Democracy for New Mexico

Summary of Approved Bernalillo County Resolutions

Terry Riley on the Saturday DPBC meeting and the resolutions that passed:

I tried to get as much information as I could as I attended the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Central Committee Meeting on Saturday.  We voted on delegates to attend the state Central Committee meeting in Socorro and the results of that voting will not be ready for a day or so.  If you were there you would understand why that takes so long.  Sort of Instant Runoff Voting with no computers.

The following is a summary of all of the resolutions that passed the Central Committee.  These are now the county platform and can influence the state and national platforms.  I think that you will agree that they are refreshingly liberal.  Say it yourself, liberal, liberal, liberal.  Doesn’t that feel good?  I sure like it.

I hope to see you all at the next meetings of New Mexico Democratic Friends and Democracy for New Mexico.

(Click to continuation page to see resolution summary.)

1. Fully Fund New Mexico’s Medicaid program with no further cuts.
2. Support Universal Single Payer Healthcare, to be administered initially by Medicare and funded by an income-based tax levied on ALL citizens of the United States of America.
3. Support full funding of the VA Health Care System.  Provide VA benefits that provide health care at the same level that members of Congress receive.
4. Equal treatment of military forces, including activated reserve and national guard units, as to pay, benefits, medical care, travel, and service related benefits upon return from a combat zone.
5. Request an independent investigation of the Bush administration due to its failure to prevent sexual assault of military personnel and the subsequent retaliation against the victims when they report an assault.
6. Regulate profits from contracts for work and services associated with efforts of war such they do not exceed a reasonable fee;  insure that the awarding of the contracts be done on a fair bidding basis, and that timely audits by an independent body be conducted to insure the contractor is performing as stipulated in the contract.
7. Renounce the use of private contractors to perform military and intelligence functions on behalf of the country, and insist that all military and intelligence activities are performed by armed service personal and government employees.
8. Support our troops.  Oppose the continued military occupation of Iraq, and urges the government of the United States of America to plan immediately for the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq, specify a target date for the completion of the withdrawal which is no later than June 2006, initiate the withdrawal process as soon as possible to signal our good intentions, and announce that the US has no plans for a long-term presence in Iraq, except for that associated with normal diplomatic relations between countries.
9. Oppose any unilateral war against any nation which has not attacked or invaded our homeland unless the community of nations, through the United Nations, is in agreement, and the Democratic Party favors working with the family of nations through the United Nations and other treaties of which the United States is a party.
10. The Democratic Party upholds the obligation to provide to all its citizens a high quality and inexpensive vocational and professional education.
11. Support repeal of the portion of the No Child Left Behind Act that requires schools to allow military recruiters on school sites and provide them access to all students and their contact information.
12. Support mandatory proficiency in a second language as a requirement for graduation from any state-accredited high school in New Mexico.
13. Support of programs and funding for creating a permanent place for mental health professionals with the public school system in New Mexico.
14. Support the impeachment of Tom Delay and communicate this to New Mexico’s congressional delegation.
15. Support legislation, programs and initiatives geared at creating affordable housing, appropriate infrastructure and economic development opportunities for New Mexico Community Land Grants and their heirs.
16. Support the strengthening of the US rail passenger service as an essential part of the transportation system through restoration of the federal budgetary funding for Amtrak.
17. Commit to fill all Ward and Precinct positions by September 1, 2005, adopt a model and manual that instructs its officials and employees on how to supervise, manage and employ its volunteers and the resources which the volunteers bring to DPNM, and to have all county parties instructed in how to organize their volunteers.
18. Support the notion of protecting sustainable agriculture in the South Valley of Bernalillo County.
19. Affirm the true separation of church and state so religious entities are free from control by the state, the state is free from undue influence by religious entities, and the religious liberty of all may be preserved.
20. Oppose any definition of civil marriage that restricts eligibility based on sexual orientation.  Also the DPBC will work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and support the right of all citizens to civil marriage.
21. Proudly raise its collective voice, take a stand to pursue legislation regarding, not only to preserve our valued rights, but to fight on to gain those rights that have not yet been attained in the struggle for a living wage for all work, health care for everyone, beginning with the children), for an atmosphere that prized diversity as a gift rather than a threat, and for a society confident enough in its own strength and respected position among all nations that we can finally make war a sad and evermore distant nightmare.
22. Support the rights of all citizens to be treated equally under the law by supporting legislation which guarantees every citizen equal rights, regardless of their sexual preference, and by supporting legislation which outlaws discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual preference.
23. Call for an immediate and unconditional repeal of the Patriot Act.
24. Add to the platform a commitment that the DPNM will protect the citizens of New Mexico from interference by the President of the US and the US Congress with our right to privacy in our individual choice over our health decisions, i.e., the right-to-die issue and the women’s reproductive choices.
25. Call on all levels of government and our elected representatives at all levels to examine, in light of American ethos and tradition, the manner in which Americans (regardless of economic status of ethnic and religious heritage), foreign visitors, detainees of the War on Terror and prisoners of American jails are treated and to take steps to improve the environment for human rights.  Also that the United States should abide by the Geneva Convention on all issues of the conduct of war, whereas those of other nations (or as individuals) who do not will be treated as war criminals, nor will the US military or any of our nation’s intelligence agencies utilize torture of prisoners or detainees in any manner or at any time whatsoever.
26. Stand united to insure that Social Security will not be reduced, privatized or otherwise diminished, and will be maintained properly to insure a secure, guaranteed base upon which future generations can build a dignified retirement, and vigorously oppose any weakening of Social Security by allowing benefits to be liked to price indexing rather than wages and any diversion of Social Security contributions in to personal private accounts.  Further to support removal of the present income cap on FICA tax so that all citizens pay the same percentage without respect to their total income.
27. Work to enact National Voter Registration standard that ensures the uniformity of voter registration, establishes technology providing for voter-verifiable paper ballot trail as part of the voting equipment, eliminates barriers to voting by expanding the hours of polling, providing mail-in absentee voting and allowing election-day registration, and passes a federally-guaranteed right-to-vote act.
28. Request a special independent commission on election reform be empanelled by Congress that is charged with the examination of the 2000 and 2004 elections and the allegations of abuse, manipulation and voter suppression, and current electoral process-related deficiencies, and that they turn their investigative material over to a special prosecutor, and that such abuses be appropriately addressed with election reform legislation.  All government entities will take responsibility for informing voters of their responsibilities and their rights regarding voting procedures, locations, and any and all changes, not only in a timely manner, but also in a more direct process than the “legal-ads” of privately-owned and published newspapers.
29. Pursue legislation to eliminate the ownership of news media by corporations that sell anything other than news, prohibit the ownership of multiple media outlet by a single company, and require local ownership of newspapers, radio and television stations and to support funding and access for publicly owned multi-media in all areas of the country.
30. Increase the civil and criminal penalties against those in government who authorize the use of government resources to disseminate propaganda, and which categorically prohibits the use of government money and resources to support, in any manner, the creation and dissemination of propaganda.  Also that the FCC require that any government FYI video of film show the disclaimer as part of the film or video.  Further demand that the FCC pay more attention to the public interest and truth and the fairness than spending all of its power on indecency, and to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.
31. Require the Congress to rejoin the Koyoto treaty.
32. Support and establishment and enforcement of a living wage for all New Mexico workers.
33. Require the PERA committee, in no uncertain terms, to administer the investments of PERA in a socially responsible manner.
34. Support the preservation of Otero Mesa.
35. Support the preservation of Petroglyphs.
36. Support the preservation of Valle Vidal.
37. Support the enforcement of the clean air act as it pertains to mercury emissions.
38. Support the reinstatement of CAFÉ standards of 40mpg on all vehicles 1 ton and below.
39. Support the continued enforcement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and opposes the continued development of a new generation of nuclear weapons.
40. Make a concerted effort to conduct outreach and to advertise its annual Ward meetings in order to attract more and diverse citizen participation within the Democratic Party.

Moss Wins DPBC Chair Election

Marvin Moss, who has been the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County's First Vice Chair for the past two years, won yesterday's election at the County Central Committee meeting at the Albuquerque Convention Center, and will serve as County Chair for the next two years. Moss will take the reins of the County Party from State Senator Linda Lopez, who was unsuccessful in her attempt to retain her post.

The County meeting was packed and chaotic, with disagreements breaking out about how to handle resolutions and when and how to do the balloting for County Chair and membership on the State Central Committee. Registration tables were overwhelmed and credentialing was difficult. Ballots for State Central Committee had to be reprinted and replaced after people's frustrations at the registration tables prompted them to start grabbing ballots instead of waiting to receive them with their packets. There was confusion about rules of order and how motions would be handled on the floor.

Even refreshments were a problem with small bottles of soft drinks and water going for $2.50 from Convention Center vendors. The only food available came in the form of bagels with cream cheese in plastic, again for $2.50. With the meeting running very long, our progressive slate caucus members were starving and pitched in to get pizza brought in, only to have Convention Center staffers complain we weren't allowed to bring in food when the pizzas arrived. Thankfully, we managed to gobble some down before we had to move the pizzas outside the venue!

Still, alot of good exchanges and meetings happened despite the disorganization. Mayor Marty Chavez visited with his new dog, Duke. We heard from mayoral candidates Eric Griego and Judy Espinosa. Marianne Dickinson, running for City Councilor against Sally Mayer in District 7, was out meeting people and animated discussions were everywhere inside the meeting rooms and without.

The day started for us at 8:30 AM with a progressive caucus organized by SeedPAC, NM Democratic Friends and Democracy for New Mexico on the Civic Plaza. Thanks to SeedPAC for the donuts and juice! We ended up with more than 60 people putting their heads together to plan a strategy to win seats on the State Central Committee. A rather convoluted set of rules govern the voting on these seats, and it was a complex process to plan how to use it to our best advantage. I know that a number of our progressive slate members won seats, but we're still awaiting the release of the full list. We're keeping our fingers crossed and we'll put up the list of winners as soon as we get it.

If you attended the County Party meeting, what was your take on things?

Romero To Run for ABQ Mayor?

According to a story on Greg Payne's blog NoPayneNoGain.com, Richard Romero may be contemplating a run for Mayor of Albuquerque. Romero last ran for Congress in CD1 against Heather Wilson. Payne bases this on a phone survey he participated in recently. And here's an update on the story, which includes this paragraph:

Make no doubt about it, judging from the number of first-hand reports received, Romero is actively soliciting support for a mayoral bid -- despite downplaying his intentions in some quarters -- and is making calls to key constituencies pitching his candidacy.

So far, only City Council member Eric Griego has officially announced his candidacy for the mayoral race.  Others reportedly contemplating a run are current Mayor Marty Chavez, Bernalillo County Commissioner Alan Armijo and Judy Espinosa, former secretary for the state Transportation and Environment departments.

DPBC Committee Meeting Update

Members of the Resolutions and Credentials Committees of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County were elected at Monday's ward and precinct meetings. There has been some confusion about when and where these committees will meet. Please note that these are the correct dates, times and locations:

Resolutions Committee:
Today, Thursday, March 31, 6 PM, IBEW Hall

Credentials Committee:
Tomorrow, Friday, April 1 at 6 PM, IBEW Hall

Click for a map and directions to the IBEW hall.

Many Victories for Progressives at Bernalillo County Ward & Precinct Elections

Results and responses from Monday's Bernalillo County Ward and Precinct Meetings have been streaming into my email box. Many of the meetings were reportedly well-attended and full of energy, while a few were somewhat chaotic, confusing or more sparsely attended. But almost to a person, folks seemed to be very happy to be participating.

Candidates from the DFNM community were incredibly successful in winning ward and precinct posts, especially considering how new we are at this. I haven't received all the results yet from our folks, but so far it looks like we may have wins for:

• 8-10 Ward Chairs
• 3 or 4 Ward Vice Chairs
• about 20 Precinct Chairs
• around 5 Precinct Vice Chairs
• about 5 precinct treasurers and secretaries
• a few extra delegates to the County Central Committee and
• a handful of folks serving on the Credentials or Resolutions Committees

It will be terrific to see so many familiar faces who are new to the process at the Bernalillo County Central Committee Meeting this Saturday morning at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

I guess this is what Howard Dean meant when he encouraged us to Take Back Our Party (and also to work with the good folks already there)! It seems clear that the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party is on a roll here in New Mexico. Let's all give ourselves a pat on the back for this one. Whether you were a candidate, a winner or a participant at the ward and precinct meetings, YOU have the power:

You have the power to take back the Democratic party and make us stand up for what's right again, allow us to fulfill the dream of Harry Truman in 1948 that he laid out when we would no longer be the last industrial country on the face of the earth without health insurance, allow us to stand up again for the rights to organize for ordinary men and women, allow us to stand again for the principles of equal rights under the law for every single American. You have the power to take our country back so that the flag of the United States of America no longer is the exclusive property of John Aschcroft, and of Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh and Jerry Falwell, that it belongs to all of us again. --Howard Dean

Santa Fe Central Committee Backs Pullout of Troops in Iraq and Gay Marriage

From and article in the Santa Fe New Mexican by Steve Terrell:

While the war in Iraq and gay marriage divide Democrats on the national level, Santa Fe County party members are unified on these issues.

More than 200 local Democrats attending the 2005 meeting of their county party's Central Committee voted nearly unanimously Monday to back resolutions calling for a pullout of American troops in Iraq by June 2006 and for the right of homosexuals to marry.

The Democrats also voted overwhelmingly to back a resolution calling for tougher restrictions on payday loans. The issue of payday loans was one that divided Democratic lawmakers in the recent session of the Legislature.
[. . .]
Local Democratic activist Charlotte Roybal was cheered after she read the Iraq resolution, which said, "Our occupation and the associated violence in Iraq has increased recruitment by terrorist organizations intent on attacking the U.S."

The resolution passed by a voice vote with only one voting no.

The Iraq resolution puts on record the county party's opposition to "the continued military occupation of Iraq" and says the federal government should immediately start planning to withdraw.

"The plan should specify a target date for the completion of the withdrawal," the resolution says. "The target date should be no later than June 2006."
[. . .]
The gay marriage resolution "directs each and every legislator who is a member of the Democratic Party to vote against any and all legislation that seeks to reduce or destroy the civil rights of people in New Mexico who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender."

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano argued in favor of the resolution. "This is the civil-rights movement of this generation," he said. "We need to take a stand."

Only one person argued -- and voted -- against the resolution. "We should leave this matter up to the state representatives," he said.

(Click the link at the top of this post to read the entire article. Click to read the text of the LGBT rights resolution passed by the Santa Fe County Democratic Party.)

DPBC Meeting Highlights

Last Wednesday's special meeting of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County at the UNM Law School began with State Senator Linda Lopez, who is also the current Bernalillo County Democratic Party Chair, being presented with a bouquet in appreciation for her stellar work in negotiating the election reform bill and getting it passed at the Legislature. Here's Terry Riley presenting the flowers to Senator Lopez on behalf of DFNM, NM Democratic Friends and others. That's County Vice Chair Marvin Moss at the podium.

Senator Bingaman then spoke about Social Security and the severe problems that would result if President Bush's privatization plan were adopted. Afterwards, he graciously answered questions for more than an hour on a variety of topics. Regarding his recent vote for the very controversial bankruptcy bill, Senator Bingaman admitted it might have been a mistake given the fact that important amendments to improve the bill did not pass. He said the issue might well have to be revisited in the near future to make it more fair to ordinary Americans. (You might say.)

Marvin Moss welcomes the Senator to the meeting above.

Senator Bingaman takes numerous questions from the overflow crowd.

Check Out New Website for Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

From Bill Peifer:
The official web site for the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County is up and running, although still under construction.  Please stop by and check it out.  Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Website URL: https://www.BernalilloDems.org

Send comments or suggestions to Bill at: webmaster@BernalilloDems.org

You can also click on our links to this site in the right-hand sidebar on this page under Featured Links or Democratic Party.

Iraq War Resolution

One of the best things about attending our ward-precinct meetings is that we can submit resolutions for approval that then go on to be considered for adoption at the county and state levels. In this way, we can let our Party leaders know what we believe on any number of issues, and have a chance to shape the Party platform.

Paul Stokes of Corrales (Sandoval County) has created a resolution regarding the Iraq War for consideration at his ward meeting and is encouraging other folks to do the same at their meetings. Click for a Word doc of his Proposed Resolution. I made it for Bernalillo County, but you can use it in any county by changing that.

You can use this format to create resolutions about other issues as well, and take them to your precinct-ward meeting for consideration. Resolutions come from the bottom up so they're an important part of grassroots input. Let's take advantage of this tool!

Reminder: Upcoming Democratic Party Meetings

This list replaces any and all previous lists and was just received from the State Party this afternoon:

Bernalillo County Precinct/Ward Meetings
Monday, March 28, 2005
6:30 – 8:30 PM

South Valley Cluster -10, 12 A, 12 B, 13 A, 13 B, 14 A, 14 B
Westside Community Center
1250 Isleta Blvd. SW

West Side Cluster – 16 A, 16 B, 23 A, 23 B, 29
Taylor Ranch Community Center
4900 Kachina St. NW

North Valley Cluster – 11 A, 11 B, 11 C, 15 A, 15 B, 17 A, 17 B
Raymond Sanchez Center
9800 4th NW

Sandia Cluster: 24 A, 24 B, 27 A, 27 B, 30 A, 30 B
Sandia High School – Media Center (Library)
Pennsylvania and Candelaria

Highlands Cluster -  18 A, 18 B, 19 A, 19 B, 25 A, 25 B, 26
Plumbers Hall
510 San Pedro SE

Mountain – 22 and 22C
Tijeras Community Center

Southeast – 20A, 20B,  21A, 21B -
Operating Engineers Hall
151 Pennsylvania SE

East Central – 28A, 28B, 31A,  31B
Mascarenas Insurance Agency
11321 Central NE

Bernalillo County Central Meeting
Saturday, April 2, 2005
Check-in - 9:00 AM
Meeting Begins – 10:00 AM

State Central Committee Meeting
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Macey Center
Campus at New Mexico Tech
Socorro, NM
Check-in - 9:00 AM
Meeting Begins – 10:00 AM