| Platform - What Riley County Democrats Believe |
| Education is our number one priority.
Quality public education is vital to the Kansas economy and the future of our children. Democrats promote excellence in Kansas and Riley County schools by promoting: � Increased funding for public schools instead of vouchers, which will harm our system of public education. � Adequate primary, secondary and post-secondary funding in every state budget. � High standards of accountability. � Initiatives to recruit, reward and retain quality teachers. � Improved teacher salaries and fringe benefits. � As much local control and flexibility as possible for school districts in using state funds to meet their needs while also requiring maximum efficiency and effectiveness. � Equal educational opportunity for all Kansans regardless of economic status, mental or physical ability or ethnicity. Government spending and taxation must be fair. Kansas and Riley County Democrats will continue to fight to make sure that no single sector of our economy or group of citizens bears a disproportionate share of our tax burden. We are dedicated to: � Continually monitoring the local and state tax structure, especially �special tax� assessments. � Fairness and fiscal responsibility in the local and state budget process. � Continual �top-to-bottom� review of state spending and careful management to maximize cost effectiveness. � Continual monitoring of the state tax structure to ensure that it is fair and balanced. We must promote a strong economy and infrastructure. Democrats are committed to protecting jobs in Kansas and Riley County and supporting efforts to strengthen our economy through: � Supporting economic development that is planned in an orderly process that is open for public review. � Promoting economic development that benefits the entire community, not just special interests. � Maintaining a strong educational system to provide new and existing businesses with a well-trained and well-educated work force. � Attracting businesses committed to creating long-term, high-paying jobs. � Supporting the continued economic health and potential expansion of businesses we already have. � Encouraging a better climate for businesses and independent contractors that empower their workers, respect the environment and serve their communities well. � Supporting competitive wages and benefit packages for workers at the local and state level in an effort to attract and maintain a strong workforce. � Building a strong infrastructure for Kansas communities, including better transportation, and establishing a broadband electronic communication network. Quality health care means a good quality of life. Democrats in Kansas and Riley County are committed to putting people first and protecting your access to quality, affordable health care by: � Fighting to establish more and better health care options. � Working for health care reform. � Supporting the Patient�s Bill of Rights so that doctors and patients��and not insurance companies��make health care decisions. � Making prescription drugs more affordable for the physically/mentally challenged, senior citizens and low -income individuals and families. � Continuing our state�s commitment to providing adequate mental health services. � Protecting patients� privacy by controlling access to an individual�s medical records and ensuring access to care without the threat of discrimination based on medical conditions. The family farm is vital to the Kansas economy. All forces of state and local government should promote a prosperous, diverse and healthy rural Kansas economy. Kansas and Riley County Democrats support: � Opening economic opportunities and improving markets for Kansas farm products. � Promoting strong rail, highway and air transportation infrastructure to better serve the agricultural industries in our state. � Quality primary, secondary and vocational schools and University programs aimed at strengthening rural communities. � Ensuring better prices for Kansas farm commodities. Democrats believe in the rights of the individual. Kansas and Riley County Democrats believe that good government serves all people regardless of race, age, physical abilities, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or economic background. Democrats advocate this goal through: � Supporting hate crimes legislation that includes race, color, age, physical ability, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity. � Encouraging legislation that strengthens remedies for job discrimination at all levels. � Supporting equal pay for equal work. � Honoring cultural, linguistic, ethnic, religious and spiritual diversity in our communities. Democrats support a strong, ethical electoral process. Kansas and Riley County Democrats believe that good government encourages active participation by all citizens, and that voting opportunities should be available to all qualified voters regardless of race, age, or physical abilities. Specifically, we believe in: � Promoting compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. � Promoting the use of voting machines with verifiable results. � Encouraging local and state residents to register, vote and participate in the political process. � Promoting ethical campaigning, and continued scrutiny of ethics and campaign finances. � Supporting full disclosure of campaign contributions to candidates for public office. Law and order is necessary for a strong society. Dealing with crime aggressively and crime prevention help ensure a good quality of life for Kansans and Riley Countians. Democrats believe this objective is accomplished through: � Good drug education and rehabilitation programs. � Providing adequate economic opportunities for citizens to reduce factors that tend increase crime. � Putting more law enforcement officers on the streets and providing more assistance to prosecutors. � Strengthening post-jail release supervision. � Promoting swift and certain punishment by strengthening sentencing guidelines, demanding restitution from criminals and enforcing the Victim�s Rights Amendment to the Kansas Constitution. � Supporting increased education and funding for police, mental health and medical staff and shelters that assist victims of domestic violence. � Supporting economic safety and security for domestic violence victims. � Encouraging reform of the state�s juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and assistance in lieu of punitive action when possible. Democrats believe in families and children. Fair and adequate income security, combined with a strong program of social services, is needed to sustain families and individuals that need support. Democrats of Kansas and Riley County believe in attaining these goals by � Assuring adequate child care and health benefits for families. � Monitoring attempts to privatize social services to ensure that legislative goals in this area are achieved. � Continuing to lead the effort to develop programs that provide support for families and children, such as pre-and post-natal care, affordable day care, after school programs and child immunizations. � Encouraging stiffer criminal penalties for parents and/or spouses who perpetuate domestic abuse. The state must promote the welfare of senior citizens. Democrats of Kansas and Riley County recognize the tremendous contributions of older Kansans and we are dedicated to preserving the quality of life that their efforts have produced. We support programs that help seniors maintain the independence and live out their lives in dignity, including: � Advocating vigorous enforcement of licensing standards of adult care homes and opposing any form of age discrimination. � Promoting more uniform application of Medicare regulations and enhanced state and local support of public health home services and hospice programs. � Endorsing programs such as adult daycare, home-delivered meals, transportation services, and community senior citizens centers. � Fighting for the Senior Pharmacy Assistance Program and other programs aimed at controlling the spiraling costs of medicine. Veterans are the backbone of our free society. Kansas veterans deserve our recognition and gratitude for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our state and nation. Democrats realize that veterans deserve special services, and we support: � The independent Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs, which gives special attention to veterans� needs. � Providing veterans� affairs officers for each of the Kansas National Guard Armories in the state to assist with individual problems. � The highest standards of services and adequate funding for veterans� benefits. � Opposing any reduction of benefits for veterans at the state and national levels, especially cuts in facilities and/or staffing that diminish the quality of available services for veterans. Democrats support energy development and respect the environment Kansas and Riley County Democrats are concerned about protecting our water, soil and air from the objectives of short-term economic gain promoted by a handful of citizens. We support programs that protect our natural resources and wildlife habitats and address global warming. Yet, we understand that developing sources of energy are important to our future. Specifically, we support programs that: � Support establishment of new businesses and industries that conduct and provide equipment and services for environmental cleanup and protection, which also represent a new source of jobs for Kansans. � Turn flood-prone land into recreation and wildlife areas. � Promote environmentally friendly practices among farmers, industries, consumers and municipalities. � Support available, affordable energy and utility services to all Kansans. � Develop economically and environmentally sustainable energy resources as well as sources of renewable energy. |
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| Riley County Democrats Manhattan, Ks. 66502 |
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| National Democratic Party Platform http://www.democrats.org/about/2000platform.html |