Minnesota

Minnesota's Democrats
by Syed, Maqsood Ali

           Minnesota state is located in the north central United States. Its bordered on the north by the Canadian providence of the south by Iowa, and on the west by North Dakota and South Dakota. Minnesota entered the Union on March 11, 1885 as the 32nd state. According to 1990 census, Minnesota’s population is 4,375099 which makes it 20th largest state in United States. In diversity 94.4 percent of the population is white, 2.2 percent is black, 1.8 percent is Asian, 1.2 percent is Hispanic and .5 percent is mixed.
           Minnesota Democratic party stands on the same platform as national platform of “1996 Democratic National Platform”. The Democratic party state its position on different social issues like our nation’s budget, taxes and spending. Their position on social policies like education, welfare, health care, social security, Medicare and military spending is to name few among many. Democrats of Minnesota want what the American public wants from their government: that is, to provide secure future for all Americans. The Democratic party appeals to three basic principles through which they will be able to provide services for America: Opportunity, Responsibility, and Community. These three pillars would make America a strong force, socially, economically and internationally.
           The Democratic party wants to make sure that the education for all American children remain priority, so they would be mentally prepared to build America in the future. Education is the key for any powerful country and Democrats want to make sure that the children would get best education, so they would compete against the future. Democrats want to increase funds to reduce class size and improve teacher’s standards- increase Head Start funding to expand early education for more children who need it by providing best books, brightest teachers and most up-to-date technology. The Democratic party’s goal is that every child in American education system by third grade should be able to read. Our system should reward those who achieve high excellence and provide help to others to achieve that level of excellence. A high quality public education is the source of opportunity for all children. Democrats know, that even with the greatest teachers and best books and technology, our public schools can fail if the environment in which our children get education is not safe. Drug free/Crime free Schools are the must and Democrats will fight to keep the school of America safe and healthy place to grow. One thousand dollar honor scholarship for top 5% of graduates in every high school would bring more children to higher education. Governmental standard should increase to 14 years of school instead of 12- so we can increase the percentage of educated in America. The Democratic party wants to provide $10,000 tax deduction for families so they can pay for education after high school.
           Tax relief for working families and small business must be provided. The Democratic party believes that working class families deserve a break from taxes. President Clinton and the Democrats in Congress expanded the “Earned Income Tax Credit” which would help over 40 million Americans and 15 million working families. Unlike the Republicans, who increased tax on working class, small businesses and middle class, Democrats want to strength the public of America. They want to strengthen middle class families by providing $500 tax cut for children- IRA would help people to buy homes and reduce taxes for small businesses because these are the life lines of America.
           Heath Care, Medicare, Social Security and Welfare are moral duties of our government. Democrats passed the Kennedy-Kassebam health reform bill to stop insurance companies from turning down coverage when an individual move from one job to another. Women, children and infants must all be covered under healthcare. Each and every child deserves to be immunized against diseases. Fighting against AIDS, Breast cancer and other less known diseases is our duty, and Democrats believe that government should fully participate in research to stop and prevent those diseases.
Medicare beneficiaries should have more health plans to choose from. Democrats will crack down on Medicare waste, abuse and frauds-that would save money to be speeded on the rightful Medicare takers. The Democratic party has given many states the flexibility to run their own Medicaid programs, since states decide more efficiently who should get the benefits.
           Our country’s welfare should once again gain respect. Democrats belief that they must help those who want to help themselves. The welfare system should also be localized (at state level) so they can make their own policies and regulations. It should be a safety net and give sense of security to every American.
Social Security must be saved. Democrats believe that for the next century, our future generations, government needs to provide a system which would secure Social Security. This increase in life expectancy has put burden on our Social Security system. The Democratic party wants to make sure that each and every individual will be taken care of in old age.
The Democratic party stands behind women’s right to choose. To protect that right, Democrats will continue to support of Roe v. Wade. Safety at family planning centers and women’s health clinics is important to Democrats. It is a basic constitutional right that citizens of America choose their own path in making a decision concerning reproduction and expansion of their families.
           At the International level, Democrats want to maintain United States hegemony. Our nation’s security is most important to us. The readiness, effectiveness and quality of our military has increased. Improvement in life style of our men and women in uniform should also increase. They should get high wages and benefits because they are the ones who protect us.
           The Democrats want to make sure that they get what they deserve. Restrictions within the forces must also increase: military offenses should be punished: sexual harassment, must be subjected to punishment. The Democrats want to make sure that duties of government will be carried out. Because of the Democrats, by year 2001 there will be 40 percent increase for modern weapons with the minimum cost. Mass destructive weapons is the threat to the whole world; therefore, reduction in mass destructive weapons and elimination of their production is a goal which will be achieved with the help of other nations in the world. Arm control policies, throughout the world, should be informed so there will not be a threat to any nation of being destructed by stronger ones.
           America’s best days lie a head, as we renew our historic pledge to uphold and advance the promise of America-- One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.