2010 Ratified Convention Platform
Por Nevada Democratic Party
ARMED
SERVICES/ VETERANS
We believe that service to our country is the greatest act of
self-sacrifice and patriotism. We support necessary services and care
for all veterans, regardless of the location of the nearest Veterans’
Affairs hospital or the ability to pay. We further believe that all
veterans must be provided with help reintegrating into their
communities, including but not limited to: counseling services,
technical training and education benefits, including the GI Bill, and
appropriate disability payments for those who return from their service
to our country. We support adequate benefits and resources for
spouses/domestic partners and children of service persons on active duty
and those who die in the service of this country. No veteran should be
denied or delayed medical or mental health care for any reason. We
further support increased efforts to prevent suicide amongst military
service members.
The homeless veteran crisis is a national shame and we support
strengthening services to homeless veterans.
We support the timely repeal of the Military Readiness Act, also known
as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. We support the strongest possible
protections against sexual assault within the armed forces.
CIVIL RIGHTS
We believe that government has an obligation to provide its citizens
with access to all benefits of society. We believe in equal rights for
all people and in strengthening enforcement to protect those rights and
prevent discrimination, regardless of gender, color, age, race,
national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, marital
status, sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity,
ethnicity, income level, family status, living conditions, credit
history, criminal record, or political affiliation. Diversity and
inclusion are the greatest strengths of our nation and our party.
We believe the rights of individuals as enumerated in the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights must be protected and respected.
We believe the Patriot Act must be re-examined and must conform to the
Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, by ensuring our rights to:
equal protection, free speech, the right of peaceable assembly, the
right to petition our government, and to freedom from unwanted
government intrusion, and the free exercise of religion so long as it
doesn’t infringe upon the rights of others.
We support the right of all citizens to create domestic civil unions,
including same-gender couples, with or without the benefit of legal
marriage.
We support comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to
citizenship, ensures that the rights of children of undocumented
immigrants are protected, and provides for the enforcement of
immigration policies and border patrol. We oppose laws that encourage
racial profiling as a violation of an individual’s civil rights. We
oppose a mandatory identification system or policies that require U.S.
citizens to prove their citizenship simply because of their appearance.
Such policies divert law enforcement from protecting our public safety,
negatively impact our tourism and convention business, promote racial
profiling, and usurp the role of federal government to address
immigration issues.
We support the fundamental right to privacy and reproductive freedom of
choice as established by Roe vs. Wade. The ability to pay should not
infringe on this right. We oppose notification for termination of
pregnancy and oppose any change to current law that would redefine
“personhood.”
EDUCATION
We believe that state-funded education should produce responsible
citizens who have, to the best of their abilities, the knowledge and
skills necessary to be productive employees and effective, responsible
employers.
We believe that every student in every public classroom must have equal
access to educational resources regardless of disability, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, or the local tax base. We support programs that
ensure that all children receive an education that prepares them for
college and/or a career, reward schools that make scholastic/educational
improvements and provide resources for schools where the children are
victims of poverty.
We support a fully integrated program of evaluation that includes
criteria based on the quality of outcomes as well as the mastery of
essential skills. While acknowledging the usefulness of quantification
in the measurement of student outcomes, we oppose any federal education
program that determines student achievement solely by high-stakes
testing.
We support the accurate and comprehensive teaching of science and
history. We support multicultural education that informs, honors, and
supports the achievements of Nevada’s diverse student population. We
support the funding of physical education programs and quality,
nutritious and balanced school meal programs for all children, with
adequate time to eat.
We support low student-teacher ratios to enhance the quality of
educational instruction. We strongly oppose privatizing public
education and urge strengthening accountability for home school
education.
We support fully investing in a strong university and college system
that allows all qualified high school graduates to get a quality college
education without incurring crippling debt. We support maintaining and
enhancing Nevada’s university academic programs that lead to jobs for
Nevada’s graduates and a diversified and strong economy. We support
President Obama’s plan to increase funding for community colleges and
recognize their work in helping local residents to prepare for a
rewarding career.
We encourage national and community service through the military, Peace
Corps, Americorps, National Health Service Corps, Civilian Conservation
Corps or other service that provides for the common good.
ELECTIONS and GOVERNMENT
Elections
We support voter rights so that no qualified voter is denied the
opportunity to cast their vote, a system of actions that ensure all
ballots are counted, and comprehensive campaign finance reform that
eliminates corruption and increases transparency in financing political
campaigns.
With the exception of absentee ballots, we believe that all votes in all
elections in the state of Nevada should be cast using dependable
electronic machines with a verifiable paper trail.
We support efforts to increase voting stations in minority and
underserved areas of Nevada and including citizens in the process when
investigating allegations of election improprieties.
We support the inherent right of Nevadans to elect their public
officials at all levels.
Government
We support government’s moral and legitimate obligation to provide for
the common defense and promote the general welfare of the residents and
citizens of the U.S., and demand an open and transparent government
accountable to its citizens.
We respect and preserve the rights and freedoms stated in the U.S.
Constitution guaranteeing all U.S. citizens equal protection under the
law. We support a woman’s right to choose under Roe vs. Wade.
We oppose fully unfunded mandates and the privatization of core
services, including, but not limited to: safety, security, social
services, police, transportation, emergency services, prisons,
education, medical, water, utilities, military, and veteran services,
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We support truth-in-lending and
increased monitoring and regulation of all financial institutions. We
support investing in the future of our state by increasing funding for
transportation, public safety, consumer protections, and the involvement
of our citizens in improving our state.
We support the inherent rights of indigenous peoples to maintain
cultural autonomy in their economy, sovereignty, religion, language,
customs, and land holdings.
We believe in the value of the arts and support continued funding for
libraries, museums, and the arts.
We support stronger oversight of and increased monitoring of insurance
industry exemption from anti-trust laws, and we support the concept of
holding the insurance industry accountable for engaging in anti-trust
practices.
We support awarding Nevada businesses and workers the contracts to
perform local, county, and state government jobs whenever possible.
The State of Nevada must maximize Federal funding for all possible
positions, programs, research and other opportunities to benefit Nevada
residents. We recognize the value of service delivered by all levels of
government and jurisdictions, and encourage cooperation between all.
Where tax and other financial relief is granted in consideration of
economic development and/or other stabilization, we support performance
standards, and continued relief will be contingent upon meeting those
performance standards.
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
We support Nevada being an international leader in the research,
development, education, production, and exportation of clean energy. We
also support an energy policy that leads to energy independence by
promoting conservation and the development of renewable resources.
We support (1) policies that provide a sustainable and reliable source
of water for both current and future economic development in all areas
of Nevada; (2) the use of best available science to mitigate the impact
of environmental policies on Nevada’s wildlife, agricultural, and rural
communities; (3) safe and affordable communities based upon sustainable
energy and environmentally sound public policies, protection of
riverbanks, streams, wet meadows, lakes, and ponds; (4) recycling,
conservation, renewable energy, and green development; and (5) adequate
funding for the wise management of public lands and natural resources.
We oppose the transportation and disposal of high-level nuclear and
other toxic wastes. We also support the adoption of reasonable measures
to ensure the safety of our workers and communities affected by same.
We support land use management policies that provide for the retention
of wilderness areas, recreational opportunities, wildlife, woodland, and
water resource protection, and land and activities that support the
continued economic opportunities for future generations. We promote
biologically sound and ethical management of our natural and wildlife
resources.
We support needed protections for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation
Area and all our other threatened natural resources.
FAMILY, HEALTH CARE, AND WELFARE
Accessible comprehensive health care is a hallmark of responsible
societies. We support our forebears’ dedication to the improvement and
maintenance of public health. We believe that each person’s medical care
should be based on her/his relationship with appropriate health care
provider(s). We support access to comprehensive medical care including
preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, mental health, long-term, end of
life, and dental care – regardless of ability to pay or any pre-existing
conditions.
We support women’s fundamental right to choose safe, legal, affordable,
and accessible reproductive healthcare, family planning, education and
support programs that reduce the need for abortion, and public policies
that do not abandon children upon birth. We support a health care policy
that guarantees women access to affordable, preventive screenings for
cancer and other life saving tests, and which protects women against
gender discrimination by private insurers.
We support strengthening Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs and
oppose fee reductions to providers caring for such patients. We urge
reasonable payment for services in a timely manner and decisions on
testing and prescriptions ordered by health care providers. We support
medical research aimed at curing disease and alleviating suffering. We
also support Medicare’s right to negotiate for less expensive, quality
prescription drugs for our citizens.
We support providing comprehensive medical treatment including access to
all vaccinations through increased availability of treatment facilities
and community clinics in rural and underserved areas.
We support addressing the nursing shortage by providing resources,
incentives, and encouraging staffing that meets national recommended
professional standards.
We support the full implementation of Article IV, Section 38 of the
Nevada Constitution requiring “appropriate methods of supply” for
authorized medical marijuana patients. We believe that government should
not stand in the way of patients and their pain relief. As such, we
support the regulation of the inevitable, constitutional emerging
medical marijuana industry as a contributing part of a compassionate,
alternative health care in Nevada.
We encourage continued support for the Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA). We stand behind programs offering rent support, low-income
housing, child abuse prevention, shelter for victims of domestic abuse,
sexual assault, and the homeless.
We support strengthening community direct care services for seniors to
ensure quality care for seniors and those with disabilities to allow
them the choice of living in their community instead of institutional
facilities.
We support providing our families and community a healthy environment,
including programs that provide education about gun safety. We also
support providing consumers with country-of-origin information and
improved inspections of imported food.
FOREIGN POLICY
We support strong relationships with all of our allied nations, and
improved cooperation, respect, and cultural understanding with all
nations. We support the rules of the Geneva Convention regarding torture
and treatment of prisoners of war. We believe that we should maintain
and advocate respect for all human rights, and educational and/or
cultural exchanges. We support a strong national defense. Diplomacy is a
vital aspect of any foreign policy.
We support the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan at the
earliest possible time that stability is achieved in these countries.
JOBS AND THE ECONOMY
We believe in the American free enterprise system with essential
governmental regulations, and government policies that work to eradicate
poverty. We support fiscal and monetary policies that aim to achieve
long-range stable economic growth, with reasonably balanced annual
budgets and with monetary policy being used to deal with short-term
inflation and sluggish economic conditions. We support diversification
of our state and local economy.
We support a progressive tax structure that provides a fair and
equitable distribution of the tax burden on our citizens and businesses.
We support the creation of an inclusive statewide diversity plan that
ensures the participation of all Nevadans in government contracts. We
encourage vigorous enforcement of anti-trust laws to control the effects
of excessive monopoly power. We support stronger regulation to prevent
fraudulent business practices, and to strengthen consumer protections
and regulatory oversight of the financial industry.
We support investing in infrastructure, research and development,
advanced technology, modern transportation, clean energy generation and
manufacturing.
WORKING NEVADANS
We support the fundamental rights of all workers and their families,
including the right to form and join a union, to engage in mutual aid
and protection, to collectively bargain, and the absolute right to
binding arbitration. To help assure such rights are not subject to
discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation, we support and urge the
adoption of the Employee Free Choice Act.
We support a living wage and fair compensation and benefits for all
workers. We support enforcing and increasing penalties for companies
who falsify wages and hours reported to the Department of Labor, or
misclassify workers or keep them in continued part-time positions in
order to avoid paying benefits.
We support protecting workers from an unsafe work environment and
recognition of skilled labor training and certification for all crafts
performing life-threatening activities. We support protecting workers’
basic rights in the workplace, including workers’ disability, health
care, unemployment, retirement and workers’ compensation benefits.