2022 FOURTH DISTRICT PLATFORM 

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

Seldom has it been more necessary for us, as Democrats, to state who we are, what we stand for, and what our vision is for the future of our country. We have learned that our democracy is fragile and needs to be protected our collective health has been threatened and needs to be protected and our planet is suffering catastrophic consequences of climate change and needs to be protected.

All Americans have a stake in local, state, national, and global economic and governmental systems that provide first and foremost for basic human needs: safe shelter, nourishment, health, education, and the right to achieve our highest self with financial security and dignity. All individuals have value to society and these values should be reflected in the budget.

Our respect for the Earth should be demonstrated by our environmental policies and laws. We must work together with all peoples of the world to develop policies and technologies to protect our planet. We must address the inequities of climate change, whereby the poorest are most affected by the devastation of climate change and pollution. Time is running out to solve this problem which affects us all. We call for decisive action.

We believe in accessible, affordable, and high-quality education. Adequate funding, accountability, innovation, and cost-effective programming are essential. We believe the way to address the dark chapters of our history is not to whitewash them or, teach “both sides”, or never mention them, but to develop further appropriate curricula. The best approach to books that deal with challenging topics is not to remove them, but to welcome their discussion. We cannot build a more equitable society if we cannot acknowledge the evils of the past and learn from them.

A legitimate function of government is to accomplish social goals we cannot achieve as individuals. We have both our rights and responsibilities which together give us our freedoms.  We will continue to work for a truly representative government which strives to work for the good of the people compassionately, progressively, responsibly, and fairly.

We take seriously our obligation to preserve, protect, and secure our basic constitutional and civil rights. We believe in equal opportunities and justice for all.

We deserve a government that represents its constituents, as opposed to those who contribute the most money.

We believe in meaningful checks and balances among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government. We insist on an orderly transfer of power, unblemished by illegal activity, threat of insurrection, or unwarranted martial law. We believe elections should be free and fair with voting organized to promote, rather than restrict, participation.

We stand with people everywhere who demand freedom, justice, opportunity, dignity, and the free exchange of ideas. We acknowledge that not every successful government will mirror ours, but we cannot support innocent people being crushed by authoritarian regimes.

STATEMENT OF ISSUES

AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

We support:

Environmentally responsible farming practices

Science based ag drainage laws

Strict EPA limits for Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia emissions

Parity and supply management

Regenerative agriculture, algae, aquaponics, companion cropping, and other alternative agricultural practices.

Local, sustainable, organic food systems

A ban on lead shot

Expanding the Bottle Bill

Diversified agriculture that grows our rural economies

Lower crop insurance income caps for subsidy eligibility

Anti-trust regulation of seed supply, food production, and processing

Restricting pollinator-threatening pesticides

Farmers who experiment with new practices to meet water-quality goals

Enforcing pesticide/herbicide drift laws

We oppose:

Vertical integration

Subsidizing large agribusiness

CCS

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT

We support:

Weight based licensing for commercial manure application

Mandatory nutrient management reduction strategy.

Strict CAFO regulation and supervision.

A moratorium on CAFO construction/expansion

Locally controlled CAFO siting.

Increasing Master Matrix requirements.

Site-specific permits with public notice and comment for all livestock operations.

Strictly enforcing financial penalties for permit violations.

A ban on puppy mills

We oppose:

Ag-Gag laws.

FOOD POLICY

We support:

Farm-to-Plate.

Increasing SNAP benefits.

Expanding eligibility for SNAP benefits.

Fully using all Federal food aid funds.

We oppose:

Drug testing SNAP applicants

ENERGY

We support:

Ending fossil fuel extraction and consumption

100% renewable energy by 2030

Long term extension of the Production Tax Credit

ENVIRONMENT

We support:

Reducing atmospheric CO2 to 350 ppm

Evaluation of legislation for climate change impact

Reducing waste by regulating packaging and expanding recycling

Endangered Species Act

Fully implementing the original Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS SECTION

CAFO – Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

PPM – Parts Per Million

CCS – Carbon Capture Sequestration

ECONOMY, COMMERCE AND LABOR

WORKERS RIGHTS AND SAFETY

We support:

Worker’s right to choose medical providers

PRO Act

Public and private workers’ right to strike while maintaining essential services

Non-punitive paid family, medical, and parental leave

Stronger protections against wage theft and worker misclassification

Restricting employer access to their employee’s internet presence

UNEMPLOYMENT

We support:

Reauthorizing/expanding long term unemployment benefits

We oppose:

Restricting or reducing unemployment benefits

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

We support:

Progressive punitive fines on corporations based on revenue

Main Street Program

Full disclosure of competing/conflicting interests in financial transactions

Increased enforcement and expansion of antitrust laws

American manufacturing and production

Reliable, affordable, statewide high-speed broadband and mobile device access

Additional reform to prevent “too big to fail”

Effective regulation, taxation and enforcement of financial speculation and high frequency trading

The Prohibiting Anticompetitive Mergers Act of 2022

LIVING WAGE

We support:

Establishing a living wage, indexed to CPI

Fair and reasonable compensation for volunteer firefighters and first responders

The rights of municipalities/counties to establish a living wage

A COLA for all publicly funded retirement programs, making them fully retroactive over a 5-year period

Repealing “right to work” laws

Protecting all publicly funded retirement programs

Restoring Chapter 20

Expanding collective bargaining rights

Fair Share

Tipped workers receiving a living wage

Prevailing wages on all projects receiving public funds

The rights of all Democratic Party staffers and interns to unionize

Universal Basic Income

BUDGET AND TAXATION

We support:

An unavoidable tax on high asset individuals and corporations

Increasing resources for the IRS

Increasing IRS responsiveness

Emphasizing audits on high income individuals and corporations

Annual evaluation of tax credits

A more progressive corporate, personal income, estate and capital gains tax structure

Eliminating offshore tax shelters

Employee wages and benefits having priority in bankruptcy or worksite closures

Eliminating the social security taxable wage cap

We oppose:

Using bankruptcy to avoid lawsuit liability

Privatization of government services

Reducing the social safety net.

 

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS SECTION

CPI – Consumer Price Index

COLA – Cost of Living Adjustment

IPERS – Iowa Public Employees Retirement System

PRO - Protecting the Right to Organize Act

EDUCATION

POLICIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING AND EDUCATING

We Support:

Inclusive and comprehensive civics education 

Empirically based education

High quality STEAM, English literacy, physical education and foreign language education

Dual-credit classes

The option for fully accredited public online education       

No-cost Drivers’ Education

Mandatory individual school staffing for librarians, nurses and counselors

Effective student/teacher ratios

More multicultural educators

Multicultural competency training for school personnel

Master teachers in the classroom

Student/counselor ratios per ASCA guidelines

Educator developed multiple methodologies for assessing student and school personnel performance

Voluntary age-appropriate, accurate sexual health education including gender diversity and sexualities

Age-appropriate mental health education

Age-appropriate financial literacy

Mediation and restorative justice for discipline and anti-bullying programs

Eliminating racial disparities in discipline practices

Eliminating de-facto school segregation

Suspensions/expulsions/criminal referrals as a last resort

Comparative Religious and Ethics studies

Increased training to recognize child mental disorders or abuse

Non-violent problem-solving programs for at-risk youth

Zero tolerance for rape/sexual assault

Before/during/after school programs with healthy, free, meals for all

Schools using locally sourced food

Yearly testing ensuring home and private school students meet Iowa Core Curriculum standards

Mandatory registration for home and private school students with their local school district

Staggered terms for school boards

Critical thinking and media literacy education

Transgender students participating in all activities as they self-identify 

Educators heading education agencies/departments

Full student debt cancellation

We Oppose:

Retention of non-proficient 3rd graders

Teaching solely the Bible in public schools

Treating education as a for-profit enterprise

Distorting science and health education

Arming teachers

All discrimination towards all LGBTQQIA+ students in all schools.

FUNDING OUR FUTURE

We Support:

Increased funding for all mandated and special programs

Vocational training available for all, including rural areas

Substantially increased funding for community colleges and regent universities

Tuition-free public post-secondary education

Proportionate compensation for adjunct educators

Increased tax credits for teaching materials educators purchase

Requiring state governments to use cash reserves to fully fund public education

Fair school funding formulas for rural districts

Full Perkins funding of Career and Technical education

Funding top-quality and meaningful professional development for teachers and staff

Pell grants for inmates

Community service student debt repayment

Renegotiable student loans

Returning standard consumer protections to all student loans

Bankruptcy dischargeablity for student loans

Separating marital status from student loan repayment

Ending interest on all student loans

Loan forgiveness for students staying and working in Iowa

100% tax-deductible on Post-Secondary Loans.

Expanding and increased funding for the Iowa Tuition Grant to include public institutions

Apprenticeship programs in higher education and trades

Increased college expenses assistance for working and middle-class families

Strongly regulating accreditation, credit transferability and disclosure of costs for all for-profit schools

Investing resources in underperforming public schools

Funding all TRIO Programs

Fully funding AEAs

We Oppose:

Using public monies to fund private and for-profit K-12 schools

Secondary Markets for Student loans

Reforms to Iowa’s education system based on “business principles”

Manipulating the party balance of the Iowa Board of Regents

 ACRONYMS USED IN THIS SECTION

 AEA – Area Education Agency

 ASCA - American School Counselor Association

 LGBTQQIA+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual,

 Plus

 STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics

 TRIO – Educational Talent Search (ETS), Classic Upward Bound (CUB), Veterans

 Upward Bound (VUB), Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS), Student Support

 Services (SSS), Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), Training Grant (for Special

 Programs Staff and Leadership Personnel (TR).

 

GOVERNMENT & LAW

ELECTIONS AND CAMPAIGNS

 

We Support:

Requiring transparency of all political activities funding

Passing Protecting Our Democracy Act

A Constitutional Amendment overturning “Citizens United”

Amending the Iowa Constitution to declare corporations are not people

Improving the Caucus System

Identifying and rescinding all voter suppression legislation

Extending the deadline for ERA ratification

No weapons in/near polling places

All legislative proposals publicly disclose the source and intent of the legislation and if it has been introduced in any state

No-excuse recurring mail in ballots

Voting systems requiring a paper trail and auditable software

Enabling voter participation including alternative voting systems.

Automatic voter registration at 18

All general Federal elections being a national holiday

Iowa First-in-Nation status

VOICE and Fair Elections Now Act

Popular vote for President

Abolishing Super Delegates

Non-partisan redistricting systems

Recall mechanism 

Limiting campaigning time

Iowa Caucus Presidential candidates providing their last three year’s tax returns

Campaign and debate processes that include third-party candidates

Ballot initiatives

Local control of ballot drop-box and satellite locations

Instant run off voting

S. 1707 the Audit the Pentagon Act

 

We Oppose:

Voter suppression efforts

Gerrymandering

Nepotism

CIVIL RIGHTS

We Support:

Enforcement of equal rights and access to facilities for all Iowans

Equal pay for equal work

Removing gender/sex from all government forms 

Ban The Box

Enforcement of separation of Church & State

Legislation and funding promoting safe, accessible public spaces

Habeas Corpus

Community Policing

DOJ investigation of police custody deaths

Renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day

Puerto Rico’s right to declare bankruptcy

Statehood for Washington DC and Puerto Rico 

Pro-family policies regardless of marital status, gender identification or sexual orientation

Setting a minimum marriage age

 

We Oppose:

Religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws

Housing discrimination against ex-offenders not on the sex offender registry

Warrantless Governmental surveillance

Eminent domain for private profit

Self-pardons for Presidents and their immediate families

Subversion of Civil Rights

CONSUMER PROTECTION

We Support:

Ending predatory lending and corrupt banking practices

Reinstating Glass-Steagall

Stronger corporate malfeasance/misfeasance/nonfeasance penalties

Foreclosure safety net

Protecting intellectual property rights

GDPR-level PII data protection for US citizens

Strengthening Fair Use Protection

Requiring the NSA to disclose known security vulnerabilities

The Future of Water Act

Penalties for companies with inadequate cyber security

Right-to-Repair

We Oppose:

Limiting access to the courts

Mandatory binding mediation/arbitration

Non-disclosure agreements

Unfunded mandates

“Pork-Barrel Amendments”

TAXES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

We Support:

Establishing a minimum 15% corporate tax

Strengthening and expanding Social Security

Prohibiting diversion of SS funds to general funds

Repaying all funds diverted from SS

Placing SS funds in a unique account

Progressive Taxation

Closing the Carried Interest loophole

Enacting the Stop the Corporate Inversions Act

Restoring TIF’s original purpose

Penalizing employers whose employees are eligible for public assistance

Increasing/expanding EIC

Repealing the 2017 Tax and Jobs Act

A COLA for SSDI

We Oppose:

Raising the retirement age

Taxing unemployment, workers’ compensation, disability and SS benefits

Corporate welfare

Tax breaks for companies outsourcing US jobs

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

We Support:

Timely Supreme Court nomination hearings 

SCOTUS following the Federal Judicial code of conduct

Reinstating 'Art in State Buildings' funding

Increased funding for Weatherization and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs.

Public funding for home modifications for eligible disabled persons

Local food aid programs meeting all people’s essential needs

Funding the Division of Tobacco Use and Control to support education, prevention, and enforcement

Increasing funding for food safety inspections

Renaming all facilities named after Confederate supporters

Increasing financial assistance for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault

Restoring funding for state historical digitizing Iowa newspapers

Publicly funded local, fully staffed, newspapers

A strong consumer protectionist to head the CFPB

Reopening the CFPB’s Equifax probe 

The USPS offering low-cost basic banking services

Indexing Congressional/Legislative annual pay-raises to SS COLA

Establishing a non-partisan State Bank of Iowa 

We Oppose:

Using taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment suits

The mismanagement of the USPS

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

We Support:

Treating non-violent/minor drug offenses as a public/mental health, not a criminal issue

Criminal justice reform focused on rehabilitation not punishment

Open access by the parties to official files post-conviction except identities of confidential informants

Timely and affordable responses to FOIA requests

Legalizing, regulating and taxing recreational cannabis

Expunging criminal records of all possession cannabis convictions

Reasonable wages for incarcerated persons

Allowing inmates to retain sufficient income to meet their need for non-state supplied necessities

State/Federal Supreme Court retroactivity in criminal cases

Reforming civil and criminal forfeiture laws

Eliminating bail requirements for all non-violent offenses 

The Whistleblower's Act

Iowa’s former system of non-partisan judge selection

Eliminating statutes of limitations on child/domestic abuse and sexual abuse cases 

Fully funding Iowa's Judicial System

Funding:         

         Violence Against Women Act

         Victims’ Services

Identifying and treating human trafficking victims

Prevention of human trafficking through education of law enforcement and the public

De-escalation instead of use-of-force

Prosecuting “white-collar” crime

Classifying attacks on abortion clinics/providers as domestic terrorism

Development of an Iowa Cold Cases Unit

 We Oppose:

Militarization of law enforcement

Privatized prisons

Open Carry

Defendant reimbursement for court appointed representation

The death penalty

“Stand Your Ground” laws

IMMIGRATION

We Support:

Comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship

The DREAM Act

Refugee immigration and resettlement

Due process regardless of citizenship/immigration status

Requiring & funding legal representation for immigrants, minors & guest workers

Applying fair labor laws to all persons

Driver’s license availability for qualified individuals regardless of immigration status

Expediting backlogs for permanent residency, prioritizing family unity

Aligning immigration laws and enforcement with humanitarian values

Prioritizing all asylum cases.

 

We Oppose:

Abrogating birthright citizenship

Payments to Mexico to deter Central American immigrants

Local enforcement of federal immigration laws

 

MILITARY AND VETERANS

We Support:

Policies and funding for VA and VHA so that all veterans have:

         resources to acquire further education

         assistance in finding employment

Expedited VA services

Ending veteran homelessness

Repeal of the Military Commission Act of 2006

Adequate family assistance during extended active service duty for Reserve components

Living wage for active personnel

Veteran’s business startups

Expanding USERRA

We Oppose:

FISA

Private Military companies

PUBLIC SAFETY

We Support:

A comprehensive NICS

Common sense gun regulation and responsible gun ownership

Gun buybacks

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET

We Support:

A free and fair press

Net-neutrality

Adequate funding for independent public journalism

News outlets not naming a winner until all polls close

We Oppose:

The merger of and media monopolies

Internet misinformation and disinformation.

Unnecessary internet censorship

TRANSPORTATION

We Support:

Expansion of mass transportation

Pavement of unpaved roads

Crash-prevention engineering

High-speed rail

Expanding rural transportation options.

Prioritizing bridge repair/replacement

Electric transportation and infrastructure

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS SECTION

CFPB – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

COLA – Cost of Living Allowance

DOJ – Department of Justice

DREAM – Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act

EIC – Earned Income Credit

FISA – Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

GDPR- General Data Protection Regulation PII – Personally Identifiable Information

NICS - National Instant Criminal Background Check System

SCOTUS – Supreme Court of The United States

SS – Social Security

SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance

TIF – Tax Increment Financing

USERRA – Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

VA – Veterans Administration

VHA – Veterans Health Administration

VOICE – Voter Owned Iowa Clean Election

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

GENERAL HEALTHCARE, REIMBURSEMENT AND COVERAGE

We Support:

A Medicare-for-all public, comprehensive healthcare system

Insurance reimbursement for healthcare services for facilities such as wellness centers and private gyms

Insurance parity for all evidence-based medicine

Increased research/treatment for chronic diseases

Income based subsidized non-emergency medical transportation

Medical Cannabis

Complete cost transparency for patients and providers

Medicare/Medicaid negotiating prices

First responders/EMS as essential services

 Medicare coverage of hearing, vision, dental, medically necessary products and LTC

ACA consumer’s ability to opt into Medicaid

Remove for-profit MCO’s from Medicaid

A secure, portable digital personal medical information system

Long-term studies of GMO health effects

FDA regulation of vitamins/supplements

Diversity training for healthcare providers

Re-importation of medications

Science-based methodology for funding healthcare research

Increased funding and education for

Evidence-based preventative healthcare

Stem Cell research

Domestic violence/sexual abuse prevention, shelters and programs

Radon testing

Lead testing

Gun violence research

Capping the cost of prescription medication to the global average price

We Oppose:

Pharmaceutical advertising

Medicare/Medicaid vouchers and block grants

Medicare/Medicaid privatization

Antitrust exemptions for health insurance companies

Requiring administrating unproven treatments to Iowa’s existing Right-to-Try Law

The prescription medicine management system that causes unreasonably high medication cost

 

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS

We Support:

Restoring and expanding Iowa's MHI's

Mental health training for EMS and first responders

Insurance coverage for tele-medicine

Mental health and substance abuse courts

Mental health parity

Eating disorders coverage

De-stigmatizing mental illness

Jail diversion programs

Publicly financed and full insurance reimbursement for marriage/family therapy

Increased funding for:

Mental health and substance abuse services, treatment and rehabilitation

Emergency committals beds

Incentives to attract mental health professionals

 

AGING AND DISABILITIES

We Support:

LTC insurance coverage without a prior hospitalization requirement

Publicly financed and full insurance reimbursement for in-home and community-based services

Training and support for caregivers and family members

Caregiver tax credits

Increasing LTC inspectors and Ombudsmen

Timely state inspections of LTC facilities and paid in-home care providers

Meaningful penalties for violating laws/regulations protecting patients

Increased ADA compliance

Consumer representation on HHS review boards

Federal Death with Dignity Act banning insurance exclusions

Increased funding for:

Older Americans Act

Dementia research on prevention, expanded diagnosis and support services

Elder abuse prevention

Publicly financed and full insurance reimbursement for mental health services in nursing homes and assisted living care facilities

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

 

We Support:

Preventative health and development programs, pre-natal to age 26 

Raising income eligibility levels for child assistance programs 

Kinship-care and foster-care parity

A state-run facility for adjudicated minor females, with improved treatment

Family-friendly shelters

WIC expansion

Repealing Iowa Code sections:

232.68(4)(c)

139A.8(4)(a)(2)

237A.1(3)(b)

 Increased funding for:

Child welfare and protective services

Juvenile mental health

DHS, CASA, and the juvenile court system

Training, licensure and oversight of childcare providers

Before/after-school activities

Free universal high-quality childcare

 Incentivize mental health education for social workers.

 

We Oppose:

 Religious-based adoption exemptions

 Home schooling for foster children

 

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND FAMILY PLANNING

We Support:

The right of all persons to make their own reproductive choices

Funding Planned Parenthood

Student access to barrier-based contraceptives in public schools

 Non-restroom lactation rooms in workplaces and public facilities

Certified Nurse Midwives care

Free medically supervised contraception

Financial and pre-natal support for women planning to have their child adopted out

Requiring pharmacists fill all family-planning prescriptions

Alternatives to abortion that do not restrict the right to abortion

We Oppose:

Limiting access to reproductive health, abortion facilities and providers

Iowa's Fetal Heartbeat bill

Forced sterilization, castration and genital mutilation

Private Second Chance adoptions

 

LGBTQQIA+ HEALTH

We Support:

Requiring coverage of all physician prescribed gender-affirming therapies

Placing foster youth according to their gender identity

Option of "no sex" selection on birth records

We Oppose:

Conversion therapies

Surgical gender assignment at birth

 

ECONOMIC SECURITY

We support:

Increased funding for:

Non-discretionary food assistance programs

Transitional programs from shelters and prisons into care, treatment and permanent housing

VETERANS HEALTH

We support:

Free public health care for all veterans

Expanding the VA Office of Rural Health to include all veterans

Timely and appropriate medical and mental health coverage for veterans and their families

VA mobile units for specialized services

Full VA medical benefits for all reserve components

Expanding the Injured Veterans Grant Program

Official recognition for Veterans exposed to chemical agents and toxins 

Programs for:

Mental health/family counseling

Substance abuse treatment

Suicide prevention

Non-traditional therapies

Prosthetic use and care

expanded VA services from local providers

We Oppose:

VA privatization.

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS SECTION

ACA – Affordable Care Act

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate

DHS – Department of Human Services

EMS – Emergency Medical Service

FDA – Food and Drug Administration

GMO – Genetically Modified Organism

HHS – Health and Human Services

LGBTQQIA+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Plus Community

LTC – Long Term Care

MCO – Managed Care Organization

MHI – Mental Health Institute

VA – Veterans Administration

WIC – Women Infant and Children

232.68(4)(c) - Grants exemptions of compliance with generally-applicable regulation of child care facilities to certain church-affiliated child care programs

139A.8(4)(a)(2) – Grants a religious exemption to prosecution of parents and guardians found responsible for child abuse and/or neglect as a result of a sincerely held religious belief

237A.1(3)(b) – Grants a religious exemption for immunization requirements for children attending public K-12 schools and licensed child care centers.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

We support:

Protection for farmers in all trade agreements

Internationally recognized Palestinian Statehood

Protecting the US from terrorist attack without suppressing basic human and civil rights

Closing Guantanamo prison

Restricting trade with nations that allow child or slave labor

Ending military aid to governments violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Assisting refugees on humanitarian grounds not religious tests

Diplomatic resolution of conflicts

Diplomacy and international cooperation as the primary means of enhancing US security

Ending genocide and human rights violations as defined by the International Human Rights Convention

Understanding climate change is an international security threat

Complying with the Paris Climate Accord

The Global Oceans Treaty negotiations

The right to exist as part of a tribe or ethnic group while maintaining cultural identity

Ratification of the UN conventions on:

Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

The Rights of Children

The International Criminal Court

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

LGBTQQIA+ rights

Eliminating nuclear weapons

Renegotiating trade agreements to FLO International trade standards

We Oppose:  

Undermining US intelligence and security agencies by partisan politics

Facilitating or sanctioning torture

A US Border wall

Subverting democratic principles and processes in the name of national security

Racial, religious or ethnic profiling

Nations interfering in other nations’ elections

US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Weapons sales to Saudi Arabia

Fast-tracking trade agreements

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS SECTION

FLO – Fairtrade Labelling Organization International

LGBTQQIA+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual Plus Community

UN – United Nations