The Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party

Home Page

Introduction

Government

Environment

Judiciary    Scalia
   Federalist Society

Bush

Faith Base Initiative

Dominion Economics

Schools and Homophobia

Religious Institutions

Middle East

The Media

Satan

States' Rights

Separation of Church and State

Appeal of the Religious Right

2002 Texas GOP Platform

Biography of Joan Bokaer

When the Texas Republican Party Platform was released, an article in the Houston Chronicle characterized the document as something written by religious zealots who did not represent the true Texas Republican Party. The article pointed out how Republican candidates were distancing themselves from the Party Platform, especially its call to abolish bilingual education in a state with a large Hispanic population. It's a mistake to take the document lightly, or dismiss its authors as marginal. Other state GOP Platforms reflect the same values, and whether or not the writers of the document are marginal or a minority, the fact that they've moved into positions where they can actually write a party platform for the second most populous state in the country is very significant.

Ralph Nader points out that the platform "says crisply that each '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.' Signing on the dotted line is connected with the Party giving the candidate financial and other support." (CommonDreams.org, Oct. 5, 2003)

Pat Robertson pointed out in his book The Millennium, 1990, "With the apathy that exists today a well organized minority can influence the selection of candidates to an astonishing degree." Since George Bush has become President, the "well organized minority" is no longer merely selecting candidates. They are actually running the federal government. The Texas State GOP Platform gives us a glimpse into the values and ideals of the Religious Right and the kind of government they want. I have found different versions of the Platform, and I'm not sure which one is 'official' although any version gives insight into their thinking. If something on this page is not in the link, it may be in another version. The link to the actual Platform is at the bottom of this page. It's very long, so you may have to scroll down pretty far to find the items highlighted on this page.

Highlights of the Texas GOP Platform, 2002

     "The Republican Party of Texas reaffirms the United States of America is a Christian Nation ..."

1. GOVERNMENT

     "We reclaim freedom of religious expression in public on government property, and freedom from government interference."

     Support government display of Ten Commandments.

     Dispel the "myth" of the separation of church and state.

     "A strong and vibrant private sector [should be] unencumbered by excessive government regulation"

     Oppose Campaign Finance Reform

     Oppose any form of gun control

Abolish:

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms;
• position of Surgeon General;
• EPA;
• Department of Energy;
• Department of Housing and Urban Development;
• Department of Education;
• Department of Commerce and Labor;
• National Endowment for the Arts

2. ECONOMY

     Abolish the dollar in favor of the gold standard.

     Abolish the IRS

     Eliminate income tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, capital gains, corporate income tax, payroll tax and property tax.

     Repeal minimum wage law.

     " ... gradually phase out Social Security tax" for a system of "private pensions"

3. UNITED NATIONS

     " ... we immediately rescind our membership in, as well as all financial and military contributions to the United Nations."

     We should " ... evict the United Nations from the United States and eliminate any further participation."

4. FAMILY

     "We believe that traditional marriage is a legal and moral commitment between a man and a 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."

     "The practice of sodomy tears at the heart of our society..." "The party oppose[s] decriminalization of sodomy."

     Oppose all forms of abortion - even in cases of rape or incest.

     "We unequivocally oppose United States Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child."

5. EDUCATION

     Support official prayer in public schools

     Oppose Early Childhood Development Programs

     "We support ... a program based upon biblical principles..."

     Terminate bilingual education

     "Since Secular Humanism is recognized by the United States Supreme Court as a religion ... Secular Humanism should be subjected to the same state and federal laws as any other recognized religions."

6. THE ENVIRONMENT

     Oppose the "myth" of global warming

     Reaffirm "the belief in the fundamental right of an individual to use property without governmental interference"

     Oppose EPA management of Texas air quality

7. THE MIDDLE EAST

     " ... Jerusalem is the capital of Israel ... " therefore, the United States should move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.