The Republican Party’s New Platform: What Young People Need to Know
(Even if you can’t vote yet).
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has just released its new platform for the 2024 election, and it’s causing quite a stir. This platform is like a roadmap that tells us what the party wants to do if they win the election. Let’s break down what’s in it and why young people should be worried.
What’s in the New Platform?
The new Republican platform sounds a lot like something you might hear at a Donald Trump rally. Instead of listing specific plans, it’s more like a collection of catchy phrases and big promises. Some of the main ideas include:
- Getting rid of the Department of Education
- Giving the president more power
- Supporting many of Donald Trump’s ideas
Many of these ideas come from something called “Project 2025,” which is a plan created by a group called the Heritage Foundation. This project is like a blueprint for what they want the government to look like if a Republican becomes president in 2024.
Why Are People Concerned?
Some people are worried because these plans could change a lot about how America works. Here are a few reasons why:
- More Presidential Power: The platform suggests giving the president much more control over the government. This could upset the balance of power between the three core parts of the government, Legislative, Executive and Judicial.
- Changes to the Justice System: Some supporters of these ideas have talked about using the Department of Justice to investigate or punish political opponents. This isn’t how the justice system is supposed to work.
- Removing Government Departments: Getting rid of entire government departments, like Education and the EPA, will have massive effects for future generations.
- Women’s Rights: The United States Constitution provides a fundamental “right to privacy” that protects a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion. However, in 2022, the majority right wing U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that established the framework for legal abortions across the United States.
In effect the Court took away a constitutional protection for women and since then, several states have tightened abortion restrictions to the point that residents cannot access abortion services. Other states seem poised to outlaw abortion altogether.
The effect of Donald Trump’s appointments to the Supreme Court is that the constitutional right for a woman to choose to have an abortion no longer exists.
- If Project 2025 is implemented by a Trump administration, there is a genuine concern that it could take away more rights that women currently have.
Trump’s Reaction
Interestingly, while Donald Trump has praised the new Republican platform, he and his supporters have tried to distance themselves from Project 2025. They say they don’t know much about it or aren’t involved with it. However, many people who co-authored Project 2025 used to work for Trump when he was president.
This has led to accusations of “gaslighting” – a term used when someone tries to make you question what you know to be true. Critics say Trump and his allies are pretending not to know about plans they actually support.
Why Does This Matter?
These plans could have a big impact on everyone in the country, including young people like you. Here’s why it’s important:
- Education: If the Department of Education is removed, it could change how schools work across the country.
- Democracy: Some worry these plans could weaken the democratic system by giving too much power to one person, effectively making them a monarch that might not be subject to the law and may not be voted out of office.
- Rights: There are concerns that some people, especially women, might lose rights they currently have if a future, more authoritarian Congress, decided it was to their advantage. It is important to remember that women have not always had the right vote in America. The 19th amendment which granted women the right to vote was only passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920.
- Justice: Project 2025 proposes changes to how our justice system works that could affect how laws are enforced and who gets investigated or punished.
What Are Critics Saying?
Many people are speaking out against these plans. They say:
- It’s dangerous to give so much power to the president.
- The plans go against American values of democracy and fairness.
- They’re worried about losing progress made on issues like women’s rights.
- The justice system shouldn’t be used as a political tool.
Some critics are forming groups to fight against these ideas. For example, the Seneca Project was created to inform women about what’s at stake in the upcoming election.
What’s Next?
The Republican Party will vote on this platform at their convention next week. If they approve it, it will become their official plan for the 2024 election.
In the meantime, there’s a lot of debate happening. Supporters say these plans will “Make America Great Again” (a slogan used by Donald Trump). Critics say the plans are extreme and could harm our democracy.
Why Should You Care?
Even if you’re too young to vote, these issues will affect your future. The decisions made in the next election could change things like:
- How your school is run
- What rights you and your family have
- How the government works
- How laws are enforced
It’s important to stay informed about these issues. You can do this by:
- Reading news from reliable sources
- Talking to your parents, teachers, or other trusted adults about what’s happening
- Thinking critically about what you hear and read
- Encouraging the adults in your life to vote and be involved in the political process
Remember, in a democracy, every voice matters – including yours! Even if you can’t vote yet, you can still learn about the issues and share your thoughts with others. The more people understand what’s happening, the better prepared they will be to make decisions that will affect the country.
As America gets closer to the 2024 election, there will be a lot more discussion about these plans and ideas. Keep your ears open, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to form your own opinions. After all, it’s your future that’s being decided!
