platform/leg agenda

The Progressive Democrats of America (http://pdamerica.org/index.php) have released a useful policy guideline paper covering the Palestine / Israel conflict. Among their important findings is that "U.S. policy, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, has been to support successive Israeli governments and actions in a one-sided

The Multnomah County Democratic Central Committee voted Thursday night to endorse a congressional initiative that could result in the impeachment of President George W. Bush. By voice vote, about 60 Democratic precinct leaders supported a resolution recently introduced by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. That resolution, which so far has attracted seven co-sponsors, calls for the establishment of a select committee to "investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment." It is H. Res. 635, referred to the Rules Committee.

Education

1. Create legislation which increases federal funding of education because education should be a national priority.

Environment & Natural Resources

1. Create legislation ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.

Foreign Policy

1. Create a county-wide resolution encouraging the US government to respect the democratic processes and sovereignty of Venezuela

Human Rights, Civil Liberties & Justice

1. Create County ordinances that will abide by Chapter IX Articles 55 & 56 of the UN Charter, providing the means to make the required reports of violations to civil and human rights to the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Energy

1. Create City of Portland ordinance to create PUD and remove PGE-Enron.

Foreign Policy

1. Create a resolution establishing a sister-city relationship between Portland and an enlightened and progressive Venezuelan port city of similar size.

Children, Families and Communities

1. CREATE Statute prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or identity.

2. REPEAL Oregon Constitutional Amendment XV 5.A. which dictates that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized.

3. ORS 106.060 AMEND Statute defining marriage; expand Statute to allow same sex marriages.

We advocate safe comprehensive, affordable, energy efficient and environmentally sound methods and transportation plans that support rail, light rail, marine, air, roads and alternative transportation infrastructure in Oregon and the United States. Maintenance on current transportation infrastructure should be funded to ensure the public safety

We believe a system of revenues and services which increases the incomes of the poorest members of our society is the greatest engine for economic strength to benefit all. We support a progressive and fair mix of revenue that provides adequate funding to meet Oregon's commitment to quality education and to other essential services. Working people, who participate productively in the economy, should not bear the tax burden for those with unearned income. Similarly, individuals should not bear the tax burden disproportionately to the taxation of corporations.

Personal and community safety is a fundamental right. We reaffirm a constitutional right to privacy. We support a criminal justice system that protects the rights of both the victims and the accused. We support effective rehabilitation programs and victim restitution. We believe that economic opportunity, education, community responsibility and involvement and meaningful consequences are key elements to preventing crime.

We support protection against discrimination, universal access to civil and criminal justice, and the freedom to worship as protected by the separation of church and state. We support the fundamental rights guaranteed by our State constitution, the Federal Bill of Rights and the UNUDHR. We support extending these rights to all people regardless of citizenship, and honoring Native American Treaty Rights. Corporations as legal entities shall not be granted US Constitutional rights.