This is in the Pit because there’s no debate here, just great amusement. I’d like to present (drumroll) the best of the 2000 GOP platform!
First, a few words on the party’s overall direction:
We offer not only a new agenda, but also a new approach — a vision of a welcoming society in which all have a place. To all Americans, particularly immigrants and minorities, we send a clear message: this is the party of freedom and progress, and it is your home.
On Fiscal Responsibility:
In the four decades from 1954 to 1994, government spending increased at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent, and the public’s debt increased from $224 billion to $3.4 trillion. Since 1994, with Republicans leading the House and Senate, spending has been held to an annual 3.1 percent rate of growth, and the nation’s debt will be nearly $400 billion lower by the end of this year. The federal government has operated in the black for the last two years and is now projected to run a surplus of nearly $5 trillion over ten years.
That wasn’t magic. It took honesty and guts from a Congress that manages the nation’s purse strings. Over a five year period, as surpluses continue to grow, we will return half a trillion dollars to the taxpayers who really own it, without touching the Social Security surplus. That’s what we mean by our Lock-Box: The Social Security surplus is off-limits, off budget, and will not be touched. We will not stop there, for we are also determined to protect Medicare and to pay down the national debt. Reducing that debt is both a sound policy goal and a moral imperative. Our families and most states are required to balance their budgets; it is reasonable to assume the federal government should do the same. Therefore, we reaffirm our support for a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.
On Privacy in the Information Age:
Government also has a responsibility to protect personal privacy, which is the single greatest concern Americans now have about the Information Revolution. Citizens must have the confidence that their personal privacy will be respected in the use of technology by both business and government. That privacy is an essential part of our personal freedom and our family life, and it must not be sacrificed in the name of progress.
On Individual Responsibility:
Sometimes, a header says it all:
On Diversity:
We are the party of the open door, determined to strengthen the social, cultural, and political ties that bind us together and make our country the greatest force for good in the world. Steadfast in our commitment to our ideals, we recognize that members of our party can have deeply held and sometimes differing views. This diversity is a source of strength, not a sign of weakness, and so we welcome into our ranks all who may hold differing positions. We commit to resolve our differences with civility, trust, and mutual respect.
On the War on Drugs:
OK, this one really was overtaken by events:
You can say that again:
The rule of law, the very foundation for a free society, has been under assault, not only by criminals from the ground up, but also from the top down. An administration that lives by evasion, coverup, stonewalling, and duplicity has given us a totally discredited Department of Justice. The credibility of those who now manage the nation’s top law enforcement agency is tragically eroded.
On Health Care:
We intend to save this beleaguered system with a vision of health care adapted to the changing demands of a new century. It is as simple, and yet as profound, as this: All Americans should have access to high-quality and affordable health care.
On Energy Policy:
What happened? Eight years ago, the nation was energy confident. Our standing in the Middle East was at its zenith. The oil cartel was in retreat; gasoline was affordable, even as automotive progress reduced emissions from cars. Today, gas prices have skyrocketed, and oil imports are at all-time highs.
Government for the People
On Political Reform:
The principal cure for the ills of democracy is greater participation in the political process by more citizens. To that end, we have one guiding principle in the development of laws to regulate campaigns: Will any particular proposal encourage or restrict the energetic engagement of Americans in elections?
More in a subseqent post.
Wow. Credit where credit is due — that’s some great stuff, RT. Your arrow has landed right in the heart of their deceit and treachery. Kudos to you for uncovering what amounts to massive and unabashed fraud. Not to mention hubris.
:smack:
Left out the link to the 2000 GOP platform .
Just so y’all can see I’m not making it up.
RTFirefly , why do you hate America?
-Joe
'Cause I’m eeeeeeeeeeevil .
Chit, Arty , that ain’t diddly! You want to see a platform that will really curl your hair, you should see the Texas GOP Platform for 2000
http://www.rubyan.com/politics/archives/002009.html
(Warning: the easily alarmed, Canadians, etc. are advised to go no further! . This is not for the squemish or easily terrified! You are warned!..)
Some droll notes:
“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…”
“…Gays should be treated like child molesters and should not be allowed to visit children unsupervised…”
“…The Biblical story of creation should be taught in science classes…”
“…Social Security should be abolished, the federal income tax should be abolished, the federal minimum wage should be abolished…”
You think I’m kidding, and I wish I were. Boy, good thing these guys don’t have any real power, sensible men like Tom DeLay (R, Undead) are in charge…
Munch
August 24, 2004, 7:05pm
7
elucidator, that’s a fairly loaded link, as well as quite disingenious.
Here’s a link directly to the Texas GOP 2000 platform, not a summary thereof:http://www.rlctx.org/RLCTX/Texas%20Republican%20Party%20Platform%202000.htm
Munch , as a recovering Texan, believe me, no one could be happier than I to have your version be the truth, as it is considerably less alarming.
And, as I recall, there was some fooforaw about what was an official platform and what was not, but its hazy…
So what the hell. You’re right, I’m wrong, and the Texas Pubbies are not nearly as much a bunch of troglodytic knuckle-walkers as I feared.
Goody! My day is made!
If it is true, how is it disingenuous?
Are we to overlook the glaringly horrible things for a few things that are more sane?
:dubious:
Yes but 9/11 changed everything. :rolleyes:
/going to punch the next person that says “in a post 9/11 world”
Munch
August 24, 2004, 7:35pm
11
Mockingbird:
If it is true, how is it disingenuous?
Are we to overlook the glaringly horrible things for a few things that are more sane?
:dubious:
First off, it’s not true - that’s why it’s disingenuous. Please, find me where 'luci ’s quoted bullet points are published word for word in my link.
I’m not suggesting we’re to overlook anything - in fact, I’m urging us *not * to “overlook the glaringly horrible things” by directing folks away from a mis-summarized listing of points and towards the actual points. I’m just saying that the bullet points elucidator posted were not, in fact, directly from the Texas GOP 2000 platform, and should not be misconstrued as such. Looking at their actual platform, I can’t find a single plank I remotely agree with, but why leave such a glaring target for someone to hang their 10-gallon hat on in trying to prove us wrong?
Duke
August 24, 2004, 7:36pm
12
And here’s just a small sample of what you can find there!
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.
You couldn’t make it up, folks. It’s the Republican Party line in Texas.
Principled American Leadership
“The duties of our day are different. But the values of our nation do not change. Let us reject the blinders of isolationism, just as we refuse the crown of empire. Let us not dominate others with our power — or betray them with our indifference. And let us have an American foreign policy that reflects American character. The modesty of true strength. The humility of real greatness. This is the strong heart of America. And this will be the spirit of my administration.”
Americans have good reason to be optimistic about our role in world. Few nations in history have been afforded the range of possibilities to shape the future that has been presented to this generation of Americans.
Now America can help mold international ideals and institutions for decades to come.
On National Security:
In the last eight years the administration has squandered the opportunity granted to the United States by the courage and sacrifice of previous generations:
On Military Overstretch:
Over the past seven years, a shrunken American military has been run ragged by a deployment tempo that has eroded its military readiness. Many units have seen their operational requirements increased four-fold, wearing out both people and equipment. Only last fall the Army certified two of its premier combat divisions as unready for war because of underfunding, mismanagement, and over-commitment to peacekeeping missions around the globe. More Army units and the other armed services report similar problems. It is a national scandal that almost one quarter of our Army’s active combat strength is unfit for wartime duty.
When presidents fail to make hard choices, those who serve must make them instead. Soldiers must choose whether to stay with their families or to stay in the armed forces at all. Sending our military on vague, aimless, and endless missions rapidly saps morale. Even the highest morale is eventually undermined by back-to-back deployments, poor pay, shortages of spare parts and equipment, inadequate training, and rapidly declining readiness. When it comes to military health, the administration is not providing an adequate military health care system for active-duty service members and their families and for retired service members and their dependents. The nation is failing to fulfill its ethical, and legal health care obligations to those that are serving or have honorably served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
On Intelligence:
In a time of fluid change and uncertainty, intelligence is truly America’s first line of defense. The current administration has weakened that defense by allowing a series of shocking security breaches, from blatant espionage and its virtual abandonment of national security-related export controls, to sheer sloppiness at the highest levels of government. This must stop, immediately. Nor should the intelligence community be made the scapegoat for political misjudgments. A Republican administration working with the Congress will respect the needs and quiet sacrifices of these public servants as it strengthens America’s intelligence and counter-intelligence capabilities and reorients them toward the dangers of the future.
On Defense Against the Threats of the Post-Cold War Era:
America is now unable to counter the rampant proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and their missile delivery systems around the world.
The response of the current administration has been anachronistic and politicized. Stuck in the mindset and agreements of the Cold War and immune to fresh ideas, the administration has not developed a sensible strategy that responds to the emerging missile threat .
And then it goes on and on at great length about the need for a missile defense.
On Proliferation:
A comprehensive strategy for combating the new dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction must include a variety of other measures to contain and prevent the spread of such weapons. We need the cooperation of friends and allies — and should seek the cooperation of Russia and China — in developing realistic strategies using political, economic, and military instruments to deter and defeat the proliferation efforts of others. We need to address threats from both rogue states and terrorist group — whether delivered by missile, aircraft, shipping container, or suitcase.
In this context, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is another anachronism of obsolete strategic thinking. This treaty is not verifiable, not enforceable, and would not enable the United States to ensure the reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. It also does not deal with the real dangers of nuclear proliferation, which are rogue regimes — such as Iran, Iraq, and North Korea — that seek to hide their dangerous weapons programs behind weak international treaties.
On Trade:
On Europe:
On Russia:
The current administration’s quixotic efforts have only propped up corrupt elites, identified America with discredited factions and failed policies, and encouraged anti-Americanism.
On the Middle East and Oil:
As American influence declined during the current administration, the OPEC cartel drove up the price of oil. Anti-Americanism among the Arab people redoubled.
Guess the influence that comes from friendship wasn’t very helpful.
On Iraq:
A new Republican administration will patiently rebuild an international coalition opposed to Saddam Hussein and committed to joint action. We will insist that Iraq comply fully with its disarmament commitments. We will maintain the sanctions on the Iraqi regime while seeking to alleviate the suffering of innocent Iraqi people. We will react forcefully and unequivocally to any evidence of reconstituted Iraqi capabilities for producing weapons of mass destruction. In 1998, Congress passed and the president signed the Iraq Liberation Act, the clear purpose of which is to assist the opposition to Saddam Hussein. The administration has used an arsenal of dilatory tactics to block any serious support to the Iraqi National Congress, an umbrella organization reflecting a broad and representative group of Iraqis who wish to free their country from the scourge of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
The Iraqi National Congress was Chalabi’s outfit.
Ah. Well, let’s have a little looksie at the Texas GOP platform, shall we?
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.
Well, that’s certainly much different than the summary. It must have been taken out of context.
We also believe that non–payment of court–mandated child support payments should be criminalized; that 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.
Again…vastly different from the summary. Wow, those evil libruhls won’t stop with their lies and blatant misrepresentations of the noble Texas GOP’s positions.
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.
Nope, nothing to see in this platform. Move along.
Nope, no looniness here. Keep on moving.
WILL THOSE FILTHY COMMIE PINKOS STOP DISTORTING THE BRAVE AND NOBLE PLATFORM OF THE TEXAS GOP???
I swear, the next filthy, left-wing, commie, America-hating pussy liberal who tries to imply that the Texas GOP is anything except the height of modern enlightenment is going to get a swift kick in the butt from me.
Mtgman
August 24, 2004, 8:02pm
15
elucidator:
Chit, Arty , that ain’t diddly! You want to see a platform that will really curl your hair, you should see the Texas GOP Platform for 2000
The Texas GOP platform for 2004 (PDF). This is about as official as it gets, from the TexasGOP website.
Educating our Children
So, the thing about “the biblical story of creation” seems fairly exaggerated(even in the original 2000 document it did not call for the subject to be taught, just that teachers should be allowed to teach it if they felt so inclined). The bit about Social Security seems scaremongering, an orderly transition to a more privatized system, as stated in both the '04 and '00 platforms, is a bit different than yanking the rug as the synopsis implied. The stance on Federal taxes seems more accurately summarized as “huge reform” rather than “abolishment”.
Places where the summary was accurate would be the party’s stance on homosexuality and minimum wage laws.
As always, the source documents should be consulted over some bloggers summaries. Also the pedigree of the source should be considered. The 2000 platform the summary was based off of is not readily available in the library section of the TexasGOP website and the “Republican Leadership Council of Texas” website on which it is found is no longer maintained. Still, some of the names on the platform committees for both documents are the same and this gives creedance to the idea that the 2000 platform document is genuine.
And, as with anything, this document can objectively only be said to represent the ideals of those individuals with direct input into its creation. These names are listed at the top of the document as the “platform committee”. They may have attempted to capture their perceptions of widespread ideals among Texas Republicans, but this document is not necessarially representative of Texas Republicans as a whole. Even the candidates do nothing more than sign a statement that they have read the document, it is not a binding pledge of conduct and does not bind a representative to advocate those views in their offices.
Enjoy,
Munch
August 24, 2004, 8:07pm
16
Neurotik , do you feel better now? Care to take a look at the rest of my posts in this thread and see that I actually agree with you, and not the GOP platform?
To the first question, yes.
To the second question, I’ve already used up my searching energy and will take your word for it.
Munch
August 24, 2004, 8:33pm
19
Thanks. I didn’t want to sound huffy - but I’ve been having a discussion with my very conservative friend over the tone of the current campaign season. I think both parties should be held to a higher standard, simply and most basely because it makes your opponent justify their stance based on their merits, not your faults. Too often have people claimed victory by simply pointing out a nitpicky detail rather than decontruct an issue in their favor.
Fucking ouch , RT. Very nice work.
