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Vincardog

(20,234 posts)
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 01:27 PM Mar 2016

What we need to do is look forward. I am on the county platform committee. What should the platform

Be?

Where as the rest of the civilized world provides free collage education for everyone.
We realize we are harming our selves with the punitive way we force our students to finance their educations.

We are dedicate to the following positions:
1) The interest rate on all existing student loan debt is reduced to ZERO percent.
2) Every future student shall be able to attend public institutions of learning tuition free.
2.a) The expense shall be paid by a .025% financial transaction tax on all stock bond and derivative transaction.

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Where as we are the only country in the civilized world that forces our companies and working people to pay for a health insurance industry as well as their health care. Realizing that system of finance results in the highest cost, least efficient health care that adversely impacts our competition on the world market.

We are dedicated to the lower the eligibility age for MEDICARE to zero years old and make all citizens eligible at birth.

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Where as the Social Security system has done an admirable job in lifting out senior population out of poverty; it has been allowed to atrophy and its' benefits have not increased to match senior expenses. This has been exasperated by the fact wages have been stagnant for the last 35 years.

We are dedicated to the position that we need to:
1) Eliminate the cap on income required to pay FICA tax on all income over $250,000/ year.
2) Increase the benefit amount to be at least 150% of the poverty rate.

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Where as we realize the toxic effect fund raising has had on politics.

We are dedicated to establish PUBLIC FUNDING OF FEDERAL elections by the next federal election cycle.

Thoughts? ADDITIONS?

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What we need to do is look forward. I am on the county platform committee. What should the platform (Original Post) Vincardog Mar 2016 OP
Sanders platform. gcomeau Mar 2016 #1
We are writing the platform now. What would you add or change? IT is our party and our platform. Vincardog Mar 2016 #2
Look, good luck to you in your efforts... gcomeau Mar 2016 #3
You do realize that even if we get Bernie then nomination we still have to do the work of getting our Vincardog Mar 2016 #4
Yep. And if he gets the nomination then that's the time to do that. gcomeau Mar 2016 #5
We begin writing the platform this Sat. I you don't want to help go knock on doors. Vincardog Mar 2016 #6
I believe that's what I just said the priority should be... so yeah. gcomeau Mar 2016 #7
Yes! Progressive ideas often get traction at the state and local levels first. femmedem Mar 2016 #21
How about we add a guaranteed annual income of $24,000 a year for every citizen? Vincardog Mar 2016 #8
I like that idea nt Rebkeh Mar 2016 #10
First step--check you state party to see what's already there eridani Mar 2016 #9
Thanks for the link. IA democratic party is not so progressive Vincardog Mar 2016 #12
I'd like to see actual consequences for Rebkeh Mar 2016 #11
How about making voting a right? Make denying a person their right to vote a federal crime! Vincardog Mar 2016 #15
Yes! Rebkeh Mar 2016 #17
We also need a clear separation between the media and the government Rebkeh Mar 2016 #13
We could break up the media monopolies by enforcing the Sherman anti-trust act again. Make the Vincardog Mar 2016 #14
A bit of advice from someone who worked on platforms mmonk Mar 2016 #16
Even if we get them to publicly endorse them? Like Obama promised to renegotiate NAFTA right. Vincardog Mar 2016 #18
True, but there have been a number of moves in WA State by party activists to-- eridani Mar 2016 #19
How about a section addressing climate change? femmedem Mar 2016 #20
Here in IA we fund ethanol plants and wind power Vincardog Mar 2016 #22
 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
1. Sanders platform.
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 01:30 PM
Mar 2016

But since Clinton opposes Single Payer and opposes the tuition plan and derides progressive social programs in general as giving away free stuff and promising people ponies good luck with that if she's the nominee.

So I'd suggest focusing on the primary fight as long as there is any possibility of salvaging things. Because if Sanders doesn't pull it off forget any hopes you have of reforming the party.

 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
3. Look, good luck to you in your efforts...
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 01:36 PM
Mar 2016

But the bottom line is either Sanders is the nominee and any progressive elements you get in the platform will be acted on, or Clinton is the nominee and any progressive elements you get in the platform will be ignored.


So sorry, I really can't get into the "let's write a platform" head space at the moment. So long as there is still a chance Sanders pulls it off that's where all attention should be. If he wins the platform will be his.


If he doesn't pull it off and the party selects the status quo candidate yet again even in this of all years when we had the strongest possible progressive alternative.... fuck em. I'm walking and I don't give a shit what they put in their platform because I won't believe a word of it will be enacted anyway.

Vincardog

(20,234 posts)
4. You do realize that even if we get Bernie then nomination we still have to do the work of getting our
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 01:38 PM
Mar 2016

ideas into the party mechanics right?
We write the platform and get the down ticket candidates to run on that platform.
That is how we force the discussion . That is how we get the party to reflect OUR interests.

It is like walking and chewing gum.

 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
5. Yep. And if he gets the nomination then that's the time to do that.
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 01:40 PM
Mar 2016

At the moment, other priorities.

femmedem

(8,445 posts)
21. Yes! Progressive ideas often get traction at the state and local levels first.
Fri Mar 18, 2016, 08:25 AM
Mar 2016

National platforms then follow. Lgbtq rights are a good example.

Thank you for your work!

eridani

(51,907 posts)
9. First step--check you state party to see what's already there
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 05:10 AM
Mar 2016

WA State has a much more progressive platform than is reflected in our elected officials.

http://www.wa-democrats.org/about/documents

Rebkeh

(2,450 posts)
11. I'd like to see actual consequences for
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 11:24 AM
Mar 2016

Voter suppression, vote tampering and other interference with democracy per the vote. Regardless of party, the republicans are the biggest offenders but the democrats gladly accept it if it favors them.

Rebkeh

(2,450 posts)
17. Yes!
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 11:45 AM
Mar 2016

And Democracy Day, a federal and state holiday for voting. Employers must also provide workers (the working poor,nurses, emergency workers, etc) ample time to vote.

And why not tally votes regardless of state/region? Why shouldn't progressives votes in conservative states count? We have the technology to use the popular vote nationwide, why are we still using such an outdated system?

One more - automatic registration (can opt out)



Rebkeh

(2,450 posts)
13. We also need a clear separation between the media and the government
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 11:26 AM
Mar 2016

I'm not sure how that would be done but something's got to be done.

Vincardog

(20,234 posts)
14. We could break up the media monopolies by enforcing the Sherman anti-trust act again. Make the
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 11:30 AM
Mar 2016

licenses to use our public airwaves contingent on some aspect of the public good.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
19. True, but there have been a number of moves in WA State by party activists to--
Fri Mar 18, 2016, 03:53 AM
Mar 2016

--get candidates ad office holders to state whether or not they disagree with any platform positions and why.

femmedem

(8,445 posts)
20. How about a section addressing climate change?
Fri Mar 18, 2016, 05:08 AM
Mar 2016

Here in CT, we're battling to get shared solar, for example. You could focus on increased mass transit funding, a commitment to lower CO2 emissions by a certain percentage, or--depending on where you live--stopping certain fossil fuel extraction projects.

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