Index
Click on subject to go to specific resolution.

Corporate Power     Credit    Disaster Preparedness    Education    Election of President    Electronic Voting    Energy    Global Warming   
Health Care     Health Insurance Pool    House & Senate Control    Iraq    Medicare Reimbursements    Mental Health    
Olympic Discovery Trail    Substance Abuse    Recycling    Social Security    Speed Traps on 112    Veterans' Clinic   
Virginia Mason Clinic    Voting Machines    Warrentless Searches

I. Restoring the Commitment to Public Education

WHEREAS Washington’s Public schools are under funded, yet our academic standards are among the highest in the nation. Article IX of the Washington State Constitution makes public education the state’s “paramount duty”; It’s time to take the lead and ensure that our public schools receive the funding they need to educate all children;

WHEREAS, Washington’s public schools are 46th in class size out of 50 states and Washington D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Washington’s public schools are 42nd in education spending per student, adjusted for regional cost differences; and

WHEREAS, Washington’s public schools have $2 billion less to spend because funding hasn’t kept pace. Twenty-five years ago, Washington spent 50.4 percent of the state operating budget on K-12 schools; now we spend just 42.1 percent; and

WHEREAS, Washington’s public schools are spending $548 less per student compared to 1992; and

WHEREAS, Washington’s public schools are dead last in teacher pay among the five West Coast states; and

WHEREAS, Washington’s public schools, regardless of location or population, must have the resources to allow every child the opportunity to succeed;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we call on our elected leaders to restore Washington’s commitment to quality education by increasing funding for public schools so that all children receive the well-rounded education they need to compete for good jobs in the global high-tech economy.

II. Measures to Address Global Warming

WHEREAS there is a global warming crisis and finite oil reserves, and

WHEREAS current rational political leadership is seriously lacking in this area

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the State and National Democratic Party promote meaningful measures to address this problem, such as greatly improved CAFÉ (Corporate Automotive Fuel Standards) standards for all vehicles, tax breaks for hybrid and other low-emission and vehicles that use alternative fuels, and tax fuel inefficient vehicles heavily.Return to Index

III. Energy Conservation and Recycling

WHEREAS energy consumption and disposal of waste, both hazardous and non-hazardous, is a growing problem

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Democrats develop broad programs, through legislation and tax policy, for public awareness on energy conservation and recycling options.Return to Index

IV. Improvements to the Olympic Discovery Trail

WHEREAS we, the Clallam Democrats of Twin River precinct support the development of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) for the enjoyment and use of ALL non-motorized groups and

WHEREAS we want the route and construction of the trail to adhere to principles that protect the environment

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the trail have a hard, non-asphalt surface, for wheel chairs, in-line skates and bicycles, with a 3 -4 foot gravel path adjacent for joggers/walkers who prefer a softer surface and;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a route be established along the old Port Angeles Western rail bed, with north/south offsets from the rail bed be kept to a minimum, to encourage the use of the ODT as a non-motorized transportation corridor and:

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED if public acquisition of the rail bed from current private ownership proves impossible, use the existing right-of-way to the north side of SR112, widening where necessary, to a standard 15 feet. Return to Index

V. Continued Operation of the Virginia Mason Clinic

WHEREAS the operation of a clinic affiliated with a full service staff is desperately needed in Clallam County.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the County Commissioners be charged with finding a way to ensure the continued operation of the Eighth St. Clinic, being abandoned by Virginia Mason.Return to Index

VI. Single Payer Universal Health Care

WHEREAS health care access in the United States is fragmented and in crisis, with 30 million plus uninsured citizens, and

WHEREAS this puts American business at a disadvantage against other industrialized countries with national health plans, and

WHEREAS there are many successful, proven models throughout the Western world of universal health care systems,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party initiates action at the federal level to create a single payer universal health care plan, and steadfastly promulgate this agenda.Return to Index

VII. Support a Veterans’ Administration Clinic on the Olympic Peninsula

WHEREAS veterans access to health care is a problem

WHEREAS veterans in Clallam Co. must travel all day to Seattle for care

WHEREAS our Olympic Medical Center is willing to work with local physicians to establish a ‘virtual clinic’ to provide health care in Clallam County

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED we support the Veteran’s Administration in providing a clinic on the Olympic Peninsula to handle veteran’s needs. Return to Index

VIII. Equalize Medicare Reimbursements among the States

WHEREAS, Clallam County has a high percentage of Medicare eligible people, and

WHEREAS, the reimbursement for Medicare in Washington state is among the lowest in the US, and

WHEREAS, WHEREAS primary physician clinics in Clallam County have to limit their Medicare patient percentage because of reimbursement factors,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we demand that our congressional delegation work for equal reimbursement of Medicare among all the states. Return to Index

IX. Disaster Preparedness on the Olympic Peninsula

WHEREAS the Olympic Peninsula has a unique geographic nature that could lead to regional isolation in the case of a natural or man-made disaster

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Democratic Party will support the development of adequate resources for disaster mitigation response and recovery in all regions of our county and in all sectors of responsibility, including individual, neighborhoods, businesses and public jurisdictions. Return to Index

X. Creation of a Clallam County Health Insurance Pool

WHEREAS, there are at least 40 million Americans without health insurance; and,

WHEREAS, there are substantial numbers of uninsured in Clallam County - and "All politics are local." in the immortal words of Tip O'Neill; and,

WHEREAS, the proposal has been floated that there be a group health insurance pool for all residents of Clallam County; now,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Clallam County Democratic Party will work with all others whose aim is to create such a health insurance pool or plan for all residents of Clallam County. Return to Index

XI. Expanding Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment in Clallam County

WHEREAS, citizens with mental health and substance abuse heavily impact services currently funded by property taxes, such law enforcement, fire departments and public hospitals, and

WHEREAS, this is borne out through statistics which reveal that mental health and substance abuse problems are found in:

* 80% of the local jail population

* Over 50% of youth involved in the local juvenile justice system

* Over 80% of the frequent users of the emergency room, and

WHEREAS, research has shown that treatment is more cost effective than using these systems to deal with citizens with mental health and substance abuse problems, and

WHEREAS, unless these citizens receive treatment they will continue to negatively impact our community which will result in an expansion of existing taxpayer supported services, and

WHEREAS, all Dist. 24 state legislative representatives (Sen. Hargrove,

Rep. Buck and Rep. Kessler) voted affirmatively for the bill which allowed our county commissioners to impose 1/10th of 1% on the sales tax to expand treatment for mental health and substance abuse without a vote of the public, and

WHEREAS, the legislation was driven by positive results which tied providing early treatment to the reduction in the projected users of expensive facilities thus resulting in substantial taxpayer savings, and

WHEREAS, we desire to have our citizens served in the most cost effective way, and

WHEREAS, the funds derived from a 1/10 of 1% increase in the sales tax will be collected and distributed locally.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, we applaud the actions of our bipartisan Clallam County Board of Commissioners. They did their homework, allowed the required time for public input and received input from less than ten citizens opposed to the measure versus broad-based support in favor. They acted responsibly, and within the law, by adopting the increase of 1/10th of sales tax without requiring a vote of the public. Return to Index

XII. Withdrawal of U.S. Troops in Iraq

WHEREAS, the invasion of Iraq is also a violation of the U.S. Constitution under Article VI, and

WHEREAS, the orders and contract of the Coalition Provisional Authority must be rescinded because they violate the Iraq Constitution, the 1906 Hague Regulations, the Geneva Conventions and the U.S. Army’s Code of Land Warfare by authorizing the sale of Iraqi assets, public or private, to foreign firms and the transfer out of the country of its profits, and

WHEREAS the invasion of Iraq was founded on lies; that the true reason for invasion of Iraq was to establish bases, promote the domination of America over other nations, and to control areas that are rich in precious resources, like oil and to be able to further impose America’s will anywhere in the world with little or no provocation, and

WHEREAS this war has provoked ever more rage among victims of the war and has increased the likelihood of further attacks rather than decreased this likelihood, and

WHEREAS the President of the United States supports torture, which promotes more terrorism against the citizens of the U.S., and

WHEREAS 2300 American Soldiers have died, 17,000 have been wounded, 37,000 Iraqi citizens women and children have been killed or maimed for life, WHEREAS the war will return 90 % of our military men and women with mental disorders, as well as an untold numbers with physical disorders.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that there be a withdrawal of American troops from Iraq within the next six months unless it can be humanely accomplished sooner, and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. government turn over to the United Nations, the League of Arab States and other neutral parties the authority for creating and maintaining a multi-national peacekeeping force in Iraq with the goal of providing security and facilitating self governance; control of this force to be under the joint command of all participating states, with no one nation in control, and with no veto powers granted to any one nation, and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the federal government should take the steps necessary to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq now. Our world needs peace, and construction and not destruction. Life is sacred. Return to Index

XIII. Voting Machines to Provide a Paper Trail

WHEREAS it is imperative to have a way of verifying the count of a vote.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Democratic Party will not support the purchase or use of any voting machines that do not provide a paper trail of all votes cast. Return to Index

XIV. Individual’s Right to Freeze His/Her Credit

WHEREAS the risk of identity theft needs to be controlled,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Democratic elected officials shall initiate and/or support legislation to permit any individual to place a credit freeze on his/her personal credit in order to prevent or minimize the risk of identity theft and the resulting financial repercussions.
Return to Index

XV. Democrats to Take Back the House and Senate

WHEREAS the country’s general condition has been deteriorating for the past five years in the form of increasing national debt, health care, international relations, the war and erosion of our cavil rights, and

WHEREAS this is primarily attributable to the Republicans lock on the legislative process and the executive office and the ongoing corruption, and

WHEREAS the opportunity exists to take the House and the Senate,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Democratic Party do everything in its power to take back the House and the Senate. Return to Index

XVI. Election of the President by National Popular Vote

WHEREAS, under the current system of allocating electoral votes in presidential elections (used by 48 states and the District of Columbia), all of a state’s electoral votes are awarded to the candidate receiving the most popular votes within each state; and

WHEREAS, the allocation of electoral votes is exclusively a matter of state law; and

WHEREAS, the current system forces presidential candidates to focus their campaigns on a handful of closely divided “battleground” states, thereby making the voters in two-thirds of the states irrelevant; and

WHEREAS, voter turnout is adversely affected in presidentially non-competitive states because voters realize that their votes do not matter. The number of non-competitive states has been increasing in recent decades; and

WHEREAS, because the statewide winner-take-all system divides the national pool of 122,000,000 popular votes into 51 smaller pools, it regularly manufactures artificial crises even when the nationwide popular vote is not particularly close, and;

WHEREAS, a remedy, avoiding the need of a Constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College, exists in the form of “The Agreement among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote” This is a proposed state law being considered by states nationwide as an interstate compact—the contractual arrangement authorized in the Constitution by which states can act in concert to address an issue that cannot be readily solved by unilateral action. The purpose of the proposed compact is to guarantee that the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia receives enough electoral votes (that is, at least 270 of the 538) to be elected to the Presidency;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Democratic Convention petitions the Washington State Legislature to enact legislation making Washington State a signatory of “The Agreement among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote.”
Return to Index

XVII. Limiting the Power of Corporations in Government

WHEREAS, multi-national corporate domination of the American political system has unduly transferred power from the individual voter and small business to large corporations; and

WHEREAS, corporations are not answerable for their actions to the majority of the voting public; and

WHEREAS, well funded corporate lobbyists monopolize elected officials time and unjustly out-compete the average citizen for their legislators’ attention;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that no corporation doing business in this state, shall pay or contribute, or offer, consent or agree to pay or contribute, directly or indirectly, any money, property, free service of its officers or employees or thing of value to any political party, organization, committee or individual for any political purpose whatsoever, or for the purpose of influencing legislation of any kind, or to promote or defeat the candidacy of any person for nomination, appointment or election to any political office. Return to Index

XVIII. Clallam County Board of Commissioners to Express Opposition to NSA Warrentless Searches

WHEREAS, the National Security Agency, at the direction of the President of the Untied States, has begun conducting warrant less searches of emails of American citizens; and

WHEREAS, the above referred to practice is unlawful under the United States Constitution and is in direct contravention of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA); and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States only began the warrant less searches in contravention of the FISA after the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court began refusing some of his administration’s requests for warrants; and

WHEREAS, this knowing violation of fundamental constitutional and statutory law is reprehensible; and

WHEREAS, such unlawful conduct must not be condoned by any level of government;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Clallam County Board of Commissioners be asked to pass a resolution expressing its condemnation of the practice of the National Security Agency, at the direction of the President of the United States, conducting warrant less searches of emails of American citizens in violation of the United States Constitution and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clallam County Board of Commissioners be asked to transmit such resolution to the United States Senators and the United States Congressmen representing the State of Washington, and to the President of the United States.
Return to Index

XIX. Ensure Security and Integrity of Electronic Voting

WHEREAS, there are serious questions about the security of electronic voting and this endangers the integrity of our elections, and

WHEREAS, a voter verified paper audit trail, random mandatory audits, and Electronic Voting System software escrow with source code available for public inspection are all essential elements to ensure an accurate counting of the vote whenever electronic voting is used, and

WHEREAS, in Washington state legislation requires a voter verified paper audit trail and that electronic voting system software be put in escrow, and

WHEREAS, more than half the states have passed legislation requiring a voter verified paper audit trail, but many of these states, including Washington, do not require random audits and none require publicly available software source code.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Clallam County Democratic Convention endorse legislation requiring Washington State, and all states with electronic voting systems to have a voter verified paper audit trail, mandatory random audits, open source software available for public inspection and that software be placed in escrow. Return to Index

XX. Safeguarding Social Security

WHEREAS the influx of the “baby boomers” will place serious pressure on the Social Security system; and

WHEREAS adjustments were made in the 1980s raising the age limit for full benefits and increasing the contribution rates; and

WHEREAS in spite of the adjustments made, the reserves will be depleted; and

WHEREAS income will then only support about 70% of the promised benefits; and

WHEREAS the plans to prioritize funds will hasten the reaching of this condition;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That:

1. We strongly oppose the plans and attempts to privatize the Social Security funds, all, or even in part. We urge our Representative and Senators to carefully analyze the President’s new Budget and remove all funds allocated for these purposes.

2. We propose that the current procedure for gradually increasing the upper limit for “Covered Income” be suspended for ten (10) years, and in steps beginning at $250,000 and increasing over the next nine years to a limit of $3,000,000. At that point in time the regular formula for the annualized increase may resume on the $3 million.

3. The current OASI tax shall be increased to 8%. Of the increase of 0.35%, 0.25%, shall apply to the Retirement funds and 0.10% shall apply to the Medicare funds. Return to Index

XXI. No More Speed Traps on State Highway 112!

WHEREAS the great Washington State highways system roads begin in Neah Bay at mile post “0”; and

WHEREAS the fine people that live west of Joyce that commute on State Highway 112 both directions east and west are “required” to travel an overage speed of a lowly “40 mph!” while all residents east of Joyce have the opportunity to travel at 55 mph; and

WHEREAS there are so called speed traps at mile post 8 to the P.U.D. office, and mile post 33 to 35.5, and at mile post 37 to mile post 40 are all 40 mph SPEED TRAPS!;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the County Commissioner, Mike Doherty, work with the Washington State Department of Transportation regional office in Tumwater, Washington to modify the speed limits (to increase them) as appropriate. Return to Index

The foregoining resolutions were passed by the 2006 Clallam County Democratic Convention on April 8, 2006 and submitted to the WSDCC for consideration at its June 3rd, 2006 State Convention.