What did Republican candidates in California promise to do if elected? Nothing, Pretty Much

The California Republican Party is like a big, empty aircraft carrier drifting along the coast. It could be powerful, if there were any people on it and if it had a plan to go somewhere.

Here's a political messaging quiz: What did Republican candidates in California promise to do if elected?

Take your time.

Think of anything yet?

There are millions of California voters of all party registrations who are looking for answers to the problems that are making their lives difficult - high utility bills, high housing costs, unsatisfactory schools, crime, a shortage of decent-paying jobs and a general sense that things are getting worse, not better.

In a post-election survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, more voters listed the economy and jobs as their top concern than any other issue. If Republicans had a message that could win their support, the aircraft carrier wouldn't be empty for long. Is there a message on which Republicans can agree and win?

In 2015, I was asked to be on the state GOP's Platform Drafting Committee, so I went ahead and drafted a platform.

It was met with dismay, followed by a unanimous refusal to discuss it at the committee meeting.

Want to see it?

_________

From the redwoods of Crescent City to the cliffs at Torrey Pines, California holds the golden dreams of an extraordinary people with a vision of a better future and the strength and courage to create it. We, the delegates of the California Republican Party, affirm our commitment to the right of all people to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We state our support of the following principles:

A strong safety net is part of our responsibility to each other in a civilized society.

Economic growth is essential to create good jobs; to generate the revenue that pays for essential safety-net programs, education, infrastructure and all our other public priorities; and to pay down our government debts so our children and grandchildren are not burdened by them throughout their entire working lives. Policies that promote economic growth are vital to the future of California and the prosperity of its people.

The purpose of taxation is to fund the essential functions of government for the benefit of all the people. Taxes should be as low as possible because in a free society, money earned belongs to the person who earned it

To protect California homes and businesses, Proposition 13 must be protected.

Agriculture is a critically important state industry, indispensable to the health and well-being of the people of California and the nation. Therefore, adequate supplies of water, a natural resource essential to abundant production of food in California, must not be withheld for any reason other than the support of human life itself.

Infrastructure that secures an adequate water supply for California's population is a priority above new options in transportation.

To protect the interests of taxpayers and prevent wasteful spending, competition for government contracts should be open to all qualified bidders.

The purpose of our criminal justice system is the protection of the public from force or fraud by holding the guilty accountable while exonerating the innocent. The purpose of our civil justice system is the lawful resolution of disputes without coercion. Our courts must be funded at a level adequate to do their work without undue delays that foster injustice.

The people of California have the right to impose the death penalty in cases of murder with special circumstances.

Government regulations are necessary to protect health, safety and the environment, but regulations that needlessly burden Californians with costly requirements that serve no essential purpose should be reviewed and, where appropriate, repealed.

California's schools must provide every child with a superior education equal to the challenges of a changing world. There should be no limits on choices that allow families to pursue excellence and achievement in education.

The pristine scenic beauty of California is treasured by all and must be protected.

Because affordable energy is essential to a rising quality of life and to a growing economy, California's energy resources should be developed in a manner that is both safe and environmentally responsible.

All persons are equal before the law. No government entity in California should make or enforce any law that discriminates on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin.

Government should be transparent and accountable to the people. Only the highest ethical standards are acceptable in those who seek or hold public office.

The people of California have the right to keep and bear arms in accordance with the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The rights of the people shall not be arbitrarily or unreasonably infringed.

The people of the United States, through their elected representatives, have the right to determine the immigration laws of the United States and to secure the borders of the nation.

Every child deserves to be born or adopted into a loving family.

We recognize the importance of marriage, family and religious freedom to be essential to a strong nation and a prosperous California.

California law should not enable medical suicide.

A strong national defense is essential to the preservation of liberty. National security requires that armaments and military equipment be manufactured in the United States.

To our veterans, we owe a debt that can never be calculated or repaid. We vow to fight for quality health care and all promised benefits for California veterans.

The California Republican Party welcomes all who wish to live in freedom. We seek a future of prosperity, secured by affordable energy and water, maintained with reasonable taxation and regulation and extended through excellence in education. We stand for liberty and justice for all.

_________

That's the platform I wrote for the California Republican Party, never before seen in public. Let me know what you think.