Posted on Jul 26, 2016
This is the Democrats' plan for strengthening America's military
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PHILADELPHIA — The Democratic platform approved by party leaders this week calls for strengthening the military through “predictable” funding, less dependence on defense contractors and better protections for minorities.
Like the GOP platform approved in Cleveland last week, the document is not a strict guideline for the remaining months of the campaign but instead a general outline of party priorities and goals for the next four years.
But unlike the Republican platform, the Democratic platform does mention GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump multiple times, calling his campaign's statements and policies dangerous for America.
“Donald Trump has called our military ‘a disaster,’” one section reads. “We reject that view of our brave men and women serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. They perform admirably while sacrificing immeasurably.”
The platform states that “America must continue to have the strongest military in the world” but stops short of calling for significant defense funding hikes favored by conservatives.
Instead, it calls for leaders to “prioritize military readiness by making sure our active, reserve and National Guard components remain the best trained and equipped in the world.” It backs repealing defense budget caps passed by Congress in 2011, an elusive compromise for lawmakers over the last five years.
Authors also included a mandatory audit of the Pentagon in the platform, and a vow to “end waste in the defense budget.” Overall, Democrats are backing a “a more agile and flexible force” promoted by President Barack Obama during his time in office.
The platform specifically rejects any ban on immigrants on the basis of religion, as Trump has promised on the campaign trail.
It also promotes diversity as a strength of the American military.
“We are proud of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” it states, a reference to the law, approved during Bill Clinton's tenure at president, prohibiting openly gay troops from serving in the military. “We are also proud of the opening of combat positions to women. Our military is strongest when people of all races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities are honored for their service to our country.”
To that end, Democratic leaders call for “addressing the scourge of military sexual assault” by bolstering prosecutions and enhancing treatment services for victims.
The platform calls for supporting military families “with jobs, education, childcare and health care.”
“We will promote family-friendly policies and champion efforts to care for our military family members, especially for the spouses and children who have to rebuild their lives after the loss of a loved one or life-altering injury or disability,” the document states.
The platform pledges to deal with terrorism, naming the Islamic State group specifically, but also promises more generally to “strengthen our homeland security, deal wisely and firmly with those who seek to imperil America or our partners, deter aggression, and promote peace.”
The full platform is available at the Democratic party’s website.
Follow @LeoShane
Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at [login to see] .
Like the GOP platform approved in Cleveland last week, the document is not a strict guideline for the remaining months of the campaign but instead a general outline of party priorities and goals for the next four years.
But unlike the Republican platform, the Democratic platform does mention GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump multiple times, calling his campaign's statements and policies dangerous for America.
“Donald Trump has called our military ‘a disaster,’” one section reads. “We reject that view of our brave men and women serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. They perform admirably while sacrificing immeasurably.”
The platform states that “America must continue to have the strongest military in the world” but stops short of calling for significant defense funding hikes favored by conservatives.
Instead, it calls for leaders to “prioritize military readiness by making sure our active, reserve and National Guard components remain the best trained and equipped in the world.” It backs repealing defense budget caps passed by Congress in 2011, an elusive compromise for lawmakers over the last five years.
Authors also included a mandatory audit of the Pentagon in the platform, and a vow to “end waste in the defense budget.” Overall, Democrats are backing a “a more agile and flexible force” promoted by President Barack Obama during his time in office.
The platform specifically rejects any ban on immigrants on the basis of religion, as Trump has promised on the campaign trail.
It also promotes diversity as a strength of the American military.
“We are proud of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” it states, a reference to the law, approved during Bill Clinton's tenure at president, prohibiting openly gay troops from serving in the military. “We are also proud of the opening of combat positions to women. Our military is strongest when people of all races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities are honored for their service to our country.”
To that end, Democratic leaders call for “addressing the scourge of military sexual assault” by bolstering prosecutions and enhancing treatment services for victims.
The platform calls for supporting military families “with jobs, education, childcare and health care.”
“We will promote family-friendly policies and champion efforts to care for our military family members, especially for the spouses and children who have to rebuild their lives after the loss of a loved one or life-altering injury or disability,” the document states.
The platform pledges to deal with terrorism, naming the Islamic State group specifically, but also promises more generally to “strengthen our homeland security, deal wisely and firmly with those who seek to imperil America or our partners, deter aggression, and promote peace.”
The full platform is available at the Democratic party’s website.
Follow @LeoShane
Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at [login to see] .
This is the Democrats' plan for strengthening America's military
Posted from armytimes.comPosted in these groups: 
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Posted >1 y ago
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No surprise that the democrat party would start out by creating divisions by stating they want "less dependence on defense contractors and better protections for minorities" SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
As is typical the democrat platform does not attempt to unify the military service members who represent the USA from all backgrounds. Instead it focuses on differences such as "Our military is strongest when people of all races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities are honored for their service to our country.” I expect if HRC is elected she would institute a quota system by another name to ensure there are adequate representations of "religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities" throughout the military services. There has been significant diversity in races, ethnicities, faiths for many decades with women serving in the military since WWII. Granted there have been periods of problems over the decades but by focusing on Army green for instance as opposed to skin color great gains were made.
As is typical the democrat platform does not attempt to unify the military service members who represent the USA from all backgrounds. Instead it focuses on differences such as "Our military is strongest when people of all races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities are honored for their service to our country.” I expect if HRC is elected she would institute a quota system by another name to ensure there are adequate representations of "religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities" throughout the military services. There has been significant diversity in races, ethnicities, faiths for many decades with women serving in the military since WWII. Granted there have been periods of problems over the decades but by focusing on Army green for instance as opposed to skin color great gains were made.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL As pointed out, this is not strict guidance, just a general outline of their alleged priorities and goals. My opinion is that it is simply campaign BS that will be deleted as quickly as Hillary's e-mails if she is elected, except for the continued social experimentation foisted on the military by the liberals, without regard to the impact on morale and mission accomplishment. All one need do to see through this BS is to look at history to see how liberals support the military.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL ,
Interesting. Build up after a tear down. Thanks for the share.
Interesting. Build up after a tear down. Thanks for the share.
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SFC William Farrell
They lie, cheat and steal SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM! Im just hoping its not Billary!
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