Burnt Orange Report

Texas GOP Convention Next Weekend

By Byron LaMasters

They'll meet next weekend to decide who will be their state party chairwoman. It won't particularly matter who wins. We all know who is really in charge of the Texas GOP.... Tom DeLay. Anyway, the AP reports:

It'll be a rematch between two Texas Republican women when the state party selects its next chairman this week.

The Republican Party of Texas meets Thursday through Saturday in San Antonio at what is considered the nation's largest political party convention because of the 10,000 to 12,000 delegates and alternates expected to attend.

Tina Benkiser, a corporate and patent attorney in Houston, is running for a full term as leader of the Texas GOP, a post she was elected to last year when the previous chairman resigned. Gina Parker, a Waco trial lawyer, who also sought the chairmanship in November 2003, seeks it again.

Among other business, Texas Republicans will decide on their 2004 party platform. I doubt that it will have changed much from their 2002 document (PDF file). Here are some of my favorite parts:

Not just "English", but "American English" as our official language: "American English – The Party supports the immediate adoption of American English as the official language of Texas and of the United States of America, while encouraging fluency in additional languages by all citizens."

On the seperation of church and state: "Christian Nation – The Republican Party of Texas reaffirms the United States of America is a Christian nation, which was founded on fundamental Judeo-Christian principles based on the Holy Bible." and "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."

On Hate Crimes: "Equality of All Citizens – [...] We believe that the Hate Crimes Law is unnecessary, and that it unconstitutionally creates a lower class of victims. We urge that it be repealed immediately."

On Homosexuality: "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."

On a "Human Life Amendment": "Right To Life – The Party affirms its support for a human life amendment to the Constitution ... We urge the reversal of Roe v. Wade."

On comparing homosexuals to child molesters: "Child Support and Visitation – [...] We also believe; 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."

On phasing out Social Security: "Social Security – 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."

On enhancing the power of the religious-right (creationist) controlled SBOE: "Local Control – We call for the abolition of the regulatory authority of the Texas Education Agency and to transfer its responsibilities to the elected State Board of Education (SBOE)." ... "We call on the legislature to abolish the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) and its authority returned to the State Board Of Education"

On Private School Vouchers: "School Choice – The Party encourages the Governor and the Texas Legislature to enact legislation which establishes child–centered school funding options to bring about the maximum freedom of choice in public, private or parochial education"

On the U.S. Department of Education: "U.S. Department of Education – We call for the abolition of the U. S. Department of Education and the prohibition of the transfer of any of its functions to any other federal agency."

On Sex Education that Lies to Students: "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. We support policies that mandate parents must be notified before any sex education course or program is implemented and they must be given an opportunity to review the material and give their consent."

On Corporal Punishment in the Classroom: "Classroom Discipline – [...] Corporal punishment should be used when appropriate and we encourage the legislature to strengthen existing immunity laws respecting corporal punishment. We urge the Texas Legislature, Governor, Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education to remind administrators and school boards that corporal punishment is effective and legal in Texas."

On Bilingual Education: "Bilingual Education – The Party supports the termination of bilingual education programs in Texas."

On teaching "Creation Science": "Scientific Theories – 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."

On the Americans with Disabilities Act: "Americans with Disabilities Act – The Party supports amendment of the Americans with Disabilities Act to exclude from its definition those persons with infectious diseases, substance addiction, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, homosexual practices and mental stress thereby reducing abuse of the Act."

On abolishing the IRS and Income Tax: "Federal Tax Reform – The Internal Revenue Service is unacceptable to U. S. taxpayers! The Party urges that the IRS be abolished and the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution be repealed. We further urge that the personal income tax, inheritance (death) tax, gift tax, capital gains, corporate income tax, and payroll tax be eliminated. We recommend the implementation of a national retail sales tax, with the provision that a two-thirds majority of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate is required to raise the rate."

On Worker's Rights: "Workers’ Compensation – The Party calls on our Texas legislators to resist any efforts to make Workers’ Compensation mandatory for all Texas employers."

On the Minimum Wage: "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."

On Ending Just about Every New Deal and Great Society Program, and then some: "Downsizing the Federal Government – The Party supports the downsizing of the federal government in order to re-establish states’ rights guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. 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. These authorities should be eliminated or, where needed, transferred to the state or local governments. We also call for the de–funding and abolition of the National Endowment for the Arts."

On the Panama Canal: "Panama Canal – The Party urges Congress to support HJR 77, “The Panama and America Security Act, or similar legislation, which declares 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..."

On Withdrawing for the United Nations: "United Nations – 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."

So, if you need no other reason to vote Democrat, just read the entire document (PDF file). I'll be sure to go through and analsye their platform when they complete it for this year. I'm not expecting too many big changes, except they'll probably dedicate a page to the evils of gay marriage. I've never voted for a Republican in my life, and I have no plans to. Why? Isn't there a chance when the Republican candidate just might be better qualified? Yes, at times that is the case. But anyone who decides to run for office as a Republican in this state is required to sign their initials to each page of this document. They may not agree with every word of this, but they affirm that this is their party, and I cannot in good conscience support, or vote for any person that associates themselves with the Texas Republican Party Platform. It's just so far outside of the mainstream, it's really just complete insanity.