2016 MILLENNIAL PARTY PLATFORM
It is time to STOP THE INSANITY!!! We have been making the same political decisions voting for Republicans and Democrats since the 1860s. We continue to get the same policy decisions year in and year out. So what are the results based on the same tired policies of the Democrats and the Republicans? The national debt continues its out of control rise every minute. The gap between the rich and the poor still grows which is good for the 1%ers but not for the rest of America. National security has never been this insecure despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars every year on our vaunted defense industry. Our elected officials have permanent positions and act in their own self-interests before acting on behalf of the citizens that have elected them. Civil Rights are still nothing more than a term that politicians use in election years. Social Security and Medicare are in danger of bankruptcy in our lifetime. With 75% of Americans saying that they are dissatisfied with the way this nation is being governed, this is OUR OPPORTUNITY to move this nation forward and back on the path to greatness. It is time to stop electing the same force fed Democratic and Republican candidates in every election. Opportunity may only come once in a lifetime and the time is now to choose new leadership committed to uniting America again and making this country a world leader in common sense politics.
We, the NPHS Millennial Party, believe in true democracy, in an America of freedom and equality. Right now, America’s political system is plagued with inefficiency, division, and corruption. Both the Republican and the Democratic Parties dominate the political process, but fail to work together to produce any serious measures to solve our problems. To make matters worse, both the Republicans and the Democrats prioritize their own interests over the needs of the American people. What distinguishes our party from them is that we stand firmly against waste, divisiveness and corruption. We believe that the needs of the American people are far more important than our own selfish desires. We stand for unity, justice and equality. Together, we will reform, redeem, and restore our government. We will fight for true democracy, and together, we will make America into the great nation that it once was and will be again.
I. ECONOMIC POLICY
1. The Budget and the National DebtHow do we reduce the National Debt of the US and reduce the pressure on our economy moving into the 21st century?
The Millennial Party intends to be practical. The only way to relieve the pressure on our economy and on the American taxpayer is to undertake a combination of the policies offered by the Democrats and the Republicans. Therefore, we are proposing the following:
· A 10% tax increase across the board for ALL income earners
· An increase of the capital gains tax to 20% on the profits from the sale of stocks and securities
· A 10% across the board cut in spending by all institutions, divisions and programs of the national government
2. Minimum Wage
Should the US government increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour?
The Millennial Party sees the income gap between the rich (top 1%ers) and the rest of America. It is unfair to ask young Americans to support themselves and a family on the current minimum wage. As a result, the Millennial Party supports an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15.00 per hour.
3. Welfare and Income Inequality
Should the US Government continue the welfare program as it currently operates?
How can we bridge the growing gap between the rich (1%ers) and the rest of America?
After years of tax cuts for top income earners, America has developed one of the largest gaps between the rich and the poor among developed countries in the world. This income gap has been growing since the 1920s. Income inequality is also harmful to economic growth. The Millennial Party advocates reducing income inequality by repealing the Bush and Reagan tax cuts for the highest income earners.
Welfare is financial aid given to Americans whose income falls below a set annual level. The Millennial Party supports the continuation of welfare while raising the qualifying income level to include more poor Americans. At the same time, we support random drug tests for all people on welfare. If one tests positive, they will go into a government approved rehabilitation facility or be removed from welfare. Finally, the goal of welfare should be a return to work and self-sufficiency so we propose the creation of a government agency that helps welfare participants find jobs.
4. Social Security
How can the US protect the Social Security and Medicare benefits of retired Americans into the future?
The Millennial Party believes that the Social Security and Medicare systems are good policies for all Americans. However, they system needs reform so we propose that, for the good of all Americans,
· the retirement age and eligibility age for Social Security be raised to 68 years with early retirement being possible at a reduced benefit at the age of 65 years effective 2017.
· Begin a process of Means testing to set an income level at which a person does not need Medicare and can afford to pay for medical insurance on their own
· Create a process of Privatized Social Security under which Americans will still participate in the Social Security System but can choose to make their own decisions about retirement investments under Social Security
II. FOREIGN POLICY
1. How can the federal government protect America against Terrorism?The Millennial Party supports more military action overseas to combat terrorism, but we must not go overboard and use excessive force. The US will continue to use its technical superiority to fight terror and protect our shores. We are in support of no fly zones over hostile regions, and we must work with other Middle Eastern countries to fight terrorism. Nations like Saudi Araba and UAE for example have the financial resources to fund a war on terror and should be doing so as this is right in their back yard. While we support the use of drones to find people on “kill lists,” but we cannot use them to spy on people without proper judicial authorization. There is a possibility that America will have to put “boots on the ground” in Syria to fight ISIS but we will not get trapped into nation building such as the extent of our attempts to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq.
2. How should the US respond to Russian aggression under President Putin such as in the Ukraine and in the Arctic Circle region?
The Millennial Party recognizes the danger posed to American interests by a resurgent Russia. Russia is pushing the United States into a new Cold War at the most dangerous time in world history. However much like the end of the Soviet Union in the late 20th century, our best weapon against Russian aggression is Russia itself, specifically the failing Russian economy. As a result, the Millennial Party stands for:
· An Increased use of economic sanctions against Russia to deter further expansion into the Ukraine, Europe and into the Arctic Circle
· Matching Russian Aggression with a Coalition made up of the US, the UK, the EU and NATO forces to oppose further Russian expansion into Europe and into the Arctic Circle region.
· Russia will not be permitted to take over free and independent nations in Europe.
3. How should the US respond to Chinese aggression such as in the South China Sea and Taiwan?
The Millennial Party believes in maintaining a positive yet assertive relationship with China. We cannot advocate for the use of US military force to stop China’s expansion into the South China Sea. Therefore, if China continues to build these artificial islands in the South China Sea, the US Navy will continue to patrol the area to ensure that the US and smaller Asian nations can continue to trade and travel safely. Also, the Millennial Party supports tying further trade agreements with China to enforceable human rights protections for all people living under Chinese Rule.
4. NSA – Cyber Security
Should the US government be allowed to collect basic metadata of US citizens’ phone calls such as cell numbers, timestamps, and call duration?
How about of foreign nationals, allies or otherwise?
The Millennial Party believes the NSA’s wiretapping and surveillance programs are a violation of the US Constitution, specifically of the rights of the very people that the NSA was created to protect. As a result, the NSA should be disbanded. Without proof of the NSA actually deterring terrorists actions here in the US, this institution should not be permitted to invade the rights and freedoms of the American people. The NSA costs us $52.6 Billion per year. That money could be used to help over half a million people go to college.
III. SOCIAL POLICY ISSUES
1. Gun ViolenceShould the US take actions to reduce the rising incidents in gun violence across America?
Sandy Hook and San Bernardino vs. The NRA
The Millennial Party supports the 2nd Amendment as this is the foundation of freedom in the US. However, the drastic increase in the number of gun related incidents in our schools alone (over 160 since 2014) have led the Millennial Party to reevaluate their position on gin violence. No constitutional right is absolute and neither is a person’s right to bear arms. As a result, the Millennial Party supports the following reasonable restrictions on gun violence:
· Closing the Gun Show Loophole and requiring background checks for ALL gun sales in the US regardless of who the seller is
· Requiring a certification class taught by trained instructors (similar to the requirement of passing a test before getting licensed to drive a car) before someone can purchase a gun
· Banning all assault weapons other than for the law enforcement community and for the military
· Mandatory Life sentences for all straw purchasers – those who buy guns for others who are not legally able to purchase a gun themselves.
· Banning the sale of all high capacity magazines over 15 bullets
2. National Drug Policy?
Should the US Government decriminalize the use of marijuana for either medical or for recreational purposes?
As the Millennial Party, we believe that all drugs, including marijuana, are deleterious to an individual’s health and well-being. As a result, due to its negative impact on the health of people, the Millennial Party holds that marijuana should remain classified as an illegal schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act and therefore not be legal to possess or use any reasons.
3. Death Penalty
Should the US allow the use of the death penalty in criminal cases?
Since 1976, more than 1,400 inmates have been executed due to the death penalty in the United States. 32 states currently have capital punishment implemented within their legal code including Pennsylvania. However, since 1973, about 150 people on death row have been exonerated with evidence of their innocence. In the recent case of Clayton Lockett in 2014, who suffered a heart attack after a failed lethal injection, the issue of whether or not executions fall under “cruel and unusual punishment” has been emphasized. The overall expense of instituting the death penalty costs many states such as Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Kansas, California, and Maryland, millions more than that of a lifetime sentence for an individual. As a result, we, the Millennial party, call for the repeal of all Death Penalty provisions in the US.
4. Health Care
Should the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be repealed?
The Millennial Party sees health care as another human right. In a nation that ranks as one of the wealthiest in the world, it is an absolutely wrong for people not to be able to get affordable health insurance. As a result, the Millennial Party supports and approves the continuation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
5. Health Care
Should the US Government require vaccinations of children for all infectious diseases?
This is not a religious issue. Vaccinations are a health care issue, one that can affect innocent Americans across all walks of life. Therefore, the Millennial Party will require that all parents have their children vaccinated before they attend public schools. The health of all children is the paramount concern.
6. College Funding
How can the US Government improve access to an affordable college education for all qualified high school graduates?
As the most advanced nation in the world, access to higher education is a top priority for the Millennial Party. Since the expansion of access to student loans, college debt has exploded to record levels. There are now over a Trillion dollars of student debt in America, second only to mortgages. We, the Millennial Party, believe in expanding federal and state grants for higher education. We will increase federal funding for higher educational opportunities for all American citizens and reduce the interest rate on student loans to make them more affordable. No one should leave college with crushing debt higher than many mortgages.
7. Planned Parenthood
Should the US Government continue to fund Planned Parenthood with US Tax Dollars?
While the Millennial Party understands and sympathizes with the Pro Life Movement’s position on this issue, Planned Parenthood is an organization that provides vital health services to women across the country. In fact, the vast majority of their services have nothing to do with performing abortions. As a result, the Millennial Party will continue funding for Planned Parenthood as part of the US budget provided there are clear guarantees in place that no federal money can be used to provide abortion services.
8. Environmental Policy
Should the US government EPA increase environmental regulations to prevent / to reduce global warming?
Should the US government expand oil drilling (both offshore and/or through the Keystone XL Pipeline Project) so as to reduce our dependence on foreign oil?
Should the US government offer tax credits or subsidies to wind and / or solar companies?
Should the US Government regulate the process of hydraulic fracking in order to extract natural gas from the earth?
As we release unprecedented amounts of CO2 into our atmosphere, we are on track to pass the 2 degree Celsius benchmark that accompanies warnings from leading climatologists. Climate change is believed to have caused the uptick in severe weather. The Millennial Party supports dealing with climate change by:
· Imposing a carbon tax on businesses.
· Remaining a signature on the new Climate Agreements
· Offering tax credits and federal subsidies to companies that move away from operating by fossil fuels and toward more green energy sources
9. Immigration Policy
Should the US grant Amnesty to any illegal immigrant who has not violated federal laws since coming into the country?
Should the US Government build a wall on the border between Mexico and the US?
The Millennial party believes that the US is a country built by immigrants. We are a true salad bowl culture made up of the great parts of cultures from all over the world. The Millennial Party supports the following common sense immigration policies:
· Stop the Nonsense about Building a Wall across our border with Mexico
· Use the Military and National Guard Units to police our borders
· Grant Amnesty to all Illegal Immigrants who have lived lawfully and productively in the US for more than 5 years.
· However, we also need to set a yearly limit on the number of people that can legally enter the US as our resources are not infinite.
10. Immigration Policy
Should the US ban immigration by any Muslims?
Should the US grant refugee status to Syrians fleeing ISIS and the civil war?
In all good conscience, the Millennial Party will not bar admission to the US for specific groups of people. However, we will not open our doors to terrorists as there is no constitutional right to enter the US. The US has a long history of supporting refugees around the world and will continue to do under the Millennial Party. Every refugee who wants to settle in the US will have to be approved by the UN Refugee agency, then by US security agencies such as the FBI, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the Defense Department. This can take anywhere from 18 months to 2 years. Only after being fully investigated and approved will anyone, regardless of nationality, be admitted to the US. In addition, after entry, we will impose strong restrictions on where immigrants can live and when they must report in to the US authorities for a review of their status.
IV. POLITICAL RIGHTS / ISSUES