Something is very wrong with the process when delegates are receiving robocalls about the platform from powerful interest groups, like the one I received this morning. That group and its powerful opponents as well as other similar groups should have no voice in the platform. It should be an expression of the authentic beliefs and interests of the party membership.
If our platform is to be truly republican in character it should represent strongly held, shared beliefs and not exclude any group or give any group special consideration above others. It should be a document of universal values which any Republican can understand easily, agtee with and proudly support. It should not be overly take positions on overly specific, controversial issues which are not central to the beliefs of the Republican party. Until relatively recently Texas Republican Party platforms followed this model. Through the 1960s and early 1970s they were limited to a short general preamble and no more than a dozen specific platform planks. That is the model which we should be following.
I realize that cutting the current platform back to that kind of simple, universal document is probably infeasible, but I believe that there are three simple steps which could be taken to clarify, simplify and broaden the platform easily.
1. Remove all endorsements of policies in which government would interfere with private businesses, organizations or institutions, either to dictate policy or subsidize their operation, with the exception of reasonable regulations clearly related to public safety. Our nation's prosperity depends on reducing government interference in the private sector and allowing growth and innovation in the private sector.
2. Remove all statements supporting a government role in defining social policy or interfering with personal liberty in speech, association, movement or religion. I would further recommend striking all specific references to homosexuality or sexual acts from the platform. The Republican party was founded on championing the rights of all people and should not abandon that tradition to support special treatment for any group.
Article comments
1 - Glenn Contrarian
Dave -
From a conservative viewpoint, that was very well said. I disagree with your first proposed step, of course, but the second two steps aren't too different from what most Democrats want - and for that reason, I sadly suspect you'll get no traction on your proposal from the Republicans who seem to have forgotten what the Republican party used to stand for.
And one more thing:
That group and its powerful opponents as well as other similar groups should have no voice in the platform. It should be an expression of the authentic beliefs and interests of the party membership. If our platform is to be truly republican in character it should represent strongly held, shared beliefs and not exclude any group or give any group special consideration above others.
Dave, that's downright progressive of you. Unrealistic in today's political climate (as would be similar proposals by progressives like myself), but in a sane political world your statement would be worthy of hearty support. I wish the Democratic party would have the courage to make the same kind of determination, but thanks the Citizens United, I don't think that will happen anytime soon.
But please accept a Bravo Zulu from me and here's hoping they listen to you.
2 - Dave Nalle
What you call progressive I call "republican"
Dave
3 - Igor
Good article, Dave.
But I think you'll have little success with your three filters, as conservative and American as they are, because most delegates are mean little squirts who see this exercise as an opportunity to push their personal business interests forward.
4 - Glenn Contrarian
Dave #2 -
....
There really oughta be a 12-step program for the condition of being from Texas.
5 - Dave Nalle
As it turns out it helps some when there are people in the establishment trying to do some of the same things I am. If you follow my tweets you'll be aware of some of the successes we had, including striking one of the worst anti-gay planks from the platform and enacting an excellent plank on immigration reform which may strike a litlte fear into the hearts of democrats.
Dve