Explanation here for you.

Basically bring as money as you want to spend on buying things. The dealer’s room has so many awesome things. *0* But thats up to you. And you’ll want to bring enough money for food and snacks.

Individual candidates, however, are in no way bound to agree with or abide by the platform.

In practice, the platform is mostly propaganda designed to lure voters into the party. For example, the Republican Party platform still claims to favor small and limited government and low taxes. That has to be a joke. Except for Ron Paul, the GOP is overrun with proponents of large and powerful government.

First, to balance the roles of the small states and the large states. In the electoral college, each state gets 1 elector per representative and senator. As the House of Representatives is based on population that gives a degree of influence to the larger states. However, each state has the same number of senators which gives the small states a degree of influence.

Second, the constitutional convention did not believe that a national electorate really would have sufficient information and knowledge about the candidates to intelligently vote. The Constitution was written at a time when there was no internet, no television, no radio, no telephone, and no telegraph. The primary method of communication between communities was by mail. For the most part, what a resident of Savannah, Georgia knew about what was going on in Philadelphia or New York depended on the contacts of the local newspapers. The framers thought that letting the state legislatures pick a group of informed citizens to participate in the election of the president was the best way of getting a somewhat knowledgeable vote.

Third, even with that, the framers really did not expect too many clear choices to emerge other than the rare George Washington. The rules that the constitutional convention established (two votes per elector, with no more than one from any state) were meant to serve as a mechanism for nominating candidates with the House to actually choose the President and Vice-President. (This part of the reasoning failed as the framers did not think that national parties would form. They were wrong. As a result, the rules got changed after the election of 1800).

This last reason — intended to make the final choice of the President rest with Congress in most elections — is why the electoral college was not designed to strengthen the executive branch. The framers thought — as the only popularly elected part of the government — the House of Representatives would be the strongest "branch."

At the Democratic National Convention in 2004, freedom of speech zones were set up. Apparently the entire country is not a free speech zone, but there are little areas where we can congregate and speak freely.

4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

DUI checkpoints- While I in no way endorse drunk driving as thousands are killed annually from it, DUI checkpoints are a direct violation of the 4th amendment. Random search and seizures based solely on where one is driving is unconstitutional.

The TSA’s controversial patdowns are another violation of the 4th amendment, but there’s a simple solution to this one: Don’t fly. However that’s not an option for many, so thousands of Americans unwillingly get groped by people in the name of security. Benjamin Franklin once said "He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.", and that’s as true now as it was back then.

5th Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

This one just became public, but it’s a big one. Terrorist and American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki was recently killed in a drone strike. This blatantly violates the 5th amendment beacuse he was not given a trial, but he was "deprived of life…without due process of law". The president can now order the assassination of an American citizen who he thinks is bad.

Our constitutional rights are constantly being disregarded. Only a moral society can have rights. Ours is immoral.

Further, I’ve read the BF&M, I know what basics of the Baptist denomination are. I’m looking for specifics; thus I’ll ask a few pointed questions. Any of the workings of the SBC you’re willing to share outside my questions is fine as long as its facts or your interpretation of facts; again, no preaching.

About the Southern Baptist Convention church service:
1) Are there many hymns? Is this done with a choir or is it just the congregation?

2) Is there any specific order to the service? Any specific prayers or doxologies that are usually present? Passing the peace?

3) What kind of tone does the pastor tend to use? Does he preach forcefully or more conversationally? Is it generally loud or soft?

4) Is the topic more often about fearing or rejoicing? Is it more about "With God there is heaven" "Without God there is hell" or is it more lessons on how to live ones life? How many times (if at all) in a given church service does the Pastor refer to the congregation as "sinners"?

5) Do all churches have a deacon or just the moderate to large one?

6) What is worn to church? I’ve heard suits and dresses, but I was reading that the SBC churches in my (northern) city have people attend with jeans, shorts, sandals, etc. Is this generally accepted at other churches (particularly in the rural south) or are other churches more formal?

About the Southern Baptist Convention in general:
1) Are they totally against evolution? Because of individual soul liberty and responsibility, I would think they’d leave that up to the individual, but the only thing I found said "they generally reject evolution". What do they preach at church about it?

2) Are they accepting of personal interpretations of the Bible? I would guess they are (individual soul liberty and responsibility and all) but the perception seems to be that they’re really strict.

3) The BF&M seems pretty open-minded. However, the perception of Southern Baptists seems to be that they hold very fast to some principles that many Christians don’t. Not drinking is just one of them (and from what I’ve read, the SBC is actually divided on the issue) If these principles exist, what are they and to what extent are they followed?

Alright, I think that’s about everything. Sorry for writing a book there. However, the more you can give me the better. Thanks in advance for your help.

One last thing: I can see how some of these questions could be interpreted as offensive. I truly don’t intend it and am sorry if I have offended you. I plan to portray Christianity and the SBC in a positive way.

1. Some SBC have a choir, and in some the body does all the singing, there are at least 4 hymns
2. Yes, there is a specific order to the service, but the order is set by the body. The basics though are, Opening Hymn, Offering Hymn, Offering Prayer, Hymn, Messages, Hymn, Sermon, Invitational Hymn, Invitation, Closing.
3.Depends on the Pastor.
4.I have seen Hellfire preachers and Fluffy Jesus preachers.
5. All SBC have Deacons, none have just one.
6. There is one body I know of where the dress code makes you feel like you are back in the 1950s when you walk in the door, and another in which the dress code was a loin cloth, like John the Baptist wore. And everywhere in between.

1.Evolution is unproven, and not accepted as policy by the SBC. It is taught in SBC schools though.
2. Somewhat accepting, but it is a very limited acceptance. They are more accepting of a body-wide interpretation
3. Not drinking and not dancing are firm principles of the SBC. My guess would be that only 1/2 the members abide by those restrictions.

If you really want to know about the SBC, go attend a few services at different bodies. There are differences between bodies. There is one I know of which will not do any contemporary Christian songs in their worship, and another one which has their own Christian Rock band. There is one body I know of where the dress code makes you feel like you are back in the 1950s when you walk in the door, and another in which the dress code was a loin cloth, like John the Baptist wore.