With the Republican convention well underway in Tampa, Florida, we bring you the seven of the most “severely conservative” positions in the GOP platform:
Ban Abortion In All Cases
Todd Akin caught plenty of flack for his “legitimate rape” comments, but all that Republican outrage did little to hide the fact that the GOP platform officially endorses banning abortions even in cases of rape and incest. A “human life amendment” — which is supported by Paul Ryan, among other prominent Republicans — would include unborn fetuses under the 14th amendment, which requires states to give all persons equal protection of the law.
Medicare Voucher System
Ever since Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan as his running mate, Medicare has become a central issue in this campaign. Borrowing the plan outlined in Ryan’s Path to Prosperity budget, the GOP platform backs a transition to a premium-support model with an income-adjusted contribution toward a health plan of the enrollee’s choice, otherwise known as a voucher system.
Prohibit Gay Marriage
The Republican party continues to oppose same-sex marriage, affirming the right of states to prohibit it. It also supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. As public acceptance for gay marriage grows, polls show that Republicans find themselves increasingly out of the mainstream on the issue.
Crackdown On Porn
The RNC platform supports a “vigorous” enforcement of anti-pornography laws, which according to faith-based non-profit Morality in Media, have been too lax on all but child pornography.
Reinstate “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
One of Barack Obama’s signature achievements was to repeal the Clinton-era “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prohibited gays from serving openly in the military. The official Republican party platform is to reinstate it, stripping back an expansion on civil liberties.
No Women In Combat
The party platform also supports a full-throated ban on what it calls “social experimentation“, which includes scrapping that liberal and dangerous inclusion of women in the battlefield.
Even Less Gun Control
Despite the recent string of assault rifle attacks across the country, the Republican platform this year “opposes legislation intended to restrict Second Amendment rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines or otherwise restoring the assault weapons ban passed during the Clinton presidency,” according to the Associated Press .
