We, the members of the Maine Democratic Party, affirm our belief in democratic government. The Maine Democratic Party remains the party of the people, recognizing grassroots participation as indispensable to our progress. Current economic uncertainty does not invalidate the essential needs of Maine citizens, and we urge our elected leaders to support these priorities established for the Democratic Party of Maine.
In pursuit of these ideals, we advocate the following actions:
1) Guarantee that equitable human and civil rights exist for all individuals
2) Work to protect our environment and conserve our natural resources
3) Provide adequate health care, affordable housing, and needed human services.
4) Work to stop abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; provide education, treatment and rehabilitation services
5) Reform education immediately to assure equal opportunities for all
6) Support the rights of all workers to fair compensation and a safe workplace
7) Implement fair, equitable, and progressive taxation
8) Improve quality of life by proactive planning for economic development
9) Utilize diplomatic means to move beyond war and seek world peace
10) Strive to advance human rights and the right to self-determination worldwide
STATE ISSUES
SECTION 1: EDUCATION, CULTURE, and COMMUNICATIONS
Effective education is the foundation of democracy and the guarantee of a free, informed, productive, and responsible citizenry. Learning must be a life-long experience in order to perpetuate a literate American culture.
We believe American public education to be in a state of emergency. At every level – in the development of programs for pre-school and primary children, the academic structure of secondary schools, the provision of meaningful adult education – there is an immediate demand for radical reforms.
1. We urge the development and implementation of curricula and programs, including assessment and other forms of testing, which will assure that each student’s educational attainments will match individual capabilities.
2. We urge that the state legislature increase the state formula for the funding of education to each municipality to an average of 75%. We further urge full funding as soon as possible for all state and federally mandated programs.
3. We urge mandated programs of physical education in all schools for all students. Our goal is that Maine children be strong, fit, and healthy.
4. We urge increased support for libraries, museums, historical preservation organizations, arts organizations, and other agencies related to these cultural institutions and, if possible, coalescence of their management into one agency.
5. We urge that the salaries of educators reflect the importance of the profession, and that the salary structure be applied statewide. The salary level should at least be consistent with Maine’s economic ranking in the nation.
6. We urge support for the University of Maine System and the Vocational Technical Institutes and Colleges through increased funding for programs, development, research, and salaries for teaching professionals. We encourage cooperation with other agencies which have a direct relationship to these systems.
7. We recommend statewide parent education programs to cover all stages of child development from pre-natal to adolescence. Our citizens should be prepared for the most important role of their lives, the upbringing of their young.
8. We urge funding to develop and support after-school recreational programs, and their availability to all children in every community and/or region throughout the state.
9. We urge that the state provide a fair and equitable education through public funding so each student has an equal opportunity for a quality education.
10. To raise public awareness of the contribution made by Maine workers to the quality of life in this state, we urge inclusion of labor education in the public school curriculum.
SECTION 2: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic insecurity has a negative impact on the lives of Maine citizens. Many social problems, such as crime, drug use, and child and spouse abuse, can be traced to this source. Therefore, the Maine Democratic Party believes that the state has an obligation to provide quality employment for Maine people through economic development. Such development should be in keeping with Maine traditions, and the natural and human resources that make our state unique.
As Democrats, we believe that government should plan for and encourage economic development that has as its main focus the needs of Maine’s working people rather than the potential profits of investors. To accomplish this purpose, our planning for sustainable economic development must be proactive. Such planning will require the cooperation of state planning agencies, the Legislature, and the Governor. It must also tap the capabilities of the University System in the areas of science, technology, and business. Outreach programs should be initiated to establish industries identified as the most desirable economic enterprises.
Finally, we believe that the state should aggressively address the problems of regions that have historically suffered economic disadvantage. Our scientific and technological expertise should be employed to identify manufacturing, agricultural, and marine products development appropriate to each region’s needs and strengths. State participation should encourage healthy competition, innovation, export of Maine products, and initiative at the local level.
1. We urge greater economic cooperation with the Province of Quebec and the Maritime provinces based on mutual respect for each other’s laws and traditions. By recognizing the regional and international nature of our economy, Maine can turn free trade to its advantage. The current Maine-Canadian Wild Blueberry Association is an example of cooperation in marketing and promotion that can apply to other industries.
2. State funded economic development efforts should emphasize year-round, high wage employment opportunities. State appropriations for the promotion of tourism should be limited to aid for economically depressed areas of the state. Tax incentives to industry should be limited to enterprises that offer tangible benefits to the state and to economically depressed regions of Maine.
3. Economic development is dependent on the state’s transportation system. We should promote improved rail service in every region of the state. Improved freight capacity, including container service, and high-speed passenger service should be explored. We advocate an East-West limited access highway, and improvements in our highway network to reach underserved areas of the state. These investments would provide access for Maine producers to markets in Canada and the Midwest. Improved public transportation into major employment centers and in rural areas of the state is vitally needed.
4. Maine’s fishing and maritime industries should be assisted through research and state funding. Because of its great growth potential, aquaculture should be promoted as a way of increasing income and providing off-season employment opportunities for Maine fishermen. The state should encourage development of port facilities.
5. With the ending of the Cold War, the people of Maine and state government must develop and implement peace conversion projects by diverting scientific research and economic resources from the military to the civilian sector. State government, particularly the State Planning Office, must encourage and work cooperatively with all interested parties, including Maine communities, businesses, and labor dependent on defense spending, to explore peace conversion projects. We support legislation at the state level similar to HR 101, the Defense Economic Act, mandating and supporting local alternative use planning committees at military related facilities.
6. Maine should continue to implement and fully fund Growth Management Laws helping local communities plan for growth. Other alternatives for land planning that do not give windfalls to speculators, and do not penalize homeowners on fixed incomes, should be explored.
7. Environmental protection should be a primary consideration in planning for economic development. However, DEP reviews of planned industrial developments should be speedy. In the case of industrial parks that have already received approval, the process for DEP review of tenant proposals should be streamlined.
8. Workers Compensation insurance rates must be reasonable and predictable to ensure a healthy business climate. Employers with a safe workplace should not bear the costs arising from unsafe premises. The Bureau of Insurance must be adequately funded and motivated to perform its role in regulating the industry in the public interest.
9. An important part of the infrastructure of a healthy business environment is telecommunications. To make Maine’s rates competitive, the state should encourage competition in the industry as the keystone for rate regulation in Maine.
SECTION 3: LABOR
The Maine Democratic Party is traditionally the party of the working people. In order for the party to remain true to its roots, it is essential that we support the rights of workers. We recognize the failure of the Republican Party to provide any of its promised benefits to the workers of this country. As a result, we see that at least 35 million Americans remain in poverty, and that real wages have actually declined.
We further recognize the failure of current law to protect the rights of workers to organize, as documented in the 1984 House Labor Subcommittee report, or by the comparison of our labor laws to those of every other industrial democracy in the world.
1. To ensure worker safety/worker compensation, we propose the following:
a) creation of a state-run workers compensation insurance system after careful study of current successful systems;
b) restoration of the right to sue in the case of employer negligence;
c) retraining for jobs of equivalent levels of pay with the difference made up by the employer;
d) right to reinstatement of previous job or equivalent;
e) restoration of all rights lost;
f) financial assistance to employers to meet safety standards; and
g) adequate legislation and funding for state workplace health and safety programs, and inspections for both public and private sector employees.
2. To assist all Maine workers in achieving a decent standard of living, we support the following:
a) increasing the state’s minimum wage to $5.00 per hour and indexing to increases in the cost of living;
b) strengthening Maine’s plant closure and severance pay laws to make clear that parent companies are liable for the severance pay obligation of employees of corporate subsidiaries; and
c) providing a job retraining program for permanently laid-off workers to give them the job skills in today’s market.
3. We support all efforts in the public and private sector to end pay discrimination based on sex or minority group membership, including the strengthening and enforcing of Maine’s comparable worth law.
4. We support strengthening rights of public sector workers to engage in concerted activity, organize, and gain decent working conditions, pay and benefits by:
a) clarifying the right to agency shop/fair share;
b) providing for the right to binding arbitration on all issues in contract negotiations;
c) modifying current laws to provide workers with expanded bargaining and organizing rights; and
d) preventing contracting out of public employee jobs.
5. We support the peaceful resolution of current and future collective bargaining disputes by strengthening the laws outlawing professional strike breaking and strike breaking companies, providing unemployment insurance to locked out workers, and preventing employers from engaging in tactics intended to incite violence.
6. We support the right of part-time employees to receive the same benefits on a pro-rata basis as are offered by employers to their full-time employees.
7. We support current state laws on workplace drug testing, since they provide adequate protection of employee rights, public safety and employer interests. We support workplace education and employee assistance programs which protect workers’ confidentiality. We support treatment and rehabilitation rather than discipline as the primary means of correcting problems of abuse.
8. Contracting out of public services undermines the integrity of the civil and public service system, rejuvenates the spoils system, and reduces government’s quality of control. We will oppose future administration efforts to contract out state programs, such as recently occurred with the highly successful WEET program in the Department of Human Services. We oppose contracting out public work to private companies or agencies to avoid paying union wages and benefits.
9. We support the repeal of any law that restricts the political rights of public employees.
10. We believe retired school employees and retired state employees should receive fully-funded health insurance.
SECTION 4: NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT
The conservation of Maine’s natural resources must be a top priority of the Maine Democratic Party because it is not and has never been a top priority for any other major political party. The environment must be a prime consideration in any legislative action. Protection of the public health, occupational safety and health, our special quality of life, and a durable economy demands stringent, vigorous, and aggressive enforcement of federal and state environmental protection laws and regulations.
1. We strongly support source reduction legislation that requires education, technical assistance, regulation, and economic pressure to reduce the production of hazardous waste.
2. We strongly support the recycling legislation enacted by the 114th Legislature and further support the increase recycling goals contained in that legislation. Furthermore, in recognition of the need to stimulate the market for recycled products, we commit ourselves to using materials, especially paper and paper products, with the highest possible recycled content, whenever feasible.
3. We support packaging taxes on excessive, non-biodegradable packaging, and a ban on all styrofoam packaging or products.
4. Maine’s rivers, lakes, aquifers, and marine resources must be vigorously and aggressively protected. Crisis areas, such as Casco Bay, must receive immediate special attention from both the state and federal governments. We support the building and retrofitting of a new generation of oil tankers with double hulls, which are necessary to protect Casco Bay and the Maine coastline. Building a U.S. double-hulled tanker fleet would provide increased opportunities for non-military shipbuilding at B.I.W. The state should urge the federal government to require testing of all dredged material, determine responsibility for costs, and consider local environmental and economic concerns before any dredging projects are approved.
5. State funding must be withheld from any project that proposes to treat animals inhumanely, or subjects animals to painful, invasive, or potentially lethal procedures for any purpose other than the safeguarding of human health or life.
6. We strongly advocate that the state vigorously and aggressively enforce laws and regulations requiring sound forest management practices, and we support the concept of biodiversity.
7. We support an energy policy that places priority on energy efficiency, conservation, and demand management as well as cogeneration and small power production indigenous to Maine. This policy must include the following:
a) extensive research into the health risks related to any Canadian hydro project, the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Plant, and all power lines from Kittery to Madawaska as part of a thorough review of Maine’s energy needs and sources;
b) a thorough reassessment of the role of solar, hydro, and wind power in meeting Maine’s future energy needs;
c) electric utility shareholders, not ratepayers or taxpayers, must pay all costs for decommissioning Maine Yankee Atomic Power Plant and isolating its radioactive waste. Such costs must not be diminished by the use of incineration;
d) shutting down the aging Maine Yankee Atomic Power Plant as soon as possible; and
e) adoption of mandatory energy building standards for all new residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; energy conservation incentives; incentives for use of wind power or passive and/or active solar power; and educational programs.
8. We support a sustainable agriculture policy that requires ecologically sound, non-polluting practices to develop healthy soil, clean air and water, and which minimizes the use of energy and toxics.
9. We urge support of a comprehensive environmental education program in grades K-12 which instills a sense of place within an ecosystem and, more specifically, a bioregion. It further ensures that future generations will attach an accurate degree of importance to the environment.
10. We support a greater advocacy role for the staff of the Department of Environmental Protection in proceedings which address vital environmental issues or consequences.
SECTION 5: HUMAN RIGHTS & JUSTICE SYSTEM
We are committed to the principle that all persons are equal and we oppose any discrimination against any person. We encourage the promotion of economic opportunities for all persons, but we are particularly concerned by the degree of discrimination still existing in both the public and private sectors. Under the laws of a just society, the government must share responsibility for the care of the disadvantaged and the disenfranchised. We are concerned that the impact of discrimination continues in the areas of health and education. We actively support programs which provide equal opportunity in employment, housing, educational services, adequate medical care, and sufficient nutritional resources.
HUMAN RIGHTS
1. We support an Equal Rights Amendment to the Maine Constitution to be worded as follows: “Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.”
2. We recognize that reproductive choice is a matter of personal conscience, and support the right of every woman for birth control and access to abortion regardless of income. The matter should not be further regulated by government.
3. We support amending the Maine Human Rights Act to extend protection from discrimination to gay men and lesbians in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations, and credit.
4. We oppose all AIDS-related discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, health care, and education.
5. We support adequate funding for shelters and counseling for victims of domestic violence, rape, child abuse, elderly abuse, and abandonment.
6. We support funding services for the homeless, especially youth, including shelter, food, education, and counseling.
7. We support the rights of individuals to sue for redress of damages from unsafe consumer products, by unsafe working conditions, or by environmental discharge.
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
1. We remain unalterably opposed to capital punishment in the State of Maine.
2. We support adequate funding of court staffing and facilities to promote fair and speedy trials responsive to the needs of jurors, witnesses, defendants, and victims.
3. We support additional funding for rehabilitation services, psychological services, substance abuse treatment, basic educational services and vocational training in prisons, correctional centers and youth centers. We urge research and implementation of alternatives to incarceration for offenders and follow-up services.
4. We support mandating the collection of statistics on crimes of violence motivated by hate or prejudice.
5. We support the establishment of a Family Court System.
6. We support on-scene arrest and mandatory jail sentences for perpetrators of crimes of domestic violence.
7. We support interstate agreements by appropriate agencies to force payments of child support orders.
8. We support increased funding for continuation of legal services for any individuals with limited income or juveniles with no income as a means of promoting equal justice under law.
9. We trust the wisdom of the jury system and are against imposing limits on the amount of damages that may be awarded to individuals by the courts.
10. We support a seven day waiting period for the purchase of handguns in Maine.
SECTION 6: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND TAXES
The Maine Democratic Party supports open, effective, and efficient government.
The Maine Democratic Party supports a fair, equitable and progressive system of taxation that adequately funds needed local, state and federal programs.
1. We believe that the reliance on local property taxes for basic social services is inappropriate.
2. We strongly urge a significant staff increase for the Bureau of Insurance and intervener status in insurance rate proceedings before the Bureau of Insurance for the Office of the Public Advocate.
3. Bond issues should be restricted to major capital projects which provide long-term benefits.
4. Legislative committees with oversight responsibilities should receive additional staff personnel.
5. We strongly encourage that a study be implemented to review the concept of having 4 year terms for State Legislators.
6. We support a change in school funding formulas which moves away from a base of property values to a base of personal income more accurately reflecting the ability to pay.
7. We support state programs which direct property tax relief to those who truly need it, based upon the ability to pay.
8. We applaud the steps taken by our Legislature to restore balance to our state income tax. We oppose any attempt to make our income tax less progressive.
SECTION 7: HEALTH, HOUSING, AND HUMAN SERVICES
We are aware that with the overwhelming, unconscionable federal budget deficit causing decreasing federal assistance to most programs, the unexpected budget shortfall here in Maine, and the possibility of recession looming on the horizon, difficult choices have to be made.
In a humane society, the top priorities must always be for the good of the people. We must make sure that our citizens do not go without the basic necessities of life, including adequate health care, housing, and the human services required for them to maintain their lives with dignity.
1. We support procedures to improve the Department of Human Services and all relevant state departments through the following:
a) more responsible leadership in developing better programs that foster independence and initiative;
b) improved training of personnel to include a better understanding of the client-worker relationship and the humane treatment of clients;
c) increasing personnel to assure that cases, especially those of child abuse and neglect, are addressed in a more timely manner;
d) simplifying forms and establishing direct lines of communication for information and help; and
e) providing sufficient funding for support and enforcement of the program for collecting delinquent child support payments.
2. The State of Maine should institute, improve, and continue housing programs for rental units, private ownership, and homeless shelters with state administered direct aid, Maine State Housing Authority programs, financial aid to private agencies and non-profit groups, and by employing the unemployed. We also support legislation to protect mobile home residents from unreasonable rental increases, arbitrary and unfair park rules and regulations, and to prohibit discrimination against mobile home residents.
3. We support increased services for the elderly and the incapacitated of all ages by increasing funding for home-based care, a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care to provide the following:
a) state income tax credits/deductions to those who provide vital support to the household; and
b) increased incentives to attract and retain nurses and other professional and non-professional health care workers.
4. We propose that the legislature mandate a study to determine the cost and methods of funding a comprehensive health care plan with special emphasis on catastrophic and long-term care. We further urge the legislature to investigate the current system which requires the elderly and incapacitated to exhaust their resources before becoming eligible for any health care assistance.
5. We urge increased funding to ensure the proper care of children, and support to their parents, through the following:
a) day-care subsidies and other incentives to social agencies, employers and parents;
b) programs to address abuse and neglect;
c) regulation of day-care facilities to avoid or detect on-site abuse and neglect;
d) recruitment, training, and continuing counseling for foster parents;
e) prenatal education and care throughout pregnancy to reduce infant mortality and birth defects;
f) increased services to help behavior-disordered youth; and
g) shelters, support, and counseling for homeless youth.
6. The state should provide funding for care of the mentally ill and the retarded through the following:
a) continued support and where needed, expansion of regional mental health centers to provide prompt, adequate services to all who need them; b) continued support of high quality, frequently monitored care at state mental institutions;
c) increasing the number of group homes for both the chronically mentally ill and the mentally retarded; and
d) increasing day programs, vocational opportunities and other on-going support services.
7. We support the fight against AIDS through the following:
a) continued funding for prevention, detection and treatment;
b) increasing awareness through public education;
c) free, voluntary and anonymous AIDS testing; and
d) funding for hospice facilities for terminally ill AIDS victims of all ages.
8. Because alcohol and other drug abuse have created devastating consequences for youth, other age groups, and the community as a whole, we support the following:
a) a mandatory 2 day jail sentence plus 90 day license suspension for people convicted of operating under the influence for the first offense, for second time offenders, a mandatory 5 day jail sentence plus a 1 year license suspension, and for third time offenders a mandatory 30 day jail sentence plus permanent license suspension. All offenders must attend alcohol rehabilitation programs;
b) increased funding for the provision of a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services, including employee assistance programs, for alcohol and other substance abuse;
c) mandatory rehabilitation for recovery of convicted OUI and other substance abuse offenders;
d) standardization of sentencing all convicted OUI offenders and drug dealers throughout Maine;
e) an on-going educational program on alcohol and other substance abuse in grades K through 12; it is never too soon to start, but it could easily be too late;
f) public funding and rule flexibility to enable individuals who otherwise could not afford it to voluntarily enter drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs;
g) increased funding for more halfway houses in Maine following treatment for alcohol and other substance abuse. Many people fail in their process of recovery because they are not ready to return to the mainstream after only 28 or 30 day rehabilitation programs and there is nowhere else for them to go. Halfway houses should offer shelter, nutritional meals, counseling services, job training or retraining, and assistance in finding employment; and
h) funding for community-based groups which are attempting to deal with problems of alcohol and other drug abuse.
9. We oppose arbitrary drug testing of the general public. When there appears to be a real safety need for testing, each case should be considered using a set of guidelines developed by the legislature that emphasize the civil rights of the person to be tested.
SECTION 8: FOREIGN POLICY
The world is changing. Maine Democrats applaud the efforts of the people throughout the world whose remarkable quest for democracy promises an end to the Cold War and to the assumptions underlying American foreign policy. The arms race, therefore, no longer makes sense. We strongly support all efforts to promote democracy and world peace and insist that our government make human rights a primary consideration in implementing foreign policy.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
SECTION 1: FOREIGN POLICY
The role of the United States in the world community is a delicate and powerful one. We support international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Court. We must maintain a strong defense while, as an example to the world, using it with great care and restraint.
The World Economy
We recognize the challenges that an expanded European economic community will present to the world. We also recognize the equally daunting challenge posed by the growing economic strength of Pacific Rim nations, in particular, Japan. We believe that a prime goal of the U.S. government should be to foster conditions in which American businesses can compete effectively in global trade. Our government should not promote policies which encourage U.S. corporations to export jobs abroad.
Soviet Union And Eastern Europe
We hope that the determination of the Soviet people to be free will lead to full democratic rights. We are encouraged by the example of Soviet leaders, such as Mikhail Gorbachev, through Glasnost and Perestroika, to bring economic and political reform to the Soviet Union. Reflecting the desire for change in the Soviet people, Gorbachev has enabled the dramatic political upheaval in the rest of Eastern Europe. We urge the President and the Congress to further encourage the fight for democracy in the Eastern bloc nations by providing meaningful foreign aid to these developing democracies and economies. This does not necessarily mean taking foreign aid dollars from other friendly nations who continue to need our help.
China
In China, the movement toward democracy has been crushed. The policies of the Bush administration toward that country have sent a stamp of approval to the Chinese government’s slaughter of its own people. The U.S. must send a strong message to the Chinese that we cannot condone its treatment of its people. Maine Democrats also condemn President Bush’s veto of legislation to extend the visas for Chinese students studying in America. We support economic sanctions aimed at freezing exports to China at the level that existed on the date of the Tiananmen massacre. We support sanctions to reduce the massive trade deficit that we are currently inflicting on ourselves as China’s largest trading partner.
Central America
Maine Democrats support the Arias peace plan in Central America and an end to military conflict in that region. We oppose aid to any government that allows abuse of the human rights of its citizens. Moreover, we support all efforts to bring social justice to Central America and to end conditions of corruption and maldistribution of resources that promote instability and keep dictatorial or military-dominated governments in power. We support reparations to Nicaragua and Panama because of the damage caused to those nations by actions of our government. Maine Democrats respect the desire for self-determination on the part of the people of Central America and the Caribbean. We oppose any attempt to raise monies or pass legislation that would cause military aid to be sent directly or indirectly to the government of El Salvador. We support any and all measures which would result in the immediate termination of every form of military aid financial and otherwise, currently being extended to that government.
Africa
The United States and the World Community must increase their economic and diplomatic pressure on South Africa to end its reprehensible policy of apartheid.
We stand in strong opposition to nuclear and military trade with South Africa. We call for cuts in aid to any country which is involved in military and/or nuclear trade with South Africa.
We support independence and the emerging democratic institutions in all nations throughout the African continent. As in other regions of the world, we deplore racism, exploitation, human suffering, and erosion of human rights that have become commonplace in many African nations. The U.S. must take all reasonable steps possible to encourage peace and democracy to flourish in this part of the world. We oppose aid to any insurgent groups not representative of the will of the majority, such as UNITA in Angola and RENAMO in Mozambique.
The Middle East
1) The Maine Democratic Party calls for Congress and the Administration to:
a) keep the peace process alive and work for the realization of free and democratic elections in the West Bank and Gaza;
b) promote direct negotiations among Israel, Palestinians, and other Arab states;
c) reaffirm our commitment to a secure and thriving Israel; and
d) affirm that through a lasting and just peace, the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people will be realized.
2) The rights of all people in the Middle East must be protected and respected; in particular, we recognize the plight of the people of Lebanon whose country has been devastated by years of war. We urge our government to bring the warring factions together in a diplomatic setting so that regions citizens may live in peace.
Cambodia
We should work through diplomatic means to achieve peace in Cambodia and an opportunity for the Cambodian people to freely determine their own future. Meanwhile the United States should refrain from aiding any of the contending parties in Cambodia. In particular, we must insure that no American assistance of any kind goes directly or indirectly to the Khmer Rouge, in view of their past record of genocide.
Philippines
We should cease our intervention in the internal affairs of our former colony out of respect for their right to self-determination.
SECTION 2: NATIONAL SECURITY
1. We support repeal of the draft registration.
2. We support enforcement and strengthening of the War Powers Act.
3. We oppose any testing or deployment of the Star Wars program (SDI) that is in violation of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM).
4. We support halting the sale abroad of environmentally damaging products and dangerous consumer items which are illegal in the U.S.
5. We support existing international organizations addressing the AIDS crisis.
6. We support creating a code of conduct for American multi-national corporations and promoting Third World self-reliance.
7. We support the limiting of the activities of the federal agencies such as the CIA and NSC to intelligence gathering only. We support legislation which enforces the original intent of intelligence agencies, and ends illegal covert activities against U.S. and international law which subverts and/or attempts to overthrow legal governments throughout the world.
8. Be it resolved by the Maine Democratic Party that we call upon National Congressional leaders to work to abolish the U.S. Government policy of using nuclear weapons as a first strike potential in dealing with foreign governments. We are the only nation that still reserves the right to use these weapons in this manner. We do this knowing that these weapons, once used will eventually damage the user as much as the country that it is inflicted upon.
9. We support efforts to achieve a worldwide moratorium on nuclear weapons testing. We support worldwide negotiations for the elimination of all nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare weapons and of facilities for their production.
10. We urge our elected representatives to do everything in their power to halt the testing of Cruise missiles in Maine.
SECTION 3: EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. We support continued state and federal aid to those public institutions involved in research in ocean and marine studies, conservation and alternative sources of energy, and the reutilization of waste by recycling.
2. We urge continued strong support for public radio and television as an educational and cultural tool.
3. We urge support for stronger legislation directing the Federal Communication Commission to further limit the times of day that graphic violence and pornography can be aired.
4. We urge support for the restructuring and expansion of student assistance programs to enable every qualified student to take advantage of post-secondary studies.
5. We support equal opportunity in education and affirmative action programs to correct inequities. There should be a reassessment of the needs of disadvantaged students, and funding should be provided to meet those needs.
6. We urge the Department of Education, in cooperation with other nations, to initiate educational programs addressing global issues of peace, environmental threats, and health concerns.
7. We support restoring strong federal support for early education programs such as Operation Head-start.
SECTION 4: LABOR
1. We support providing workers with a safe and healthy workplace, a decent minimum wage, good vocational and retraining programs, laws which prevent jobs from being shipped out of the country through unfair trade practices or the investment of American-.based multinational corporations, a guarantee of full employment, and an end to pay discrimination.
2. To correct inequalities between the rights of workers and the power of employers, we propose that the current U. S. labor laws be amended to eliminate so-called double-breasted employers, allow employees to express their will through successful organizing and bargaining, prevent employers from interfering with employees rights by discrimination and discharge, and prevent hiring of replacement workers during labor disputes.
3. We support worker-owned and operated businesses and cooperatives.
4. We reaffirm our support of affirmative action programs.
5. We support the repeal of any federal law that restricts the political rights of public employees.
6. We support broadening the bargaining rights of federal employee unions.
7. We support the negotiation of agency fees by federal employee unions.
8. We support a mandate for meaningful penalties against federal government managers who commit unfair labor practices.
9. We support legislation to restrict the contracting out of federal government functions to private companies.
10. We believe that a fair share of the “peace dividend” resulting from military budget cuts must be returned to the workers and communicate currently dependent on the military. To this end, we support HR 101, the DEFENSE ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ACT, and any similar legislation that would promote the economic viability of military related facilities, their workers and communities. Key elements of such legislation must be the establishment of local alternative-use planning committees with meaningful participation of democratically chosen representatives of management and labor, transitional support of income, benefits and re-training, community adjustment assistance and adequate advance notice. We oppose subsidizing corporate ‘golden parachutes” or financial diversification schemes that would lead to the abandonment of military related facilities, their workers and communities.
SECTION 5: NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT
1. We urge development of uniform federal packaging and labeling standards which reduce packaging and facilitate reuse of packaging and recycling.
2. Public Law 99-240 must be repealed, relieving the people of Maine and other states of the burden of ownership and liability for radioactive wastes generated by private industry.
3. Federal funding must be withheld from every project that proposes to treat animals inhumanely, or subjects animals to painful, invasive, or potentially lethal procedures for any purpose other than the safeguarding of human health or life.
4. We urge repeal of the Price-Anderson Act which limits producer liability for nuclear power plant accidents.
5. We urge a smokestack tax on facilities producing airborne pollutants that contribute to acid rain.
6. We urge renewed federal commitment to mass transportation.
7. We urge federal funding of research and development for alternative energy sources even if damaging to entrenched big money interests.
8. We support the development of international agreements that take immediate and effective action against practices such as the production of chloroflourocarbons, the burning of fossil fuels, and massive deforestation which produce substances that deplete the ozone layer, contribute to global warming through the greenhouse effect, or cause acid rain.
9. Fissioning uranium as fuel for electricity must be halted, and international, interdisciplinary scientific research must be supported to develop the safest possible isolation method for existing stockpiles of nuclear waste.
10. We support adequate funding of the Federal government’s program to test gasoline for octane mislabeling. In the event the Federal government fails to adequately perform this task, we would support a state program to achieve that end.
SECTION 6: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND TAXES
1. We support a strong social security system with cost-of-living adjustments. We oppose any proposals that would weaken the long-term commitment of the system. Social Security monies should not be used to fund other programs.
2. We support a similar commitment, with cost-of-living adjustments, to those systems for which the federal government is responsible, including those which pertain to government employees.
3. We support efforts to make the private pension system more responsive to the needs of workers through expanded pension coverage, sufficient funding for such plans, and restrictions on the use of those assets for non-pension purposes.
4. Restriction on deductibility of IRA’s should be eliminated.
5. We oppose any preferential tax rate on capital gains.
6. Honoraria or gifts of substance should be banned at the national level of government.
7. We are appalled at the scale of the savings and loan disaster, and support imposition of user fees and appropriate actuarial standards for federal insurance in the future.
SECTION 7: HEALTH, HOUSING, AND HUMAN SERVICES
1. In line with virtually all other industrial democracies, we support a national health care system that embraces all citizens and that is not based on the ability to pay.
2. We support the Family Medical Leave Act.
3. We believe the federal government must provide financial aid to enable states to fulfill the obligation of housing the homeless.
SECTION 8: HUMAN RIGHTS
We support immediate funding for the compensation program adopted by Congress for Japanese-Americans detained in internment camps during World War II.
SECTION 9: THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
We remain unalterably opposed to capital punishment at the Federal level.
Source: publication supplied by the Maine Democratic Party.