No one said being a Republican in 2006 was easy. Next week’s election is the most competitive we have seen in a while, and this could turn out to be one of the most pivotal in determining our nation’s future path. It is helpful during times like this to revisit the reasons and principles that support one’s political views. Although principles don’t always match practice, I am a Republican because of the principles that the Republican Party is built upon.

The Republican Party is the party that is committed to a political system that maximizes economic liberty through free enterprise, individualism and free markets. I recall receiving my first paycheck two years ago and being frustrated at the chunk deducted by the federal government. I had worked for six hours that week for wages that I won’t see anytime soon. The Republicans stand for lower government spending and lower taxes. The money our nation saves from a lower portion of government spending in the gross domestic product is freed up for investment spending, which, in the long run, will increase GDP, tax revenues and the overall standard of living for all Americans of every income bracket.

The Republican Party understands and seeks to address the challenge facing our strongest social programs. Republicans work to lower the taxes on Social Security benefits. Republicans favored raising the Social Security earnings limit. When it appeared that Social Security would not be sustainable in its current form, it was the Republican Party that offered solutions to the problem instead of idle words.

The Republican Party defends our rights as citizens and property owners. The Kelo eminent domain decision came down from the Supreme Court last year and enabled governments to take land from an individual if a wealthy developer could generate more tax revenue with it. It was the conservative Republicans on the Court who strongly dissented from the decision, arguing it violated property rights. Republican legislators around the nation proposed legislation to protect homeowners from having their land stolen from them.

The Republican Party trusts the citizens of our nation. Republicans trust citizens to do what they feel is best with their money without government interference. Republicans trust citizens to own firearms in order to hunt and defend their homes if necessary. Republicans trust citizens to say whatever they like, even if it isn’t politically correct.

The Republican Party recognizes and understands the threats that face America today. In the 1990s, President Clinton attempted to bribe North Korea out of building nuclear weapons, but North Korea built weapons anyway. The Republican Congress and our Republican president understand that such an approach will not work. The Republicans also understand that terrorism is not a result of a misunderstanding between cultures. They know that there are many people in this world who do not share our interests and goals, and our nation’s foreign policy must stand against those people when they threaten our national interests and security.

The Republican Party is the party of ideas and efficient government. It was the Republican Congress that first proposed term limits for congressmen. It was the Republican Congress that first introduced the Balanced Budget Amendment to the constitution and supported the line-item veto. It was the Republican Congress that demanded that all congressional committee meetings be open to the public as a matter of good governance. It was the Republican Congress (not Bill Clinton, who is often erroneously credited) that proposed and enacted welfare reform.

The Republican Party supports the environment but also understands that our protection of the environment must not come at the cost of destroying businesses’ and workers’ jobs. When we impose unrealistic environmental regulations on our factories, we see the results when those factories must lay off thousands of workers to offset the cost of regulation compliance. Republicans support policies that protect both working families and the environment through increased investment in environmentally friendly technology.

For all its faults and missteps, the Republican Party is still the best vehicle to enact policies that will benefit all Americans. In practice, our political parties often fall short of the expectations that we, as Americans, set for our government. Many times, the policies that the Republican Party enacts are not rooted in Republican principles. But time and time again, they come closer than our friends across the aisle.

In the end, it is the Republican Party that stands for efficient government, free enterprise, free citizens, and a safe and secure America, and that is why I am a Republican.

-Jared Anderson is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Science and Vice President for Membership in the Vanderbilt College Republicans.

This column is part of the 'fill in the blank' series.