Minutes of the 43rd District Democrats Precinct Caucus – February 26th, 2006 Meeting at Washington State Trade and Convention Center Meeting called to order by Chair Richard Kelley at 2:10 p.m. Chair appointed Will Affleck-Asch as Secretary and Linda Clifton as Parliamentarian CHAIR'S REMARKS – Richard Kelley In 2004, we held our Precinct Caucus in many overcrowded rooms, and thus we are meeting here. 720 Ravenna Blvd. NE (halfway between I-5 exit 170 and Green Lake) is the correct address of the Tuesday and Wednesday caucus meetings for the platform, at 7:00 p.m. - at John Marshall High School. Saturday, March 4th, we will be meeting here at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center, to elect delegates to the County and Legislative District Caucus. Elected or appointed PCOs, resident in the Precinct, are automatically elected as Delegates. SPEAKER – US Congressman Jim McDermott, 7th Congressional District Jim McDermott spoke before the multitudes, noting our district was the source of the Democratic revolution that resulted in Seattle's current Democratic delegations for the city, county, state, and federal seats. In 2004, it was hard to distinguish between Democratic and Republican candidates on the campaign positions. Trying to ride on just Vote Against Bush won't work. We need to take strong positions on subjects such as: 1. The War in Iraq and when we will leave, since we've been there five years, and what will happen with the giant permanent military bases we're building there, and where our forces will go, and what we'll do after we're gone; The administration is trying to make America afraid, and perhaps push us into Iran, with air bombing by the Fourth of July, to make them look strong instead of weak; 2. Have to take a strong position on Single Payer Health Care for America – which would be two things: a guaranteed set of benefits for everyone in America, and how we pay for it, which would be just and democratic, not like the Republican versions that won't help all but the very rich and give away our taxes to those same rich, our plan could even be designed for each state to implement, but would be an American system that is just, good economically, and good for America; 3. Our nation is addicted to oil, which the GOP borrowed from us since it's true, Brazil being independent without gasoline but using alcohol, due to government pushing for change instead of waiting for change; otherwise we'll be fighting for oil all over the world, no matter how they appoint people to NASA to get the scientists to not talk about global warming; continuing to burn gasoline is self-destructive to our country's future, for our children and grandchildren; have to create some policy with teeth in it to create change, such as the Toyota Prius that was on the streets in Japan for three years before they sold it in America, which shows the rest of the world is ahead of where we are here in America; in 1976 while flying with Buckminster Fuller, he said that you can run a standard car engine on pure alcohol from biomass, which we had technology for back then. This year we have a great chance to win. The fundamental question will be should we keep going with George Bush, as in choosing Darcy Burner, but we have to have our own agenda that people can choose our candidates for. Mostly, though, Americans are scared today, with a hierarchy in the Administration that thinks they are above the law, who think we've given them a blank check for permanent war and permanently ignoring our laws, by eavesdropping on Americans, by ignoring Congress and the Senate – if we protest this war, they'll be infiltrating peace groups soon if not yet, which even the President admits, saying they can torture, keep people without trial in Guantanamo Bay. Hopefully we'll elect some more Democrats in our state to help make Nancy Pelosi the Speaker. We need to get people energized. The GOP has been planning to overturn Roe v Wade for years, first by putting their own people on the court, and then by a state challenge. CHAIR – Richard Kelley Appeal for contributions to cover the cost of the rental, or at least volunteering to help with work. ADOPTION OF THE RULES – Richard Kelley 2006 Democratic Precinct Caucus Integrated Rules were read. BREAKOUT SESSIONS Iraq and the Middle East – this room, Richard Kelley moderating Other Foreign Policy and Military Policy – room 307, Misty Shock moderating Terrorism, Homeland Security and Civil Liberties – room across hall, Bill Sherman moderating Human Rights, including choice and sexual minorities, and Law and Justice – room 401, David Kunselman moderating REPORTS FROM BREAKOUT SESSIONS OF PLATFORM CHANGES: IRAQ AND THE MIDDLE EAST Deleted 12 and 13 and replaced with: We must complete an orderly withdrawal of US forces from Iraq before Election Day 2006. The US shall call for internationally facilitated peace talks in Iraq. Upon completion of a peace agreement, the US shall pay a peace dividend to enable an Iraqi-led reconstruction. Reconstruction efforts should be overseen and administered by the United Nations. First priority for all reconstruction contracts and the associated economic and employment benefits should be given to the Iraqi people and companies. The US should pay reparations to innocent Iraqi victims of the war. Deleted 14 and replaced with: Israel and Palestine: The United States should commit to vigorous, serious, constructive and persistent engagement in a peaceful resolution of the Isreali-Palestinian conflict. The United States should promote negotiations and other actions that lead to a viable two-state solution that ensures security and quality of life for the Israeli people of a sovereign state of Israel, and the Palestinian people of a sovereign state of Palestine. TERRORISM, HOMELAND SECURITY Deleted 13 from Foreign Policy and replaced with: We recognize that government can not ensure security, but we demand actions, within constitutional limits, that minimize security risks. debated replacing 7 from Civil and Human Rights (4 for, 4 against) with: We believe in enforcing current laws to keep our borders safe. Immigration policy must recognize and protect the basic human rights of immigrants and humane treatment of undocumented persons. [above proposal forwarded to the rules committee without recommendation, along with the longer version, also without recommendation, following] We believe in enforcing current laws to keep our borders safe. Immigration policy must recognize and protect the basic human rights of immigrants and humane treatment of undocumented persons. Border security must include fair and humane treatment for all, including undocumented persons. We support equal access to available human services, including health care and public education, without discrimination based on immigration status. We support allowing undocumented minors raised and educated in the United States the opportunity to gain access to post-secondary education assistance and to move toward legal status (the DREAM Act). We oppose using local law enforcement as agents of immigration enforcement. We oppose any effort to deputize, commission, finance, or otherwise encourage the presence of self-appointed vigilante border militia groups in the United States who might take into their own hands the legal authority vested in our law enforcement officials, and those of the federal and state governments. OTHER FOREIGN POLICY AND MILITARY POLICY Deleted 5 and replaced with: As a responsible member of the international community, the United States should fully support international sanctions passed by the U.N. Deleted 7 and replaced with: We believe, In opposing any efforts, including those of the Executive branch, to de-certify or ignore treaties, particularly ABM, International Criminal Courts, Kyoto Accords, Biological and Chemical Warfare Conventions, and the Geneva Convention. Amend 9 by replacing: GATT, NAFTA, WTO, and FTAA with GATT, CAFTA, NAFTA, WTO, and FTAA Deleted 11 and replaced with: We must renounce the development of new nuclear weapons, support full funding of the IAEA, and urge the strengthening of international disarmament treaties. Add new section: We believe the US government should establish a cabinet level Department of Peace to research, educate, and facilitate non-violent conflict resolution methods. HUMAN RIGHTS, including CHOICE and SEXUAL MINORITIES, and LAW AND JUSTICE under Civil Rights, deleted 7 and replace with: We believe in full human rights of all immigrants and their children regardless of immigration status. Amend 18 to read: We must replace the Electoral College with a nationwide plurality system. add new planks to Civil Rights as follow: 24. We believe, The Human Rights, privileges, and protections for US citizens guaranteed by the US constitution should not be interpreted to apply towards businesses, corporations, or other entities that are not individual persons. 25. We believe, In Medically accurate sexual education without value judgments regarding sexual orientation. 26. We believe, that native Hawaiians should be afforded the same rights and privileges that are afforded to Native Americans. Under Law and Justice, amend 3 to read: In the abolishment of the death penalty. Add the following plank to Law and Justice as follows: 13. We believe, Law Enforcement should not interfere with the doctor-patient relationship regarding treatment. We are meeting Tuesday night at Marshall High School and Wednesday at Marshall High School, both at 7 pm, followed on Saturday here, at 2 pm, to elect precinct delegates and alternates to the district and county conventions, review the amendments drafted by the three platform caucuses and circulate copies for discussion prior to action at the April 22nd 43rd District Convention, and debate and vote on resolutions brought in by caucus attendees. GOOD OF THE ORDER 1. Saturday, May 20, 7-10 pm, Washington Pioneer Hall, 43rd District Democrats Spring Party.