View Full Version : Texas Republicans platform


guthrie
11-01-03, 02:48 PM
I found it from this:
http://www.thenation.com/edcut/index.mhtml?bid=7
About 4/5's of the way down, an article entitled "Where does he stand", it says things like:
"Every day brings more evidence that this Administration and its rightwing cronies want to unmake everything good about this country, from Head Start to habeas corpus. "

"Particularly troubling, as Ralph Nader pointed out in a letter to Bush on August 2, is the fact that key elements of the document contradict existing federal law, which the President of the United States is sworn to uphold. The media has been virtually silent on this potential political conflict of interest. But don't American citizens have a right to know whether Bush endorses his own state party's extremist stands? "

The document in question is this:
http://www.texasgop.org/library/RPTPlatform2002.pdf

Now, some of it, I cant really argue with:

"Basic Standards – The Party believes the educational system should return to the basic standards which
include a curriculum of reading (with an emphasis on phonics), spelling, writing, penmanship, literature
(including at least one–year historical surveys in high school of American literature and of British literature),
mathematics, geography, history (including a high school United States history course that includes all of United
States history, science, English, citizenship and federal, state, and local government including personal
responsibility and financial freedom"

"The Party continues to oppose government–sponsored gambling as a
means of financing state government."

"Equality of All Citizens – Believing all men are created equal, the Party reasserts itself as the party of Lincoln
and deplores all forms of preferences and discrimination based upon religion, race, color, national origin,
gender, age, or physically disabling condition."

=======

But then when I read such as:

"Competition improves education, with no child
being left behind."

(about education), and:

"Flag Desecration – The Party views any form of desecration of the American flag as an outward act of
disregard for our nation and its people and advocates penalties for such acts."

"
Free Exercise of Religion – The Party believes all Americans have the right to practice their religious faith free
of persecution, intimidation, and violence. We call on Congress to sanction any country that is guilty of
persecuting its citizens because of their religious beliefs. Our Party pledges to do everything within its power to
restore the original intent of the First Amendment of the United States and dispel the myth of the separation of
Church and State. We support the right of individuals and state and local governments to display the Ten
Commandments on public property subject to their control."

(myth of separation of church and state????)

"Dangerous Drugs – The Party recognizes that illegal drug use is dangerous and crosses all sectors of society.
We encourage the state and federal governments to prosecute illegal drug dealers and manufacturers to the
fullest extent of the law and we call on Congress to use all means possible to discourage the foreign
manufacture and export of such drugs into our country. Because of their higher proven rate of success, faith–
based drug rehabilitation programs should be utilized in place of incarceration whenever possible. We oppose
the movement toward the legalization of illicit drugs. We support a strong abstinence–based drug educational
program for children. We oppose the availability of entitlement benefits based on illegal drug or alcohol use. We
oppose any “needle exchange” or “bleach kit” programs."

( Do faith based programs have a higher success rate than normal rehab? How far are they willing to go to get rid of drug imports? Do abstinence based drug prgrams actually help anyone?)

"Family – The Party supports the traditional definition of marriage as a God–ordained, legal and moral
commitment only between a man and a woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society."

(hhmm, social engineering anyone?)

"Homosexuality – The Party believes that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the
breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual
behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our
country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an
acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include
homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, recognition, or privileges
including, but not limited to, marriage between persons of the same sex, custody of children by homosexuals,
homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those
who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.
Texas Sodomy Statutes – The Party opposes the decriminalization of sodomy."

(No need to say anything.)

"Sex Education – The Party recognizes parental responsibility and authority regarding sex education. We
support the requirement that schools teaching sex education must teach directive abstinence until heterosexual
marriage with an uninfected person as the only safe and healthy means of preventing sexually transmitted
diseases, the spread of AIDS, and pregnancies in unwed students, and is also a way to build strong and lasting
relationships. Sex education classes, if conducted, should be separated by sex and must teach that the use of
condoms does not make sex safe."

"Religion and Secular Humanism.
Since Secular Humanism is recognized by the United States Supreme Court as a religion, and our government–
funded schools are prohibited from teaching any religion, the Party believes that Secular Humanism and New
Age Religion in any form should be subjected to the same state and federal laws as any other recognized
religion."

(secular humanism is a religion? what idiot did that definition? I've got no brief for new age stuff, but secular humanism?)

"Minimum Wage – The Party believes the Minimum Wage Law should be repealed and that wages should be
determined by the free market conditions prevalent in each individual market."

(Wow, its just after Hallow'een I'm reading this, how appropriate)

That'll do for now. AS british citizen, I cant really comment much, so I'll let all you USA people have a scrap.

Tiassa
11-01-03, 03:40 PM
It's a simple difference, really. The conservative politic is to aim for the lowest common mores in society and appeal to those, no matter how contradictory, regressive, or middling. The liberal politic is to aim for lofty principle that really is unrealistic and confusing to a certain portion of the population that conservatives scoop up by pandering to superstition and empowering sensitive and extraneous divisions 'twixt people. Conservatives set the dogs against one another, and then run with the winners. If you play your cards right, they'll sweep you into office in a fervor of blind and superstitious solidarity. It's a great strategy if getting elected is the only important thing. I mean look at it, the GOP panders to the two most persuasive currencies in the known Universe: greed for money, and fear of God.

How do you sell hope to people dumb enough to look forward to the swallowing of their own souls?

Fear and loathing, baby. It's an expensive habit.

zanket
11-04-03, 04:52 PM
The ones I like the best are how the educational system should return to basic standards of reading, spelling, writing, etc., which are already taught. Also how no discrimination on religion, yet have Christian text in court. I give them credit for a good strategy though.