I received the RNC's 2016 Presidential Platform Survey today. Yeah, I know: I was bad in my youth. But I've seen the errors of my way. However, I'm not a candidate for sainthood yet, so I decided to have some fun, fill it out, and send it back (without the requested contribution to help defray tabulation costs or help build the party. After all, Rs are takers not givers.) Follow me below the orange croissant for insight into what the RNC is thinking/how they are trying to steer their sheeple.
Good news for Mittens: they want to know if I think it's important for a presidential candidate to have executive experience in government or the private sector.
Which policy stances do I think the 2016 R Nominee should embrace: Defending our Constitutional Freedoms? 3 ways of saying "cut spending"? Strengthen border security? Ooh look! It's a trick question: Support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Believe in a foreign policy of "strength through peace," etc, etc. Almost dead last is "proudly" pro life. Nope, none of those. But there's Other with space to write. How well do you think proudly pro choice, single payer & tax the rich will go over?
Flat tax, CBO is now non-partisan since it said (did it?)that a minimum wage hike will cost jobs, reform that highest in the world corporate tax rate (I don't think they know what that minus sign in front of Boeing's 3.3% signifies), increasing SS age, investing SS, tinkering with Medicare. Should retirees be exempt from property tax increases. Did not know this was on their radar. But isn't that a local matter? Hillary mention: do I agree with her statement that corporations and businesses don't create jobs.
National security: Obama weak confuses allies; Iran bomb bad; ground troops to stop ISIS; they don't like relations with Putin; China trade. What about closing bases in Europe, make allies pay for own defense: sop to the Ron Paul wing?
Healthcare: ObamaCare scary.
And finally, values: Traditional marriage, overturn of Roe v.Wade, & school vouchers.
And finally, we finish with some 11th commandment stuff and do I think the convention should be earlier so the candidate can have "more time to communicate directly with voters." Hell no!
Pretty sure my survey will kick. Oh, well. Made 'em waste some money.