Englewood Indivisible Posts Policy Positions

8/16/2019

August 16, 2019 - Englewood Indivisible is posting policy positions on a range of the issues that will draw voters' focus as we move toward the 2020 elections. Written by a dozen of our group's most dedicated activists, the positions will be presented to group members at our August 17th meeting.

The policy positions will be available as a document to Englewood Indivisible members who canvass and engage voters at tables.

Englewood Indivisible Policy Positions

I. Introduction

As a diverse multi-partisan group, we have different issues that motivate us, and individual positions may vary on some topics.  However, we have consensus in our opposition to the current president’s policies and behaviors. As the present Republican Party frequently embraces these policies and behaviors, we often back Democratic candidates.  Yet, regardless of their party affiliation, we advocate for candidates who champion our positions. 

   II. Our Policy Positions

Healthcare:  We believe all Americans, including the self-employed, have the right to healthy lives and to affordable healthcare, regardless of pre-existing conditions. We support programs which extend health care benefits to more people, including:

  • Improving the Affordable Care Act and Medicare 
  • Expanding Medicaid coverage in Florida
  • A public healthcare option
  • Reduce prescription drug prices
  • Adequate and effective treatment of veterans in improved-quality VA institutions and prompt appointments, prescription refills, and disability claims processing.

Reproductive Rights.  We believe that abortion should be safe, legal and a rarity.   Even though some of us may be personally opposed to abortion, we nonetheless trust women with this difficult decision and believe the choice should be available. We also support:

  •  programs which provide health care and birth control for women
  • programs which support health care, education and a safe environment for infants and children.  
  • access to comprehensive age-appropriate sex education 

Environment:  We believe the government should take strong action to 

  • protect our air and water 
  • accept peer-supported scientific advice to mitigate climate change 
  • require the Environmental Protection Agency to vigorously enforce regulation of polluting industries
  • move toward using alternative energy sources such as solar and wind
  • oppose offshore drilling and fracking.  
  • endorse publicly owned drinking water, wastewater and utility agencies    

Immigration:  We do not endorse open borders. We support comprehensive immigration reform that addresses security issues from our land borders to entrance to the US via air or sea. 

We advocate legislation:

  •  to protect our borders 
  •  to provide for the fair and timely resolution of asylum claims
  •  to abolish family separations and holding of children in cages or "camps" or for-profit institutions
  • to give citizenship to the “Dreamers” brought to the US as children 
  • to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented residents   

We acknowledge the worldwide phenomenon of people seeking asylum. The migration of people is the result of war, violence, and economic dislocation from climate change and natural disasters. We acknowledge that our strength, innovation, and creativity as a nation are firmly embedded in our diversity.

Education:  We support public education and believe public funds should not be diverted to private or for-profit charter schools. Universal public education is a fundamental element of our democracy. We support needs-based government tuition assistance for public college students working toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or for a certified trade program apprenticeship. 

Gun safety: We don't challenge the possession of personal fire arms. But we do not support the NRA.  We advocate banning military-grade rifles and high-capacity ammunition magazines.  We endorse background checks for gun buyers and removal of guns from suicidal or homicidal persons and those named in protective orders.

Equal rights. We believe all people deserve respect and equal protection of their rights under the law. We reject anti-LGBTQ discrimination, racism, sexism and ageism. We support the rights of those living with special challenges. 

Race relations. Since its inception, our country has had a history of racial injustice.  However, under the current administration, the levels of racial discrimination, invective and violence have dramatically increased. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of treating all with respect and dignity and we uphold policies to

  • eliminate racial profiling
  • study the provision of reparations to those historically affected by slavery and its discriminatory aftermath
  • ensure safety measures for voters of color who feel vulnerable at the polls

Voting Rights:  We oppose gerrymandering and endorse redistricting via an independent group.  We oppose efforts to restrict voting via cumbersome ID requests, reduction of voting sites or voting days -- and to put restrictions on Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to Floridians with felony convictions. We endorse allowing NPAs (Independents) to vote in party primaries.

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