Westminster Progressive Action Platform
1. We support protecting the first amendment guaranteeing free speech, freedom of the press, the right to petition and peacefully protest the government, and the right to exercise your chosen religion. We support the separation of church and state. The exercise of your religion must not infringe on another person’s rights. We support a free and open internet.
2. We support automatic voter registration and securing voting rights for all eligible Americans. We believe in the concept of one person/one vote. We demand transparency, equal participation, and adherence to the principles of democracy in government and political party elections.
3. We support overturning the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court ruling and fixing our corrupt campaign finance system. We support ending the congress-to-lobbyist revolving door which exploits the law for personal and corporate benefit.
4. We believe that all people are entitled to a livable wage. We also proudly support workers’ rights to organize.
5. We support policies that reduce income inequality, including progressive taxation, lifting the cap on social security to ensure its viability for future generations, and taxing capital gains in the same way as earned income from work. We must also end the culture of corporate welfare and oppose the socialization of corporate risk.
6. Health care is a human right and should be affordable for everyone. Coverage must include prescriptions, mental health care, vision care, dental care and any additional medical care necessary for the overall physical well being of the patient. Corporate profits should not come at the expense of people’s lives.
7. We support access to quality, affordable public education from early childhood through post secondary training.
8. We support the immediate fight against climate change. We oppose fracking and the use of fossil fuels and support renewable energy. We support strong environmental regulations. We support protecting public land, national parks, and wildlife. Private corporations rather than government should be financially responsible for cleaning up
any environmental damage they cause.
9. We believe police departments should reflect the diversity of the community that they serve and should treat all persons regardless of race, gender, naturalization status and age in equitable and respectful ways. We support the demilitarization of local law enforcement and the use of alternative resources to cope with nonviolent situations. We support ending private prisons and the culture of mass incarceration. We support ending
the failed war on drugs and offering treatment for drug addiction instead of incarceration.
10. Everyone deserves equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or faith. Everyone deserves equal opportunity for housing, employment, income, public facilities, and access to any place or business generally open to the public.
11. We support a sensible path to citizenship for non-violent, undocumented immigrants and their families. We support the DREAM act. Employers should be held accountable for exploitation of guest workers and pay a livable wage.
12. We support increasing gun safety through common sense regulations including: safe storage of all firearms in the home, raising awareness of the Extreme Risk Protection Order law, banning assault weapons from our city, expanding the use of background checks for all gun purchases and transfers, enforcing the restrictions on magazine size, banning ghost guns and requiring hands on training before issuing concealed carry
permits.
13. We support a comprehensive sexual education curriculum in our public schools and support gender affirmative policies.
14. We support reproductive freedom and support every pregnant person’s right to decide what is best for their body and family, without interference from the government or employers. We support safe and affordable access to abortion services.
15. We support candidates who are true public servants, stand up for their principles, are accountable and speak up for the powerless. We oppose candidates who seek public office to obtain power and money for themselves or their corporate donors.
16. We support the proper valuing of science over non-scientific opinion in areas where science can provide better understanding and solutions, e.g., pandemics, climate change, etc.
17. We support teaching the full, complex history unbiased by regional, national or chauvinistic prejudices.
18. We support the repeal or reform of policies which result in subsidies to wealthier people paid for by those less fortunate.
19. We support that all citizens have access to safe, healthy, housing. This includes access to affordable housing, supportive housing and wrap-around services for persons experiencing homelessness, and alternative housing options and arrangements such as group homes and cooperatives. City regulatory and financial leverage should be applied to create and maintain existing affordable housing.