1. Electoral Reform
should occur at both the state and federal level. At the state level
this includes, but is not limited to, a change in the redistricting
process to eliminate partisanship from the process and ensure all citizens
are fairly represented. Redistricting should be taken out of the hands
of the legislature and governor and should be decided by a bi-partisan
commission, which will make recommendations to the legislature and governor
for approval or dismissal without regard to advantage to any political
party.
Enacting legislation at the
state level, which divides Utah’s Electoral College votes proportionally,
will ensure equal representation. At all levels of government and at
convention, if no candidate receives a simple majority at election,
a system employing an instant runoff voting procedure (IRV) should be
adopted.
A “none of the above”
option on all ballots, if selected by a majority of voters, would require
all parties with candidates in a particular race to select other candidates
to represent the people in the affected district.
2. Campaign Finance
Reform, at all levels of government, will aid in creating a
more transparent government. This includes a mechanism for public financing
of campaigns on a voluntary basis. For all candidates we support full
financial disclosure. A reasonable amount of free airtime should be
available to candidates as a condition of receiving and maintaining
an FCC license.
3. Healthcare Reform must include universal access
to quality healthcare. A single
payer healthcare system would best serve the people of Utah and
the nation. Until a national universal healthcare plan is in place,
existing government programs such as CHIP, WIC, Medicare and Medicaid
should be fully funded.
4. An Environmental
Defense Plan that fosters sustainable agriculture and development
should also include broad protection for America’s public lands.
Enactment of the Utah Redrock Wilderness Act and the designation of
watersheds in Utah’s national forests, which qualify as wilderness
should be included. Welfare for corporate agribusiness must end as we
focus on America’s family farmers. Through tax credits and other
mechanisms, alternative energy such as wind, photovoltaic and solar
power should be encouraged. We oppose any efforts to further develop
toxic waste facilities in Utah and any effort to bring radioactive waste
to or through our state.
5. Corporate Welfare,
sponsored by the state, and funded by taxpayers must be terminated.
A progressive tax system should be employed that requires every citizen
and every entity to pay its fair share for the privileges of American
citizenship. This means eliminating state sales tax exemptions for large
industries for the purchase of new equipment, electricity, fuels, and
chemicals, and closing corporate tax loopholes that enable American
companies to “relocate” overseas in order to avoid paying
taxes for doing business at home. At the state and local level, property
tax breaks that facilitate irresponsible development should be eliminated.
Both the federal and state government should enforce sunset provisions
for incentives written within the tax code.
6. Economic Policy
should include a truly fair and progressive tax structure that
would level the playing field so that small, locally owned businesses
could better compete with large corporations. We support tax credits
to facilitate a living wage and healthcare coverage (until a national
healthcare system is in place) for employees of all businesses, and
for businesses willing to invest in sustainability by developing and
using energy efficient technologies, alternative energy sources, and
wise land use practices. Local and state governments whenever possible
should be required to purchase goods and services from locally owned
businesses.
7. Labor
should have the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining.
Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act. All workers are entitled to a living wage;
and tax incentives should be available to responsible, cooperative businesses
where necessary to facilitate job creation, healthcare benefits and
livable wages.
8. Social Programs
that include wise community planning and social services contribute
to our quality of life. Organizations like Mountainland Regional and
Envision Utah that are attempting to incorporate wise community planning
into local and state policy should continue to receive funding. These
efforts include walkable communities, which are friendly to local business,
and offer affordable and safe alternative transportation such as light
rail and bus service, parks, open space and trail systems that foster
an appreciation for the local environment and provide recreational opportunities
to families and visitors.
Community social services
including, but not limited to childcare, after school
programs, adequately staffed and equipped health departments, family
planning,
and senior centers should be a priority of government.
9. High Quality Public
Education is a common obligation we all share. To achieve this
goal, monies must be appropriated to reduce class sizes, purchase adequate
text books, provide access to computer technology in every school, purchase
ordinary necessary classroom supplies, and fully fund pre-school and
Head Start programs. Where possible, school districts should be consolidated
to reduce administrative costs. Adequate compensation for educators
should be forthcoming. Any qualified student desiring a college or other
post secondary
education should be guaranteed access through grants and affordable
financial
aid. We endorse eliminating or reducing per child tax breaks that result
in the
largest families providing the least support for their children’s
education. We
object to school vouchers and the privatization and/or corporatization
of education
in Utah and across America.
10. Social Security
is a viable program. A requirement to allow means testing would
save billions of dollars, guaranteeing any senior citizen that needs
it receives support in their retirement. We are opposed to increasing
the retirement age of 65 or reducing benefits in the name of protecting
the Social Security Trust Fund, and using the Social Security Trust
Fund for purposes of funding other government programs. A “lock
box” should be created that protects these funds for this and
future generations. All efforts to privatize Social Security should
be resisted.
11. Arts and Humanities
should be supported through public funding. These programs
provide needed educational and cultural opportunities for our communities,
including our public schools, enhancing the quality of life for all
citizens. Tax strategies like the ZAP Tax should be employed wherever
possible.
12. Our Civil Liberties
are being assaulted. We stand fully behind the Bill of Rights
and the repeal of the Patriot Act. No human being should be subject
to detention without an opportunity to receive legal counsel or face
their accusers or hear the charges against them. We oppose censorship
in all its forms, and stand against invasions of privacy or other attempts
to monitor speech or conduct otherwise protected by the Constitution.
America cannot long call itself a beacon of liberty while simultaneously
eroding liberty at home.
13. Global Policy:
A cabinet level Department of Peace should be established which would
include providing greater aid to end hunger, abolish poverty, and facilitate
responsible development at home and abroad. These efforts provide a
greater return for the American taxpayer than investments in military
development of offensive strategies over the long-term. America’s
military posture should be defensive rather than offensive.
The United States should
recommit to the ABM treaty, sign the space weapons ban treaty introduced
in Congress, abide by our commitment to eliminate our nuclear arsenal
under the nonproliferation treaty, ban land mines and flechette shells,
participate in the International Criminal Court, and abide by the provisions
of the Kyoto Accord as originally negotiated.
Independent Palestinian
and Israeli states should be established. Each nation has
the right to self-determination. We oppose unilateralism, including
the Bush
Administration’s preemptive strike policy. The United States should
continue its
participation in the UN and should meet its financial obligations to
that
organization in their entirety.
We call for an end to the
drug war and refocusing our efforts on treatment and
prevention.
