Party Constitution

2010 Platform

HONEST AND OPEN GOVERNMENT

The foundation of our representative democracy resides in the people.  Weber County Democrats affirm our support of an open, accountable government where the people of Utah have the full opportunity to participate in shaping public policy. The people should have recourse through constitutionally established means of the courts, initiatives and referendums, and freedom of expression.  In return, public officials must serve with integrity, dignity, responsiveness, and fiscal responsibility.

We stand for the common good and reject the promotion of personal agendas at the expense of the people as a whole by those who would manipulate laws or regulations for their own profit. We call for vigilance on the part of our elected and appointed officials to eliminate corruption in our government wherever, whenever and by whomever it occurs.

We support the Fair Boundaries Initiative which seeks to establish uniform standards and procedures in redrawing the boundaries of legislative districts and seeks to establish an independent redistricting commission of citizens.

We support the Utahns for Ethical Government Initiative which seeks to limit the influence of big money and establish an independent ethics commission.  We encourage small political contributions from many individuals to dilute the influence of big contributors.

TRANSPORTATION

We understand the enormous effect of growth on our transportation systems. We believe in addressing state infrastructure needs through careful planning and development.   It is important to seek a balanced, efficient transportation system that does the following: maximizes the use of taxpayer dollars; enhances public safety; takes into account the effect of the transportation system on neighborhoods, open spaces, and wildlife; allows us to achieve high air quality standards; promotes biking and pedestrian friendly access; and meets critical highway demand while also building convenient, accessible public transportation. We pledge to work to bring more state and federal money to Weber County for expansion and better maintenance of our roads.

We also call for the extension of mass transit systems, including the Frontrunner, other commuter rail, and bus rapid transit to connect with systems in other counties along the Wasatch Front.  We strongly encourage the use of fuel-efficient, low polluting vehicles and alternative fuels whenever possible.

SECURITY

We believe that every person has a right to be safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities.   We appreciate and support firemen, law enforcement officers, drug and gang crime units, and prevention and rehab programs.

We support the constitutional right of citizens to bear arms. We support common-sense measures to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety, enforcement of gun laws, and education on the safe use and storage of firearms.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND NATURAL RESOURCES

We support family and local farmers and recognize the importance of monitoring agribusiness, encouraging organic farming methods, and promoting conservation. We encourage enterprises and cooperatives that will help our family farmers gain a greater share of the food dollar in our markets and help reduce air pollution and pesticide use.

We recognize the value of green space in a healthy living environment:  Community parks that include shade trees, recreation areas, picnic areas, bike trails, and walking paths are encouraged.   Parks and other public green areas should be maintained using Integrated Pest Management practices to reduce the public’s exposure to pesticides.

To conserve and reduce water usage, we encourage the responsible use of xeriscape landscaping and parking strip areas planted with low growing, drought tolerant flowers and plants or filled in with well-maintained, weed-free decorative rock.

We believe we should maintain a healthy and sustainable ecosystem supporting a balanced wildlife population with adequate winter and summer range.  We call for the protection of wilderness along with the right of access to use it responsibly for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreational activities and uses that do not endanger critical wildlife habitat or our natural resources. We also call for the protection and preservation of watershed and riparian areas, streams, rivers, wilderness, wildlife, and canyons to preserve for ourselves and future generations scenic beauty and ecological importance.

ENVIRONMENT

We believe a moral imperative exists to implement policies that result in substantial reductions of carbon emissions.  We support a return to national and local energy self-sufficiency through the use of alternate energy sources to complement our present resources.  We support research efforts that will reduce and/or remove the long-term harmful effects of present energy technologies.  Future energy generating capability must be developed which avoids pollution and environmental contamination and implements the best available technology.

Because air pollution kills, causes birth defects, heart disease, strokes, cancer, lung problems, immune-suppression and other adverse health effects; and because there is no safe threshold of exposure; and because smog significantly degrades the natural beauty of our mountains and valleys, we call for stricter standards for ozone, PM2.5, industrial pollutants including mercury and other heavy metals and toxins, and car and truck emissions.

We know that farming, fishing, tourism, and other industries require a healthy environment.  Clean air, safe soil and water ensure the protection of public health and help make Weber County an attractive place to live and work.   New technologies that reduce carbon emissions and ensure clean air and water, coupled with government-supported incentives and job training programs, can create new high-paying jobs.

HEALTH CARE

We believe everyone should have access to affordable, quality health care.  We affirm that accessible healthcare is a civil right.  We call for efficient and effective public health programs for children, seniors, and the working poor leading to universal health care for all citizens without overburdening taxpayers.

As Weber County Democrats we believe in the sanctity of human life and that there should be a balance between the rights of the woman and her unborn child.   We understand the importance of helping the mother with pre-natal care and support of the baby after birth.  We also support adoption laws which make adoption a positive and viable option for birth parents, adoptive parents, and the children involved.

IMMIGRATION AND WELFARE

We strongly believe that those who come to the United States should do so legally.  We call for Congress to adopt policies that control our borders while providing for a viable immigration policy that respects the contributions of immigrant workers and helps keep families together.  This policy must also discourage exploitation by employers deliberately recruiting undocumented workers and must include whistleblower protections.

We believe that all Utahns should labor to the best of their abilities to provide for themselves and their families.  We support programs for low-income working families that break the cycle of poverty, reward industry, promote self-sufficiency, support parenting, and encourage families to stay together.

VETERANS

We support all veterans that have faithfully served our country.  We believe all veterans should receive needed care and support for both body and mind.  We value our veterans’ service and sacrifice and assure them of our continued support and gratitude.

EDUCATION

We believe the foundation of our democracy lies in a well-educated citizenry.  Quality public education is at the heart of economic development and prosperity; therefore, education is our greatest investment in the future.  We stand for strengthening our public schools through adequate and priority funding to allow for smaller class sizes, higher salaries to better attract and retain qualified teachers, and better equipped facilities.   We believe in supporting Special Education as well.

We also call for sufficient resources for higher education as we recognize that not only should education continue until the 12^th grade, but that education does not end there.  We support Utah’s colleges and universities and recognize that Weber State University and other local colleges help develop and maintain a high quality labor pool for Weber County and Utah, which in turn keeps the Utah economy viable.

FAITH

We support the right of all Americans to express faith.  We believe in the importance of religious faith and the protection of religious liberty for all as guaranteed by the Constitution.  Our Founding Fathers, in an effort to encourage and guarantee freedom for religion, incorporated into our Constitution the statement “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.  This statement does not force religious actions upon others nor does it prohibit others from expressing their religious convictions.  We seek to be respectful and to work together with people of all faiths and affiliations to make our county a better place to live.

FAMILY

We affirm a strong commitment to strengthening the family and to the protection of children from physical, economic, environmental, social and emotional abuse. We also affirm that senior citizens deserve assistance in preserving their quality of life and achieving access to information and services to enhance their physical and mental health.