Special Report: U.S. presidential election 2008

Kendal Unruh, a member of the Colorado delegation, waits for the start of the opening session of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota of the United States, Sept. 1, 2008. In a new party platform released on Monday, the Republican Party reiterated its appeal for lower taxes and fundamental tax reforms. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

   　SAINT PAUL, the United States, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- In a new party platform released on Monday, the Republican Party reiterated its appeal for lower taxes and fundamental tax reforms.

    "Economic freedom expands the prosperity pie; government can only divide it up. That is why Republicans advocate lower taxes, reasonable regulation, and smaller, smarter government," the 60-page document said.

    The document accused the Democratic Party of using tax code as a tool for social engineering, saying that the Republicans believe government should tax only to raise money for its essential functions. It said that Republicans will advance tax policies to support American families, promote savings and innovation and put the country on a path to fundamental tax reforms.

    "Over the long run, the mammoth IRS (Internal Revenue Service) tax code must be replaced with a system that is simple, transparent, and fair while maximizing economic growth and job creation," it said.

Cindy McCain (R), wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain (R-AZ), and U.S. first lady Laura Bush wave to supporters at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota Sept. 1, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The platform, issued at the opening session of the 2008 Republican National convention, also treads on traditional party lines on almost all the other issues, including national defense, immigration, government, and energy and environmental policy.

    On national security, the platform said the United States should maintain a strong national defense and the next president should preserve all options in dealing with conflicts abroad.

    "The waging of war -- and the achieving of peace -- should never be micromanaged in a party platform, or on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives for that matter," it said.

    "In dealing with present conflicts and future crises, our next president must preserve all options," the platform said.

Texas delegate Kathie Whitford-Freeman wears a Republican pin on her hat at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota Sept. 1, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    In an obvious snub on the Democratic Party which advocates a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, the document said it would be "presumptuous" to specify them in advance and fool-hardy to rule out any action deemed necessary for U.S. security.

    As to homeland security, the platform tried to underline the achievements made by the Bush administration in fighting terrorism on the domestic front since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

    "For seven years, the horror of Sept. 11, 2001 has not been repeated on our soil," it said. "For that, we are prayerfully grateful and salute all who have played a role in defending our homeland."

    On the politically sensitive issue of immigration, the platform advocated a tough policy which observers believe could alienate the party from those who favor a more balanced approach.

    "Border security is essential to national security. In an age of terrorism, drug cartels, and criminal gangs, allowing millions of unidentified persons to enter and remain in this country poses grave risks to the sovereignty of the United States and the security of its people," the document said.

    "We simply must be able to track who is entering and leaving our country," it said, calling for the enforcement of the rule of law at the U.S. border and throughout the nation.

    "The rule of law means guaranteeing to law enforcement the tools and coordination to deport criminal aliens without delay -- and correcting court decisions that have made deportation so difficult," it said.

    "It does not mean driver's licenses for illegal aliens, nor does it mean that states should be allowed to flout the federal law barring them from giving in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens, nor does it mean that illegal aliens should receive social security benefits, or other public benefits, except as provided by federal law," it added.

    The document also voiced strong opposition to amnesty, saying that such a policy will encourage or reward illegal immigrants and undermine the rule of law.