Party platforms are supposed to spell out the guidelines within which members of the party operate on a policy basis. That's nowhere near the same thing as actually getting laws on the books, of course, but it's a clear indicator of which way a party wants to go. So when I read the new party platform the Texas Republican Party has adopted, I was more than a little concerned.
Here's three of the scariest items:
A plank in a section titled "Promoting Individual Freedom and Personal Safety" proclaims the United States a "Christian nation."
"We therefore oppose any governmental action to restrict, prohibit or remove public display of the Decalogue or other religious symbols."
[The platform] refers to "the myth of the separation of church and state."
Considering that the Republican party currently controls the Texas legislature and the governor's mansion, one wonders exactly how far they will push the envelope trying to put these party planks into the law books.
Not too long ago, it was not uncommon to see signs that said "Whites Only" in the South. You'd think that after all this time they would know better than to hang a sign on the state of Texas that says 'Jews Not Welcome'. Apparently not.
Tip of the hat to Atrios for the link. Kevin Drumm also has a longer assessment of the platform.
