Texas Republican Party Platform Thread 140 (Downsizing the Federal Government)

Brown County GOP Website ^ | June, 2002 | Republican Party of Texas

[Bigun]

The Republican Party of Texas Platform has been MUCH in the news of late because it is a CONSERVATIVE document and, as such, VERY controversial. I thought it would be an instructive exercise, for those of us who wish to do so here, to go through it plank by plank and see where we stand on these issues. Pursuant to that, I will post ONE plank of the Platform, every few days and anyone who wishes to can state their views as to that particular part of the platform.

Today, under the heading Strengthening The Economy Of Texas And America we find the following plank :

Downsizing the Federal Government - The Party supports the downsizing of the federal government in order to re-establish states' rights guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. We further support the abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not delegated to the federal government under the original intent of the Constitution including, but not limited to, the Bureau of Alcohol, 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. These authorities should be eliminated or, where needed, transferred to the state or local governments. We also call for the de-funding and abolition of the National Endowment for the Arts.

[Bigun]

I have decided to score myself by assigning a score of between 0 and 10 points to each of the planks! 10 means I agree with EVERYTHING in it. 0 means I agree with NOTHING in it.

Again AMEN! 10 more points brings my running score to this point to 1266 of a possible 1400.

[Bigun]

P I N G ! ! !

Previous Thread.

[Dog Gone]

I agree, but the best way to ensure defeat in a general election is to scare people into thinking that you're going to eliminate all of those agencies in one fell swoop.

[Taxman]

Here you go, Bigun. In your heart, you know he was right!

The Goldwater Doctrine

"I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more
efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote
welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to
repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones
that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose,
or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not
attempt to discover whether legislation is 'needed' before I have first
determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later
be attacked for neglecting my constituents' interests, I shall reply that I
was informed their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am
doing the very best I can."

- Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative"

[Taxman]

Brother (he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Social Fraternity, as am I) Barry got this one right also:

The Goldwater Doctrine

"I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more
efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote
welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to
repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones
that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose,
or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not
attempt to discover whether legislation is 'needed' before I have first
determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later
be attacked for neglecting my constituents' interests, I shall reply that I
was informed their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am
doing the very best I can."

- Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative"

[Bigun]

Do you ever think about how different our world today would be had Mr. Goldwater been elected President in 1964?

I do! All the time!

You will get no argument from me with regard to the intent of the great senator!

[Taxman]

Shore have, buddy!

Would make a hellofa novel, wouldn't it? The "What ifs" had Brother Barry put LBJ out to pasture in 1964?

What we need is someone like Barry -- that is, possessing the charisma and credentials to win the White House, and a whole gaggle like him in the House and Senate -- men and women who believe in the US Constitution and walk the talk!

Then, the American people, and the world would soon come to understand what FReedom really is all about!