IT'S NOT SO MUCH WHO YOU VOTE FOR, BUT WHAT!

The title of this entry may seem to be a derogatory statement against a particular candidate or candidates.  But it's not.  What I will be doing here is posting the party platform of both the Democratic and Republican parties.  I found a website, ON THE ISSUES, that has an excellent, concise posting of the party platforms.  So far, I have read the Democratic party platform on their own website and it's quite lengthy.  Their 2008 platform has not been posted yet for some reason.  I read the latest they had posted which was 2004, and read the 2008 CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY platform, and everything I read was identical.  I will have to break this down into several entries due to its length.  If you want to see the synopsis in its entirety by On the Issues, CLICK HERE.

You may ask why I'm doing this.  The reason is I'm trying to inform voters of exactly WHAT they'll be voting for in November.  Many voters do not realize this, but any candidate who affiliates with a particular party MUST agree to commit to the party platform.  REGARDLESS of the endless rhetoric you hear on television and radio, when it comes to the bottom line, each candidate must abide by the party platform.  They have to be committed to it in order to receive campaign funding from the party.  All of this is done behind the scenes.  What you see and hear out of candidates trying to be elected is mostly that - what they think the majority of voters want to hear to get elected.

I will begin with the Democratic party's stance on abortion, the budget and economy, and civil rights.  As is my policy to source whatever I post here unless I specifically say it's just my opinion, On the Issues offers clickable links on each section of several full quotes concerning each issue and also other political leaders.  If you wish to see them, click on my link above to take you to the party platform synopsis.  I think you will find as you read this, that there are differences between what each of the Democratic Presidential candidates are saying, and what their party platform says. You will also see problems with how to achieve some of the party goals, and you may even find some rhetoric in the party platform too as certain things are unrealistic.  Regardless, when there is a difference between what a candidate is telling you and what the party platform says, the party platform prevails.

ABORTION

Pursue embryonic stem cell research. (Jul 2004)

Support right to choose even if mother cannot pay. (Jul 2004)

Choice is a fundamental, constitutional right. (Aug 2000)

BUDGET AND ECONOMY

Cut the deficit in half over the next four years. (Jul 2004)

Democrats reversed economic stagnation of previous years.    (Aug  2000)

Democrats must continue to lead Americans to prosperity. (Aug 2000)

G.O.P. creates debt, Dems create surpluses. (Aug 2000)

Democrats will eliminate publicly held debt by 2012. (Aug 2000)

Policy should encourage home ownership & affordable housing. (Aug 2000)

CIVIL RIGHTS

• Racial and religious profiling is wrong. (Jul 2004)
• Keep marriage at state level; no federal gay marriage ban. (Jul 2004)
• Strengthen some parts of Patriot Act and change other parts. (Jul 2004)
• Support affirmative action to redress discrimination. (Jul 2004)
• Police should have zero tolerance of racial profiling. (Aug 2000)
• Pass hate crime legislation including gays. (Aug 2000)
• Democrats lead fight for ERA and equal employment. (Aug 2000)

As I go through each party's platforms, I hope you will find the information enlightening and useful.  I may be interrupting the series with information about each of the candidates, especially as stories happen.  As usual, I will post the truth that you may not necessarily see in the mainstream media, but you need to know before you cast your ballot.

Tags: Democratic Party, Democratic Party Platform, 2008 Presidential race, Vote