Owen Bradhurst on GPUS Platform proposals
Major GPUS Platform Proposal Problems
Problems with Proposed 2004 Platform:
All documents referred to may be found here: http://greens.org/~hhart
I am urging all state parties, and all convention delegates, to pay
close attention to this!
[Please note that I find myself in whole-hearted support of MOST
proposed amendments, and am particularly supportive of the Carbon Tax
and Steady State planks.]
1) DRAFT-2004-PLATFORM-INTRODUCTION&POSTSCRIPT.pdf/.doc
This document proposes the complete reformulation of the Community
Based Economics and Economic Justice Key Value.
That the proposal eliminates the phrase “economic justice” from the
name of the key value should set off alarm bells. This change does
not appear to be by chance, but rather reflects changes in the
definition of the value. These definition changes are frightening.
This would put the GPUS on record as having deleted the phrase “Local
communities must look to economic development that assures protection
of the environment and workers’ rights; broad citizen participation
in planning; and enhancement of our “quality of life.” ” from this
key value, substituting instead the phrase “some form of basic
economic security.” This proposed change also replaces the phrase “We
support independently owned and operated companies which are socially
responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that
distribute resources and control to more people through democratic
participation. ” with the phrase “Restrict the size and concentrated
power of corporations without discouraging superior efficiency or
technological innovation.” Please remember that fascism was sold on
the promise of corporate and bureaucratic efficiency.
WE MUST REJECT THIS CHANGE AND PRESERVE OUR KEY VALUES
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2) DRAFT-2004-DEMOCRACY-REFORM&PARTICIPATION.pdf/.doc
a) From section A.3 we must replace the phrase “and/or” with the
word “and.” We MUST support full public financing of elections, or
we’re lending our tacit endorsement to the buying and selling of
political office regardless of what other reforms we might endorse.
b) Sections B.5 and B.6, referring to the so-called “National
Initiative for Democracy” must be STRUCK. This foolish concept is
fraught with accountability problems which I describe in the section
of this memo entitled “National Initiative for Supporting the
Dictatorship of Unaccountable and Unelected Corporations” at the tail
end of this memo.
c) From section B.12 we must replace the word “regain” with the
phrase “be granted”, and STRIKE the phrase “upon completion of their
sentence.” Our purpose is expansion of the franchise, not limitation
of the franchise. Prisoners, including felons, must enjoy full voting
rights.
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3) democracy.pdf/.doc
This is the Democracy section, with faults as noted immediately just
above together with several other faults just for good measure.
a) I.B. POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
I - 2.
I. B. Restored voting rights to ex-felons
Additional language
All persons convicted of felonies shall regain full citizenship
rights upon completion of their sentence. These rights include the
right to vote and to run for elected office.
Please refer to section above 2) c) for my comments on this.
b) I - 3
I. B.
Democracy. Political Participation
New Plank
We endorse The National Initiative for Democracy (WWW.ni4d.us). The
National Initiative is comprised of two parts, the first is the
Democracy Amendment to the Constitution which (1) asserts the
constituent sovereignty of the People to make laws, 2) outlaws moneys
in initiative elections not from natural persons, and 3) legalizes
the self-enactment process. The second part is the proposed Federal
Statute, which (1) establishes deliberative legislative procedures
for the People, and 2) creates an administrative agency to implement
those procedures on behalf of the People.
[Additional Comments or Questions: The National Initiative for
Democracy will allow the people to make/repeal law through the
initiative process at all levels of government (local, state, and
national).]
Please refer to “National Initiative for Supporting the Dictatorship
of Unaccountable and Unelected Corporations” at the tail end of this
memo for my comments on this.
c) I.D. FOREIGN POLICY
I-9
I.D. FOREIGN POLICY
I.D.13-14 Foreign policy, military bases
13. Change the wording that now reads: CLOSE all bases to: PHASE OUT
all bases
We must CLOSE all foreign bases, since they serve as instruments of
US imperialism.
BTW: This refers to the NEW section 1.D as per the amendment
described in d) immediately below.
d) I - 9.a.
I. D and IV. F - Foreign Policy/Military and Trade
This amendment replaces I.D. and IV.F.
D. Foreign Policy - Military
I noted in prior discussion of this amended section that it
eliminated some essential sections of our platform that MUST be
retained. Further language below has in large part addressed that
complaint. However, the language included in this particular section
should still be regarded as dangerous for reasons I now disclose:
i) Proposal section 2 first sentence suggests that UN signatory
states have an obligation to bring disputes before the Security
Council or General Assembly for negotiation and resolution. Where not
even the UN Charter requires such, but in instances where means
suggested in the Charter’s Article 33 have failed, the language
should rather state that UN signatory states have an obligation to
negotiate and resolve disputes via means noted in the Charter.
ii) Proposal section 2 second sentence suggests that military
measures of the United States must be carried out in accordance with
UN orders, treaties, conventions, and international laws to which the
United States subscribes. Given how such language as this suggests
that the GPUS would not object to UN endorsed military measures, I
believe this language is insufficient to the point of being morally
reprehensible. I do not consider the UN a serious constraint on US
military goals and aims, but rather believe it has functioned
otherwise.
iii) Proposal Section 4 fails to specify precisely what method of
UN intervention the party might find desirable in such instances as
those noted, and would apparently grant our blessing to such military
methods as those employed by NATO during the Balkan conflict. Said
section fails to prescribe appropriate measures and appropriate
oversight for said measures. I find myself fearful of it.
iv) Proposal Section 5 suggests that our party would require the
US to use military measures at UN command, and even obligate the US
to go to war with nations that violate Security Council resolutions.
While some of us might secretly find the thought of our waging war
with Israel amusing, I would like to suggest that such a platform
plank actually makes our party look rather foolish. This is not wise.
v) Proposal Section 12 persists in perpetuating a folly. We
should not accept a 50% reduction in military spending as an
appropriate level of military spending, but should rather seek far
deeper cuts in said budget which is of obscene proportions.
vi) Proposal Section 15, third sentence, fails to specify
precisely what “industrial and agricultural products” we
should export to foreign nations or for what use.
vii) The proposed amendment removes emphasis on the need to reduce
militarism and, in fact, endorses a form of militarism in itself for
certain purposes.
viii) The proposed amendment removes mention of the right of habeas
corpus.
ix) The proposed amendment removes language demanding “human
rights and labor rights records, social and environmental impact
statements, and the providing of basic health and education” as
conditions of IMF and World Bank loans.
x) The proposed amendment eliminates mention of Earth Charter
subscription.
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4) education.pdf/.doc
a) II. A. EDUCATION
II-A - 1
New language
Insert after 4. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
5. PARENT and SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITY to teach human sexuality. Women
and men need to be knowledgeable about their own and their partners’
bodies; the differences of experiences, tendencies, and needs between
the two sexes; and to be able to make informed personal decisions and
to learn self control.
This document implies that the human race has only two sexes, thereby
marginalizing intersex constituents.
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5) healthcare.pdf/.doc
a) II-B -4.a.
II.B.15-17 Reproductive rights
“16. Special attention must be given to WOMEN’S HEALTH
ISSUES,
including reproductive rights and family planning.
17. We believe the right of a woman to control her own body is
inalienable. It is essential that the option of a safe, legal
abortion remains available.”
Proposal: Strike the current Points 16 & 17 and substitute the
following:
“16. We unequivocally support a woman’s right to reproductive
choice, no matter their marital status or age, and that contraception
and safe, legal abortion procedures be available on demand and be
included in all health insurance coverage in the US, as well as free
of charge in any state where a woman falls below the poverty level.”
The language in this section is entirely too weak regarding
reproductive rights. Where procedures of abortion are mentioned in
this platform plank, we must emphasize that abortion should be free,
legal, safe, accessible, and provided on demand with no strings
attached or parental notification required.
b) II-B - 6
II.B. 22 Family planning & foreign policy
This amendment replaces point 22 in section II.B.
22. It is time for the Green Party Platform to recognize the
continuous growth of human population and the consequent reduction of
natural resources, degradation of all life and negative side effects
on human wellbeing. The Green Political agenda must address the world
population of 6 and _ billion and demand that our government give it
the attention it deserves.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE DANGERS OF THIS RACIST AMENDMENT:
The proposed amendment would eliminate the language in Section II. B
point 22 to replace it with language noted in appropriate sections of
the document. I find elimination of the noted language to be very
disturbing, and find even more disturbing how the new language
appears to provide its own rationale in eliminating the prior
language.
The proposed amendment eliminates the following language from said
section:
“In matters of international trade, the United States must
respect the measures other nations take to ensure public health, and
must not use medication, medical equipment, and other medical
necessities –and threats of withholding them — as leverage for
political reasons or as extortion for the sake of commercial profit.
We oppose any embargo or economic sanction that would cause the
suffering of innocent civilians.”
It replaces such language with platitudes on population control as if
to suggest that our party supports negative population growth via
precisely the means said section as presently worded now condemns.
Another section already calls for the family planning measures that
the new language here calls for. The language of this proposed
amendment is duplicative of language in other sections of the
platform (notably III.J.3 which renders this plank superfluous except
as a racist comment) , and apparently castigates our party for daring
to care for the survival of foreign populations. Perhaps it is a sick
joke.
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6) tax-justice.pdf/.doc
II-D - 1
Proposal for New Plank, or Possibly a Replacement or Revision to
Section II.D.TAX
JUSTICE/FAIRNESS or in Section IV. ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY:
TAX REFORM
This is the Reintroduction of Slavery plank.
This proposed amendment in the section headed “In the First
Tier”, third sentence, contains language suggesting that our party
would commit all citizens to several hours of community service each
month. Although said amendment in no way describes exactly how the US
government should arrange for the compulsory service of each citizen,
I believe such a thing possible only via the Selective Service System
and envision its serving a military purpose in much the same way
mandated community service for conscientious objectors during wartime
has often served a military purpose. Slavery was abolished but
relatively recently, historically speaking, in these United States
and I fail to see the need to once again establish an institution
even remotely resembling that most odious one. This is mandated
indentured servitude, and I would find passage intolerable.
This proposed amendment in the section headed “In the Second
Tier” proposes a flattening of the federal income tax for those
earning less than $100,000 per year to 25% of income, if earnings
rise above federal poverty level. I would prefer to see language
abolishing the federal income tax for persons earning less than
$100,000 per year, period.
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7) criminal-justice.pdf/.doc
a) II.F. Criminal Justice
In the particular section 4. Restore the right to vote by convicted
felons on release from prison.- we must strike the phrase “on release
from prison.” We must expand the franchise rather than limit it.
This section also should include mention of our support for the Fully
Informed Jury Amendment, requiring judges to advise juries of their
right to jury nullification.
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8) civil-rights.pdf/.doc
Where this document mentions Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgendered, or GLBT, this document also should include intersex
and queer persons.
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+++++++
National Initiative for Supporting the Dictatorship of Unaccountable
and Unelected Corporations
I find this proposed amendment to be the source of several concerns
for me. With passage of this proposal, the party would find itself
endorsing a) the conducting of elections for newly created public
officials by one specific non-profit corporation whose safeguards
against fraud and abuse are not clearly detailed, and whose capacity
to conduct elections on a national scale is not known, b) the
creation of a national entity whose makeup shall be constitutionally
prohibited from being proportionally representative and whose first
Director responsible for this entity’s day to day business shall
be this non-profit corporation’s appointee, c) the passage of
legislation via public opinion polls of sample size and methodology
determined- not by scientific or statistical principles- but rather
by that entity whose election is governed by the non-profit
corporation, d) courts would be prohibited from enjoining legislation
approved via these means, e) financial reporting requirements
pertaining to campaigns for passage of legislation via these means
would be solely the prerogative of this national entity, f) this
entity shall establish what information regarding such legislation is
offered the public and how this information is to be transmitted, and
g) this entity shall assume debts of the non-profit corporation,
which shall incur debts without oversight. Yum!
