1997 Young Democrats Of America Platform

As adopted in National Convention
August, 16, 1997, Miami, Florida

Preamble

We, as members of the Democratic Party, seek to uphold a long and honored tradition as defenders of individual liberty and equal opportunity. We are gratified that the voters shared our views in 1996 with the reelection of President Bill Clinton. We take great pride in our heritage as the party of the people. In this role, we have realized the value of a fair and responsive government and the merits of an active citizenry. As Young Democrats, we recognize the need to actively participate in the political process and encourage all people to become informed and involved in public decision making. To this end, we promote social awareness, community involvement and political activism as a means to achieve a more fair and just society.

Federal Economic Policy

The Democratic Party believes that all Americans need to have an opportunity for economic success while being held responsible for their individual actions. We believe that the federal economic policy should foster a healthy economic environment for all Americans. As the result of these Democratic policies, Americans are now enjoying the result of low inflation, low unemployment, and the lowest interest rates in a generation.

1. The Young Democrats of America support efforts to balance the federal budget while protecting Democratic values such as Medicare, Medicaid, social security, and the environment.
2. The Young Democrats of America support tax reductions that benefit working families and the majority of Americans.
3. We recognize the need to preserve and protect the safety and welfare of our nation's senior citizens, and other groups at risk. We also recognize the need to protect the economic security of future generations.
4. The Young Democrats of America recognize the increasing importance of responsible international trade in preserving America's economic growth and prosperity.

Labor Standards

1. Minimum Wage - We believe all Americans should be guaranteed a liveable wage which encourages people to work, provides for an improved standard of living and empowers our citizens.
2. Right to organize - We believe all workers should be assured the protection of effective laws that guarantee their right to organize, join the union of their choice, and bargain collectively with their employer free from anti-union tactics. In that spirit, we oppose permanent replacement of striking workers. We also oppose "right-to-work" laws.
3. Worker-right-to-know - We support comprehensive right-to-know laws giving all employees access to information about hazardous materials used in their work place and the correct protective measures to reduce the risk of harmful exposure.
4. We support state and federal prevailing wage laws; free collective bargaining; non-discriminatory, equitable employment practices; the use of affirmative action to achieve those goals; and preservation and protection of public and private pension funds.

Law And Justice

1. The Young Democrats of America applaud and support the courage and leadership it took to pass the Crime Bill of 1995, which was signed into law by President Clinton which includes community policing, placing 100,000 officers on our streets, and the Violence Against Women Act.
2. The Democratic Party believes if a person or organization commits a crime on an individual or society they should be held responsible for their actions and should be punished.
3. We oppose all efforts to weaken the civil justice system; moreover, we oppose caps on monetary damage awards.
4. Domestic violence poses a serious threat to the American family; the Young Democrats of America supports all efforts to educate communities on ways to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.
5. The Young Democrats of America supports all efforts to increase child support enforcement.

National Security

1. The Young Democrats of America believe that the United States should maintain the strongest military in the world. The United States should ensure that our military meets all needs of operation, readiness, and maintenance in the most cost effective manner with the highest level of technology available.
2. We believe that United States foreign defense policies should aid and encourage democracies. We further believe, free access to a democracy is a basic human right.
3. We believe the United States as a world leader, must seek throughout the world social, religious, economic, and political rights which improve the world's standard of living.
4. The Young Democrats of America denounce oppression of all peoples living under totalitarian regimes, and support the empowerment of all people in and outside of the Untied States to foster Democratic principles.

Environment

The Young Democrats of America support the protection of the environment for future generations. We recognize that the earth has limited resources, and environmental planning must ensure sustain ability of future resources.

1. We believe that all people have a fundamental right to clean air, clean water, and to live in an environment free of pollution.
2. We believe it is the responsibility of our government to protect and preserve our environment. Because of its purchasing power, our government must exercise leadership by pursing the promotion and preservation of environmentally sound practices that do not threaten continued economic growth.
3. Because of diminishing natural resources we support the use of economically sound and environmentally safe renewable, alternative fuels.

Health And Social Issues

The Young Democrats of America support and remain strongly committed to the principles that are a matter of simple human dignity that the protection and services of the nation and the opportunities which our economy and society afford should be equally available to all persons.

1. We oppose discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion, disabilities, and socioeconomic status under any circumstances.
2. We support reform of the health care system and the health insurance industry. We believe in the control of escalating costs through the power of the free market with minimal government intervention. We also support adequate funding for prevention and research.
3. The Young Democrats of America support a woman's right to choose, regard

   less of ability to pay, and we welcome individuals with other views to participate in the Democratic party.

Education

1. We believe that education is the key to prosperity and the wisest investment we can make in the future of our nation. Quality public education is essential to providing equal opportunities for success.
2. We believe that education is a life-long pursuit and support programs which encourage public educational opportunities during all stages of life.
3. We believe that access to education is critical, and no one should be denied opportunities based on physical, emotional, or mental disabilities.
4. We believe that our public schools should offer a well rounded education in the sciences, humanities, arts and athletics.
5. We believe that funding levels should be optimized in a fair and equitable manner. We support the principle of exceptional, affordable and inclusive higher education.

Ethics

The Young Democrats of America believe ethics in campaigning and ethics in government are absolute principles to which candidates and public officials must continually adhere to. We support an effort to clearly define acceptable and unacceptable conduct. We believe those who run for public office as well as those who are office holders must be held accountable to the public for ethical acts.

Elections

1. We the Young Democrats of America believe in the values of Democracy and support efforts to ensure fair and free elections.
2. The Young Democrats of America support continued efforts on campaign finance reform to ensure that money is not an overwhelming factor in the outcome of elections.
3. We believe responsible government should serve all people and encourage their active participation in the political process regardless of their race, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, religion, gender, or national origin.
4. We believe that voting is both a right and a duty, and that unreasonable impediments to the exercise of that right and the practice of that duty are deplorable.