| Issue |
Democratic Platform |
Republican Platform |
| Improving International Relations
|
Yes - "America can
be made stronger and regain confidence and trust among
nations by complying with our Constitution and laws,
our obligations under international accords and respecting
human rights. Just as our Declaration of Independence
urges " a decent respect for the opinions of mankind,"
a foreign policy that addresses urgent worldwide needs
and minimizes the potential for hatred and conflict
will restore our leadership role in the international
community." |
No - "We believe it
is in the best interest of the citizens of the United
States that we immediately rescind our membership in,
as well as all financial and military contributions
to, the United Nations."
"We urge Congress to evict the United Nations from the
United States and eliminate any further participation."
|
| Separation of Church and State |
Yes - "Texas Democrats
believe government should scrupulously honor every Texan's
right to religious freedom guaranteed by the Texas and
U.S. Constitutions, while respecting the separation
of church and state." |
No - "We pledge to
exert our influence toward a return to the original
intent of the First Amendment and dispel the myth of
the separation of church and state." |
Preserving
Social Security |
Yes - "Social Security
should continue to be the foundation of income security
for working Americans."
" Private savings accounts and other pension programs
should be additions to the guaranteed Social Security
benefit, not a substitute for any portion of it." |
No - "We support an
immediate and orderly transition to a system of private
pensions based on the concept of individual retirement
accounts, and gradually phasing out the Social Security
tax." |
Punishing
Hate Crimes |
Yes - "To continue
the fight against crime and make our streets and our
homes safer and to improve the administration of justice,
Texas Democrats support just and smart policies, including
... strong enforcement of the James Byrd, Jr., Memorial
Hate Crimes Act." |
No - "We urge the
immediate repeal of the Hate Crimes Law." |
| Increasing the Minimum Wage |
Yes - "To Improve
Wages and Working Conditions, we believe the minimum
wage must be increased meaningfully to restore lost
purchasing power and must be indexed to keep it from
eroding again; and that workers should be paid a living
wage with provisions for health care benefits for their
families as well as their future retirement." |
No - "We believe the
Minimum Wage Law should be repealed." |
| Universal Health Care |
Yes - "Texas Democrats
believe health care is a right, not a privilege reserved
for those able to pay for it."
"In order to address critical health care needs, Texas
Democrats... support guaranteed access to affordable,
universal health care for all United States residentes." |
No - "We support market-based,
private sector initiatives to improve the portability,
quality and affordability of healthcare. We support
consumer choice of providers." |
| Preserving A Woman's Right to Choose
|
Yes - "Texas Democrats
trust the women of Texas to make personal and responsible
decisions about when and whether to bear children, in
consultation with their family, their physician, and
their God, rather than having these personal decisions
made by politicians." |
No - "We are resolute
regarding the reversal of Roe v. Wade."
"...we beseech the Texas Legislature in consideration
of our state’s rights, to enact laws that restrict and
regulate abortion..." |
| Ensuring Equitable Public School Funding
|
Yes - "Texas Democrats
believe quality public education is essential to American
democracy and economic opportunity, recognizing that
a free public education provides all Texans a real opportunity
to achieve their potential. All children should be able
to attend a safe, secure school and have access to an
exemplary educational program that meets their needs
and abilities. All school districts must be adequately
and 100% equitably funded." |
No - "We encourage
the Governor and the Texas Legislature to enact child-centered
school funding options – which fund the student, not
schools or districts – to allow maximum freedom of choice
in public, private or parochial education for all children.
As a prerequisite, we urge passage of a constitutional
amendment prohibiting imposition of state regulations
on private and parochial schools." |
| Ending Discrimination |
Yes - "To protect
our rights and freedoms, we support action against all
forms of discrimination and sexual harassment. We support
the right to privacy and protecting the confidentiality
and privacy of personal, medical, and financial records
- in both paper and electronic formats." |
No - "We support legislation
that would make it a felony to issue a marriage license
to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform
a marriage ceremony for such."
"We strongly recommend ... disqualification of homosexuals
from military service..." |
| Strengthening Environmental Protection
|
Yes - "Stronger
state environmental protection, regulation and enforcement
is essential to preserve our quality of life and secure
long term economic growth."
"Texas should do what the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change scientists say is necessary; by 2020,
we must reduce global warming pollution at least 25%
below 1990 levels, or as science dictates." |
No - "We oppose taxes
levied and regulations imposed based on the alleged
threat of global warming."
"We believe ... in eliminating the Endangered Species
Act." |
| Ensuring Fair Campaign Financing
|
Yes - "To ensure
that our campaigns are financed legally, fairly, and
transparently, we support ... public financing for general
election campaigns for elective office at all levels,
beginning with state judicial elections." |
No - "We urge immediate
repeal of the McCain-Feingold Act." |
| Imposing a Moratorium on Executions
|
Yes - "In order
to promote public confidence in the fairness of the
Texas criminal justice system, Texas Democrats support
the establishment of a Texas Capital Punishment Commission
to study the Texas death penalty system and a moratorium
on executions pending action on the Commission's findings."
|
No - "Properly applied
capital punishment is legitimate, is an effective deterrent,
and should be swift and unencumbered."
"Punishment options for rape should include death." |
| Adequately Funding State Parks |
Yes - "The preservation
of recreational and open spaces is essential to a healthy
Texas. Unfortunately, recent actions by Texas Land Commissioner
Jerry Patterson have violated the public trust and highlighted
the need to reverse years of Republican neglect of our
state parks and public lands. We must provide adequate
funding for the upkeep, maintenance and acquisition
of state park land." |
No - The Republican
platform does not mention state parks. |
