What MUST be part of the Democratic Party platform in 2020, no matter who is the Democratic Presidential nominee?
In no special order, it MUST include:
Medicare for all Americans of all ages
$15 minimum wage by 2022 everywhere in America and Paid Family Leave
Free public university and college tuition for the first two years or 60 credits of higher education
Wiping out of college debt which prevents many young people from marrying, having children, buying a home, having a future
Repeal of Citizens United, which has allowed corporations to be called people, and destroy political campaigns with large donations, and instead promote public financing of campaigns
Responsible Gun Control legislation
Protection of Women’s Rights, including abortion rights
Enforcement of gay and lesbian and transgender rights
A responsible immigration reform program, reversing the damage done by Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions, John Kelly, Kirstjen Nielsen, Stephen Miller and Thomas Homan
Revival of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties that have been curbed by Donald Trump
Protection of the Social Safety Net of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
Labor Rights promoted, including prevention of “right to work” laws
Environmental regulations revived and strengthened
Consumer Rights revived and strengthened
Investment in infrastructure across America
Condemnation of violations of human rights in other nations, including Russia, China, Turkey, Egypt, the Philippines and elsewhere
Revival of NATO alliance and other alliances that have been weakened in the Trump Presidency
The end of protectionist tariffs, which undermine the American economy
Strengthening of relations with Cuba, and attempts to overcome strains and tensions with Iran, and revive the Iran Nuclear Deal
Promoting total separation of church and state, with religion not being promoted by government
Reenactment of responsible corporation and Wall Street reforms
Protection of Native American lands and properties
Criminal Justice Reforms for those not involved in violent Crimes
National restoration of Voting Rights to former convicts who have paid their debt to society
Decriminalizing Drug Use and Sales, so as to overcome the Opioid Crisis, and allow Medicinal Marijuana without penalty
Promoting funding for the Arts and Culture across America
Dealing with poverty and homelessness in America
Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico and move toward statehood as the 51st state
Tax Reform to require a fair and equitable tax system for all, not just the wealthy
Reviving respect for Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press
Would all of these 30 “planks” be successfully accomplished in the term of the next Democratic President from 2021-2025? Most certainly, highly unlikely, but these must be the goals of the next Democratic administration, as we attempt to recover from the disaster and tragedy of the Donald Trump nightmare!
Thank you, for your efforts here, Ronald!
There is one issue that nothing people mention. Come to think—few say it.
• Anti-wars.
This would mean significantly reducing spending on the military (around 55 percent of the overall federal budget); ending what wars we have right now; and bringing home the soldiers.
This does not get mentioned because this has become normalized. It’s as if people don’t know this is a problem. (I have come across that there is little reporting on Yemen from broadcast- and cable-news programmers. I personally tuned many of them out more than a year ago.) It also has not been made an issue because the U.S. does not have the draft.
Is there any chance for this? Not while there are obscene levels of money to be made by war profiteers…and enough of the people remain asleep.
I totally agree, D, and when Pence talks about DOMINATION in space, it makes me cringe, as Pence does just nodding his head behind Trump, as if he is a bobblehead!
Excellent list, Professor.
As for war, our family believes that being completely anti-war is unrealistic. There are times you do have to fight and can’t be afford to be a pacifist.
Oh, I agree, Rustbelt Democrat, but this idea of DOMINATION of space, no way!
The “space force” thing immediately brought to my mind the movie Avatar, which has humans trying to conquer another planet.
If humans do expand out into space, I think it should be like Star Trek.
Speaking of Freedom of Speech, Trump shows his authoritarianism again.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/15/politics/john-brennan-security-clearance/index.html
Many newspapers and media outlets around the country are printing opinions today talking about the importance of a free press.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/16/politics/newspaper-editorials-trump-list/index.html
Unfortunately, our local news did not join in.
Looks like Trump is doing his version of Nixon’s enemies list in public.
Trumpty Dumbty’s military parade got cancelled. Trumpty Dumbty blames it on the mayor of DC.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/17/politics/trump-cancels-military-parade/index.html