A few months ago I tried to find a summary of the Republican Party Platform, and the Democrat Party Platform, and a comparison of the two. Couldn’t find one. So I did my own. I posted about it, and the lack of a Republican strategy to stop the Debtocrats’ march to socialize America, here:

http://www.redstate.com/coldwarrior/2009/06/11/my-questions-to-sen-mccain-re-party-leaders-and-strategies/

Here’s an excerpt:

Core Principles from the 2008 Republican Party Platform (http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/)

From the Preamble to the Platform: A platform in enduring principle based on ideals to unify our country, devoted to the inherent dignity and rights of every person and dedicated to a rule of law protecting and preserving liberty.

This is a platform of enduring principle, not passing convenience ? the product of the most open and transparent process in American political history. We offer it to our fellow Americans in the assurance that our Republican ideals are those that unify our country: Courage in the face of foreign foes. An optimistic patriotism, driven by a passion for freedom. Devotion to the inherent dignity and rights of every person. Faith in the virtues of self-reliance, civic commitment, and concern for one another. Distrust of government?s interference in people?s lives. Dedication to a rule of law that both protects and preserves liberty. (Preamble, p. 1.)

Republicans Believe Our First Obligation is Defending our Nation by Preserving all Defense Options

All Americans should affirm that our first obligation is the security of our country. (P. 1)

In dealing with present conflicts and future crises, our next president must preserve all options. It would be presumptuous to specify them in advance and foolhardy to rule out any action deemed necessary for our security.

Republicans Believe National and Theater Missile Defenses Must Be Deployed to Protect the Nation

We must develop and deploy both national and theater missile defenses to protect the American homeland, our people, our Armed Forces abroad, and our allies. Effective, layered missile defenses are critical to guard against the unpredictable actions of rogue regimes and outlaw states, reduce the possibility of strategic blackmail, and avoid the disastrous consequences of an accidental or unauthorized launch by a foreign power. (P. 2)

Republicans Believe Our National Borders Must Be Secured

Our determination to uphold the rule of law begins with more effective enforcement, giving our agents the tools and resources they need to protect our sovereignty, completing the border fence quickly and securing the borders, and employing complementary strategies to secure our ports of entry. Experience shows that enforcement of existing laws is effective in reducing and reversing illegal immigration. (P. 3.)

Our determination to uphold the rule of law begins with . . . completing the border fence quickly and securing the borders, and employing complementary strategies to secure our ports of entry. (P. 3.)

The rule of law means . . . enforcing the law against those who overstay their visas, rather than letting millions flout the generosity that gave them temporary entry. (P. 3.)

It does not mean driver?s licenses for illegal aliens, nor does it mean that states should be allowed to flout the federal law barring them from giving in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens, nor does it mean that illegal aliens should receive social security benefits, or other public benefits, except as provided by federal law. (P. 3.)

We oppose amnesty. (P. 3.)

We support English as the official language of our nation, while welcoming the ethnic diversity in the United States and the territories, including language. (P. 4.)

Republicans Believe We Must Increase the Size of Armed Forces

We must significantly increase the size of our Armed Forces; crucial to that goal will be retention of combat veterans. (P. 4.)

Republicans Believe U.S. Armed Forces Must Remain Under U.S. Command

As a matter of U.S. sovereignty, American forces must remain under American command. (P. 7.)

Republicans Abhor Federal Funding Of Abortions Anywhere

We strongly support the long-held policy of the Republican Party known as the .Mexico City policy, which prohibits federal monies from being given to non-governmental organizations that provide abortions or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other countries. We reject any treaty or agreement that would violate those values. (Pp. 7-8.)

Republicans Reject the Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over Americans

To shield the members of our Armed Forces and others in service to America from ideological prosecutions, the Republican Party does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over Americans. (P. 8.)

Republicans Support A Free and Secure Israel

Israel is a vigorous democracy, unique in the Middle East. We reaffirm America?s commitment to Israel?s security and will ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative edge in military technology over any potential adversaries. Israel must have secure, defensible
borders and we support its right to exist as a Jewish state able to defend itself against homicide bombings, rocket and mortar fire, and other attacks against its people. (P. 12.)

Republicans Support Enforcing Constitutional Safeguards

Republicans will uphold and defend our party?s core principles: Constrain the federal government to its legitimate constitutional functions. (P. 15.)

Republicans Support Only Constitutionally Necessary Federal Spending

Spend only what is necessary, and tax only to raise revenue for essential government functions. (P. 15.)

Republicans Reject Unconstitutional, Wasteful Pork-Barrel Special Interest Spending

The other party wants to continue pork barrel politics; we are disgusted by it, no matter who practices it. The other party wants to ignore fiscal problems while squandering billions on ineffective programs; we are determined to end that waste. The entrenched culture of official Washington ? an intrusive tax-and-spend liberalism ? remains a formidable foe, but we will confront and ultimately defeat it. (P. 15.)

Republicans Will Stop Unconstitutional Special Interest Earmark Spending

Earmarking must stop. To eliminate wasteful projects and pay-offs to special interests, we will impose an immediate moratorium on the earmarking system and reform the appropriations process through full transparency. Tax dollars must be distributed on
the basis of clear national priorities, not a politician?s seniority or party position. (P. 16.)

Republicans Believe ?It?s Your Money, Taxpayers?

The most important distinction between Republicans and the leadership of today?s Democratic Party concerning taxes is not just that we believe you should keep more of what you earn. That?s true, but there is a more fundamental distinction. It concerns the
purpose of taxation. We believe government should tax only to raise money for its essential functions. (P. 23.)

Republicans Oppose Using the Tax Code for Social Engineering

The Republican Party will put a stop to both social engineering and corporate handouts by simplifying tax policy, eliminating special deals, and putting those saved dollars back into the taxpayers? pockets. (P. 23.)

Republicans Support Reducing Corporate Tax Rates

We support a major reduction in the corporate tax rate so that American companies stay competitive with their foreign counterparts and American jobs can remain in this country. (P. 23.)

Republicans Know We Cannot Tax and Spend Our Way to Prosperity

The last thing Americans need right now is tax hikes. On the federal level, Republicans lowered taxes in 2001 and 2003 in order to encourage economic growth, put more money in the pockets of every taxpayer, and make the system fairer. It worked. If Congress had then controlled its spending, we could have done even more. (P. 25.)

Republicans Support Secret Ballots for Workers

We oppose card check legislation, which deprives workers of their privacy and their right to vote, because it exposes workers to intimidation by union organizers. (P. 28.)

Republicans Will Not Infringe the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms

We uphold the right of individual Americans to own firearms, a right which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amendment. We applaud the Supreme Court?s decision in Heller affirming that right, and we assert the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms. We call on the next president to appoint judges who will similarly respect the Constitution. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend themselves, their property, and communities. (P. 51.)

Republicans Believe in the Sanctity and Dignity of All Human Life

Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, we assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment?s protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity and dignity of innocent human life. (P. 52.)

Republicans Believe Marriage Means A Union of a Man and a Woman

Because our children?s future is best preserved within the traditional understanding of marriage, we call for a constitutional amendment that fully protects marriage as a union of a man and a woman, so that judges cannot make other arrangements equivalent to it. In the absence of a national amendment, we support the right of the people of the various states to affirm traditional marriage through state initiatives. (P. 53.)

Republicans Support the Right of the People to Freely Exercise their Religion

Our Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion and forbids any religious test for public office, and it likewise prohibits the establishment of a state-sponsored creed. The balance between those two ideals has been distorted by judicial rulings which attempt to drive faith out of the public arena. The public display of the Ten Commandments does not violate the U.S. Constitution and accurately reflects the Judeo-Christian heritage of our country. We support the right of students to engage in student-initiated, student-led prayer in public schools, athletic events, and graduation ceremonies, when done in conformity with constitutional standards. (Pp. 53-54.)

Now, if only we could get our elected Republicans to FIGHT for these principles.

Best way to do that is to have conservatives invade and take back the Republican Party by becoming voting members of the Party — precinct committeemen.

Thank you.
ColdWarrior