King County Democratic Platform
The 2006 King County Democrats platform is at:
http://www.kcdems.net/documents/platform/Platform_Final_2006.doc
43rd District Democratic Platform
The following was the result of the 2006 caucus process in the 43rd District.
You can download the text here: (MS
Word).
REPORTS FROM BREAKOUT SESSIONS OF DRAFT PLATFORM
AMENDMENTS
[Following are the amendments drafted by the breakout sessions at our three
Platform Caucuses. The references regarding deletions, etc., are to the 2004
King County Platform, which follows this report of the proposed amendments. The
43rd District Caucus on April 22 will consider the draft amendments
and the existing platform and adopt a 2006 District Platform.]
IRAQ AND THE MIDDLE EAST- Dick Kelley, moderator
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- Bill Sherman, moderator
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- Misty Shock, moderator
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-
David Kunselman, moderator
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.
EDUCATION – Lisa Steubing, moderator
Added:
1. That people of all classes should send their children to public schools
and participate in the school system.
2. The primary purpose of a free, universal, public school system in
America is to produce informed, curious, reasonable citizens prepared to
engage and participate in our democracy.
3. The state's education standards in Mathematics should reflect
international standards of achievement in numeracy and critical thinking.
Not passed, but worked on:
4. We believe that local governments should be given the authority should
be given the authority to supply additional financial resources to our
schools to supplement state funding.
LABOR, EMPLOYMENT, IMMIGRATION and ECONOMIC JUSTICE – Jennifer Moon,
moderator
Economic Justice:
Amend 1 to read:
1. No public services should be privatized, outsourced or off-shored.
Amend 2 to read:
2. Taxes are an obligation of citizenship paid in order to provide a high
quality of life for all.
Amend 3 to read:
3. Government should ensure universal access to basic needs and services
such as affordable housing, affordable health care, transportation,
utilities, and education.
Amend 4 to read:
4. In reversing the growing gap between the rich and the poor.
Amend 5 to read:
5. In a progressive tax system and one that does not reward businesses
which move their operations offshore.
Remove the comma in 7.
Amend 9 to read:
9. In preserving Social Security as the basic disability and retirement
insurance program for all Americans, the core of Americans' retirement
planning. We oppose privatization of Social Security. We believe in
strengthening the system to ensure that disabled and dependent survivor
benefits are fairly and universally maintained, and in continuing to make
progress in full coverage of all Americans when they retire or are
disabled.
Amend 11 to read:
11. In the promotion of research and development in emerging industries.
Delete 13 (covered in amended 5 above).
Amend 14 to read:
14. In strong consumer protections, including protection from the
predatory practices of the payday lending industry.
15. In fully funding Veterans' Benefits
Labor:
Amend 4 to read:
4. That all employees must receive equal pay for comparable work.
Amend 17 to read:
17. In the repeal of the anti-labor Taft-Hartley and state right-to-work
laws, which have tilted labor law in favor of employers.
Added:
19. in enforcing current laws to keep our borders safe. We believe in
recognizing and protecting the basic human rights of immigrants and humane
treatment of undocumented persons. We believe in border security which
includes fair and humane treatment for all, including undocumented
persons. We support equal access to available 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. 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.
ELECTION REFORM – Charlie Bendock, moderator
All platform planks were passed unanimously, as follows:
Politics and Election Finance
Added:
5. that to reduce the corrupting influence of monetary donations to
candidates, pubic campaign finance should be implemented for all public
offices.
6. Campaigns should be at public expense.
7. That we should reinstate the Fairness Doctrine for political campaigns,
requiring equal time to respond for any broadcast media.
Government section
Delete 1 and replace with:
1. To insure the integrity and validity of the vote count, all elections
must be conducted with voter-verified paper ballots to retain a legible,
certifiable record of the actual votes of the people.
Add:
2. That any software used to record or count the vote must be annotated
open source code, available to the public on request.
3. That all aspects of the vote counting and recording process be
completely open to public observance.
4. No part of the voting process should be out-sourced, privatized or
handled by an non-public entity.
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL POLICY – Neal Traven, moderator
Amend 1 to read:
1. Health Care, including reproductive services, is a basic human right,
and that is necessary and proper that government should step in to ensure
parity of access to both physical and mental health care for all people
because the market has failed to provide it.
Amend 2 to read:
2. In the establishment of universal health care coverage with unified
funding nationwide. If we cannot accomplish this in the near future, we
support establishing universal health care coverage with unified funding
for all residents of the state of Washington.
Amend 5 to read:
5. Families and loved ones who provide care for individuals with
debilitating ailments should be eligible for compensation.
Amend 6 to read:
6. Drug and alcohol dependence is an illness and treatment should be
available on demand to those who need it, when they need it and for as
long as they need it.
Amend 7 to read:
7. That regulations and/or laws encouraging stem cell research be enacted
in order to facilitate and support medical research.
Add:
8. That Medicare Part D should be empowered to bargain for fair pricing of
medicines and related products.
9. That licensed pharmacists be required to fill prescriptions as directed
by qualified health care providers.
GROWTH
MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION – Tara Gallagher, moderator
Growth Management – all passed unanimously
Add as follow:
1. We support the Growth Management Act as currently written.
2. In informing and educating the public on Growth Management issues.
3. In compensating property owners for permanent voluntary conservation
easements.
4. In limiting the use of eminent domain by government solely for
substantial public purposes and not for private profit.
5. That preserving the character of the neighborhood can be consistent
with allowing for increased population and preservation of low income
housing.
Transportation – all passed unanimously
Add as follows:
1. The state should help local government to purchase existing railroad
right of way that is neglected, abandoned, or underutilized, particularly
the BNSF Short Line Corridor (Dinner Train from Renton to Woodinville).
2. Any additional SR-520 floating bridge lanes or SR-99 Alaskan Way
Viaduct lanes should be dedicated to high occupancy vehicles and public
transit.
3. In changing the 18th Amendment to the State Constitution to dedicate
fuel tax revenue to all transportation purposes instead of only highway
purposes as now exists.
4. In encouraging the use of alternative-fuel vehicles and electric
vehicles through targeted tax incentives, increased access to alternative
fuel and recharging stations.
5. In coordinated regional public transportation planning.
6. That our state needs to repair and maintain all existing major bridges,
viaducts, and state highways in populated areas.
7. That our passenger ferry system is an essential part of our state
transportation and should be fully funded by state gas taxes.
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY – Mike Ruby, moderator
Amend 1 to read:
1. In the sovereign right of the people to make laws to protect their
health, safety, and welfare. The federal government shall not enter into
any treaty or agreement limiting the application or effect of national,
state, and local laws and regulations protecting clean air, clean water,
food safety, and worker safety.
Delete 2.
Delete 3.
Retain 4 (or move to Growth Management)
Delete 5.
Retain 6 (or move to Growth Management)
Delete 7.
Add the following:
1. In mandatory targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy by
public and private utilities.
2. Washington State and local government should facilitate and promote
development of renewable energy technology.
3. That government and industry must develop and implement aggressive
strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the rapidly
increasing effects of global climate change.
Passed on, but not yet approved:
4. That Empirical Science should be the basis for relevant policy
decisions.
AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Linda Clifton, moderator
Add as follows (all passed unanimously):
1. In maintaining ample funding for training and research in organic
farming methods within the state college and university system, including
county extension programs.
2. In continued support for King County extension's programs to teach
parents and children in the public schools about the nutritional benefits
of organic foods.
3. That support for preservation, and rejuvination of Independent American
Family Farms is key to our economic and environmental sustainability.
4. In strict standards for organic farming and organic products supported
by accurate and accessible labeling which identify Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMO's), country of origin, and content of fertilizers and
mulches.
5. In strong support for biofuel research and development which offers
great promise for agricultural economic development and domestic energy
sustainability.
6. In strict standards for Fair Trade certification.
7. In the urgency of supporting and developing sustainable local sources
for long term food security by local initiatives, such as farmers markets,
community gardens, community supported agriculture and land use, and
taxation policies to protect farmers and their agricultural land.
CORPORATE AND MEDIA POWER – Cindy Simmons, moderator
Add as follows (all passed unanimously):
1. Radio and television broadcast frequencies belong to public.
2. Competition and freedom of expression demand that no entity may control
broadcast and print media in the same market.
3. Regulating broadcast media to strongly encourage local station
ownership and operation.
4. We reject “supply-side” Economics as inhumane, ineffective at providing
for the common good, and an obstacle to a functional democracy.
5. In a humane economy that promotes the general welfare, and support
proposals to build our democracy on this basis.
6. We support public access to the Internet.
7. As citizens in a democracy, we require public access to a diverse range
of media voices and messages in order to participate fully in our
community's shared social, cultural, and political life.
8. There is an important place in our society for news sources which are
not beholden to private interests, and we support increased public funding
for public broadcasting.
9. Corporations are not people; We reject the concept of corporate
personhood.
