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Will Rogers famously said that he didn't belong to an organized party, he was a Democrat. It is true the Platform debate can be raucous. Emotions run high and there are strong differences within the party. We seek the common ground and we will listen to everyone through all the rough and tumble as we find that common ground- and we will listen with patience - that is our promise to you.
We must face 2010 together. Help us build a big-tent Platform that we can run on from Keene to Bedford, from Coos to the Sea. The Democrats are the better choice right now - we must show that - we need your help to show that.
This year we will travel to Berlin, Claremont, Rochester, Laconia, and Manchester, to hear from you. Out of fairness we are traveling to all new places that the committee did not visit in 2008, to fulfill our purpose of consulting broadly under the NH Democratic Party Constitution. We welcome you at these open meetings and also urge you to be in touch at any time between now and May 1st with thoughts - our virtual door is open. The committee can be reached at:
Platform Committee
NH Democratic Party
105 North State Street
Concord, NH 03301
Fax number: (603) 225-6797
Office number: (603) 225-6899
E-mail: office@nhdp.org
We are here to serve and to find the common ground that will unite Democrats for New Hampshire's future.
With respect,
Rep. Melanie Levesque - Co-Chair
Jay Surdukowski - Co-Chair
Martin Honigberg - for Governor John Lynch
Quinn Kelley - for Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Carole Appel - for Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
Rep. David Pierce - for Congressman Paul Hodes
Jennifer Frizzell - for Senate President Larsen
Rep. Tom Buco - for Speaker Terri Norelli
The 2008 Platform, for your reference:
New Hampshire Democratic Party Platform
New Hampshire Democrats support our working men and women and share their vision for a brighter future. We stand for stronger families, a growing economy, healthier communities, justice for all, care for our veterans, and a deep respect for one another. We pledge to preserve a government that helps where it can yet limits its power where it must to guarantee freedom for all.
STRONG FAMILIES
Education
Public education contributes to New Hampshire's greatness by preparing all children for participation in society and the responsibility of democracy. We support a comprehensive, long-term method for ensuring the delivery of excellent pre-primary, primary, and secondary education in every corner of New Hampshire. Our educational institutions should strive to eliminate the achievement gap in academic performance among all demographic and socioeconomic communities. Our University and Community College Systems should enrich New Hampshire's communities and support the State's economy by offering a lifetime of learning at tuition and expense levels accessible to all.
Health Care
Every person deserves access to affordable and comprehensive health care. We promote initiatives to reduce the cost of health care, to remove existing barriers to access, and to address the unique health needs of our rural communities.
Veterans
We honor the innumerable sacrifices made by our military personnel and their families. We believe our nation must honor its commitments, including for health care, education and disability support, to veterans of all wars. All efforts must be made to ease their transition home with appropriate health services, job training, and educational opportunities. We welcome veterans back into our communities with honor.
Consumer Protection
We support the rights of consumers and we work to advance economic justice. We believe in strong consumer protection laws, especially those that protect vulnerable populations. We oppose unfair and deceptive business practices and predatory lending in all its forms.
Child and Dependent Care
We believe in promoting the increased availability and accessibility of affordable dependent care. We support efforts to ensure fair wages for those employed as care providers for our children and families.
Housing
Every person deserves safe, decent, and affordable housing. Affordable housing is essential to the growth of our economy and the strength of our families and communities. We seek solutions for homelessness in our communities through a comprehensive approach to resolve its root causes.
Economic Security
We support New Hampshire workers by promoting a strong and inviting climate for businesses and working families. Our goal is to provide an environment that will encourage new businesses and the expansion of existing ones by promoting innovative incentives, up-to-date communication capacity throughout the state, job training, and a strong support system.
STRONG ECONOMY
Labor
We reaffirm our historic belief in the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively for wages and conditions of employment, and we oppose efforts that interfere with that right. Workers should be able to exercise the right to form unions, mediate and arbitrate disputes, and enjoy the protection of penalties for disregard of worker's rights. We must also protect the retirement security of New Hampshire workers. All trade agreements New Hampshire enters into should benefit workers and consumers as well as corporations. Such agreements should also contain strong labor and environmental standards.
Rural Development
We support our rural communities by encouraging investment in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, sewer, telecommunications, and broadband access. We support increased access to capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses and more flexibility in the delivery of health are and Medicaid reimbursements to rural hospitals and health care providers.
Business Investment
We will continue to provide a supportive business climate and keep New Hampshire's economy one of the fastest growing in the nation. We support efforts to diversify industry throughout the state and we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that has always fostered business innovation from mills to megabytes.
Infrastructure
Investment in public works such as highways, bridges, public transport, water systems and utilities (including telecommunications) will create good jobs and strengthen our economy for the long term. We recognize that the North Country of our state has an enhanced need for these investments to overcome the unique barriers to economic development that region faces. We support programs and funding to enhance our existing infrastructure and position our state for growth and innovation by building a foundation for developing efficient and safe transportation -- including new mass transit options for New Hampshire commuters -- and by encouraging alternate fuels and renewable-energy, and upgrading transmission lines.
Taxation
We believe that the citizens of New Hampshire deserve a system of taxation that distributes the tax burden as fairly as possible. Our current system should be assessed to determine if this is the case, and to determine if there are alternatives that would lower property taxes while at the same time considering ability to pay as a criterion for assessing taxes.
STRONG COMMUNITIES
Public Safety
We believe that public safety, emergency preparedness, and homeland security are vital duties of government at all levels. We support comprehensive public safety policies that target violent and repeat offenders, reduce recidivism through prevention, education and rehabilitation, and maximize taxpayer resources. We support strong legislation against hate crimes, elder abuse, child abuse, and sexual assault. We believe that the effect of the rime on victims should be considered in imposing punishment, that restitution should be required where possible, and that appropriate services to victims should be available.
Environment, Agriculture, and Energy Policy
We value New Hampshire's farming heritage and natural environment and all they add to our lives. It is therefore imperative to preserve it for future generations. We will act decisively to address the undeniable threat of climate change and toxic pollution. We will protect our open spaces and limited water resources with responsible development and innovative land use policy. We commit to the reduction of greenhouse gases through policies that promote energy conservation and efficiency, encourage the development of renewable energy sources and promote public transportation, recognizing that we will also be expanding a sustainable economy.
LIVE FREE OR DIE TRADITION
Civil Rights and Privacy
We value an open and accessible state government that protects our fundamental freedoms. We will enact laws that protect against unnecessary intrusions into our privacy and inappropriate uses of personal information. We pledge to fight all efforts to divide our state because of race, religion, disability, immigration status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Fiscal Responsibility
In the New Hampshire tradition, fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets are necessary for a frugal and effective government. We believe in using taxpayer resources wisely to ensure that we are meeting our obligations to protect the health and safety of our citizens, assist our most vulnerable citizens and make strategic investments in building a stronger New Hampshire. We believe in the long term savings that can come from dealing head-on with the challenges of today. The increasing cost of maintaining basic services is putting pressure on the State budget. Steadily rising property taxes are putting a heavy burden on all citizens. Therefore, we support the consideration of all potential sources of revenue.
Reproductive Health and Safety
We support freedom for all from governmental interference in private medical decisions, including the right to decide when and whether to
bear children. We will promote policies to ensure confidential, age-appropriate access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive education and health care for all women, men, and teenagers.
First in the Nation Primary
New Hampshire's unique political traditions, relatively small population, and geographic size give a fair chance to all Presidential candidates, regardless of their financial resources. The personal connections possible in house parties, town hall meetings, and similar settings benefit both the candidates and the voters. We will strive to preserve New Hampshire's position and responsibilities as the First in the Nation Primary.
Open Government and Right to Know
We believe government should be accountable to he people at every level and should operate in an open and transparent manner. The people have a right to know what their government is doing.
Fair and Free Elections
All voters have a right to vote, cast their vote in a clear manner, have their vote counted correctly, and have equal ability to run for office. We will preserve the paper ballot whether hand-counted or machine count
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