Democratic Alliance Party HQ - Snap July Convention [PARTY PLATFORM ADOPTED]

[tmthforu94]

Official Ballot

Chair:

[ X ] Jimmy7812

Vice Chair:

[ X ] Ninja0428

[Sirius_]

Official Ballot

Chair:

[ X ] Jimmy7812

Vice Chair:

[ X ] Ninja0428

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Voting closes tomorrow at 4:15 PM.

[Continential]

Official Ballot

Chair:

[ X ] Jimmy7812

Vice Chair:

[ X ] Ninja0428

[Politics Fan]

Official Ballot

Chair:

[ X ] Jimmy7812

Vice Chair:

[ X ] Ninja0428

[AustralianSwingVoter]

A vote for the leadership positions of Party Chair and Vice Chair is now open for 48 hours.

Official Ballot

Chair:

[X] Jimmy7812

Vice Chair:

[X] Ninja0428

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Voting ends in less than an hour.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Official Leadership Election Results

Chair:

✓ Jimmy7812 - 7

Vice Chair:

✓ Ninja0428 - 7

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Party Chair Order #1 - Creation of the NPC Elections Coordinator

By the authority vested in me as Party Chair by the Democratic Alliance Bylaws, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Creation

There is hereby created the position of NPC Elections Coordinator.

Section 2. Duties

The NPC Elections Coordinator shall be responsible for creating a campaign thread for Democratic Alliance for the NPC Elections, helping to create posts in such threads, and managing alliances and unity tickets with Regional or Federal parties, and shall have all other powers relating to NPC Elections as delegated to them by the Party Chair.

Section 3. Appointment

Weatherboy is hereby appointed NPC Elections Coordinator effective immediately.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Discussion on the Official Party Platform shall begin. Each plank will be adopted or voted on individually based on the process in the bylaws, so that a final version can be voted on and adopted.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

The first plank to be discussed is Economic Policy.

[tmthforu94]

Hopefully this can be an open, collaborative discussion where we can flesh out the platform and details, as the initial version was intended as just a starting point. Having a public platform discussion embodies the transparency we seek to accomplish. I ask folks not in the party to respect this process and refrain from weighing in within this thread unless they're considering joining, as this is a DA convention and should be a discussion of party members on how we want to move forward. There are other avenues that non-party members can give feedback.

Here is the initial Economic Policy version:

Economic Policy

Democratic Alliance is a firm believer in capitalism with regulations necessary to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices where needed. The welfare and other social programs that help citizens should be protected from harmful funding cuts.  Outsourcing of Atlasian jobs by businesses should be limited through fair trade agreements and tax repercussions for companies that do outsource. Incentives should be created to encourage businesses to move operations back to Atlasia and create jobs.

I'd start by recommending we use a bullet point format, as this will be easier for the reader and I think allows for better discussion on specific lines and will make this process easier. I also think it might be good to reduce the number of categories. Below is a bullet point draft with a couple edits I am recommending to start that are primarily just grammar preferences/redundant language:

Economic Policy

- Democratic Alliance is a firm believer in capitalism with regulations necessary to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices where needed.
- Welfare and other social programs that help citizens should be protected from harmful funding cuts.
- Outsourcing of Atlasian jobs by businesses should be limited through fair trade agreements and tax repercussions for companies that do outsource.
- Incentives should be created to encourage businesses to move operations back to Atlasia and create jobs.
(Tax policy placed under Economic)
- Democratic Alliance supports a progressive tax system that promotes financial equity with low taxes for the middle class and lower income citizens, and fair taxation rates for higher income levels. Tax loopholes need to be closed so that no person can avoid paying the taxes they are supposed to.

One thing I'd like to see here is the party taking a look at where Atlasia currently stands on policy and what we support and what we change. Not necessarily on every bullet point, but I think it would help to improve the substance as some of these lines remain vague. Example that comes top of mind would be whether we support the current personal and corporate income tax rates that exist.

[Continential]

Economic Policy

- Democratic Alliance is a firm believer in capitalism with regulations necessary to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices where needed.
- Welfare and other social programs that help citizens should be protected from harmful funding cuts.
- Outsourcing of Atlasian jobs by businesses should be limited through fair trade agreements and tax repercussions for companies that do outsource.
- Nationalizing companies that are in financial danger and would impact jobs.
- Incentives should be created to encourage businesses to move operations back to Atlasia and create jobs.
(Tax policy placed under Economic)
- Democratic Alliance supports a progressive tax system that promotes financial equity with low taxes for the middle class and lower income citizens, and fair taxation rates for higher income levels. Tax loopholes need to be closed so that no person can avoid paying the taxes they are supposed to.

To add to this, perhaps the government nationalize companies that are in danger.

[Sirius_]

Another proposal:

- The enforcement of anti-monopoly laws should be strengthened and the government should stand against large corporate mergers that are harmful for the consumer.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

An expanded section:

Economic Policy

- Democratic Alliance is a firm believer in capitalism with regulations necessary to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices where needed.
- Democratic Alliance supports a progressive tax system that promotes financial equity. Tax loopholes need to be closed so that no person can avoid paying the taxes they are supposed to.
- Welfare and social programs must be protected from harmful funding cuts.
- Limit outsourcing of Atlasian jobs by businesses through fair trade agreements and implement tax repercussions for companies that outsource.
- Pass incentives for businesses to move operations back to Atlasia and create jobs on the home-front.
- The enforcement of anti-monopoly laws should be strengthened and the government should prevent large corporate mergers that are harmful for the consumer.
- Immediately expand assistance programs for struggling businesses and start-up businesses, with emphasis on small businesses and non-corporate farms.
- Rural areas of Atlasia continue to be lacking in basic social services such as healthcare and education. We support increasing investments rural development programs and providing subsidies and relief to ensure that all citizens have access to this.
- Investment in infrastructure development and maintenance to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure will create jobs and modernize Atlasia.
- Increase investments into programs that help communities suffering from economic decline to rebound.
- The High-Speed Rail Act of 2018 should have been passed. We support expanding high-speed rail systems and continual expansion of access to public transportation.

[tmthforu94]

^^^I'm supportive of these. Glad to see a point on rural issues especially.

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

I really don't like the protectionist language but I get that I'm in the minority on that. Perhaps as a consolation prize to us global market worshippers we could add something along the lines of:

-Expand free trade agreements with countries which share Atlasia's values of liberal democracy, strong workers' rights, and environmental protection.

Two more suggestions:
-We support strong stimulus measures in times of economic hardship.

-All income, whether from wages, investments, or other compensation, should be taxed equally.

And if people are interested:
-We support a negative income tax to provide a minimum standard of living for our most vulnerable, implemented as part of a larger package to remove welfare cliffs and ensure working Atlasians have more money in their pockets.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Adding two of the planks introduced by Blairite:

Economic Policy

- Democratic Alliance is a firm believer in capitalism with regulations necessary to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices where needed.
- Democratic Alliance supports a progressive tax system that promotes financial equity. Tax loopholes need to be closed so that no person can avoid paying the taxes they are supposed to.
- Welfare and social programs must be protected from harmful funding cuts.
- We believe strong stimulus measures are needed in times of economic recession or hardship.
- Limit outsourcing of Atlasian jobs by businesses through fair trade agreements and implement tax repercussions for companies that outsource.
- Expand trade agreements with countries which share Atlasia's values of liberal democracy, strong workers' rights, and environmental protection.
- Pass incentives for businesses to move operations back to Atlasia and create jobs on the home-front.
- The enforcement of anti-monopoly laws should be strengthened and the government should prevent large corporate mergers that are harmful for the consumer.
- Immediately expand assistance programs for struggling businesses and start-up businesses, with emphasis on small businesses and non-corporate farms.
- Rural areas of Atlasia continue to be lacking in basic social services such as healthcare and education. We support increasing investments rural development programs and providing subsidies and relief to ensure that all citizens have access to this.
- Investment in infrastructure development and maintenance to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure will create jobs and modernize Atlasia.
- Increase investments into programs that help communities suffering from economic decline to rebound.
- The High-Speed Rail Act of 2018 should have been passed. We support expanding high-speed rail systems and continual expansion of access to public transportation.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Moving on to Foreign and Social policies:

Foreign Policy

- Democratic Alliance recognizes Atlasia has a role to play in the security of countries around the world, but believes Atlasia should avoid war whenever possible through the use of diplomacy.
- Strategic cuts to defense spending where practical should be made.

Social Issues

- We believe in the constitutional right to own guns, and supports responsible gun ownership alongside reasonable measures to prevent gun violence such as comprehensive background checks and reformed sentencing laws for gun-related crimes.
- The right to have access to abortion services should not be restricted to women during their first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Adding two of the planks introduced by Blairite:

Economic Policy

- Democratic Alliance is a firm believer in capitalism with regulations necessary to protect consumers and ensure fair business practices where needed.
- Democratic Alliance supports a progressive tax system that promotes financial equity. Tax loopholes need to be closed so that no person can avoid paying the taxes they are supposed to.
- Welfare and social programs must be protected from harmful funding cuts.
- We believe strong stimulus measures are needed in times of economic recession or hardship.
- Limit outsourcing of Atlasian jobs by businesses through fair trade agreements and implement tax repercussions for companies that outsource.
- Expand trade agreements with countries which share Atlasia's values of liberal democracy, strong workers' rights, and environmental protection.
- Pass incentives for businesses to move operations back to Atlasia and create jobs on the home-front.
- The enforcement of anti-monopoly laws should be strengthened and the government should prevent large corporate mergers that are harmful for the consumer.
- Immediately expand assistance programs for struggling businesses and start-up businesses, with emphasis on small businesses and non-corporate farms.
- Rural areas of Atlasia continue to be lacking in basic social services such as healthcare and education. We support increasing investments rural development programs and providing subsidies and relief to ensure that all citizens have access to this.
- Investment in infrastructure development and maintenance to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure will create jobs and modernize Atlasia.
- Increase investments into programs that help communities suffering from economic decline to rebound.
- The High-Speed Rail Act of 2018 should have been passed. We support expanding high-speed rail systems and continual expansion of access to public transportation.

I'm surprised, but this is very good! I didn't expect to see such a positive policy plank. We could work well together.

Some questions: How does DA differentiate theirselves from Labor? What specific changes do you want to implement, like how I campaign for a corona tax or a shorter work week.

[😥]

What is Democratic Alliance's position on marijuana legalization? I suppose, our party strongly opposed to it

[Sirius_]

I propose the following additions:

To Foreign Policy:

-We will stand firmly with our allies so long as they do not commit major offenses against human rights or international law.
-Expand our partnerships with fellow democratic nations and create competitive incentives for nations to democratize and cooperate with the greater democratic community.

To Social Issues:

-The rights of the LGBTQ+ community must be protected.

[FairBol]

If you'll have me as a delegate, so to speak, I'll propose a couple of changes to the platform.  Still not sure on permanent membership, BTW. 

[FairBol]

Proposing multiple amendments.  Additions in blue, deletions in red. 

Foreign Policy

- Democratic Alliance recognizes Atlasia has a role to play in the security of countries around the world, but believes Atlasia should avoid war whenever possible through the use of diplomacy.
- Defense spending should be focused on the development of new technologies, as well as training. Strategic cuts to defense spending where practical should be made.

Social Issues

- We believe in the constitutional right to own guns, and supports responsible gun ownership alongside reasonable measures to prevent gun violence such as comprehensive background checks and reformed sentencing laws for gun-related crimes.
- The right to have access to abortion services should only be legal in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. not be restricted to women during their first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

[FairBol]

To Social Issues:

-The rights of the LGBTQ+ community must be protected.

Hmmm.  How about this:

The rights of all, whether LGBTQ+ or not, must be protected.