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2008 Platform (filtered to needs copyedit)

This is a plank-by-plank review of the 2008 platform. Use the links at right to narrow it down, or explore alternate views:

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Showing only planks with needs copyedit fault: These planks have minor punctuation or grammatical errors. (show all planks)
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Patriot Act

Preserving American Freedom > Limiting the Expanse of Government Power > Patriot Act
We urge revision of the USA Patriot Act and similar orders that erode constitutional rights and liberties.We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens.
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Public Integrity Unit

Preserving American Freedom > Restoring Integrity to Our Elections > Public Integrity Unit
We call for transferring statewide public official investigative and prosecution responsibilities from the Travis County Public Integrity Unit to a statewide entity.We urge the Legislature to secure the impartiality and probity of the Travis County Public Integrity Unit, by transferring its powers and funding to an impartial statewide elected judicial entity.

This should not be an elected position.

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Welfare Reform

Strengthening Families, Protecting Life and Promoting Health > Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency > Welfare Reform
Texas should continue to reduce the number of welfare recipients by enacting tough welfare reforms; denying benefits to illegal aliens, and; and encouraging partnerships with faith based institutions, community and business organizations to assist individuals in need. The current system encouragescauses dependency on government and robs individuals and generations of healthyby discouraging motivation and self respect. Welfare reforms should require recipients to work, learn, train, and remain substance abusedrug free in exchange for. Welfare benefits not exceedingshould be limited to two years. Welfare cards should be confined to food and vital essentials, not cigarettes, lottery purchases, or alcohol or drugs of any kind. Prisoners should be removed from welfare rolls.

It is already illegal to use welfare funds for "cigarettes, lottery purchases, or alcohol or drugs of any kind." Prisoners do not get welfare.

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Health Care Choice

Strengthening Families, Protecting Life and Promoting Health > Empowering Families to Direct Their Health Care > Health Care Choice
We support market-based, private sector initiatives to improve the portability, quality and affordability of healthcarehealth care. We support consumer choice of providers. We encourage immediate expansion of medical savings accounts. We recommend that the State of Texas make available to all citizens through the Internet, the exact price paid for specific health care items covered by Medicaid and paid for by the Texas taxpayer.
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Sentencing Reform

Promoting Individual Freedom and Personal Safety > Protecting Citizens From Crime > Sentencing Reform
We urge parole boards to administer punishment according to the intent of the sentencing courts. We also call for disclosure to juries of their rights and powers; of, of prior convictions of the defendant; and, and of the actual time likely to be served before parole. We believe punishment should be assessed in proportion to the crime and should be a deterrent. We support imprisonment for life without parole for habitual felons. Convicted criminals should make restitution to their victims. A minimum education level should be established by law for all parolees. No inmate with a history of drug abuse should be eligible for parole before completing treatment.
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Clean Energy

Strengthening the Economy > United States Energy Strategy > Clean Energy
We support cooperative regulation and rulemaking that preserve jobs and the economy, while promoting responsible conservation. We support cleaning the air and water with smartersmart and affordable pollution control.
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Iran

Restoring American Sovereignty and Leadership > International Relations > Iran
We encourage the President to do whatever is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring and/oror developing nuclear weapons.
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Pakistan

Restoring American Sovereignty and Leadership > International Relations > Pakistan
We support the stabilization of the Pakistani government as a strategicallystrategic ally in the war on terror.
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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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