New Party Principles

 

The New Party believes that the social, economic, and political progress of the United States requires a democratic revolution in America-the return of power to the people. Democracy in America does not work today. The people do not rule. And they must, if we and our children are to lead lives of dignity, decency, and enjoyment.

Popular democratic organization should be encouraged and strengthened to make this peaceful revolution. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things if they are organized. Our basic purpose-reflected both in our own governance and the aspirations we have for the nation-is to make democracy work for everyone.

Our commitment to democracy comes from recognition of the moral equality of persons. People really are created equal, and their free deliberation is the best hope for achieving the blessings of liberty. The same recognition fuels our commitment to fairness in social life. Such moral irrelevancies as race, gender, age, country of origin or inheritance continue to determine too much of one's life chances, and this undermines the very idea of a democratic society.

We are saddened and outraged by the present corruption of our public institutions; the deliberate weakening of unions and other popular democratic organizations; the stupid and cruel economic policies that are destroying our cities and communities, increasing inequality, lowering living standards, and wrecking the earth; the special burdens this society still places on women, people of color, and children; the violence it can inflict on the rest of the world.

To promote a rebirth of freedom, equality and prosperity, we dedicate ourselves to the following:

* Full public financing of elections, universal voter registration, proportional representation, free party competition.

* The establishment, defense, and facilitation of worker, consumer, shareholder, and taxpayer rights to democratic self-organization.

* The creation of a sustainable economy based on the responsible and reverent use of our earth's resources-taking no more than we need, replacing and reusing all that we can.

* A society in which we all take seriously our responsibilities as parents, workers and citizens.

* The democratization of our banking and financial system-including popular election of those charged with public stewardship of our banking system, worker-owner control over their pension assets, community-controlled alternative financial institutions.

* A Bill of Rights for America's Children, guaranteeing true equality of opportunity, providing equal education for all students, and achieving an adequate standard of health care, nutrition, housing, and safety.

* Community-control and equitable funding of our schools, within which we seek true excellence in public education along with equal opportunity to achieve it.

* Full employment, a shorter work week, and a guaranteed minimum income for all adults; a universal "social wage" to include such basic benefits as health care, child care, vacation time, and lifelong access to education and training; a systematic phase-in of comparable worth and like programs to ensure gender equity.

* A progressive tax system based on the ability to pay.

Rebuilding our cities and metropolitan regions-the cornerstones of a high-wage and ecologically sustainable economy-through community-led programs of comprehensive, democratic, high-wage, and low-waste economic development.

* A community in which residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, police and local officials work cooperatively as equal partners to provide a safe and secure environment in which to live and work and study.

* A reduction of national military spending to that necessary to the defense of the United States and an end to unilateral military interventions.

* Trade among nations consistent with mutual improvement in living standards, reduced cross-national inequalities, and sustainable development.

* In all aspects of our economy and social life, an absolute bar to discrimination based on race, gender, age, country of origin, and sexual orientation, and absolute security in reproductive rights, fundamental liberties, and privacy.

These are our principles. It will take time and experience to work out the details of sound policies and procedures based upon them, but there is no better time to start than the present. We believe that if we enunciate our principles clearly and firmly, with honesty and no double talk, the New Party will set a new standard for political behavior, and be worthy of the people of these United States.

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New Party
227 W. 40th St. #1303
New York, NY 10018
tel 212-302-5053
email newparty@newparty.org


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