The Final Document of the Third Parties '96 Conference
Washington, DC, June 4, 1995
The Third Parties '96 Conference, with delegates from 26 independent political parties in the United States, on June 4, 1995 adopted the following draft Declaration of common principles. These statements were approved during two days of debate, negotiation, and compromise, using a modified full consensus process.
We believe this Common Ground Declaration is an important step toward more effective cooperation among our nation's growing movement of independent third parties.
We who signed this Declaration did so as individuals. From this First Conference, and from these First Principles, we believe, can grow broader and deeper political dialogue and closer alliances among third parties
These principles, we know, represent the views of a strong New
Mainstream, which can successfully challenge the two-party
stranglehold on political power in the United States. We welcome
more participants to this process, and recognize that these draft
principles are but a beginning. They are, we believe, a very good
beginning indeed.
(signed)
Third Parties '96 Participants
At the George Washington University
Washington, DC
June 4, 1995
Our process encouraged open discussion and compromise, producing
a large number of important issues on which our very diverse group of
participants - including activists from green, libertarian, socialist, and
populist parties - were able to reach complete agreement. As a result,
many statements in this Declaration were adopted by full consensus.
These are numbered below. Other items were not unanimously
approved, but were favored by super-majorities of at least four-fifths (80%) of
the delegates. A few items were adopted with majorities of three-fifths (60%).
1. We support proportional representation.
2. We support campaign finance reform to provide a level playing field in elections.
3. We support initiative, referendum and recall. We oppose the abuse of these citizen votes to restrict civil or human rights.
4. We support genuinely open and fair access to the ballot in all elections.
5. We believe that all economic activities should improve and protect the health of the earth, while promoting the happiness and prosperity of its inhabitants.
6. We must end corporate welfare.
7. We support public policies which respect all forms of life, preserve and promote biodiversity, protect endangered species, conserve natural resources and eliminate pollution.
8. We support developing and promoting environmentally friendly, energy efficient technologies and renewable energy sources, especially all forms of solar energy.
9. We would encourage, through economic measures and education, the practices of source reduction, re-use, and recycling, and we advocate the elimination of toxic, nuclear, and other environmentally harmful substances.
10. We oppose race and class discrimination in exposure to environmental hazards, in communities and workplaces, including the siting of toxic waste facilities, employment in hazardous industries, and the location of energy and mining facilities.
11. We support people's right to control their own sexual and reproductive lives.
12. We propose an end to the war on drugs and its replacement with policies that treat addiction as a health matter, not a crime.
13. We would cut military expenditures dramatically, and provide for displaced workers.
14. We support the elimination of US military bases in foreign territories.
15. We believe that economic decisions should be made democratically, with participation by all affected workers, communities and consumers.
16. We support the maximum empowerment of people in their communities, consistent with fairness, social responsibility and human rights, to meet local needs, and to defend those communities against exploitive forces.
17. We support community courts and justice centers with emphasis on intervention, prevention and mediation, alternative sentencing for juvenile and nonviolent offenders. We support community controlled law enforcement to handle lesser offenses and disputes and to maintain community order.
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