Similarities between the Texas Republican Party Platform and the program of the neo-Nazi NPD

I strongly encourage anyone interested in the current state of politics in the United States to read the (pdf warning) 2012 Platform of the Texas Republican Party.  I can't think of any single document that exhibits such intolerance, xenophobia and paranoia.  Well, actually I can think of one other: the official (pdf warning) Parteiprogram der NPD - Germany's neo-Nazi party.

Let's do a side-by-side comparison of some the central tenets:

1) Both the Texas GOP and the NPD vehemently oppose equal rights for gay and lesbians: 

Texas GOP: Homosexuality ― We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.

German NPD: Die kleinste Gemeinschaft innerhalb unseres Volkes ist die Familie. Auf ihr fußen Volk und Staat, weshalb der Familie auch die besondere Zuwendung und Fürsorge des Staates zuteil werden muß. Ihren natürlichen Ausdruck findet die Familie in der Ehe mit Kindern. Dies begründet den besonderen Schutz von Familie und Ehe. Homosexuelle Lebenspartnerschaften bilden keine Familie und dürfen nicht gefördert werden. Kinder brauchen Mutter und Vater für eine gesunde Entwicklung, aber auch alleinerziehende deutsche Mütter und Väter verdienen staatliche Unterstützung.

2) "Multiculturalism" is anathema to both the Texas GOP and the NPD:

 Texas GOP: American Identity Patriotism and Loyalty – We believe the current teaching of a multicultural curriculum is divisive. We favor strengthening our common American identity and loyalty instead of political correctness that nurtures alienation among racial and ethnic groups. Students should pledge allegiance to the American and Texas flags daily to instill patriotism.

German NPD: Sogenannte „multikulturelle“ Gesellschaften sind in Wirklichkeit kulturlose Gesellschaftsformen, die je nach ihrer ethnokulturellen Zusammensetzung Parallelgesellschaften ausbilden, die für jedes Staatswesen zur Zerreißprobe werden. Die Solidarität einer bestehenden Volksgemeinschaft wird durch die übertriebene Vertretung von Einzel- oder Gruppeninteressen aufgehoben.

3) Both parties oppose mothers working outside the home:

Texas GOP: Supporting Motherhood ― We strongly support women who choose to devote their lives to their families and raising their children. We recognize their sacrifice and deplore the liberal assault on the family.

German NPD: Die Leistung der Hausfrau und Mutter ist entsprechend der in anderen Berufen erbrachten Arbeitsleistung zu würdigen. Sie hat ein Anrecht auf ein nach Anzahl und Alter der Kinder gestaffeltes, zeitlich begrenztes Müttergehalt. Mütter sollten nicht aus finanziellen Gründen gezwungen sein, außerhäuslich zu arbeiten.

4) Both the Texas GOP and the NPD want to change laws in their respective nations to restrict citizenship (there is a strong racial component to the NPD's position):

Texas GOP:Birthright Citizenship – We call on the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of the United States to clarify Section 1 of the 14th amendment to limit citizenship by birth to those born to a citizen of the United States with no exceptions.

German NPD: Gegen den Willen des deutschen Volkes wurden von Großkapital, Regierung und Gewerkschaften Millionen von Ausländern nach Deutschland eingeschleust. Durch massenhafte Einbürgerungen wird das deutsche Staatsbürgerrecht aufgeweicht und das Existenzrecht des deutschen Volkes in Frage gestellt. Um diese Fehlentwicklung zu stoppen, muß das ursprüngliche, auf dem Abstammungsprinzip fußende Staatsbürgerschaftsrecht wieder eingeführt werden.

5) Both the Texan Republicans and the German neo-Nazis are hyper-paranoid around issues of national sovereignty:

Texas GOP: National Sovereignty – We insist that the President and Congress defend our national sovereignty in accordance with their oaths of office. Therefore we believe the United States government must remain free of external control or influence, including, but not limited to, a North American union and a security and prosperity partnership.  We support the withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations and the removal of U.N. headquarters from U.S. soil.

German NPD: Die politische Klasse in Deutschland flüchtet sich in ein Europa, in dem keine demokratische Legitimation zur Herrschaftsausübung besteht. Dieses EU-Europa der Technokraten und Konzerne ist eine Kampfansage an das Europa der Völker.

Die Abtretung von Gesetzgebungskompetenz von Bund und Ländern an die Europäische Union hat zur Aufgabe nationaler Souveränität geführt. Das nationale und regionale Selbstverwaltungsrecht ist wiederherzustellen.

These are just some of the similiarites between the two party platforms.  There are more, but there are also some striking differences.  For example, the NPD promotes strong environomental protections and strives for an agricultural self-sufficiency. The Texans call for abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency and opening lands to polluters.  Also, the Texas Republican Party calls for parents and teachers to discipline children through beatings ("Corporal punishment is effective and legal in Texas.") Presumably the NPD is opposed to beating children - at least ethnic German children (volksdeutsche Kinder). 

But here's the biggest difference.  The NPD is reviled fringe party that regularly receives less than 2% of the vote in national and local elections.  The Texas Republican Party is the dominant political force in the second most populous state in the US, controlling all levels of government.

Comments

[michijo]

The line "recognized by our country’s founders" is the clue that these right wing types are lost in some kind of fog. It has been proved over and over through historical documents that "our country’s founders" were not very religious at all. Early America had a very socialist revolutionary feeling. I suspect even that Benjamin Franklin would have approved of Socialism on some level. I see the American revolution as being a shirking of many things British, including The Church of England, the Anglican religion. In part, the only reason we have Freedom of Religion in our constitution is because they didnt have it in England. While the founders of the USA may have allowed you to be religious and to follow Quakerism, or be Amish, it was not because they were themselves religious, but because they opposed British control.

[michijo]

A once read a book by John Fowles called "A Maggot". He is more famous for The Magus which became a film. In "a Maggot", he talks about the way that Quakerism and such originally played a part in revolutionary activities against society in England. But that ultimately these forms of Christianity outlived their usefulness as a form of rebellion and either became insane, like the Shakers in upstate new york, or merely became part of the new establishment order and ceased to be revolutionary. Interesting book to read philosophically related to the American revolution and what religious freedom used to mean in the USA compared to now:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Maggot

[koogleschreiber]

Does the Texas GOP also run a branch in a security agency like the NPD in the German Waffen-VS?

[michijo]

There are all kinds of assholes down in the south west, including the "Minutemen", self appointed guardians of the Mexican border. The real stupidity of these people is that they are in Texas, far away from where the founders lived. Texas was little more than a penal colony like Australia. If you look at places the founders hung out, Philadelphia for instance, where the liberty bell is, you'll note that Quakers and Amish are very prominent. Philadelphia after all is called "The Quaker City". William Penn, what? None of those Presbyterian Ulster Scots down south have anything to do with the founders. In fact, the Ulster Scots live out west in Texas because they were not permitted to stay in Boston and the North East. There is simply no historical connection between them and the founders.

[michijo]

Interesting connection between prisoners, convicts, and religion. Just noticing even street preachers where I live, some have the tear drop tattoos around the eyes and preach about former prison terms. I suppose religion in Texas and the American South in general is related to them being prisoners and former convicts.

[FabMax]

I thought the Ulster Scots lived in Ulster? You know, because of the name?

[/snark]

[Mark]

I thought that the NPD were some kind of rude, angry, nazi types. They are simply conservatives that want to save their country. They don't want Germany to become colony of the Middle East with Sharia law. For some reason, the liberals believe this is just horrible. Liberals should do a little research. What happens to homosexuals in Muslim countries? What happens to women in Muslim countries? What happens to political dissidents in Muslim countries? I don't understand European liberals. It is like they are cutting of their noses to spite their faces.

[David]

The NPD are not "simply conservatives". They are an anti-democratic neo-fascist organization that glorifies the criminal Nazi regime...