of this practice is a violation of the basic public safety and law enforcement integrity.
Public trust in law enforcement is eroded by politically motivated management and criminal justice prosecution.
Acts or omissions classified as crimes that are mala prohibitum are non-violent in nature. When incarceration is ordered upon conviction, the cost versus benefit to society must be carefully considered. A contradiction of values and resources exists when drug dependency is considered an illness while at the same time, the purchase and possession of an illegal drug by a drug dependent user is also classified as a criminal act. This statutory discrepancy leads to the unequal treatment of similar acts or omissions; therefore, each state must adopt sensible and rational polices regarding minimal, moderate, and extreme deviant behavior.
Taxation:
The current system of federal taxation is complex, unfair, and discouraging to savings, investment, and innovation.
Repealing the taxation on personal and business income must take place.
Repeal will result in pension simplification as all pension laws become moot.
Taxation shall take place at the point of purchase of all new goods and services for personal consumption. Known as the Fair Tax, a monthly payment (prebate) to all lawful United States citizens equal to the tax on purchases up to a denominator of the poverty level equal to the applicable family unit size is truly fair and efficient.
An estate tax based upon a legislatively determined denominator of the poverty level for a family of four, yet not less than five hundred (500), is critical to prevent the unbridled growth and power of family dynasties and politically motivated foundations of perpetual existence.
Energy Independence:
Energy independence is critical to the security and economic vitality of the nation.
Long-term energy conservation will result in negative economic growth.
Energy exploration must be encouraged and rewarded.
Increasing efficiency to reduce waste must be encouraged and rewarded.
Subsidies of inefficient energy production methods and/or outdated technologies must reflect current economic conditions and needs.
Education:
The efficient, effective, and functional education of children and adults is critical to the nation.
Public educators must accept, embrace, and willingly work with those who prefer private, family based, or faith based instruction.
All parents and educators must accept the inevitability of change and embrace the new technologies that our children easily adapt and gravitate towards.
Each state must establish standards and measurements to ensure progress on an individual and group basis; however, education must never digress to a situation where teachers are teaching to the test. While factual recall is important, understanding, critical thinking, and conceptual enlightenment is critical.
The practical skills required by the majority of society are such that technical and community colleges require appropriate funds and staffing.
Individual financial assistance for those in schools of science, engineering, computer and software technology, medicine, mathematics, public safety, and ROTC is as necessary at this time, as it has been throughout our history.
Health Care:
Individuals must take responsibility for their health care.
Health insurance should be a personal choice and available to everyone through accessible open enrollment.
The failure to provide health care or health insurance for dependent children when financially able is prima facie evidence of child abuse.
Government provided health care must be reasonable for those who are physically, emotionally, intellectually, or financially dependent.
Immigration:
Legal immigration must be encouraged with emphasis and high priority given to those who possess skills of critical need, as deemed by Congress, and who are financially self-sufficient, free of profound health care needs, and emotionally stable.
Illegal immigration must stop and deemed a threat to national security by Congress. Immediate deportation for those apprehended must be efficient and effective. Economic and security considerations demand nothing less.
A nuclear family with a mixture of legal and illegal members shall be remanded to a new federal court system specifically designed to meet this unique challenge.
Exploration:
The exploration of Outer Space, the Oceans, and the building blocks that comprise man and his surroundings, is critical to the survival of humankind, and must be appropriately funded, must never stop, nor influenced by political posturing.
Academic freedom in science is critical for our survival and the success of our nation.
Abortion:
Abortion is an issue as to when life begins, as death is an issue as to when life ends.
Conception is voluntary or involuntary, natural or artificial, and involves competing morals, ethics, rights, and interests.
Abortion is a matter for each State and shall reflect the views of the majority of the residents of each individual State.