GRP 2007-2008 action program with abolish poverty theme
Sunday January 07, @10:57PM, by Merelice, Gary Hicks
Subject : GRP future action program
from the Rainbow Coalition Caucus dept.
Summary :
Select issues and actions for a 2007-2008 Green-Rainbow Party program that works to abolish poverty and is relevant to people's daily lives and needs.
Text :
The Green-Rainbow Party reaffirms its commitment to the theme of Abolishing Poverty by focusing on this theme as part of an overall action program for 2007-2008.

This program will be developed through meetings of StateCom, working committees, caucuses, local chapters, and other GRP groups. It will identify priority issues and specific actions that are relevant to people's daily lives and needs, thereby inspiring and building support among the Party’s current and potential constituents. We seek to develop the program by April 30, 2007 and present this program for adoption at the 2007 State Convention.

GRP candidates, local chapters, caucuses, working committees, etc. are asked to meet and submit their recommendations for determining priority issues and actions so that the GRP – through statewide coordination, consistency, and repetition – becomes clearly identified with and effective in addressing certain issues. [To be discussed: What body should receive and pull together the submissions?]

Two criteria to consider when determining which issues to prioritize: What aspect of the issue distinguishes the GRP from other parties? What is the "abolish poverty" focus within the issue? Consideration of issues should include but not be limited to the following:

Health: Universal single-payer health care.
Education: Free Community College and job training beyond grade 12.
Prison reform: Decriminalize drug abuse. Fully fund prisoner education.
CORI: Enable appropriate housing and job opportunities; provide job training in fields with a future such as alternative energy.
Sustainable environment: Job training that puts people into living-wage jobs and in the vanguard of environmental technology and issues.
Living wage: Increase the minimum wage to $15/hour.
Immigration: Provide all residents equal access to state funded colleges.
Peace: There can be no peace while there is poverty and poverty cannot be abolished while resources are misspent on war and benefit international corporations at the expense of the people.
Child care: Universal government-funded child care.
Housing: Bonds for affordable housing located where transportation and community resources are available, with provisions for multi-racial and mixed-income neighborhoods.
Taxes/safety net: Revisions to make taxes at all levels fairer for low- and middle-income earners, with a built-in genuine safety net.

Consideration of actions and/or next steps could include but not be limited to the following: legislative action, an educational program, focusing on promising local campaigns, pitching in to help start up specific local chapters, organizing a referendum, and running a presidential candidate

Any of these actions will be more effective if we think through the abolish poverty message that we want to hit home. [Maybe we start referring to the party as: The Green-Rainbow Party -- Home of the New Abolitionists?]
abolish poverty proposal.doc 29KB (30208 bytes)

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