A number of pundits have focused on the apparent lack of a GOP agenda going into the midterm campaign season. They’ve noted that Mitch McConnell (aka “Dr. Evil”) has all but disavowed the list of unpopular proposals that Rick Scott produced earlier this year, and the lack of any other Republican platform.
So there’s no GOP agenda? Texas Republicans beg to differ.
As Heather Cox Richardson recently reported, Texas Republicans have put everything we suspected “out there” for all to see. And if that platform, that agenda, that fever dream, doesn’t make chills run down your spine, there’s something wrong with you.
Delegates to a convention of the Texas Republican Party approved platform planks rejecting “the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and [holding] that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States”; requiring students “to learn about the dignity of the preborn human,” including that life begins at fertilization; treating homosexuality as “an abnormal lifestyle choice”; locking the number of Supreme Court justices at 9; getting rid of the constitutional power to levy income taxes; abolishing the Federal Reserve; rejecting the Equal Rights Amendment; returning Christianity to schools and government; ending all gun safety measures; abolishing the Department of Education; arming teachers; requiring colleges to teach “free-market liberty principles”; defending capital punishment; dictating the ways in which the events at the Alamo are remembered; protecting Confederate monuments; ending gay marriage; withdrawing from the United Nations and the World Health Organization; and calling for a vote “for the people of Texas to determine whether or not the State of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation.”
If this autocratic, theocratic and incredibly stupid wish list appeals to even a significant minority of Texans, I hope they will “assert Texas’ status as an independent nation” and secede. Rational human beings–not to mention people who believe in the rule of law and the clear meaning of the Constitution and Bill of Rights–won’t miss them.
If Americans needed any further evidence of just how far the GOP has deviated from its former beliefs–not to mention sanity–Texans have just provided it.
Unfortunately, the GOP lurch off the radical cliff isn’t limited to Texas.
Here in Indiana, we’ve long had Republican legislators who are looney-tunes–the gun nuts who want everyone to be able to pack heat with no license or background check; the religious warriors who want to define religious liberty as the (limited) right of every American to live in accordance with the warriors’ own religious doctrines; the anti-intellectuals who fear new ideas and want to dictate educational curricula (or just replace the public schools with vouchers to be used primarily at religious schools); and of course, a hearty sprinkling of garden-variety homophobes and racists– but generally, saner heads within the super-majority have somewhat dampened their influence.
We’ve also been lucky that pious Pence was replaced by Eric Holcomb. While I have disagreed with Governor Holcomb on specific issues (sending back $ to taxpayers rather than using those dollars to address Indiana’s myriad deficits, for example), he has mostly been a reasonable and thoughtful official, out of the mold of former Republicans.
The Indiana GOP rejected Holcomb and the so-called Republican “establishment” this week in favor of the cult members and the Big Lie. Diego Morales defeated incumbent Holli Sullivan for the nomination to secretary of state in Indiana — an office documents show once fired him .
Sullivan’s loss is a major blow to the so-called establishment wing of the party, and yet another sign that Gov. Eric Holcomb’s influence is dwindling in his second term. Holcomb had appointed Sullivan in March 2021 after then-Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced her retirement.
Morales’s bid was viewed by many as a challenge to the governor and the so-called Republican “establishment.”
Morales, whose family immigrated to Indiana from Guatemala, has previously pushed the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. He’s criticized Indiana’s election security, arguing the state needs to do more to prevent non-citizens from voting. And he wants to cut in half the number of early voting days before each election, from 28 days to 14.
“First of all, we are going to be efficient,” Morales said. “Number two, we are going to save some taxpayers money.”
After his win, Morales preached unity among his party. During the convention, many of his supporters booed and heckled current Secretary of State Sullivan.
In red states across the country, very much including Indiana, the inmates are running the asylum. I don’t know where that asylum is located, but it isn’t in the America I inhabit.
The Rebups have one agenda and one only. They want to destroy democracy in the US and replace it with a fascist theocracy while still calling it a “democracy”. Please note China calls itself a “democracy”.
This weekend, I filled out my ballot for the state of Arizona primary that I received in my email. Overseas and military voters get their ballots first. I didn’t recognize some of the names so I had time to research each candidate. I printed it out, picked the candidates, signed the form and scan it to send an email back. Easy peasy. Every ballot emailed is verified, including a phone number and I get an another email when it’s counted and recorded. Honestly, it’s the easiest voting I’ve ever experienced. Hoosiers should try that…for the savvy computer literate.
Texas should be allowed to vote for succession. So many California progressives have moved there that I think the traitorous Texans might be surprised.
Please help Destiny Wells beat Morales…..she’s getting a lot of attention of disaffected R’s. And for those R’s who can’t countenance The Big Lie but otherwise can never allow themselves to vote for a Dem, encourage them to vote for the Libertarian candidate and split the R vote.
Tapping into the website of the Texas Republican Party feels like exploring a shell without access to any substance unless you “sign up”. Does anyone know what the requirements are to enroll to verify what is being reported as their platform?
I have a question for Sheila or anyone who is more knowledgeable than I about government. “Secession” is when a state breaks away from the Union; but is there a mechanism for the Union to remove a state? If so, is there a term for that?
Interesting scenario just for the sake of discussion if you have nothing else to consume your day. Secession of Texas? Really. Then what do you do with all the military assets including the Strategic Air Command at Dyess (B1B Squadron) and surrounding fully armed missile silos. Just one example. The scenario is nothing but intellectual masterbation with no chance of a stupor of exuberant outcome.
I don’t know anything about Indiana’s political tumult, but, I will say, I believe eventually those pushing a religious or Theocratic agenda in a secular government are going to go way way too far.
Give an inch take a mile! What happens when zealotry pushes against rationality? Eventually a breaking point is reached, and the zealotry is put down. These discussions shouldn’t even have to be had. If the Constitution was actually followed, and if those who believe in the originalist format of legal argument, religion would not have any influence in secular government whatsoever.
Unfortunately, it’s just history repeating again. Once the political citizenry turn on each other for their personal beliefs, instead of governing for all, society has ceased to function. Politics has become religionized, and religion has become politicized. As a result, neither entity can function as hoped for.
The eventuality of the situation will call for an authoritarian government rather than one of freedom. That’s what happens when you burn down your house to get rid of fruit flies!
As Kant stated in his theory, irrational agents and amoral zealotry will destroy a functional society, replaced by civil turpitude. The pendulum of perceived recompense owed is already starting to swing in the opposite direction, and that’s much to the chagrin of those rigid and misled zealots. The house that was burned burned down is going to be rebuilt in a manner which will not be palatable for most.
All or part of this current Texas Republican “agenda” has been in their platform since Ann Richards lost to boy Bush for governor. The evangelical churches run Texas Republicans. This shit is taught to the kids from the time they’re old enough to sit up. They will not and cannot change because Texas Republicans lack the intellectual agility to admit mistakes, deviate from the dogma they are taught and the moral courage to govern for ALL Texans. It’s really pathetic to see in person.
On the brighter side, if all the California Democrats who moved to Texas will get out to vote and elect Beto O’Roark to replace the assholery of Abbott, Patrick, et. al., there may be an opportunity to recover and bring Texas back into the union. Since ALL state appointed positions are Republicans, it would be a full house-cleaning that is long overdue.
BTW, imagine if Texas did secede: Who’d buy their refined oil products? All the military bases would close putting 20% of the population out of work immediately. Who’d buy their cattle?
It’s more than a little ridiculous, but Texas Republicans continue to embrace ridiculousness proudly as an indication of their strong spirit of independence. What a shame.
Houston, we have a problem. It almost feels like the Texas Republicans are trying to punk us. If there wasn’t the possibility that they would succeed, this would be like determining the platform of a frat party, during the frat party.
I second Patrick’s point. I met Destiny last August in French Lick and was highly impressed. Her speech at Saturday’s convention did not disappoint. The Republicans may have gone too far by nominating Morales. At least I hope so.
As for Texas, I wonder how many Texans know that the Republic of Texas BEGGED to become a state because they were failing as an independent country.
I will give the Texas Republicans kudos, though. They said what they truly believe, out in the open, and beyond dog whistles. I only hope that the citizens of Texas read it before they vote.
Those stupid Republicans looked the the constitution, saw it said we are all created equal and started a civil war.
Happy Juneteenth
“IT” is much bigger than Texas…”THEY” actually are demonstrating how a “community” works: https://news.yahoo.com/republican-drive-tilt-courts-against-152802826.html. Too bad the DEMS/Independents have zero “act” to get together….
Isn’t this where Todd says that both parties are the same?
It appears that the difference between the Theocratic, Autocratic, Aristocracy of Texas and say the Theocratic, Autocratic, Aristocracy of Saudi Arabia is only in the details of the state religion.
At the current rate of population growth trends in Texas, Hispanics will outnumber whites by sometime next year. These trends will influence the agenda of all political interests.
Republicans Do Have An Agenda
June 20, 2022Constitution, Public Policy and Governanceculture war, GOP, LGBTQ, Texas
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A number of pundits have focused on the apparent lack of a GOP agenda going into the midterm campaign season. They’ve noted that Mitch McConnell (aka “Dr. Evil”) has all but disavowed the list of unpopular proposals that Rick Scott produced earlier this year, and the lack of any other Republican platform.
So there’s no GOP agenda? Texas Republicans beg to differ.
As Heather Cox Richardson recently reported, Texas Republicans have put everything we suspected “out there” for all to see. And if that platform, that agenda, that fever dream, doesn’t make chills run down your spine, there’s something wrong with you.
Delegates to a convention of the Texas Republican Party approved platform planks rejecting “the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and [holding] that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States”; requiring students “to learn about the dignity of the preborn human,” including that life begins at fertilization; treating homosexuality as “an abnormal lifestyle choice”; locking the number of Supreme Court justices at 9; getting rid of the constitutional power to levy income taxes; abolishing the Federal Reserve; rejecting the Equal Rights Amendment; returning Christianity to schools and government; ending all gun safety measures; abolishing the Department of Education; arming teachers; requiring colleges to teach “free-market liberty principles”; defending capital punishment; dictating the ways in which the events at the Alamo are remembered; protecting Confederate monuments; ending gay marriage; withdrawing from the United Nations and the World Health Organization; and calling for a vote “for the people of Texas to determine whether or not the State of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation.”
If this autocratic, theocratic and incredibly stupid wish list appeals to even a significant minority of Texans, I hope they will “assert Texas’ status as an independent nation” and secede. Rational human beings–not to mention people who believe in the rule of law and the clear meaning of the Constitution and Bill of Rights–won’t miss them.
If Americans needed any further evidence of just how far the GOP has deviated from its former beliefs–not to mention sanity–Texans have just provided it.
Unfortunately, the GOP lurch off the radical cliff isn’t limited to Texas.
Here in Indiana, we’ve long had Republican legislators who are looney-tunes–the gun nuts who want everyone to be able to pack heat with no license or background check; the religious warriors who want to define religious liberty as the (limited) right of every American to live in accordance with the warriors’ own religious doctrines; the anti-intellectuals who fear new ideas and want to dictate educational curricula (or just replace the public schools with vouchers to be used primarily at religious schools); and of course, a hearty sprinkling of garden-variety homophobes and racists– but generally, saner heads within the super-majority have somewhat dampened their influence.
We’ve also been lucky that pious Pence was replaced by Eric Holcomb. While I have disagreed with Governor Holcomb on specific issues (sending back $ to taxpayers rather than using those dollars to address Indiana’s myriad deficits, for example), he has mostly been a reasonable and thoughtful official, out of the mold of former Republicans.
The Indiana GOP rejected Holcomb and the so-called Republican “establishment” this week in favor of the cult members and the Big Lie. Diego Morales defeated incumbent Holli Sullivan for the nomination to secretary of state in Indiana — an office documents show once fired him .
Sullivan’s loss is a major blow to the so-called establishment wing of the party, and yet another sign that Gov. Eric Holcomb’s influence is dwindling in his second term. Holcomb had appointed Sullivan in March 2021 after then-Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced her retirement.
As WFYI reported,
Morales’s bid was viewed by many as a challenge to the governor and the so-called Republican “establishment.”
Morales, whose family immigrated to Indiana from Guatemala, has previously pushed the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. He’s criticized Indiana’s election security, arguing the state needs to do more to prevent non-citizens from voting. And he wants to cut in half the number of early voting days before each election, from 28 days to 14.
“First of all, we are going to be efficient,” Morales said. “Number two, we are going to save some taxpayers money.”
After his win, Morales preached unity among his party. During the convention, many of his supporters booed and heckled current Secretary of State Sullivan.
In red states across the country, very much including Indiana, the inmates are running the asylum. I don’t know where that asylum is located, but it isn’t in the America I inhabit.
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10 thoughts on “Republicans Do Have An Agenda”
Stan LightnerJune 20, 2022 at 6:13 am
The Rebups have one agenda and one only. They want to destroy democracy in the US and replace it with a fascist theocracy while still calling it a “democracy”. Please note China calls itself a “democracy”.
AgingLGirlJune 20, 2022 at 6:23 am
This weekend, I filled out my ballot for the state of Arizona primary that I received in my email. Overseas and military voters get their ballots first. I didn’t recognize some of the names so I had time to research each candidate. I printed it out, picked the candidates, signed the form and scan it to send an email back. Easy peasy. Every ballot emailed is verified, including a phone number and I get an another email when it’s counted and recorded. Honestly, it’s the easiest voting I’ve ever experienced. Hoosiers should try that…for the savvy computer literate.
Texas should be allowed to vote for succession. So many California progressives have moved there that I think the traitorous Texans might be surprised.
Patrick WiltshireJune 20, 2022 at 7:06 am
Please help Destiny Wells beat Morales…..she’s getting a lot of attention of disaffected R’s. And for those R’s who can’t countenance The Big Lie but otherwise can never allow themselves to vote for a Dem, encourage them to vote for the Libertarian candidate and split the R vote.
Norris LineweaverJune 20, 2022 at 7:18 am
Tapping into the website of the Texas Republican Party feels like exploring a shell without access to any substance unless you “sign up”. Does anyone know what the requirements are to enroll to verify what is being reported as their platform?
Sam CarmanJune 20, 2022 at 7:20 am
I have a question for Sheila or anyone who is more knowledgeable than I about government. “Secession” is when a state breaks away from the Union; but is there a mechanism for the Union to remove a state? If so, is there a term for that?
Norris LineweaverJune 20, 2022 at 7:39 am
Interesting scenario just for the sake of discussion if you have nothing else to consume your day. Secession of Texas? Really. Then what do you do with all the military assets including the Strategic Air Command at Dyess (B1B Squadron) and surrounding fully armed missile silos. Just one example. The scenario is nothing but intellectual masterbation with no chance of a stupor of exuberant outcome.
john p sorgJune 20, 2022 at 7:51 am
I don’t know anything about Indiana’s political tumult, but, I will say, I believe eventually those pushing a religious or Theocratic agenda in a secular government are going to go way way too far.
Give an inch take a mile! What happens when zealotry pushes against rationality? Eventually a breaking point is reached, and the zealotry is put down. These discussions shouldn’t even have to be had. If the Constitution was actually followed, and if those who believe in the originalist format of legal argument, religion would not have any influence in secular government whatsoever.
Unfortunately, it’s just history repeating again. Once the political citizenry turn on each other for their personal beliefs, instead of governing for all, society has ceased to function. Politics has become religionized, and religion has become politicized. As a result, neither entity can function as hoped for.
The eventuality of the situation will call for an authoritarian government rather than one of freedom. That’s what happens when you burn down your house to get rid of fruit flies!
As Kant stated in his theory, irrational agents and amoral zealotry will destroy a functional society, replaced by civil turpitude. The pendulum of perceived recompense owed is already starting to swing in the opposite direction, and that’s much to the chagrin of those rigid and misled zealots. The house that was burned burned down is going to be rebuilt in a manner which will not be palatable for most.
Vernon TurnerJune 20, 2022 at 8:20 am
All or part of this current Texas Republican “agenda” has been in their platform since Ann Richards lost to boy Bush for governor. The evangelical churches run Texas Republicans. This shit is taught to the kids from the time they’re old enough to sit up. They will not and cannot change because Texas Republicans lack the intellectual agility to admit mistakes, deviate from the dogma they are taught and the moral courage to govern for ALL Texans. It’s really pathetic to see in person.
On the brighter side, if all the California Democrats who moved to Texas will get out to vote and elect Beto O’Roark to replace the assholery of Abbott, Patrick, et. al., there may be an opportunity to recover and bring Texas back into the union. Since ALL state appointed positions are Republicans, it would be a full house-cleaning that is long overdue.
BTW, imagine if Texas did secede: Who’d buy their refined oil products? All the military bases would close putting 20% of the population out of work immediately. Who’d buy their cattle?
It’s more than a little ridiculous, but Texas Republicans continue to embrace ridiculousness proudly as an indication of their strong spirit of independence. What a shame.
Peggy HannonJune 20, 2022 at 8:21 am
Houston, we have a problem. It almost feels like the Texas Republicans are trying to punk us. If there wasn’t the possibility that they would succeed, this would be like determining the platform of a frat party, during the frat party.
Len FarberJune 20, 2022 at 8:26 am
I second Patrick’s point. I met Destiny last August in French Lick and was highly impressed. Her speech at Saturday’s convention did not disappoint. The Republicans may have gone too far by nominating Morales. At least I hope so.
As for Texas, I wonder how many Texans know that the Republic of Texas BEGGED to become a state because they were failing as an independent country.
I will give the Texas Republicans kudos, though. They said what they truly believe, out in the open, and beyond dog whistles. I only hope that the citizens of Texas read it before they vote.
The saddest thing in all this (Indiana as well as Texas and crazy Governor Death Santis in Florida) is that it’s bad for an already-bruised economy. I would think twice before I would vacation much less ever move to or start or bring a business to any of these states. I guess “they” do not care (especially about me as a gay man and Jewish man) but anyone with any brains would understand the peril, including me who after 25 years in Indiana moved to Maine in 2015. By the way, Sheila, our Democrat governor and both houses of her legislature have plenty of cash to spare so we are all getting back $850 AND the state’s rainy day fund is getting paid, too with money to spare so we are in the black. It shows how proper management can make a big difference as here it’s “and” not “or” to get funds for things.
I am worried about the survival of our democratic form of government. But this concern about a theocracy is several bridges too far. There is nothing out there which says we’re inching toward a theocracy. But we are quickly speeding toward an autocracy.
Please TEXAS just leave the union! When the next hurricane hits you won’t come begging to the rest of us for money! What a bunch of moron’s!!!!
Peggy, I couldn’t agree more. I was stopping by to comment that the Texas GOP platform reads like satire. It’s so over-the-top ridiculous that it really does feel that they are just trolling me for the potential reaction.