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Plank titles list

This is a list of plank titles on the 2008 platform.

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Preserving American Freedom

  1. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Limited Federal Powers
    extreme
  2. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Constitutional Citations on Legislation
    pointless
  3. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Law Enforcement
    redundant, pointless
  4. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Preserving National Security
    wordy, misinformed, redundant, pointless
  5. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Patriot Act
    wordy, needs copyedit
  6. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Continuity of Government
    pointless
  7. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Emergency War Powers
    misinformed, paranoid, vague
  8. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Elimination of Executive Orders
    paranoid
  9. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Inter-jurisdictional Agreements
    pointless
  10. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Puerto Rico
    pointless
  11. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Washington D.C.
    wordy
  12. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Census
    bad precedent, paranoid
  13. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Preservation of Republican Form of Government
  14. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Germane Contents Requirement
  15. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Constitutional Convention
    incorrect, paranoid
  16. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Affirmative Action
    wordy
  17. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Reparations
    wordy
  18. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Annexation
    contradictory, wordy
  19. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Property Forfeiture
    vague
  20. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Eminent Domain
    accomplished
  21. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Homestead Protection
    pointless
  22. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Environment, Property Ownership, and Natural Resources
    another elected office
  23. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Livestock and Pet Locations
    misinformed, paranoid
  24. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Free Speech for the Clergy
    misinformed, paranoid
  25. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Government Regulation of Religious Institutions
    misinformed
  26. Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Restore Constitutional Integrity in the Legislative Process
    wordy
  27. Reforming the Judicial System > Direct Election of State Judges
    another elected office
  28. Reforming the Judicial System > Visiting Judges
    misinformed
  29. Reforming the Judicial System > Jury Reform
    pointless
  30. Reforming the Judicial System > Qualified Juror Service
    pointless
  31. Reforming the Judicial System > Administrative Justice
  32. Reforming the Judicial System > Judicial Restraint
  33. Reforming the Judicial System > Remedies to Activist Judiciary
    about a specific bill, redundant
  34. Reforming the Judicial System > Judicial Nominees
    pointless
  35. Reforming the Judicial System > State Bar Requirements
    misuse of platform
  36. Reforming the Judicial System > Statutory Authority for Regulation
    pointless
  37. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Protecting Union Member's Dues
  38. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Candidate Eligibility
    pointless
  39. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Voter Registration
    contradictory, wordy
  40. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Electoral College
    pointless
  41. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Voting Rights
    wordy, redundant
  42. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Felon Voting
    redundant
  43. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Protecting Active Military Personnel's Right to Vote
    redundant
  44. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Filing Date for Primary Election
    pointless
  45. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Fair Election Procedures
  46. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Residency Requirements
    vague
  47. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Water Districts
  48. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Campaign Finance Reform
    about a specific bill
  49. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Enforcing the Platform
    pointless
  50. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Platform/Legislation
    pointless
  51. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Conflicts of Interest
    vague
  52. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Lobbying Limitation
    bad precedent, leftist
  53. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Legislative Accountability
    wordy, redundant
  54. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > AWOL Legislators
    pointless
  55. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Governor's Veto
    vague
  56. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Public Integrity Unit
    wordy, needs copyedit, another elected office
  57. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Term Limits
    pointless
  58. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Filibuster
    vague
  59. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Rosebush-Blocker Rule
    bad precedent, leftist
  60. Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > November Election
  61. Honoring the Symbols of Our American Heritage > Ten Commandments
  62. Honoring the Symbols of Our American Heritage > Pledge of Allegiance
    about a specific bill
  63. Honoring the Symbols of Our American Heritage > American English
  64. Honoring the Symbols of Our American Heritage > Flag Desecration
    bad precedent, pointless
  65. Honoring the Symbols of Our American Heritage > Symbols of American Heritage
    vague
  66. Honoring the Symbols of Our American Heritage > Confederate Widows Plaque
    pointless

Strengthening Families, Protecting Life and Promoting Health

  1. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Family and Defense of Marriage
    bad precedent, wordy, incorrect, leftist, redundant, no longer relevant
  2. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Marriage and Divorce
    advances religious doctrine, redundant, pointless
  3. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Marriage Licenses
    extreme
  4. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Homosexuality
    anti-homosexual crusade, advances religious doctrine, redundant, pointless
  5. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Texas Sodomy Statutes
    anti-homosexual crusade, advances religious doctrine, extreme
  6. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Pornography
    bad precedent, advances religious doctrine, extreme
  7. Celebrating Traditional Marriage > Ethics in Broadcasting
  8. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Party Candidates and the Platform on Protecting Innocent Human Life
  9. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Partial Birth Abortion
    bad precedent, redundant
  10. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Right To Life
    bad precedent, wordy, leftist, extreme, pointless
  11. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Choose Life
  12. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Parental Consent
    leftist, redundant, extreme
  13. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Protection of Women's Health
    about a specific bill, contradictory, bad precedent, leftist, pointless
  14. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Alternatives to Abortion
    pointless
  15. Protecting Innocent Human Life > RU 486
    incorrect, redundant
  16. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Morning After Pill
    incorrect, redundant
  17. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Gestational Contracts
    incorrect, redundant
  18. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Unborn Child Pain Protection
    redundant
  19. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Unborn Victims of Violence Legislation
    pointless
  20. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Abortion Clinics
    leftist, extreme
  21. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Abortion Requirements for Hospitals
    pointless
  22. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Conscience Clause
    wordy, redundant, extreme, pointless
  23. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Fetal Tissue Harvesting
  24. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Stem Cell Research
    wordy, misuse of platform, redundant
  25. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Human Cloning
    wordy
  26. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Patient Protection
    incorrect, leftist, pointless
  27. Protecting Innocent Human Life > Gene Manufacturing
    extreme
  28. Protecting Our Children > Parental Rights and Responsibilities
    about a specific bill, wordy, paranoid
  29. Protecting Our Children > Support of Parental Authority
    vague, pointless
  30. Protecting Our Children > Age of Consent
  31. Protecting Our Children > Child Care
    vague
  32. Protecting Our Children > Child Support and Visitation
    anti-homosexual crusade, wordy
  33. Protecting Our Children > Adoption
    anti-homosexual crusade, leftist
  34. Protecting Our Children > Foster Care
    pointless
  35. Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency > Welfare Reform
    incorrect, needs copyedit
  36. Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency > DFPS Accountability
    wordy, another elected office, extreme
  37. Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency > Social Security
    leftist
  38. Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency > Government-Sponsored Gambling
    pointless
  39. Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency > Caring for Our Mentally Disabled Citizens
    wordy
  40. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Health Care Choice
    needs copyedit
  41. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Competition in Healthcare
    vague
  42. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Health Care and Nutritional Supplements
    pointless
  43. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Texas Medical Board
    redundant
  44. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > AIDS / HIV
    wordy, leftist
  45. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Americans with Disabilities Act
    anti-homosexual crusade
  46. Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Immunizations
    pointless

Educating Our Children

  1. Parental Rights in Education
    accomplished, redundant, vague
  2. Local Control
    extreme
  3. State Board of Education
    contradictory, another elected office, reduces education quality
  4. Textbooks and Curricula
    contradictory, advances religious doctrine, leftist, extreme
  5. Parental School Choice
    extreme
  6. Funding of Education
    wordy, redundant
  7. Transparency
    pointless
  8. U.S. Department of Education
    redundant
  9. No Child Left Behind
    leftist
  10. Private Education
    misuse of platform, redundant, paranoid
  11. Juvenile Daytime Curfew
    extreme
  12. Government Regulation of Religious Institutions
    incorrect
  13. Sex Education
    contradictory, leftist, pointless
  14. Early Childhood Development
    misinformed, redundant, reduces education quality
  15. Children with Special Needs
  16. Classroom Discipline
    contradictory, redundant, vague
  17. Support for Classroom Teachers
    wordy
  18. Traditional Principles in Education
    pointless
  19. Multiculturalism
    wordy
  20. Basic Standards
    accomplished, pointless
  21. Social Promotion
    vague
  22. Knowledge-Based Education
    contradictory, misinformed
  23. School Surveys and Testing
    pointless
  24. Bilingual Education
    extreme
  25. Educational Entitlement
  26. Religious Freedom in Public Schools
    bad precedent, misinformed, paranoid
  27. Theories of Origin
    advances religious doctrine, reduces education quality
  28. Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools
    misinformed
  29. Higher Education
    wordy
  30. College Tuition
    pointless
  31. Public Higher Education Accountability
    too specific
  32. Gambling and Education
    pointless
  33. School Health Care
    contradictory
  34. School District Lawsuits
    pointless

Promoting Individual Freedom and Personal Safety

  1. Individual Freedom > Right To Keep and Bear Arms
    accomplished, wordy, misuse of platform
  2. Individual Freedom > Freedom of Access Act
    bad precedent, pointless
  3. Individual Freedom > Judeo-Christian Nation
    pointless
  4. Individual Freedom > Safeguarding Our Religious Liberties
    leftist, pointless
  5. Individual Freedom > Religious Institutions
    too specific
  6. Individual Freedom > Faith-Based Opportunities
    pointless
  7. Individual Freedom > Electronic Privacy
    about a specific bill, too specific
  8. Individual Freedom > Personal Confidentiality
    accomplished, extreme, pointless
  9. Individual Freedom > Equality of All Citizens
  10. Individual Freedom > Boy Scouts of America
    wordy
  11. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Prison Reform
    wordy, vague
  12. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Sentencing Reform
    needs copyedit
  13. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Crime Shouldn't Pay
    wordy
  14. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Capital Punishment
    bad precedent
  15. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Juvenile Justice
  16. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Child Abuse
    redundant, pointless
  17. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Unborn Victims of Violence
    accomplished
  18. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Sexual Assault
    bad precedent, advances religious doctrine, extreme
  19. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Addictive Behaviors
    bad precedent, redundant, extreme
  20. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Property Seizure Without Due Process
    wordy
  21. Protecting Citizens From Crime > Speed Limits
    accomplished

Strengthening the Economy

  1. Government Spending > Fiscal Responsibility
    pointless
  2. Government Spending > Unfunded Mandates
    wordy, vague, extreme
  3. Government Spending > Downsizing the Federal Government
  4. Government Spending > Balanced Budget
    pointless
  5. Government Spending > Government Services
  6. Government Spending > Waste and Fraud in Government Contracts
    wordy, redundant
  7. Government Spending > Congressional Retirement System
    misinformed, extreme
  8. Government Spending > Congressional Pay Raises
  9. Government Spending > Faith-Based Charities
    bad precedent, pointless
  10. Government Spending > Repeal of Fee Award Act
    paranoid
  11. Government Spending > Corporate Welfare/Business Subsidies
    wordy
  12. Government Spending > Sunset Laws
  13. Government Spending > Government Lobbying
    pointless
  14. Government Spending > Budget And Appropriations Process
    misinformed, vague
  15. Government Spending > Earmarks
    misinformed, leftist
  16. Government Spending > Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments
    incorrect, misuse of platform
  17. Tax Burden > Federal Tax Reform
    wordy, too specific
  18. Tax Burden > Tax Deduction for Private and Home school
    contradictory
  19. Tax Burden > Maintain Home Mortgage Deduction
    leftist
  20. Tax Burden > Permanent Tax Cuts
    no longer relevant
  21. Tax Burden > Telecommunications
    redundant
  22. Tax Burden > State Tax Reform
  23. Tax Burden > Revised Franchise Tax
    no longer relevant
  24. Tax Burden > Sales Tax and Tax Visibility
    redundant
  25. Tax Burden > Property Taxes
    another elected office, leftist, pointless
  26. Tax Burden > Exemption of Inventories from Property Taxes
    wordy
  27. Tax Burden > Appraisal Cap
    contradictory, pointless
  28. Tax Burden > Internet Taxation
  29. Tax Burden > Tolls on Existing Roads
    wordy
  30. Tax Burden > Global Warming
    extreme
  31. United States Energy Strategy > United States Energy Strategy
    accomplished, redundant
  32. United States Energy Strategy > Alternative Energy Sources
    redundant
  33. United States Energy Strategy > Clean Energy
    needs copyedit
  34. Business and the Economy > Frivolous Lawsuits
  35. Business and the Economy > Usury Laws
    leftist
  36. Business and the Economy > Right-to-Work
    wordy
  37. Business and the Economy > Small Business
    leftist, pointless
  38. Business and the Economy > Workers' Compensation
    pointless
  39. Business and the Economy > Minimum Wage
  40. Business and the Economy > Prevailing Wage Law
    redundant
  41. Business and the Economy > Incentives for Retention of Domestic Operations
    redundant

Restoring American Sovereignty and Leadership

  1. Domestic > S.A.V.E. U.S.A.
    cliche, incorrect, redundant
  2. Domestic > Border Security
    cliche, wordy
  3. Domestic > Civil Defense
    redundant, vague, pointless
  4. Domestic > Federalization of Police
    pointless
  5. Domestic > Foreign Military Bases on American Soil
    pointless
  6. Domestic > Foreign Control of US Interests
    contradictory, vague
  7. Domestic > Homeland Security
    wordy, misinformed, extreme, pointless
  8. Domestic > National Defense
    redundant
  9. Domestic > Legal Immigration
    cliche, wordy
  10. Domestic > Illegal Immigration
    cliche, bad precedent, wordy, extreme
  11. Domestic > Enforcement of Immigration Law
    redundant
  12. Domestic > Birthright Citizenship
    bad precedent
  13. Domestic > NASA
    contradictory, leftist
  14. Domestic > Support of Our Armed Forces
    accomplished, anti-homosexual crusade, wordy, misuse of platform, misinformed, leftist, paranoid, vague
  15. Domestic > Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and the North American Union
    accomplished, paranoid
  16. Domestic > Trans-Texas Corridor
    accomplished
  17. International Relations > Foreign Policy
    wordy
  18. International Relations > MIA's and POW's
    wordy
  19. International Relations > China
    wordy, misinformed
  20. International Relations > Cuba
  21. International Relations > Taiwan
    extreme
  22. International Relations > War on Terror
    cliche, wordy
  23. International Relations > Israel
    wordy, advances religious doctrine
  24. International Relations > Hamas
    too specific
  25. International Relations > Iraq
    redundant
  26. International Relations > Iran
    needs copyedit
  27. International Relations > Afghanistan
    redundant
  28. International Relations > Pakistan
    needs copyedit
  29. International Relations > Kashmir
    too specific
  30. International Relations > One World Government Organizations
    paranoid, pointless
  31. International Relations > International Monetary Fund
    paranoid
  32. International Relations > International Trade
    misinformed
  33. International Relations > Import Restrictions
  34. International Relations > American Patent Rights
    incorrect
  35. International Relations > Sudan
  36. International Relations > United Nations
    misinformed, redundant, paranoid, extreme

Random plank

Restoring American Sovereignty and Leadership > Domestic > Illegal Immigration
We oppose illegal immigration. We call for continued progress on sealing our porous borders, including completion of a fence to block off our entire southern border and increased border patrols. We demand rapid resolution to the status of millions of illegal aliens living in the United States. We support expeditious deportation of violent or habitually criminal illegal aliens.No amnesty! No how. No way. Illegal aliens have committed a criminal act. We oppose illegal immigration, amnesty in any form, or legal status for illegal immigrants. We support an end to the "catch and release" policy; criminal penalties and aggressive enforcement for those who knowingly employ illegal workers; expeditious hearings on deporting non-violent illegal immigrants; suspending automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants; elimination of federal funding to cities with "sanctuary" laws; empowering state and local law enforcement agencies with authority and resources to detain illegal immigrants; rejection of non-verifiable foreign-issued cards as valid identification; strict prosecution of any entity involved in phony identification documents; elimination of day labor work centers; elimination of laws requiring hospitals to give non-emergency care to illegals; elimination of social security benefits or government funding to illegals for education, housing or business loans; preventing any foreign entity from using our judicial system to enter the United States; strong document verification prior to issuance of a Texas drivers license; withholding federal highway funds from any state issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens; and aggressive prosecution of persons smuggling humans across our borders.
Reason:

Cliches do not belong in a serious platform document. "No amnesty! No how. No way." is a gibberish cliche.

Republicans must oppose illegal immigration and should support strong measures to seal porous borders. However, we have to be realistic: by failing to meaningfully secure the borders for many years, we left the welcome mat out for illegal aliens.

A sane immigration policy cannot only be deportation and punishment. That is unrealistic, inhumane, and economically destructive. It fuels critics who see Republicans as narrow and rigid, it hurts our relevancy, and it destroys our credibility with Hispanic voters.

Republicans must combine firmness on illegal immigration with acknowledgement of our current situation. That means we have to look beyond punitive measures and ripping up longstanding legal traditions. We have to be pragmatic and realistic.

cliche, bad precedent, wordy, extreme

Problems

Show problem parts of the platform:
Platforms promote principles and policies. Planks must not push particular polymorphic political proposals, including bills.about a specific bill (6)
Parts of these were recently implemented.accomplished (11)
Parts of these only promote limited religious viewpoints.advances religious doctrine (8)
Too many positions already overwhelm voters. We cannot add more without a plan to cut ballot complexity.another elected office (6)
The GOP should not be a virulent, anti-homosexual crusade.anti-homosexual crusade (6)
These destroy useful customs or start us down slippery slopes.bad precedent (17)
Cliches belong on the playground, not in serious platforms.cliche (5)
These contradict other planks.contradictory (13)
These simply go too far, overshooting a rational remedy.extreme (25)
These have factual errors.incorrect (11)
These planks advanced contemporary liberal causes or expand government.leftist (22)
These planks require belief in something that is untrue.misinformed (18)
These are not appropriate for a platform document.misuse of platform (6)
These planks have minor punctuation or grammatical errors.needs copyedit (8)
These problems were fixed before the 2008 platform was published.no longer relevant (3)
"Black helicopters" and paranoid conspiracy have no place in our party.paranoid (15)
Parts of these do nothing useful.pointless (61)
These proposals would make our kids stupider.reduces education quality (3)
These planks are internally redundant or repeat other parts of the platform.redundant (41)
These planks should propose a more general solution.too specific (6)
These planks are unclear or unfocused.vague (19)
Puffy prose, hackneyed phrases, and obscure words create pinheaded, unfocused, and inaccessible platforms. Platforms must be simple and direct.wordy (47)

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