Platform block approval from previous year’s greater than 83% approval items. The numbering of the items is a continuation from the regular platform vote.
- ECONOMY AND TAXES
Whereas repeated federal budget deficits are causing the national debt to grow unchecked to a point that now exceeds the yearly GDP;
i. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports a balanced budget while still honoring key entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare.
Whereas Omnibus budget bills are so large that they are very difficult to debate and amend, and result in excessive and hidden spending;
j. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports the requirement that each cabinet level department budget be voted on separately by congress.
Whereas earmarks are not based on merit but are used by congress to “buy” votes to pass a budget;
k. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports elimination of earmarks to funding bills.
Whereas the government awards entitlements with limited requirements or income criteria for recipients;
l. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports the review of programs that don’t provide incentives for recipients to move off of government assistance when possible.
Whereas Social Security will eventually become insolvent on its current trajectory;
m. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports a sliding scale increase in the retirement age to account for longer lifespans as a partial solution to keeping the program solvent as long as possible.
n. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports increasing the income threshold of the Social Security tax (FICA) as a partial solution to keeping the program solvent as long as possible.
5. EDUCATION
Whereas every child deserves a chance for an education that is best suited to their particular needs;
g. Be it resolved that we support school choice, including charter schools.
7. Healthcare
Whereas healthcare and drug costs are currently unaffordable, non-transparent to the consumer, and not readily available and consistent for all;
d. Be it resolved that we support uniform world-wide pricing by U.S. drug companies that currently charge more to U.S. customers.
Whereas the Healthcare system is a complex, convoluted, and broken delivery system that garners almost 20% of the Gross National Product (GNP), reaching 4.3 trillion dollars in 2021;
e. Be it resolved that we support industry innovations to reduce factors that drive up healthcare costs such as drug pricing, malpractice insurance, excessive legal judgements, and middleman markups.
Whereas the Healthcare system is a complex, convoluted, and broken delivery system that garners almost 20% of the Gross National Product (GNP), reaching 4.3 trillion dollars in 2021;
f. Be it resolved that we support transparency in billing before and after treatment, as well as uniform billing by providers for all services, regardless of type of insurance.
Whereas the Healthcare system is a complex, convoluted, and broken delivery system that garners almost 20% of the Gross National Product (GNP), reaching 4.3 trillion dollars in 2021;
g. Be it resolved that we support limiting government bureaucratic functions that hurt the financial independence of smaller hospitals, outpatient facilities, and individual doctors that are outside of large corporate operations.
Whereas the Healthcare system is a complex, convoluted, and broken delivery system that garners almost 20% of the Gross National Product (GNP), reaching 4.3 trillion dollars in 2021;
h. Be it resolved that we support an overhaul of the medical malpractice judgement system awarding enormous payouts and sometimes frivolous lawsuits to reduce high insurance costs that get passed on to everyone else.
Whereas the Healthcare system is a complex, convoluted, and broken delivery system that garners almost 20% of the Gross National Product (GNP), reaching 4.3 trillion dollars in 2021;
i. Be it resolved that we support the patient’s right to make end-of-life choices in a dignified manner for individuals who are diagnosed with a terminal condition.
9. IMMIGRATION REFORM
Whereas many DACA participants are deserving of permanent legal status. It is an imperfect system;
a. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports granting legal immigrant status to those in the program and eliminate DACA when all participants are processed.
Whereas many immigrants overstay their Visa time limit;
b. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports improved enforcement of Visa overstays while streamlining the process to renew.
Whereas under the current “catch and release” policy a large number of illegal immigrants are allowed to stay in the U.S. for years awaiting a court hearing and many do not show up at all;
c. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports eliminating border “catch and release” policies for people entering without a Visa or Refugee status.
d. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports the immediate return of illegal immigrants to their home country or to their crossing point.
Whereas the process to remain in or legally enter the U.S. can take months or years leaving people in limbo;
e. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports streamlining the Work and Immigrant Visa process.
10. Gun Policy
Whereas training and awareness of gun safety is an important element to keeping everyone safe;
f. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports professional gun safety training shall be required of every gun purchaser.
Whereas many shootings have been perpetrated by individuals who were under 21 and were not emotionally mature enough to own a gun;
g. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports the minimum age requirement of 21 to purchase a gun (not possess). People under 21 with appropriate supervision can possess a gun for hunting or work requirements.
Whereas many shootings are committed by people in emotional distress or heat of the moment impulses;
h. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports a waiting period for gun purchases from any source (commercial or private sale) to allow for proper background checks and inhibit impulse buys by those in short-term mental distress.
11. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Whereas restricting birth control and contraception results in potential unwanted pregnancies and abortions;
a. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports unrestricted and easy access to all forms of male and female birth control and contraception, including Plan B morning after pills.
Whereas an unexpected pregnancy is a serious situation that is improved with information and advice;
b. Be it resolved that the Center Party supports access to counseling early in a pregnancy so that an informed decision can be made between keeping the child, adoption, or termination of the pregnancy.