My comments will be in bold brackets (Like this). -----Ted Kegebein

THE FAIRNESS AGENDA

1. Enact a Fairness Budget for America

   In the richest nation on earth, there are abundant resources to build a decent society. These resources can be freed by eliminating enormous waste in the current federal budget in defense spending and corporate giveaways and by reinstating progressive taxation, and investing savings in this country and its people. We pledge to carry out a detailed analysis of the federal budget to ensure that it meets the test of fairness, economic, and social justice. A fairness budget for America would be based on:
   • Cutting Military Spending: Currently, military spending (Constitutional) makes up 50 percent of discretionary spending, and is almost five times greater than the combined federal spending on discretionary health, education, training, employment and social services combined.(Clearly Unconstitutional) This ratio should be reversed.(Therefore making the budget more unconstitutional then it is today)
   • Cutting Corporate Tax Loopholes and Giveaways: Many of the most irresponsible companies, (irresponsible, according to Marxist's dogma: they don't give according to need and all that) companies that are firing workers while paying millions to CEOs, polluting our air and water, or operating sweatshops, are receiving government subsidies(no corporation or individuals should recieve any subsidies, are the socialists willing to say this?) and tax breaks. Public grants, loans and contracts should go only to those companies that pay good wages and benefits and obey laws that protect the environment, consumers, and workers.(and who decides what good wages and benefits are? Congress? the President? the Supreme Court?) To ensure that there are no tax giveaways to irresponsible companies and that our tax policies encourage and reward responsible behavior, we should establish a comprehensive code of corporate responsibility and establish a lower tax rate only for corporations who meet the code.(So, the IRS will judge these companies. Of course they will have to hire more employees, employees who can judge such subjective things as "good" wages and benefits)
   • Reinstating Progressive Taxation: A new budget analysis will also include a thorough review of a tax system which contributes to widen the gap between rich and poor in America. Corporations should pay their fair share, a share that has dropped from 32 percent of federal revenues in 1952 to 9 percent in 1992.(ignoring the fact that Corporations make up less of the GDP than they did in '52 and that ultimately the consumer pays all corporate taxes)
   • Investing in America and Its People: Human resources are the U.S.'s most important resource,(agreed, look up Julian Simons Ultimate Resource, II) and we need an expansion and redirection of federal support for vital community institutions like: quality public schools;(all we need is more money, just a little more, we promise) health clinics that provide preventative as well as curative care; mass transit that serves the mobility needs of the poor and middle class, paid and at home workers alike; small businesses that create local jobs and stimulate local economies; quality and affordable childcare; and defense conversion. In addition, the budget should include funds to repair the nation's decaying physical plant and protect and renew environmental resources, based on both a technical and a citizen's assessment of needs(to each according to his needs, and all that) and priorities in this sector.

2. Ensure Jobs, Living Wages, Benefits, and Worker Rights for All

   The nation depends on a vigorous, creative, and innovative workforce that is assured basic rights. To overcome the destructive wave of denial of jobs, living wages,(to each according to his needs, and all that) benefits and freedom to organize, we propose:
   • Establishing in law the principles envisioned in President Roosevelt's Economic Bill of Rights.
   • Ensuring equity in pay, hiring, promotion and training for all workers and an end to discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion or other like factors.(sounds like the Socialists are against "affirmative action", with its race based quotas)
   • Creating several million new jobs to restore decaying infrastructure and provide critical human and environmental services in areas of high unemployment.(to each according to his needs, and all that)
   • Removing obstacles(and what are these obstacles? State right to work laws, which guarantee that noone will be forced to join a Union) to workers' use of their right to associate, to freely organize and bargain for wages, health care, pensions, safe working conditions, and other needs. We will also work with groups around the world to fight for these rights in all nations.(Socialism has never given up its hope to dominate the world)
   • Establishing a national job-vacancy survey to obtain accurate data on the types and numbers of jobs available in communities in order to show the need for job creation.(one more new Federal agency)
   • Requiring direct creation of living-wage jobs(to each according to his needs, and all that) by the Federal Government when private industry does not provide enough of them for all who want to work.(one more Federal program, and agency)
   • Discouraging shifts to temporary work, and ensuring that temporary and part-time workers receive the same pay and benefits per hour as regular employees. (to each according to his needs, and all that)
   • Requiring profitable companies that conduct layoffs to pay substantial mandatory severance to all affected employees and penalties to all affected communities. (one more Federal agency, with Fascist-like power, clearly unconstitutional)
   • Eliminating tax deductions for excessive compensation(to each according to his needs, and all that) of CEOs which causes downward pressure on wages.
   • Making the Federal Reserve accountable to Congress and legally obligated to pursue a monetary policy that leads to full employment.(regardless of inflation, etal)
   • Passing the ERA to ensure that women's wages are equal to men's.(this is a state matter, as Congress already passed the ERA, but not enough states passed it for it to become a Constitutional amendment, but it sounds good)
   • Passing measures to end racial and sexual harassment. (Why? We ignore sexual harassment if our good Socialist friends engage in it.)
   • Reinforcing affirmative action programs.(But wait, didn't we just say that we were against race based discrimination?)

3. Fight for Equality for All

   Despite recent progress, widespread discrimination still exists in this country. De facto segregation of millions of African-Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, and other racial/ethnic groups in our large cities isolates them from the rest of society and produces inadequate education and job opportunities, poor housing and health conditions, and a non-supportive social structure.(to each according to his needs, and all that) Sharp differences in earnings by race and sex have stubbornly prevailed. The wage gap between women and men has narrowed by only 5 cents since the late 1960's. (not true, women have done much better than that, based on similar work, similar work hours)Immigrant patterns have tended to exacerbate racism and produce inter-ethnic tensions.(Are Socialists lobbying for more cultural assimilation?)

   In recent years, the Supreme Court has handed down several key decisions strictly limiting affirmative action plans in their efforts to consider race, national origin, and sex in government employment, contracting, and admission to universities. Such programs are constitutional only if they address compelling "government interests" in ending discrimination,providing a remedy for past violations, and promoting the full inclusion of all individuals in our society. Decisions have held, specifically, that race may be taken into account as one factor among many in college admissions and that race-based classifications are constitutional only if they are "narrowly tailored."

   A concerted effort by some political leaders and right wing activists to undermine civil rights laws has made considerable gains.(Ah, yes, the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy) Bills are now pending before Congress to prohibit any programs which offer a "preference"or advantage of any kind to members of a group.(How dare they do that!) These developments and others demand that progressives conduct a fundamental reassessment of how to more effectively achieve a just society. Creative minds must cautiously and honestly review the tools by which we can construct equality of opportunity. Although it may not be a simple solution, a system of integrating class-based criteria in affirmative action programs must be carefully explored.(all of which means exactly nothing)

   The guiding principle should be a fair shot at performing, not a guaranteed equal result. Objectively measured factors defining a disadvantaged status might be applied in areas of post-secondary education and training,entry-level employment, and public contracting. For certain areas a preference mix of race, sex, and disadvantaged status criteria may be considered; in others, it may be effective to apply a disadvantage preference by itself.(or, it may not, we haven't decided yet) Enrichment programs for disadvantaged youth and an aggressive jobs program to assure availability of employment in economically depressed rural and urban areas need to be a component of such programs as well.(Maybe, maybe not, we Socialists haven't decided yet)

   At the same time, we should ardently defend laws which prohibit race, sex,and other types of discrimination and allow for legal redress in egregious cases. Governmental agencies which administer these laws must be sufficiently funded (more government spending) so cases can be handled more expeditiously and the current mountainous backlog of cases can be resolved.(or ignored for the frivilous cases most are)

4. Promote a Just and Sustainable Global Economy

   Free trade agreements that offer new protections to corporations without any protections to workers, communities and the environment have been a major failure at home and abroad.(Free trade has generally been good for America, if there are problems, it is not because corporations have new protections, in fact, they have more competition then ever) World Bank and IMF programs that focus on adjusting economies through privatization, slashing government programs, and trade and investment liberalization have widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots and between men and women.(not true, more women are working because of NAFTA) We propose:
   • Halting NAFTA expansion to other countries as we initiate discussions in the Western Hemisphere over the creation of a "Just and Sustainable Trade and Development Initiative" that encompasses the protection of worker rights, women's rights, environmental standards, food security, and tackles the issues of immigration and how to reduce inequalities among nations.(to each according to his needs, and all that)
   • Reexamining the proposed free trade areas in Africa and Asia in this context.
   • Suspending new funding for the World Bank and IMF(the World Bank and the IMF should use private funds, anyway) pending a thorough review of their impact on growing income and gender inequality and environmental destruction in the world.

5. Promote a Foreign Policy which includes Demilitarization, Human Rights and a New Internationalism

   Just and sustainable trade and development must be accompanied by a new foreign policy in which the United States acts as a responsible global leader and global partner.(more subjective ideas) We propose:
   • That the military budget be capped at $230 billion,(We know what the military needs, in fact, this is the only government program that we are willing to actually set a cap or specify a number) by eliminating unneeded(more subjective ideas) next-generation weapons, and then gradually brought down as funds are shifted from military to peacekeeping efforts and into pressing domestic social and infrastructure programs.(Nation building, a legitimate function of the military?)
   • That the United States take the lead in negotiations with the Russians to eliminate completely all nuclear weapons, withdraw its nuclear weapons from Europe, convert the national laboratories to clean-up and safe nuclear material storage programs, and close the Nevada test site.(and ignore Chinese, Indian, etc., nuclear weapons?)
   • That R&D priorities be reoriented towards pressing domestic needs for clean transportation, energy systems, and manufacturing processes.
   • That plans to expand NATO be stopped because of their high cost to the U.S. taxpayer and new member countries and because it will decrease, not increase, security in the region and that assistance be doubled for non-proliferation programs in the former Commonwealth of Independent States.(Who knows, if we spend enough money maybe the Soviet Union will come back?)
   • That arms export promotion and subsidy programs be eliminated(all government subsidies should end) and Congress enact a Code of Conduct for Conventional Arms Transfers to prohibit weapons sales to undemocratic governments.(such as Taiwan and South Korea?)
   • That Congress enact a new National Security Act and National Security Adjustment Act which will ban covert operations as incompatible with constitutional democracy and world peace; end secrecy, publicly disclose and debate the intelligence budget, and release all historical files; confine intelligence gathering, except in rare, pre-approved instances, to overt methods; and assist national security workers to convert to private and soc ially(more subjective words) responsible employment.
   • That the United States shift from unilateral military and peacekeeping missions abroad to multilateral responses with our allies, the United Nations and regional organizations.
   • That the United States fully meet its financial and other obligations to the United Nations.(Why not just quit?)

6. Fight for Sustainable Communities and Environmental Justice

   Sustainable Communities: Strong sustainable communities are essential partners in solving the nation's pressing social, economic, environmental,and political problems. In recent years, the federal government has given states and localities more responsibilities, but without more power and more money.(They have always had the power to raise their own money, why should the country as a whole subsidize localities?) We propose to remedy this imbalance through:
   • Reenactment of general revenue sharing in a progressive way that distributes more no-strings federal funds to every community, but especially poor ones. (to each according to his needs, and all that)
   • Revisions in international trade agreements that allow communities to enact strong environmental and labor laws and to invest in and purchase from any businesses they see fit. (They already have this power, as long as it doesn't conflict with the Constitutional rights of any business or individual, and it doesn't conflict with any threaties approved by the Senate)
   • Reform banking laws to retarget federal insurance, subsidies, loans, and loan guarantees to community development financial institutions, and to strengthen the Community Reinvestment Act.(why should the country subsidize localitities?)

   Environmental Justice and Protection: Environmental justice is the right to a clean and healthy environment for ourselves and for our grandchildren's grandchildren. It is a right few of us now enjoy. The very air we breathe, the water we drink, is now often up for sale to the highest corporate bidder, with the "right to pollute"gaining a stronger foothold in the current lexicon than the "right to live in a clean and healthy environment." We propose the following three long-term goals:

   • The right to a clean environment--clean air, water and food--should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of income, class or race, and should be guaranteed for generations to come. This includes the right to seek fair redress (polluter pays) when polluters are found to deny us these rights.(Sounds great, especially for the trial lawyers. Of course, the Soviet Union proved that without profit the environment suffers much more than with healthy, profitable companies)
   • The global market system needs to be reoriented to a more honest,equitable and (as much as possible) accurate market system--where subsidies for corporate polluters are replaced with subsidies for ecologically sound products and services.(Why not end all subsidies?)
   • The democratic process is the beginning of the important process of power sharing, and it is a process that begins with education, proceeds through democratically defined regulation, and concludes with adequate economic disincentives to ensure that regulation affirms democratic principles.Democratic control over how our environment is protected is threatened most strongly by money poisoning the political process itself. Thus, getting money out of politics is a top priority for many environmentalists.(Democracy is threatened, so we should end freedom of speech?)

7. Provide Adequate Social Investment

   • Protect Social Security: Social Security, the nation's largest anti-poverty program, keeps some 16 million senior citizens from falling below the poverty line each year. Yet it is under heavy attack. We must defend Social Security against a host of these attacks, ranging from the calls for privatization to such "technical fixes" as cutting the Cost-of-Living Allowance for Social Security benefits. We oppose regressive changes proposed by the Social Security Advisory Council in January 1997,particularly the partial privatization plans; the proposal to raise the retirement age, which hits African-American men and low-income workers much harder than other employees; and a change in the formula for computing benefits that hits low-income and women retirees the hardest. In addition to defending the current system against these attacks, we promote progressive reform of Social Security.(We should fear people being able to take care of themselves?)
     
   • Remake Economic Security Structures: Millions of Americans who have been recipients of U.S. welfare programs are in jeopardy due to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which was signed by President Clinton in August of 1996. The Act repealed the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and replaced it with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The law also made significant changes to Food Stamps and all benefits for legal immigrants. We must remedy these problems through an omnibus welfare bill that addresses the needs of those in America who live in poverty.(to each according to his needs, and all that)
     
   • Ensure Health Care for All: Universal access to affordable quality health care should be a fundamental human right in this country. Today, 41 million Americans have no health insurance, including 10 million children, and millions more are under-insured. The existing national health insurance programs -- Medicare and Medicaid -- which offer a basic level of protection to seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families are under attack. The rapid corporatization of the health industry threatens access to affordable quality care. Structural changes such as Medical Savings Accounts and for-profit managed care create incentives for delivery of less care while siphoning health care dollars away for higher administrative costs. The concept of social insurance must be reaffirmed as a national priority. Proposals that pull the healthy and the wealthy from the risk pool undermine the long-term solvency of the health care system and the opportunity to achieve universal coverage in the future. (to each according to his needs, and all that) We propose:
     • To expand, not cut, existing national health programs. Efforts to dismantle Medicare and Medicaid through block grants, vouchers, Medical Savings Accounts (MSA's) and inadequate funding must be opposed.(we cannot allow people to be responsible for themselves)
     • To restore the long-term efficiency and fairness of Medicare as a social insurance program by expanding eligibility to people of all ages and income regardless of health or employment status. By creating an improved Medicare-for-all that provides comprehensive benefits, the federal government can serve as the single payer to control costs and guarantee universal access to affordable quality care.(to each according to his needs, and all that)
     • To create and enforce a comprehensive managed care bill of rights to protect health care consumers.

   • Secure Decent, Affordable Housing: Decent, affordable housing is fundamental to sound families, viable neighborhoods, and improving economic opportunity. Yet today, 27 percent of American households have housing affordability problems. Households working low-wage jobs, or receiving welfare or SSI payments are unable to afford moderate cost rental units.Those moving from welfare to work will need housing assistance until they are able to earn double or triple the minimum wage. More than 5 million unsubsidized low income households now pay over half their meager incomes for housing. Just meeting their needs requires doubling the current level of federal housing assistance.(to each according to his needs, and all that)

     Since 1980, federal housing programs have been cut more deeply than any other major low-income program. Not only are federal housing programs losing ground, but other key housing programs - including assistance to homeless people - are threatened with severe cuts as well.

     Increasing funds for low income housing assistance by roughly half the cost of the entitlement to housing assistance enjoyed by upper income homeowners through special tax deductions would enable us to fully meet our low and middle income housing needs within a decade.(End interest deductions for housing, and put that same amount of money toward public housing)

   • Provide Quality Public Education for All: A quality public education should be the birthright of every child. Our nation's long-term economic security depends on quality schools that prepare students to participate in building democracy and to work in the world of the next century.

     Parents and communities are demanding a safe and sound learning environment for every child. A 1995 General Accounting Office report found that about 60 percent of America's schools need extensive repair, overhaul, or the replacement of at least one major building feature. At least $112 billion is needed to upgrade our nation's school buildings to good condition,according to the GAO.(This is the job of the local school boards, not the federal government)

     A sound infrastructure only starts with bricks and mortar. We need to make sure that every child comes to school ready to learn. Nutrition programs,such as WIC and the school lunch and breakfast programs, play a crucial role in school-readiness. So does Head Start, which has a successful track record of preparing disadvantaged youngsters to meet the challenges of the classroom, but still is not funded adequately enough to reach all disadvantaged youngsters.(All we need is more money, really.)

     America's schools will need at least 2 million new teachers over the next 10 years to keep pace with expected teacher retirements and the projected boom in enrollment. As the 1996 report of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future pointed out: "What teachers know and can do is the most important influence on what students learn."

8. Get Private Money out of Politics

   Perhaps no single factor threatens democracy in this nation more than the control of private money over public elections. The public has grown increasingly outraged over the flagrant abuse of loopholes, systematic influence peddling, and political favors. It has become clear that the system of laws governing campaign financing has been rendered meaningless and must be restructured. Recent scandals focus public attention on possible illegalities,(and possible treason by the DNC and the White House?) but the bigger scandal is that so much of the money changing hands has been completely legal. What President Johnson observed some 30 years ago is still true today: the system is more loophole than law.

   Campaigns are too expensive; large corporate interests have too much influence; good candidates without money or connections to corporate interests don't have a fair (more subjective words) chance of competing for office; and politicians spend too much time raising campaign money instead of devoting their full energies to the duties of public office. While Congress and state legislatures appear far from any consensus on the problem, much less a solution, there are signs that citizens are far ahead of the politicians.Last November, Maine voters approved a Clean Money Election initiative that offers full public financing to candidates who voluntarily reject large private contributions and agree to campaign spending limits. We suggest that this kind of initiative represents the most comprehensive and far-reaching approach to the formidable obstacle to democracy posed by the problem of private money in politics.(Democratic elimination of freedom of speech)

   We support initiatives like those proposed by the organization, Public Campaign, to:

   • Limit campaign spending.
   • Prohibit private campaign contributions to participating candidates.
   • Eliminate the need for fundraising.
   • Provide a financially level playing field for a more democratic election process.
   • Specify a comprehensive package tightening loopholes.
   • (Limit, prohibit, and eliminate freedom of speech; except the speech we provide and specify.)