I keep seeing dKos polls in which 75% or so of Kosmopolitans do not know much or anything about the Republican Study Committee (RSC), which is
disturbing.
The Republican Study Committee is made up of the most conservative members of the House of Representatives. There are over 100 members.
RSC members have proposed legislation that would allow churches to make political endorsements.
And it is RSC members who have proposed an Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
More about that and the Cliff's Notes they wrote for themselves below:
The Cliff's Notes for the Worst of the Republicans
On July 8, 2004, U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) unveiled the Republican Study Committee (RSC) "Conservative Check Card" at a press conference.
The cards are wallet-sized and list six conservative principles held by RSC members. The press release about the cards said that they "are a great tool in communicating the conservative message to constituents, colleagues, lobbyists, and other interested parties."
[Because, it seems, conservatives like to have a little card they can carry around that tells them what to think. It's just a security blanket, really. It's comforting. It's not that conservatives can't think for themselves--no one's suggesting that--it's just that it feels good to be able to check that you're not accidentally thinking something you shouldn't be thinking.]
Grover Norquist, the president of the Americans for Tax Reform, who attended the press conference where the Conservative Check Cards were unveiled, said "George Orwell once told us that the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. These cards will help conservatives remember why it was that they came to Washington."
[Washington is a really crazy town. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to forget what you're doing and the next thing you know you're voting for levee repairs and protecting endangered species and all sorts of wacky things. N.b., this diarist also finds it quite amusing that Grover Norquist quoted George Orwell, the man who coined the words "GOODTHINK, CRIMETHINK, and DUCKSPEAK."]
The Conservative Check Cards are printed with the following 6 principles on them:
[this diarist has added helpful notes in square brackets for conservatives who may be confused]
1. Less Government
Does the bill tend to reduce government regulations, size of government, eliminate entitlements, or unnecessary programs?
[Cut worker "safety" regulations, "child" labor laws, etc.]
2. Lower Taxes
Does the bill promote individual responsibility in spending, or reduce taxes or fees?
[Cut assistance for the poor. Free corporations from the burden of taxes.]
3. Personal Responsibility
Does the bill encourage responsible behavior by individuals and families and encourage them to provide for their own health, safety, education, moral fortitude, or general welfare?
[Individuals should clean up their own air and water and they should homeschool their kids.]
4. Individual Freedom
Does the bill increase opportunities for individuals or families to decide, without hindrance or coercion from government, how to conduct their own lives and make personal choices?
[This does NOT apply to abortion. In matters of abortion, the government should make the decisions. Also, individuals are not allowed to have gay sex, which does not result in pregnancy.]
5. Stronger Families
Does the bill enhance the traditional American family and its power to rear children without excessive interference from the government?
[Once we force unwanted pregnancies to be carried to term, our job is done. Unless, of course, the children later enter a persistent vegetative state.]
6. Domestic Tranquility, National Defense
Does the bill enhance American security without unduly burdening civil liberty?
[Note that there is only one civil liberty: gun ownership.]
Snarking aside, these are dangerous people with a dangerous agenda. There are over 100 members of the RSC and I would suspect they vote en masse. They are the most conservative Members of the House of Representatives.
This is a partial list of their (Pending Pro-Family Bills):
Federal Marriage Amendment (H.J.Res. 56)
States that marriage in the United States consists of the union of male and female.
Ensures that the democratic process at the state level will continue to determine the allocation of the benefits associated with marriage.
The Federal Marriage Amendment is a reasonable response to the crisis for our democratic society created by those who would use the courts to overcome public opinion with respect to marriage.
Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act (H.R. 235)
Repeals the authority if the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax status of a church, temple, or mosque whose clergy speak out on issues that the IRS deems to be too political.
Parent's Right to Know Act (H.R. 2444)
Requires that written notice be provided to parents before contraceptive drugs and devices are distributed to their minor child by a federally funded Title X clinic.
Currently, federally funded clinics are prohibited from disclosing information to parents when their unemancipated minor child seeks contraceptive drugs or devices, including injections.
Look up the RSC. Their website has a list of members. Find out if you will have the exquisite pleasure of voting against one of them next November. You can also sign up for email alerts about their nefarious activities.