Our Principles
The Working Families Party believes that the social, economic, and political progress of the United States requires a rebirth of democracy. Democracy in America does not work today. The people do not rule. And they must, if we and our children are to lead lives of dignity, decency, and enjoyment.
To make this rebirth possible will require both common sense and a willingness to dream. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things – if they are organized. Our basic purpose is to make democracy work for everyone.
Our commitment to democracy comes from recognition of the moral equality of persons. We believe people really are created equal. We believe that the blessings of liberty must be shared. We believe that a person’s class, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or country of origin continue to determine too much of one’s chances in life, and this undermines the very idea of a democratic society.
We know we live in a blessed land, and so are saddened and outraged by much of what we see. The corruption of our public institutions. The deliberate weakening of unions and community organizations. The stupid and cruel economic policies that are destroying cities and communities. The increasing and corrosive inequality that characterizes our economy. The unwillingness to treat the earth itself with respect, as stewards must.
The only way we know to improve things is to organize – not just in the weeks prior to an election, but year-round. We endorse candidates not because they are a member of a traditionally favored party, nor because of incumbency. Instead, we back serious candidates with a serious commitment to our issues.
To promote a rebirth of freedom, equality and prosperity, we dedicate ourselves to the following:
- The right to organize — in the workplace, in the community, and in defense of our rights as workers, consumers, shareholders, and taxpayers.
- Full public financing of elections, universal voter registration, fair elections and free party competition.
- The creation of a sustainable economy based on the responsible and reverent use of our earth’s resources–taking no more than we need, replacing and reusing all that we can.
- A society in which we all take seriously our responsibilities as parents, workers and citizens.
- A democratic and fair banking and financial system–including popular election of those charged with public stewardship of our banking system, worker-owner control over their pension assets, and community-controlled alternative financial institutions.
- A Bill of Rights for America’s Children, guaranteeing true equality of opportunity, providing equal education for all students, and achieving an adequate standard of health care, nutrition, housing, and safety.
- Community control and equitable funding of our schools, within which we seek true excellence in public education along with equal opportunity to achieve it.
- Full employment, a shorter work week, and a guaranteed minimum income for all adults. A universal ” social wage” to include such basic benefits as health care, child care, vacation time, and lifelong access to education and training. A systematic phase-in of comparable worth and like programs to ensure gender equity.
- A progressive tax system based on the ability to pay.
- Rebuilding our cities and metropolitan regions–the cornerstones of a high-wage and ecologically sustainable economy–through high-wage, low-waste economic development.
- A community in which residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, police and local officials work cooperatively as equal partners to provide a safe and secure environment in which to live and work and study.
- Fair trade among nations whose aim is the mutual improvement in living standards, reduced cross-national inequalities, and sustainable development.
- In all aspects of our economy and social life, an absolute bar to discrimination based on race, gender, age, country of origin, and sexual orientation, and absolute security in reproductive rights, fundamental liberties, and privacy.
These are our principles. It will take time and experience to work out the details of sound policies and procedures based upon them, but there is no better time to start than the present. We believe that if we enunciate our principles clearly and firmly, with honesty and no double talk, the
Working Families Party will set a new standard for political behavior, and be worthy of the people of New York.
