Washington

Wisconsin's Democrats
by John A. Colter

           Wisconsin has been well known for more than just cheese. While it is one of the top ten states in annual farm income, the service and manufacturing sector is the engine behind Wisconsin’s’ economy.
           The industrial sector makes huge contributions to the Wisconsin economy, be it the large manufacture of cars or mining equipment. Some of the state’s largest employers include Kohler Co., General Motors Corp., General Electric Co., and Harnischfeger Industries, Inc., each employing from around 6,000 to 10,000 people.
            The service sector of the economy is another large economic contributor to Wisconsin. Some of the states largest employers are Wal Mart Stores, Inc., ShopKo Stores, Inc., and Ameritech.
            The current per capita income in Wisconsin as of 1998 is about 25,079. It is lower than the national average of 26,412. In the current nationwide economic boom, the percentage change grew by 4.3 percent since 1997. Since the rate of inflation is measured at about 2.5 percent in Wisconsin, the economy is producing more income for state residents.
            The population in Wisconsin in 1990 was measured by the Census Bureau to be 4,891,769. Which is about 1.96 percent of the total U.S. population, or half as big as New York City. Thus, citizens only receive nine House of Representative seats.
            The Wisconsin Democratic Party takes a strong liberal stand on many issues that would make Democrats in more conservative states cringe. In the party platform, the section labeled human concerns spells out a commitment to not only the traditional Democratic concerns of discrimination based on sex, creed, and disability, it also lists a few emerging Democratic ideals such as: freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation, or living arrangements.
In the area of abortion, the Party strongly supports the right of women to choose the best course of her own pregnancy. This is also extended to minors as they specifically spell out their opposition to parental notification laws, or “any restrictions violating the spirit and intent of Roe v. Wade.”
            The Democratic Party of Wisconsin also supports the protections of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Possibly unique among other state parties, Wisconsin supports the concept of “death with dignity”. Meaning patients should have the right to die as opposed to staying alive amidst suffering in late term terminal illness.
            The Party believes that the main focus of the welfare system should be to get people employed. However, they argue that this country must not give up on the safety net ideal if a reform effort is to be made. It breaks with the Clinton Administration over recent welfare reform legislation, and is actively opposed to a block grant program, in which federal money would be awarded to states allowing them to create state level policy.
In the area of education, the Party calls on the Federal government to take a more active role in the improvement of public schools. They oppose all privatization ideas, specifically vouchers, charter schools, and block grants for institutions that are currently publicly founded.
            Party members believe that there needs to be a fair management of taxes and spending based on a progressive income tax, meaning that those who have a higher income pay a higher percentage in taxes. Revenues, it is said, should among other things be used to help combat the debt, the trade deficit, and fund socially responsible programs. They also support a reduction in corporate subsides (corporate welfare).
            When it comes to labor, the Wisconsin Democrats seem to favor the worker and his/her attempts to unionize. The Party supports the right to form and organize unions. It also supports the right of public employees to speedy arbitration in labor disputes. Members support the creation of a “livable minimum wage with benefits”, and opposes Right to Work legislation and hiring strikebreakers.
            The Party supports the creation of “disincentives” for domestic companies wanting to open factories in other countries. It has also suggested excising tariffs on countries where workers are employed so cheaply that their American counterparts cannot compete.   The Party believes, the United States will be able to recover some of its lost jobs since the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Taxes and Tariffs (GATT), if such steps are taken.
            In regards to drug policy and crime, the Party feels that the paradigm should be shifted to a public health problem as opposed to primarily viewing it as a criminal justice concern. It is bothered by the large amount of nonviolent persons incarcerated for minor drug offenses. It supports an abolition of the death penalty, and has strong feelings about the preservation of a real constitutional protection of privacy. The party feels that a ban on all rapid-fire assault weapons must be instituted and enforced by both the Federal and Wisconsin State government.
            Finally, the Wisconsin State party is one of the most active in the attempt to reform campaign finance laws. The state party calls for the complete public financing of all elections. Wisconsin Democratic Senator Russ Feingold is a co-sponsor with John McCain (R-Arizona) of a bill to ban unlimited soft money to political parties by both corporations and labor unions. Although the bill and others like were not voted on this legislative cycle, due to a Republic filibuster. Wisconsin Democrats will almost certainly be spearheading a very important political issue this coming election year.