2008 Texas Democratic Party Platform

Beliefs Shaped by Democratic Values
 

“We have a vision of a Texas where opportunity knows no race, no gender, no color - a glimpse of what can happen in government if we simply open the doors and let the people in.”

Governor Ann Richards, Inaugural address, 1991

Texas Democrats believe government can be as good as the people. We have faith that democracy, built on the sacred values of family, freedom and fairness, can afford every Texan, without exception, the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential.  

We believe democratic government exists to achieve as a community, state, and nation what we cannot achieve as individuals; and that it must not serve only a powerful few.

We believe every Texan has inalienable rights that even a majority may not take away
…the right to vote
…the right to fair and open participation and representation in the democratic process
…the right to privacy.
 
We believe in freedom
…from government interference in our private lives and personal decisions
…to exercise civil and human rights
…of religion and individual conscience.
 
We believe in equal opportunity for all Texans 
…to receive a quality public education, from childhood through college
…to have access to affordable health care
…to find a good job with dignity
…to buy or rent a good home in a safe community
…to breathe clean air and drink clean water.
 
We believe a growing economy should benefit all Texans
…that the people who work in a business are as important as those who invest in it
…that every person should be paid a living wage
…that no person who works full time should be paid a wage below the poverty level
…that good business offers a fair deal for customers
…that the burden of taxes should be fairly distributed
…that government policy should not favor corporations that seek offshore tax shelters, exploit workers, or pollute our environment
 
We believe that our lives, homes, communities and country are made secure
…by cooperative efforts of involved citizens, law enforcement, and emergency personnel
…by retirement and pension security
…by encouraging job security where it is possible and providing appropriate assistance and re-training when it is not
…by the preservation of our precious natural resources and quality of life
…by compassionate policy that offers a safety net for those most vulnerable and in need. 
 
We believe America is made stronger by the men and women who put their lives on the line when it is necessary to engage our military to secure our nation.

We believe America is made more secure by competent diplomatic leadership that uses the moral, ethical, economic assets of a powerful, free nation to avoid unnecessary military conflict.

We believe in the benefits derived from the individual strengths of our diverse population. We honor “family values” through policies that value all our families.  

We believe an honest, ethical state government that serves the public interest, and not the special interests, will help all Texans realize economic and personal security. 

We believe many challenges require national solutions, but talented and resourceful Texans, blessed with economic opportunities provided by agriculture, “old” and “new” energy sources, renowned medical and research institutions and high tech industries, should not need federal action to make progress in providing quality education, affordable health care, a clean environment, economic growth and good jobs.

Based on our belief in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we recommend specific policy goals to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.

For the entire platform, download the pdf here. 

You can also download the 2006 TDP Platform here and the 2004 TDP Platform here.

Democratic National Party Platform

For more than 200 years, the Democratic Party has represented the interests of working families, fighting for equal opportunities and justice for all Americans.

Today, Democrats continue that fight with a firm commitment to the values that we all share as Americans: secure the nation, end the war in Iraq responsibly, and restore our moral standing in the world; free ourselves from the tyranny of oil once and for all; restore the Constitution and protect the civil rights and liberties of all Americans.

What We Stand For

The Democratic Party is committed to keeping our nation safe and expanding
opportunity for every American. That commitment is reflected in an agenda
that emphasizes the strong economic growth, affordable health care for all
Americans, retirement security, open, honest and accountable government,
and securing our nation while protecting our civil rights and liberties.

Guiding Principles

Our Plan
We are in a crticial moment that will reverberate for generations to come. We
see us through these times, Democrats will work to end the war in Iraq and
refocus our nation’s efforts on those who attacked us on September 11. We will
turn our economy around with millions of new jobs, and free ourselves from our
oil dependency and invest in renewable, alternative energies. As Democrats, we
will restore our civil liberties and uphold the civil rights of all. Learn more about the Democratic agenda.

The 50-State Strategy
The Democratic Party is committed to winning elections at every level in
every region of the country. When Democrats ask for your vote, we can win anywhere.
With the 50-State Strategy, we will take back this country, neighborhood by
neighborhood, block by block, and vote by vote.

Party Platform
The Democratic Party has a long and proud history of representing and
protecting the interests of working Americans and guaranteeing personal
liberties for all. One of the places we articulate our beliefs
is in the Party’s National Platform, adopted every four years by the
Delegates at the National Convention.

Charter and Bylaws
Essentially,
the Charter and Bylaws is the constitution of the Democratic Party. It
outlines the structure of the Party organization, and the relationship
among the National Convention, the National Committee, and other Party
organizations or operations. The Charter and Bylaws was last amended by
the Democratic National Committee at its December 5, 2005 meeting.