2016 Republican Platformhttps://prod-static-ngop-pbl.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL[1]-ben_1468872234.pdf
We believe in American exceptionalism.
We believe the United States of America is unlike any other nation on earth.
We believe America is exceptional because of our historic role — first as refuge, then as defender, and now as exemplar of liberty for the world to see.
We affirm — as did the Declaration of Independence: that all are created equal, endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We believe in the Constitution as our founding document.
We believe the Constitution was written not as a flexible document, but as our enduring covenant.
We believe our constitutional system — limited government, separation of powers, federalism, and the rights of the people — must be preserved uncompromised for future generations.
We believe political freedom and economic freedom are indivisible.
When political freedom and economic freedom are separated — both are in peril; when united, they are invincible.
We believe that people are the ultimate resource — and that the people, not the government, are the best stewards of our country’s God-given natural resources.
As Americans and as Republicans we wish for peace — so we insist on strength. We will make America safe. We seek friendship with all peoples and all nations, but we recognize and are prepared to deal with evil in the world.
Based on these principles, this platform is an invitation and a roadmap. It invites every American to join us and shows the path to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America.
For some details:
50 Shockingly Extreme Right Wing Proposals in the 2016 Republican Party Platform http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/50_shockingly_extreme_right_wing_proposals_in_the_2016_20160720
Posted on Jul 20, 2016
By Steven Rosenfeld / AlterNet
The Republican Party platform is a wish list for what Republicans in Congress and Donald Trump would like to impose on America.
What’s surprising about it is that it goes further to the right than what’s even been heard on the campaign trail from Trump as he has promised to build a wall along the Mexican border and embrace the religious right’s long-held tenets opposing abortion, LGBT rights, and more.
The GOP 2016 platform would make Christianity the official American religion, English the official American language, replace sex education with abstinence-only advice for teenagers, privatize almost all areas of federal services, cut taxes and regulations for the rich and titans of industry, and impose a belligerent foreign policy and military build-up.
Here are 50 excerpts from the 2016 GOP platform:
1. Tax Cuts for the Rich:
2. Deregulate The Banks:
3. Stop Consumer Protection:
4. Start Repealing Environmental Laws:
5. Start shrinking unions and union labor:
6. Privatize Federal Railway Service:
7. No Change in Federal Minimum Wage:
8. Cut Government Salaries and Benefits:
9. Appoint Anti-Abortion Supreme Court Justices:
10. Appoint Anti-LGBT and Anti-Obamacare justices:
11. Legalize Anti-LGBT Discrimination:
12. Make Christianity a National Religion:
13. Loosen Campaign Finance Loopholes and Dark Money:
14. Loosen Gun Controls Nationwide:
15. Pass an Anti-Abortion Constitutional Amendment:
16. End federal funding for Planned Parenthood:
17. Allow States to Shut Down Abortion Clinics:
18. Oppose Stem Cell Scientific Research:
19. Oppose Executive Branch Policy Making:
20. Oppose Efforts to End the Electoral College:
21. Require Citizenship Documents to Register to Vote:
22. Ignore Undocumented Immigrants When Drawing Congressional Districts:
23. No Labeling of GMO Ingredients in Food Products:
24. Add work requirements to welfare and cut food stamps:
25. Open America’s Shores to More Oil and Gas Drilling:
26. Build the Keystone XL Pipeline:
27. Expand Fracking and Burying Nuclear Waste:
28. No Tax on Carbon Products:
29. Ignore Global Climate Change Agreements:
30. Privatize Medicare, The Health Plan for Seniors:
31. Turn Medicaid, The Poor’s Health Plan, Over to States:
32. No Increasing Social Security Benefits by Taxing the Rich:
33. Repeal Obamacare:
34. Give Internet Service Providers Monopoly Control:
35. Make English the Official U.S. Language:
36. No Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants:
37. Build a Border Wall to Keep Immigrants Out:
38. Require Government Verification of Citizenship of all Workers:
39. Penalize Cities that Give Sanctuary to Migrants:
40. Puerto Rico Should Be a State But Not Washington, D.C.:
41. Support Traditional Marriage But No Other Families:
42. Privatize Government Services in the Name of Fighting Poverty:
43. Require Bible Study in Public Schools:
44. Replace Traditional Public Schools with Privatized Options:
45. Replace Sex Education with Abstinence-only Approaches:
46. Privatize Student Loans Instead of Lowering Interest Rates:
47. Restore the Death Penalty:
48. Dramatically Increase Pentagon Budget:
49. Cancel Iran Nuclear Treaty and Expand Nuclear Arsenal:
50. Reaffirm Support for Israel and Slam Sanctions Movement:
JUSTICE
The Single Most Radical Line In The Republican Party Platform
BY IAN MILLHISER JUL 19, 2016
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/07/19/3799596/single-radical-line-republican-party-platform/
The Constitution, by its own terms, is the “supreme law of the land." All judges are bound by the words of the Constitution, and all laws made by legislatures within the United States must yield to the Constitution’s provisions. This is the central insight of the American republic — the idea that the structure and limits of government are laid out in a written document, and that document is binding on all government actors subject to its terms. The Republican Party’s 2016 Platform rejects this concept outright.
The Platform devotes seven of its 66 pages to what it calls “A Rebirth of Constitutional Government." In these seven pages, it seamlessly weaves together some of the most radical ideas offered by modern day libertarian scholars with the rhetoric of Christian conservatism. It’s a neat trick, and one that will doubtless have broad appeal to key segments of the Republican base. Yet, in doing so, it fundamentally rethinks the role of a written Constitution in American society, and offers a distinctly Republican take on the Constitution we actually do have in the process.
The GOP Platform's section on constitutional law begins with a declaration of principles: "That God bestows certain inalienable rights on every individual, thus producing human equality; that government exists first and foremost to protect those inalienable rights; that man-made law must be consistent with God-given, natural rights; and that if God-given, natural, inalienable rights come in conflict with government, court, or human-granted rights God-given, natural, inalienable rights always prevail."
Its overt religiosity aside, the broad theory underlying these principles is not especially controversial. The Declaration of Independence refers to "certain unalienable Rights." Most Americans, regardless of their politics, believe that there are rights that we all enjoy because we are human beings.
How do we deal with people who demand their "Religious Freedom" above all else -
but their "Religious Freedom" demands crushing everyone else's sense of dignity and freedom?Hell what do we do with petty jealous people who have convinced themselves they understanding the Mind and Plan of "GOD"?
JUSTICE
The Single Most Radical Line In The Republican Party Platform
BY IAN MILLHISER JUL 19, 2016
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/07/19/3799596/single-radical-line-republican-party-platform/
The Constitution, by its own terms, is the “supreme law of the land." All judges are bound by the words of the Constitution, and all laws made by legislatures within the United States must yield to the Constitution’s provisions. This is the central insight of the American republic — the idea that the structure and limits of government are laid out in a written document, and that document is binding on all government actors subject to its terms. The Republican Party’s 2016 Platform rejects this concept outright.
The Platform devotes seven of its 66 pages to what it calls “A Rebirth of Constitutional Government." In these seven pages, it seamlessly weaves together some of the most radical ideas offered by modern day libertarian scholars with the rhetoric of Christian conservatism. It’s a neat trick, and one that will doubtless have broad appeal to key segments of the Republican base. Yet, in doing so, it fundamentally rethinks the role of a written Constitution in American society, and offers a distinctly Republican take on the Constitution we actually do have in the process.
The GOP Platform's section on constitutional law begins with a declaration of principles: "That God bestows certain inalienable rights on every individual, thus producing human equality; that government exists first and foremost to protect those inalienable rights; that man-made law must be consistent with God-given, natural rights; and that if God-given, natural, inalienable rights come in conflict with government, court, or human-granted rights God-given, natural, inalienable rights always prevail."
Its overt religiosity aside, the broad theory underlying these principles is not especially controversial. The Declaration of Independence refers to "certain unalienable Rights." Most Americans, regardless of their politics, believe that there are rights that we all enjoy because we are human beings.
How do we deal with people who demand their "Religious Freedom" above all else -
but their "Religious Freedom" demands crushing everyone else's sense of dignity and freedom?Hell what do we do with petty jealous people who have convinced themselves they understanding the Mind and Plan of "GOD"?
What you do is rebuild. But this time with real transparency and not lies. Nations built on lies, never seem to last. Let the people have god. At least they feel god will not lie to them.
Let the people have god. At least they feel god will not lie to them.
BUT GOD'S NOT TALKING TO THEM !It's their own voices within their own lil self-centered heads doing all the talking !
I have nothing against people having feelings towards and even faith in their "Gods" but this insanity that people convincing themselves they know who God is - and even worse that their jealous foolish fearful mortal hearts can speak on God's behalf. All that sort of self-delusion leads to is carnage, as history keeps on reminding us.
We believe in the Constitution as our founding document.
We believe the Constitution was written not as a flexible document, but as our enduring covenant. Except when Republicans want to change it.
We believe our constitutional system — limited government, separation of powers, federalism, and the rights of the people — must be preserved uncompromised for future generations. Except when Republicans want to change it.
We believe political freedom and economic freedom are indivisible. But only for the 1 percent.
We believe that people are the ultimate resource — and that the people, not the government, are the best stewards of our country’s God-given natural resources. But only Republican people.
As Americans and as Republicans we wish for peace — so we insist on strength. We will make America safe. We seek friendship with all peoples and all nations, but we recognize and are prepared to deal with evil in the world. But only after we bomb the hell out of them.
JUSTICE
The Single Most Radical Line In The Republican Party Platform
BY IAN MILLHISER JUL 19, 2016
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/07/19/3799596/single-radical-line-republican-party-platform/
The Constitution, by its own terms, is the “supreme law of the land." All judges are bound by the words of the Constitution, and all laws made by legislatures within the United States must yield to the Constitution’s provisions. This is the central insight of the American republic — the idea that the structure and limits of government are laid out in a written document, and that document is binding on all government actors subject to its terms. The Republican Party’s 2016 Platform rejects this concept outright.
The Platform devotes seven of its 66 pages to what it calls “A Rebirth of Constitutional Government." In these seven pages, it seamlessly weaves together some of the most radical ideas offered by modern day libertarian scholars with the rhetoric of Christian conservatism. It’s a neat trick, and one that will doubtless have broad appeal to key segments of the Republican base. Yet, in doing so, it fundamentally rethinks the role of a written Constitution in American society, and offers a distinctly Republican take on the Constitution we actually do have in the process.
The GOP Platform's section on constitutional law begins with a declaration of principles: "That God bestows certain inalienable rights on every individual, thus producing human equality; that government exists first and foremost to protect those inalienable rights; that man-made law must be consistent with God-given, natural rights; and that if God-given, natural, inalienable rights come in conflict with government, court, or human-granted rights God-given, natural, inalienable rights always prevail."
Its overt religiosity aside, the broad theory underlying these principles is not especially controversial. The Declaration of Independence refers to "certain unalienable Rights." Most Americans, regardless of their politics, believe that there are rights that we all enjoy because we are human beings.
How do we deal with people who demand their "Religious Freedom" above all else -
but their "Religious Freedom" demands crushing everyone else's sense of dignity and freedom?Hell what do we do with petty jealous people who have convinced themselves they understanding the Mind and Plan of "GOD"?
But only the Republican-backed Christian religion. All otherrs need not apply.
Lois
http://www.npr.org/2016/07/20/486709717/republican-convention-most-evangelicals-fall-in-line-behind-trump
Republican Convention: Most Evangelicals Fall In Line Behind Trump
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
And I'm Steve Inskeep in Cleveland, which is hosting the Republican National Convention this week. Let's meet one of the convention speakers, Pastor Mark Burns of South Carolina, who gave the benediction on the convention's first day.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MARK BURNS: Lord, we're so thankful for the life of Donald Trump. We're thankful that you are guiding him - that we, together, can defeat the liberal Democratic Party, to keep us divided and not united, in Jesus' name - if you believe it, shout amen.
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: Amen.
...
INSKEEP: I'm thinking, though, about - well, there's a remark by Amy Sullivan, who's been a religion writer for many years now with Yahoo News, who wrote, I've never heard anything remotely this partisan or pushing theology this distorted. That was her opinion. Convention prayers, she said, are usually nonpartisan affairs. Are you - are you suggesting maybe you got a little carried away by the emotion the moment? Or you said what you meant?
BURNS: Well, you know, I think - let me just say this. I think I'm a lot like Mr. Trump in some ways, that maybe when people say this was the most, you know, partisan prayer. For me, I was just doing what I've always done for Mr. Trump at his rallies. And that's just to rally the people and to declare to them that - not so much God is on our side because God represents everybody for those who believe in him, but that - to remind the people, you know, we are a country under God, indivisible. And that was my intention and heart, to just address that.
His media admirers portray his personal commitments — whether on climate change, Iranian weapons, or other matters — as done deals.
They are not, and a new Republican executive will work with the Congress to reestablish constitutional order in America’s foreign relations. All international executive agreements and political arrangements entered into by the current Administration must be deemed null and void :ahhh: as mere expressions of the current president’s preferences.
Those which are in the national interest but would traditionally have been made by treaty must be abrogated, renegotiated as treaties, and transmitted to the Senate for its advice and consent as required by the Constitution. The United States will withdraw from all agreements and arrangements failing those standards.
:ahhh:
Lord of the Flies, here we come.
These people are more at war with Obama and Clinton, and in fact our system of government, than anything else in their universe. Does deranged sound too extreme?
New Lobbyists Arrive In Washington, Cashing In On Their Connection to Trump
September 28, 2017 - Heard on Fresh Air
http://www.npr.org/2017/09/28/554230619/new-lobbyists-arrive-in-washington-cashing-in-on-their-connection-to-trump
Confessore's article "How To Get Rich In Trump's Washington" was in a recent issue of The New York Times Magazine ... Since the election, he's written about how the Trump inauguration drew twice as much money as any previous inauguration, how the prerequisite for key White House jobs has been loyalty, not experience, and how the wealthy members of Mar-a-Lago have a level of access to the president that might elude even the best-connected lobbyists.
...
(I believe this is a key insight, and one reason why Democrats and liberal types are probably going to continue losing big. No passion, nothing to fight for. While these folks want to eat us for lunch like nothing else. They have passionate unfettered hatred on their side and no one on this side is willing to face that.)
CONFESSORE: You know, I think Bannon is the ideologue of the movement, and I use that word neutrally. So his job is to make it mean something beyond any one man. I don't think President Trump makes that easy. It's because he is capricious. It's because he flip-flops. It's because he makes deals with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.
So I think Bannon's goal is to build something more enduring and a movement that doesn't depend on one guy whose fortunes are not that great right now. But I think the idea is, first, take over the Republican Party, elect people who you think are in sync with what you're promoting, and then see what you can do in Congress. And now, I'm not sure it's going to work, but I think that's the idea.
GROSS: It's a very ambitious idea.
CONFESSORE: It is. But we saw a version of this with the Tea Party, and the Tea Party remade the Republican Party. There are no - there are almost no old-school moderates in the Republican Party at the national level anymore. They've been obliterated. And the ones that are hanging on, when they retire, will be replaced by either Democrats or much more conservative and aggressive Republicans, in that sense.
GROSS: Where do you see Bannon's politics, compared to the Tea Party?