Some highlights from the Texas GOP Platform, 2004 (I don't think the 2006 platform is available yet as I couldn't find it on the web): A greatly diminished federal government Dominionists believe the federal government should recede into the background while the Church assumes responsibility for welfare and education. This shift would be achieved through massive tax cuts, faith-based initiatives and school vouchers. Tax Cuts
"The Party urges the IRS be abolished," and the following taxes eliminated: " ... gradually phase out Social Security tax for a system of "private pensions.." "Make President Bush's tax cuts permanent." Downsizing the Federal Government:
We support the abolition of ... the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms, the position of Surgeon General, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Departments of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Education, Commerce and Labor. We also call for the de-funding or abolition of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Public Broadcasting System. Dominionists support massive deregulation of industry. The first three agencies listed in the above paragraph are all regulatory agencies. The Texas GOP Platform calls for business to be "unencumbered by excessive government regulation." Faith-based Initiative President Bush's faith-based initiative might seem like a contradiction to the notion, espoused in the platform, that all government social programs are "unconstitutional," and should be "repealed." After all, the faith-based initiative is another government program -- an infusion of tax dollars into church-run social programs. But the platform deals with this apparent contradiction:
Until such time as such unconstitutional spending programs are repealed, we believe that the faith-based initiative as proposed by President George W. Bush, and currently implemented, should continue to receive federal monies. In other words, the church should assume responsibility for welfare and education. These programs would be funded through tithing -- collecting 10% of church members' income -- and through community, and business contributions. Until the churches have taken over welfare, the government would fund these programs. The faith-based initiative, then, is not an end in itself, but serves as a temporary measure until the United States becomes truly a "Christian" nation. 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.
All early childhood programs should be phased out. The Family
"The Party recognizes that the family is a sovereign sphere of authority over which the state has no right to intervene ..." The Environment
"We reaffirm belief in the fundamental constitutional right of an individual to use property without governmental interference." "We oppose the Endangered Species Act." "We believe that groundwater is an absolute, vested right of the landowner." "We oppose passage of any international treaty that overrides United States sovereignty including the Kyoto agreement and Biodiversity Treaty." The United Nations
The Party believes it is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States that we immediately rescind our membership, as well as financial and military contributions to, the United Nations... The Party urges Congress to evict the United Nations from U.S. soil." David Barton Steps Down No one has done more to popularize the "Christian" nation ideal than David Barton who stepped down as Vice Chair of the Texas Republican Party at the recent gathering. Barton, identified by Time Magazine as one of "America's twenty-five most influential evangelicals," is a self-taught historian. He has dredged up hundreds of fascinating historical quotes and anecdotes in an effort to prove that the founding fathers were primarily "orthodox, evangelical Christians" who intended to create a God-fearing Christian government.
"Even though his books and videos are riddled with factual errors, half truths and distortions," according to Rob Boston in Sects, Lies and Videotape they have become the weapons of choice for Religious Right activists in their ongoing war against separation of church and state.Boston documents Barton's ties not only to Christian Reconstructionist groups, but also to neo-Nazi racist and anti-Semitic groups.
Beliefnet reported that Barton has served as a paid consultant to the Republican National Committee: The Republican National Committee is employing the services of a Texas-based activist who believes the United States is a "Christian nation" and the separation of church and state is "a myth."
I wonder what he's going to do next.
They're at it again! The Texas GOP Declares "America is a Christian nation" | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
They're at it again! The Texas GOP Declares "America is a Christian nation" | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
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