NUECES COUNTY PARTY PLATFORM
Adopted by The Nueces County Executive Committee
July 28, 2010
PREAMBLE
The Nueces Democratic Party believes in the values that guide the family in education, employment, environment, fiscal policy and human rights/immigration. We believe our community is best served when we adhere to the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self -evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness." In support of these principles, we the people of Nueces County Democratic Party adopt this working platform to increase voter awareness of these ideas.
EDUCATION
Nueces County Democrats believe a world class education system is a moral imperative and an economic necessity that requires parents, educators and community leaders to work together to provide our children the skills needed to compete and succeed in a global economy.
K-12 Education
-We support educational programs that lower the dropout rate:
Reduce the increased emphasis of standardized testing and the amount of testing
Smaller class sizes
Improve safety for students at teachers by enforcing the Safe School Act in all
Campuses and reduce bullying.
Allow students to attend magnet or vocational campuses that encourage their special interests.
Reform and strengthen the quality of alternative education programs.
We believe all children should be able to attend a safe, secure school and have access to exemplary educational programs that values and encourages critical thinking and creativity.
-We support highly qualified teachers in all subject areas.
-We support 100% fair and equitable public school finance system (alters or eliminates “robin hood”)
-We support fostering health, nutrition, and physical activity for all students.
Higher Education
-We support in reducing the skyrocketing costs of college that has occurred in the past fifteen years.
-We support the expansion and public funding of institutions such as Del Mar College and TAMUCC.
-We support efforts to assist in the transition of all students from high school to college or trade schools.
EMPLOYMENT
Just, equitable wages and support for local businesses provide the foundation for a stable economy and society.
-We believe in buying products and services from local businesses.
-We support alternative energy industries - that will create jobs for local residents
-We believe Schools, Colleges and Universities should offer more tech classes, job training and recruitment for students to improve job opportunities.
-We support Eco-tourism that will create more jobs for local residents and provide for economic growth in our region.
-We support economic growth that is clean and safe for our citizens and will provide more jobs for local residents.
-We support employers who offer higher paying jobs and believe in equal pay for the same job performed by both men and women.
-We support employers who hire a proportionate representation of men, women and minorities.
ENVIRONMENT
Having been called to be good stewards of the land, we support a clean environment.
-We believe that clean air and water attract good jobs and promote good health in Nueces County, and good health in turn improves education in Nueces County.
-We believe that state environmental agencies should protect people of all income levels by enforcing clean air and water standards.
-We believe in the preservation of recreational and open spaces.
-We support the growth of alternative energy sources and jobs.
FISCAL POLICY
Nueces County Democrats believe restoring responsible and accountable budget policy is necessary to establish trust between taxpayers and public officials. We deserve responsible management of hard earned dollars that should be spent wisely to help residents secure a prosperous future.
-We believe enforcing ethical standards will create transparency in government and reduce cronyism.
-We believe small business people and professionals should be treated equally and have government provide opportunity to both small and large businesses.
-We believe in eliminating irresponsible privatization of public assets.
-We believe through government there should be clear information about tax revenues and expenditures.
-We believe the government should consistently maintain infrastructure throughout the county.
-We encourage economic development and maximize application of federal funding to rebuild in distressed areas.
-We believe in adequate funding through enforcement of building codes and ordinances to prevent urban blight.
HUMAN RIGHTS/IMMIGRATION
Nueces County Democrats believe that the moral strength of a community is gauged by its respect for humanity. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that individuals are treated with integrity and represented equitably regardless of their country of origin. The United States has traditionally and historically encouraged immigration from other countries for our nation’s economic stability and development. This is why we support a realistic and humane immigration policy that is enforced by the federal government. Human rights are inherent in every human being and, as such, the Nueces County Democrats hold fast to the right of every individual to live free from fear and false persecution. We also believe in the United States Constitution’s intent to guarantee unequivocal participation of its citizenry in the democratic process.
-We believe the United States government is responsible for safe and regulated immigration.
-We believe that immigration policy best serves the community when it is guided by a respect for universal human rights.
-We believe public safety is a human right.
-We believe in the protection and support of families (because strong families make for strong communities).
-We believe that social security benefits should be assured and should not be bartered for political gain.
-We believe affordable healthcare is a human rights issue.
-We have a constitutional right to vote and that right should not be infringed.
