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HOME
2008
Report of = the Platform Committee:
Agriculture and Environment
Enhancement and Regulation
A1. Beca= use of the lack of attention being given to the endangered species, and the fact t= hat they are dwindling; it is therefore resolved that the government pay more attention to endangered species and the current laws that are in place.
A2. Beca= use we need to do a better job of protecting and preserving our historic and prehistoric resources, it is resolved that we need to increase protection a= nd promote preservation of historic and archaeological sites to preserve our nation’s (and state’s) cultural heritage. We need to develop incentives for listing cultural resources on the National Register of Historic Places (par= ticularly archaeological sites) and develop ways to preserve sites before these resou= rces are destroyed.
Watershed Management
A3. Wher= eas the people of Iowa have the right to clean water and whereas Iowa has some of t= he dirtiest water in the nation and state records show there have been nearly = 600 manure spills in just the past 12 years and experience has shown that facto= ry farms, which produce millions of gallons of raw waste each year can have a negative impact on people’s quality of life, health, local economy and their air and water, it is therefore resolved that the Iowa Legislature sho= uld strengthen legislation to control the siting of factory farms.
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Bottle Bill & Recycling
A4. Wher=
eas the
people of
Fences
A5. (
Economy, Commerce & Labor
Economic Development
EL1. Bec=
ause
poverty continues to be a major issue in this, the richest, most powerful
nation in the world, it is resolved that Congress make major steps to elimi=
nate
poverty in the
EL2. Bec= ause we need a state energy policy that is 1)not dependent on imported oil, 2) that= is non-polluting 3) is renewable, 4)and that will not = take away from the future of our children and country, it is resolved that we cr= eate an energy bill to develop a different way to fuel our energy needs.
EL3. Bec=
ause the
United States has become overly dependent on foreign oil, and the global us=
e of
carbon based fuels continues to rise exponentially which is posing health r=
isks
and damaging the environment and additionally that our dependence on foreign
oil is costing billions of dollars each year and putting our nation at risk
economically politically, and militarily, and that individuals and business=
es
that want to move toward greater energy independence for themselves often f=
ind
that the costs are overwhelming and that the return on investment is simply=
too
far off to be economically feasible, it is resolved that the United States
increase efforts and funding to find domestic renewable energy sources and =
that
tax beaks and tax credits that are currently available to oil and energy
companies should only be allowed if the money is directly applied toward
research and development of alternative and renewable sources of energy.
EL4. Bec= ause we have a brain-drain in this state where our best and brightest are being educated in our world-class school system only to leave upon graduation, it= is resolved that we keep our economy growing to retain these recent graduates.=
Workers’ Rights
EL5. Bec= ause smaller businesses are getting away with racism, sexism, and socioeconomic exclusion based on the small town “Mom and Pop” mentality it is resolved that the affirmative action that has been legislated be enforced to protect our people.
EL6. Bec= ause many of our current jobs have been outsourced to other countries it is reso= lved to stop this outsourcing.
EL7. Bec= ause illegal immigration is a concern in this country it is resolved that legislation be drafted to make the employer responsible by charging severe penalties for noncompliance.
EL8. (
EL9. (
Budget and Taxation
EL10. Be= cause the number of small businesses in the United States is growing and because = it is one realization of the “American Dream” to become self-emplo= yed and empowered to control our own destinies it is resolved that the amount of taxes levied on the small business owners be cut and thereby allow them to extend their dreams by employing more people or whatever seems applicable.<= /p>
Trade Regulations
EL11. Be= cause the consolidation of television, newspaper and radio media has caused a lac= k of a variety of views and opinions on the these media it is resolved that Cong= ress force divestiture of ownership by those individuals and corporations who own multiple media outlets so as to return the U.S. to a situation where independently owned media and a variety of views and opinions once again ex= ists in the world of American media.
Education
Education - Standards
ED1. We urge Congress and the President to amend the No Child Left Behind act to allow the use of multiple sources of evidence to assess student learning and school effectiveness, to restore a class size reduction program to give students more individualized attention, to increa= se the number of highly qualified teachers in our nations public schools, and fully fund its obligations to America’s public school students.
Although the goal of No Child Left Behind to improve s= tudent achievement is worthy, the prescriptive mandates in the law punish rather t= han help improve schools. It igno= res what children really need which is a full, well-rounded education, small classes, more parental involvement, up-to-date materials and textbooks, and quality teaching supported by quality professional development for teachers. The program as it is relies exclusively on standardized tests to measure progress and fails to recognize children as individuals and also redirects precious resources tow= ards more bureaucratic paperwork, and reduces a child’s education to a sin= gle test score.
ED2. The current No Child Left Behind is detrimental, = even destructive to the PK-12 education system and is weakening the education of= our students. The program should be restructured to support schools and students rather than penalizing them so that our students will experience a rich education and become lifelong learners.
Education – Educators – finances
–benefits- grants
ED3. The= re should more attention paid to early childhood and childcare providers. We should provide better insurance= for teachers and childcare providers and grants to help them get a degree in ea= rly childhood education. Funding = will help improve the quality of child care.
ED4. Students loans should be paid off for
ED5. We support maintaining professional salaries for
educators and increasing the wages of support professionals in our public
schools. The Iowa Legislature=
and
Governor made a strong commitment to raise educator’s salaries at
ED6. Those graduating from college are burdened with h= uge debts because of high interest loans, making it difficult for them to live above the poverty level or to raise a family etc. Congress should take definite step= s to increase Pell Grants, and make other grants available for college students = and lower interest rates on student loans to make them more affordable to pay off. It would also be helpful= if lowered interest repayments could be made retroactive. Special incentives should be offered to students majoring in special fields as education, spec= ial technology and scientific endeavors.
Education – Special Needs
ED7. We call on Congress and the President to support = full federal funding of special education. When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act passed Congress= 30 years ago the federal government promised to provide 40 % of the funding for special education. Current fe= deral funding sits at 17%. States are left to pick up the difference, which takes money away from regular education programs at a time when overall funding is dropping dramatically.
ED8. We need services for adults with Autism including respite, social skills, and supported community living.
Education – School Funding
ED9. We oppose diverting public money from public scho= ols to fund voucher, tuition tax credits or private for-profit education business.= As school deal with continuous fed= eral budget cuts, providing quality education may become a faint memory. Taking scarce public resources awa= y from public schools at a time of greatly increased expectations is unacceptable.=
Education - Safety
ED10. We worry about the safety of children traveling = to and from school and feel that all new school buses should have seat belts for safety and not set double standards of the law.
Government and Law
G1. Beca= use our communities need to be guaranteed safety and protection, our men and women = in blue need all of the support possible to have updated equipment and funds f= or better equipment to serve and protect our communities to the best of their abilities, it is resolved that more financial support be made available to = law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities and that when officers are injured/killed in the line of duty, there s be more support made available = to the families. Recognition of the courage and time of service needs to be recognized and honored.
G2. That the US Government resolve to leave Social Sec= urity monies alone as this is the people's money.
G3. That=
the
idea of building a fence along the
G4. (
G5. To m= ake consistent the Legal Age of young Americans for Tobacco, Alcohol, Lott= ery, and military service
Military Affairs
G6. That=
the
current
G7. Be it resolved that the US Military adopt a Zero Tolerance policy towards the tor= ture of Captured Prisoners of War.
G8. Resolved that all
G9. Shif= t over inflated defense budget spending towards Social programs in our infrastruct= ure such as health and education rather than maintaining obsolete "Cold War" weaponry.
Civil Rights
G10. Bec= ause in his decision last August Judge Hansen declared that the Defense of Marriage Act’s only intent is to harm some people it is resolved that the state and federal Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMA) be repealed.
Campaigns and Elections
G11. (
G12. Regarding Voter Owned
G13. Mov=
es
should be made to limit and eventually phase out the power and usage of the
Electoral College and move towards using a popular vote of ALL Americans to
determine the President of the
G14. That Political propaganda and election related calls are limited to a Monday thr= ough Friday, 8am to 8pm schedule.
G15. The= re should be a five year waiting period for congress person to take employment= as a political lobbyist and further limit Special Interest groups abilities to influence candidates with promise of future employment.
Health Care
H1. Have more funding available to Hospitals and Resea= rches for the study of Autism and other mental issues.
H2. State level: Resolution for increased and affordab= le access to contraceptives.
We know access to affordable contraceptives improves the health and welfare of Iowa Families.
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Fact: Unintended pregnancies cost the state of
H3. We support state and federal funding for reproduct= ive health services and age appropriate, medically accurate sex education. We believe that the best way to ma= ke abortion rare is to ensure that individuals have access to voluntary family planning, counseling and information.
Furthermore, we support federal funding for voluntary international family planning because it saves the lives of women and child= ren, contributes to the welfare of communities and creates hope for Humanity.
H4. Have National health insurance plans that are affordable for everyone. Based on income – gove= rnment helps to offset what a person can afford to pay towards a plan. This would cover Dental, vis= ion, medical and medicines. There = needs to be an affordable medical care and prescription plan for the elderly who = are on a fixed income.
H5. Make= it illegal for health companies to hold it against individuals for having preexist= ing conditions by denying and charging them high fees to be covered.
H6. Chro= nic Disease Resolution – reshape our approach to health care.
· Two of every five Iowans has a chronic disea= se.
· Nationally 45 out of every 100 are living wi= th a chronic disease
·
One in three babies born in
·
Chronic diseases is the
#1 driver of rising health care costs, as well as the #1cause of the death =
in
Therefore be it resolved that as a party, we support p= ublic policy that:
Refocuses our health care system on keeping people healthier through disease prevention, care management, and targeted incentives to encourage self management and prevention.
Promotes healthy lifesyles and disease prevention and management in every community- including places of employment and schools.<= /span>
Improves the = quality of care for those with chronic diseases by encouraging innovation in the treatment of diseases at the research and bedside levels, as well as encour= age continued American investment in pioneering science that will result in bet= ter treatments to prevent and lessen the toll of chronic disease.
Accelerates improvements in the quality and availability of health information technology throughout the health system.
Reduces access barriers to health care for all populations.
By pursuing the issue of chronic disease and making it= a centerpiece of the American health care system, we will be able to fundamentally change the way health care is viewed. The results will yield more compet= itive industries, savings at every level of the health care system, and Iowans ab= le to focus on living longer and healthier lives.
H7. (
H8. Incr= ease expenditure towards global poverty to eradicate diseases such as Malaria and Tuberculosis as well as more funds towards HIV/ AIDS research.
Presidential Nominating Procedures
P1. (
P2. Rega= rding the coin toss decision at a Democratic caucus in which two candidates have = an equal number of delegates. Be it resolved that said coin toss is revi= ewed for a more substantial and voter accurate choice of candidates.
P3. Be it resolved that the Democratic Party form a commission or select committee to study the presidential nominating process and to make recommendations for adjustment or reform of the process in order to achieve a more effective nominating process, as the current process has only produced two Democratic Presidents since its inception in 1972.
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