Justin's Political Corner

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Democratic Party unveiled its formal 2012 platform on Monday night. And like its Republican counterpart, it is heavy on broad philosophical strokes about the direction in which the party wants to take the country, short on policy specifics and carefully worded on some of the more contentious issues.

Health Care: The party touts the achievements of the Affordable Care Act but pledges to keep building up reforms.

We will continue to stand up to Republicans working to take away the benefits and protections that are already helping millions of Americans every day. We refuse to go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your health policy, deny you coverage, or charge women more than men.

At the same time, the Affordable Care Act is not the end of efforts to improve health care for all Americans. Democrats will continue to fight for a strong health care workforce with an emphasis on primary care.

Medicare: The party appears undeterred by fact-checkers who claim it’s unfair to say Republicans will end the program as it’s currently conceived.

The Republican budget plan would end Medicare as we know it. Democrats adamantly oppose any efforts to privatize or voucherize Medicare…

Unions: The Democrats give a hug to Big Labor.

Democrats believe that the right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value.

Immigration Reform: The party reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive plan beyond the Dream Act.

Democrats know there is broad consensus to repair that system and strengthen our economy, and that the country urgently needs comprehensive immigration reform that brings undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and requires them to get right with the law, learn English, and pay taxes in order to get on a path to earn citizenship.

Abortion: Democrats support both the right to choose and the funding of providers.

Democrats will continue to stand up to Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health centers.

We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right. Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way

Gay Marriage: As expected, the party takes the plunge, offering its first formal support for same-sex marriage rights.

We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples. We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.

Guns: The party supports “regulation” in theory, albeit in carefully worded terms.

We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms.

Dem Platform

h/t: Sam Stein at HuffPo