The Texas GOP is the Only Honest Republican Party

[TomT]

Most state Republican parties do not publish their platform. In Texas we do. We declare to America what the Republican Party stands for. The following is a short version of our Platform. You can read the entire Republican Platform at https://texasgop.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-RPT-Platform.pdf

Resolution

"We reject the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and we hold that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States," reads the resolution, passed by voice vote in Houston on Saturday.

State Sovereignty

Federally mandated legislation, which infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas, should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified. Regulation of Commerce in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution has exceeded the original intent.

All attempts by the federal judiciary to rule in areas not expressly enumerated by the United States Constitution should be likewise nullified. Any federal enforcement activities that do occur in Texas should be conducted under the authority of the county sheriff. “Pursuant to Article 1, Section 1, of the Texas Constitution, the federal government has impaired our right of local self-government. Therefore, federally mandated legislation that infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified. Texas retains the right to secede from the United States, and the Texas Legislature should be called upon to pass a referendum consistent thereto.”

Judicial Overreach: All attempts by the judiciary to rule in areas not constitutionally granted to the judiciary, including abuses of the “commerce clause,” the “general welfare clause,” and the “supremacy clause,” should be nullified. Any federal enforcement activities that do occur in Texas should be conducted under the authority of the county sheriff.

Limiting the Power of the Supreme Court:

Judges don’t define the roles of judges; Article 3, Section 2, defines the roles of judges. We support Congress’s limiting the power of the Supreme Court by invoking Article 3, Section 2, Clause 2, by “legislating exceptions and creating regulations” to limit the cases for which the Supreme Court has jurisdiction.

Amendments to the US Constitution:

 We: Support term limits of twelve years for federal and state offices. Oppose “packing” (or enlarging) the United States Supreme Court and supports the pending “Keep Nine Amendment” as filed in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Support repeal of the 16th Amendment (Federal Income Tax). Support restoring state sovereignty with the repeal of the 17th Amendment of the United States Constitution and the appointment of United States Senators by the state legislatures. e. Support a change to the 14th Amendment to eliminate “birth tourism” or anchor babies by granting citizenship only to those with at least one biological parent who is a US citizen. Support a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the United States, and one of no more than two official languages of all US territories and other possessions.

United States Senators- We support the repeal of the 17th Amendment of the United States Constitution and the appointment of United States Senators by the state legislatures.

We support defunding and abolishing the departments or agencies of the

·       Internal Revenue Service

·       Education

·       Energy

·       Housing and Urban Development

·       Commerce

·       Health and Human Services

·       Labor, and Interior (specifically, the Bureau of Land Management)

·       Transportation Security Administration

·       Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

·       National Labor Relations Board

 

Repeal Freedom Act- We support the repeal of the Freedom Act. Spying on law-abiding Americans must stop immediately. We support court-ordered warrants on an individual basis in cases directly involving national security.

Federal Reserve System- We believe Congress should repeal the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 thereby abolishing the Federal Reserve Banking System. In the interim, we call for a complete audit of the Federal Reserve System and its Board of Governors followed by an immediate report to the American people. Sound Money- We support the return to the precious metal standard for the United States dollar.

Elimination of Executive Orders- We oppose the unconstitutional use of executive orders. All orders lacking Congressional approval become null and void after four months.

Constitutional Convention- We oppose any constitutional convention to rewrite the United States Constitution. We support the Texas Legislature rescinding its 1977 call for such a convention.

Article V Convention- We support the Bill of Rights as written by our Founding Fathers and assert the authority of the 10th amendment. We urge our Texas State Legislators to call for a limited Article V Convention of States for the specific purpose of reducing the power of the federal government, including implementation of term limits. Any proposed amendments must be ratified by 3/4 of the states.

Protection from Extreme Environmentalists- We support the defunding of “climate justice” initiatives and the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency and repeal of the Endangered Species Act.

Defending American Citizens- We support continued Congressional investigations of the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of specific political groups and individuals.

We urge Congress to withhold Supreme Court jurisdiction in cases involving abortion, religious freedom, and the Bill of Rights. We support the repeal of all Federal statutes regarding lifetime judiciary appointments, for all courts and Supreme Court Justices.

We urge that the Voter Rights Act of 1965, codified and updated in 1973, be repealed and not reauthorized.

We urge immediate repeal of the the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, also known as "McCain-Feingold".

Censuring a Republican Office Holder for Cause- We support a rule allowing delegates of the State Convention, or the State Republican Executive Committee to censure a Republican officeholder for cause, including but not limited to consistent actions taken in opposition to principles of the Republican Party of Texas, defined in the preamble of the party platform as described in rule 43A.

Family and Defense of Marriage- We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between one natural man and one natural woman. § We support withholding jurisdiction from the federal courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. § We shall not recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse, including granting benefits by political subdivisions. § We urge the legislature to rescind no-fault divorce laws and support covenant marriage. Overturning Obergefell v. Hodges- We believe this decision, overturning the Texas law prohibiting same sex marriage in Texas, has no basis in the Constitution and should be reversed, returning jurisdiction over the definition of marriage to the states. The Governor and other elected officials of the state of Texas should assert our Tenth Amendment right and reject the Supreme Court ruling.

Family Values- We support the affirmation of traditional Judeo-Christian family values and oppose the continued assault on those values.

Homosexuality- Homosexuality is a chosen behavior that is contrary to the fundamental unchanging truths that has been ordained by God in the Bible, recognized by our nation’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, in public policy, nor should family be redefined to include homosexual couples. We oppose the granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.

Gender Identity- We urge the enactment of legislation addressing individuals’ use of bathrooms, showers and locker rooms that correspond with their biologically determined sex.

United Nations Treaty on the Rights of the Child- We unequivocally oppose the United States Senate’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Welfare Reform- Welfare reform should encourage partnerships with faith based institutions, community, and business organizations to assist individuals in need. We encourage welfare reform in the following areas: 1. Denying benefits to individuals who cannot prove citizenship; 2. Welfare reforms should require recipients to work, learn, and train; 3. Reforms should require recipients to remain substance-abuse free in exchange for temporary benefits not exceeding two years; 4. Recipients should be required to submit to random drug testing in order to receive benefits; 5. Welfare cards should be confined to food and vital essentials, and be issued with a photo of the approved user; and 6. Prisoners should be removed from welfare rolls.

Social Security- We support an immediate and orderly transition to a system of private pensions based on the concept of individual retirement accounts, and gradually phasing out the Social Security tax.

Medicaid Reform- We support Medicaid block grants to the states and returning Medicaid to its original purpose - to be a temporary assistance. We oppose any further expansion of Medicaid.

Health Care- Health care decisions, including routine preventative care such as immunizations, should be between a patient and health care professional and should be protected from government intrusion. Abortion is not healthcare. Government has no right to mandate specific medical procedures or methods of healthcare.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”)- We demand the immediate repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which we believe to be unconstitutional.

Bilingual Education-We encourage non-English speaking students to transition, via best practices, to English within one year, allowing them to quickly assimilate and succeed in American society.

Equal Access -All Texas students shall have equal access to all state supported grants, scholarships and loans, based upon measurable academic criteria. Illegal aliens shall not be eligible for state or federal grants. We support the suspension of Federal funding from universities that prohibit military recruitment on campus.

Right to Keep and Bear Arms- We strongly oppose all laws that infringe on the right to bear arms. We oppose the monitoring of gun ownership, the taxation and regulation of guns, ammunition, and gun magazines. We collectively urge the legislature to pass “constitutional carry” legislation, whereby law-abiding citizens that possess firearms can legally exercise their God-given right to carry that firearm as well. We call for the elimination of all gun free zones. All federal acts, laws, executive orders, and court orders which restrict or infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms shall be invalid in Texas, not be recognized by Texas, shall be specifically rejected by Texas, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in Texas. Firearms and ammunition manufactured and sold in the state of Texas are not covered under the Commerce Clause (Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution) and therefore are not subject to federal regulation.

Safeguarding Religious Liberties- We affirm that the public acknowledgement of God is undeniable in our history and is vital to our freedom, prosperity, and strength. We pledge our influence toward a return to the original intent of the 1st Amendment and toward dispelling the myth of separation of church and state. Tax deductions for charitable contributions are not government subsidies and give no authority for government oversight.

We believe the most equitable system of taxation is one based on consumption and wish to see reforms towards that end at all levels of government we support the reformation of the current systems of taxation at all levels of government: federal, state, and local. Examples of these reforms include the following: 1. Eliminating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 2. The “Fair Tax” system 3. A Flat Tax 4. The 1-2-3 No Federal Tax 5. Abolishing property taxes 6. Electing appraisal boards 7. Exempting inventories from property taxes 8. Abolishing estate taxes or the “Death Tax” as it’s more commonly known 9. Abolishing capital gains taxes 10. Abolishing franchise and business income taxes 11. Abolishing the gift tax. 12. Discontinuing revenue generating licensing fee

Repeal Dodd-Frank- We support the immediate repeal of Dodd-Frank legislation and replace with the Glass-Steagall Act. Community Reinvestment Act- We support the repeal of the Community Reinvestment Act. Lending Institutions- We support the sunset of Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Congressional Pay and Benefits- We recommend that the Congressional retirement system be abolished, and all funds accrued to date revert to the social security fund. Special Funds- We urge the Texas legislature to abolish the Event Trust Funds and the Texas Enterprise Fund.

Minimum Wage Repeal- We believe the Minimum Wage Law should be repealed. Prevailing Wage Law- We urge Congress to repeal the Prevailing Wage Law and the Davis Bacon Act. Workers Compensation- We urge the Legislature to resist making workers’ compensation mandatory for all Texas employers. Sarbanes-Oxley Legislation- In light of the high compliance costs imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley regulations and the destructive effects this law has had on innovation and capital formation, we support repeal of the SarbanesOxley legislation and its replacement with a requirement for a standardized financial reporting format that maximizes transparency without causing undue financial burdens.

Ethanol- We support the repeal of legislation mandating ethanol as a fuel additive and/or primary fuel.

Carbon Dioxide- We oppose all efforts to classify carbon dioxide as a pollutant.

Cap and Trade- We oppose the implementation of any cap and trade (aka “Cap and Tax”) system through legislation or regulation.

Equitable Disbursement- We support the repeal of the Required Minimum Disbursement from retirement accounts and inheritances.

United Nations- The United Nations is a detriment to the sovereignty of the United States and other countries, and because of this we support: • Our withdrawal from the c • The removal of the United States from United States soil • The rejection of all Agenda 21 and Agenda 2030 policies and programs • The rejection of all related NGO’s, Councils, and Environmental Programs • A zero budget allotment of American tax dollars to any United Nations programs • The opposition of any designation of World Heritage Sites in the United States and especially in Texas.

Foreign Aid- We support foreign aid only to our allies in cases of national defense or catastrophic disasters, with Congressional approval.

International Trade- We support free trade as a necessary component of American capitalism and of the United States' influence in the world. We strongly oppose the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Trade In Services Agreement (TISA), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). We demand the immediate withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). We demand the repeal of the current Fast Track Authority/TPA.

International Organizations- We support United States withdrawal from the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and the World Bank.

Israel- The United States should continue to support Israel militarily, financially and technologically. Our policy is inspired by God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise. We strongly oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and no Texas government agency should conduct business with any company or country that knowingly participates in the BDS movement.

Taiwan- We support full diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as an independent and sovereign nation and to renew its commitment to defend our security interests in the Western Pacific in the face of China’s military provocations.

Refugee Resettlement Program-We urge the Governor to immediately notify the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary that Texas is withdrawing from the Refugee Resettlement Program joining twelve other states that have also and will no longer provide state funds toward the Refugee Resettlement Program.

Turn Off the Magnet No tax dollars to be provided for social or educational programs for illegal aliens; rescinding existing laws providing for in-state tuition, non-emergency hospital care, requiring all employers to utilize E-verify systems to confirm the legal status of all new hires; rejection of non-verifiable foreign issued identification cards as legally valid in the United States.

Amnesty- Any form of amnesty with regard to immigration policy should not be granted, including the granting of legal status to persons in the country illegally. Enforce Immigration Laws- We demand that state and federal law enforcement officers enforce our immigration laws, and expedite hearings on deporting non-violent illegal immigrants and visa overstays.

Legislative priorities

1. Pass constitutional carry while maintaining licensing as optional for reciprocity purposes.

2. Abolish abortion by enacting legislation to stop the murder of unborn children; and to ignore and refuse to enforce any and all federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, and court rulings, which would deprive an unborn child of the right to life.

3. Prioritize the allocation of funds to effectively secure the border through whatever means necessary, including but not limited to barriers, personnel, and technology over land, sea, and air, because the federal government refuses to secure the southern border of Texas.

4. Call for a limited Article V convention of states for the specific purpose of restricting the power of the federal government, including the implementation of term limits, and balanced budget amendment. Any proposed amendments must be ratified by ¾ of the states.

5. And to replace the property tax system with an alternative other than the income tax and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden.

[Michael Hardner]

50 minutes ago, TomT said:

Most state Republican parties do not publish their platform. In Texas we do. We declare to America what the Republican Party stands for. The following is a short version of our Platform.  

It's a Libertarian dream.  They should do it and secede at the same time and see how that all works out.  

A quick Google search gives their exports as:
 

Quote

1. Refined Petroleum: $84.9 billion. ...
2. Crude Petroleum: $61.9 billion. ...
3. Cars: $56.9 billion. ...
4. Integrated Circuits: $41.4 billion. ...
5. Vehicle Parts: $41.2 billion.

The first 2 will do well for a little while yet, but the next 3 will need some kind of trade deal to keep going, especially with no minimum wage...

[dialamah]

Certainly nice to know that they'd basically aim for a theocracy.

[TomT]

Harder

You forgot a few things. Texas defense budget, Duties and Tarrifs on products in and out of Texas, Taxes - like an Income tax. Then again, currently Texas gets $83 billion annually from defense spending in Texas. Bye Bye $$$$$. Then there is the $269 Billion/yr the Federal Government spends in Texas...cities, universities, research, etc.

[suds]

I would have to believe that moderate republican elected officials wouldn't agree with this garbage. What we have before us is a situation where both democrat and republican parties have lost their collective minds. And in a 2 party system, that aint' good.

[Hodad]

1 hour ago, suds said:

I would have to believe that moderate republican elected officials wouldn't agree with this garbage. What we have before us is a situation where both democrat and republican parties have lost their collective minds. And in a 2 party system, that aint' good.

How do you imagine that moderates exist within that party platform?

[suds]

1 hour ago, Hodad said:

How do you imagine that moderates exist within that party platform?

I've actually done some research on this and found that many moderate republican elected officials are wary of these conventions over fear of being attacked. This includes the governor.  Being written up in a party platform by no means makes it law, only a wish list. The democrats are just as nutty, except they're not stupid enough to put it in print. Does this mean that democrats are 'dishonest'?  How many times have you heard of threats to democrat incumbents of being 'primaried' by the extremist left? There's also a lot of money behind this foolishness in a state where there are few restrictions on limits to the amount individuals can give in way of political contributions.

[Rebound]

On 12/19/2022 at 1:24 PM, dialamah said:

Certainly nice to know that they'd basically aim for a theocracy.

“Our policy is inspired by God’s biblical promise…”

[reason10]

On 12/19/2022 at 12:56 PM, Michael Hardner said:

It's a Libertarian dream.  They should do it and secede at the same time and see how that all works out.  

A quick Google search gives their exports as:
 

The first 2 will do well for a little while yet, but the next 3 will need some kind of trade deal to keep going, especially with no minimum wage...

I saw nothing in that document mentioning Secession.

[reason10]

On 12/19/2022 at 1:24 PM, dialamah said:

Certainly nice to know that they'd basically aim for a theocracy.

Where are you getting theocracy from that statement? What specific church did the statement mention? What language suggests that attending that church would become mandatory?

We'll wait while you either produce the text or just admit you lied.

[Rebound]

19 minutes ago, reason10 said:

Where are you getting theocracy from that statement? What specific church did the statement mention? What language suggests that attending that church would become mandatory?

We'll wait while you either produce the text or just admit you lied.

“Our policy is inspired by God’s biblical promise…”

[reason10]

30 minutes ago, Rebound said:

“Our policy is inspired by God’s biblical promise…”

You didn't answer the question. What specific church? What doctrine forcing everyone to attend this specific church?

For that matter, WHAT GOD?

Jehovah? Jesus Christ? Allah?

So far, the Islamist countries (the ones who vomited Barak Obama on the world) are the ones requiring mandatory participation in a state religion.

The platform mentioned the Bible God when it called for refusing special privileges for homosexuals. That's kind of moderate when you see the Islamist governments throwing those people off tall buildings.

You're looking in the wrong place if you see theocracy. So far, YOUR side of the aisle has been cozying up to theocracies for as long as I can remember.

[reason10]

On 12/19/2022 at 5:14 PM, Hodad said:

How do you imagine that moderates exist within that party platform?

It isn't a Democrat platform. Democrats have always been the extremists.

Moderation was INVENTED by conservative Republicans.

[reason10]

On 12/19/2022 at 4:09 PM, suds said:

I would have to believe that moderate republican elected officials wouldn't agree with this garbage. What we have before us is a situation where both democrat and republican parties have lost their collective minds. And in a 2 party system, that aint' good.

So you disagree with it and somehow it's garbage? Who the hell are YOU to make such a determination?

 

On 12/19/2022 at 12:01 PM, TomT said:

Most state Republican parties do not publish their platform. In Texas we do. We declare to America what the Republican Party stands for. The following is a short version of our Platform. You can read the entire Republican Platform at https://texasgop.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-RPT-Platform.pdf

Resolution

"We reject the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and we hold that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States," reads the resolution, passed by voice vote in Houston on Saturday.

State Sovereignty

Federally mandated legislation, which infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas, should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified. Regulation of Commerce in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution has exceeded the original intent.

All attempts by the federal judiciary to rule in areas not expressly enumerated by the United States Constitution should be likewise nullified. Any federal enforcement activities that do occur in Texas should be conducted under the authority of the county sheriff. “Pursuant to Article 1, Section 1, of the Texas Constitution, the federal government has impaired our right of local self-government. Therefore, federally mandated legislation that infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified. Texas retains the right to secede from the United States, and the Texas Legislature should be called upon to pass a referendum consistent thereto.”

Judicial Overreach: All attempts by the judiciary to rule in areas not constitutionally granted to the judiciary, including abuses of the “commerce clause,” the “general welfare clause,” and the “supremacy clause,” should be nullified. Any federal enforcement activities that do occur in Texas should be conducted under the authority of the county sheriff.

Limiting the Power of the Supreme Court:

Judges don’t define the roles of judges; Article 3, Section 2, defines the roles of judges. We support Congress’s limiting the power of the Supreme Court by invoking Article 3, Section 2, Clause 2, by “legislating exceptions and creating regulations” to limit the cases for which the Supreme Court has jurisdiction.

Amendments to the US Constitution:

 We: Support term limits of twelve years for federal and state offices. Oppose “packing” (or enlarging) the United States Supreme Court and supports the pending “Keep Nine Amendment” as filed in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Support repeal of the 16th Amendment (Federal Income Tax). Support restoring state sovereignty with the repeal of the 17th Amendment of the United States Constitution and the appointment of United States Senators by the state legislatures. e. Support a change to the 14th Amendment to eliminate “birth tourism” or anchor babies by granting citizenship only to those with at least one biological parent who is a US citizen. Support a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the United States, and one of no more than two official languages of all US territories and other possessions.

United States Senators- We support the repeal of the 17th Amendment of the United States Constitution and the appointment of United States Senators by the state legislatures.

We support defunding and abolishing the departments or agencies of the

·       Internal Revenue Service

·       Education

·       Energy

·       Housing and Urban Development

·       Commerce

·       Health and Human Services

·       Labor, and Interior (specifically, the Bureau of Land Management)

·       Transportation Security Administration

·       Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

·       National Labor Relations Board

 

Repeal Freedom Act- We support the repeal of the Freedom Act. Spying on law-abiding Americans must stop immediately. We support court-ordered warrants on an individual basis in cases directly involving national security.

Federal Reserve System- We believe Congress should repeal the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 thereby abolishing the Federal Reserve Banking System. In the interim, we call for a complete audit of the Federal Reserve System and its Board of Governors followed by an immediate report to the American people. Sound Money- We support the return to the precious metal standard for the United States dollar.

Elimination of Executive Orders- We oppose the unconstitutional use of executive orders. All orders lacking Congressional approval become null and void after four months.

Constitutional Convention- We oppose any constitutional convention to rewrite the United States Constitution. We support the Texas Legislature rescinding its 1977 call for such a convention.

Article V Convention- We support the Bill of Rights as written by our Founding Fathers and assert the authority of the 10th amendment. We urge our Texas State Legislators to call for a limited Article V Convention of States for the specific purpose of reducing the power of the federal government, including implementation of term limits. Any proposed amendments must be ratified by 3/4 of the states.

Protection from Extreme Environmentalists- We support the defunding of “climate justice” initiatives and the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency and repeal of the Endangered Species Act.

Defending American Citizens- We support continued Congressional investigations of the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of specific political groups and individuals.

We urge Congress to withhold Supreme Court jurisdiction in cases involving abortion, religious freedom, and the Bill of Rights. We support the repeal of all Federal statutes regarding lifetime judiciary appointments, for all courts and Supreme Court Justices.

We urge that the Voter Rights Act of 1965, codified and updated in 1973, be repealed and not reauthorized.

We urge immediate repeal of the the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, also known as "McCain-Feingold".

Censuring a Republican Office Holder for Cause- We support a rule allowing delegates of the State Convention, or the State Republican Executive Committee to censure a Republican officeholder for cause, including but not limited to consistent actions taken in opposition to principles of the Republican Party of Texas, defined in the preamble of the party platform as described in rule 43A.

Family and Defense of Marriage- We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between one natural man and one natural woman. § We support withholding jurisdiction from the federal courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. § We shall not recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse, including granting benefits by political subdivisions. § We urge the legislature to rescind no-fault divorce laws and support covenant marriage. Overturning Obergefell v. Hodges- We believe this decision, overturning the Texas law prohibiting same sex marriage in Texas, has no basis in the Constitution and should be reversed, returning jurisdiction over the definition of marriage to the states. The Governor and other elected officials of the state of Texas should assert our Tenth Amendment right and reject the Supreme Court ruling.

Family Values- We support the affirmation of traditional Judeo-Christian family values and oppose the continued assault on those values.

Homosexuality- Homosexuality is a chosen behavior that is contrary to the fundamental unchanging truths that has been ordained by God in the Bible, recognized by our nation’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, in public policy, nor should family be redefined to include homosexual couples. We oppose the granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.

Gender Identity- We urge the enactment of legislation addressing individuals’ use of bathrooms, showers and locker rooms that correspond with their biologically determined sex.

United Nations Treaty on the Rights of the Child- We unequivocally oppose the United States Senate’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Welfare Reform- Welfare reform should encourage partnerships with faith based institutions, community, and business organizations to assist individuals in need. We encourage welfare reform in the following areas: 1. Denying benefits to individuals who cannot prove citizenship; 2. Welfare reforms should require recipients to work, learn, and train; 3. Reforms should require recipients to remain substance-abuse free in exchange for temporary benefits not exceeding two years; 4. Recipients should be required to submit to random drug testing in order to receive benefits; 5. Welfare cards should be confined to food and vital essentials, and be issued with a photo of the approved user; and 6. Prisoners should be removed from welfare rolls.

Social Security- We support an immediate and orderly transition to a system of private pensions based on the concept of individual retirement accounts, and gradually phasing out the Social Security tax.

Medicaid Reform- We support Medicaid block grants to the states and returning Medicaid to its original purpose - to be a temporary assistance. We oppose any further expansion of Medicaid.

Health Care- Health care decisions, including routine preventative care such as immunizations, should be between a patient and health care professional and should be protected from government intrusion. Abortion is not healthcare. Government has no right to mandate specific medical procedures or methods of healthcare.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”)- We demand the immediate repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which we believe to be unconstitutional.

Bilingual Education-We encourage non-English speaking students to transition, via best practices, to English within one year, allowing them to quickly assimilate and succeed in American society.

Equal Access -All Texas students shall have equal access to all state supported grants, scholarships and loans, based upon measurable academic criteria. Illegal aliens shall not be eligible for state or federal grants. We support the suspension of Federal funding from universities that prohibit military recruitment on campus.

Right to Keep and Bear Arms- We strongly oppose all laws that infringe on the right to bear arms. We oppose the monitoring of gun ownership, the taxation and regulation of guns, ammunition, and gun magazines. We collectively urge the legislature to pass “constitutional carry” legislation, whereby law-abiding citizens that possess firearms can legally exercise their God-given right to carry that firearm as well. We call for the elimination of all gun free zones. All federal acts, laws, executive orders, and court orders which restrict or infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms shall be invalid in Texas, not be recognized by Texas, shall be specifically rejected by Texas, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in Texas. Firearms and ammunition manufactured and sold in the state of Texas are not covered under the Commerce Clause (Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution) and therefore are not subject to federal regulation.

Safeguarding Religious Liberties- We affirm that the public acknowledgement of God is undeniable in our history and is vital to our freedom, prosperity, and strength. We pledge our influence toward a return to the original intent of the 1st Amendment and toward dispelling the myth of separation of church and state. Tax deductions for charitable contributions are not government subsidies and give no authority for government oversight.

We believe the most equitable system of taxation is one based on consumption and wish to see reforms towards that end at all levels of government we support the reformation of the current systems of taxation at all levels of government: federal, state, and local. Examples of these reforms include the following: 1. Eliminating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 2. The “Fair Tax” system 3. A Flat Tax 4. The 1-2-3 No Federal Tax 5. Abolishing property taxes 6. Electing appraisal boards 7. Exempting inventories from property taxes 8. Abolishing estate taxes or the “Death Tax” as it’s more commonly known 9. Abolishing capital gains taxes 10. Abolishing franchise and business income taxes 11. Abolishing the gift tax. 12. Discontinuing revenue generating licensing fee

Repeal Dodd-Frank- We support the immediate repeal of Dodd-Frank legislation and replace with the Glass-Steagall Act. Community Reinvestment Act- We support the repeal of the Community Reinvestment Act. Lending Institutions- We support the sunset of Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Congressional Pay and Benefits- We recommend that the Congressional retirement system be abolished, and all funds accrued to date revert to the social security fund. Special Funds- We urge the Texas legislature to abolish the Event Trust Funds and the Texas Enterprise Fund.

Minimum Wage Repeal- We believe the Minimum Wage Law should be repealed. Prevailing Wage Law- We urge Congress to repeal the Prevailing Wage Law and the Davis Bacon Act. Workers Compensation- We urge the Legislature to resist making workers’ compensation mandatory for all Texas employers. Sarbanes-Oxley Legislation- In light of the high compliance costs imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley regulations and the destructive effects this law has had on innovation and capital formation, we support repeal of the SarbanesOxley legislation and its replacement with a requirement for a standardized financial reporting format that maximizes transparency without causing undue financial burdens.

Ethanol- We support the repeal of legislation mandating ethanol as a fuel additive and/or primary fuel.

Carbon Dioxide- We oppose all efforts to classify carbon dioxide as a pollutant.

Cap and Trade- We oppose the implementation of any cap and trade (aka “Cap and Tax”) system through legislation or regulation.

Equitable Disbursement- We support the repeal of the Required Minimum Disbursement from retirement accounts and inheritances.

United Nations- The United Nations is a detriment to the sovereignty of the United States and other countries, and because of this we support: • Our withdrawal from the c • The removal of the United States from United States soil • The rejection of all Agenda 21 and Agenda 2030 policies and programs • The rejection of all related NGO’s, Councils, and Environmental Programs • A zero budget allotment of American tax dollars to any United Nations programs • The opposition of any designation of World Heritage Sites in the United States and especially in Texas.

Foreign Aid- We support foreign aid only to our allies in cases of national defense or catastrophic disasters, with Congressional approval.

International Trade- We support free trade as a necessary component of American capitalism and of the United States' influence in the world. We strongly oppose the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Trade In Services Agreement (TISA), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). We demand the immediate withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). We demand the repeal of the current Fast Track Authority/TPA.

International Organizations- We support United States withdrawal from the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and the World Bank.

Israel- The United States should continue to support Israel militarily, financially and technologically. Our policy is inspired by God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise. We strongly oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and no Texas government agency should conduct business with any company or country that knowingly participates in the BDS movement.

Taiwan- We support full diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as an independent and sovereign nation and to renew its commitment to defend our security interests in the Western Pacific in the face of China’s military provocations.

Refugee Resettlement Program-We urge the Governor to immediately notify the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary that Texas is withdrawing from the Refugee Resettlement Program joining twelve other states that have also and will no longer provide state funds toward the Refugee Resettlement Program.

Turn Off the Magnet No tax dollars to be provided for social or educational programs for illegal aliens; rescinding existing laws providing for in-state tuition, non-emergency hospital care, requiring all employers to utilize E-verify systems to confirm the legal status of all new hires; rejection of non-verifiable foreign issued identification cards as legally valid in the United States.

Amnesty- Any form of amnesty with regard to immigration policy should not be granted, including the granting of legal status to persons in the country illegally. Enforce Immigration Laws- We demand that state and federal law enforcement officers enforce our immigration laws, and expedite hearings on deporting non-violent illegal immigrants and visa overstays.

Legislative priorities

1. Pass constitutional carry while maintaining licensing as optional for reciprocity purposes.

2. Abolish abortion by enacting legislation to stop the murder of unborn children; and to ignore and refuse to enforce any and all federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, and court rulings, which would deprive an unborn child of the right to life.

3. Prioritize the allocation of funds to effectively secure the border through whatever means necessary, including but not limited to barriers, personnel, and technology over land, sea, and air, because the federal government refuses to secure the southern border of Texas.

4. Call for a limited Article V convention of states for the specific purpose of restricting the power of the federal government, including the implementation of term limits, and balanced budget amendment. Any proposed amendments must be ratified by ¾ of the states.

5. And to replace the property tax system with an alternative other than the income tax and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden.

Well, there's no question where this party stands. It's pretty much a cut and dried list.

[Rebound]

3 hours ago, reason10 said:

You didn't answer the question. What specific church? What doctrine forcing everyone to attend this specific church?

For that matter, WHAT GOD?

Jehovah? Jesus Christ? Allah?

So far, the Islamist countries (the ones who vomited Barak Obama on the world) are the ones requiring mandatory participation in a state religion.

The platform mentioned the Bible God when it called for refusing special privileges for homosexuals. That's kind of moderate when you see the Islamist governments throwing those people off tall buildings.

You're looking in the wrong place if you see theocracy. So far, YOUR side of the aisle has been cozying up to theocracies for as long as I can remember.

Your question was, “Where do you get theology from that statement,” and I answered you.

[Michael Hardner]

1 hour ago, Rebound said:

Your question was, “Where do you get theology from that statement,” and I answered you.

No... THEOCRACY.  The idea that the country is led by God and not the people.

[dialamah]

6 hours ago, reason10 said:

Where are you getting theocracy from that statement? What specific church did the statement mention? What language suggests that attending that church would become mandatory?

We'll wait while you either produce the text or just admit you lied.

"Aiming for".  It's clearly a start towards that because of all the references to laws being based on biblical teachings and the express intention to stop the separation of church and state.

But I wouldn't expect you to get it, because trolls just don't.

[reason10]

2 hours ago, dialamah said:

"Aiming for".  It's clearly a start towards that because of all the references to laws being based on biblical teachings and the express intention to stop the separation of church and state.

But I wouldn't expect you to get it, because trolls just don't.

In other words you are stupid. You don't even grasp this argument. You LOSE it and out comes the TROLL thing.

What's next? The race card?

Remember, YOUR ILLEGAL ALIEN BARAK OBAMA gave MILLIONS to Iran for them to create nuclear weapons, and IRAN IS A THEOCRACY.

But I guess theocracies that throw homosexuals off tall buildings are okay with you, versus a country based on Christianity who sends you a welfare check every month, CREEP.

[Michael Hardner]

7 minutes ago, reason10 said:

 Remember, YOUR ILLEGAL ALIEN BARAK OBAMA gave MILLIONS to Iran for them to create nuclear weapons, and IRAN IS A THEOCRACY.

 

Cite please.

[reason10]

5 hours ago, Rebound said:

Your question was, “Where do you get theology from that statement,” and I answered you.

You are a LIAR. I did not say THEOLOGY. I said THEOCRACY.

Didn't your inferior blue state public schools show you the difference between the two?

[reason10]

5 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

Cite please.

https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/john-kerry-got-150-billion-cash-for-iran-spun-as-nuclear-deal-daughter-married-iranian-with-best-man-son-of-irans-sos/

John Kerry Got 150 Billion Cash for Iran SPUN as Nuclear Deal; Daughter Married Iranian with Best Man Son of Iran’s SOS

[Rebound]

2 hours ago, reason10 said:

https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/john-kerry-got-150-billion-cash-for-iran-spun-as-nuclear-deal-daughter-married-iranian-with-best-man-son-of-irans-sos/

John Kerry Got 150 Billion Cash for Iran SPUN as Nuclear Deal; Daughter Married Iranian with Best Man Son of Iran’s SOS

So he got $150 billion because somebody says so? Let’s deconstruct your ridiculous article:

1) No mention of the $150 billion except in the headline. So the evidence is “someone said so.” No attribution of who’s making the claim. 

2) It says Kerry was Secretary of State before Hillary Clinton.  FALSE, he was SoS 2013-2017, AFTER Hillary Clinton.  

3) Its “proof” is a bunch of allegations about guests at his daughter’s wedding.  But that wedding was in 2009, four years before he became Secretary of State  and seven years before the Iran Nuclear deal was signed.  Kerry’s daughter is a surgeon who married an American-born surgeon. 

 

[reason10]

11 hours ago, Rebound said:

So he got $150 billion because somebody says so? Let’s deconstruct your ridiculous article:

1) No mention of the $150 billion except in the headline. So the evidence is “someone said so.” No attribution of who’s making the claim. 

2) It says Kerry was Secretary of State before Hillary Clinton.  FALSE, he was SoS 2013-2017, AFTER Hillary Clinton.  

3) Its “proof” is a bunch of allegations about guests at his daughter’s wedding.  But that wedding was in 2009, four years before he became Secretary of State  and seven years before the Iran Nuclear deal was signed.  Kerry’s daughter is a surgeon who married an American-born surgeon. 

 

Just shut up.

This was a major issue before the 2016 landslide Trump victory.

You're not going to lie your way out of it. Obama did it.  He also armed ISIS.

Your ignorance and stupidity does not have the power to change any past that inconveniences you.

[Rebound]

1 hour ago, reason10 said:

Just shut up.

This was a major issue before the 2016 landslide Trump victory.

You're not going to lie your way out of it. Obama did it.  He also armed ISIS.

Your ignorance and stupidity does not have the power to change any past that inconveniences you.

Explain how Iran could have given John Kerry $150 Billion in cash, as you claim.  In 2015, when they signed the nuclear deal, their entire national GDP was $166 Billion. So you’re claiming they have Kerry every penny the entire country earned in a solid year. And that is far more money than the wealth of the richest person on Earth at the time. 
 

Oh, and it was CASH, as you say? How many cargo planes full of cash did it take? What currency? If it were US currency, it would have been 15% of all US currency in worldwide circulation. How would Iran have its entire GDP converted to US dollars cash and then sent to a single person?  
 

Now do you see how stupid your claim is?

Edited December 29, 2022 by Rebound

[Michael Hardner]

16 hours ago, reason10 said:

https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/john-kerry-got-150-billion-cash-for-iran-spun-as-nuclear-deal-daughter-married-iranian-with-best-man-son-of-irans-sos/

John Kerry Got 150 Billion Cash for Iran SPUN as Nuclear Deal; Daughter Married Iranian with Best Man Son of Iran’s SOS

Can we get a legitimate source for this please? Like a news source that we've heard of before? There are plenty of conservative news sources. Pick one.