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Democrats are united to end the Republican
culture of corruption and restore our government to the people
it serves, starting with real ethics reform. We are leading the
fight in Congress for a meaningful ethics process that holds
all people -- including leadership -- responsible for their actions.
The Democratic Party is committed to genuine ethics reform and
meaningful campaign finance reform that protects the rights of
citizens and ensures that elected officials act ethically -- not
just within the law, but within the spirit of the law. Democrats
offer an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses
and restore the public trust.
We are committed to immediate change to lead our country in a new
direction, to put an end to Republican business as usual, and to
make certain our nation's leaders serve the people's interests — not
special interests. For us, this commitment spans our lifetime,
as we were elected to represent the people, not the powerful.
Our goal is to restore accountability, honesty and openness at
all levels of government. To do so, we will create and enforce
rules that demand the highest ethics from every public servant,
sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish
clear standards that prevent the trading of official business for
gifts.
Democrats also realize that honest and ethical government requires
constant vigilance and a continuous dedication to reform and we
pledge to do so.
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 Homeland
Security = HOMETOWN Security
We Democrats are unwavering in our commitment to keep our nation
safe. For Democrats, homeland security begins with hometown
security. That's why Democrats led the fight to create the
Department of Homeland Security and continue to fight to ensure
that our ports, nuclear and chemical plants, and other sensitive
facilities are secured against attack.
We support increased funding for our first responders
and programs such as the COPS program so we can keep our communities
safe. We want to close the remaining gaps in our security by
enacting the 9/11 Commission recommendations.
Democrats are committed to protecting Americans
at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops,
our citizens and our allies. We believe in a strong national
defense that is both tough and smart.
Realistic Plans for Real Problems
Democrats have a plan that is comprehensive: from repairing
our military and winning the war on terrorism, to protecting
national security and freeing America of its dependence on
foreign oil. We plan to realistically prepare America for the
security needs of the 21st Century.
In addition, Democrats honor the sacrifices our troops, their
families and veterans by making sure we take care of them when
they come home.
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 Take
Rep. DePasquale's survey: How
would you make PA Energy Independent?
Democrats pledge to create a cleaner, greener and
stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign
oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and
gas companies and using savings to provide consumer
relief, develop energy alternatives, and invest in
energy independent technology.
Energy independence will place America
in the forefront to pursue affordable and efficient
energy solutions that will benefit all Americans,
improve America's security, reduce the burden on
American families, and help clean our environment.
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE = JOBS
We also foresee that commitment to energy
independence will create new industries and new categories
of jobs for American workers and entrepreneurs on
every level.
American families should not have to pay the
price for a failed national energy policy. They deserve
an energy policy that creates a cleaner and stronger
America that reduces our dependence on foreign oil
and also creates new jobs for American workers.
By clearing the pathways to innovation,
investing in our workers and infrastructure, and
providing American consumers with broader, more responsible
choices, the Democratic plan will provide the tools
to help move America forward in the 21st century.
While President Bush has been on a post-State
of the Union PR campaign to promote his recycled
rhetoric on energy independence, the fact remains
that over the last six years he has done nothing
to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
In Pennsylvania, during the week of Earth
Day, Majority House Democrats unveiled proposals
to save $10 billion in energy costs, create 35,000
jobs in energy and technology sectors and reduce
our reliance on foreign fuels. Read
more about Pennsylvania's Energy Bill Package. back
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AMERICAN JOBS THAT STAY IN AMERICA
Democrats believe that the most effective way to increase
opportunity for our families are high quality, good paying jobs.
Democrats plan to create jobs that stay in America
and restore opportunity for all Americans, starting with raising
the minimum wage.
The Democratic Party supports fair trade agreements
that raise standards for all workers here and abroad while making
American businesses more competitive.
Unlike Republicans, Democrats do not support
tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.
BALANCED BUDGET = RESPONSIBILITY
Democrats want to restore the budget discipline of
the 1990s that helped eliminate deficits and spurred record economic
growth. We believe in balanced budgets and paying down our national
debt, while Republicans continue to put huge burdens on future
generations by borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars from foreign
nations.
EDUCATION = OPPORTUNITY
Democrats know that the key to expanding opportunity is to provide
every child with a strong foundation of education. We will also
help expand educational opportunities for college by making college
tuition tax deductible, expanding Pell Grants, and cutting student
loan interest rates, penalties and other lender abuses. back
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 AFFORDABLE
HEALTH CARE THAT WORKS
In the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth, no one
should have to choose between taking a child to the doctor
and paying the rent, yet almost 50 million Americans have
no access to health care.
These are working people whose employers do
not offer medical benefits; laid-off, part-time and underpaid
workers who find the cost of medical insurance prohibitive
and people who do not meet the stringent, low- income requirements
for Medicaid or age requirements for Medicare.
Democrats are committed to making sure every single American
has access to affordable, effective health care coverage
and fix the disastrous Medicare Part D to ensure our seniors
can afford their prescription drugs.
We support life-saving stem cell and other medical research
offering realistic hope for cures and treatment for millions
of Americans.
PA House Majority Dems offer Solutions! Not
excuses! ...when it comes to protecting your family!
PA House Democrats have consistently led the charge
to help volunteers keep trucks, engines and ambulances
rolling with a $25 million annual grant program
and HB 906 would reauthorize grants and make the
application process easier. They’ve also
introduced legislation to end the unsafe practice
of mandatory overtime for nurses and other health
care workers whose patients’ well being depends
on their alertness and attention.
Fundamentals are currently being examined for a
health insurance purchasing plan for higher-income
residents and college students and a state-subsidized,
privately run health insurance plan targeted to
small business employees and uninsured. back
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RETIREMENT WITH DIGNITY
Democrats believe that a retirement with
dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, and
we plan to ensure that right starting with:
• Pension reform
• Expanding saving incentives
• Preventing the privatization of Social Security.
Democrats believe that after
a life of hard work,
Americans earn a secure retirement.
Our commitment to protecting the promise of Social Security
is absolute.
Democrats recognize that Americans rely on more than just
Social Security for a secure and dignified retirement.
Democrats will continue to fight for genuine pension reform
that protects employees’ financial security from future
Enron-style abuse.
In addition, we are working on new ways to help hard-working
Americans create retirement savings.
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 EQUALITY
UNDER THE LAW
Democrats are unwavering in support of equal opportunity
for all Americans. That's why we’ve worked to pass
every one of our nation’s Civil Rights laws and laws
to protect workers. Most recently, Democrats stood together
to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act.
On every civil rights issue, Democrats are at the forefront.
We support vigorous enforcement of existing laws and remain
committed to protecting fundamental civil rights in America.
HATE IS NOT AN AMERICAN VALUE
Each year thousands of our fellow citizens are attacked based on
race, religion, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender
identity. Democrats agree that hate crimes do not target just
the victim; they terrorize whole communities and entire groups
of people.
The Democratic-led House of Representatives passed legislation
to extend the definition of hate crimes. The vote was about human
rights and about the right of everyone in America to live free
from persecution and violence.
The vote in Congress made it clear
that hate is not an American value.
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SUPPORTING YOUR
BASIC VOTING RIGHTS
A fundamental tenet of our democracy is the right to vote and have
that vote counted. We must be vigilant in protecting this right
and ensuring that our voting system is fair for every American.
Democrats are determined to reform the voting system in
this country so that it includes verification, accountability,
and accuracy. It is imperative that we modernize election equipment,
and guarantee access to polls with common sense reforms such as
Election Day registration, shorter lines, and early voting. The
Democratic Party is committed to election reform and will fight
for federal standards that restore confidence in our voting process.
“The list of tools Republicans have used to enhance
electoral prospects at the expense of our right to vote reads like
a shameful litany from past eras: restricting access to voter registration,
improper attempts to purge voter lists, use of voting machines
with no verifiable audit trails, criminal phone jamming schemes,
discriminatory voter ID laws, and inconsistently administered elections.
The very institutions intended to protect the right to vote have
been used by Republican political operatives to undermine that
right. This brand of politics is undemocratic and un-American.
The time has come for Republicans to stop playing politics with
our fundamental right to vote.” HOWARD
DEAN, DNC Chairman back
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