Social Policy Committee
A new committee in the Upper Valley League, it will work to implement positions of the LWV of the United States which aim to:
- Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all.
- Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans
We are currently examining transportation issues in the Upper Valley and recent developments in the No Child Left Behind Law. Barbara Taylor, who chairs this committee, spoke on the history and effects of this act in the fall of 2004. A summary of her remarks is on another page of this web site: No Child Left Behind Law.
If you would like to meet with this committee, let us know: voterinfo@uppervalleyleague.org
Overview of LWVUS Social Policy Positions
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
- Equal Rights: Support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and efforts to bring laws into compliance with the goals of the ERA.
- Education, Employment, Housing: Support equal access to education, employment and housing.
FISCAL POLICY
- Tax Policy: Support adequate, flexible funding of federal government programs through an equitable tax system that is progressive overall and that relies primarily on a broad-based income tax; promote responsible deficit policies; support a federal role in providing mandatory, universal, old-age, survivors, disability and health insurance.
- Federal Deficit: Promote responsible deficit policies.
- Funding of Entitlements: Support a federal role in providing mandatory, universal, old-aage, survivors, disability and health insurance.
HEALTH CARE
- Promote a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs.
MEETING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS
- Support programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families.
- Income Assistance: Support income assistance programs, based on need, that provide decent, adequate standards for food, clothing and shelter.
- Support Services: Provide for essential support services.
- Housing Supply: Support policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.
CHILD CARE
- Support programs, services and policies, at all levels of government to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it.
EARLY INTERVENTIION FOR CHILDREN AT RISK
- Support policies and programs that promote the well being, development and safety of all children.
VIOLENCE PREVENTION
- Support violence prevention programs in all communities.
GUN CONTROL
- Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons. Support regulation of firearms for consumer safety.
URBAN POLICY
- Promote economic health of cities and improve the quality of urban life.