From: burke@lostboys.ils.nwu.edu (Robin Burke)
Subject: 21st Century Party
Organization: /homes/burke/.organization
Distribution: alt
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 19:05:23 GMT


The 21st Century Party is a new progressive political party, currently
in the early stages of formation. The party's founding convention was
held August 29th and 30th in Washington D.C. Speakers included Dolores
Huerta (UFW), Mel King (Rainbow Coalition), and Eleanor Smeal (NOW). 

More information on the party, including membership information, can
be obtained by calling 800-394-21ST or 703-243-7890 or by writing
21st Century Party
1600 Wilson Blvd. Suite 707
Arlington, VA 22209

I've typed out the preamble to the party's platform below. It is a draft
and was changed somewhat before being accepted at the convention. I've
incorporated some changes, but probably left others out. It's a bit
rough, but I think it gets across what the party is about.

I'm not a subscriber to this group, so send questions via email:
burke@ils.nwu.edu

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			       Preamble

Our world is in turmoil. Political demagogues are leading a new rise
in bigotry, with "ethnic cleansing" being practiced abroad, and a
"cultural war" being waged in the United States. Meanwhile, the
economy declines, with a wholesale redistribution of resources from
the many to the few, and the planet itself is in jeopardy. We must
counter this rise with a new political forcea force composed of
all those locked out of power, disgusted with the backlash to women's
progress ,determined to end discrimination and bigotry, and fed up
with unfair taxes, scandals in high places, and the rip-off of
billions of taxpayers' dollars for illicit spending. This political
force will ignite the drive to translate the voters' anger and
hopelessness into action for the common good.

We, the members of the 21st Century Party, do hereby dedicate
ourselves to creating that force.

The two major parties have become wings of one party dominated by the
economic interests of the few. Both parties have become
incumbent-protection clubs which have succeeded in setting the
election rules to narrow the competition and to divide the spoils.

Our nation's vast diversity is not reflected in its public
institutions of power. Most particularly women, and people of racial
diversity ahave been locked out of its decision-making.

Left with little or no choice, our nation's people have become
increasingly disenchanted and alienated from the public process.
Levels of voter participation have decreased to such an extent that
our democracy itself is threatened. Today, fewer than half the
eligible voters cast ballots for president in the general election.
Some city and state primaries attract less than 25% of the electorate.

Our nation's two dominant partiesformed in the 19th Century when
women were chattel, African-Americans were slaves, indigenous people
were considered sub-human, and workers were indentured
servantshave shown they cannot meet the challenges of the 20th
Century, let alone those of the 21st Century.

The accelerating pace of global change as we approach the 21st Century
presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges for us all:

How do we as a nation make the most of the opportunities presented by
the end of the Cold War and the birth of a new era of global
cooperation and interdependence?

How do we best mobilize the vast resources of the richest nation on
Earth to realize the promise the future can hold for all of us?

How do we ease the fear, pain and dislocation of the most affected by
this historic transition and reverse the environmental degradation and
massive violence of the era?

And, as we move through this unsettling period of transition, what
steps must we take to enhance and sustain the quality of life and
individual liberty?  The dominant political parties have failed
miserably in answering those question. Theirs is an emphasis on
governing by exclusion and divisiveness, of maintain their status quo
positions of power and privilege for the few at the expense of the
many. Their tolerance and participation in the almost0-exclusive
pursuit of private and special interests at the expense of the pobulic
good have eroded fconfid4ence in our representative form of
government, turning class against class, race against face, religion
against relgiion, generation against generation, one family lifestyle
against another, the middle class against the poor, majorities against
minorities, straights against lesbians and gays, men against women,
and "us" against "them," plundered the public treasury as witnessed by
their Savings and Loan scandal and jeopardized our nation's future
through neglect and mismanagement. If left unchallenged, they will
surely destroy our birthright of democratic self-government.

Reaching the promise of the new century requires nothing less than a
bold, new, inclusive participation by all people.

			 Founding Principles

The 21st Century PartyThe Nation's Equality Partyrecognizes
that our future depends on tapping into the boundless talent, energy
and resources of all people, especially of women and people of racial
diversity who have been ignored by the existing political parties and
denied equal representation in government.

The 21st Century Party's perspective mandates GENDER EQUITY. At a
minimum, 52% of the Party's candidates and officers will be women.

The 21st Century Party is committed to having candidates and officers
who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of our nation.

The 21st Century Party holds that the dignity and freedom of the
individuals is the basic right that must be maintained and extended in
the United States of American and worldwide.  To that end we are
dedicated not only to equality between women and men, but founded toe
end the unjust actions of government and discrimination against people
because of sexual orientation, race, disability, age, religion and
economic status.

The 21st Century Party is dedicated to the idea that war as a tool for
advancing national interests is obsolete, that the economy of the
United States be converted to a peace economy, that top priority be
given to the reallocation of our nation's resources for education,
rebuilding our cities, creating employment for all, providing national
health care, the use of science and technology for improvingnot
degradingthe quality of life for all while assuring a safe,
healthy environment for the United States and the world.

This political party is founded to make social change through an
inclusive, participatory and democratic process. To that end, we will
work to advance an EXPANDED BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.

	     Expanded Bill of Rights for the 21st Century

WHEREAS we are determined that an Equal Rights Amendment which bans
sex discrimination is ratified and added to the Constitution of the
United States; and

WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court has begun to dismantle women's
reproductive rights; and

WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to grant the right to
privacy on the basis of sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court has dismantled affirmative action plans
that fight institutional practices of race and sex discrimination; and

WHEREAS the original Bill of Rights was passed in 1789 at a time when
slavery was legal, indigenous people were considered sub-human, and
women were considered legal chattel by our revolutionary founds; and

WHEREAS it is time to complete the promise of liberty and justice
under the law for all; and

WHEREAS our nation faces new problems of potentially catastrophic
economic and environmental conditions not envisioned by the country's
founders:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the time has come for an expanded Bill
of Rights for the 21st Century which will en sure that all people of
the United States enjoy basic, inalienable and indivisible human
rights to which must be added:

The right to be free from sex discrimination.

The right to be free from racial and ethnic discrimination.

The right of all women to be free from government interference in
abortion, birth control and reproduction, and the right of women to
public funding of abortion, birth control, pre-natal and pregnancy
services.

The right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation.

The right to be free from discrimination based on religion, age, size,
economic status, health condition, parenthood, marital status or
disability.

The right to a decent standard of living, including adequate food,
housing, health care, education and jobs.

The right to clean air, clean water, safe waste disposal and
environmental protection.

The right to be free from violence, including the threat of war
between nations and the threat of violence at home, especially by men
against women, by the rich against the poor, by adults against
children, by majorities against minorities, by bigots against lesbians
and gays, and among races and ethnic groups.

The right of working people to join together in unions, bargain
collectively and use economic sanctions, such as strikes and boycotts.

The right of all to participate in and have representation in our
government.

		      Candidates and Procedures

Candidates of the 21st Century Party will adhere to the above
principle and must be accountable to the principles of the 21st
Century Party. Meetings of the 21st Century Party will be open. The
Party will be financed by its members and not become beholden to or
the captive of wealthy special interests.

			     Future Work

The Founding Principles and Founding Goals including in this Draft
Platform of the 21st Century Party are only a beginning. They should
be added to and discussed. We appreciate and welcome the enormous
resources of a free and involved people.

Our goal must be to encourage the dissatisfied, the disaffected and the disenfranchised to come forward to work for our shared future as we near the 21st Century.
--
robin
=:-{)

institute for learned scientists
northwestern university
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