MyDD :: The Goals of the Republican Party

The Goals of the Republican Party

by Chris Bowers, Fri May 13, 2005 at 12:30:57 PM EST

The Texas Republican Party produced George Bush, Karl Rove and Tom DeLay. It is, arguably, ground zero for both the most energetic grassroots activism of the Republican Party nationwide, and for influence over the Republican Party as a whole. More often than not over the past two years, considering who the Texas Republican Party has produced, it has felt as though we are almost specifically fighting against the Texas Republican Party for control of the national agenda, rather than the Republican National Committee. The difference between the national version of the Republican Party and the largest and most influential statewide version of the Republican Party two is becoming difficult to identify.

It is for this reason that I am reproducing, with slight format modifications, the central portion of this remarkable post by Kevin Drum from October 9, 2003. Sometimes it is important to just marvel in sheer horror at the ultimate goals of the modern Republican and conservative movements:

Banks
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party calls for the United States monetary system to be returned to the gold standard. Since the Federal Reserve System is a private corporation, has no reserves, and is not subject to taxation or audit, we call on Congress to abolish this institution and reassume its authority, enumerated by Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, for the coinage of money.

Short Translation: The United States should return to the gold standard and abolish the Federal Reserve.

The Bill of Rights
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: Congress should be urged to exercise its authority under Article III, Sections 1 and 2 of the United States Constitution, and should withhold appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in such cases involving abortion, religious freedom, and all rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.

Short Translation: The Supreme Court should not be allowed to decide the constitutionality of laws regarding abortion, religion, or anything else related to the Bill of Rights. In these areas, Congress should be allowed to pass any laws it wishes.

Church and State
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000:Our Party pledges to do everything within its power to restore the original intent of the First Amendment of the United States and the concept of the separation of Church and State and dispel the myth of the separation of Church and State.

Short Translation: We should completely do away with separation of church and state.

Civil Rights
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The party opposes the decriminalization of sodomy....We publicly rebuke judges Chief Justice Murphy and John Anderson, who ruled that the 100 year-old Texas sodomy law is unconstitutional, and ask that all members of the Republican Party of Texas oppose their re-election.

Short Translation: Gay sex should be a criminal offense.

Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: No homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child, and that visitation with minor children by such persons should be limited to supervised periods.

Short Translation: Gays should be treated like child molesters and should not be allowed to visit children unsupervised.

Reproductive Rights
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party affirms its support for a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse making clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protection applies to unborn children.

Short Translation: All abortion of all kinds should be permanently outlawed by constitutional amendment.

Science Education
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party believes that scientific topics, such as the question of universe and life origins and environmental theories, should not be constrained to one opinion or viewpoint. We support the teaching equally of scientific strengths and weaknesses of all scientific theories--as Texas now requires (but has yet to enforce) in public school science course standards. We urge revising all environmental education standards to require this also. We support individual teachers' right to teach creation science in Texas public schools.

Short Translation: The Biblical story of creation should be taught in science classes.

Social Security:
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party supports an orderly transition to a system of private pensions based on the concept of individual retirement accounts, and gradually phasing out the Social Security tax.

Short Translation: Social Security should be abolished.

Taxes
: Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: We urge that the IRS be abolished and the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution be repealed. A constitutional tax, collected and controlled by the States, must generate sufficient revenue for the legitimate tasks of the national government.

Short Translation: The federal income tax should be abolished.

Minimum Wage
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party believes the minimum wage law should be repealed.

Short Translation: The federal minimum wage should be abolished.

Regulation
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: We further support the abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not delegated to the federal government under the original intent of the Constitution including, but not limited to, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the position of Surgeon General, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Departments of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Education, Commerce and Labor.

Short Translation: The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and several other federal agencies should be eliminated. Since these departments supervise all federal welfare programs for the poor and sick, they are presumably advocating the complete abolishment of the federal welfare state.

Diplomacy
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party believes it is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States that we immediately rescind our membership in, as well as all financial and military contributions to, the United Nations.

Short Translation: Get the United States out of the UN.

Territorial Expansion
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party urges Congress to support HJR 77, the Panama and America Security Act, which declare the Carter-Torrijos Treaty null and void. We support re-establishing United States control over the Canal in order to retain our military bases in Panama, to preserve our right to transit through the Canal, and to prevent the establishment of Chinese missile bases in Panama.

Short Translation: Take back the Panama Canal. This plank remains in the 2002 platform. Since Panama presumably would object to this, they appear to be endorsing military action to retake the canal zone.

Party Unity
Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: Any person filing as a Republican candidate for a public or Party office shall be provided a current copy of the Party platform at the time of filing. The candidate shall be asked to read and initial each page of the platform and sign a statement affirming he/she has read the entire platform.

Short Translation: We are dead serious about all this.

We might want to consider printing up a billion (yes, a billion) copies of this post, and distributing it every household in America a few times every year from now until October, 2008. We could start with trial runs in swing states that our trending in our direction: Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia. This wouldn't even be negative politics--it would simply be a statement of what conservative really want, in their own words. Perhaps sunshine will serve as a type of medicine.

Tags: Republicans (all tags)

Permalink :: 46 Comments :: Post a Comment

The Goals of the Republican Party (none / 0)

You might want to leave out the U.N., Panama, and about 5 more parts of this statement - some majority of the country might just agree with them!

Be selective about what those billion copies say (and should we start with a thousand each?).

- DB

by David Berger on Fri May 13, 2005 at 01:20:59 PM EST

Everything we need to win (none / 0)

"Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party believes the minimum wage law should be repealed."

I'd pay good money to see this come to an up-or-down vote on the floors of the House and Senate.

It would be the end of the Republican Party.

by jcjcjc on Fri May 13, 2005 at 01:23:16 PM EST

So..... (none / 0)

.... they want to live like cavemen?

by crazymoloch on Fri May 13, 2005 at 08:01:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Stupid Question (none / 0)

What is it with Republicans and the gold standard for currency anyway?

by nanoboy on Fri May 13, 2005 at 01:24:51 PM EST

Re: Stupid Question (none / 0)

Their argument is that government can't spend as much and/or cause inflation if there are real limits on the amount of "cash" it can generate. For a party that purports to live by supply and demand, you'd think they wouldn't want our money supply governed by chance finds of a rare metal with a finite supply . . .

by pwj on Fri May 13, 2005 at 01:44:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Gold? (none / 0)

"chance finds of a rare metal with a finite supply..."

Heathen! All know that those favored by G-d can transmute lead into gold! They just don't want to!

by jkdism on Fri May 13, 2005 at 02:00:36 PM EST

Monopoly (3.00 / 1)

I always thought the Republican Party Platform read like the rules to the board game Monopoly.

by Democracy For Puget Sound Dot Com on Fri May 13, 2005 at 02:09:47 PM EST

amended translation on reproductive rights (none / 0)

Texas Republican Party Platform for 2000: The Party affirms its support for a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse making clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protection applies to unborn children.

Short Translation: All abortion of all kinds should be permanently outlawed by constitutional amendment.

... unless the judicial activists we appoint to the Supreme Court outlaw it first.

by aretino on Fri May 13, 2005 at 02:37:14 PM EST

Equal protection (none / 0)

The 14th Amendment says: No State shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The Texas Reeps want to make it clear that this applies to the unborn.

Wouldn't that make shooting a fetus legal in Florida? I felt threatened!

Yeah, I'm cynical.

by catastrophile on Fri May 13, 2005 at 03:37:42 PM EST

The Goals of the Republican Party (none / 0)

Thought I would do a little surfing on the web and cane up with this update from Texas:

2004 Republican Party of Texas Platform
Preamble
The delegates of the 2004 Republican Party of Texas believe that our Party Platform expresses fundamental beliefs and truths that were recognized by our country's founders. The conservative principles of our Party are tested and proven. We believe that Republican officeholders of our representative republic do not truly represent their electorate unless this platform is the basis for their decision-making. We call on Texas Republicans to work diligently to expand our network of grassroots volunteers to elect representative Republicans. To accomplish this, we commend these core principles of the 2004 Texas Republican Platform:

We respect and cherish the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and our Founders' intent to restrict the power of the federal government over the states and the people. We believe self-government, based on personal integrity of a proper moral foundation, is the best government. This is best balanced with limited civil government, coupled with public trust, to provide collectively for the people those services not efficiently achieved individually.
We believe that human life is sacred, created in the image of God. Life begins at the moment of fertilization and ends at the point of natural death. All innocent human life must be protected.
We believe that good government is based on the individual, and each person's ability, dignity, freedom, and responsibility must be honored and recognized. We believe equal opportunity is a right and a privilege but equal outcome is not. We insist that no one's rights are negotiable and that individual freedom demands personal responsibility.
We believe that government spending is out of control and needs to be reduced. We support fundamental, immediate tax reform that is simple, fair, and fully disclosed. We commend President George W. Bush's principled stand to reduce taxes and stimulate the economy.
We believe that traditional marriage is a legal and moral commitment between a natural man and a natural woman. We recognize that the family is the foundational unit of a healthy society and consists of those related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property,
We believe that a well-educated population is fundamental to the continued success of our Republic; and that parents have the right, as well as the duty, to direct their children's education. This right should include choices among public, private, home and religious schools. Competition improves education.
We believe that the future of our country depends upon a strong and vibrant private sector unencumbered by excessive government regulation.
We believe that a strong America ensures a free America. While we recognize that our nation is the primary leader in the global community, we must also vigorously protect the sovereignty of the United States.
We believe in peace through strength. We take a principled stand to preemptively defend the citizens of the United States against all foes, foreign or domestic, whose goal is to destroy our American way of life. Freedom is never free, and we honor all those who have served our nation to protect our liberty, especially our men and women in uniform, who unselfishly and courageously defend our country.
We believe all Americans have the right to be safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities. We support enforcement of the laws through the Courts imposing swift and sure justice with stiff penalties, truth in sentencing, and respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens, while opposing judicial activism.
"We pray God Bless Texas. God Bless the U.S.A. God bless us all!"

by shadow on Fri May 13, 2005 at 03:39:43 PM EST

Ah (none / 0)

Can someone tell me why these talking points were not highlighted ad nausem during the 2000 Election campaign? An inquiring mind would like to know.

by Eric11 on Fri May 13, 2005 at 05:01:28 PM EST

Re: Ah (none / 0)

Because those in charge of the campaign thought telling everyone Kerry was ready to serve was enought to win.

by shadow on Fri May 13, 2005 at 05:09:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ah (none / 0)

No I mean 2000. Isn't this platform from 2000. What a way to rebut "compassionate conservative" and instead label Bush as an extremist. It would have been very useful.

by Eric11 on Fri May 13, 2005 at 05:11:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ah (none / 0)

the one I posted was '04

by shadow on Fri May 13, 2005 at 05:18:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Because Gore was a pussy. (none / 0)

He let it come down to Florida, for God's sake! He couldn't even get his own damned home state?

by craverguy on Fri May 13, 2005 at 07:26:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Some Goodies from the 2004 Platform (none / 0)

The entire 2004 Republican Party of Texas Platform has some beauts as well:

"The Republican Party of Texas affirms that the United States of America is a Christian nation." (page 8)
"The party demands the elimination of presidential authority to issue executive orders, presidential decision directives, and other administrative mandates that do not have congressional approval." (page 3)
"The executive branch is obligated to defend the Constitution by refusing to enforce judicial decisions that transgress the enumerated powers of the Article III Court. Congress should refuse allocating funding for the enforcement of any such unconstitutional decisions." (page 5)
"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." (page 10)

And it just goes on and on and on for 24 single-spaced pages, touching on virtually every subject under the sun or sunset (see page 19). Makes for some scary reading. But, hey, one could make a game out of it by looking for the rare bits where we might actually agree with some small portion, or by noting various sections which contradict other sections.

If someone really wants to print up a flyer with the choicest bits (and believe me, there's tons more with this stuff came from), be sure to use this "current" document, rather than reaching back to the 2000 platform.

by The Maven on Fri May 13, 2005 at 06:07:05 PM EST

Re: Some Goodies from the 2004 Platform (3.00 / 1)

"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.

Dr. David Hager unavailable for comment.

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20050530&s=mcgarvey

by wayward on Fri May 13, 2005 at 08:37:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Isn't It More Like (none / 0)

The Republicans want to make the entire country like Texas: where they can't fund education to save their lives but they can build huge roads to keep the SUVs a movin'?

by risenmessiah on Fri May 13, 2005 at 07:45:21 PM EST

And the goals of the Democratic Party... (none / 0)

And what might the goals of the Democratic Party be? We should know this without googling it.

We can't counter bad ideas with no ideas. Even really bad ideas.

by wayward on Fri May 13, 2005 at 08:24:52 PM EST

The Bill of Rights--A Better Short Translation (3.00 / 1)

Short Translation: Abolish the Bill of Rights.

(If it's up to Congress, it's not a Consitutional right.)

by Paul Rosenberg on Fri May 13, 2005 at 09:09:42 PM EST

Better idea (none / 0)

Let's make a decent Democratic platform and give that to 20 million people! Instead of making reactionary ideas seem respectable, let's let progressive ideals get some exposure. Most people are not ideologues and don't have a good idea of where the parties stand on things - let's tell them what we're for.

by berns19 on Sat May 14, 2005 at 12:09:44 AM EST

Re: Better idea (none / 0)

How about if we start at saving social security. There is a need to make some adjustments now in order to insure benefits for the future. One way would be to tax those who are making from $90,000 to 150,000. Social security tax stops when you reach an income of $90,000. If we extend the tax to a cap of 150,000 it would do more than insure social security solvency.
Another problem is fuel. Instead of pushing for nuclear which most people don't really want because of the dangers (which we could continue to point out), or coal which is dangerous to our ability to breathe, we could strive for more investiment into renewable options such as wind, thermal, solar, etc.
We could stand for fairness in taxation. No more cuts for the rich, no more welfare for large corporations.
Pensions for workers in the private sector should be guarenteed and companies going out of business need to insure the pensions for their workers before jumping out with their golden parachutes.

When companies are having financial problems, the financial cuts should be divided equally between the workers and management, including CEO's.

Democrats should develop a national health care plan and might look at the one in Canada, France, Germany and other European and Asian countries
not just England.

We need to stand for family and individual values, the rights of the family and individuals to make their own decisions regarding their right to believe in a religion or not, the right to choose to have children or to use a contraceptive and the right to privacy in their bedrooms.

We need to take a strong stand on pulling out of the war in Iraq.

Another strong stand on freedom of speech, freedom to protest and freedom to peaceful demonstrations.

Pull back the Patriot Act.

No more arrests without charges. No more being detained without access to a lawyer or being held indefinately. Everyone is entitiled to know the charges brought against them and to know the evidence for those charges, they have a right to an attorney as well as a fair and speedy trial according to our Constitution. We must be the protectors of our Constitution.

No more torture in any form and closing the detention centers. Either charge these people with a crime and bring them to trial or set them free.

Separation of church and state

Bring the FCC back under control and split up the corporate ownership of the media. Just like we did with Ma Bell.

Most of all we must choose someone who has a chance of winning. Someone who is not a Republican "wannabe". Someone who can show strength of conviction as well as intelligence. Someone who is not afraid of confronting Bush on his past behaviors, his inability to accept responsibility, his inflexibility, (anal retentive behavior)and his choices for government posts. This person will have to be strong enough mentally and enotionally to stand against being a target of the far right news media as well as to the Republican assault. I would love to see Barbara Boxer take this on but I don't think that this country is ready for a woman president.

by banjo on Wed May 18, 2005 at 01:31:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]