Written by Barbara Smith, Concerned Hamilton Citizen and Activist Blogger for transparency in government.. at Hamilton Wenham Liberals for Democracy
Our Party Platform is a statement of our shared values.
Every four years, thousands of Democrats discuss and vote on an updated platform at the state convention, and many more offer testimony at the platform hearings and meetings that take place in the months prior. This year’s Platform Convention will take place on September 25, 2021 at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.
I, Barbara- attended my first platform hearing last night. It was very interesting to learn what issues are priorities for the Democrats in the 6th congressional district. My priorities have always been voting rights and protecting womens right to reproductive health care.
Here is a link to the 2018 Massachusetts Democrats Platform
There were many notables sharing their values and they make me proud to be a Democrat! I include highlights here….. Each speaker succinctly expressed them within the 90 second time allottment which I guess is amazing!
- Several speakers emphasized that the platform should state that we will not tolerate antisemitism.
- We must embrace long term planning and solutions for global warming
- We need to have a moratorium on buildling correction facilities and instead work on solutions to reduce the root causes of crime.
- Danielle Allen emphasized that affordable housing should be a top priority, tenants rights, creating an abundant supply of shelter.
- We need a statement for greater transparency in government. The public should be able to read about upcoming bills rather than learning the details after they have been voted on. We need encouragement of citizen engagement, teach civics widely and encourage voting.
- The party needs to support north-south rail link
- Mental health care should be affordable, including maternal mental health care.
- We must support greater access for the disabled and address age discrimination.
- We need term limits to encourage new voices, youth involvement and greater transparency.
- Lydia Edwards explained that we need to prevent evictions and that people who are at risk of eviction have this information removed from public records. If the eviction actually occurs then expunge the records after 3 years. Having this information publicly displayed is harmful for people seeking housing.
- We should have greater voting access such as mailboxes located near correctional facilities and more access for non-English speaking voters.
- Jamie Belsito- stressed the need for greater maternal mental health support .
- Seniors need to be treated with greater dignity , especially at end of life and should be able to live at home.
- Invest in transportation- electric rail, wind power and solar.
- People who contract COVID at the workforce must have health care and pay.
- Representative Nguyen emphasized the need for resources for essential workers such as pay and care if they get COVID, policy to decrease hate and discrimination and to stop criminalizing debt.
- Rights for special education para professional staff.
- Address food insecurity, homelessness, affordable housing.
- State Senator Diana DiZoglio supports term limits, access to bills before they are voted on and greater government transparency.
- We need to get rid of Charlie Baker!