DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN
2006 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY STATE CONVENTION ON JUNE 9, 2006
RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING JUSTICE, HUMAN CONCERNS, AND DEMOCRACY
06-JHD-01 Stem Cell Research (3rd CD – 68 Words)
WHEREAS, technology is the economic engine shaping the future of health care;
WHEREAS, stem cell research and genetic mapping may offer future cures for many life-ending diseases and conditions; and,
WHEREAS, Wisconsin is in a position to realize economic benefits from stem cell research;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that DPW advocates that state and federal governments be urged to support stem cell research and the allocation of funds to it.
06-JHD-02 Create a National Center for Genetic, Cellular, and Molecular Biological Research at the UW-Madison (8th CD – 66 Words)
WHEREAS, UW-Madison already hosts pioneering programs in stem cell, genetic, and molecular biological research;
WHEREAS, this research promises to provide benefits to Wisconsin in terms of health care, jobs, and new products; and,
WHEREAS, the current effort of legislators is counterproductive;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED that the DPW strongly supports establishment of a National Center for Human Genetic, Cellular, and Molecular Biological Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
06-JHD -03 Affordable Health Care (1st CD – 40 Words)
WHEREAS, health insurance and care costs rise dramatically each year; and,
WHEREAS, all Americans should have access to affordable health care;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports health care reforms that are equitable while reducing costs and increasing patients’ rights.
06-JHD -04 Universal Health Care (3rd CD – 89 Words)
WHEREAS, 45 million Americans, over 500,000 in Wisconsin, including 90,000 children, have minimal or no health insurance;
WHEREAS, most of the un/underinsured work full time and risk losing their coverage if they lose their jobs;
WHEREAS, 50% of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills; and,
WHEREAS, while only 61% of companies now offer coverage, businesses bear the burden of the costs, placing them at a disadvantage internationally;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports adoption of a single payer, universal health plan, including drugs, regardless of employment, and focused on prevention.
06-JHD-05 Universal Health Care (8th CD – 100 Words)
WHEREAS, the USA is the only Western industrial nation without a National Health Care System for all citizens;
WHEREAS, ~50 million Americans (& children) cannot afford health insurance and small businesses are over-burdened by the cost of such insurance for their workers;
WHEREAS, Medicare and Medicaid currently offer coverage significantly lower overhead cost (2% as opposed to 15%) with more choices of doctors and hospitals;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that Democratic legislators on Federal, state, and local levels fight for legislation to make the above agencies into our National Health Care System for all citizens from birth to death.
06-JHD-06 National Health Care (7th CD – 90 Words)
WHEREAS, America’s health care system is fundamentally flawed, and attempts to fix the system have cost billions of dollars while leaving millions of Americans without health insurance;
WHEREAS, Congress has not addressed the problems of excessive administrative costs, inefficient use of resources and profiteering by drug companies; and,
WHEREAS, the United States is one of the few industrialized societies not to have a national health care plan, including long-term and mental health protection;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW demands that Congress must adopt a Universal Single Payer health care system.
06-JHD-07 Health Care (1st CD – 82 Words)
WHEREAS, Affordable health insurance is becoming increasingly beyond the reach of middle class Americans;
WHEREAS, poor people’s access to health care is becoming more restricted;
WHEREAS, fewer and fewer employers are able to offer affordable health care to their employees; and,
WHEREAS, the Republican majority in Congress refuses to allow consideration of health care legislation;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that DPW initiates a dialogue with business and industry leaders and other interested parties and the public with the aim of developing health care legislation.
06-JHD-08 Health Security America (7th CD – 95 Words)
WHEREAS, the American health care system spends twice per person as Japan and Sweden for a life expectancy of 5 and 3.5 years less; leaves 45 million people uninsured; stifles competition, portability and patient choice; and,
WHEREAS, Health Security America, a new, citizen-controlled, self-funded, efficient health care plan with a diverse 295,000,000 person risk pool, directed by the book Health Security America: Fixing the health care crisis by Dr. Fred Bannister offers a health-secure America;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, all citizens may participate from birth to death in Health Security America, those under 19 years without cost.
06-JHD-09 Adopting an Alternative Healthcare Plan, Like the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Healthcare Plan, for Health Care Administration (6th CD – 56 Words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin is facing a healthcare crisis of near catastrophic proportions which may soon put quality healthcare out of reach for the majority of Wisconsin’s employers, employees, and citizens forever;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW advises the Governor and State Legislature to adopt an alternative plan, like the Wisconsin Health Care Partnership Plan, for healthcare administration.
06-JHD-10 Medicare Prescription Plan D (1st CD – 64 Words)
WHEREAS, Medicare Prescription Plan D does not allow negotiations for the lowest prices;
WHEREAS, the out-of-pocket cost is too high; and,
WHEREAS, the deadline for enrollment is too soon;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that Congress must work to make the following changes: Government should negotiate for the lowest prescription prices; Out-of-pocket costs should be reduced; and the deadline for enrollment should be eliminated.
06-JHD-11 “Medicare for People not Excessive Corporate Profit” - Resolution to Lower Medicare Prescription Drug Bills by Negotiating Volume Purchases (5th CD – 99 words)
WHEREAS, the Bush Medicare Prescription Drug Act pays 75% of initial drug costs to $2,250 (after $250 deductible); thereafter the beneficiaries pay everything up to $5,100 with no assistance, leaving the gap;
WHEREAS, Bush’s MPDA prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from negotiating lower drug prices, which benefits drug companies; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act (MPDGRA) assists Medicare beneficiaries by allowing the Secretary of HHS to negotiate lower drug prices and apply the savings towards gap reduction;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the MPDGRA, co-sponsored by Senators Kohl and Feingold (D-WI).
06-JHD-12 Reproductive Rights (7th CD – 60 Words)
WHEREAS, women's reproductive rights are under attack in America;
WHEREAS, the right to privacy associated with regard to reproduction are in grave danger of being lost; and,
WHEREAS, reproductive rights include access to information, medications, devices, and medical procedures that protect women's rights and health;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW shall work vigorously to preserve and protect women's reproductive rights.
06-JHD-13 Opposition to the South Dakota Abortion Ban (6th CD – 96 Words)
WHEREAS, South Dakota has passed a law that bans all abortions except to save the life of the mother;
WHEREAS, this legislation sets up a direct assault on the 1973 US Supreme Court decision known as Roe v. Wade; and,
WHEREAS, a reversal of Roe v. Wade would take away a woman’s right to choose, make criminals of doctors and women, and force women to return to the back-alleys;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports a woman’s right to choose by stating opposition to this law and encouraging its members, as tourists, to bypass South Dakota.
06-JHD-14 Women’s Right to Birth Control (3rd CD – 93 Words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin Republican legislators passed bills that would impede a woman’s access to birth control, such as bills that would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill contraceptive and emergency contraceptive prescriptions that would prevent the dispensing of these medications to female students at the University of Wisconsin health clinics;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that birth control pills and emergency contraception shall be required to be sold over the counter, that all pharmacies shall be required to carry these methods of birth control, and all pharmacists shall be required to fill these prescriptions.
06-JHD-15 Remove Religious Bias from Health Care Delivery (8th CD – 98 Words)
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin State Legislature has passed bills that would allow health care providers and pharmacists to deny people prescriptions, treatments, and therapies which do not conform to a certain set of religious beliefs (AB 207, AB 175, AB 343);
WHEREAS, the Legislature has also passed bills to impose these beliefs on children, pregnant women, and the terminally ill; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the right not to be ruled by a particular religion;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that all restrictive legislation that seeks to impose a religious bias in health care delivery be repealed.
06-JHD-16 Equal Rights Amendment (1st CD – 86 Words)
WHEREAS, women experience discrimination in matters of law where inequities exist between states;
WHEREAS, women’s wages nationwide lag behind men’s by 25 to 30%;
WHEREAS, women in many cases are the sole providers for the children, and hardship cases can result in costs and problems for society; and,
WHEREAS, the concept of equal pay for equal work still is not universally observed;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the reintroduction of the Equal Rights Amendment, with no additions, and urges Congress to pass it without undue delay.
06-JHD-17 Supporting Real Science (2nd CD - 98 words)
WHEREAS, the scientific method is a rigorous and time-tested recipe for learning about the universe around us;
WHEREAS, that recipe includes observations, hypotheses, and logic which are then combined to produce explanations for natural phenomena in the form of theories;
WHEREAS, predictions from theories must produce consistent results under repeated testing; and
WHEREAS, the application of the scientific method has played a fundamental role in advancing human society;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports scientists in their pursuit of knowledge and will work to maintain the independence that has allowed them to help expand Humanity's knowledge of the universe.
06-JHD-18 Public Campaign Financing (3rd CD – 98 words)
WHEREAS, democracy depends upon free and fair elections in which a variety of points of view are fairly and fully advocated;
WHEREAS, elections have become increasingly expensive, allowing wealthy special interests to develop disproportionate influence, while keeping many worthy candidates from running;
WHEREAS, incumbency provides advantages in communication and fund-raising;
WHEREAS, the foundation of democracy is weakened when voters lose confidence in government and feel disenfranchised; and
WHEREAS, one way to bring fairness to elections is through public campaign financing;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports stricter ethics laws and full public financing of all state and federal elections.
06-JHD-19 Public Campaign Financing (2nd CD – 83 words)
WHEREAS, the escalating cost of running for public office excludes many worthy citizens from seeking election;
WHEREAS, corporations and wealthy individuals have flooded the political process with money to candidates, which is undermining public confidence in the integrity of campaigns;
WHEREAS, the very foundation of democracy is weakened when voters see themselves as disenfranchised; and
WHEREAS, partial funding has obviously failed to eliminate the influence of big money;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports full public financing of all state and federal election campaigns.
06-JHD-20 Public Financing of Elections (8th CD – 54 words)
WHEREAS, the need to raise vast amounts of money and spend it primarily on advertising has become so corrupting to our electoral system and to our elected officials;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW endorses full public financing of elections and free and equal advertising time and/or space in all news media to all candidates.
06-JHD-21 Campaign Finance Reform (7th CD – 68 words)
WHEREAS, corporations and wealthy individuals spent millions of dollars on "issue ads" to influence state legislative elections in 2004; and
WHEREAS, corporations and wealthy individuals utilize "issue ads" as a method to circumvent current campaign finance regulation, which undermines public confidence in the integrity of campaigns and misleads citizens;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports reform of campaign finance laws to lessen the influence of money on public policy.
06-JHD-22 Upholding the Separation of Religion and Government (3rd CD – 99 words)
WHEREAS, separation of religion and government has been a basic tenet since the foundation of our nation; and
WHEREAS, this policy has fostered a lively, free, and healthy faith community which may express its religious opinions regarding social and political issues, while respecting the rights of others to do the same;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW THAT public policy prohibit government from interfering in the free practice of religion and religion from interfering in the free practice of government; and
THAT government prohibit use of public funds to support the activities of any religious social service or educational institution.
06-JHD-23 Opposing Harsh Immigration Legislation (4th and 5th CDs – 97 words)
WHEREAS, the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment provides citizenship to all persons born in the US;
WHEREAS, immigrants contribute significantly to American life socially, culturally, technologically, and economically;
WHEREAS, pending legislation, such as HR 698 and 4437, would deny citizenship to children born in the US to parents who are not citizens or permanent resident aliens and make some immigrants and those assisting them felons; and
WHEREAS, the Democratic Party believes in dignity and respect for all persons in this country;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the Fourteenth Amendment and opposes HR 698 and 4437 and all similar legislation.
06-JHD-24 Censure/Impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney
(7th CD – 99 words)
WHEREAS, President Bush's invasion of Iraq was prohibited by the UN Charter and, by violating said Charter, Bush violated our Constitution;
WHEREAS, to rationalize invasion of Iraq, Bush/Cheney used incorrect and insufficient data, and thereby committed fraud against the American public;
WHEREAS, Bush/Cheney engaged in and encouraged illegal detentions of American citizens immediately after 9/11 as well as the mass detentions and illegal torture at Guantanamo and in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other nations; and
WHEREAS, Bush/Cheney's Administration is engaging in illegal warrantless spying upon US citizens;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports attempts to censure or impeach Bush and Cheney.
06-JHD-25 Support of Senator Russ Feingold's Motion to Censure President Bush
(1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th CDs – 100 words)
WHEREAS, President Bush has repeatedly abused his Office by taking or authorizing actions prohibited by the Constitution;
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration, by admission of the President himself, is violating the law by warrantless surveillance of US citizens contrary to the 4th Amendment and the FISA;
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration has severely hampered Congressional oversight of the Executive; and
WHEREAS, Congress refuses to hold President Bush accountable for violations of the law by himself and his Administration;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW holds President Bush accountable for his and his Administration's illegal conduct by supporting Senator Feingold's motion to censure the President.
06-JHD-26 Thanking Senator Feingold for Calling for Censure of the President
(6th CD – 61 words)
WHEREAS, Senator Russ Feingold has taken a courageous stand in calling for the censure of President Bush because of the President's illegal wiretap activities; and
WHEREAS, the public needs to know that Senator Feingold by taking his stand is expressing the feelings of many ordinary people;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW thanks Senator Feingold for his call for censure of the President.
06-JHD-27 Oppose the “Unpatriotic Spy on Your Neighbor and Imprisonment Without Cause or Warrant Act” (5th CD – 100 words)
WHEREAS, Senator Feingold continues to fight the Orwellian “Patriot Act,” which violates constitutionally guaranteed civil rights in favor of fear-driven snooping on Americans without warrants required by the FISA;
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration, contrary to its repeated denials, has committed widespread, secret, warrantless NSA snooping; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Sensenbrenner is an architect in this abandonment of the rule of law and the Constitution, which he had sworn to uphold;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports Senator Feingold and reminds Congress, the President and his Administration of their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution, or be subject to discharge, censure or impeachment.
06-JHD-28 For Legislation to Provide for Forming Civil Unions (7th CD – 88 words)
WHEREAS, same-sex couples in Wisconsin are not permitted to enjoy almost 1200 legal and financial benefits available to many heterosexual couples;
WHEREAS, denial of these benefits is harmful to the well-being of gay and lesbian couples and families; and
WHEREAS, civil unions for same-sex couples will make these same rights and responsibilities available to all;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports legislation to provide a process to form civil unions as a way of making the same legal and financial advantages available to everyone without regard to sexual orientation.
O6-JHD-29 Oppose the Proposed, So-called "Defense of Marriage" State Constitutional Amendment ("Amendment")
(6th CD – 100 words)
WHEREAS, we support the rights to reproductive and sexual self-determination, policies that guarantee all individuals' right to privacy, and the right to marry;
WHEREAS, we believe the Wisconsin Constitution should protect rights of the State's citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Amendment threatens the federal and state constitutions' guarantees of substantive due process and equal protection because the Amendment would discriminate against same-sex couples by barring them from marrying or entering into civil unions;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW opposes all efforts to amend the Wisconsin Constitution to allow discrimination against certain classes of people and in particular opposes adoption of the Amendment.
06-JHD-30 Oppose the Proposed State Constitutional Amendment on the November, 2006 Ballot ("Amendment") to Ban Gay Marriages and Civil Unions (4th CD – 81 words)
WHEREAS, the Amendment, if adopted, would permanently, unjustly, and unfairly deny gay couples in committed relationships and their families the rights associated with marriage; and
WHEREAS, the Amendment, if adopted, would also jeopardize existing fair and family-friendly legal protections for all unmarried couples, as similar amendments, that other states have adopted, are being used to overturn rights to domestic-partner benefits;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW opposes the Amendment's adoption and will join with other Wisconsin organizations in efforts to defeat the Amendment.
06-JHD-31 Oppose Discrimination and Constitutional Restrictions on Civil Unions
(1st and 2nd CDs – 100 words)
WHEREAS, marriage, apart from religious aspects, entails legal rights and responsibilities, which non-married couples are denied but could secure through civil unions; and
WHEREAS, our State Constitution must not tolerate invidious discrimination or the state's being constrained by religious concerns from affording some people legal rights and responsibilities like those associated with marriage;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW is committed to fighting all invidious discrimination, including based on sexual orientation, and opposes changing our State Constitution to preclude the availability of civil unions and so discriminate against non-heterosexual couples, who now may not marry, and heterosexual couples, who choose not to.
06-JHD-32 For Earlier Primaries (1st CD – 88 words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin's primary elections for state and national offices are in September;
WHEREAS, before a primary election, many do not want to contribute to or otherwise become involved with the campaign of a candidate in the primary;
WHEREAS, the winner of a Democratic primary has little time to campaign and fund raise before the November general election; and
WHEREAS, late primaries are an advantage to incumbents;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW work to have the date of Wisconsin's primaries for state and national offices moved to the spring.
06-JHD-33 Preserve Civil Liberties While Fighting Terrorism (2nd CD – 100 words)
WHEREAS, the US Constitution's Bill of Rights guarantees the people several rights and liberties;
WHEREAS, the DPW opposes terrorism but affirms that any actions against terrorism must not be at the expense of violating the Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, the Patriot Act, Homeland Security Act, various executive orders, and other measures claimed to be important for fighting terrorism ("anti-terrorism measures") also threaten or violate the Bill of Rights;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW urges US Representatives and Senators to monitor implementation of anti-terrorism measures and work to repeal those that are unconstitutional because they violate of the Bill of Rights.
06-JHD-34 For Honesty in Government (8th CD – 86 words)
WHEREAS, fraudulent intelligence reports made the case for a misguided war in Iraq;
WHEREAS, the Administration's flat-footed response to Hurricane Katrina revealed a disaster-management system based on cronyism, not responsibility; and
WHEREAS, recklessly disregarding the law, the President continues wiretapping American citizens illegally, putting front-line intelligence analysts and the evidence they gather in legal jeopardy;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW demands that the President and Administration be brought to account for all their abuses of power and that they be thoroughly and honestly investigated by the Congress.
06-JHD-35 Oppose Capital Punishment (8th CD – 78 words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin abolished capital punishment in 1853;
WHEREAS, capital punishment has never been conclusively proven to be a deterrent to crime;
WHEREAS, there have been numerous incidents of wrongful deaths due to capital punishment and history has shown capital punishment has not always been fairly and justly administered; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin system of justice has worked effectively for many years without capital punishment;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW opposes any attempt to return capital punishment in the state.
06-JHD-36 Oppose Reenactment of the Death Penalty (5th CD – 99 words)
WHEREAS, reliable statistics indicate that states without the death penalty have significantly lower murder rates;
WHEREAS, implementation of death penalty trials costs taxpayers 50-70% more than trials not involving capital punishment;
WHEREAS, the cost of life imprisonment without parole compared with imposing the death penalty saves taxpayers millions of dollars, that could better be used for human needs;
WHEREAS, states using the death penalty have not found it to be a deterrent to heinous crimes; and
WHEREAS, judicial mistakes have occurred leading to executions of innocent people;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW opposes reenactment of the death penalty in Wisconsin.
06-JHD-37 Support for Current Law Prohibiting "Concealed Carry" (8th CD – 55 words)
WHEREAS, gun violence has increased, resulting in a public health issue;
WHEREAS, legalization of "concealed carry" would increase the number of guns in society; and
WHEREAS, legalization of concealed weapons will increase the potential for gun violence and result in unnecessary injury and deaths;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the current law prohibiting concealed carry.
06-JHD-38 Insisting on a Voting System Paper Trail (7th CD – 96 words)
WHEREAS, there have been many discrepancies in vote totals throughout the US using the various types of current voting machines and systems; and
WHEREAS, in order to insure accurate vote totals, voting machines and systems need to be retrofitted to provide a paper record of votes cast or new machines or systems need to be purchased which have a built-in, auditable paper-trail component;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW demands that our legislators in Washington sponsor legislation that would require that voting systems that have auditable paper trails be used in all elections, whether federal, state, or local.
06-JHD-39 To Avoid Gerrymandering (5th CD – 59 words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s legislative districts are so gerrymandered as to make it almost impossible for a challenger to succeed; and;
WHEREAS, safe districts are designed to protect an incumbent; and
WHEREAS, cohesive boundaries do not exist;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW petition our state legislators to have a non-partisan commission established to draw cohesive legislative districts following each national census.
06-JHD-40 Voter ID (5th CD – 79 words)
WHEREAS, there are problems with the election system;
WHEREAS, the government requires new voters to show a valid ID to record driver’s license numbers or supply the last four digits of their Social Security numbers;
WHEREAS, requiring a picture ID to vote will be an inconvenience to many seniors, or others who currently do not have a driver’s license;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW petition our legislators to not require pre-registered voters to show a picture ID to vote.
RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
06-AGE-01 Climate Change/Global Warming (3rd CD - 94 Words)
WHEREAS, the last decade has seen dramatic increase in world temperature, 2005 being the warmest year on record;
WHEREAS, CO2 levels, from fossil fuel consumption, have increased dramatically;
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the temperature could rise as much as 11*F by 2100;
WHEREAS, projected impacts to our health and economic welfare include coastal flooding, spread of disease, adverse weather, and biodiversity loss;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED the DPW support climate change mitigation by promoting smart growth and energy conservation; and
THAT the DPW advocates the U.S. to abide by the Kyoto Accords.
06-AGE-02 Sustainable Growth in the Production of Renewable Energy (7th and 8th CDs - 92 words)
WHEREAS, our nation has become deeply entrenched and dependent on the use of foreign oil; and
WHEREAS, technologies for wind, solar, and geothermal sources of energy are increasingly available and affordable; of all kinds, especially when they are found in protected landscapes;
WHEREAS, renewable energy production will create new jobs and economic growth;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the DPW that our state and national governments support actively the development and use of safe, non-nuclear, sustainable, alternative sources of renewable energy by instituting a system of significant incentives for those who adopt these technologies.
06-AGE-03 Environmental Health (8th CD – 91 words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin's DNR is responsible for protecting the air from contaminants dangerous to residents' health and the environment; the Department sells air permits to industries which generate dangerous contaminants; and the Department's permits acknowledge that many pollutants exceed critical health thresholds;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that legislation be passed that declares government's purpose is to secure citizens' health and welfare, empowers Wisconsin's DNR to limit the concentrations of dangerous air contaminants, and authorizes the DNR to negotiate progressive, systematic industrial infra-structural plans to conform with safe levels of citizen exposure.
06-AGE-04 Preserving Member-Controlled Cooperatives (6th CD - 99 words)
WHEREAS, co-ops are unique businesses based on member control and financing, with benefit distribution based on patronage Coop’s meet economic need and because of their structure, they build leadership and community;
WHEREAS, control of the board by outside investors is outlawed, recent federal and state efforts attempt to convert cooperatives into unincorporated cooperative associations (UCA) opening cooperatives to ownership by any corporation;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports local ownership and leadership be preserved; and
THAT UCAs shouldn’t be called “cooperatives” and their creation as hybrid corporations never be considered without full disclosure to and consent of cooperative members.
RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING PARTY GOVERNANCE
06-PG-01 Effective Framing of our Messages and Communication with the Base
(5th CD – 94 Words)
WHEREAS, communications, between the various Democratic Party Committees, County Chairs Association, and the Democrats and Progressives of this State, are vitally important to keep this state moving forward; and,
WHEREAS, the current process of communication leaves the greater part of the public unaware of activities and policies at the committee or state levels;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW institute a coordinated effort between the Platform and Resolutions Committee, County Chairs, CD Chairs and Administrative Committee to develop more effective, and uniformly framed messages to advance awareness and support for our legislators, candidates, policies, and Platform.
06-PG-02 Access for Persons with Disabilities (6th CD – 37 Words)
WHEREAS, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin believes in dignity, equality, and respect for all;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, whenever possible DPW events will not be held at locations that are not fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
06-PG-03 For Implementation of 2005 DPW Impeachment and Iraq-Withdrawal Resolutions (2nd CD, 96 words)
WHEREAS, the DPW in 2005 passed "impeachment" and "expeditious withdrawal of US troops from Iraq" resolutions and now the high crimes and misdemeanors and war are much worse;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW shall act on these resolutions by conducting organizing meetings throughout Wisconsin to get county and municipal referenda questions on impeachment and withdrawal on the 11/7/06 and 4/3/07 ballots; cooperate with other organizations seeking the same objectives; provide financial and legal assistance as necessary; and appoint immediately after the 2006 State Convention an implementation committee to see that this effort is conducted with serious determination.
RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING FOREIGN AFFAIRS
06-FA-01 End the U.S. Occupation of Iraq (3rd and 6th CDs – 97 words)
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration misled the United States into an illegal invasion of Iraq;
WHEREAS, approximately 2,500 U.S. soldiers have been killed and 17,000 seriously wounded, thousands of Iraqis have been killed, injured, and seen their property and infrastructure destroyed;
WHEREAS, a majority of the Iraqi people polled want us out of Iraq, and the fact that there appears to be no end in sight of the hostilities in Iraq;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the troops, but urges the government to announce a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, at the earliest possible time.
06-FA-02 Stopping Funding of the Iraq War (1st CD – 87 words)
WHEREAS, the Iraq War is illegal because the U.S. government authorized an unprovoked preemptive attack on a sovereign nation; and
WHEREAS, DPW passed a resolution at its 2005 State convention calling for the withdrawal of U.S., Forces from Iraq; and
WHEREAS, $250 Billion has already been authorized for spending on this illegal war; and
WHEREAS, President Bush is asking Congress for an additional $72 Billion for funding this illegal war;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports an end to authorizing funding for U.S. Military operations in Iraq.
06-FA-03 Adopt the Murtha Plan for Withdrawal from Iraq (7th CD – 95 words)
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration's main reasons for going to war in Iraq have been discredited;
WHEREAS, approximately 2,400 American troops have been killed and $300 billion spent;
WHEREAS, thousands of Iraqi lives have been lost, their country destabilized and devastated;
WHEREAS, Senator Feingold has stated the war has made America less safe and called for troop withdrawal by the end of 2006;
WHEREAS, continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interests of the United States,
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that the United States disengage from Iraq following the John Murtha Plan.
06-FA-06 Opposing Torture and Favoring US Membership in the New United Nations Council on Human Rights (UNCHR) (2nd CD – 100 words)
WHEREAS, there are laws and treaties, binding in and on the US, that ban torture, because it is morally and socially abhorrent, is evil itself and provokes evil;
WHEREAS, the US should join UNCHR as part of leading the world in eliminating torture;
WHEREAS, a nation must receive 96 votes from the UN General Assembly to become a UNCHR member and the US will not receive enough votes if it fails to end torture at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, Bagram, and other US prisons;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW, unequivocally opposing torture, demands the US renounce and cease the use of torture.
RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION, LABOR, AND ECONOMICS
06-ELE-01 Public Education (3rd CD - 94 Words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s history of quality public education is at risk due to revenue caps and inconsistent state aid to local school districts;
WHEREAS, without an educated populace, we risk the downfall of democracy;
WHEREAS, school funding based on property taxes is inherently unfair and unequal;
WHEREAS, public education is an integral part of an educated and fully employed citizenry that should be affordable and accessible;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW endorses low cost tuition for all Wisconsin citizens; and
THAT the legislature enact a public education support system to ensure quality public education for all.
06-ELE-02 No Child Left Behind Act (1st CD – 87 Words)
WHEREAS, No Child Left Behind Act sets standards developed by non-educators and does not consider individual differences;
WHEREAS, No Child Left Behind Act uses punishment to try to meet goals;
WHEREAS, No Child Left Behind Act lacks funding and is an unfunded mandate, even draining funds from other areas;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW is committed to amending No Child Left Behind Act so that federal funding is provided to states, school districts, and schools which do not use testing success to enable them to meet current standards.
06-ELE-03 To Endorse and Support Governor Doyle's Covenant on Education (7th CD – 93 Words)
WHEREAS, the cost of post high school education in Wisconsin is becoming prohibitive; and
WHEREAS, a trained and educated workforce enjoys a higher quality of life and provides increased productivity to the economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin has traditionally provided a high quality, post secondary education at an affordable cost; and
WHEREAS, the Land Grant System of Universities, of which the University of Wisconsin is one, is obligated to provide a quality, reasonably priced education,
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW does hereby endorse and support Governor Jim Doyle's Covenant on Education.
06-ELE-04 Minimum Livable Wage (Including Costs of Holding a Job) - (2nd, 3rd, and 8th CDs - 88 words)
WHEREAS, a minimum wage of $9.00 per hour is currently required to keep a single wage earner above the poverty line established by the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, millions of working Americans cannot afford decent housing, health care, or adequate nutrition;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the DPW that laws to mandate that all employers (beginning with the State and Federal Governments) offer wages that either allow full-time workers to earn above the national poverty level in a 40-hour work week or provide services to bring families above that level.
06-ELE-05 “Say Yes to Legislative Responsibility” – (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th CD – 97 words)
WHEREAS, the proposed Taxpayer Protection Amendment to the Wisconsin State Constitution would bring great harm to local communities through continued reductions in state funding, increases in unfunded State mandates, and potentially, direct tax and expenditure limitations at the local level, which would severely erode decision-making at the local level and the ability to provide the basic services that citizens of Wisconsin and the nation expect and deserve;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW favors Legislative fiscal responsibility in providing funding and a balanced budget rather than their abdication of that responsibility via Constitutional amendments which takes away responsible control.
06-ELE-06 Oppose the Destruction of Government (“DOG”) Proposed WI Constitutional Amendment (also known deceptively as the “Taxpayer Protection Amendment”) (2nd CD – 99 words)
WHEREAS, failed with TABOR, Republicans now propose the DOG Amendment;
WHEREAS, the DOG Amendment, with unreasonable and inflexible tax-revenue limits, would cause fiscal havoc and protect neither taxpayers nor their communities;
WHEREAS, the DOG Amendment would eliminate local control and require draconian cuts in essential public services, like Medicaid, police/fire protection, road construction/repair, environmental protection, public education at all levels, libraries, and parks; and
WHEREAS, legislators should not have a DOG Amendment to allow them to hide from their duty to take stands on individual budget issues;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW opposes the DOG Amendment and all similar gimmickry.
06-ELE-07 Stop WAL-MART (2nd CD – 97 words)
WHEREAS, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) is building stores across Wisconsin and the USA;
WHEREAS, Wal-Mart with other retailers, does billions of dollars in business with China, which is known to repress worker and human rights;
WHEREAS, Wal-Mart works to stop the formation of unions, and works to lower living standards of its employees; and,
WHEREAS, Wal-Mart, by offering unaffordable health plans, passes costs to the state;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW stands by working-class America in opposing Wal-Mart Supercenters and encourages all citizens to buy local, Union-made goods and purchase locally grown produce to stop retailers like Wal-Mart.
06-ELE-08 Elimination of Healthcare Worker Mandatory Overtime Within the State Agencies of Wisconsin (6thCD - 96 words)
WHEREAS, state employed healthcare staff have for years gone above and beyond the call of duty regarding mandatory overtime;
WHEREAS, Mandatory Overtime (MOT) increases risk of accidents, injuries, chronic fatigue, and related diseases leading to increased use of sick time;
WHEREAS, MOT reduces family time, diminishes productivity and quality of patient service;
WHEREAS, MOT increases Worker’s Compensation claims, and raises employee healthcare insurance premiums;
WHEREAS, reduced staff to patient ratios, has led to increased MOT;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW requests that the State of Wisconsin work to increase health care staffing and to eliminate MOT.
06-ELE-09 Corporate Taxes (5th CD – 100 words)
WHEREAS, the percentage of Federal Tax Collections from corporations has fallen from 33% of total Tax collections to 15% since 1940; and
WHEREAS, collections from individuals have risen from 44% to 73 % of total collections in the same period and, at the same time, tax rates for the wealthiest individuals have fallen precipitously, causing tax burdens to shift to working and middle class citizens;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports corporate tax rates at the Federal level be adjusted to provide at least 30% of all tax collections, with savings shifted to reduce taxes for lower and middle income individuals.
FLOOR RESOLUTIONS
06-FLR-01 Banning the Use of (Un)Depleted Uranium (Submitted by Les Nakamoto, 5th CD – 100 words)
WHEREAS, DU, with a half-life of 4.5 billion years, is illegal under UNCHR, considered a WMD under the UN Human Rights Commission of 1996, violates the Hague and Geneva Conventions, and;
WHEREAS, 250,000 disabled and 15,000 deaths with 425,000 ill of veterans resulted from a few weeks exposure in 1991's war, and 1,000,000 troops, with over 24,000,000 civilians exposed to 5 times the DU used in 1991 in the current war;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW advocates its use should cease, medical treatment provided to those exposed, and military and civilian leaders who ordered its use be tried for War Crimes.
06-FLR-02 Don’t Attack Iran (Submitted by Dennis Coyier, 2nd CD – 89 words)
WHEREAS, President Bush is rattling his saber again in what many believe is an attempt to help Congressional Republicans before the November elections by starting a war in Iran; and,
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. State Department's own Web site, Iran is likely years away from producing weapons-grade plutonium or highly enriched uranium; and,
WHEREAS, it is wrong for the United States to attack other countries without provocation and lies from the White House; and,
WHEREAS, we cannot afford another war;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW, says DON'T ATTACK IRAN!
06-FLR-03 Veteran Affairs Funding (Submitted by Al Labelle, 7th CD – 95 words)
WHEREAS, to many, Support the Troops means a lawn sign or a car magnet;
WHEREAS, the Veterans Affairs healthcare budget has received only minimal increases in recent years, creating a significant funding gap;.
WHEREAS, last summer Democrats led by Congressman Dave Obey led an effort to provide emergency funding to correct a Veterans Affairs shortfall;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that to the DPW Support the Troops means supporting the enactment of guaranteed Veterans Affairs funding by Congress to provide proper healthcare for all eligible veterans, including those injured in Iraq, Afghanistan and in previous wars and conflicts.
06-FLR-04 Return Wisconsin to Clean and Capable Governance (Submitted by Louis Molepske, 7th CD – 100 Words)
WHEREAS, only 6% of polled Wisconsinites believe their elected officials represent their interest as constituents; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has ethically declined;
WHEREAS, Republicans, Scott Jensen, Steven Foti, Bonnie Ladwig and Democrats Gary George, Chuck Chvala and Brian Burke have been convicted of serious crimes related to their elected offices; and,
WHEREAS, publicly supported ethics reform legislation was killed in the State Assembly after passing the Senate and being called for by Governor Doyle;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW strongly supports reforming Wisconsin’s Legislature and specifically, will not condone malfeasance by public officials serving at the trust of the electorate.
06-FLR-05 Four Year Old Kindergarten (Submitted by Joe Wineke, 2nd CD and Jason Rae, 7th CD - 97 words)
WHEREAS, Wisconsin founders established free public education for all children between the ages of four and twenty in the Wisconsin State Constitution;
WHEREAS, investing early in our children’s education is an investment in America’s future;
WHEREAS, we believe that when the barriers to pre-school are lifted all Wisconsin benefits from higher rates of graduation, lower crime rates, increased employment rates and reduced reliance on welfare;
WHEREAS, the Republican Party of Wisconsin is committed to abolishing four year old kindergarten in Wisconsin.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW fully supports guaranteed kindergarten for all four year old children in Wisconsin.