Pubdate: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 Source: Des Moines Register (IA) Copyright: 2008 The Des Moines Register. Contact: http://desmoinesregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123 Author: Carol Hunter Note: Carol Hunter Is Editorial-Page Editor. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) WHAT IOWA PARTIES BELIEVE: IT JUST MIGHT SURPRISE YOU When the Democrats and Republicans crown their parties' nominees at national conventions this week and next, they will also adopt party platforms. The principles outlined in those platforms will explain a lot about why there's so much gridlock in Congress. These people don't agree on much. The differences are perhaps even greater in the parties' state platforms, which address national issues but also include a host of Iowa issues where approaches diverge. Both Iowa party platforms are worth a skim for anyone interested in state policy and politics. Sometimes candidates on the stump can start sounding the same. But the Iowa platforms set forth unequivocally the principles each party stakes out as its own. They also shed light on which ideologies are gaining strength or ebbing within each party, and what issues state legislators are likely to push in the next session. The Iowa Republican Party platform bears the unmistakable stamp of the social conservatives who have gained control of party leadership. The Iowa Democratic Party platform pays careful devotion to the wishes of teachers and other union members who form one of its most active constituencies. If either platform were adopted in whole, operations of the federal and state government would change a lot - and so would life for Iowans. In their drive to limit government, Iowa Republicans would abolish the Internal Revenue Service and the federal departments of agriculture, education, energy and homeland security. They would replace the Social Security system with private accounts and also privatize Medicare. They favor withdrawing from the United Nations. Iowa Democrats would make health care a constitutional right, cut Pentagon spending by a minimum of 15 percent, allow terminally ill patients to commit suicide with physician-prescribed medications, legalize marijuana, impose a moratorium on constructing new state prisons and extend the state bottle bill to all drink containers. How the platforms are written says a lot, too. The Republican platform repeatedly pays homage to religion. Its first four words are, "With trust in God," and it expresses "respect for the Judeo-Christian ethic." Its first plank: a right to life. Democrats make their commitment to labor crystal clear. In this past legislative session, Democrats were stung by public backlash to an effort to expand issues that are subject to collective bargaining. There's no missing the issue's emphasis in this year's platform. The writers separate it out ahead of the usual listing of issues, saying the party "reaffirms its 34-year commitment to labor by supporting 'broad scope' in collective bargaining in the strongest possible terms." Beyond the expected standoffs over hot-button social issues such as abortion, the death penalty and gay marriage, here's a sampling of other differences, federal and state: BULLYING [A 2007 law supported by Gov. Chet Culver requires school boards to include sexual orientation and gender identity in anti-bullying policies.] - Republicans: "We strongly oppose Governor Culver's 'Bully Bill' " ... Democrats: "We support enforcement of statewide 'anti-bully law.'" CLIMATE CHANGE - Republicans: "We are highly skeptical of the scientific claims regarding 'Global Warming' and demand that any government actions taken in regards to them must be based upon sound scientific evidence." Democrats: "We support financing research through a carbon tax... [a] cap on carbon emissions and the trade on carbon credits ... a moratorium on new coal power plants." EDUCATION/RELIGION - Republicans: "We believe the biblical account of Creation and the supporting scientific arguments should be presented to all students as part of a well-rounded curriculum." ... "We support voluntary prayer in government schools and the use of the Bible as a textbook." Democrats: "We support separation of church and state." GUNS: Republicans: "We strongly believe in the Second Amendment..." ."We believe public school buildings should not restrict possession of firearms for those legally possessing a concealed-carry permit." Democrats: "We support fair, responsible and reasonable gun control." HEALTH CARE - Republicans: "We support consumer-based/nongovernment solutions to our health-care needs." Democrats: "We support a national, universal, single-payer health-insurance program." MINIMUM WAGE - Republicans: "We call for the repeal of all mandatory minimum-wage laws." Democrats: "We support 'living wage' as minimum wage." SMOKING BAN - Republicans: "We believe that all individuals and business owners have the freedom to choose the quality of air in their home and establishments." Democrats: "We support statewide public smoking ban ... " TAXES - Republicans: "We support the repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution [authorizing the income tax], the elimination of the IRS and replacing all federal income taxes with a fairer tax system." Democrats: "We support taxing all income fairly and relying on a simplified, progressive income tax." But just when a reader falls into a rhythm of pinging back and forth between polar-opposite positions, surprising agreement emerges. Democrats back a $250,000 limit on farm subsidies. Perhaps to the dismay of Farm Bureau-cap-wearing Republicans, their platform goes further, opposing "any and all federal agricultural subsidies." Similarly, it's not surprising that Democrats support local control for siting of livestock confinements. But to the consternation of some members of the state platform committee, the Republicans also adopted language stating: "We support local control of agricultural zoning practices." On one of the state's most vexing, long-running conflicts, might that offer a glimmer of hope for common ground? - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake