Salt Lake County Democratic Party Platform

Working Toward a Higher Quality of Life for All

Preamble

As individuals and citizens of this great country, state, and county, we reaffirm the rights guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Utah and embrace the American values of freedom, opportunity, security, equality, justice, and community. As Salt Lake County Democrats, we believe in and affirm the following values:

Investing in the Common Good

Economic Security

Shared Prosperity

Equal Protection and Civil Rights

Safe Communities

Ethical and Open Government

Individual Freedom

Investing in the Common Good

As Democrats, we believe that a purpose of government is to provide for and protect public welfare and the common good. We support investments that enrich our communities and make everyone’s lives better. The people of Utah, including future generations, are the beneficiaries of these investments. By embracing stewardship and guardianship of the commonwealth, we invest in the future to ensure prosperity for ourselves and our children.

Excellence in Education – Education is our greatest investment in the future, and strengthening our long-standing commitment to public education as the foundation of a democratic republic is a fundamental value. We recognize that a prosperous future depends on an educated citizenry taught by dedicated professionals. We believe that all levels of education deserve thoughtful long-term planning and ample allocation of resources. We encourage the development of local working partnerships between educators and parents.

Planned Urban Growth – We support sound urban growth strategies.

Transportation – We support a well-planned, multi-modal transportation system that anticipates future needs, achieves air quality standards and goals, efficiently moves people, minimizes damage to ecosystems, and is accessible to and affordable for everyone.

Preservation – We support a balanced plan that preserves our canyons, recreation areas, planned green zones, and the unique quality of Salt Lake County’s wildlife ecosystems for all citizens.

Building Codes – We believe that Utah should adopt modern building codes because we believe all Utahns deserve buildings that are safe, efficient, and accessible.

A Clean Environment – We support maintaining the unique beauty of Salt Lake County and promoting environmental sustainability through a coordinated effort among government, industry, communities, and families to preserve nature, reduce pollution, and improve energy use.

Pollution – The families of Salt Lake County have a right to clean air, clean water, and land free from pollution.

Energy – We support the development of clean, renewable, and efficient energy resources. We rely on sound science to address nuclear safety and waste issues, and we oppose importing radioactive waste into our state.

Veterans and Military Families – We support investing in the well-being of veterans and their families. We believe that public service providers should be trained to appropriately respond to veteran’s issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide. We also support providing educational and occupational opportunities to return our veterans to civilian life.

Cultural Opportunities – We value and encourage arts, humanities, and culture. We support public and private investment in Salt Lake County’s vibrant arts scene, which benefits all residents of the county.

Economic Security

We believe that promoting the general welfare means all Americans deserve the peace of mind brought by economic security. As Democrats, we recognize that bad things can happen to good people. That’s why we support efforts that lend families and individuals a hand up toward self-reliance in times of need. We believe that no person should be denied access to basic and decent human services.

Health Care – We support efforts that promote health for all members of our community, with ready access to affordable, high-quality medical care, including mental health services. We believe that health is more than medical care and includes initiatives that promote long-term fitness and wellness for all members of the community. We believe that any system used to pay for health care services must promote and preserve equity and non-discrimination.

Housing – We believe that basic housing should be available to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic status. To this end, we support tax incentives for affordable and low-income housing builders and increasing the investment into housing trust funds.

Employment Resources – We support efforts to assist the unemployed and underemployed to transition to a new job or develop new skills with dignity.

Retirement Security – As Democrats, we believe in honoring our commitments. We believe that seniors deserve a dignified retirement. We support Social Security and the protection of hard-earned pensions and retirement plans. We also support Medicare and other health services to ensure that health care costs don’t overwhelm a senior’s retirement.

Shared Prosperity

As Democrats, we believe that every American has something of value to contribute and deserves a fair share of the wealth they help create. We believe that a thriving middle class is essential to our nation, and we deplore policies that widen the income gap between the wealthiest and the rest of America. We value people more than capital and recognize the essential role of living wages in helping Utahns support their families.

Fair and Reasonable Taxes – We support a tax system based on the principle of everyone paying their fair share. Tax revenues allow us to invest in our communities and create common goods that can be used by everyone.

Strong Labor – A Democratic core value is that a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Every employee should earn a living wage and be able to play an active role in determining their compensation and conditions of employment. We support a safe and healthful workplace, free of discrimination of any kind.

Thriving Business – Local business is the life-blood of the Salt Lake County economy. Our government should ensure a level playing field to support entrepreneurs and the development of small businesses. We believe that appropriate regulations support businesses by fostering an environment of public trust.

Equal Protection and Civil Rights

We believe that civil rights and social justice are keystones of our democracy. As Democrats, we value diversity in our society and the strength it adds to our politics, our economy, and our culture. Therefore, we value social justice and seek to protect the rights of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic status. We stand against discrimination in all its forms.

Human Rights – We view human rights as the inalienable rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic status. These rights include civil, political, social, and economic rights.

Fair and Equal Protection – By valuing the diversity of all peoples and identities, we also value equal protection of rights—whether those rights are codified by law or mandated by conscience. To those ends, we believe that our government should treat all people as equal under the law regardless of a person’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic status.

Equal Opportunity – We recognize that opportunity is not equally available, institutional prejudice still exists, and our society can do more to actively promote opportunity for historically marginalized people based on immutable characteristics including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. While opportunity should be promoted to underrepresented populations, it is also incumbent on us to recognize the accomplishments of those who have achieved success in spite of institutionalized prejudice. Through recruitment, retention, affirmative action, and other tools, we support equality of opportunity as a means to combat continued social inequality and to value the contributions of diversity to the workplace, the classroom, and our government.

Equal Pay for Equal Work – We believe that, for a just and healthy society, it is imperative that all people receive fair and equal pay for equal work. We support stronger enforcement of laws to combat pay discrimination in the workplace and encourage businesses to close pay gaps that are not based on performance—a standard that is long overdue.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform – As a nation of immigrants, we support federal reform to repair our broken immigration policies while recognizing the desire of people of good will to make a better life for themselves and their families. We support a compassionate federal immigration policy that keeps families together. We support a pathway to citizenship for the many families and workers already supporting our economy and contributing to our culture. We also support a fair and inclusive immigration policy for the future that respects the dignity of all people seeking to enter the United States.

Safe Communities

One of the most fundamental roles of government is to ensure public safety. We believe that the best approach to ensuring public safety is a combination of well-informed and highly trained law enforcement officers, targeted prevention, vigorous prosecution, and appropriate rehabilitation. We support efforts to lower crime rates and keep county residents safe by using proven methods such as early intervention programs. As Democrats, we believe in addressing social factors that can contribute to criminal behavior.

Funding for Law Enforcement – We support appropriate funding of our law enforcement officers to ensure that they are fully trained in diverse situations. We believe that they should be equipped with the best technology, equipment, and innovative strategies to prevent and fight crimes. Just as these brave men and women protect our communities every day, we promote financial support that sustains their safety and well-being in the line of duty.

Juvenile Crime – We believe that all government officials should implement the most promising programs to curb juvenile crime. Juvenile court policies should emphasize early intervention, drug treatment programs for juvenile offenders, and family participation.

Domestic Violence – We support establishing and fully funding programs to prevent domestic violence. We believe that these programs should support, empower, and protect victims of domestic violence through early intervention and education.

Hate Crimes – We believe that enhanced sentences should be imposed for all forms of hate crimes.

Gun Laws – We believe in common-sense gun laws that support the Constitutional rights of all law-abiding citizens to own guns. We support gun safety education regarding the responsible use, storage, and ownership of firearms to reduce violence and to prevent accidents. We support the rights of property owners and public institutions to prohibit guns and other weapons on their premises.

Ethical and Open Government

We believe that citizens who are elected as representatives of their peers should be of the highest integrity. This integrity should encompass not only an official’s private life but their public and political life as well. We believe that political integrity includes the following issues:

Leadership – We expect our candidates and elected public servants to be responsible, honest, and hardworking. In this era of cynicism and frustration, community and political leaders must work together to restore public confidence in elected and government officials.

Honest Public Service – We support strict financial limits on gifts that a public official can accept. Public service should never be used for personal gain.

Responsible Spending – We believe that sound financial management of county affairs is imperative to maintain our prosperity.

Open Meetings – Government should be conducted in an open and transparent environment. All policy discussions and decisions by political officials should occur openly with adequate opportunities for the public to observe and participate. Records of all government meetings should be affordable and easily accessible.

Campaign Finance – We disagree with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that money is a form of protected speech. We believe in sensible limits and open disclosure for campaign financing. Elected officials should be equally responsive to their constituents, not beholden to well-funded special interest groups, corporations, or political action committees. We believe that full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions and limits on single-source contributions are required and that the concept of publicly funded campaigns should be explored.

Democracy – Voters should be encouraged to participate in the democratic process and exercise their choice at the ballot box. We oppose laws that discourage citizens from voting.

Individual Freedom

As Democrats, we believe that individuals should be free to choose their own path in life, free from unnecessary government intrusion in their private lives, since individuals know best how to pursue their own happiness. We also believe that with freedom comes responsibility and that individual freedom must be balanced with regard for the rights and freedoms of others.

Faith – We promote the free exercise or non-exercise of religion and welcome all people regardless of faith or belief. We affirm that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion and firmly defend the separation of church and state.

Reproductive Rights – We respect that members of our party have diverse views about reproductive issues. Decisions about reproduction are best made on an individual basis in accordance with one’s own personal or religious values. Government should not intrude in these most personal decisions. We support sound and comprehensive education regarding human sexuality. We believe that the adoption process must be ethical, inclusive, and affordable.

Marriage Equality – All consenting adults deserve the legal protections afforded by civil marriage.

Individual Liberties – We support and affirm all of the liberties guaranteed in the Constitution and particularly celebrate those found in the First Amendment. We believe that freedom of speech and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to peaceably assemble, and freedom to petition our government are at the core of what makes America great and at the foundation of what it means to be an American.

Conclusion

The Salt Lake County Democratic Party is a political party of diversity, inclusion, and the democratic process. We believe that diversity is a source of strength to our community rather than a reason for division. We respect the individual conscience of each party member on the values presented in this platform, and we welcome new participants into the Democratic Party. We cherish and encourage participation in the democratic process.

2012 Salt Lake County Democratic Party Platform Committee

Adopted April 14, 2012, at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention

Adopted April 14, 2012, at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention