Universal Access to Health Care

All citizens should have access to health care regardless of economic circumstances.  We support the expansion of health care programs that provide affordable preventative care, quality care, and prescription drugs.  We support steps toward not-for-profit health care available to all Americans as part of our total array of health care options.  We oppose efforts to privatize any aspects of Medicare.

Quality public education is the foundation of a democratic society.  We call on the legislature to develop a fair, stable funding system for the attainment of excellent public education at all levels.  We recognize the critical role education plays in the economic and cultural climate of a community.  Thus, we support free public education for all qualified students through college.

Foreign Policy

We advocate international cooperation in efforts to promote peace, end terrorism, and safeguard the environment.  We oppose preemptive war.  Multilateralism and diplomacy are essential components of foreign policy.  Human rights and justice should be central to the formulation and implementation of our foreign policy.  We should address intolerable conditions in other countries, whether those conditions are famine, repression, or genocide.  We call for a commitment to honor international treaties and agreements

Energy and Renewable Resources.

We support vigorous development of renewable energy resources.  We encourage expansion of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center at Oregon Institute of Technology, with promotion of applied projects in our community.  We have the technology to realize energy independence and total reliance on renewable energy within this decade.  We propose that America pursue that goal.

Rural Quality of Life

We support our agricultural community and rural quality of life.  We oppose construction of the COB plant.  We oppose zoning variances that allow incompatible industrial developments which destroy prime agricultural land and lifestyles.  We support water conservation measures, restoration of the watershed of Upper Klamath Lake, establishment of wetlands, and increased off stream storage.  The goal of these programs should be to provide adequate and predictable water for sustainable agriculture and a healthy natural watershed.

Labor and Economic Opportunity

A healthy and sustainable economy is essential to Oregon.  We support the rights of all workers to organize, to bargain collectively, to strike if necessary without the threat of permanent replacement, and to hold jobs that provide essential benefits and family wages.  We oppose "Right-to-Work for Less  initiatives and legislation.  We support diversity in Oregon's economy, access to child care, affordable housing, incentives to small business, and programs that promote a skilled and educated work force.

Support for Our Troops and Veterans

Oregon has sent more troops to Iraq and Afghanistan per capita than any other state.  We support our troops and insist they be well-equipped and adequately supplied to perform their mission.  Upon return home, they should enjoy all the veterans  benefits which can be provided by a grateful nation.  These include educational, health, and housing benefits; and job security for returning reservists.

Tax Policy

We believe that a tax policy that increases the disparity between the incomes of the most highly and the least compensated is wrong.  We support a progressive tax system that asks more of those who are better able to contribute. We support a tax policy that collects the resources our government needs without loopholes for special interests. We do not believe our state government can continue to function in a tax system that does not consistently provide revenue to meet its needs. We support redesigning Oregon's tax system to provide stable, fair and adequate funding and hold our elected officials responsible for formulating a comprehensive, balanced tax policy.

Human Rights and Justice

We recognize and support basic human rights, privacy and dignity of all people; and oppose any weakening of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.  We advocate due process as provided in our Constitution for all incarcerated persons, citizen or non-citizen. We support constant vigilance in order that our civil liberties are not eroded in the name of national security.  We support the Constitutional separation of church and state, and reject any attempts to breach this separation.  We oppose all discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.  We support and honor Native American treaty rights.  We endorse enforcement of policies against all forms of harassment and discrimination in the public schools.  We support implementation of a program in our schools to teach children tolerance and respect for diversity.

Government and Political Reform

We recognize that free and honest elections are essential to survival of a democracy. We support the strengthening of election laws to curb fraud and any attempt to disenfranchise voters. All eligible voters must have the opportunity to vote and have their vote counted; therefore, we support re-evaluation of the Electoral College. We must have voter-verifiable paper documentation of each vote for all voters who are using electronic voting machines.  Our society must ensure that elective office is available to all candidates, regardless of their personal wealth or that of their associates. We advocate public funding of campaigns so that candidates are beholden to the public, not special interests.  We believe that double-majority elections are contrary to participatory democracy.

Retirement Security

We must guarantee economic security for seniors and the disabled. In addition, those who pay into the system should be entitled to reap its benefits, including all legal residents of this country.  We support reform of the Social Security system to make it more equitable by eliminating the maximum income level on which social security taxes are levied.  We oppose privatization of the Social Security system and reductions in benefits or increases in the retirement age.  We strongly oppose corporate take-backs and proposed shifts in federal and state policy that would diminish the retirement incomes of millions of older Americans.