It's crunch time - let's start writing party resolutions!

I'll even suggest the first resolution to write up. How about a resolution that would outlaw forcing all potential homeowners in Texas to submit to mandatory arbitration instead of lawsuits if something goes wrong with their homes?

You can download the resolution in Adobe pdf format here.

And you can get talking points and other information at the Clean Elections Texas section of TCAN.

Get it done!

Sonia

WHEREAS, it is a common practice for homebuilders in the State of Texas to include mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts to purchase new homes, and

WHEREAS, such mandatory arbitration clauses prevent homeowners from taking builders to court in order to settle disputes, and

WHEREAS, arbitrators that are appointed to settle disputes between homeowners and builders are not required to adhere to Texas state law when formulating and issuing their rulings, and

WHEREAS, arbitrators in homeowners’ disputes can issue rulings that a public court of law may find poorly reasoned, and

WHEREAS, arbitrators are not required by Texas state law to provide reasons or justification for their rulings, and

WHEREAS, arbitrators in homeowners’ disputes have a vested interest in siding with the builders that render their services mandatory through the use of binding arbitration clauses, thus putting homeowners at a legal and ethical disadvantage when trying to argue disputes with builders,

NOW, BE IT RESOLVED by the Democratic Delegates of ________ County Precinct ____ that the Texas Democratic Party shall make all diligent efforts to eliminate the signing of any mandatory arbitration clauses that bypass state and federal courts as a prerequisite to purchasing a home in the State of Texas.

Yes. Here it is:

Access to Justice
Democrats believe our legal system serves as the bedrock that protects and guarantees the rights
and freedoms. Democrats believe that instead of taking the law into their own hands, all people
must have full access to the courts and equal treatment before the law, with confidence that their
grievances will be fairly adjudicated.
• Open access to the court system guaranteed by the Texas Constitution, the right to fair
and impartial jury trials and respect by courts for jury verdicts
;
,
• Protection for Texans from unreasonable limitations on access to the justice system,
including mandatory arbitration proceedings;

I might want to see stronger language in the 2008 TDP platform against mandatory arbitration clauses, but this is very encouraging, indeed.

Great writeup

"Equal justice for all," indeed. Allowing the mentally ill to languish in prison without even receiving assessment, let alone treatment, is not what I would consider justice - merely neglect.

& adding "sexual orientation" to it?

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex (or sexual orientation).
bullet Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
bullet Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.


RIP Alice Paul

dg

ERA advocates rights regardless of your gender or physiology. Assuming that someone had no sexual orientation or attractions whatsoever, that person would still be due full equality of rights under the law.

Just a thought...

gay marriage

dg

:hi:

unions) do not allow arbitration clauses?

If it ain't good enough for Freddie and Fannie, it ain't good enough for Texans!

Also, require the county to buy your property at their appraised value at the option of the homeowner; or,
Proposition 13 type real estate taxes.
Stop the TTC. No private ownership of highways.

the right to keep and bear arms isnt about hunting.

I think it's a great idea, but it didn't make it through the precinct convention last time around. Maybe I can try again this year, but I don't want to waste everyone's time unless I know there's someone who will at least move and second it. We're gonna have a bunch of resolutions to consider as it is - I can feel it in my bones.

Here's a site you might want to take a peek at:

http://www.a2dems.net/campaign2008/gondwana.htm

How about a TX constitutional amendment that private property can not be seized they eminent domain to benefit a CORPORATION?

Very good idea.

And, of course, I'm always support legalizing medical Marijuana.

If anyone wants to draft a resolution, it has to have a bunch of "whereas" stuff in it.

The format is:
"Whereas...(statement)

"Whereas...(statement--and so forth, until you have a good list of "whereas-es")

"Be it resolved..." (add statement about what you want to come from all the "whereas-es")

Anyone want to try one on eminent domain?

From our Travis County Democratic Party newsletter, but this site is good for anyone in Texas.

CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS
This is the time of year that many Democrats present resolutions in the
hopes of addressing a specific issue and gathering support from like-minded
Democrats around that particular issue. For tips on how to write a
resolution, please click the following link from the Texas Library
Association:
http://www.txla.org/html/docs/writing.html

:dem:


Sonia

THE RESTORATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY ACT


WHEREAS, The activist courts have interpreted the law to place Corporate "Rights" above private property right of people.


WHEREAS, some individuals have planned to grab our public assets in the form of roads and brides and private property to build a private toll road




NOW, BE IT RESOLVED by the Democratic Delegates of ________ County Precinct ____ that the Texas Democratic Party shall make all diligent efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to the constitution of the state of Texas declaring Eminent Domain may in no way be used to take Private Property for the benefit of any private Corporation in the State of Texas.

If you haven't read the story yet, observe:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0214gr-diorama0214-ON.html

The Gilbert Highland High community (From Arizona - d) is outraged that a diorama they helped build has been destroyed after Texas museum officials said it was historically inaccurate.

The 10- by 5-foot diorama of the Battle at Palmetto Ranch, the last land battle of the Civil War, was shipped in August to the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry in Austin to be on display along with four other dioramas built by Gilbert students...

The museum, which belongs to the Texas National Guard, had a change of leadership, and the new director, Jeff Hunt, told Frakes in November that the diorama was historically inaccurate and that he had dismantled it.

Hunt wrote his master's thesis on the Palmetto Ranch battle and also wrote the book The Last Battle of the Civil War: Palmetto Ranch, which Frakes said he and his students used as a guide while constructing the diorama.

Your thoughts?

I submit the following resolution for your review, comments, and utilization:

A RESOLUTION
OPPOSING PARDON FOR PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION

Precinct #____________

Senatorial District #__________

____________ County, State of Texas


WHEREAS, in the conduct of the office of President of the United States, George Walker Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has planned, prepared, and conspired to commit crimes against the peace by leading the United States into an undeclared and aggressive war against Iraq in violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, the Nuremberg Charter, Judgment, and Principles, the Kellogg-Brand Pact, U.S. Army Field Manual 27-10 (1956), numerous other international treaties and agreements, and the Constitution of the United States, and

WHEREAS, in pursuit of an undeclared and aggressive war against Iraq, has committed the United States to acts of war without Congressional consent and contrary to the United Nations Charter and international law, and

WHEREAS, in pursuit of an undeclared and aggressive war against Iraq, George Walker Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States, and

WHEREAS, George Walker Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office, and

WHEREAS, in pursuit of an undeclared and aggressive war against Iraq, George Walker Bush was knowingly and consciously rendered material and logistic aid and assistance by Richard Bruce Cheney, in the conduct of the office of Vice President of the United States, and

WHEREAS, Richard Bruce Cheney, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office, and

WHEREAS, in pursuit of an undeclared and aggressive war against Iraq, George Walker Bush was knowingly and consciously rendered material and logistic aid and assistance by Donald Henry Rumsfeld, in the conduct of the office of Secretary of Defense of the United States,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the nominee designated by the Democratic Party of the United States of America to run for the office of President of the United States in 2008 shall in no wise grant, issue, or offer any Presidential pardon or amnesty of any form to George Walker Bush, Richard Bruce Cheney, or Donald Henry Rumsfeld, on an individual basis or in any collective designation of the aforementioned persons.

Adopted by Precinct # _______ in Senatorial District # _____

of ____________ County, ____________ on March 4, 2008.

_____________________________

Precinct Chair # ________________

_________________ County, State of Texas

Hope you'll consider using it, too! :hi:

The Burnt Orange Report thread has a bunch of the ones from this thread plus others. It's easy to find as it's also linked to the top right hand corner of BOR, all the way through the election.

Make sure you download these 4 new resolutions if you can. Each of them can be downloaded from the Texas Campaign for the Environment website here.

Let's get it done!

Sonia

Resolutions for Texas PCT conventions

They also have a very handy write up - what to do with your resolutions at your convention

More at link above.


Sonia