Civil Rights Issues

Support legislation guaranteeing every citizen equal rights, regardless of sexual preference. Support legislation outlawing discrimination based upon an individual’s sexual preference.

Oppose any definition of civil marriage that restricts eligibility based on sexual orientation. The Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) will work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and support the right of all citizens to civil marriage.

Pursue legislation to establish as rights a living wage for all workers and health care for every citizen, including children.

Foster an atmosphere that prizes diversity as a gift, rather than a threat.

Re-establish our nation as a strong, respected equal among nations, working to make war a sad and evermore distant nightmare.

Call for an immediate repeal of the Patriot Act.

Commit the DPNM to protect the privacy of New Mexican citizens in their health decisions, e.g., the right-to-die and women’s reproductive choices. Affirm that neither the President nor Congress has the right to interfere with such choices.

Call on all levels of government and elected representatives to examine, in light of American ethos and tradition, the manner in which Americans (regardless of economic status, ethnic origin, or religious heritage), foreign visitors, detainees of the “War on Terror”, and prisoners in American jails are treated. Take steps to improve our government’s respect for human rights. Demand that the United States abide by the Geneva Conventions in the conduct of war, that the citizens of nations who do not conform to those accords be treated as war criminals, and that the US military or any of our nation’s intelligence agencies never torture prisoners or detainees.

Revise usury laws, so that all loans, including payday, automobile title, and other small consumer loans, reflect reasonable interest rates, provide for extended repayment schedules, and limit the number of permitted loan rollovers.