Texas Republican Party 2012 Platform

[MadelineB]

2012 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS
Report of Platform Committee and Rules Committee
(as adopted by the State Convention in Fort Worth on June 8, 2012)
....
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - We oppose this act through which the federal government would coerce religious business owners and employees to violate their own beliefs and principles by affirming what they consider to be sinful and sexually immoral behavior.
....
Voter Registration - ....We support repeal of all Motor Voter laws; re-registering voters every four years; requiring photo ID of all registrants
....
Voter Rights Act – We urge that the Voter Rights Act of 1965 codified and updated in 1973 be repealed and not reauthorized.
....
Enforcing the Platform - Every Republican is responsible for implementing this platform. Party candidates should indicate their positions on platform planks before their acceptance on the ticket and such information should be available on the Party website.
....
Family and Defense of Marriage - We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman....We further call on Congress to pass and the state legislatures to ratify a marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman.
....
Homosexuality - We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit...
....
Equality of All Citizens – We deplore all discrimination. We also deplore forced sensitivity training and urge repeal of any mandate requiring it. We urge immediate repeal of the Hate Crimes Law. Until the Hate Crimes Law is totally repealed, we urge the Legislature to immediately remove the education curriculum mandate and the sexual orientation category in said Law.
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Full text:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/texasgop_pre/assets/original/2012-Platform-Final.docx 🔗
http://s3.amazonaws.com/texasgop_pre/assets/original/2012-Platform-Final.pdf 🔗

[Michelle G]

That thinking is one step short of concentration camps to hold everyone who doesn't believe or behave like they do! Texas is one big scary place! I would not last  single day there....sad

[Sara Thomas]

I'm not sure what's considered appropriate here... I thought I wanted to reply, but the big red (pink?) box at the top of the page is making me second guess myself...

I read the platform the other day in (almost) it's entirety... and it was most certainly written by a box of Fruit-Loops (very dangerous Fruit-Loops...).

Until very recently I believed that the people who came up with {expletive} like the 2012 platform were a fringe... but it becomes increasingly apparent that a large portion of the population aligns itself with this sort of ideology (yeah... I'm not gonna double-check my correct usage of the word...)...

... and not just Texans, thanks.

I sometimes would very much like to be ignorant.

Sadie out.

[cindianna_jones]

You left out the section where they do not support "smart thinking in public schools."  That one was a howler for me. Yes, I read the complete document a few weeks ago. I normally don't like to push politics. I honestly believe that we need many opinions to make our country work. The problem is that in many cases, it's not just a difference of opinions, it's my "way or the highway." New voter ID legislation in several states could disenfranchise as many as five million voters. That will hand the election to the Republican candidate. That's fine if we want to legislate away any of the legal rights we've achieved in the past few decades. It's not what I want. I'm voting for my own self interests. I want to have a happy productive life without hindrance.  If you live in Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, or Michigan, you must make sure you are registered and have the documentation they require at the voting booth. Vote!

Cindi

[suzifrommd]

This is an age-old tactic, a group grabbing power to enrich itself by spreading fear of some other, smaller or less outspoken group. Done in the south during the Jim Crow era, done in Germany in the 1930s and a hundred other places and a hundred other times.


No longer socially acceptable to spread hate publicly about African Americans, Jews, Catholics, and many of the usual scapegoats. Open season, however, on gays and Trans people.

[justmeinoz]

I just hope the Liberals or Nationals don't pick it up.
You poor sods.

[Constance]

 

Let's please remember to discuss the issues without flaming or bashing individuals or groups. Also, let's bear in mind Susan's Politics Rules, and "limit political discussion relating to specific candidates to their issues or policies which may directly affect the GLBT community."

As always, if anyone feels I have acted inappropriately, pleas contact Forum Admin and/or Susan directly.

Thank you.

-Connie Anne
Global Moderator

[Sara Thomas]

Well... to view the document in an unbiased light, I suppose that we should compare it to the GOP platforms of the other 49 states...

... I'll take states Y-Z.


Edit: My apologies... I failed to read the link, Connie,  for how it applied to this discussion...

[peky]

I perceive this declaration as direct threat to my existence.I beg everybody to vote against the republicans

[gennee]

I could write an article about each point their platform professes but I wonder if making my blood boil is worth it? Besides, how much sense am I going to make to people who are stuck on their ideologies and beliefs systems? 

[SandraJane]

That thinking is one step short of concentration camps to hold everyone who doesn't believe or behave like they do! Texas is one big scary place! I would not last  single day there....sad

...I live there...but wasn't born there!

Seriously, Texas comprises 2 of the larger LGBT communities in the Nation, Dallas & Houston. Freedom is not cheap, so its a constant fight.

[peky]

...I live there...but wasn't born there!

Seriously, Texas comprises 2 of the larger LGBT communities in the Nation, Dallas & Houston. Freedom is not cheap, so its a constant fight.

Dam right Girl! That is why we have to fight them wherever the are, we shall fight them in the beaches, and the streets, and the malls, we shall never surrender

G-d! I love old Winston

[MadelineB]

I don't have the strength or intestinal fortitude to be active in the Republican party and advocate for change, since I was raised in it and it brings back bad associations that have nothing to do with the party itself, but I value and admire those who are active and push for enlightened change.


In places like Texas and Utah where one party dominates the political discourse and most levels of government, outside of the federal courts the only way to make significant progress for LGBT rights may be the very courageous Republican brothers and sisters who stay in the party and fight. For all who do, I thank you. I don't think I could do it, but change requires change agents and change nurturers.


Where I live I don't have to make that choice. I can advocate for improvement within a party that is already friendly to my concerns so I do, but even here the really important things for LGBT people usually require bipartisanship to pass, so if it wasn't for the great people who change the hearts on the other side too, we wouldn't be getting anywhere.


That's why I respect all of you in both parties that actively participate or make your wishes known to the parties with which you affiliate.


Thank you and keep up the good work.


And I don't want to leave out all you in other lands besides the USA, but that's a different topic.

[justmeinoz]

We have Independent former National Party Rep, Bob Katter, who claims there are no gays in his seat. Of course not, they all left! 
Sounds like he would fit right in.  He had to distance himself from a Homophobic ad during the last State election in Queensland. 
Will the Republicans make all the streets one way so drivers can't turn left?

Karen.

[Sara Thomas]

Will the Republicans make all the streets one way so drivers can't turn left?

Karen.

lol - Interesting trivia about my town of San Angelo, TX: The streets were laid out to be wide enough for a horse-drawn wagon to make a U-turn in.

They are pleasantly wide.

[xxchristina22]

We have Independent former National Party Rep, Bob Katter, who claims there are no gays in his seat. Of course not, they all left! 
Sounds like he would fit right in.  He had to distance himself from a Homophobic ad during the last State election in Queensland. 
Will the Republicans make all the streets one way so drivers can't turn left?

Karen.

lol all right wing i suppose. I think i live in the only liberal part of Texas (rgv). I hate choosing sides...ugh politics.