Name a couple things that the platform has changed for the better, should be easy.
When Dole was asked about the life plank in the platform he replied. No one ever reads that thing.
Past platform position have both contributed to good and to evil.
From the Republican Platform of 1972...
“We have turned toward new paths for social progress...from wanton pollution to vigorous environmental protection” - That has been abandoned when Republicans realized the left would use “environmental protection” as an excuse to kill jobs and regulate commerce.
“Never before has our country negotiated with so many nations on so wide a range of subjects—and never with greater success. In the last four years we have concluded agreements...To limit nuclear weapons.” - Thankfully Reagan abandoned this plank and subsequently defeated the Soviet Union.
“We oppose nationalized compulsory health insurance.” - This plank is something that the Republicans held to for 40 years which delayed the mandate as long as possible. I hope Trump does not reverse this plank due to his approval of the mandate.
“Include an educational bill of rights for Spanish-speaking people, American Indians, and others who face special language problems in schools;” - the mindset behind this led to the balkanization of America. Thankfully it is no longer in the Republican platform.
“In the field of school finance, we favor a coordinated effort among all levels of government to break the pattern of excessive reliance on local property taxes to pay educational costs.” - The liberal Republicans in 1972 helped start the nationalization of education. We need conservative principals to push back against these ideas when they are proposed.
It is important that Cruz and other small government, Constitutionally based, liberty minded, conservatives protect the Republican platform from Trump or any other person who is not rooted in conservative principals. As you can see, these liberal mistakes from the past echo far into the future.