The religious right is reeling from electoral and other setbacks across the nation over the past two years. Yet you wouldn't know that by reading the 2008 platform of the Republican Party of Texas. Religious extremists at the party's convention this year demonstrated that they still have a stranglehold on the state GOP.
Despite what some of y'all might be thinking, there actually are things I miss about living in Texas. At the top of that list would be the politics. By comparison, politics here in Oregon is pretty vanilla and boring in the extreme. Yes, I do miss the wingnuts in the Texas GOP...because if nothing else, the knuckle-draggers always made things interesting, and they're a comedy gold mine. This election season is no different, as the Texas GOP's platform- never an exercise in tolerance and inclusiveness under the best of circumstances- is a recipe for wingnuttery second to none.
Even a cursory reading can't help but leave even the most casual observer wondering if Texas is still part of a free, inclusive, and democratic America. If you believe that women can't be trusted to make decisions about their own reproductive health, if you believe that public schools have a responsibility to teach Christian doctrine, if you believe that government officials have a responsibility to endorse and promote Christianity, and if you believe that effective sexuality education consists solely of "abstinence-only" indoctrination...well, you're probably already a member of the Texas GOP. If you're not, you might just want to consider moving to Texas, where you'll find many kindred spirits waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Yes, if you believe that "Intelligent Design" is more than just cheap, dominionist propaganda, and if you believe that a male-dominated and Christ-centered theocracy is the only true and legitimate form of government...well, get thee to Texas, young man! There's work to be done!
And Jesus wept....
