Topic: Political Parties
Party over Principle Not listening to the base.by Bob Smither
(Libertarian)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
In a stunning display of Party over Principle, Texas GOP leaders, with one exception, are rushing to endorse John McCain for president of the United States.
The 2006 Texas GOP Platform, representing the carefully considered views of Texas GOP members and in many ways a surprisingly libertarian document, states that "We call for the immediate repeal of the McCain-Feingold Act. We oppose any so-called 'campaign finance reform' that restricts free speech, the right to publicize the voting records or positions of public officials, or the amount of individual or Political Action Committee campaign contributions." The McCain-Feingold Act is rightly recognized by Party members and most Americans as a direct frontal attack on our First Amendment rights.
The Platform also states that "... we further oppose any government effort to implement a national ID program ..." and yet McCain voted for the Real ID Act, a thinly disguised national ID, and continues to support it.
A third example drawn from the 2006 GOP Platform states that "We therefore urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens." You guessed it, John McCain voted for the USA Patriot Act.
The Texas GOP establishment, including Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, as well as Governor Perry, now calls for the election of McCain, all in the name of party unity - the opinions of grass roots Republicans be damned!
At least one Republican, Ron Paul, is having nothing of it. Perhaps the last Republican leader with clearly defined and strongly held convictions, Paul was quoted in a CNN interview (http://tinyurl.com/2arp2l) Monday: "well, i would suggest that unity might be secondary to principle. what do we believe in? if you can unify a party and reject principles, what is unity worth?" What indeed?
Just in case there was any doubt, Dr. Paul also said: "i'm not likely to support john unless he changes his views. he doesn't represent anything i've talked about for 30 years. nonintervention, foreign policy, free markets. no child left behind. i mean, he doesn't stand for any of those things. how could i reject everything i've talked about for 30 years and say now it's all over."
Thank you Dr. Paul! Other Republican leaders - please take note.
Perhaps the leaders of the Republican Party of Texas should start listening to their members, and support what is right, not what is expedient. The Party they save could be their own, although it may be too late.
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2008 Bob Smither, all rights reserved.
Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Last modified: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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I suppose it makes me a sheep for asking, but you're quoting the goddamned 2006 platform. They haven't come out with a new platform since then? If there is a 2008 Texas GOP platform, what does it say?
Fuck, the 1955 Democratic Platform probably called for segregation now and forever, but the Dems aren't holding to that line.
"They haven't come out with a new platform since then?"
No. The state platform is written every two years and adopted at the state convention. A new platform will be adopted later this year, but for now the 2006 one is the most recent.
In my TX precinct, at least, we passed resolutions consistent with the idea of limited government. The delegates that we voted to go to our county convention will not sacrifice principle for party; it will be interesting to see how many other precincts did the same.
Your point about sticking to party over principle brings up another issue--how we vote in November. Here in Texas, we will have the choice of voting for Senator John Cornyn, who follows Bush's every move, or a Democrat, Rick Noriega, who, while supporting Democratic ideas about healthcare and other issues, is by far a stronger supporter of the Constitution (like Dennis Kucinich) than his opponent. Should I hold to my party when Senator Cornyn has failed me so miserably, or should I cross over in this case? The choice is simple: Cornyn is an enemy of liberty, and he's out.
Once we get people who are dedicated to preserving the Constitution into office, then we can sort through what that document means regarding "promote the general welfare," and whether that includes providing healthcare, etc. Those are small issues compared to the enormity of losing basic freedoms. Recognize your allies, and stick with them!
Obviously the Republican platform doesn't mean much, and neither does the Democratic platform, which still calls for "John Kerry as Commander-in-Chief", LOL!
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2008 Bob Smither, all rights reserved.