The Indiana Republican Party will draft its 2014 platform when its state convention is held here later this week, and, thank goodness, it doesn't look like it will have a rigid ideological agenda that will require me to do something hard, like decide where I stand on the issues. At least that's my take based on the comments of Allen County GOP Chairman Steve Shine:
Shine said open discussion of the platform is a moment to highlight and appreciate the diversity and varied backgrounds found in the state GOP, its delegates and its 92 counties.
“I have worked for years to get away from the stereotypical image of the Republican Party by creating opportunities for the multicultural community. It's important to me to not only have people that believe in the Republican philosophy, but also show the diversity within our community to illustrate the strength of the Republican Party,” he said.
Yeah, because if I want to support opportunities "for the muticultural community" and celebrate diversity and all that, there's like, you know, nowhere else I can go, is there?
I am espeically glad I won't have to think about gay marriage if I go with the All Things To All People Republican Party. The proposed platform language on that is:
We believe that strong families, based on marriage between a man and a woman, are the foundation of society. We also recognize that some families are much more diverse and we support the blended families, grandparents, guardians and loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential every day.
Wow, what a strong stand. I can see this approach being useful for a lot of other isues.
We believe the right to bear arms is a foundation of our liberty, so we strongly support the Second Amendment. We also recognize that gun violence is a real problem that people should not be criticized for worrying about.
We believe the right to life is basic to a moral civilization. We also recognize that some women have struggled with the hard choices regarding their reproductive lives.
We are firmly committed to fiscal responsibility. We also realize that hardworking, decent public officials are finding it harder to provide quality service.
Boy, platform almost writes itself, huh?. If you don't stand for anything, you can say whatever you want to, and it won't matter.
