Platform of the Progressive Democrats of St. Louis        The Progressive Democrats of St. Louis strive to promote progressive values on a  national, state and local level.  Our key issues are:   Campaign Finance Reform:  For democracy to work, we need publicly-funded elections to provide a level playing field for all candidates.    Election Reform:  We need to extend the Voting Rights Act and reform our electoral processes for fair, accessible and transparent voting.   Civil Rights and Equal Protection For All:  End discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.  Protect the right to privacy, including a woman’s right to choose.  Support repeal of the Patriot Act.   Environment:  Make corporations comply with tough environmental standards to prevent pollution of our earth and water.   Alternative Energy:  The U.S. must invest in clean, safe, and sustainable alternative energy sources to reduce its dependence on foreign oil.   Education:  Support high quality education for all children, not dependent on where they are born or financial status, and offer affordable daycare and post-secondary education.  Bring an end to “No Child Left Behind” and the high-stakes testing as the single measure of performance.   Healthcare:  Every American is entitled to affordable, high quality healthcare under a single-payer plan, which also includes mental and dental heath and prescription drugs.  This is far less expensive than our current system and covers all people.  Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.   Economic Justice:  Break up monopolies of agriculture, energy,  and media.  Preserve Social Security for all Americans, protect pensions, and restore corporate accountability.  End corporate welfare.   Restore taxes on corporations and support a fair and progressive tax structure for individuals.  End tax give-aways to the wealthiest few percent.  Ensure working families can live above the poverty line by supporting a living wage.    Fair Trade:  The U.S. should withdraw from treaties like NAFTA,  CAFTA, and the WTO, which undermine workers’ rights, human rights, and environmental principles.   Peace and Diplomacy:  Renew a commitment to rebuild alliances around the world and to restore our international respect.  Retire the doctrine of pre-emption, cut unnecessary Pentagon spending, develop a plan to end the occupation of Iraq, and bring our troops home as soon as possible.  Create a U.S. Department of Peace, which would address these issues.