Platform of the Resistance Party
Adopted December 19, 2016, revised December 28, 2016
PREAMBLE
We are in the midst of a global crisis of democracy. As the foundations of the post-war international order are shaken, in part due to the real failures of
existing American, European, and international institutions to address the needs of ordinary people, extreme right-wing movements are on the rise. Amid
austerity, inequality, high youth unemployment and underemployment, strained relations between Russia and the West, and a refugee crisis caused in
large part by the disastrous failures of American foreign policy in the Middle East, the threat posed by a virulent anti-democratic Right waxes every day in
the United States and in Europe. In the United States, the radicalized Republican Party under Donald J. Trump is laying the foundation for a program
dangerously reminiscent of fascism that we may refer to as Trumpism. Under Trumpism, the United States appears poised to continue to depress the
wages of workers, to dismantle what is left of our social safety net, to suppress dissent in violation of the Constitution, and to mobilize racism,
scapegoating minorities, who are threatened with mass deportation or worse, and who are already experiencing an uptick in hate crimes. We should not
underestimate what a grave threat Trumpism represents to our democratic norms, constitutional checks and balances, the rule of law, and human and
constitutional rights.
In light of this grave domestic and international threat, The Resistance Party has formed to defend and advocate democratic norms, the rule of law, and
human and constitutional rights in the United States. The Resistance Party will organize on behalf of progressive causes and candidates, leading efforts
to resist the assault on our rights and norms that Trumpism is sure to bring.
We have serious reason to doubt that the 2016 election was fully free and fair. Whether or not Russian hacking of voting machines affected vote tallies—
in a press conference given on December 16, 2016, President Barack Obama declared there is no evidence of this—US intelligence agencies have
confirmed that Russia was behind the DNC hack that, along with FBI Director James Comey’s intervention (a possible violation of the Hatch Act), did
considerable damage to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign. We know also that Russians hacked the RNC as well, but did not
leak any information; that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself had a hand in deciding how the hacked material would be used; and that Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and James Comey suppressed this information during the election cycle.
In addition, undemocratic (if not illegal) gerrymandering and voter suppression during the first presidential election after the gutting of the Voting Rights
Act by the Roberts Court further contributed to providing a radicalized, anti-democratic GOP with disproportionate power at a time when the Democratic
candidate, Hillary Clinton, won the popular vote by over 2.8 million votes.
Despite this popular defeat, the realities of Trump’s transition give every indication that he is not only planning to govern as if he has a mandate, but also
to run roughshod over our rights and norms and the rule of law. Patriotic Americans—the anti-Trumpist majority—must not stand for this. The Resistance
Party is committed to defending our Republic against this vicious, anti-American attack, but we do not only define ourselves against Trumpism. While we
are committed to working in the domestic context with the broadest anti-Trumpist coalition possible, including reasonable anti-Trumpist conservatives, in
defending the progress our country has made in civil rights, and in the international context with the global Resistance movement against fascism, we
also stand for a broad progressive vision for America that may be described as democratic socialism.
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OUR
GOALS
The Resistance Party stands for:
Free and fair elections
Currently we support a full investigation of irregularities and Russian involvement in the 2016 election. Looking ahead, we call for an end to partisan
gerrymandering; the restoration of the Voting Rights Act; nationwide early voting; expansion of voting locations, particularly in lower income and primarily
minority neighborhoods; and the overturning of Citizens United. Election Day should be a national holiday. In addition, The Resistance Party supports the
abolition of the undemocratic Electoral College and its replacement with a national popular vote for president. Paper ballots should be used for voting
nationwide, allowing for transparent recounting and auditing when there are serious questions, as there are for the 2016 election cycle, regarding the
integrity of an election.
Economic fairness
It is well documented that substantial economic inequality, such as we face in the United States, erodes trust and fosters social tension. It is equally well
documented that inequality, in terms of both wealth and income, has expanded rapidly in the United State in recent decades, with the top 1% now taking
from 18%-23% of US income and holding 33%-2% of US wealth, according to estimates from 2015 and 2016. The Resistance Party supports policies
designed to reverse this corrosive trend, including but not limited to robustly progressive taxation with increased marginal rates on families earning over
$250,000 per year; increasing the capital gains tax to 20%; increasing the top rate for the estate tax to 50% and lowering the estate tax exemption
threshold from $5.45 million to $2.5 million.
Racial justice
We must work together to end white supremacy in America, a reality that precedes Trumpism and that has persisted despite civil rights gains. Trumpism
appears poised to make white supremacy even more explicit and entrenched in American society, as is clear from its “law and order” rhetoric. The
Resistance Party supports Black Lives Matter and opposes racial discrimination in law enforcement and the unjust and unaccountable targeting of
numerous black and brown lives by a racist system of policing.
Native American rights
We are committed to supporting Native Americans in the face of injustice from the United States’ government and corporations, as well as protections of
Native American lands. While the Dakota Access Pipeline battle has been won for now—a testimony to the power of persistent grassroots protest—
continued vigilance will be absolutely necessary under Trumpism.
Accountable, just, community-centered law enforcement
Too often, American law enforcement protects the powerful and not only fails to protect the vulnerable, but actually preys on the vulnerable, as sources
such as the Justice Department’s report “Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department” document. The Resistance Party supports initiatives and
policies designed to make policing more equitable and community-centered, including but not limited to the increased involvement of special
prosecutors in investigations of police misconduct; mandated bias and sensitivity training for all officers and initiatives designed to create positive
interactions with the community and to prevent needless violence against people of color and the disabled; and consistent national data collection on
local law enforcement and increased federal oversight of local law enforcement. State and federal laws that would shift law enforcement toward the
protection of the vulnerable should also be passed. For example, the “War on Drugs” must end, and sex work should not be criminalized.
Women’s equality
The gender pay gap is not yet overcome, and women continue to suffer disproportionately from sexual harassment and workplace discrimination and to
be expected to perform a disproportionate amount of domestic and emotional labor. In addition, women suffer disproportionately from domestic violence
and continue to be adversely affected by an all too pervasive rape culture. The Resistance Party supports policies and initiatives designed to rectify these
situations, including but not limited to the stricter enforcement of Title IX at American universities and colleges; initiatives designed to encourage women
to enter disproportionately male fields, particularly in science and technology; and initiatives designed to increase women’s representation in local, state
and federal political institutions. In addition, we call for state mandated paid parental leave, allowing both fathers and mothers to take time off work for
parenting.
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LGBTQ rights
The Resistance Party calls for an end to all discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identification in housing, benefits, healthcare, and all other
aspects of American society. Public accommodation must be equal. This is the majority position in America and the only decent, patriotic and
humanitarian position. Nationwide protections in terms of employment and housing must be passed. We oppose attempts to create exemptions for
“religious” businesses (we also contend that corporations should not be regarded as persons), such as state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Acts
(RFRAs). We will defend Obergefell v. Hodges and will push for the expansion of transgender rights, including bathroom access.
Equitable, sensible immigration policies
The Resistance Party supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been living in the US and contributing to our economy and
culture. Congress should pass the DREAM Act and consider other similar measures. We also call upon the US to take a leading role in resettling Syrian
refugees. Irresponsible suggestions that our vetting process is insufficient should stop.
Separation of church and state (which provides for equitable religious freedom)
The Resistance Party opposes federal and state sponsorship for the propagation of religious beliefs. Schools that teach young earth creationism as
science, for example, should not be eligible for federal or state funding, and religious organizations that contract with the government must be bound by
the same non-discrimination rules that apply to all other federal contractors. Such measures actually enhance religious freedom, properly understood.
The Right has perniciously reframed “religious freedom” to mean freedom for white Christians to dominate the rest of American society. This must not
stand. It must be no more difficult for a community of Muslims to establish a mosque than it is for a community of Christians to establish a church. In the
current environment, The Resistance Party opposes the “First Amendment Defense Act” (FADA), a power grab for conservative Christians with an
Orwellian name that in fact promotes discrimination, particularly against members of the LGBTQ community (including LGBTQ Christians—right-wing
Christians do not have a monopoly on the religion). Religious freedom must entail equal freedom for people of all confessions and no confession.
Sustainability
The Resistance Party supports pro-environment policies that will move the United States toward sustainability and help to mitigate the global crisis
caused by climate change. The US should stand by its commitment to the 2016 Paris Agreement. In addition, the federal government should end
favorable treatment for the fossil fuel industry and focus on subsidizing green energy technologies, such as wind and solar.
Universal, genuinely affordable, quality healthcare
The Resistance Party calls for the implementation of a single payer, state-managed healthcare system. Pragmatically, we may support any policies that
move us in the direction of eliminating the corrupting force of for-profit insurance (for example, insurance reform making a public option available to all
Americans). In addition, we call for price controls on pharmaceuticals, which may be worked out by bringing all stakeholders to the table. Price gouging
by pharmaceutical giants and their investors must no longer be allowed to stand.
Abortion access and women’s healthcare
The Resistance Party believes that decisions regarding contraception and abortion should be made by affected persons in consultation with medical
professionals. We oppose efforts to restrict a woman’s right to choose.
Disability rights and accessibility
The Resistance Party recognizes that the members of the disabled community regularly face discrimination and are not afforded the accommodations to
which they are legally entitled under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.) They face discrimination in the workplace and the criminal justice system.
They are also often denied access to housing. This must stop. The Resistance Party supports local, state, and federal initiatives to increase disability
access and to end discrimination against the disabled. We view Social Security Disability Insurance as an essential part of our social safety net that
should be well-funded and accessible without undue burden. In addition, we support government investment in programs providing job training,
education, and placement for people with disabilities.
Fair incomes for workers
Setting a national minimum wage that is a living wage is not only humane, but also more simulative to the economy than allowing those at the top to
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control the vast majority of the nation's wealth. The Resistance Party backs the Fight for $15 and in fact would call for an even higher minimum wage.
According to a 2013 study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the minimum wage would have reached $21.72 in 2012 if it had kept pace
with increases in worker productivity.
Stronger schools and affordable education
The Resistance Party calls for a more equitable distribution of funding to America’s public schools and opposes voucher programs that funnel money into
private schools that may have poor standards, such as schools that teach creationism as science. In the same vein, The Resistance Party believes that
America must find a way to make college education affordable for all qualified students. Our current level of student indebtedness is a moral failure and
unsustainable.
Policy based on sound science and reliable information
The Resistance Party opposes all manifestations of post-truth politics as toxic and antithetical to American values. Facts are facts, and the denial of facts
represents an anti-democratic politicization of knowledge and is a historical tactic and hallmark of fascism. The scientific consensus on such matters as
climate change must be recognized by politicians and the federal bureaucracy as fact. Selecting, for example, a climate charge denier to head the EPA
will never be acceptable.
OUR
VISION
The threat of Trumpism to American’s institutions and norms, and, indeed, to democracy itself, must not be underestimated. Sustained grassroots
pressure represents our best hope of staving off the worst. While dark days surely lie ahead, we in The Resistance Party will join with the patriotic majority
of Americans in raising a loud voice and exerting political pressure in support of an alternative vision—one of a just, equitable, tolerant, humane, and
multicultural America, an America that works for all the people, not just the wealthiest among us, and an America that exhibits real global leadership, as
opposed to abdicating our international responsibilities amid tough talk of “deal making.” We must never forget that it is our vision, and not that of the
anti-democratic Trumpists, that embodies true American values.
Written by Christopher Stroop
Copyright © The Resistance Party 2016
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