Texans sure can turn a phrase!

It takes a Texan...

Disclaimer: I am a native Texan and a centennial graduate of Texas Christian University, home of the best football team money can buy!

I'm not referring to Houston attorney Tina Benkiser, state Republican Party Chair, principal author of the brand new Texas Republican Party platform, which should be subtitled Mein Kampf.

I'm referring to Texas Democratic Party chair, Charles Soechting, who called the Republicans' platform the "longest political suicide note in modern Texas history."

Soechting also said: "It's a shame the Republicans have concocted a platform so extreme they have to run from it rather than on it."

Texas Republican Party Platform Highlights:

"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 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 opposes 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

“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.”

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.

Read the complete Texas Republican/Fascist Party Manifesto for yourself...