So what party do you represent?

[dreadgeek]

Here are some of the more interesting planks of the Texas GOP's 2010 platform, specifically those parts of it relating to queer people:

Family and Defense of Marriage – We support the definition of marriage as a God–ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists. We call on the President and Congress to take immediate action to defend the sanctity of marriage. We are resolute that Congress exercise authority under the United States Constitution, and pass legislation withholding jurisdiction from the Federal Courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. We further call on Congress to pass and the state legislatures to ratify a marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman. Neither the United States nor any state shall recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse. We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married. We advocate the repeal of laws that place an unfair tax burden on families. We call upon Congress to completely remove the marriage penalty in the tax code, whereby a married couple receives a smaller standard deduction than their unmarried counterparts living together. The primary family unit consists of those related by blood, heterosexual marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property.

Family Values – We affirm that this section is a response to the attacks on traditional family values. These include well- funded, vigorous political and judicial attempts by powerful organizations and branches of the government to force acceptance, affirmation and normalization of homosexual behavior upon school children, parents, educational institutions, businesses, employees, government bodies and religious institutions and charities. These aggressive, intolerant efforts marginalize as bigots anyone who dissents.

Marriage and Divorce – We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that the integrity of this institution should be protected at all levels of government. We urge the Legislature to rescind no–fault divorce laws. We support Covenant Marriage.

Marriage Licenses – We support legislation that would make it a felony to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform a marriage ceremony for such.

Homosexuality – We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.

Texas Sodomy Statutes – We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.

Child Support and Visitation – We support equity between responsible parents in child support, custody, and visitation rights and costs, as well as the strengthening of laws designed to protect children from abuse. No parent/grandparent should be denied court ordered visitation, because of jurisdictional disputes between states. We also believe that no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child, and that visitation with minor children by such persons should be prohibited but if ordered by the court limited to supervised periods.

Adoption – We support reducing the time, bureaucratic interference and cost of adoption. The law should assure mothers of a choice in selecting a traditional home for their children at the time of terminating their rights for adoption. We oppose mandatory open adoption and adoption by homosexuals.

So, I am supposed to treat the Republican party (and modern American conservatism in its current Tea Party incarnation) as being friendly or at least non-hostile to my interests why? Say what you want about the Democratic party, but at least their platform doesn't include things like the above. Any illusion that the two parties are identical should be well and truly debunked by the text above. And if you're thinking, "hey Aj, they don't really *mean* it" I say "it is the height of folly to presume that those opposed to your existence don't actually mean it when they say they want to make society hostile to your presence".

Cheers
Aj

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by dreadgeek

Here are some of the more interesting planks of the Texas GOP's 2010 platform, specifically those parts of it relating to queer people:

Family and Defense of Marriage – We support the definition of marriage as a God–ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists. We call on the President and Congress to take immediate action to defend the sanctity of marriage. We are resolute that Congress exercise authority under the United States Constitution, and pass legislation withholding jurisdiction from the Federal Courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. We further call on Congress to pass and the state legislatures to ratify a marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman. Neither the United States nor any state shall recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse. We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married. We advocate the repeal of laws that place an unfair tax burden on families. We call upon Congress to completely remove the marriage penalty in the tax code, whereby a married couple receives a smaller standard deduction than their unmarried counterparts living together. The primary family unit consists of those related by blood, heterosexual marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property.

Family Values – We affirm that this section is a response to the attacks on traditional family values. These include well- funded, vigorous political and judicial attempts by powerful organizations and branches of the government to force acceptance, affirmation and normalization of homosexual behavior upon school children, parents, educational institutions, businesses, employees, government bodies and religious institutions and charities. These aggressive, intolerant efforts marginalize as bigots anyone who dissents.

Marriage and Divorce – We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that the integrity of this institution should be protected at all levels of government. We urge the Legislature to rescind no–fault divorce laws. We support Covenant Marriage.

Marriage Licenses – We support legislation that would make it a felony to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform a marriage ceremony for such.

Homosexuality – We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.

Texas Sodomy Statutes – We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.

Child Support and Visitation – We support equity between responsible parents in child support, custody, and visitation rights and costs, as well as the strengthening of laws designed to protect children from abuse. No parent/grandparent should be denied court ordered visitation, because of jurisdictional disputes between states. We also believe that no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child, and that visitation with minor children by such persons should be prohibited but if ordered by the court limited to supervised periods.

Adoption – We support reducing the time, bureaucratic interference and cost of adoption. The law should assure mothers of a choice in selecting a traditional home for their children at the time of terminating their rights for adoption. We oppose mandatory open adoption and adoption by homosexuals.

So, I am supposed to treat the Republican party (and modern American conservatism in its current Tea Party incarnation) as being friendly or at least non-hostile to my interests why? Say what you want about the Democratic party, but at least their platform doesn't include things like the above. Any illusion that the two parties are identical should be well and truly debunked by the text above. And if you're thinking, "hey Aj, they don't really *mean* it" I say "it is the height of folly to presume that those opposed to your existence don't actually mean it when they say they want to make society hostile to your presence".
Cheers
Aj

Well said!

My moral compass always takes precedence over fiscal responsibility. And who are we kidding? The last 8 years proved that fiscal responsibility, just like WMD, was just another illusion.

Like I said in another thread where this was posted, each party has a platform and an ideology. It is our responsibility as voters to read it and then decide what is really important to us, and how can we reconcile how we live and who we are with said platform.

To me, the party whose platform most aligns with my moral compass is the Democratic party. No party is perfect, but I refuse to align with a party that blatantly states and believes the above.

[dreadgeek]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Well said!

My moral compass always takes precedence over fiscal responsibility. And who are we kidding? The last 8 years proved that fiscal responsibility, just like WMD, was just another illusion.

Like I said in another thread where this was posted, each party has a platform and an ideology. It is our responsibility as voters to read it and then decide what is really important to us, and how can we reconcile how we live and who we are with said platform.

To me, the party whose platform most aligns with my moral compass is the Democratic party. No party is perfect, but I refuse to align with a party that blatantly states and believes the above.

Increasingly, I find myself trying to avoid ideology (while not being able to do so completely) and just go with my moral compass and what is empirically justifiable. I wonder if the national GOP realizes what they have done in embracing the most right-wing of their elements. This agenda is GOING to wind up on the 2012 platform, mark my words, and if the Democrats don't make every single Republican running for anything beyond student-body-President famous for what is an obviously bigoted stance then those Dems don't *deserve* to be elected and should be sued for gross political malpractice.

Now, there are parts of the country that this platform is a winning strategy, that is regrettably true but as a *national* platform it can't win. What's more, the national GOP can't repudiate those planks when they are adopted in the national platform in 2012. They can't risk alienating their Tea Party base and the bits I quoted, as well as several other bits that are just as disturbing but which I won't belabor the point with here, are perfectly inline with the goals of and desires of the Tea Party folks I have seen interviewed.

Cheers
Aj