what do they stand for, at bottom? — Xtrix
Looking at the Republican Party philosophically, my question is this: what do they stand for, at bottom? I’m talking about the leaders. For years it’s been tax cuts and claims of wanting smaller government.
What about today? — Xtrix
what do they stand for, at bottom?
— Xtrix
Fear.
Donald Trump.
Some Republicans are on board with their base.
Some Republicans disagree with their base on principle, but subordinate that disagreement with a desire to keep the base.
Some Republicans disagree with their base and would not subordinate their disagreement with their base but they are under threat of physical violence or extortion from their base.
Fear. — James Riley
They maintain the economic dynamic of an economy that relies on wealth transfer to weapons manufacturing in order to sustain a manufacturing base. — Cheshire
It would be difficult to distill a consistent Republican philosophy from Nixon to Reagan to Bush Sr., to GW, to Trump, domestically or in foreign policy.
Today, it's a party of cult, with absolute allegiance to Trump required.
When not in power, it's an opposition party with little affirmative plans. — Hanover
I think this is one piece of a larger picture of wealth transfer.
— Xtrix
It's roughly 700 Billion a year literally by the government to the military suppliers. What larger one did you have in mind? — Cheshire
Well that's the base. . . . But I was talking about he leaders, the establishment. Most of them don't really like Trump at all. Like McConnell. What do they really stand for anymore? Or is it the same thing they've stood for since the 70s? — Xtrix
What about today? — Xtrix
PRINCIPLES
We, the Republican Party of Texas, believe in this platform and expect our elected leaders
to uphold these truths through acknowledgement and action. We believe in:
1. “The laws of nature and nature’s God” and we support the strict adherence to the original
language and intent of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutions of the United
States and of Texas.
2. The sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, which should be protected from fertilization to natural death.
3. Preserving American and Texas sovereignty and freedom.
4. Limiting government power to those items enumerated in the United States and Texas
Constitutions.
5. Personal accountability and responsibility.
6. Self-sufficient families, founded on the traditional marriage of a natural man and a natural
woman.
7. Having an educated population, with parents having the freedom of choice for the education of their children.
8. The inalienable right of all people to defend themselves and their property.
9. A free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies.
10. Honoring all of those that serve and protect our freedom.
Our Shared Values
Texas Democrats believe democratic government exists to achieve as a community, state, and nation what we cannot achieve as individuals.
We believe in equal opportunity, fairness, freedom, family, community, and a responsibility to ourselves and each other. These are the values our elders passed down to us, the values we hope to share with our children, and the values we expect from our elected officials.
The Texas Democratic Party is a movement of millions of Texans coming together to fight for our Texas values. We know our state cannot succeed when the deck is stacked against working Texans and their families.
At our core, we are all about a fair shot for all. That’s why Texas Democrats have a plan for jobs with fair pay, strong neighborhood schools, health care for all, debt-free college, investment in job training and technical education, a dignified retirement, and expanded family leave options, so Texans never have to choose between their job or caring for a sick loved one. We will never stop fighting for an economy that works for everybody, not just those at the top.
Usually parties would have an official webpage where this information would be easy to find. — ssu
When you look at that above, it actually does say what modern GOP is all about. — ssu
A free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies.
Political agendas, principles and objectives aren't there to be taken literally, but to show what the political party favors and will think to be important. They are more a guide to the political discourse and viewpoints the politicians have than to actual policy decisions. When making actual individual decision there are other issues at hand also.I see no reason to take what’s written down too seriously. It’s kind of a joke, actually. — Xtrix
And as long as the ordinary people vote for the two-party system, this will go on.Both parties are beholden to wealthy interests, and the rest is a matter of degree. — Xtrix
That some industry is subsidized or, well, basically the whole government is running on money printed by the Central bank, doesn't change either the Democrats or the Republicans having their differences. — ssu
ell, if the Republicans are a political party, then presumably there is a political position somewhere like conservatism, capitalism, anti-socialism, etc. — Apollodorus
Or it's the polarization of politics in the US.It seems these days the differences are becoming more extreme, with the Republicans going insane. — Xtrix
As conservative activists gathered over the weekend in Texas, the state's outgoing Republican Party chairman, Allen West, announced he will challenge incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in a primary next year, even though Abbott has the coveted Trump endorsement.
Beyond Texas, the value of Trump's endorsement will be tested in North Carolina, Alabama and other states with competitive Republican primaries in which the former president has picked a candidate.
Some delegates to the Conservative Political Action Conference at a high-end Dallas hotel said they respect Trump, but he won't necessarily determine their vote in elections.
"It's a factor, but I don't know if it's going to be the decisive factor," said Deb Blencowe, 63, a community college teacher from nearby Collin County who leans toward West over Abbott in next year's GOP primary.
Or it's the polarization of politics in the US. — ssu
I think Trump's success was from the fact that he seemed like a disruptor, so it's not really two sides at odds. It's a growing grassroots movement to ditch both parties. — frank
It started in the 1980s. Read David Harvey's Brief History of Neoliberalism — frank
The Republicans just look more insane for you. Here it should be good to take a few steps back a glance at the politics from another viewpoint. — ssu
Yet I think many Americans still are in the center. — ssu
The Republican party exists to line the pockets of their friends and sponsors (and their own as well, of course); to assure that the wealthy and large corporations are predominant in politics; to maintain the status quo socially and culturally; and finally, to convince those who are less fortunate that they should remain so because that is in their own interest and that of the United States. — Ciceronianus the White
All the rest of it e.g. low taxes, small government, strong military defense, prayer in schools, pro-life, family values, second amendment rights, "America First", reverse discrimination, "Law & Order", "War on Drugs", etc are just window-dressing and bloody chum tossed out to lure sufficient numbers of unwitting, know-nothing/opportunistic centrists to their "cause" in order to cobble together electoral majorities as needed. — 180 Proof
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