OUCD | Platform

Ohio Universit y College Democrats Platform

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
The Democratic Party believes that the government should represent the people, not moneyed special interest groups. Democrats have repeatedly supported comprehensive campaign finance reform measures, such as the McCain-Feingold Bill in the Senate and the Shays-Meehan Bill in the House, and have worked to require political groups operating in secret to disclose from where they receive their funding.

The Ohio University College Democrats (OUCD) believe the McCain-Feingold Bill is a good start to the reforms that are needed to keep special interest groups a nd other non-elected entities out of the legislative process. Civil Rights
The OUCDs are committed to continuing the historic fight to end discrimination. The OUCDs will fight to end discrimination by supporting increased funding for civil rights enforcement. The laws on our books should not just be pleasant words, but indeed pledges of justice.

LG BT ISSUES
Neither the government nor business has the right to decide what is “right” concerning sexual orientation. Homosexual partners deserve the same benefits and stats granted to heterosexual couples. These benefits include tax advantages, medical benefits, and adoption privileges.

WOMEN'S ISSUES
The OUCDs are pledged to uphold a woman’s right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade. The OUCDs believed it is a fundamental constitutional liberty that individual Americans – not government – can best take responsibility for making the most difficult and intensely personal decisions regarding re production. We would like to make abortion less necessary by promoting sex education in schools and increasing the availability of contraception.

The OUCDs believe in the fundamental right of working women to receive equal pay for equal work. Crime
The OUCDs recognize crime in America is caused by several societal factors. It is not until we solve these profound issues that we will achieve domestic bliss.

The OUCDs realize hate crimes are an assault on America itself and should be punished with extra force. The current administration has stood in the way of pro-civil rights programs and anti-crime laws that protect Americans from hate crimes.
The OUCDs hold fast to the notion that dru g awareness and education concerning the dangers of drug use are crucial elements to be delivered in our public schools. Public health officials, who are able to reduce the American demand for illegal drugs, should fight the war on drugs. The war fought in the far-off jungles of South America has done little to slow the profound damage caused by illicit drugs.

The OUCDs acknowledge and respect the right of homeowners and hunters to responsibly use firearms. Background checks, waiting periods for firearm purchases and mandatory trigger locks will help keep America’s children safe from the inherent dangers of firearm ownership.

CONSERVATION
T he OUCDs support a comprehensive energy plan that promotes responsible exploration and development while protecting the environment and consumers. We support conservation efforts and the increase of research in renewable energy to decrease America’s dependence on oil.

The OUCDs believe every individual, now and in the future, has a fundamental right to a hea lthy environment including uncontaminated food and clean air, water, and soil. In order to preserve this right, government at all levels must act ethically and decisively to ensure the preservation of ecosystems, our global environment, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

The United States has a responsibility to be a good global citizen; therefore the OUCDs support the immediate ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

DEFENSE
The OUCDs support the courageous men and women who make up America’s military. Democrats know we must invest in our armed forces by improving the quality of life of our military with better pay, better housing, improved health care, and increase veterans’ benefits. Democrats support maintaining our military’s infrastructure. Most importantly, OUCDs believe investments should be made wisely, while reducing waste.

ECONOMY
Democrats are committed to fiscal responsibility and promoting long-ter m economic growth. Democrats nationwide have proposed immediate and reasonable tax relief for businesses to spur job creation and capital investment. The OUCDs support these efforts as well as efforts to alleviate the financial burden facing middle and lower income workers.

The OUCDs believe the current progressive tax system, originally envisioned by our founders, is the fairest way of funding our government.

The OUCDs realize global trade is essential for the long-term health of our world economy. It is necessary we further free trade while maintaining a respect for the environment, worker’s rights, and the concern of organized labor.

EDUCATION
The OUCDs believe a college education should be as universal as high school is today. We must train America’s students for a fast-moving, fast-changing economy. Democrats support tax deductions for college tuition and increasing federal loan and grant programs.

The OUCDs believe higher education must be a priority in how the state of Ohio spends taxpayer dollars. Higher education funding is a direct investment in the economic health and quality of life in our state.

School vouchers are one of the worst things to happen to the public education system in this country. We are committed to improving America’s public schools fro m within rather than destroying them with vouchers. Standardized testing should not determine curriculum. Indeed, they rob students of a varied and engaging education. The standard of living for teachers is also deplorable and desperately needs to be remedied. Once sufficient efforts are made to increase the standard of living for teachers, reduce class size, and increase the teacher-to-student ratio, parents will choose pub lic schools with no need of looking elsewhere for educational opportunities.

HEALTH CARE
The OUCDs believe patients’ medical decisions should be made with their doctors and nurses, not by insurance company accountants and bureaucrats. We support enacting a strong and enforceable P atients’ Bill of Rights. The OUCDs believe Americans are entitled to affordable health insurance, prescription drugs, and support a national health care plan. Included within this plan are provisions made specifically for mental health care, children, and the elderly. Social Security
Today, 11.5 million elderly Americans would live in poverty without Social Security. The Democratic Party is working to ensure th at Social Security benefits are not put at risk. Democrats strongly oppose plans to jeopardize guaranteed benefits and are fighting Republican plans to that would cut those benefits, raise the retirement age, and gamble funds in the economic market. The OUCDs are strongly opposed to the privatization of Social Security.