Maryland Public Assembly Platform of Issues
The Assembly's Platform of Issues was developed through consensus decision-making, with a commitment to the broad public interest. The platform was approved by the Platform Committee and approved by the Assembly's central committee in Fall, 1997.
Maryland Public Assembly
Platform of Issues
Preamble
The Maryland Public Assembly recognizes that government is properly constituted to serve a public welfare that balances freedom of the individual citizen with the necessary demands of organized society. The Assembly proposes this platform of Issues to express the basic political sentiments of its members, to expand awareness and inquiry into matters of significant concern to the general public and to form a basis for the evaluation and endorsement of candidates.
Electoral/Political Reform
We support
1. Reduction of undue and excessive obstacles to ballot access for third party candidates
Education
We support:
1. Allocation of state education funds provided to local subdivisions in a fair and efficient manner which encourages local tax effort and initiative for excellence in education, while seeking to compensate for lack of wealth in the local subdivision.
2. Greater freedom for operation of non-public education by reducing unnecessary, unfair and excessive government regulation.
3. Commitment to excellence in public education through such means as expanding local control and opportunities for greater parental choice among all available alternatives.
4. Testing and evaluation of students based on reliable, valid and objective standardized procedures which are directed primarily to measurement of basic academic skills.
5. Accountability of personnel in the public school system based on fair, uniform and objective standards of performance .
6. High school graduation standards in public education which require demonstration of basic academic competency.
Environment
We support:
1. Solid waste disposal which avoids environmental contamination and economically utilizes waste by recycling, generating energy, and/or other constructive public purposes.
2. Exploration and encouragement of the conservation of energy sources and the use of alternative non-polluting energy sources.
3. Review of zoning and other infrastructure regulations to encourage and support a more convenient and effective use of land, utilities and property.
4. Establishment and enforcement of appropriate clean water standards which assure the effective control of waste disposal and sewage discharge into the Chesapeake Bay.
Human Resources
We support:
1. Government regulation of health care services which contain and reduce costs while recognizing the needs of the economically disadvantaged, the elderly and the disabled.
2. A correctional system which which emphasizes the humane treatment, rehabilitation and education of offenders and fairness to victims.
3. Police training, supervision and citizen involvement to assure ethical, safe and effective practices which further public confidence in law enforcement without undue interference in the peaceful activity of ordinary citizens.
4. Efficient and effective allocation of government welfare services which maximize individual personal responsibility and active involvement of the recipients to return to self-sufficiency.
Budget, Taxes and Revenue
We support:
1. Uniform and equitable need-based analysis and funding of essential public works and capital improvements such as roads and schools
2. A cost-effective budget which maximizes use of existing facilities and resources to reduce the burden of undue government debt for capital expenditures
3. A taxing policy that encourages the growth of new business and private capital investment in private enterprise.
4. Close scrutiny of government expenditures to reduce and ultimately eliminate all wasteful or inefficient services
particularly on the federal level,
1. A non-inflationary monetary policy to assure the purchasing power of the dollar remains constant
2. Reduction of the federal deficit with the ultimate goal of achieving a balanced budget without causing undue economic stress on any particular group.
3. A tax collection system which is made more simple and fair to avoid the potential for fraud and abuse.
Foreign Affairs
We support:
1. Respect and support for the obligations of governments throughout the world to protect and nurture such fundamental individual human rights as life, liberty and justice.
2. Conflict resolution by peaceful means, including respect for the principles of international law as applied to disagreements among nations
3. A U.S. international trade policy which preserves the integrity of the U.S. dollar, addresses the domestic causes of trade imbalance, and assures effective means of balancing the value of American goods and services with those being traded in the international market.
4. The promotion of economic and social well-being of under-developed countries to assure their free, independent and effective functioning in the international community of nations.
5. Greater cooperation among nations to deter and reduce the incidence and threat of international terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
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