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EXECUTIVE STATEMENT
I. The objective of the Miami Dade
County Cuban America Club is to organize
Miami's Cuban American Democrats and their allies in support of the Democratic Party,
its elected officials and candidates. Support for the party will be done through
organized political action including, raising of funds, election campaigning, voter
registration drives, Election Day logistical support, letter writing and other organized
political activities.
II. The Miami Dade County Cuban
American Democratic Club will also serve as a forum to discuss issues and promote
Democratic party policy on issues of specific concern to the Cuban American community
including US- Cuban relations. The Club will also be responsible for recruiting
and preparing members to run for elected office and leadership roles within the
Democratic Party.
I. UNITED STATES - CUBAN RELATIONS
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1. Under the difficult times that our country of origin is suffering and the succession of power now taking place in Cuba since July of last year we the Cuban American Democrats of Miami Dade county support all individuals and organizations in Cuba who seek a peaceful transition towards a democratic society with free multi party elections, the establishment of the rule of law and the respect of an individuals human rights.
2. Firmly believing that family visits by Cuban American citizens and Cuban born US residents is an important part of building bridges and opening doors between the Cuban immigrant population in the United States and the people of the island we demand that the restrictions of travel once every three years placed on family travel imposed by the Bush administration in 2004 be lifted. Furthermore, we reiterate that the Cuban government does not allow its citizens to enter or exit the country without a permit, and repeal the migratory category of final exit established in Cuba. It is imperative that both governments minimize the negative effects of the conflict on their populations for humanitarian reasons.
3. Besides the moral and spiritual support the Cuban American community can offer their families in Cuba, we also firmly demand that the restrictions of remittances of dollars to family members imposed in 2004 must be eliminated. Not only in the amount and frequency of the financial assistance but also in the strict definition of who are considered eligible family members. To date Cubans are the only immigrant group in the United States from the Caribbean or Latin Americans whose remittances to their families and friends in there countries of origin are restricted and these restrictions must be lifted.
4. We encourage principled travel to Cuba by American academics, artists' journalists and charitable organizations in "people to people" exchanges. These types of contacts foster the creation of independent civil society and the understandings between countries. To insure the legitimate goals of such trips a licensing procedure should be established
MIAMI-
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1. There is a revolution in public opinion and in the mass media today in Miami. The monopoly over radio and opinion held by the traditional views of US- Cuban Relations are giving away. Progressive exile leaders, together with Mariel exodus generation leaders, recently arrived Cuban immigrants and the US born generations are increasing their role in the public arena. Thus we encourage diversity of opinion and a greater respect for freedom of expression in Miami.
2. Recent Corruption scandals in Miami Dade have been a national embarrassment. Greater resources should be provided to law enforcement agencies investigating public corruption as well as Florida state attorneys responsible for prosecuting those charged with violating the public trust. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigations should also be invited to conduct independent investigations in the county when conflicts of interest arise. The Democratic Party must also be responsible for nominating candidates beyond reproach. The party needs to make public ethics education mandatory for nominated candidates.
IMMIGRATION-
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1. The US Democratically led Congress must pass legislation legalizing the status of the over 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country. A fair path to citizenship or invited worker status must be established. These requirements should not require the individual to leave the country or pay excessive fines.
2. To insure the orderly immigration of Cubans to the United States both the US Interest Section in Havana and the Cuban government need to expedite the processing of the allotted 20,000 annual immigration visas.
UNITED STATES LATIN AMERICAN CARIBBEAN FORIEGN POLICY ▲
The United States should continue to take a important leadership position in promoting democracy and free elections for the nations of the Western Hemisphere. American government agencies together with private enterprises need to continue to invest resources to further the economic development of the Americas and the Caribbean basin. US policy in the region should include negotiations for "fair" trade agreements and support for regional organizations such as the Organization of American States and Caricom.
MEDICAL SYSTEM-
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The United States is the only western industrialized country that does not offer its citizens universal access to medical treatment. The Federal Government along with State Governments must design a system to provide a subsidized minimum level of health care to all citizens and residents.
WAR IN IRAQ- ▲
The American people were led into the unjustified preemptive invasion of Iraq by the Bush Administration under false pretenses. We call on the democratically controlled Senate to immediately develop a strategy that will bring US troops home as quickly as reasonably policy.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE-
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Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning electrical plants, motor vehicles, deforestation and other human activity are increasing the worlds green house gases. Both the State of Florida and the responsible Federal agencies must formulate policy to help reverse the global warming trend that will have disastrous environmental effects planet wide. Automobile fuel efficiency and the development of clean renewable sources of energy must be a national, international and local priority.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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