Platform
PDNC PLATFORM
As Adopted December 8, 2007
The Progressive Democrats of North Carolina is committed to the development and implementation of progressive ideals based on human and civil rights, peace, justice and environmental sustainability in
This statement represents the Board's first efforts to outline principles and
policies that unite the organization. In a democratic organization it will
always be a work in progress subject to regular review. The progressive
democratic movement is a broad tent. Many of us will disagree on particular
items while sharing the same core values. While agreement with our platform
will be a major factor in our decision to endorse a candidate, our endorsement
does not mean that a candidate agrees with all our positions. In this
spirit we put forward the following core progressive principles and pledge to
work for implementation of the following stands on key issues. We will seek to
identify and support candidates who share these views.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE: We believe that everyone who works should earn a
living wage. Because the right to organize is essential for a safe, just
workplace, "right to work" laws should be abolished, and all
impediments to union membership should be eliminated. In order to ensure that
all who can and wish to work may do so, childcare should be affordable, safe,
nurturing and reliable. It is also essential that government provide an
adequate safety-net of income and services for those who through involuntary unemployment
or underemployment do not make enough to cover their necessities.
Because the need for shelter is one of the primary human necessities, we
believe that safe, affordable, housing is a right, not a privilege.
Taxes should be progressive and based on wealth and income. Corporations that
operate in
should pay state taxes. The state should use those progressive taxes to provide
for the general welfare, not corporate welfare. Government subsidies, export
incentives, and tax loopholes and shelters that benefit large corporations at
the expense of small businesses, workers and communities should be eliminated.
We are not convinced that a state-run lottery is good public policy nor that it
would actually benefit education.
Everyone should have access to a good education, and those with special
needs should have access to additional educational resources. Teachers
must to be well paid to encourage their retention. We oppose school vouchers
and unfair competition from similar programs that compromise public education.
The state’s community colleges and public universities should be affordable for
those with limited means. Publicly funded work training and education programs
should increase people's employment options at living-wage jobs. The state’s
universities should emphasize quality teaching over such competing priorities
as sports programs and corporate research.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Because the environment is both fundamental
and fragile, we believe that environmental concerns must be accorded major
importance in any development decision-making process. Industry and agriculture
should be held to strict standards of environmental preservation and resource
management.
We believe that
right to clean water, clean air, and safe food. The state needs to increase its
protection of its natural resources, particularly its mountains, parklands and
wetlands. Agriculture needs to be carefully monitored for safety and
sustainability, with major emphasis on developing and encouraging organic and
nonpolluting agricultural practices.
the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies, and to
safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly mass transit.
HUMAN
AND CIVIL RIGHTS: Health care is a right, not a
privilege. Universal, single-payer health care, including free and
accessible care for the indigent, is imperative.
We
believe in the inalienable right of a woman to control her own body, and to
make individual choices according to her own conscience regarding reproductive
issues. Therefore, it is essential that the option of a safe, legal abortion
remains available and accessible.
Because even one human life is too precious to entrust to the demonstrably fallible
justice system, capital punishment is always wrong and should be abolished. Our
criminal justice and prison system needs to be radically reformed to eliminate
overly long mandatory sentences for nonviolent offenders and to provide
effective rehabilitative programs for the successful reentry of inmates into
society.
Because race and racism is at the bottom of most issues that concern
unity and strength of our state depends on the seriousness with which we honor
the diversity of our people. Affirmative action remains essential to correct
the injustices that have lingered in
Carolina
We recognize the many contributions that immigrants have made to our society
throughout history.
immigrant population must be treated with respect and dignity. They should
receive proper accommodation, health care, education, and access to driver’s
licenses. They should enjoy safe working conditions, and be afforded the same
labor rights as full citizens. Public employees who deal with the public should
receive strong incentives to learn Spanish. Programs teaching English as a
second language should be encouraged and promoted, and translation should be
made available wherever it is needed.
We demand full human and civil rights for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender people. We honor their experience and believe they are
entitled to the same rights to marriage, child adoption, housing, and
employment that all other state residents enjoy. We condemn efforts to pass a
state constitutional ban to gay marriage.
GOVERNMENTAL
AND ELECTION REFORM: Because a representative democracy draws its strength and
its legitimacy from the people it represents, we believe that the freedom and
fairness of our electoral system is absolutely critical. Voting should be made
easy and burden-free in order to maximize public participation in the most
vital act of citizenship. Reforms should include same-day voter registration,
early and mail-in voting, automatic return of voting rights for felons upon
release, and the use of opti-scan machines for voting tabulation.
We
need a comprehensive system of publicly
financed election campaigns in which campaign spending is limited by
laws that are strictly and fairly enforced. Because openness and transparency
are required to make a government free of corruption,
stronger campaign finance reporting, lobbying, gift, and open-meeting laws to
curtail the undue influence of wealthy corporate and non-corporate interests.
