A snapshot of the GOP platform 

Posted: 1:00 am Thu, May 29, 2008
By admin

The platform committee is suggesting abolishing a plank under the “preserving civil rights” section that declares that “the lawful definition of a ‘human being’ shall be: ‘When the DNA of mankind is joined.’”
Among the other changes in language proposed by the platform committee:
• The party opposes any use of taxpayer money to subsidize professional sports facilities.
• The GOP supports ending the use of “earmarks” for specific projects in appropriations bills and other legislation.
• The party advocates abolishing the state sales tax on local government purchases.
• The GOP believe a state-declared emergency should not include gun confiscation.
• The party opposes reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, a Federal Communications Commission regulation that required broadcast licensees to present controversial topics in an honest, equitable and balanced manner.
• The party opposes reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, and believes that Minnesota should opt out of the act.
• The part supports a requirement that at least 70 percent of school district budgets be spent in the classroom.
• The GOP wants to eliminate government subsidies on ethanol production and is opposed to government mandates for ethanol in gasoline.
• The party also opposes legislation to regulate carbon dioxide, the mandated use of mercury-containing compact fluorescent light bulbs and a ban on incandescent bulbs.
• The GOP opposes efforts to put all land and water under the control of the federal government.
• The party opposes participation in the Real ID Act, but supports a constitutional amendment that would give the president line-item veto power.
• The party supports increased border patrol funding and completion of the border fence between the U.S. and Mexico.