Adopted May 16, 1970.
Chairman’s introduction – – presenting and commending the 1970 Maine Democratic Platform to the State Convention, May 16, 1970, Portland, Maine.
It is through laws that men regulate their relations with one another. Adherence to these laws is sought in the name of justice and the public good.
But the commitment of society to the enforcement of law implies also a commitment to review and revise the law continually, to the end that the enforcement of the law and the provision of justice shall be synonymous.
The platform committee of the Maine Democratic Party has been engaged these past several months, in its own sessions and in public hearings, seeking to discover those ways in which our present government and its processes may be failing in the provision of justice and in the promotion of the general welfare.
The committee is not fully agreed on all of its recommendations. Anyone who had anything to do with assembling the proposed platform, even if he only attended the hearings on May 15, knows there is nothing monolithic about the Maine Democratic Party; it is not disciplined or held to the central purposes of anybody. We, its members, are not totally agreed as to the ends we are seeking, and we are not totally agreed on means. In some matters we are, in fact, quite divided, but we search collectively for agreement. We are agreed that we must subject our own wishes and our own projects and priorities to the democratic process; we are agreed that we will seek to promote public discussion and debate toward the end that whatever emerges may, in greatest measure, meet the collective desires of the people; and we are agreed that progress must be effected in ways compatible with both public and private conscience.
We present to you here, for your consideration, a document which is not the party’s binding dictate to its members; a document which is not a statement of principles and programs fully agreed on by all of us; a document which is not, perhaps, without its own internal contradictions–not really a finished document at all, but a living picture of the unfinished concerns of the people of Maine.
We are proud that it is the Democratic Party that has made the effort to assemble this picture. We hope it will be found clear enough, and accurate enough, to serve as a guide to all who are concerned with better government.
EDUCATION
Since we are educating young people for a world that is changing rapidly, we cannot predict today the kinds of competencies they will need tomorrow. Therefore schools and colleges must help our young people learn how to learn.
We take pride in the progress made in Maine education in recent years under Democratic leadership. Governor Curtis’ record of accomplishment, in raising the state’s total share of public school education costs from 31% in 1966 to 38% in 1970 and providing for more than 3000 increased enrollments at the university and vocational technical institutes, is one which we are proud. Recognizing that all educational institutions must continue to change and to develop, we propose further advances for Maine’s educational system. Progress and change do not mean the loss of traditions and values.
1. The responsiveness of our public schools in meeting current and future needs of Maine students must be increased by such measures as:
a. Elimination of the tracking system.
b. Increased coordination between industrial arts and vocational education at the secondary level, and increased attractiveness of the regional vocational schools for area students. Greater ease of movement between the various kinds of high school programs, or from vocational to college preparatory or vice-versa.
c. Experimentation with 12 months use of school buildings and school facilities.
d. Development of effective programs in drug education for Maine schools.
e. Individualizing school experiences from kindergarten on.
2. In order to provide a real opportunity in post-secondary education for every Maine high school graduate who wishes to take advantage of it, we believe that an expanded and coordinated system of higher education is of vital importance to the state. We therefore recommend:
a. Continued support for expanded higher education opportunities for Maine young people through the University of Maine, the vocational technical institutes and the Maine Maritime Academy. No person should be barred from post secondary education for financial reasons.
b. The expansion, publicizing and broadening of continuing education programs to satisfy local needs, for all the people in the community.
c. Study of the feasibility of the expansion of community colleges in Maine.
3. In order to give dynamic leadership, the State Department of Education must exemplify as well as advocate change. The State Department of Education should continually reevaluate its past and present procedures and should constantly assess priorities as to future programs. Among the projects which should be examined are:
a. Closer cooperation between school districts and colleges engaged in the preparation of teachers.
b. Increased support and guidance of in-service teachers, with special attention to the relevance of the current in-service programs for teachers.
c. Maine’s teacher certification regulations and their responsiveness to the needs of changing educational systems.
d. The development of a more vigorous research and experimental programs which will enable the department and the university system to evaluate the actual effectiveness of Maine’s programs.
4. Educational costs are increasing every year and are outstripping the available local tax resources; we urge:
a. That Maine’s officials work toward convincing the officials of the federal government that the states need increased return of federal tax money for aid to education.
b. Lessening the degree of reliance on the property tax by providing greater support of elementary and secondary education, including school construction costs, from state revenue sources.
c. In the interest of the most effective utilization of the state’s financial resources, we favor the completion of the consolidation of the smaller secondary schools in the SADs.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Maine’s greatest assets are its abundant natural resources and unique environment. The protection and wise use of these assets are paramount to the future well-being of Maine people and Maine’s economy.
It must be recognized that the quality of life experienced by the citizens of this State is dependent upon preservation of the environment and growth of the economy. These two elements are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. One without the other will not bring about the better life that we seek.
An unprecedented and outstanding record of conservation activity has been achieved by the Curtis Administration. Maine has been cited nationally for taking the lead in passing landmark environmental legislation.
In keeping with the Curtis record of environmental progress, we make the following proposals:
THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Bill of Rights
The state should support an amendment to the U. S. Constitution that guarantees to every American the right to a decent environment.
State legislation should be passed immediately granting interested private groups standing to sue mass polluters.
Environmental Improvement Commission
The Maine Environmental Improvement Commission must be strengthened by having a full-time chairman and proper staff to cope adequately with its responsibilities. The Commission should be given direct enforcement powers to improve the enforcement of laws against pollution. Personnel policies that keep the Commission from being competitive in attracting competent technicians must be waived. The Commission must have the power to revoke a license. Perhaps a Department of Environmental Control should be established.
Environmental Corps
A pilot volunteer Environmental Corps should be established under the direction of the Environmental Improvement Commission. It should consist of approximately 300 college students and 100 high school students and would operate during the 10 weeks of summer. The Corps will assist the EIC in surveying, analyzing, and documenting sources of pollution throughout the state. A special advisory task force should be appointed by the Governor to work with the EIC in developing a detailed plan for the Corps.
Oil
In any discussion of oil one must begin by recognizing two facts: (1) Maine is a state of great natural beauty, a “vacationland’ which reaps huge benefits from tourism and marine-related industries such as fishing; and (2) There are already present in Maine substantial crude oil facilities. About 200,000,000 barrels of oil are transferred in this state annually; Portland is the fifth largest crude oil port in the nation; the volume of oil tanker traffic in the Gulf of Maine is considerable and increasing.
Thus the question Maine faces is not whether there should be any oil in Maine — it is already here. The question is, rather, should there be any further oil development in Maine, and if so under what conditions?
There are three distinct forms of possible further oil development: (1) Off-shore drilling for oil in the Gulf of Maine; (2) Increased tanker traffic into and out of Maine, and along the coast of Maine; and (3) An oil refinery in Maine.
1. Off-shore drilling — There is presently pending in the United States Supreme Court a law suit between the State of Maine and the United States Government to determine jurisdiction over submerged lands in the Gulf of Maine. Whatever the outcome of that suit, the recent disasters off the coasts of California and Louisiana indicate that present technology and procedures are inadequate to guarantee against leaks in off-shore drilling. Therefore, we oppose any such off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Maine. We do so with even greater emphasis if it is determined that the federal government has jurisdiction, because present federal controls and regulations are wholly inadequate. If, at some future time. absolutely foolproof safety measures are developed and the geology in the Gulf of Maine proves to be such that these measures can be successfully applied, then the State of Maine may wish to reconsider this position; even then, however, any such operations should be subject to approval and regulation by the Environmental Improvement Commission. But we emphasize our belief that present technology and procedures are such that the subject should not even be considered at this time.
2. Increased tanker traffic — The combined efforts of the Governor and the Legislature have already produced legislation providing incentives for the safe handling of oil, and have established a fund for abatement facilities and research and development of even more effective safeguards. Legislation is now required to diminish even further the threat of actual oil spills. This legislation should include, at a minimum, structural and safety design specifications for all tankers entering Maine waters and a safe routing system for tanker traffic in the Gulf of Maine. There is already adequate Federal legislation covering this situation. See public law 91 – 224, Section 11, F & G.
3. An oil refinery — In recent months public attention has focused on the desire of several major oil companies to construct an oil refinery in Maine. It should be made clear that the major sources of direct oil pollution are off-shore drilling leaks and tanker spills, not refinery operations. Present technology makes possible the construction of a refinery with absolute guarantees against pollution. Only with such guarantees against pollution should a refinery be licensed for construction in Maine. Even then, the location, design, actual construction and operation should be subject to the closest possible supervision and regulation by the Environmental Improvement Commission. To facilitate such supervision, any such refinery should be constructed within a free-trade zone, because the existence of such a zone gives the state total control over every aspect of the refinery without the need for additional legislation. This is so because any firm locating in a free-trade zone must sign a lease agreement with the state, in which the state may include as much as it desires in the way of strong protective provisions; in order to achieve comparable protection in the case of a refinery built outside a free-trade zone, where no such lease agreement is required, extensive legislation would be necessary. In addition, any refinery should not be located on the immediate coast and should be so situated as to minimize its adverse impact on the natural scenery of the area. If any oil company is unwilling to submit to such stringent requirements and controls, then they should not be permitted to proceed.
We believe that an appropriate balance can be struck on the question of oil in Ma but as our recommendations indicate, such a balance must be weighted heavily toward the protection of our natural environment and against further oil development except when foolproof guarantees are available and required.
Water Quality Standards
In order to reverse the trend of deteriorating water quality in Maine, we propose the following program:
a. The present legislative classification system should he changed to a water quality standard program, established by the Environmental Improvement Commission.
b. There should be developed as a complement to the water quality standards a program of effluent or user charges which are directly related to comprehensive waste treatment programs and river basin planning.
c. The grandfather clause exempting certain industries and property owner existing prior to 1953, from the provisions of the water quality licensing provisions should be repealed immediately.
d. The industrial use of rivers and streams for transportation of logs should be prohibited.
e. Heat standards, at least comparable to those requested by the Federal Government, should be adopted with regard to thermal pollution. We should adopt radiation discharge standards which exceed in strength present federal standards.
f. To protect Maine’s waters from growing pollution and from water craft, no vessel shall discharge sewage or refuse of polluting matter in any Maine waters, inland or tidal.
g. The present wetlands law should be extended to cover inland waters.
h. No waters in Maine should exist at a level lower than the present “C” classification.
i. At no time shall water quality standards of waters be lower than the already existing quality determined at the time of testing.
j. Legislation should be passed regulating the sale of cleaning products containing phosphates.
Air Pollution
In keeping with recently passed legislation, state-wide air quality standards should be immediately established and implemented.
Solid Waste and Dumps
A deadline of two years should be placed on the banning of all open dumps in the state. State aid should be made available for regional dumps. And new methods for disposal of solid waste, including sewage, should be explored, with an emphasis on recycling, especially the composting of organic matter as is already being done elsewhere. Programs must be instituted to place the burden for proper disposal or replacement of non-gradable containers and products on the manufacturer rather than on the individual or the state.
Power Lines
The siting of power transmission lines should be included in the state’s site selection law.
Housing Developments
The site selection law should be made applicable to any housing development in excess of ten acres rather than twenty acres.
Insecticides
Efforts should be increased to find replacements for harmful pesticides, herbicides, and defoliants, and a schedule should be set up for phasing out their use. The Pesticides Control Board should be abolished and its functions shifted to the Environmental Improvement Commission.
Open Space
A law should be passed to forbid timber cutting within 100 feet of all roadways and waterways. Zoning should be established to protect natural open spaces, especially farmland, and within 150 feet of lakes and waterways.
Surficial Mining
Regulations should be put into effect immediately for control of surficial mining by industry and government, and reclamation of the land with costs to be borne by those mining. The Maine National Guard, as an engineer corps, should be encouraged in its training sessions to rehabilitate and fill many of the abandoned pits that exist in Maine.
Buildings
Historic buildings in Maine must be protected. New state structures or structures on state land must be reviewed for design standards. These duties should be given to the Arts and Humanities Commission.
Public Access
Public access to the coast, lakes and rivers must be further enlarged.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Industrial Parks
Efforts must be made to salvage those marginal industries which will go out of business when forced to meet water classification standards now on the books. In this, we endorse the Department of Economic Development’s concept of regional industrial parks. Such parks would include shared pollution abatement facilities as well as normal services. Complete pollution control standards would be implemented in the parks, and their landscaping, building design and siting would meet high aesthetic standards. To make this feasible, property tax reform is also necessary. Taxes would have to be paid. to the region involved or to the state and returned to the individual communities in an equitable manner.
Industrial Growth
To accelerate the influx of desirable industry to Maine, a coordinated program directly under the Governor must be established. The executive branch should have a small group of specialists charged with compiling relevant data for industry. This group should also analyze what factors are needed to attract clean industry, and where applicable, draft legislation to improve Maine’s desirability for such industry
The Department of Economic Development should be encouraged to continue a policy of attracting high-growth, high-pay, and clean industry.
Higher education programs and planning should be more closely coordinated with economic development efforts.
Public Transportation
Public transportation must be vigorously upgraded and approached as a joint industrial growth and environmental concern. Every effort must be made to upgrade railroad service and induce the return of rail passenger service. The U. S. Department of Transportation Northeast corridor high-speed rail pilot program should be extended from Boston to Portland.
Railroads and bus lines should not be allowed to alter their service without approval of the Public Utilities Commission.
Air Service must not be allowed to deteriorate.
Tariffs
The Federal government is urged to change those of its import policies which discriminate against New England and unfairly penalize Maine.
Marine Resources
The Aquaculture Commission already appointed by the Governor should be upgraded to a board with funds to make grants for pilot projects affecting marine resources. These would include sea farming, fishing cooperatives, processing and undersea rights among others. The board would make concrete legislative recommendations to assure that Maine’s efforts in the field of marine resources become constant rather than sporadic and uncoordinated as in the past.
Agriculture
The Maine Department of Agriculture must pursue a more aggressive policy in finding new methods and products for Maine farmers; especially the smaller farmers. This is necessary to aid the economy, to preserve a valid way of life, and to protect Maine’s open spaces productively. Exploration of new fields, such as organically grown meat and vegetables for a skyrocketing Boston market, should begin immediately.
LABOR AND MANPOWER
The core strength of our Country, State and Party are working men and women. They require and deserve the best that is possible in pay, working conditions, job security and benefits.
Labor Relations
We advocate:
1. State laws protecting the right of all employees, whether or not covered by existing federal law, to organize and bargain collectively with their employers and that this activity be properly regulated for the protection of employees, employers and the public.
2. Continued opposition to so-called “right to work” laws in any form.
Minimum Wages
We advocate:
1. Establishing and maintaining minimum wage and overtime provisions at least equal to federal law.
2. Covering all employees under the minimum wage law.
3. Providing that the law requiring prevailing wage rates for state construction projects be extended to all construction work which has state financial assistance.
4. Regulation and control of industrial homework.
Employment Security
We advocate:
1. Covering all employees under the unemployment compensation law.
2. Increasing the benefits under the unemployment compensation law to the level of benefits under the workmen’s compensation law and providing additional benefits to unemployed workers based on family size.
3. Requiring major employers to either notify their employees adequately in advance of a cessation of operations or to pay severance pay.
4. Amending the unemployment compensation law to provide benefits for workers unemployed due to a lockout by an employer.
5. Controlling tariff and import policy so that adequate consideration is given to the needs of Maine workers, particularly in the shoe and textile industries.
Work Safety and Workmen’s Compensation
We advocate:
1. Covering all employees under the workmen’s compensation law.
2. Improved, more frequent and more rigorous safety inspections to prevent work injuries.
3. Increased benefits for workers injured through an employer’s violation of safety rules or negligence.
4. Increasing the weekly benefits to the level of the employee’s after-tax weekly earnings before his injury and providing additional benefits to injured workers based on family size.
5. Compensation for all permanent impairments and disabilities incurred as a result of work injury.
6. Prohibiting discrimination by employers against any employee for filing a claim or testifying under the workmen’s compensation law.
7. Improved availability of medical care for injured employees at or near the work site.
Public Employees
We advocate:
1. Improved pay and benefits for public employees to assure retention and recruitment of able personnel.
2. Payment of the full cost of hospital and surgical insurance costs for state employees.
3. Improvements in the Municipal Employees Labor Relations Law.
4. Enactment of a state public employees’ labor relations law guaranteeing the rights of collective bargaining to state employees.
5. Making a 40 hour week the standard work week for state employees and providing overtime pay for over 40 hours worked in one week.
6. Review and adjustment of the state teacher minimum salary law.
Structure
We advocate:
1. Creation of a Department of Labor, Manpower and Employment Security consolidating existing agencies thereby coordinating services and increasing efficiency and improving service.
We advocate:
1. Consideration of laws authorizing and controlling collective bargaining between groups of agricultural, forestry and fishery producers and their purchasers-processors to assure a stable economy and fair prices.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
The voters of the State of Maine are to be commended for the intelligent concern shown for Maine’s Indian citizens as expressed in their recent votes on critical Indian bond issues.
Maine Indians have a unique relationship with the government of the State of Maine. Recognizing this, we reaffirm that the determination of their future place in Maine society must be primarily the responsibility of the Indians themselves, with the State of Maine providing needed services and offering close cooperation.
We recognize a continuing responsibility to Indians, whether they reside on or off their reservations, and commit our efforts to improving the conditions of their life, to the end that they shall enjoy those rights, benefits, and protections of principles that govern a free people.
We urge open admissions for Indians to all State schools in the University of Maine system, with adequate financial support in addition to tuition.
To utilize and develop Indian skills, talents and desires, we suggest on-site, industry-oriented training through the State University system in conjunction with the establishment of Tribally-developed enterprises.
To stimulate more effective participation in State affairs, we recommend adequate compensation of elected Tribal officials.
We suggest that ways be explored by which Tribally elected Indian representatives might take part in the proceedings of the state legislature with full privileges and compensation as these are determined for members of the legislature.
The Indian Affairs Department should be organized in such a way as to allow more Indians access to responsible job opportunities within the Department. Special Personnel Department procedures and/or training programs should be developed, if necessary for the achievement of this objective.
Within the Department of Indian Affairs, the development of self-help community betterment programs, of kinds meaningful to the Indians, should take precedence over the extension or continuation of “welfare” practices.
The fact that they lack recognition by either the State or Federal government jeopardizes the status of organized off-reservation Indian groups, and of individual Tribal members living away from the reservations. If it is the desire of the affected people, they should be granted immediate recognition of their status as Indians and be accorded all rights granted to reservation Indians.
To afford more opportunity for educational growth and the development of full potentialities of Maine’s indigenous people, we suggest that meaningful and innovative programs and curriculum materials be developed in hi-cultural education for Tribal members living within the State. Special attention should be directed to the recommendations made by the U. S. Senate Special Subcommittee on Indian Education following its field investigations here, particularly those relating to the training of teachers.
To encourage Tribal and individual private enterprise, we suggest the establishment of a low-interest revolving loan fund for ventures identified as feasible and desirable by the Tribal Councils with consultation from the Department of Indian Affairs and other State agencies.
SOCIAL SERVICES
It is a paradox of American life that in an age of undreamed of affluence millions of citizens still live in utter despair and deprivation. The Democratic Party does not accept the concept of the “cycle of poverty” nor does it believe that “the poor will always be with us”.
While speaking in favor of the conversation of our natural resources, the leaders of our nation seem to have forgotten that the waste of human resources is as much a blight as is pollution. We accomplish little if we clean up a river while the people along its banks remain hungry.
It is time for a reordering of priorities to place a basic quality-standard of life for every citizen at the top of our agenda. Everyone – including the mentally retarded child and the elderly patient in a nursing home – has the right to a life of dignity and comfort. Those who are able must be allowed to develop to their greatest potential while those who cannot achieve alone must be given proper care.
The Government of the United States has established a national policy that quality medical care must be available to all citizens, not just to the rich or the “poor”, and has provided a mechanism for obtaining this care. In accordance with the intent of the original federal legislation, the State of Maine should expand the Medicaid system here.
In accord with the recommendations of the Citizens’ Task Force on Intergovernmental Welfare Programs, we urge the elimination of municipal welfare functions, the abolition of the settlement laws, and the transfer of all welfare responsibilities to the State Department of Health and Welfare. We recommend full implementation of the Medicaid system in accordance with the intent of the Federal legislation by 1971.
Public assistance grants are not now always adequate to maintain life at a level that enables the recipients to avoid social and family deterioration. An approach oriented toward meeting full need is required.
The rights of tenants need tube clarified. At present landlords seem, to tenants, to wield an inordinate amount of power over their lives. The basic problem is simply that there is not enough adequate housing. Required in the way of new legislation are a statewide housing code, comprehensive housing standards and support of the Maine State Housing Authority for the creation of new housing units in rural areas where the worst housing exists. Rent escrow legislation to allow tenants to pay rent into bank accounts when landlords do not make necessary repairs.
At a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing our senior citizens on fixed incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the homes for which they have worked all their lives. One of the contributing factors to this hardship is the inordinate share of the property tax burden which our elderly people must bear. Since our municipalities are not financially capable of granting property tax exemptions to any great degree, the state must
assume this responsibility. Relief should also be granted to those elderly persons who rent since they too feel the bite of the property tax through increased rents charged by landlords.
We should make available, to children who need it, placement in a foster home for some period of time. Most states have such programs – in fact, many states have as many children in voluntary placement as they do in involuntary placement This need is evidenced by the number of requests made that have to be denied, reports of children being poorly treated in makeshift arrangements made by parents, and the number of children who come into state care on a temporary basis simply to obtain foster care clearly needed for some period of time, but where no child neglect or abuse exists. There is no need for this to be an entirely free service.
The Democratic Party endorses the right of low income people to form organizations and recommends that they be hindered in no way if they wish to lobby for legislation affecting their welfare.
The Democratic Party is deeply concerned over the increasing problem of drug abuse in the state, particularly among teenagers and college-age youth. We recognize that drug abuse is more than a transitory phenomenon. We plead for enlightened public understanding of the nature of the problem within the context of the larger issues confronting society, and recommend:
a. the development of public educational programs to promote understanding of the drug abuse problem in all its aspects.
b. strong enforcement of laws to reduce the marketability of drugs and narcotics, and to punish and restrict the activities of the purveyors of drugs and narcotics. But police powers cannot be either the sole or the primary means for dealing with the drug abuse problem. This is primarily a social problem.
c. providing additional resources to appropriate state agencies to improve their drug abuse programs, with particular emphasis on programs of education and prevention. For example, we advocate increased grants to Community Mental Health Clinics for improvement of their drug abuse treatment and control programs. We commend the Governor for his action in directing concern to such programs.
d. continued state efforts to develop state, local and regional councils on drug abuse.
The Democratic Party of Maine believes that when a state assumes public responsibility for such socially-eroding problems as mental illness, retardation and criminality, it assumes a solemn obligation to provide effective resources and facilities for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of those committed to its jurisdiction. Only by effectively treating and restoring the individual can society’s role be best represented. Mere institutionalization of people is not enough. In mental health, retardation and corrections, there is a demonstrable need to develop well-integrated programs with special emphasis on community-based and regionally-oriented services, making effective use of private and quasi-public as well as governmental resources. In the area of mental health and retardation, we advocate:
a. Providing sufficient resources to maintain accreditation at the Augusta State hospital and Pineland Hospital and Training Center, and to attain accreditation at Bangor State Hospital. Joint Commission accreditation is representative of the fact that personnel, facilities and programs meet minimum standards f or hospital operations. Maine can afford no less.
b. Developing a well-integrated program clearly defining the relationship of institutional facilities to community, regional and private programs which offer services to prevent mental illness and to effectively treat and rehabilitate those with mental disorders.
c. Strengthening community and regional programs so as to reduce to a minimum the need for institutionalization of people and the loss of freedom and dignity which institutionalization necessitates.
d. Improving the treatment and rehabilitation programs within the institutions for those whose condition requires institutionalization.
e. Reducing the size and populations of the state mental institutions as community based programs are developed in their stead.
f. Developing the newly-established Bureau of Mental Retardation to provide strong leadership and coordination of mental retardation programs. The Curtis Administration deserves commendation for advances in this area of endeavor.
The Democratic Party believes undue reliance on the concept of punishment as a deterrent to crime is neither valid nor in the state’s best interest. Therefore, we advocate the development and implementation of a modern correctional system based on the concept that society is best and most effectively served through a program to;
1) Protect persons and property against violators of criminal laws; 2) Provide dynamic treatment and counseling services, and training in skills that lead toward real jobs, within an overall program which is conceived to prepare violators of criminal laws to become useful and contributing citizens to their state and community and to foster their human dignity. To implement the above-stated policy, the Democratic Party proposes:
a. The establishment and staffing of an adult diagnostic-reception center to receive and evaluate all adults convicted of a criminal offense before he is sentenced to a specific institution or correctional program.
b. The establishment of a diagnostic-reception center for juveniles to serve a similar purpose.
c. Establishment of stronger counseling services in our correctional facilities.
d. Establishment of half-way houses or intermediate facilities for offenders to strengthen their chances for successful adjustment between the institution and the community.
e. Establishment of a regional correctional centers system in Maine to mitigate the necessity for larger types of institutions.
Irreconcilable differences should be recognized as grounds for divorce.
A professional school of social work should be established. This should provide for the education of professionally trained social workers and include provisions for institutes, workshops, and other programs that will offer education and training for various subprofessionals urgently needed in the social sciences.
Consideration should be given to the possibility of transferring responsibility for the education of blind children to the Department of Education.
The State Division of Alcoholic Rehabilitation should encourage local counseling centers as well as half-way houses for rehabilitation and treatment.
Support should be given to increased participation in the Federal Older American Act and the proposed Federal Older American Community Service Employment Act under which local senior citizens receive assistance and employment in establishing service programs to aid in meeting the social, nutritional, housing, recreational and educational needs of the elderly.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
The improvement of the quality of life of the American people in this century has been largely the result of the expanding production of the goods and services available to the people as consumers. But in our complex economy, the consumer’s ability to discern relative costs and values has not been able to keep pace with these proliferating goods and services. It has become increasingly necessary for government to play a role in regulating the presentation of these items of consumption so as to facilitate the consumers judgments and in protecting him from dangerous or injurious goods and unconscionable commercial practices.
Such assistance and protection in this state has taken great strides under the administration of Governor Curtis. To further and consolidate them, we again recommend the creation within the Executive Branch of a Consumer’s Council. We suggest that the Council should assume the following responsibilities:
1. To represent the consumer in the Executive Branch of government.
2. To recommend to the Governor and Legislature needed legislation to protect and promote the interests of people as consumers.
3. To appear before governmental departments and agencies to represent the consumer’s interests.
4. To promote the education of the consumer regarding his rights as between buyer and seller.
5. To conduct public hearings and conferences and otherwise investigate and study consumer problems and complaints.
In the area of protection of the purity of perishable foods in retail sale, we especially recommend to the Consumer Council the study of the problem of the shelf life, handling and presentation of such foods.
In the area of credit purchasing, and in consideration of the financial costs and hazards involved for the consumer, we recommend the enactment of legislation prohibiting the distribution of unsolicited credit cards.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Maine Democratic Party has steadfastly maintained the principle that government must be responsive to the needs and wishes of the people it serves, and it has consistently advocated those changes which would provide improved and expanded services at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer.
Some goals have been achieved. Others remain yet to be attained. They can become realities only with the support of all individuals and groups of citizens, irrespective of party affiliation, whose aims and purposes are similar.
To save Maine taxpayers money and to enable Maine State Government to better serve its citizens, we propose at the convening of the 105th Legislature that the following reforms be enacted and that prior to the enactment of a majority thereof, a moratorium during the regular session of the legislature be declared on any expenditures by State Government beyond current services:
We again urge the abolition of the Executive Council so as to place responsibility and authority in the Office of the Governor, who is elected by the voters of Maine and who is responsible to them for his actions. Certain functions of the Council should be assigned to other agencies of the state government, or to the legislature.
The Governor should have the power and the responsibility to appoint or to remove the Attorney General, the Treasurer, and the Secretary of State.
The Governor should have authority to veto individual items within an appropriations bill without the requirement that the entire bill return to the legislature.
The Governor should be provided with authority to develop and execute plans for reorganizing the executive branch, except as specified changes may be disapproved by the legislature.
State agencies with closely related functions should be consolidated wherever possible to eliminate conflicts of interest and duplication of effort. A Department of Natural Resources, encompassing existing agencies, including but not limited to the Forestry, Sea and Shore Fisheries and Inland Fisheries and Game Departments should be established.
The State Personnel system for recruitment, development, management, and utilization of personnel should be modernized.
The office of Lieutenant Governor should be created to provide for executive continuity in event of gubernatorial incapacity, and the Lieutenant Governor should be elected on a single ticket with the Governor.
That there be established a committee on legislative ethics so that the citizens of Maine will know that no genuine conflict of interest exists among their public servants and that no selfish interest is permissible which interferes with the high minded and honorable conduct of public affairs.
The Legislature, which now expends or allocates funds totaling in the neighborhood of half a billion dollars, should meet annually to fulfill its responsibilities. “Special sessions” are now regularly called in off-years, but this procedure too often results in the passage of bills that have received insufficient study, or in the postponement of needed legislation because it cannot be given proper consideration. The time for annual sessions has come.
We believe that a reduction by 2/3 in the size of the Maine Legislature together with additional staff and technical assistance, would provide economics and improve the quality of legislation. In conjunction with this, we would recommend four-year terms for State Senators.
Maine’s poll tax should be abolished.
Virtually every study of Maine’s tax structure has pointed up one basic weakness: the property tax, which annually generates more support for municipal and county government than all other sources combined, is administered locally by untrained, unqualified assessors. Progress toward improved assessment practices has been minimal. We believe there should be uniform state standards, and that the Bureau of Taxation should establish standards for certification and qualification of full-time professional assessors. Small towns unable to support full-time professional assessors should be grouped into assessment districts large enough to carry on adequate and equitable assessment practices complete with approved tax maps and records.
The State Bureau of Taxation’s Division of Property Taxes should be adequately staffed with qualified supervisory personnel to supervise municipal tax assessments.
Serious consideration and study should be given to eliminating the personal property tax for individuals and corporations since the tax is, in some instances, ignored to the point of fraud.
Municipalities neighboring one another which find it increasingly difficult to generate sufficient revenue to maintain services should be encouraged to combine such services as police and fire protection, road construction and maintenance, as well as administrative functions.
The State formula for distributing educational subsidies should be revised.
With federal and state governments pouring out a steady stream of laws directly or indirectly affecting local government, we again urge that some agency of the state be made responsible for aiding municipalities in their effort to qualify for and to receive the state and federal funds that are available to help alleviate their own particular community problems.
JUSTICE AND EQUAL RIGHTS
All too often inherent in the demand for ‘law and order” is a disregard for basic human rights some of which predate the Constitution. We commend our courts and officers of the law in their efforts to secure enforcement of the law. At the same time we assert that perfect justice is a tripod that stands on three legs-enforcement, administration of justice, and corrections – and that for justice to stand firmly, the legs must be of equal strength. Therefore, while recognizing the importance of enforcement of the laws we also seek to improve and strengthen the administration of our system of courts and our correction and rehabilitation facilities and methods with equal emphasis. We uphold the right to be free from unlawful search and seizure, the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the right not to be compelled to testify against oneself, the right to counsel, the right to be informed of the legal significance of pre-trial statements. We assert that all human beings regardless of race, color, creed, economic status or personal appearance should enjoy common rights without discrimination in any form.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW
1. We propose the election of full time District Attorneys rather than part time County Attorneys.
2. We recommend a state law enforcement training program, with minimum standards of training, skill, and competence for local police officers and deputy sheriffs engaged in criminal law enforcement. We advocate minimum salary standards for all law enforcement officers.
3. We propose elimination of so-called “imprisonment for debt” by abolishing the disclosure commissioners and substituting therefore a procedure for a subpoena served on delinquent debtors to appear in District Court and make disclosure to the judge.
4. We propose that bail procedures be reviewed with a recognition of increased use of personal recognizance viewing bail, not as preventive detention or punishment, but as ensuring that accused individuals will appear for court proceedings.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
1. We support the in depth study now being conducted of the operation of our Superior and Supreme Judicial Courts.
2. We propose the establishment of a Human Rights Commission empowered to investigate complaints of discrimination on account of race or color in housing, public accommodation, or employment. We favor such amendment of the present law as to make enforcement of the provisions against discrimination a civil rather than a criminal matter, and we believe that the commission should be empowered to initiate court action when negotiation fails.
3. We propose gubernatorial appointment of Judges of Probate.
4. We advocate a sound and detailed program of public education with regard to the use of drugs, and further emphasis in our laws on those who sell drugs of all kinds.
CORRECTIONS
1. We advocate the establishment of a reception and diagnostic center to determine which convicted persons are most capable of rehabilitation.
2. We advocate continued studies of our entire system of corrections and rehabilitation in order that we as a society may benefit from as complete rehabilitation of criminals as is possible.
3. We advocate further studies to determine whether or not an added emphasis upon rehabilitation rather than punishment may in the long run be both economically and socially beneficial to the State.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
The dominant concern of the Maine Democratic Party must continue to be the responsibility of state and local government to help meet the needs of the people. Yet we also have an obligation to express our views on the affairs of the nation. Not only do we present candidates for federal office — for Congress and the Senate — but we are part of the association of state parties which makes up the National Democratic Party. We are therefore represented on the governing committees and the policy councils of the Democratic Party. Our voice is heard and, therefore, it is appropriate to guide our representatives and inform the citizenry by setting forth general policies on matters of concern to the entire country. Obviously the large number of such issues, and their complexity, make it necessary to confine ourselves to brief statements on matters of the highest priority.
THE QUALITY OF AMERICAN LIFE
For several decades the basic policy of the Democratic Party has reflected the assumption that rising wealth more equitably shared was the key to the good life. We are proud of the achievements that have raised the American standard of living. The elimination of material deprivation and economic insecurity was a deeply moral goal and remains so for those not yet permitted to share our abundance. Yet we can now see that individual income alone is not enough, and that the very process by which we have created unmatched wealth has also diminished the quality of individual life. Our goal now must be to formulate public policies designed to enhance the life of the citizen in all its varied forms; which regard individuals not simply as the objects of economic bounty but as the shapers of an environment which will liberate their powers and facilitate the pursuit of happiness. For it is now clear that private income does not ensure the public happiness. Here we can only mention a few of the more obviously essential responses to this new awareness. Nevertheless these general goals can and should be translated into concrete enactments.
1. All contamination of the physical environment by chemicals, waste etc, should be halted. In addition the urban citizen must be given an opportunity for daily contact with nature rather than being compelled to look upon the natural world as a vacation treat or curiosity.
2. The consumer is entitled to freedom from misrepresentation of any kind, whether it concerns price, quantity or quality. He also should be freed from shoddy workmanship and arrogant and inadequate services, public and private.
3. Women should be given equal opportunity to use their skills, develop their powers, and fulfill the full potential of their humanity. This means not only equal rights, but special provision, such as day care centers, for those who wish to work and participate in the affairs of the community.
4. Although classrooms and well-paid teachers are essential to education, it is even more important to ensure that what takes place within the classrooms –how our young people are taught — enlarges the imagination and the power to think and learn. The quality of education should he given priority over the quantitative goals of the past.
5. Communities, cities and states should be given increased authority over the public decisions which affect the private life of their citizens, keeping in mind the need to meet the needs of minority groups and protect them from exclusion.
6. A city should be not merely a center of industry, commerce and culture, but a place where men and women can hope to live the good life. This will require redirecting every aspect of urban life, from transportation to the design of buildings around human rather than economic needs.
These goals are far-reaching, but they represent only some of the measures necessary to ensure that our wealth and power will not be ends in themselves, but instruments for widening and improving the life of all citizens.
CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
The right to vote is the bedrock upon which all other political and civil rights are based. Yet large segments of our population have been deprived of this most basic right. To correct this wrong we urge:
–lowering the voting age to 18 for all state and federal elections; and
–continuing support for the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, under which more than 700, 000 previously disenfranchised black Americans have gained the right to vote.
The right to vote, once obtained, is still subject to dilution and impairment under our present election system. A major reform of our political structure is long overdue. We urge:
–that the electoral college be abolished and that it be replaced by direct election of the President:
–universal enrollment of all qualified voters through a government-sponsored canvass of every election district;
–creation of a National Election Commission to conduct the universal enrollment canvass and keep an accurate and comprehensive current record of all election rules and results, a duty which no agency, public or private, now performs.
–creation of a national election holiday to permit greater participation in elections;
–limitation of expenditures for elections, combined with a system of public support to alleviate the growing financial burden of running for political office — thus giving poor and middle-class citizens, as well as rich, the opportunity to serve their country in public office;
–elimination of residence requirements for voting in Presidential elections;
–within the Democratic Party, acceptance of the proposals for improving the process of selecting delegates to the national convention made by the McGovern Commission.
With the possible exception of voting, no right is more essential to the preservation of a free society than the right of the individual citizen to freely express his views without fear of recrimination. We reaffirm our strong and unqualified support for the Bill of Rights, and we deplore the chipping away at those rights by the Nixon Administration, which is spreading over America an atmosphere of political intimidation.
Over a century after the Civil War, black Americans continue their unfulfilled quest for equality — of justice, of education, of opportunity. Race is, and has been throughout our history, America’s greatest domestic problem. It can be solved only if the American people have the patience, the compassion and the will to move forward toward total equality. To do so, however, requires national leadership of high moral purpose and deep commitment. We had such civil rights leadership in the Kennedy—Johnson years, but that has now given way to the political cynicism of the Nixon Administration, which sees the racial issue as part of its “Southern Strategy”. By word and deed, from the slowing -of desegregation in Mississippi to the nomination of Carswell, the Nixon Administration has searched for votes in the South and in the North by trying to turn America away from its national commitment to total equality. We urge a reaffirmation of that commitment, and we pledge our continued efforts to attain liberty, justice and equality for all Americans, white and black, and we recognize that justice toward all people must be achieved if the United States is to fulfill its obligations under the Constitution.
DOMESTIC ECONOMIC POLICY
The economic policy of the present Administration is designed to benefit the affluent at the expense of men and women in middle and lower income groups. We agree that inflation must be checked. However, present policies designed to fight rising prices require those who can least afford it to bear the major share of the burden. For example, high interest rates–a principal administration weapon — have least impact on wealthy corporations and individuals who can deduct interest payments from their taxes, while the entire exorbitant increase must be paid by the average consumer who is usually subject to rates of 18% and above on consumer credit, and who must meet mounting costs of mortgages and rent. This simply amounts to a regressive tax — one whose burden fall heaviest on lower income groups. In addition, current policies are deliberately bringing about an increase in unemployment. Naturally those most likely to lose their jobs are those who exist on the margin of the affluent society. Not only do such policies as this make the middle class pay for the fight against inflation, but they have failed in their main purpose. They have slowed down our growth, increased unemployment and brought us to the edge of a recession, without ending the upward spiral of prices. As a result millions of Americans, a majority of working Americans, will be hit with an actual drop in real income this year. Moreover these policies will never stop inflation, and may plunge us into an even -more serious recession.
From 1961 to 1966 we had steady economic growth without sharply rising prices. We must return to the sound and fair policies of the “Kennedy Boom”. This will ultimately require ending the war in Vietnam which is one of the most important causes of inflation. Until then the government must play a strong role in aggressively representing the public interest to both business and labor in order to stabilize wages and prices in relation to productivity. When this Administration took office it scorned the guidelines developed under the Kennedy Administration. However, the fact is that prices were stable in that period and they have skyrocketed since the guidelines were dropped. The result has not only been rising prices for the consumer but falling profits for business and declining return for the investor. When the economy falters, everyone loses. The guideline approach must be restored with the understanding that a long period of government futility in economic matters may make it necessary to apply these guidelines with increased determination.
Across the entire range of economic matters the Administration has clearly shown its preference for the interests of the wealthy and powerful over the needs of the average man. Thus oil import quotas benefit a few companies and force fuel costs up for millions of Americans. Some regulatory agencies of Government have not fulfilled their responsibility of acting in the public interest. Little has been done or offered by the Administration to end the huge injustices which permit many of the most wealthy to escape their fair share of the burden of taxation. Needless to say, complicated loopholes and sophisticated legal evasions are not available to the wage-earner The same administration which talks fondly of the “silent majority” is continually aggravating the economic problems of the majority in order to benefit a small, powerful and far from silent minority. It is a policy of “soak the silent majority”. And there is hardly a single American family of moderate means who has not felt the pinch and experienced a slowing down or even a reversal in the steady increase in living standards which marked the quarter century since World War II.
The Federal Government “spends” 45 billion dollars a year in tax credits, deductions and exemptions not related to the earning of income. Although such backdoor spending produces some social benefit, because of the across the board manner in which such benefits are given, those who are really not in need of the benefits are recipients as well as those who are in need, thus diluting the amount that could be spent for the needy. Consequently, we recommend that such backdoor spending be eliminated in favor of direct grant, loan or subsidy programs.
We intend to follow a simple basic principle; the needs of the many will be in the fore-front of our concern. We believe those interests can be met through a restoration of fair and competitive free enterprise coupled with enforcement of the laws designed to protect the public and to replace the present alliance between some economic elements and the government at the expense of the citizen, the consumer, and the worker.
POVERTY
The United States produces about 900 billion dollars in wealth each year — more than any other nation in world history. Our annual product will soon reach one trillion dollars, a level far beyond the most visionary predictions of only a few decades ago. In the midst of this affluence more than forty million Americans still live in poverty. Many of them are without the basic necessities of decent shelter and clothing, while millions suffer from malnutrition. Contrary to a common misunderstanding often encouraged by some Republicans, about 70% of the poor are white. Children born of such families are often raised in dingy and demoralizing surroundings and forced to go to work at a very early age. Thus their native ambition is often drained and their talents wasted; especially in our modern period when the number of jobs which do not require specialized training — the once huge demand for unskilled labor — has dropped sharply.
This poverty is morally destructive and economically unsound. A wealthy nation should not allow men and women to be stripped of life’s necessities because they lack jobs, training or opportunity; nor should it allow those who cannot be productive under any circumstances — the old and disabled — to live in material misery. Above all, it has a special obligation to the disadvantaged children of the poor, to assist them in developing their capacities and to give them a chance to emerge into the society. Moreover, poverty is not only wrong but it hurts all Americans. The entire history of this country has proved that as each group of the poet, immigrants, and dispossessed have moved upward they have added to the total wealth of the nation. We are the first mass economy, one in which the great majority could share, and that is why our economy now leads the world, for a family with a decent income is a family of consumers and producers, adding to the wealth of the nation. The rising tide lifts all the boats. Thus elimination of poverty is not only a moral responsibility, it is also sound and proven economics. There is, for example, hardly a business in the country that would not benefit if millions of people who are now without savings or money to spend were able to enter the marketplace.
Yet, at the present time almost nothing is being done. Poverty programs have virtually dried up. Funds have been diverted from such critical anti-poverty interests as education and health to heaping up a stock of weapons already adequate for destruction of the entire planet. Current economic policies, instead of creating more jobs, are intentionally throwing men out of work — shrinking opportunity instead of enlarging it.
There is an urgent need for:
1. A massive national program, not to increase welfare or handouts, but to provide jobs for the poor, train men in necessary skills, and ensure that every disadvantaged child has an education — beginning in the pre-school years — which allow him to break the vicious cycle of poverty and enter the society as a productive citizen.
2. A national effort to eliminate substandard housing, strengthened in this conviction by the knowledge that by increasing home construction we will boost the entire American economy.
3. An end to all restrictive practices, by management and unions, which deny a man employment because of his race, creed, or country of origin; or which deny employment or promotion to a woman because she is a woman.
4. An end to hunger and malnutrition. We have an almost unlimited capacity to produce food and millions who need it. We call for an end to the red tape, bureaucracy and inhuman policies which have brought about an inability to match our abundance with the most painful, unjust and unnecessary of American wants.
We must not permit elderly Americans — those who have already given a lifetime to their country — to live their remaining years on the edge of subsistence. Increases in social security should be tied to increases in the cost of living in order to prevent the devastations of inflation. Elderly people should be allowed to work and earn a decent income while still retaining their social security benefits. Today any retired person earning more than $1650 a year forfeits his social security payments. Older men and women should not be penalized if they continue to be productive citizens. It is unfair to them and it is a loss of wisdom and talent to the society. They should be encouraged to continue their contributions. The earnings limitation should he raised high enough so only those whose current income enables them to live at least as well as the average American will be deprived of additional payments.
Poverty is a problem of many facets and it requires many approaches. However the key to success is simple; it is jobs and education. Any man or woman who is willing and able to work should have the opportunity to work for a decent reward. Those who need or wish to develop productive skills should be helped to do so. The children of poverty should receive intensive education of the highest quality in order to develop their faculties and to encourage their ambition. Today, ironically, those whose family background create a need for the most enriching education are often the victims of the poorest and least inspired systems.
Of course, some citizens are disabled from becoming productive citizens for many reasons. These must be assured a standard of life above the level of poverty. However, the answer is more jobs, not more welfare, education and training, not charity. This is the only effective solution and the only answer consistent with human dignity. lit we make this investment not only will we do justice but we will also enrich the welfare of every American citizen. Of the two hundred million Americans, only a handful did not have poor ancestors somewhere along the line. From the Pilgrims to the latest immigrants most came without resources or security. They were poor, and we are their children. This generation of Americans must make sure that the poor of today do not have children who are also poor.
FOREIGN POLICY
1. In general it is necessary to make our foreign policy consistent with American values. The self-determination of Woodrow Wilson and the Four Freedoms and the anti-colonialism of Franklin Roosevelt reflected an authentic American tradition. A foreign policy which is defensive and militaristic, which does not reflect an active support of the just desires of all people for material well-being, dignity and liberty, will inevitably have a corrupting effect on the American people themselves. Especially tragic has been our neglect of international institutions, such as the United Nations, which must be strengthened so that the inevitable conflicts between nations can be resolved without dragging in the great powers and endangering world peace. We support a congressional resolution committing the United States to strengthen the usefulness and effectiveness of the United Nations.
2. The most important immediate objective of American foreign policy must be to terminate our nation’s military involvement in Southeast Asia, and the first priority during the process of withdrawal of our forces is to secure a complete exchange of all prisoners of war in Indochina.
We endorse the peace plan contained in the resolution offered by Senator Ed Muskie in the United States Senate on May 11, 1970, and entitled “Declaring a Policy for Peace in Indochina. The resolution follows:
“Whereas de-escalation of the fighting, withdrawal of United States troops from Indochina, and intensive efforts at negotiations are the only routes to peace in Southeast Asia: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the United States of America seek a peaceful resolution of its differences with North Vietnam, and that United States policy encourage peace among all the peoples of Indochina and be it further
Resolved, that to achieve the objectives of this Resolution: (a) the United States immediately withdraw all its military forces from and cease military operations in Cambodia; (b) United States bombing of targets in North Vietnam be stopped henceforth; (c) the United States seek an immediate, standstill cease fire in Vietnam and other areas in Indochina; (d) the United States government declare that all its forces and military personnel will be withdrawn from Indochina in a specified time, not to exceed eighteen months from the date of adoption of this Resolution; (e) the United States delegation to the Paris Vietnam Peace talks be strengthened with negotiators empowered and directed to seek an agreement to facilitate the formulation of a political settlement in South Vietnam; (f) the United States encourage a conference under the auspices of the governments of East Asia or other appropriate international sponsorship to provide for discussions among all the various governments and political groups in South Vietnam and in Indochina for the purpose of resolving their political differences; and (g) the United States pledge technical and economic assistance for the reconstruction and economic development of the war-ravaged regions of Indochina and be it further
Resolved, that (a) the Senate express its support, and urge the President to develop a plan, for the complete withdrawal of United States military personnel from Indochina, such withdrawal to be completed in not more than eighteen months from the date of adoption of this Resolution; and (b) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services and Foreign Relations submit to the Senate by July 15, 1970, appropriate legislative recommendations, including hut not limited to restrictions on military expenditures in Indochina, to implement the objectives of this Resolution.
We also endorse the amendment offered in the United States Senate on May 2, 1970 by Senators Goodell, Hatfield, Hughes, McGovern and Cranston. as embodying an approach designed to implement that Declaration.
The Amendment is as follows:
Section A: Unless the Congress shall have declared war, no part of any funds appropriated pursuant to this Act or any other law shall be expended in Vietnam after December 1970, for any other purpose arising from military conflict provided that funds may be expended as required for the safe and systematic withdrawal of all United States military operations, the provision of assistance to South Vietnam in amounts and for purposes specifically authorized by the Congress, the exchange of prisoners, and the arrangement of asylum for Vietnamese who might be physically endangered by the withdrawal of United States military personnel from Vietnam shall be completed no later than June 30, 1971, unless the Congress, by joint resolution, approves a finding by the President that additional stated period of time is required to insure the safety of such personnel during the withdrawal process.
Section B: Unless Congress shall have declared war, no part of any funds appropriated pursuant to this Act or any other law shall be expended after December 1970, to furnish to Laos any military advisors, or to support military operations by the forces of the United States or any other country in or over Laos.
Section C: Unless the Congress shall have declared war, no part of any funds appropriated pursuant to this Act or any other law shall be expended, after 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to furnish to Cambodia any defense articles of military assistance of military advisors, or to support military operations by the forces of the United States or any other country in or over Cambodia.
3. In the Middle East we reaffirm the American commitment to the continued sovereignty and existence of the State of Israel. The only road to lasting peace in that area is through direct negotiations between the Arab states and Israel, and we should exercise our influence to bring such negotiations about. The substance of such negotiations is a matter for the participants, but peace will depend upon a fair accommodation of the rights of all parties — the Arab states, Israel, and the Palestinian refugees. Our first priority should be an effort to secure agreement among the arms supplying nations to halt the flow of arms to the nations of the Middle East. If these nations continue to supply sophisticated weapons to the Arab states, we should make available those arms which Israel needs for an effective defense.
4. So long as the draft is retained, it should be reformed to eliminate existing inequities and to make its applications as democratic as possible.
5. We urge an end to the spiraling arms race, that diverts so much of our resources from urgent domestic needs. We therefore favor a serious and determined effort to achieve meaningful agreement in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks now underway in Vienna, and we urge the United States government to take the initiative in proposing immediate halt to the testing and deployment of ABM and MIRV nuclear missiles.
Source: publication supplied by the Maine Democratic Party.