Agenda - 04-06-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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►' e THE ORANGE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM as amended and adopted in convention on April 9, 1988 PREAMBLE The Orange County Democratic Party believes the pose of government is to guarantee the greatest possible freedom for all people. To this endd the government must strive for a world at peace, maintain an adequate defense, maintain fair police and justice systems, and foster a climate in which all people are fully able to use their abilities and have access to the means to satisfy all basic human needs. The platform of the Orange County Democratic Party, based on these principles, makes the Party's views on issues known to the public, our representatives, and candidates. We expect candidates to make their stands on these issues paiblic so the voters may more easily choose the candidates that best represent their interests. Although we address specific points to local, state, or federal levels of government, we believe all individuals, as well as governmental bodies, should work toward the implementation of these principles. I. HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE The Orange County Democratic Party believes that every citizen regardless of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, economic status, or disability is entitled to equal protection under the law, to equal access to the benefits of our political and economic system, and to equal access to our courts. We support efforts to integrate individuals with handicaps into the community and workplace. We repudiate the racist and violent activities of the Ku Klux Klan and other extremist groups. Constant vigilance is necessary to protect our constitutional rights against attempts to undermine or ignore them. LOCAL a) The Orange County government should grant broad responsibilities to the Commission on Human Rights to study problems and make recommendations which should be promptly considered by the governing bodies concerned. b) County and municipal governments should support equal opportunity and affirmative action programs. c) County and municipal officials should encourage the use of dispute resolution centers as an alternative to the courts. d) County and municipal officials should assure the accessibility of public buildings and polling paces to persons with handicaps. e) County and municipal officials should enact and enforce ordinances preventing the use by unauthorized persons of designated handicapped-parking space in public and private lots. STATE a) The General Assembly should pass an Equal Rights Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution. b) The General Assembly should abolish the death penalty. c) The state government should support and adequately fund equal opportunity and ro affirmative action programs. li d) The General Assembly should repeal statutes G.S.14-184 (cohabitation of unmarried persons) and G.S. 14-177 (so-called crimes against nature). e) The General Assembly should enact legislation to control more strictly the availability of hand guns and plastic weaponry. f) The state should encourage greater use of probation, fines, restitution, and community service for nonviolent crimes. Alternatives to incarceration should be explored. 1