Legislative Principles

We believe the U.S. must be a responsible citizen of the world, and that the rule of law must be supported worldwide. We believe the US must take a leadership role that emphasizes diplomacy, international cooperation, and human rights.
We advocate a foreign policy that promotes:

1. The Advancement of Human Rights – We support the adoption of democratic principles and practices by all nations, the equal rights and fair treatment of all people, and we urge the US to affirm and ratify international human rights treaties and conventions.
2. The Establishment of Economic Justice – We support fair trade agreements that emphasize environmental and labor protection and we oppose any “free” trade agreement which jeopardizes fair labor and environmental practices in the US and elsewhere.
3. The Creation of World Peace and Security – The US must peacefully resolve international conflicts and reduce the threat and proliferation of nuclear, biological, chemical and space-based weapons.
4. International Cooperation – The US must lead through diplomacy rather than military force and economic coercion, while respecting other nations’ sovereignty and fostering cooperation among nations.
5. Eradicating the Roots of Terrorism – The US must address the root causes of terrorism by recognizing and empowering socially disenfranchised groups, advancing humanitarian programs, and expediting an exit strategy in Iraq that involves the United Nations and transfers complete control of all US military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan to the host nations.
6. Safeguarding the Environment – We support conventions, treaties, agreements and protocols that protect the environment.
7. Respect for UN Resolutions, International Law and Court Systems – We support a strong and more effective United Nations to build concensus and agreement to solve international problems. The US should fully support international legal and court systems.
8. Increased Foreign Health Aid – We support the development of a foreign aid policy based on the economic and health needs of each country. The foreign health aid policy should stress women’s health, family planning programs, AIDS prevention and treatment, and eliminating hunger.

Action Items

We believe the U.S. must be a responsible citizen of the world, and that the rule of law must be supported worldwide. We believe the US must take a leadership role that emphasizes diplomacy, international cooperation, and human rights.
We advocate a foreign policy that promotes:

1. The Advancement of Human Rights – We support the adoption of democratic principles and practices by all nations, the equal rights and fair treatment of all people, and we urge the US to affirm and ratify international human rights treaties and conventions.
   
   1. We urge the peaceful and diplomatic development of democracy in other nations.
   2. The US shall abide by the Geneva Conventions.
   3. We support the right of the Iraqi people to establish a government of their choosing.
   4. We urge the US Senate to ratify the Convention on the Right to Associate and Organize.
   5. We urge the US Senate to ratify the Convention on the Right to Collective Bargaining.
   6. We urge the US Senate to ratify Convention on the Rights of Women. (CEDAW).
   7. We urge the US Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
   8. We urge the US senate to ratify the Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
   9. We support immigration rules that consider a women’s health and safety issues.
   10. We oppose the US recruitment, training, funding, and use of facilities such as the School of the Americas for other sovereign nations.
   11. We support closing prisoner camps on foreign and domestic soil, such as the one at Guantánamo.
   12. We oppose the use of Military Tribunals as courts of law for prisoners.
2. The Establishment of Economic Justice – We support fair trade agreements that emphasize environmental and labor protection and we oppose any “free” trade agreement which jeopardizes fair labor and environmental practices in the US and elsewhere.
   
   1. We support the principles of fair trade, that emphasizes environmental and labor protection in all international trade treaties and practices
   2. We oppose the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as currently written
   3. We oppose the World Trade Organization (WTO) as currently operated.
   4. We oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA).
   5. We support ending all economic sanctions against Cuba and removing restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba.
3. The Creation of World Peace and Security – The US must peacefully resolve international conflicts and reduce the threat and proliferation of nuclear, biological, chemical and space-based weapons.
   
   1. We oppose the doctrine of pre-emptive war.
   2. We support a ban on space-based weapons through the establishment of the Space Preservation Treaty.
   3. We support the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions.
   4. We oppose the use of depleted uranium munitions.
   5. We oppose war profiteering, and the use of mercenaries.
   6. We urge the US Senate to ratify the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
   7. We urge Congress to make a declaration of support for a no-first-use policy for nuclear weapons.
   8. We urge the US government to cease funding the Strategic Defense Initiative program.
   9. We support the establishment of a Department of Peace and Security.
   10. We urge that military force be used as a last resort.
   11. We support energy independence through renewable energy development.
4. International Cooperation – The US must lead through diplomacy rather than military force and economic coercion, while respecting other nations’ sovereignty and fostering cooperation among nations.
   
   1. We oppose the Executive Branch "Fast Track" treaty negotiation authority.
   2. We respect the rights of other countries to control their own resources and internal affairs.
   3. We urge the US Senate to ratify and fully support the Convention on Law of the Sea.
   4. We urge the US Senate to sign and ratify the Convention on Antipersonnel Mines.
   5. We urge the US Senate to ratify the International Criminal Court.
   6. We urge the US to lead through diplomacy rather than military force and economic coercion.
5. Eradication of the Roots of Terrorism – The US must address the root causes of terrorism by recognizing and empowering socially disenfranchised groups, advancing humanitarian programs, and expediting an exit strategy in Iraq that involves the United Nations and transfers complete control of all US military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan to the host nations.
   
   1. The US must acknowledge responsibility in creating conditions that foster terrorism.
   2. The US must redefine terrorism as any political doctrine that uses violence and fear as a weapon.
   3. We urge increased funding for humanitarian programs to reduce the root causes of instability and terrorism.
   4. We support development of a U.S. exit strategy from Iraq to replace the U.S. military with UN peacekeepers and police by January of 2008.
   5. We oppose permanent military bases in Iraq.
6. Safeguarding the Environment – We support conventions, treaties, agreements and protocols that protect the environment.
   
   1. We oppose the use of depleted uranium munitions.
   2. We urge the US Senate to ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity.
   3. We urge the U.S. government to sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
7. Respect for UN Resolutions, International Law and Court Systems – We support a strong and more effective United Nations to build concensus and agreement to solve international problems. The US should fully support international legal and court systems.
   
   1. We support diplomatic efforts through the UN to develop consensus in the international community.
   2. We urge Congress to pay all obligated dues to the United Nations.
   3. We urge the US/Israeli policy to include support of the UN resolution for a two state outcome, to oppose the building of the wall and settlements on Palestinian lands and encourage their removal.
   4. We urge support for the role of the UN as the “international police force”
8. Increased Foreign Health Aid – We support the development of a foreign aid policy based on the economic and health needs of each country. The foreign health aid policy should stress women’s health, family planning programs, AIDS prevention and treatment, and eliminating hunger.
   
   1. We urge the development of a foreign aid policy that would distribute aid based on the economic and health needs of each country.
   2. We support women's development funds, including Afghan Women’s Fund, the UN Population Fund and the UN Family Planning Programs.
   3. We oppose the international gag order on family planning.