Democratic Party of Denver--Proposed County Platform, 2008

 

We oppose continued funding for the occupation of Iraq. We call for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and mercenaries, the closing of all U.S. bases in Iraq, and the recognition of the United States’ obligation to help the Iraqi people rebuild their country. We support Iraqi ownership of Iraq’s oil and financial assets.

 

       Diplomatic Policy

We support a foreign policy based on diplomatic engagement and we oppose the use of preconditions to negotiations, preemptive strikes, and threats by the U.S. or any of its allies. We oppose military acts of aggression against any sovereign country or any ethnic, religious, or homogenous group of people.

 

       Palestine-Israel Conflict

We support a just process and a peaceful, equitable end to the Palestine-Israel conflict including an economically and socially viable two-state solution.

 

       Fair Trade

We support fair trade agreements that guarantee worker protection, a living wage, environmental protections, limits on child labor, and human rights. We oppose “Free Trade” agreements that fail to uphold these standards. 

Fair trade includes eliminating subsidies within the U.S. that undermine competition abroad.

 

       International Law

·        We support applying the laws agreed to in the Geneva Convention and habeas corpus to all prisoners and detainees.

·        Guantanamo Bay Detention Center has outlived its usefulness—it should be closed, and those prisoners set free or brought to the United States proper and tried in the civil courts.

·        We ask Congress and the Administration to work together in repaying the $1.5 billion debt the United States government owes to the United Nations for past dues and Peacekeeping expenses, as well as restoring America’s standing in the world community.

       Military Spending

We strongly advocate for shifting the balance of spending away from defense spending and toward funding critical domestic programs. We urge compassionate care for veterans to include restoring Veterans’ Benefits and guaranteeing treatment for PTSD victims.

 

       Genocide

We support United Nations initiatives to intervene where necessary to halt genocide anywhere in the world.

 

       Cuba

            We advocate for the normalization of diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba.

 

       Iran

            We oppose military action against Iran.

 

·        We support guaranteed, quality, affordable health care for all through a not-for-profit single-payer financed system.

·        We support the U.S. National Health Insurance Act (HR 676).

·        We recommend a pilot project in Colorado that adopts the principles central to “The Colorado Single-Payer Health Services Plan” submitted to the 208 Health Care Reform Commission.

·        Universal health care includes mental health coverage.

 

       Reproductive Rights

·        To promote health and well-being, Colorado residents shall be guaranteed affordable, safe, and confidential access to the full range of reproductive health services, to be provided without posing undue burdens or unwarranted governmental intrusion.

 

       Economic Policy

·        We support the reinstatement of a graduated method of allocating fiscal responsibility that will reduce the growing gap between rich and poor.

·        We support the closing of excessive loopholes and government incentives given to large corporations.

·        We support removing the cap on Social Security contributions.

·        We support the restoration of fiscal sanity by reducing or eliminating our foreign dept and instituting true pay-as-you-go financial management.

·        We support keeping jobs in the United States through economic incentives.

 

·        We advocate adequate Federal, State, and Local support for quality public education beginning in early childhood and available through the post-graduate level, including job skill training and continuing education.

·        We support early and continuing intervention to close the achievement gap by providing high-quality, well-trained teachers and ensuring equitable allocation of resources to all classrooms.

·        We oppose school vouchers which divert financial support from public education to unregulated private schools.

 

       GLBT and Gender

·        Employers, organizations, individuals, and all government agencies including the U.S. military must be prohibited from discriminating against others on the basis of age, race, religion, disabilities, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Civil Unions between same-sex couples should be recognized as a guarantee of the same benefits that are accorded to heterosexual marriages and heterosexual civil unions. Civil unions must be honored across state borders.

·        We support an expanded definition of hate crime laws to include sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and disability; also known as the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Protection Act.

·        We oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment and the Defense of Marriage Act. 

 

       Immigration

·        We reject attempts to provoke isolation and xenophobia (fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign) against particular groups or communities among us, including our newest immigrant members.

·        We call upon the U.S. Congress to enact a just and humane immigration reform bill.

 

       No Torture for Any Reason Anywhere

We oppose torture whether by the United States or its agents under any circumstances.

 

       Criminal Justice

·        We support individual inmate assessment and rehabilitation to reduce recidivism.

·        We must create realistic drug policy to replace the failed “War on Drugs” and rescind mandatory sentencing for nonviolent drug crimes.

·        We support the treatment of mental illness and drug addiction as opposed to incarceration.

·        We recommend separate trial and sentencing procedures for juveniles who commit serious offenses, dedicated juvenile facilities (not prisons) for rehabilitation, and an opportunity for parole for juveniles serving life in adult prisons.