Kony, Abortion, and 'Reasonable' Gun Regulations: What's in the DNC Platform
The Democratic National Committee is working on what appears to be the first ever party platform to address an issued raised by a viral YouTube that includes home video of a dad explaining war crimes to a baby. That's right, the Democrats are pledging to Stop Kony. Just as the Republicans load their platform with oddities -- a line about Czeckoslovakia was finally removed this year -- so do the Democrats. Here's some of what the party is promising if the voters give them unbridled power this year.
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Kony 2012. The first line of the section on Africa mentions Kony, the Ugandan warlord who was briefly a viral Facebook cause this year, BuzzFeed notes. "We will continue to partner with African nations to combat al-Waeda affiliates in places like Somalia and to bring justice to those who commit mass atrocities, like Joseph Kony."
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Welfare. Despite Republican ads attacking President Obama on the issue, welfare is not mentioned in the platform. But the platform shows signs of focus grouping on the topic. The platform does say "hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded" and that old people earned Social Security and Medicare "through a lifetime of hard work and personal responsibility."
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No Restrictions on Abortion. "The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay. We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right."
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Gay Marriage. It's the first time either party platform has supported gay marriage. Churches can opt out.
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Ack, Guns? The combination of the NRA's political spending, plus the general sense that anyone who doesn't shoot things for fun is a wimp, continues to cause Democrats to awkwardly say nothing about gun regulations. "We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms."
Immigration. Democrats say they want to bring "undocumented immigrants out of the shadows" by making them learn English, pay taxes, and "get right with the law." The platform calls for changes to the visa system.
Medicare. The Democrats' platform takes a shot at Paul Ryan's House budget plan. "Democrats adamantly oppose any efforts to privatize or voucherize Medicare; unlike our opponents we will not ask seniors to pay thousands of dollars more every year while they watch the value of their Medicare benefits evaporate."
Taxes. Democrats says they're committed to tax breaks for college and "working families," and to raising taxes for the "wealthiest." It brings back the Buffett Rule -- that billionare Warren Buffett shouldn't pay a lower tax rate than his secretary.
Minimum Wage. Democrats want to raise it.
We Still <3 Unions. It's been a tough couple years for unions, with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker beating a recall election unions organized after he signed a law to curb public union power. "Democrats believe that the right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value."
Campaign Finance. Democrats are open to a constitutional amendment to restrict campaign donations and spending. They also call for more disclosure: "We support requiring groups trying to influence elections to reveal their donors so the public will know who's funding the political ads it sees."
Obamacare Isn't Perfect But…. "No law is perfect and Democrats stand willing to work with anyone to improve the law where necessary, but we are committed to moving forward... We refuse to go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your health policy, deny you coverage, or charge women more than men."