A Platform for the Ninety-Nine

This is the text of the proposed 2012-2013 platform. It reads mored easily in a PDF format. Anyone wanting a copy emailed to them before the March 17th vote at the convention need only request to umpqua.cascadian@gmail.com

Keith Barger
Platform Chair

Preamble

The Pacific Green Party is optimistic that together we can overcome the many challenges facing our great State of Oregon. This platform outlines a program of courage and commitment to remedy these challenges.

To recreate a vibrant democracy, substantial reforms are necessary. At all levels of government elected officials must be held fully accountable to the people electing them. Robust civil societies spring from dynamic community involvement. These are the foundations of free and democratic cities, states, and countries.

Our economic system concentrates unprecedented wealth and power in the hands of a very few. Violence, illness, and oppression rob the many of the opportunity to thrive. Our democratic system, the cornerstone of our party’s philosophy, continues to be eroded.

As a society we extract resources from and dumping waste into our environment at an unsustainable pace. We risk collapse of the ecosystem on which we depend unless we make an immediate and dramatic change in our practices.

These Ten Key Values of the green movement motivate all of our policies:
Grassroots Democracy
Social Justice
Ecological Wisdom
Nonviolence
Future Focus and Sustainability
Respect for Diversity
Decentralization
Community Based Economics
Feminism and Gender Equity
Personal and Global Responsibility

The Pacific Green Party is a genuine alternative political voice. Together we can change the course of our state to create a better future for ourselves and for generations to follow.

Because of the synergy and overlap between these Ten Key Values, we have organized this platform to correspond to the first four values, also called the Four Pillars.

This Platform was adopted on ___________________ by the registered members of the Pacific Green Party at the _______________ general convention. It is our collective intended direction, not a litmus test. This two year platform will be modified and updated again to reflect changes before the 2014 election.

National and Global Issues
The issues of concern to Pacific Greens are not limited to Oregon. The two Senators and five Representatives from the State of Oregon are charged with helping to shape the nation and the world we share. Pacific Green Party candidates for these positions will be guided by this state platform and by the platform of the Green Party of the United States (http://www.gp.org).

In order to develop a global economy in which nations, local communities, labor unions and individual workers can acquire and retain control of their own destinies and build prosperity in an ecologically sound manner, We the People must:
transition from any carbon producing industry to green technologies, including solar, wind, geothermal, wave, and hemp. Acknowledge the human contribution to climate change.
bring home all US troops stationed abroad, except for the military assigned to protect US embassies or those functioning directly under UN peacekeeping operations
repeal NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), GATT (General Agreements on Trades & Tariffs), and the FTAA (Free Trade Areas of the Americas); abolish the WTO (World Trade Organization)
compel the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to finance sustainable development that supports human and labor rights, provides for basic health care and education
require that all future trade agreements include triple bottom line principles of accounting that guarantee strong labor and environmental standards will be applied and strictly enforced; that local autonomy will be respected and maintained; and that trade disputes will be resolved through open and democratic processes
terminate all research, development, production and testing of nuclear power and weapons. Decommission and clean up all current and contaminated nuclear sites, plants, ships, and installations
maintain that air sheds and water shed are commons and not for sale. When possible, help developing nations map and develop clean air and water sheds.
repeal the USA PATRIOT Act

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives and not be subject to the will of another. Therefore, we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations which expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.

Campaign Finance Reform
Action Items:
Propose a ballot initiative for a Constitutional Amendment to the Oregon Constitution to eliminate the “personhood” of corporations
Propose a ballot initiative for a Constitutional Amendment to the Oregon Constitution to disassociate the spending of money from speech, so to allow meaningful limits to prevent those with money to purchase influence in government
Support the efforts of Move To Amend (http://movetoamend.org) to eliminate corporate personhood and reverse Citizen’s United decision and the false identification of money as speech.
Ban all corporate donations from Oregon elections, whether for offices or initiatives
Ban all out-of-state money donations for Oregon elections, whether for offices or initiatives

At every level of government, decision-makers are increasingly beholden to wealthy special interests. Multinational for-profit corporations have particularly strong influence. In order to restore genuine democracy, We the People demand:
strict limits on campaign contributions to officeholders until a public funding apparatus is in place
public financing of all campaigns for public offices
lower the number of signatures required to place an initiative on the ballot
require full disclosure of any organizational influences on the crafting of the wording of all ballot measure.
Support the Oregon Citizens Initiative Review (http://healthydemocracyoregon.org/citizens-initiative-review)

Media Reform
Action Items:
Reassert that the full-spectrum airwaves are a part of the Commons
Increase citizen access to all media, including internet, television, and radio. Provide public funding via franchise fees and other funding vehicles.
Increase the number of frequencies reserved for public use
Repeal of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 and Related Subsequent Provisions within Copyright Law which has resulted in the intimidation, prosecution, and/or conviction of people in our country for sharing information.
Information is power! The airwaves belong to the people of the United States and not to corporations. The First Amendment protects the freedom of the press, and the internet can function as a virtual “press” for all citizens. We must keep access to the internet and the freedom of the press it provides protected. The leasing of the airwaves needs to bring revenue to the state that reflect the growing commercial value of those airwaves. The airwaves must also remain available for the open sharing of information for the betterment of the democracy. We the People demand:
all media outlets provide free airtime to all candidates and to both sides of ballot initiatives
all cable and satellite television providers must broadcast all local stations in their least costly option
no single entity or person be allowed to own more than one broadcast outlet in the same locality
the Internet be considered part of the information commons and must not grant special privileges for users who can afford to pay more than others
stronger internet privacy law, granting passwords, encryption, and other forms of electronic privacy the same privileges as sealed envelopes.
some portion of airtime on broadcast and cable television be made available to citizens who would not be able to afford advertising time. This includes encouragement of local broadcast media such as low-power neighborhood radio stations and adequate funding of public media
that satire and critique in the media be protected by Oregon’s free speech protections if interpretations of the “fair use doctrine” in Copyright law fails to protect it
“sunshine laws” to grant citizen and media access to records of all government decision-making. Exceptions may be made in an extremely small number of situations involving privacy and security and must be approved by a joint legislative/executive council

Election Reform
Action Items:
Repeal Oregon’s “double majority” rule which unreasonably obstructs tax measures
Adopt instant runoff voting (IRV). The current plurality voting system gives the office to the candidate receiving the most votes, even if that candidate did not receive a majority.
Our elections and our government do not live up to our ideals of free and open democracy. We are particularly concerned with mechanisms that shut out diverse opinions. We the People demand:

a reduction of ballot access barriers for third parties and independent candidates, includes the repeal of HB 2614, which places unreasonable restrictions on independent candidates
change how Oregon House members are elected; use state-wide proportional representation to allocated the seats based upon the percentage of the vote received by the several parties, rather than gerrymandered districts which have aided the two-party dominance of Oregon politics
proportional allocation of Oregon’s Electoral College votes until the Electoral College is eliminated and the President elected by direct vote of the people
reduction of ballot access barriers for third parties and independent candidates. This includes the repeal of HB 2614, which places unreasonable restrictions on independent candidates;
require that the drawing of all redistricting maps by a special nonpartisan body. Many legislative races are uncontested due to gerrymandering by Democrats, Republicans, or both. An election with only one candidate on the ballot is meaningless;
voting rights for all, including prisoners. Voting is a safe way for prisoners to participate in society as part of their rehabilitation;
continued use of Oregon’s mail-in ballot system. We oppose the use of paperless electronic voting machines, the operation of which cannot be independently checked; and a random hand audit of ballots.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.

Human Rights & Nondiscrimination
Action Item:
Reverse Ballot Measure 36 and end the discriminating definition of marriage; open marriage to any loving adult couple
Withdraw Oregon from and nullify the enforcement of “The Patriot Act” within the State of Oregon
Divest from Arizona, Alabama, and any State that criminalizes the documentation status of people
Advocate the passage of the “Second Bill of Rights” as proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his January 11, 1944 State of the Union Address (http://www.fdrheritage.org/bill_of_rights.htm)
We acknowledge the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. We seek to end all discrimination based on economic class, race, gender orientation, disability, age, spiritual belief and all other forms of cultural fragmentation. We the People must:
strengthen and strictly enforce anti-discrimination legislation
allow all qualifying couples, irrespective of sexual orientation, to adopt children
continue affirmative action programs to remedy past and present discrimination in employment, housing, and education
recognize Native American land and treaty rights as agreements between sovereign nations
protect the rights and safety of immigrant workers from exploitation
prevent INS from separating immediate family members by deportation

Education
Action Items:
Withdraw Oregon from “No Child Left Behind” and “Race to the Top” as these top-down programs centralize and nationalize the local issue of educating our children
Student loan indebtedness is a 21st Century version of indentured servitude. Make all Oregon public colleges and universities free to Oregon residents who have lived here at least 5 years and who agree to continue to reside in Oregon for a minimum of 10 years after completing their degree.
Fully fund health and physical education as a response to the growing problem of childhood obesity
Improve school breakfast/lunch programs to include more locally grown whole foods and less processed foods
Focus the food offerings upon a plant-based diet with meat as a side dish. This inclusive approach satisfies all dietary needs, affirms healthy diets, and lowers our collective impact on the food chain.
Ensure that school grounds are zones of tolerance. Do not permit any physical, verbal, emotional, or cyber bullying or harassment of any person for any reason
Education is a right to be shared, not a privilege to be sold to the highest bidder. Oregon citizens deserve a quality educational system with sufficient and equitable funding so that all levels of public schools are safe, well equipped, and staffed by appropriately trained professionals. We the People demand:
An emphasis on the teaching of skills for a democratic society including communication, conflict resolution, environmental awareness, and respect for diversity
Affirm that cultural and immersion programs are positive tools of diversity and empowerment in education
Reduced class sizes to ensure a quality learning environment for students and work environment for teachers
Schools offer pass/fail and portfolio options as alternatives to standard grades
Schools explore the cost/benefit of e-readers (i.e. Kindle, iPad) for students to combat both the back strain from heavy textbooks and the technology divide
Honor the multiple intelligences of students by providing vocational, academic, professional, and artistic educational pathways.
Full funding and support for Special Education, English Language Learner, and accelerated programs
Prohibit corporate and military advertisements in public K-12 schools, except passively in high school career centers
Expand community college opportunities for continuing education and job training for all adults
Oregon is a State of many languages. To affirm this, schools will offer second language programs to broaden the learning of all students.

Health Care
Action Items
Just as Oregon got a waiver for the initial introduction of the Oregon Health Plan (1993), the Pacific Green Party will seek a waiver from the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and institute a single-payer health care system for Oregon.
Until single-payer system is instituted, no private health care insurance provider will be permitted to operate in Oregon unless it covers preexisting conditions, contraception, and abortion services for all its members
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the maintenance of good health. We acknowledge that personal health depends on public health. Public health requires the health of the natural, built, and social environments. The health status of others provides benefits to all, including future generations. We the People must:
use precautionary, preventive approaches in decisions regarding public and private health concerns
insist that comprehensive health care not be tied to employment alone
see that health care includes medical, vision, dental, mental health services and hospitalization, and is protected as a basic right for all Oregonians
guarantee the right of all patients to choose their health care providers
Support all modalities of healing including yoga, dance, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, ayurvedic, massage, reiki, et. al, thus allopathic medicine as one of many forms of healing.
guarantee the right of all patients to make personal medical decisions, including those involving abortion and the end of life
support for Oregon’s Death with Dignity law
support Oregon laws that protect children from parents irresponsibly withholding medical care
ensure the availability of rehabilitation and adaptive aids, to allow those with disabilities to achieve maximum independence.
monitor toxic chemical facilities and high voltage powerlines and prohibit locating such facilities near residential areas, especially minority and low-income communities

Social Services
Action Items:
Maintain extended unemployment benefits for all unemployed workers until the county unemployment rate drops below 7%
Invalidate the foreclosure of any primary residential home when bank rules are not followed. Grant full title to the purchaser and cause the bank or mortgage lender to forfeit any claim to that property
Ban the pay-day, rent-to-own, and auto-title lending industry from Oregon and require that all liens and collateral be returned in full to any borrower without any fee or other reimbursement
Reclaim any and all properties owned by absentee landowners whose property remains vacant or foreclosed without sufficient action to make these properties accessible to the economic well being of Oregon
Ban the use of drug-testing from welfare qualifications
Wall Street got bailed out, but Main Street Oregon remains deeply troubled by the Great Recession. Poverty and homelessness are on the rise. Many families are now reaching the limits of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Many unemployed and displaced workers are reaching the limits of their Unemployment insurance benefit. In order to reverse the trend of growing injustice to our most vulnerable citizens, We the People must:
restore and fully fund domestic discretionary programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and programs for persons who are unemployed or disabled
allow exemptions from work requirements for
welfare recipients pursuing higher education
homeless people looking for housing
victims of domestic violence who need time to find safety and independence
single parents of children under the age of five years
ensure the existence of an adequate supply of affordable housing through public subsidies, rent controls, and other means
strengthen and enforce tenants’ rights, including a ban on evictions without just cause
expand community-based services for homeless people

Worker Rights
Action Items:
Establish a preference for state contracts for local businesses that employ local people as their primary workforce, specifically businesses that outsource less than one-third of their work
Pass an Oregon version of “The Employee Free Choice Act” (HR.1409 /S.560)
Seek a means to implement a 20:1 wage goal, to reduce the income disparity between the highest and the lowest paid workers in any given business.
Require employers to pay 50% of the costs for all their employees needing higher education to maintain their viable employment in their current role.
Encourage and support worker owned businesses as well as worker collectives and cooperatives
In order to individually and collectively empower workers and promote their dignity economic democracy, We the People must:
guarantee all workers, public and private, the right to organize and bargain collectively through democratic unions
guarantee workers the right to establish councils that have access to all relevant information about their businesses and that participate in the management of their businesses
guarantee all worker the freedom of association and the right to have their unions and labor associations be free and independent of government and employer influence
strictly enforce robust health and safety standards in the workplace
require employers to provide all workers with equal pay for comparable work, based on skills, effort, responsibilities, and working conditions.
vigorously prosecute workplace harassment, including protecting the worker right to employment whose claims were not substantiated in the court of law
set and maintain a living individual and family wage
maintain a minimum wage that is indexed to the cost of living
maintain and extend protection for all whistle-blowers, whether their claims are against public or private entities, or whether their claims are substantiated or not.
work to make day care services affordable and to keep public schools open five days a week and keep full day kindergarten, as schooling is a part of many working family’s child care arrangements
establish a Superfund for Workers that will sustain and retrain those who are dismissed without cause, especially loggers, fishers, and other workers who are displaced by the loss of a natural resource base.

Equitable Distribution of Resources
Action Items:
Prohibit all “rent-to-own” and “payday” lending companies from doing business in Oregon as these businesses exploit working people
Establish and maintain a family living wage
Establish a maximum wage not exceed 50 times minimum wage
Growing income disparity is undermining democracy. To promote a just distribution of the goods and services amongst all Oregonians, We the People must:
replace the money focused measurement of Gross National Product with a people focused Gross National Happiness index
seek passage for the Second Bill of Rights as advocated by Franklin Roosevelt in 1944
ensure that all working parents have access to quality, affordable day care services
provide opportunities for continuing education and job training to all adults, especially the unemployed and underemployed
protect the rights of injured people to sue negligent corporations
shift our economic orientation away from unsustainable increases in rates of consumption and towards continuous improvement in quality of life for our communities

Taxation
Action Items:
Replace Ballot Measures 5, 47, and 50 with a graduated property tax. Increase tax rates on vacation homes and all properties of higher value, defined as in excess of twice the county’s median value
Currently Social Security stops taxing incomes over $106,800. Oregon will institute a tax on all incomes over the Social Security maximum on both the individual income earners and on the businesses paying those salaries in an amount equal to whatever the current Social Security tax rate is, thus closing this regressive loop hole in the tax code. These funds will supplement the General Fund.
Reform Oregon’s kicker law to set aside any excess as a rainy day fund
Reverse the inequity of income tax distribution. According to Extended General Fund Revenue Outlook, 6.8% of income tax will come from corporate source whereas 93.2% will come from individuals. Within 10 years, the Pacific Green Party will target that businesses will pay 35% of income tax with individuals picking up 65%.
Oliver Wendel Holmes said, “Taxes are the price we pay for civilization”. Taxation serves three positive purposes: funding programs which benefit society as a whole, discouraging harmful practices, and countering the concentration of wealth that results from unregulated markets. We the People must:
identify federal corporate subsides as taxable corporate revenue for the purpose of state taxable income
enforce the Oregon estate tax on estates of over $500,000. People have the right to leave their children a legacy, but not a dynasty
enact a more progressive state income tax, including raising the income level below which no state income taxes are due
support the Oregon tradition of not having a regressive sales tax, with the exception of luxury and tourist taxes
abolish the Oregon lottery as state-sponsored gambling
identify and implement taxes on point-source pollution

ECOLOGICAL WISDOM
Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society which utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must practice agriculture which replenishes the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.

Population
Action Items:
Recognize the humanity of all people born in this world and block laws that marginalize or dehumanize any segment of humanity, especially Latinos, Muslims, and the GLBTQ communities who have been more recently been targeted by hate-groups
Fully fund Planned Parenthood clinics throughout Oregon
Acknowledge that unchecked population growth of any species, including humans, will stress the geography they inhabit, and will, unless limited, lead to catastrophic consequences
We must expand our efforts to reduce our individual environmental impact, and yet understand that these efforts are not sufficient. Unchecked growth in human population will adversely impact the habitability of the planet. We the People must:
advocate voluntary Zero Population Growth
educate and empower women
provide free birth control for all who desire it and require licensed pharmacists to fill such prescriptions
prohibit health care providers or insurers who fail to cover all aspects of reproductive health from doing business in the State of Oregon

Energy
Action Items:
Oregon will not permit any liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal or pipeline
Oregon will exercise its power to regulate greenhouse gas emission from cars, factories, and any other source
In light of the March 11, 2011 earthquake near Honshu, Japan and the nuclear disaster that followed, Oregon will close the current nuclear reactors at Reed College, Oregon State University, and any other public or private college or university in Oregon and will block any and all future nuclear energy or research development in the State.
In light of the May 3, 2010 Gulf Oil disaster, the Oregon coast will remain a drill-free zone
In light of the ongoing threat to the water supply, Oregon will ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in any natural gas exploration that may be occurring now or in the future
The human need for energy continues to grow. The burning of fossil fuels is an unsustainable option, both because oil reserves are rapidly dwindling (peak oil) and because of the ongoing catastrophe of climate change. In order to develop methods of using energy in an ecologically viable manner, We the People must:
establish carbon taxes to internalize the costs of fossil fuel use and to accelerate the transition to alternative fuel sources
adopt aggressive standards for automotive fuel efficiency
promote energy conservation. A variety of techniques are available now, from including compact fluorescent light bulbs to mass transit to line drying of clothes These can be encouraged through tax incentives
design efficient new buildings to reduce energy consumption in during construction and the whole life-time of the building. This includes co-generation, wherein energy is produced where it is used and the otherwise wasted heat is used to heat the building
use and fund research into sustainable and minimally polluting alternative energies and fuels
monitor toxic chemical facilities and high voltage powerlines and prohibit locating such facilities near residential areas, notably minority and low-income communities.

Clean Air
Action Items
Close the Boardman plant immediately
Block any coal development in Oregon; “clean coal” is a lie
Prohibit the use of Oregon roads and resources from supporting the Keystone XL Tar Sands Project
In order to improve air quality, we as a society must acknowledge that continued dependence on fossil fuels will further degrade the air we breathe. We the People must:
safeguard and expand The Clean Air Act to ensure the reduction of urban smog, acid rain and ozone depletion
establish pollution taxes based on emission levels
ratify The Kyoto Accord on global warming and exceed its requirements for the reduction of greenhouse emissions
enforce and accelerate the elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting chemicals.

Water
Action Items:
Disallow any future commercial bottling of Oregon water and phase out any existing bottled water industry within 10 years
Develop a zero loss policy on wetlands
Work to restore wild rivers via dam removal, opting for modern, non-dam, hydro and wave power.
Empower communities, changing laws as necessary, to limit growth to maintain the balance with available, local water supplies.
Without water there is no life. Our collective understanding of water needs to shift away from ownership of water rights towards the vision of water as a part of our collective commons. In order to preserve and restore valuable sources of clean water and the natural habitats of aquatic species, We the People must:
strengthen existing pollution discharge laws
develop and implement comprehensive watershed management plans
restructure the industrial, agricultural, and municipal water rates to encourage efficient water use;
expand the use of passive and natural systems (such as wetlands) for stormwater and wastewater treatment
encourage a transition to the agricultural and residential use of drip irrigation
develop an infrastructure to support the appropriate re-use of “gray” and “black” waters
require the installation of water-efficient appliances and fixtures in all new construction and encouraging the replacement of water-inefficient appliances and fixtures in older buildings
educate the public regarding the need for reducing carbon and methane outputs to minimize climate change. Our water supply needs winter snow pack in the Cascades, Wallowas, Siskiyous, Blues, Coast, and all our mountains.

Urban Land Use
Action Items:
Repeal Measure 37 which prevents Oregonians from collectively making land management decisions
Require all urban areas with populations of 20,000 or more to have an Urban Growth Boundary to encourages higher density and smart growth
Require all neighboring municipalities whose boundaries are less than 10 miles apart to develop a non-competitive regional development plan
Change building codes to allow alternative, earth-friendly building practices, including but not limited to straw bale, cob, adobe, and micro-homes.
In order for urban environments to provide residents with a high quality of life that has minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystems, We the People must:
promote high-density communities that prevent urban sprawl and that incorporate urban design for livability and beauty
develop communities that encourage interaction and involvement, that incorporate mass transit systems, bicycle and walking routes, and that minimize dependence on automobiles
retain and aggressively pursue open spaces, parklands, farmlands, private forestlands, wildlife passages, and green belts
block expansions of Urban Growth Boundaries without a vote of the people in the impacted regional development plan

Wilderness and Biodiversity
Action Items:
repeal The Mining Act of 1872 and tax the extraction of oil, gas, and minerals
protect the grey wolf packs that have made their way into Oregon. Supplement, as necessary, their natural return already occurring via migration from Idaho
maintain the ban on the sport hunting of cougars with dogs
In order to preserve and expand the capacity of regional and global ecosystems to provide humanity with sustenance and enjoyment while allowing natural evolution to continue, We the People must:
strictly enforce The Endangered Species Act and expand its scope
permanently protect all remaining pristine public lands, notably all remaining old growth trees
eliminate logging on all public lands.
ban the construction of new roads and the use of herbicides in public forests
mandate the use of sustainable logging practices (selective cut) on private forestlands
increase the required buffer zone for stream corridors to 50 feet on both sides of any river, creek, or stream.
re-introduce native species of plants and animals into areas from which they were eradicated
control the intentional and unintentional transport of species in order to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous species
maintain the international ban on commercial whaling and offer sanctuary to groups like Sea Shepherd (including protection by the Coast Guard) who intercede on behalf of these giants of the sea
ban the trade in coral reef species
create international accords that reduce fish harvesting to sustainable levels
prohibit oil and gas drilling off our coast and on public lands.

Sustainable Agriculture
Action Items:
eliminate barriers to hemp and cannabis production
US patents on naturally originating organisms and plants will be unenforcaeble in Oregon
ban the importation and sale of patented seeds in Oregon. Fine corporations holding such patents when their seeds cross pollinate the crops of any Oregon farmer. The amount will be 50% greater than any fine leveled by the corporation upon the farmer. The collected fine will reimburse the farmer any federal court or corporate imposed fine.
protect arable farmland as an Oregon resource from needless urban growth boundary expansion
In order to establish an ecologically sound agriculture that maximizes regional self-reliance and supports family farm communities, We the People must:
encourage strict standards for organic and biodynamic certification.
support organic and biodynamic farming by applying the principles of permaculture
support soil conservation practices such as contour planting, crop rotation, and composting;
promote Community Supported Agriculture programs and Community Farmers’ Markets.
ban the research, production and consumption of genetically engineered substances and organisms
ban the use of Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH)
end the expansion of corporate agribusiness at the expense of family farms. Eliminate subsidies (including irrigation) to corporate agribusiness
establish taxes on non-organic fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides

Waste Management
Action Items:
See that all existing Superfund sites in Oregon are fully cleaned up within ten years
Require producers and consumers of industrial, agricultural, and household hazardous materials to fully document the trade, use and safe disposal of these materials
Recycling is not enough. We must reduce consumption and reuse and repurpose items before recycling to extend the useful life of all resources. In order to move towards the elimination of wasted resources and hazardous waste, We the People must:
establish resource extraction taxes to encourage the re-use, recycling, and reduced use of raw materials
require manufacturers to take responsibility for the full life cycles of their products
increase percentages of recycled post-consumer content in products.

Transportation
Action Items:
Block current efforts to create a “gas” tax on electric vehicles; electric vehicle owners should not be penalized for their conservation effort.
Support for an I5 Corridor high speed rail line
Goods and people must be moved around. We currently rely far too heavily on trucking and on private automobiles. We the people must:
increase funding for mass transit
allow for differences in rules and regulation regarding urban and rural transportation as current green technologies are better suited for dense urban settings
reduce subsidies for trucking and private automobiles,
allow for ten-year experiments with establishing limits on the number of private vehicles that can be legally registered within the confines of urban municipal regions as a means to reduce private vehicle dependence
require the assessment of additional fees on vehicles that are raised or lower outside the parameters of factory design to reflect the greater safety risk imposed on the driving public by the choices of the vehicle owner.
require the assessment of additional fees on vehicles that are equipped with studded tires to compensate the state for the increased amount of wear and tear on road
eliminate the provision in the Oregon Constitution requiring that gas taxes be spent only on roads so that these monies can be spent on a variety of alternative transportation projects
establish pedestrian-friendly environments and convenient bike routes
when replacing vehicles in the government fleet, give preference to hybrid and electric vehicles
adopt a fuel standard that exceeds the national standard for the automotive industry
expand the national rail system for the transportation of goods and passengers while developing a national high-speed rail system for passenger service

Community Based Economics
Action Items:
Encourage the expansion of local economic initiatives, including the issuance of local currencies and work time exchanges that foster community interdependence
Establish a State Bank of Oregon (http://www.rop.org/oregon-state-bank-campaign-fact-sheet)
Maintain full funding for the Oregon Individual Development Account (IDA) programs, as these foster home ownership, business start-ups, and educational advancement
Strengthen the bioregional ties to our Cascadian neighbors in Washington, British Columbia, Northern California, and the panhandle of Alaska
We believe that the economy should be localized and decentralized. The current system puts the reins of economic power in the hands of distant executives and stockholders. Furthermore, local manufacturing keeps money in Oregon and avoids the waste of reduces the cost and carbon output of shipping goods thousands of miles from the producer to the consumer. We the People must:
create tax, loan, and other policies that favor small, local businesses over multinational corporations
encourage community supported agriculture (CSAs), community gardens, and farmers’ markets
Oregon governmental agencies will grant preferences to purchase local goods & services when feasible
encourage the formation of People’s Utility Districts (PUDs) to restore local control of energy
assist rural and resource-based communities in developing sustainable economies
promote sustainable job creation through watershed and habitat restoration and tree planting
support and promote small businesses, co-op, and nonprofit community service organizations
eliminate subsidies to businesses that diminish the quality of life for Oregon residents through substandard labor practices, social irresponsibility, or environmental degradation
eliminate subsidies to attract & expand businesses that primarily hire new workers from outside of Oregon.

NONVIOLENCE
It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society’s current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.

Military Forces
Action Items:
Withdrawal all Oregon National Guard troops from Iraq, Afghanistan, and all other foreign exercises and block their current and future orders for deployment unless there is a Constitutional declaration of war by the Congress of the United States of America or the deployment is a part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation.
Withdrawal Oregon Coast Guard from participating in the ‘war on drugs’ and keep their boats in Oregon waters
While the Pacific Green Party’s pillar of peace opposes any aggressive war, it is not intended to marginalize our support for the soldiers in any branch of the military. The Oregon National Guard is a valued asset as are its members. They are needed in Oregon to render assistance in the event of natural disaster and to aid in search and rescue. As the Green Party National platform and the National and Global Issues sections of this platform address our views of the military, this section will focus on the Oregon National Guard, Coast Guard, and military bases within the confines of the State of Oregon. We the People must:
applaud the elimination of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and welcome the full and open service of the GLBTQ communities in Oregon’s National Guard and the US Armed Forces
prohibit military recruitment in public K-12 schools, except passively in high school career centers
prohibit in-state development, deployment, or storage of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons
disallow the use of Oregon roads or air space for the transportation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons
prohibit in-state development or storage of land-mine devices
enforce strict mandatory cleanup of existing nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons sites
dissolve the corporate status of any Oregon-based corporations that engages in the business of mercenary work and bar any similar non-Oregon-based private military company (i.e. Blackwater, Halliburton) from doing business in or recruiting in the State of Oregon.

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Action Items:
Repeal Measure 11 and all mandatory sentencing laws, including “three-strikes” laws, as such laws are a legislative infringement on judicial powers
Eliminate the practice of racial profiling and rigorously investigate any allegation of discriminatory practices by any law enforcement officer
End capital punishment. This cruel and vengeful form of punishment has been ineffective as a deterrent to crime and has been administered disproportionately against minorities
Prevent any redefinition of rape that would disempower rape survivors from getting justice they deserve
Strengthen and enforce laws against corporate crimes such as fraud, defective products, pollution, and unsafe working conditions. Adopt laws that enable the judiciary to repeal corporate charters when the public interest is violated.
We seek to create a criminal justice system based on prevention, restitution, rehabilitation, reconciliation and restorative justice, rather than one currently used based on vengeance, punishment; and forced labor. In order to realize the concept of equal justice for all, We the People must:
emphasize prevention and rehabilitation over incarceration
provide mental health services outside the criminal justice system and stop the criminalization of mentally illness
address the problems in the criminal justice system that are reflected in the racially unbalanced nature of the prison population
strengthen laws against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and hate crimes.
enforce a moratorium on new prison construction
end forfeiture of property of unconvicted suspects
establish community policing and citizen police oversight boards
end the use of military-style practices by the police forces. Expand gun violence prevention and nonviolence education for law enforcement personnel
mandate nonviolence training for police
end the use of agent provocateurs to incite violence at citizen protests.
demand respect for the first amendment rights of peaceful protesters
demand protections for whistle-blowers
prevent prisons from ever becoming privatized. No corporation should profit from the incarceration of a person

Drug Policy
Action Items:
Support passage of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act initiative. Legalize the sale and use of marijuana by adults age 21 and older and other similar efforts.
End the practice of seizures and forfeitures of private property by those suspected, but not yet convicted, of drug offenses. Reaffirm the protection against such seizures as consistent with the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution
The violations of civil liberties and the violence that continues to result from the “War on Drugs” exceed any of the benefit derived from drug interdiction. The Pacific Green Party opposes the supply-side approach of the war on drugs and will instead counter this growing problem with a demand-side approach. Drug addiction is a disease that must be countered by treatment, not by war. A welcoming, egalitarian society that we are building reduces the desire to escape. We the People must:
recognize that alcohol is the primary gateway substance
demand treatment of drug abuse as a public health problem rather than a crime
usher in a general amnesty for all people in prisons, on parole, or charged with drug crimes in which no other violence was perpetrated
provide drug and alcohol abuse treatment on demand for all who request it
establish equality in enforcement and penalty for all hard drugs without regard to the demographics of the user

Animal Rights
Action Items:
Continued support for the 1994 Ballot Measure 18 passed by the people and opposing the use of dogs in the sport hunting of cougars
Ban the importation of non-native wildlife in the pet and animal trades, with the only exception being for zoos and aquariums certified by the AZA (http://www.aza.org/)
Ban the private ownership, possession, and trade of native and non-native wildlife
Support for the reintroduction of native grey wolf packs in Oregon and for the continuation of their protected status
Cruelty against nonhuman animals is unacceptable, both because of the inherent rights of animals and because those who abuse other animals often go on to abuse humans. We the People must:
enforce strong laws against animal cruelty
demand humane treatment of food animals. Cruel practices such as de-beaking and overcrowding, must be outlawed.
require that ranchers, farmers, and others concerned about the loss of domesticated animals to natural predators demonstrate their adoption of non-lethal deterrents before any lethal means are considered.
place the burden of proof upon industry to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any animal experiments they conduct are necessary and cannot be conducted in any other manner and that no current animal experimentation be ‘grandfathered’ in
educate homeowners and gardeners about natural and non-lethal deterrents to protect homes, pets, and plants from wildlife and insects and fund this by placing a tax on all pesticides and animal traps to pay for this education program and to give these natural and non-lethal deterrents a price advantage in the market place