The 2012 political platform of the Republican Party of Texas is available online here. The views expressed in this document are both disturbing and depressing. Below are a few highlights.
1. On Education
Controversial Theories – We support objective teaching and equal treatment of all sides of scientific theories. We believe theories such as life origins and environmental change should be taught as challengeable scientific theories subject to change as new data is produced. Teachers and students should be able to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these theories openly and without fear of retribution or discrimination of any kind.
Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.
In other words, the Texas Republicans are opposed to teaching students to question fixed beliefs and challenge authority, unless those beliefs happen to be uncontroversial scientific facts backed up by scientific consensus–like evolution and global warming–in which case they encourage critical thinking, diversity of opinion, and the questioning of authority figures.
2. On Energy and the Environment
Cap and Trade – We oppose Cap and Trade (“Cap and Tax”).U.S. Department of Energy – We support the elimination of the Department of Energy.Keystone XL Pipeline – We support the immediate approval and construction of the Keystone XL and other pipelines that will reduce our reliance on imported oil and natural gas from unstable or unfriendly countries.
Deep Water Drilling – We support immediate resumption of deep water drilling and production in the Gulf of Mexico.
Land Drilling – We support land drilling and production operations including hydraulic fracturing.
Or, put simply, the Texas Republican Party supports environmental exploitation, species extinction, and the destruction of the biosphere on which human life depends.
3. On Foreign Policy
National Sovereignty – We insist that the President and Congress defend our national sovereignty in accordance with their oaths of office. Therefore we believe the United States government must remain free of external control or influence, including, but not limited to, a North American union and a security and prosperity partnership.United Nations – We support the withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations and the removal of U.N. headquarters from U.S. soil.Israel – We believe that the United States and Israel share a special long-standing relationship based on shared values, a mutual commitment to a republican form of government, and a strategic alliance that benefits both nations. Our foreign policy with Israel should reflect the special nature of this relationship through continued military and economic assistance and recognition that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths. We believe that the US Embassy should be located in Jerusalem. In our diplomatic dealings with Israel, we encourage the continuation of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but oppose pressuring Israel to make concessions it believes would jeopardize its security, including the trading of land for the recognition of its right to exist. We call on the U.S. to cease strong arming Israel through prior agreements with the understanding of delivering equipment to them to defend themselves in exchange for future diplomatic concessions, such as giving up land to the Palestinians on the West Bank. We support the continuation of non-recognition of terrorist nations and organizations. Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise.
Or. in other words, Canada, the UN, and the Palestinians can go to hell, but GOD BLESS ISRAEL…and America too.
To sum up, the Texas GOP is opposed to rationality, environmental sustainability, and international law. It instead supports the Bible, Big Oil, climate chaos, and sustainable conflict in the Middle-East.
It is worth pointing out that the Republican Party of Texas is not a fringe group of lunatics. They dominate the Texas legislature and exert a strong influence on the US Republican Party and US Congress. That a political party of this stature can release a document of this sort (and run for political office on the basis of it) shows just how diverted, deluded, and disenfranchised the people in Texas must be. It’s a sad state of affairs there.
