2010 Republicans

I had come across this interesting blog post made by a man named Jim McGrody that outlined a party platform for Republicans, which seems to eliminate many of the fringe elements of what has become the GOP of today (this article was written in January 2009 by the way).

Below are some excerpts of the blog regarding various platform planks. I had only decided to post the more important issues to illustrate the differences between McGrody's Republicans and the bastardized GOP of today. I recommend visiting McGrody's site and reading all the issues, which I think make for one hell of a political party.

Socially Inclusive

A “2010 Republican” believes that there should be no religious litmus test to be a member of the Party.

A “2010 Republican” believes that abortion is a difficult issue and he/she may or may not be pro-life. However, public policy should be so directed as to make abortion rare and a deeply-informed decision. Adoption alternatives should be aggressively developed and funded.

A “2010 Republican” supports scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law – providing, among other things, that the donated embryo was created for reproductive purposes, the embryo was no longer needed for these purposes, informed consent was obtained for the donation of the embryo, and no financial inducements were provided for donation of the embryo.

A “2010 Republican” believes that end-of-live decisions are a matter between the patient, his or her family and his or her doctor.

A “2010 Republican” believes that social policy should be based on broadly based moral positions and not personally-held religious beliefs.

Rigorous personal integrity and personal responsibility are critical to the successful implementation of social policy.

“2010 Republicans” believe that marriage is, indeed, a sacred institution and should be protected. Given the biological imperative of a marriage between one man and one woman, such marriages should be supported with appropriate legislation and tax policy. However, recognizing the pluralistic nature of American society, civil unions should be recognized.

Equal opportunity must be the rule of law. A “2010 Republican” believes that all men are created equal but that equal ‘outcomes’ must not be socially engineered.

The Environment

A “2010 Republican” supports public policy premised on the notion of stewardship. A policy that promotes affordable, reliable, and secure energy supplies by increasing conservation, investing in new technologies, developing renewable energy technologies, and exploring for new domestic sources of energy.

A “2010 Republican” believes that nothing is more conservative than conservation. He/she believes that we should safeguard the resources on which the health, recreation, and economic prosperity of present and future Americans depend. There is nothing conservative – and certainly nothing wise – in squandering our energy, clean air and water, beloved landscapes wildlife, wilderness, wetlands, and other natural resources.

Bipartisanship

A “2010 Republican” accepts that American politics is structured around a two-party system with an occasional emergence of a third-party. And, that the American body-politic is, for the moment, approximately evenly divided between the two parties.

A “2010 Republican” recognizes that “elections count” and that our two-party system produces majority and minority parties in any given legislative body. Such bodies operate under constitutionally rigorous rules, regulations and parliamentary procedures that provide leadership status and legislative privileges to the majority party while simultaneously protecting the rights of the minority party.

To insure bipartisanship behavior such rules, regulations and procedures should remain consistent irrespective of the political churning of majority and minority status resulting from election outcomes. In this context, nothing is more apt than the “Golden Rule”.