Pennsylvania Republican Party

[angus]

Inspired by Cathcon's recent posts about me. 

This is from the website from the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, in the "Party Principles" page.  It says, "As Republicans, we believe in…" then it goes on to list these seven items.  For more information, you can read the party's platform, but this is a concise statement of the party's values. 

Which of the seven do you agree with?  You may select up to seven options.  You may change your vote.

[angus]

Wow, 5 out of 7.

Same here, but on some of them I'm not entirely sold.  This is how I voted:


yes:    Ensuring that Americans remain safe, terrorists are defeated, and democracy flourishes in the world (I agree with the first two points, but I'm leary of neoconservatism.  I'm not sure I want to commit blood and money to flourishing democracy in the world.)

yes:    Expanding opportunities for ownership and investment (this is always a good idea.  the devil is in the details.)

no:    Making tax relief permanent and ensuring greater energy independence (I do think we should strive for greater energy independence, and I don't want to see my taxes increase, but I'm not sure I like the current structure.  Also, I don't think we can laugh in the face of the national debt any longer.)

yes:    Increasing the affordability and accessibility of health care (always a good idea, but like the entrepreneurship question, the devil is in the details.)

no:    Protecting the sanctity of marriage and the rights of the unborn (I think this sanctity of marriage idea reeks of bigotry.  I just cannot support it.  As for the unborn, that's a thorny moral issue that I don't want to get into.  My vote is not usually affected one way or the other by a candidate's position on abortion, but I understand that many voters are swayed in this issue.)

yes:    Preparing students for success in life by bringing the benefits of education reform to high schools (education reform is sorely needed.)

yes:    Helping workers adjust to a changing economy by offering flexible training options that meet their individual needs (see above.)

[angus]

7/7.

Marriage is sacred, or at least religious marriage, just because gays can get married too doesn't mean it's not sacred.

No doubt, the institution of marriage is rooted deeply in religion.  Marriage is a sacrament, if you're a Catholic, and for Jews, it is actually a contract commanded by God and in which God is directly involved.  Hindus actually see it as a sacred duty.  But to protect the sanctity?  Since when did God, or any of the sacred institutions he created, need the protection of the United States government?  

If we're going to have state-sanctioned marriage, for the purpose of economic benefits such as life insurance policies, etc., then we cannot confuse the state's marriage with a religious concept.  Either the state needs to get out the marriage business entirely, and leave it as a religious concept, or it needs to extend it equally to all.