New Hanover County Democratic Party:Platform

More specifically, we advocate:
1.	Economic and community development to provide needed jobs compensated with a living wage, based on our free enterprise system, supplemented by government infrastructure projects and recruitment of desirable new industries.
2.	Excellent system of adequately funded public education, focusing on student needs, with flexible provision for students with special needs or special talents.
3.	Effective, disciplined planning of urban growth, green spaces and transportation systems.
4.	Wise stewardship of our environment and natural resources, including air, water, parks, and wetlands; while giving reasonable consideration to the rights of property owners.
5.	Fair system of justice and crime prevention, based both on prompt arrest and punishment of criminals, and on attacking the root causes of crime.
6.	Economic and financial security for all, based on (1) equal opportunity employment; and (2) a “safety net” to assist those unable to work.
7.	Basic health care delivery system available to every person, emphasizing high quality professional care and also prevention of disease and the encouragement of healthy lifestyles.
8.	Public policies that support affordable and adequate child care.
9.	Effective protection of consumers from fraud and deceit, including predatory lending.
10.	Safe, decent, and affordable housing for all persons.
11.	Open, efficient, and responsive government, staffed with capable, fairly compensated employees.
12.	System of private and public services to ensure that youth are fully engaged in the life of the community.
13.	System of private and public services and continuing education to assure senior citizens reasonable independence and security.
14.	Full and equal protection of the rights of all persons, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
15.	A fair, progressive and equitable tax system to cover the provision of government services, which are not without cost.