Notes
 

• The analysis summarized in this document was intended for use and distribution by Well Versed Ministries
• The quotes contained in the first two columns are from the 2020 Democratic Party Platform and the 2016 Republican Party Platform (approved in its entirety for use in 2020), and addresses 22 separate topics
• Although many other topics are covered in the Party Platforms, these were chosen for their relevance to current electoral concerns
• Page numbers are provided at the end of each Party Platform quote for easy reference
• Biblical verse references are provided, that in principle, relate to the topic at hand and are intended to provide a foundation with which to evaluate the Party positions
• The English Standard Version is the reference Bible of choice for all selected scriptures
• Comments or questions are welcome. Researched by Frank Kacer (frankkacer@hotmail.com)

 

“Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe unequivocally … that every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion” (page 32).

“We will repeal the Title X domestic gag rule and restore federal funding for Planned Parenthood” (page 32)

“We believe that … access to reproductive care and abortion services, are vital to the empowerment of women and girls” (page 82).

“Democrats oppose and will fight to overturn federal and state laws that create barriers to reproductive health and rights. We will repeal the Hyde Amendment, and protect and codify the right to reproductive freedom” (page 32)

“Democrats oppose restrictions on medication abortion care that are inconsistent with the most recent medical and scientific evidence and that do not protect public health” (page 32)

“We strongly and unequivocally support the decision to have a child” (page 33)

“Like the majority of Americans, Democrats believe every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion. We oppose and will fight to overturn federal and state laws that create barriers to women’s reproductive health and rights, including by repealing the Hyde Amendment and protecting and codifying the right to reproductive freedom” (page 42)

We will support the repeal of the global gag rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy) and measures like the Helms Amendment, which limit safe access to abortion” (page 82)

“We oppose the use of public funds to perform or promote abortion or to fund organizations, like Planned Parenthood” (page 13)

“We thank and encourage providers of counseling, medical services, and adoption assistance for empowering women experiencing an unintended pregnancy to choose life” (page 14)

“We salute the many states that now protect women and girls through laws requiring informed consent, parental consent, waiting periods, and clinic regulation” (page 14)

“We oppose embryonic stem cell research. We oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research” (page 14)

“The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can “be deprived of life, liberty or property” deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that “all” are “endowed by their Creator” with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to children before birth” (page 13)

“We strongly oppose infanticide” (page 14)

“Over a dozen states have passed Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Acts prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks, the point at which current medical research shows that unborn babies can feel excruciating pain during abortions, and we call on Congress to enact the federal version” (page 14)

“Through Obamacare, the current Administration has promoted the notion of abortion as healthcare. We, however, affirm the dignity of women by protecting the sanctity of human life. Numerous studies have shown that abortion endangers the health and well-being of women, and we stand firmly against it” (page 36)

“American taxpayers should not be forced to fund abortion. We call for a permanent ban on federal funding and subsidies for abortion and healthcare plans that include abortion coverage” (page 37)

“We call for expanded support for the stem cell research that now offers the greatest hope for many afflictions — through adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and cells reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells — without the destruction of embryonic human life. We urge a ban on human cloning for research or reproduction, and a ban on the creation of, or experimentation on, human embryos for research. We applaud Congress’ ban on the FDA approval of research involving three-parent embryos. We believe the FDA’s approval of Mifeprex, a dangerous abortifacient formerly known as RU-486, threatens women’s health, as does the agency’s endorsement of over-the-counter sales of powerful contraceptives without a physician’s recommendation. We support cutting federal and state funding for entities that endanger women’s health by performing abortions in a manner inconsistent with federal or state law” (page 37,38)

“We oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment from people with disabilities, including newborns, the elderly, and infirm, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, which endanger especially those on the margins of society. We urge the Drug Enforcement Administration to restore its ban on the use of controlled substances for physician-assisted suicide” (page 39)

“We will use the full force of the law against those who engage in commercial sexual exploitation and forced or bonded labor of men, women, or children; involuntary domestic servitude; trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal; and the illegal recruitment and use of child soldiers” (page 53)

Every child is known personally by God, even before God created them in the womb (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

A child is made in the image of God from conception (Genesis 1:27)
A child is “fearfully and wonderfully made” from conception (Psalm 139:13-16)

Only God has the right to determine when the life of a child may be taken away (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Job 1:21)
All human life is to be protected, that includes the pre-born child (Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25)

The unborn child is not responsible for, and shouldn’t be punished for the sins of its parents (sexual immorality, incest, rape) (Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Chronicles 25:4; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 9:11)

Taking of innocent life must not be supported or encouraged in any way, but rather it must be shown for what it is (Ephesians 5:11)

Those that are the weakest among us (pre-born, infants, elderly, infirm, the suicidal) need to be protected and cared for, and not have their life taken from them (Proverbs 24:11-12)

Do not allow evil to be called good (Isaiah 5:20)

“We will appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices and federal judges who look like America, are committed to the rule of law, will uphold individual civil rights and civil liberties as essential components of a free and democratic society, and will respect and enforce foundational precedents, including Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade” (page 39)

“We believe the Constitution was written not as a flexible document, but as our enduring covenant” (page 1)

“A critical threat to our country’s constitutional order is an activist judiciary that usurps powers properly reserved to the people through other branches of government” (page 10)

“A new Republican president will restore to the Court a strong conservative majority that will follow the text and original meaning of the Constitution and our laws” (page10)

“Judicial activism that includes reliance on foreign law or unratified treaties undermines American sovereignty” (page 10)

“We salute the Republican Congress for defending the right to keep and bear arms by preventing the President from installing a new liberal majority on the Supreme Court. The confirmation to the Court of additional anti-gun justices would eviscerate the Second Amendment’s fundamental protections” (page 12)
 
“We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life” (page 13)

“Democrats celebrate America’s history of religious pluralism and Tolerance … as well as the paramount importance of maintaining the separation between church and state enshrined in our Constitution” (page 48)

“We will reject the Trump Administration’s use of broad religious exemptions to allow businesses, medical providers, social service agencies, and others to discriminate” (page 48)

“We will confront white nationalist terrorism and combat hate crimes perpetrated against religious minorities” (page 48)

“Democrats believe that freedom of religion and the right to believe—or not to believe—are fundamental human rights. We will never use protection of that right as a cover for discrimination” (page 84)

“Because of the vital role of religious organizations, charities, and fraternal benevolent societies in fostering generosity and patriotism, they should not be subject to taxation and donations to them should remain deductible” (page 2)

“Religious freedom in the Bill of Rights protects the right of the people to practice their faith in their everyday lives” (page 11)

“Ongoing attempts to compel individuals, businesses, and institutions of faith to transgress their beliefs are part of a misguided effort to undermine religion and drive it from the public square” (page 11)

“We value the right of America’s religious leaders to preach, and Americans to speak freely, according to their faith. Republicans believe the federal government, specifically the IRS, is constitutionally prohibited from policing or censoring speech based on religious convictions or beliefs, and therefore we urge the repeal of the Johnson Amendment” (page 11)

“We endorse the First Amendment Defense Act, Republican legislation in the House and Senate which will bar government discrimination against individuals and businesses for acting on the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman” (page 11)

“We support laws to confirm the longstanding American tradition that religious individuals and institutions can educate young people, receive government benefits, and participate in public debates without having to check their religious beliefs at the door” (page 11,12)

“The Free Exercise Clause is both an individual and a collective liberty protecting a right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. Therefore, we strongly support the freedom of Americans to act in accordance with their religious beliefs, not only in their houses of worship, but also in their everyday lives” (page 12)

“We support the public display of the Ten Commandments as a reflection of our history and our country’s Judeo-Christian heritage and further affirm the rights of religious students to engage in voluntary prayer at public school events and to have equal access to school facilities. We assert the First Amendment right of freedom of association for religious, private, service, and youth organizations to set their own membership standards” (page 12)

“We value the right of America’s churches, pastors, and religious leaders to preach and speak freely accord­ing to their faith. Republicans believe the federal government, specifically the IRS, is constitutionally prohibited from policing or censoring the speech of America’s churches, pastors, and religious lead­ers. We support repeal of the Johnson Amend­ment, which restricts First Amendment freedoms of all nonprofit organizations by prohibiting politi­cal speech” (page 27)

“We respect the rights of conscience of healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and organizations, especially the faith-based groups which provide a major portion of care for the nation and the needy. We support the ability of all organizations to provide, purchase, or enroll in healthcare coverage consistent with their religious, moral, or ethical convictions without discrimination or penalty” (page 37)

“We support the rights of conscience of military chaplains of all faiths to practice their faith free from political interference” (page 43)

“a Republican administration will return the advocacy of religious liberty to a central place in its diplomacy” (page 52)

We are to do what is right before the Lord, rather than what man thinks is right (Acts 4:19-20; 5: 29)

God condemns those who cause others to sin (Matthew 18:6; Luke 17:1-2)

Government is not to judge the conscience and actions of someone that is obeying God (Romans 14:4)

Compelling Christians to go against their convictions relating to personal or business matters is unjustifiably preventing them from glorifying God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Law is intended for good, and not to punish the just but rather the unjust (1 Timothy 1:8-10)

Government is instituted for our good (Romans 13:3-4), not to force believers to support what is evil

“Democrats will … restore nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS in health insurance, including coverage of all medically necessary care for gender transition. We will also take action to guarantee that LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV/AIDS have full access to needed health care and resources, including by requiring that federal health plans provide coverage for HIV/AIDS testing and treatment and HIV prevention medications like PrEP and PEP, gender confirmation surgery, and hormone therapy” (page 33)

“Democrats will fight to guarantee equal rights for women, including by ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment and at long last enshrining gender equality in the U.S. Constitution” (page 42)

“We will work to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not discriminated against when seeking to adopt or foster children, protect LGBTQ+ children from bullying and assault, and guarantee transgender students’ access to facilities based on their gender identity” (page 42)

“We will ensure that all transgender and non-binary people can procure official government identification documents that
accurately reflect their gender identity” (page 42)

“will prioritize the investigation of hate crimes against transgender and non-binary people” (page 43)

“We recognize that sex workers, who are disproportionately women of color and transgender women, face especially high rates of sexual assault and violence, and we will work with states and localities to protect the lives of sex workers” (page 47)

“We emphatically support the original, authentic meaning of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. That same provision of law is now being used by bureaucrats — and by the current President of the United States — to impose a social and cultural revolution upon the American people by wrongly redefining sex discrimination to include sexual orientation or other categories. Their edict to the states concerning restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities is at once illegal, dangerous, and ignores privacy issues. We salute the several states which have filed suit against it” (page 35)

God created only two sexes (and genders), male and female (Genesis 1:27)

God is not a God of confusion, but a God of orderliness (1 Corinthians 14:33)

God condemns sexual/gender confusion (Deuteronomy 22:5)
Denying reality will only lead to destruction (Proverbs 14:15-16; Galatians 6:7-8)

Those who are lovers of themselves, and of pleasure, rather than God are deceiving themselves and are to be avoided (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Not addressed

“Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society and has for millennia been entrusted with rearing children and instilling cultural values” (page 11).

“We also condemn the Supreme Court’s lawless ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which in the words of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, was a “judicial Putsch” In Obergefell, five unelected lawyers robbed 320 million Americans of their legitimate constitutional authority to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The Court twisted the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment beyond recognition” (page 11)

“We endorse the First Amendment Defense Act, Republican legislation in the House and Senate which will bar government discrimination against individuals and businesses for acting on the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. This Act would protect the non-profit tax status of faith-based adoption agencies, the accreditation of religious educational institutions, the grants and contracts of faith-based charities and small businesses, and the licensing of religious professions” (page 11)

“We support the right of the people to conduct their businesses in accordance with their religious beliefs and condemn public officials who have proposed boycotts against businesses that support traditional marriage. We pledge to protect those business owners who have been subjected to hate campaigns, threats of violence, and other attempts to deny their civil rights” (page 12)

“Foremost among those institutions is the American family. It is the foundation of civil society, and the cornerstone of the family is natural marriage, the union of one man and one woman” (page 31)

“Every child deserves a married mom and dad” (page 31)

“Our laws and our government’s regulations should recognize marriage as the union of one man and one woman and actively promote married family life as the basis of a stable and prosperous Society” (page 31)

“we do not accept the Supreme Court’s redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal, whether through judicial reconsideration or a constitutional amendment returning control over marriage to the states. We oppose government discrimination against businesses or entities which decline to sell items or services to individuals for activities that go against their religious views about such activities” (page 32)

God created marriage for all of mankind to be the union of one man to one woman from the very beginning (Genesis 2:24)

Jesus affirmed that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman for life (Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:2-9)

A one man, one woman marriage is the fullest (most complete) expression of the entire image of God bestowed on mankind (Genesis 1:27)

Scripture does not encourage or in any way legitimize any other form of marriage, including same-sex marriage

“Democrats will take action to reverse the Trump Administration’s tax cuts benefiting the wealthiest Americans and rewarding corporations for shipping American jobs overseas. We will make sure the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. We will make sure investors pay the same tax rates as workers and bring an end to expensive and unproductive tax loopholes, including the carried interest loophole. Corporate tax rates, which were cut sharply by the 2017 Republican tax cut, must be raised, and “trickle-down” tax cuts must be rejected. Estate taxes should also be raised back to the historical norm” (page 22)

“Our program of reform will provide immediate, marked relief for working families, including more generous, refundable tax credits to benefit low- and middle-income families” (page 23)

“Wherever tax rates penalize thrift or discourage investment, they must be lowered. Wherever current provisions of the code are disincentives for economic growth, they must be changed” (page 2)

“We propose to level the international playing field by lowering the corporate tax rate to be on a par with, or below, the rates of other industrial nations” (page 2)

Government is authorized to levy taxes, but only for what is needed to fulfill its limited purposes of executing justice, maintaining order and encouraging the good (Romans 13:3-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-14)

Excessive taxation can bring disaster to any nation, no matter how wealthy that nation is (1 Kings 12:1-20)

The love of tax revenue and the power it gives (like the love of money) (1 Timothy 6:10) will inevitably lead to evil usage of it

Government is not to take any more tax than is necessary (Luke 3:12-13)

Government is not to provide disincentives to hard work (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Tax moneys must be used for their intended purposes and not “re-purposed” for other things (lockbox principle) (2 Kings 12:4-15; 2 Chronicles 24:1-14))

Government abuse of money to buy favor (Proverbs 19:4a,6) ignores the real issues of poverty (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

“Democrats believe we need to overhaul the criminal justice system from top to bottom. Police brutality is a stain on the soul of our nation” (page 34)

“Democrats also recognize that all too often, systematic cuts to public services have left police officers on the front lines of responding to social challenges for which they have not been trained, from homelessness to mental health crises to the opioid epidemic” (page 35)

“And we will seek increased funding for officer health and well-being in police departments across the country, including for personal safety equipment and mental health services” (page 37)

“Democrats believe we must ensure real accountability for individual and systemic misconduct in our police departments, prevent law enforcement from becoming unnecessarily entangled in the everyday lives of Americans, and reimagine policing for the benefit and safety of the American people … We must build on these evidence-based approaches and implement them nationwide. Democrats will establish strict national standards governing the use of force …We will require immediate application of these standards to all federal law enforcement agencies and condition federal grants on their adoption at the state and local level” (page 36)

“We will also act to ensure that victims of federal, state, or local law enforcement abuses of power can seek justice through civil litigation by reining in the doctrine of qualified immunity” (page 37)

“The men and women of law enforcement — whether patrolling our neighborhoods or our borders, fighting organized crime or guarding against domestic terror — deserve our gratitude and support. Their jobs are never easy, especially in crisis situations, and should not be made more difficult by politicized second-guessing from federal officials. The current Administration’s lack of respect for them, from White House intervention in local arrests to the Attorney General’s present campaign of harassment against police forces around the country, has been unprecedented. With all Americans, we mourn those whom we have lost to violence and hatred. To honor their sacrifice, we recommit ourselves, as individuals and as a party, to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice” (page 39)

“Additionally, the next president must not sow seeds of division and distrust between the police and the people they have sworn to serve and protect” (page 39)

If law enforcement is hampered in doing the job it exists to perform, then greater problems will be created that will be even harder to correct later (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

A sinner (lawbreaker) is to be punished for his own sin; others are not to be punished along with him (Deuteronomy 24:16)

Those serving diligently are to be honored and not forced to endure unnecessary restraints (Proverbs 22:29; 1 Timothy 5:18)

Where it is due, respect is to be given to those in authority over us (Romans 13:7)

We are not to resist the authority God has placed over us for our good (Romans 13:1-2)

Not Addressed

“We must impose firm caps on future debt, accelerate the repayment of the trillions we now owe in order to reaffirm our principles of responsible and limited government, and remove the burdens we are placing on future generations” (page 8)

“The Republican path to fiscal sanity and economic expansion begins with a constitutional requirement for a federal balanced budget. We will fight for Congress to adopt, and for the states to ratify, a Balanced Budget Amendment which imposes a cap limiting spending to the appropriate historical average percentage of our nation’s gross domestic product while requiring a super-majority for any tax increase, with exceptions only for war or legitimate emergencies. Only a constitutional safeguard such as this can prevent deficits from mounting to government default” (page 23)

Creating massive debt for future generations to pay off is presumptuous on the future (Ecclesiastes 8:6-7; James 4:13-14; Proverbs 22:3) and stealing from those that have no say in the decisions (Exodus 20:15)

Borrowing or printing money to support social projects without understanding the true costs, and whether greater problems will be created, will end in failure (Luke 14:28-30)

Money gained quickly (by creating unnecessary debt) will not be used wisely, but will be squandered (Proverbs 13:11)

It is better to exercise self-discipline, restraint and saving for future needs little by little than to take on irresponsible debt that will harm future generations (Proverbs 6:6-8; 13:11; 16:8; 21:20; 27:12

“Democrats will enact universal background checks, end online sales of guns and ammunition, close dangerous loopholes that currently allow stalkers, abusive partners, and some individuals convicted of assault or battery to buy and possess firearms, and adequately fund the federal background check system. We will close the “Charleston loophole” and prevent individuals who have been convicted of hate crimes from possessing firearms. Democrats will ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines. We will incentivize states to enact licensing requirements for owning firearms and extreme risk protection order laws that allow courts to temporarily remove guns from the possession of those who are a danger to themselves or others. We will pass legislation requiring that guns be safely stored in homes. And Democrats believe that gun companies should be held responsible for their products, just like any other business, and will prioritize repealing the law that shields gun manufacturers from civil liability” (page 47,48)

“We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a natural inalienable right that predates the Constitution and is secured by the Second Amendment. Lawful gun ownership enables Americans to exercise their God-given right of self-defense for the safety of their homes, their loved ones, and their communities” (page 12)

“We support firearm reciprocity legislation to recognize the right of law-abiding Americans to carry firearms to protect themselves and their families in all 50 states” (page 12)

The command to not murder implies a right to defend oneself against those trying to do us harm (Exodus 20:13)

Jesus instructed His disciples to arm themselves for self-protection (Luke 22:36)

We have the right to defend ourselves against those intending to harm us or our family (Exodus 22:2-3)

Armed citizens across the country constitute a ready militia to counter threats, whether foreign or domestic (Numbers 1:3; 31:1-6)

“We commit ourselves to the vision articulated by Frederick Douglass of “a Government founded upon justice, and recognizing the equal rights of all”” (page 6)

“As Democrats, we believe that education is a critical public good—not a commodity—and that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every child, everywhere, is able to receive a world-class education that enables them to lead meaningful lives, no matter their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, language status, immigration or citizenship status, household income or ZIP code” (page 64)

“Government cannot create prosperity, though government can limit or destroy it” (page 1)

“God bestows certain inalienable rights on every individual, thus producing human equality; that government exists first and foremost to protect those inalienable rights; that man-made law must be consistent with God-given, natural rights; and that if God-given, natural, inalienable rights come in conflict with government, court, or human-granted rights, God-given, natural, inalienable rights always prevail; that there is a moral law recognized as “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”; and that American government is to operate with the consent of the governed” (page 9)

“We reaffirm the Constitution’s fundamental principles: limited government, separation of powers, individual liberty, and the rule of law” (page 9)

“More than 90 percent of federal requirements are now imposed by regulatory agencies, without any vote of the House or Senate or signature of the President” (page 9)

Government is instituted by God for our good (Romans 13:1-4)

Government is to maintain order and peace in conformance with God’s common grace towards us all (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Government is to execute justice against evil doers (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:14a)

Government is to commend what is good and nurture a supportive environment for its growth ((Romans 13:3; 1 Peter 2:14b)

Government is to reflect God’s nature by being able to make laws that are, execute justice, and maintain order (Isaiah 33:22)
 
Parents, not government, have the primary responsibility to educate and equip their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:19-21; Proverbs 1:8-9; 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)

Not addressed

“We will continue our fight for school choice until all parents can find good, safe schools for their children” (page 32)

Parents are accountable to protect their children from the temptation of physical and ideological (worldview) dangers (Matthew 18:6; Colossians 2:8)

Government is to nurture an environment conducive to helping parents make good choices, not to restrict them (Romans 13:4a; 1 Peter 2:14b)

“Democrats will rescind President Trump’s fabricated “National Emergency,” which siphons funding away from our men and women in uniform to construct an unnecessary, wasteful, and ineffective wall on the southern border” (page 61)

“We will immediately terminate the Trump Administration’s discriminatory travel and immigration bans that disproportionately impact Muslim, Arab, and African people” (page 61)

“we will end prosecution of asylum seekers at the border and policies that force them to apply from “safe third countries,” which are far from safe” (page 62)

“Democrats believe it is long past time to provide a roadmap to citizenship for the millions of undocumented workers, caregivers, students, and children who are an essential part of our economy and of the fabric of our nation” (page 62)

“we will end workplace and community raids” (page 63)

“Our immigration system must protect American working families and their wages, for citizens and legal immigrants alike, in a way that will improve the economy” (page 25)

“we both encourage the preservation of heritage tongues and support English as the nation’s official language, a unifying force essential for the advancement of immigrant communities and our nation as a whole” (page 25)

“We oppose any form of amnesty for those who, by breaking the law, have disadvantaged those who have obeyed it” (page 25)
“The border wall must cover the entirety of the southern border and must be sufficient to stop both vehicular and pedestrian traffic” (page 26)

“Because “sanctuary cities” violate federal law and endanger their own citizens, they should not be eligible for federal funding” (page 26)

“we cannot ignore the reality that border security is a national security issue, and that our nation’s immigration and refugee policies are placing Americans at risk. To keep our people safe, we must secure our borders, enforce our immigration laws, and properly screen refugees and other immigrants entering from any country. In particular we must apply special scrutiny to those foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States from terror-sponsoring countries or from regions associated with Islamic terrorism” (page 42)

Government is to punish (not reward) those who have broken the law (Romans 13:4) and taken advantage of privileges intended for citizens
So-called sanctuary cities, counties and states are not fulfilling the biblical purposes of sanctuary cities: to provide a safe venue for a fair trial for one accused of major crimes (Joshua 20:1-6a,9). Current use prevents justice from being done and incentivizes more law-breaking (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

Open (or unenforced) borders are inconsistent with God’s design for nations (Acts 17:26-27)

Even those that are desperate are expected to obey the laws of the land (Proverbs 6:30-31)

Lawful immigration is welcome, and laws are to be applied equally towards citizens and immigrants (Leviticus 19:33-34; Numbers 15:15-16; 15:29)

Government has the right and the obligation to determine who should be allowed to legally enter the country and/or immigrate in order to protect itself from being taken advantage of (Mark 3:27; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12)

The standard to become a citizen should be high, with a commensurate commitment to the nation’s values (Exodus 12:43-49)

“We must guarantee health care not as a privilege for some, but as a right for every single American. For a century, Democrats have fought to secure universal health care” (page 6)

“Democrats will take immediate action to preserve and expand health insurance coverage. We will provide direct, increased support to states to enroll eligible adults in Medicaid, have the federal government cover a higher percentage of the bill, and add incentives for states which have not yet expanded Medicaid to do so” (page 9)

“Democrats believe health care is a human right. We will incentivize states to expand Medicaid and enroll low-income people who do not otherwise have health insurance in a new, high-quality public option without premiums. We will double investments in community health centers and rural health centers, and expand mobile health units, to make it easier for low-income people to access health care” (page 24)

“Democrats have fought to achieve universal health care for a century” (page 26)

“Generations of Democrats have been united in the fight for universal health care. We are proud our party welcomes advocates who want to build on and strengthen the Affordable Care Act and those who support a Medicare for All approach; all are critical to ensuring that health care is a human right” (page 27)

“we will give all Americans the choice to select a high-quality, affordable public option through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The public option will provide at least one plan choice without deductibles; will be administered by CMS, not private companies; and will cover all primary care without any co-payments and control costs for other treatments by negotiating prices with doctors and hospitals, just like Medicare does on behalf of older people. Everyone will be eligible to choose the public option or another Affordable Care Act marketplace plan” (page 28)

“Democrats will take aggressive action to ensure that Americans do not pay more for prescription drugs than people in other advanced economies, and ensure that all necessary medications are covered. We will cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and ensure that effective treatments for chronic health conditions are available at little or no cost” (page 29)

“We will make it easier for working families to afford high-quality insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces by ensuring that no one pays more than 8.5 percent of their income in premiums and eliminating the cap on subsidies” (page 29)

“Democrats will launch a sustained, government-wide effort, with leadership at the highest levels, to eliminate racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic gaps in insurance rates, access to quality care, and health outcomes. That includes tackling the social, economic, and environmental inequities—the social determinants of health like poor housing, hunger, inadequate transportation, mass incarceration, air and water pollution, and gun violence—that contribute to worse health outcomes for low-income Americans and people of color” (page 31)

“Democrats also support increasing funding for research into health disparities by race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, geographic area, and socioeconomic status, with a particular focus on how the social determinants of health contribute to differences in health outcomes” (page 34)

“Democrats will launch an all-of-government effort to eliminate health disparities, including by achieving universal health coverage through a high-quality, affordable public option; expanding funding for community health centers, rural health centers, and mobile health clinics; and tackling environmental racism that sees communities of color disproportionately impacted  by air pollution, water pollution, and toxic chemicals” (page 41)

“More than 100 million Americans depend on Medicare or Medicaid for their healthcare; with our population aging, that number will increase. To preserve Medicare and Medicaid, the financing of these important programs must be brought under control before they consume most of the federal budget, including national defense” (page 23)

“We reject the Democrats’ approach of rationing inherent in Obamacare. We recognize the de facto rationing of healthcare caused by reduced access to doctors who increasingly opt out of participating in Medicare and Medicaid” (page 24)

“Medicare’s long-term debt is in the trillions,  … we propose these reforms: Impose no changes for persons 55 or older. Give others the option of traditional Medicare or transition to a premium-support model designed to strengthen patient choice, promote cost-saving competition among providers, and better guard against the fraud and abuse that now diverts billions of dollars every year away from patient care. Guarantee to every enrollee an income-adjusted contribution toward a plan of their choice, with catastrophic protection. Without disadvantaging present retirees or those nearing retirement, set a more realistic age for eligibility in light of today’s longer life span” (page 24)

“Medicaid presents related, but somewhat different challenges … Using block grants would allow states to experiment with different systems … and develop successful models to be replicated in states across the nation” (page 24)

“We will return to the states their historic role of regulating local insurance markets, limit federal requirements on both private insurance and Medicaid, and call on state officials to reconsider the costly medical mandates, imposed under their own laws, that price millions of low-income families out of the insurance market. To guarantee first-rate care for the needy, we propose to block grant Medicaid and other payments and to assist all patients, including those with pre-existing conditions, to obtain coverage in a robust consumer market” (page 36)

“Through Obamacare, the current Administration has promoted the notion of abortion as healthcare. We, however, affirm the dignity of women by protecting the sanctity of human life. Numerous studies have shown that abortion endangers the health and well-being of women, and we stand firmly against it” (page 36)

“We propose to end tax discrimination against the individual purchase of insurance and allow consumers to buy insurance across state lines” (page 37)

“American taxpayers should not be forced to fund abortion. We call for a permanent ban on federal funding and subsidies for abortion and healthcare plans that include abortion coverage” (page 37)

“We respect the rights of conscience of healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and organizations, especially the faith-based groups which provide a major portion of care for the nation and the needy. We support the ability of all organizations to provide, purchase, or enroll in healthcare coverage consistent with their religious, moral, or ethical convictions without discrimination or penalty” (page 37)

Who is responsible for healthcare?

• First, the individual; to nurture and care for what is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
• Second, the immediate family (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Third, relatives (Isaiah 58:7; 1 Timothy 5:4)
• Fourth, the church (Matthew 25:31-40; Galatians 5:13; 6:2,10; Hebrews 6:10; 13:16)
• Fifth, the community (Proverbs 21:13; 28:27; Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31; 10:29-37; Philippians 2:4; 1 John 3:17-18)
• Government is not biblically charged to provide healthcare, but to help provide conditions that are supportive of those who are providing care (1 Peter 2:13-14)

Group models of support fulfill many biblical one-another principles (Galatians 6:2):

• Providing help to those that are sick (Matthew 9:12)
• Those with resources are able to provide for those with very little (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
• Each is to share what they are able to share for the good of others in need (2 Corinthians 8:12-15)
• In especially demanding times, giving beyond what we would be giving normally (Acts 2:44-45)

Government is to fulfill prior promises (vows) made concerning Medicare and Medicaid (Numbers 30:2; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5), but restrain itself from future unrealistic obligations (Luke 14:28-30)

“Democrats believe a strong, secure, and democratic Israel is vital to the interests of the United States. Our commitment to Israel’s security, its qualitative military edge, its right to defend itself, and the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is ironclad” (page 91)

“Democrats recognize the worth of every Israeli and every Palestinian. That’s why we will work to help bring to an end a conflict that has brought so much pain to so many. We support a negotiated two-state solution that ensures Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and upholds the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own” (page 91)

“Democrats oppose any unilateral steps by either side—including annexation—that undermine prospects for two states. Democrats will continue to stand against incitement and terror. We oppose settlement expansion. We believe that while Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations, it should remain the capital of Israel, an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths. Democrats will restore U.S.-Palestinian diplomatic ties and critical assistance to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, consistent with U.S. law. We oppose any effort to unfairly single out and delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations or through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement, while protecting the Constitutional right of our citizens to free speech” (page 91)

“support for Israel is an expres­sion of Americanism, and it is the responsibility of our government to advance policies that reflect Americans’ strong desire for a relationship with no daylight between America and Israel. We recognize Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish state and call for the American embassy to be moved there in fulfillment of U.S. law” (page 47)

“We reaffirm America’s commitment to Israel’s security and will ensure that Israel main­tains a qualitative military edge over any and all adversaries. We support Israel’s right and obli­gation to defend itself against terror attacks upon its people and against alternative forms of warfare being waged upon it legally, economically, cultur­ally, and otherwise. We reject the false notion that Israel is an occupier and specifically recog­nize that the Boycott, Divest­ment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS) is anti-Semitic in nature and seeks to destroy Israel” (page 47)

Israel has a divine right to exist (Genesis 12:1-7; 15:7-21; 26:3-5; 28:13-15; Numbers 34:1-15; Ezekiel 47:13-21)

The Lord promised to return His people to the land (Isaiah 43:5-6; Ezekiel 20:34; Amos 9:14-15)

It’s in the best interests of the United States to be a blessing to Israel; in doing so it will also be blessed (Genesis 12:3)

Ceding land rightfully belonging to Israel to its adversaries will only encourage greater demands in the future (Proverbs 30:15)

The nation of Israel has a right to defend itself against those that intend to do it harm (Nehemiah 4:14)

There will never be a lasting peace until the Lord returns to establish His eternal kingdom (Isaiah 9:5-7)

“all citizens should be able to exercise their Constitutional right to vote without facing unjust or discriminatory barriers. Democrats will restore the full powers of the Voting Rights Act and go further to roll back discriminatory policies that have been put in place in recent years to prevent people of color from voting” (page 41,42)

“We stand united against the determined Republican campaign to disenfranchise voters through onerous voter ID laws, unconstitutional and excessive purges of the voter rolls” (page 55)

“We will make it a priority to pass legislation that restores and strengthens the Voting Rights Act, and ensure the Department of Justice challenges state laws that make it harder for Americans to vote. We will make voting easier and more accessible for all Americans by supporting automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, early voting, and universal vote-from-home and vote-by-mail options” (page 56)

“Democrats believe Election Day should be a national holiday” (page 56)

“ensure that returning citizens have their voting rights restored upon release from jail or prison without the additional hurdle of having to pay fines and fees in order to vote” (page 56)

“To ensure every eligible ballot is counted, vote by mail voters must be informed of and provided a meaningful opportunity to fix any problem with their ballot” (page 56)

“The American citizens of the U.S. territories should have the right to vote for President of the United States” (page 59)

“we support legislation to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and secure photo ID when voting. We strongly oppose litigation against states exercising their sovereign authority to enact such laws” (page 16)

Since God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33) and not of confusion, the more complicated man makes something the more the opportunity for the sinful nature (Jeremiah 17:9) to corrupt it.

Just as letting a person not eat if they are unwilling to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10), so a person that is unwilling to be responsible with their lives should not be counted on to exercise authority (vote)
The honor of participation in important decisions (such as voting) is not fitting for a fool (Proverbs 26:1)

Recruiting a sluggard (lazy, irresponsible) to vote only serves the purposes of the wicked (Proverbs 18:9)

One who is responsible enough to have valid identification (a small thing) can then be trusted with greater things (voting decisions) (Luke 16:10) 

“We will ensure no one is incarcerated solely for drug use” (page 30)

“Democrats know we can end the era of mass incarceration and dramatically reduce the number of Americans held in jails and prisons while continuing to reduce crime rates, which have fallen steadily from their peak nearly three decades ago. This is the moment to root out structural and systemic racism in our criminal justice system and our society, and reimagine public safety for the benefit of our people and the character of our country” (page 35)

“Democrats believe every school should have sufficient funding to employ guidance counselors, social workers, nurses, or school psychologists to help guarantee age-appropriate and racially equitable student disciplinary practices, rather than turning to police to resolve these issues” (page 36)

“We believe that if you aren’t old enough to drink, you aren’t old enough to be sentenced to life without parole. The federal government will incentivize states to stop incarcerating kids, and develop community-based alternatives to prison and detention centers for youth and invest in after-school programs, community centers, and summer jobs to provide opportunities for young people at risk. And Democrats believe that children who do enter the juvenile justice system should be given a true second chance, including by automatically sealing and expunging juvenile records” (page 36)

“Democrats will establish strict national standards governing the use of force, including banning the use of chokeholds and carotid holds and permitting deadly force only when necessary and a last resort to prevent an imminent threat to life. We will require officer training in effective nonviolent tactics, appropriate use of force, implicit bias, and peer intervention, both at the academy and on the job. And we will ban racial and religious profiling in law enforcement” (page 36)

“Democrats believe weapons of war have no place on our streets, and will once again limit the sale and transfer of surplus military weapons to domestic law enforcement agencies” (page 37)

“Democrats will also establish a national registry of officers who have been found to have abused their power” (page 37)

“Democrats support eliminating the use of cash bail and believe no one should be imprisoned merely for failing to pay fines or fees, or have their driver's licenses revoked for unpaid tickets or simple violations” (page 37,38)

“Sentencing decisions should be based on the facts of each case, including the severity of the offense and individuals’ circumstances. Democrats support allowing judges to determine appropriate sentences, which is why we will fight to repeal federal mandatory minimums, incentivize states to do the same, and make all sentencing reductions retroactive…And Democrats continue to support abolishing the death penalty” (page 38)

“Democrats support ending the use of private prisons and private detention centers, and will take steps to eliminate profiteering from diversion programs, commercial bail, electronic monitoring, prison commissaries, and reentry and treatment programs” (page 38)

“We will … stop the practice of reincarcerating people for technical violations of probation or parole” (page 39)

“The formerly incarcerated should not be blocked from exercising their voting right” (page 39)

“We will break the school-to-prison pipeline that sees children of color disproportionately punished by the criminal justice system for disciplinary issues that should be handled by school administrators or counselors” (page 41)

“Two grave problems undermine the rule of law on the federal level: Over-criminalization and over-federalization” (page 39)

“The power of career civil servants and political appointees to criminalize behavior is one of the worst violations of constitutional order perpetrated by the administrative state” (page 39)

“The over-federalization of criminal justice is one of many ways in which the government in Washington has intruded beyond its proper jurisdiction. The essential role of federal law enforcement personnel in protecting federal property and combating interstate crime should not be compromised by diversion to matters properly handled by state and local authorities” (page 39)

“Public officials must regain control of their correctional institutions, some of which have become ethnic and racial battlegrounds. Persons jailed for whatever cause should be protected against cruel or degrading treatment by other inmates. Courts should not tie the hands of prison officials in dealing with these problems. We encourage states to offer opportunities for literacy and vocational education to prepare prisoners for release to the community” (page 40)

Everyone is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16), and is to be treated with the dignity that is properly due because of that nature

The Bible acknowledges differences between groups by tribe, nation, language and people (Revelation 5:9; 7:9); it gives no significance to skin color except as a statement of fact (Song of Solomon 1:5; Jeremiah 13:23)

Everyone is accountable for their own behavior and sin, not for someone else’s (Deuteronomy 24:16)

Justice is to be applied equally to everyone (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 16:18-20)

The punishment for a crime must not be too lenient or non-existent (Ecclesiastes 8:11), and it must not be too harsh, it is to be proportional (Deuteronomy 19:21)

Social programs and weakened law enforcement will not result in a truly changed heart, only the Lord can do that (Psalm 51:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Racism is a sign of a sinful heart (Jeremiah 17:9) that will use any tool to dehumanize or belittle others (Luke 6:45)

Abusive use of power or position is condemned biblically. Examples include:

• Despising those with different cultural behaviors or convictions of conscience (Esther 3:1-11; Romans 14:2-12)
• Looking down on the poor or those lower on the socio-economic ladder (Proverbs 14:21; 22:2)
• Taking advantage of financial privilege to shame others (James 2:1-7)
• Belittling of others seen as socially inferior (Luke 18:9-14)
• Using the failings of others as an opportunity to promote oneself (Romans 15:1)
• Weighing appearances instead of the heart (character) (1 Samuel 16:7)
• Using abusive and destructive verbal attacks (Proverbs 12:18; 18:21; James 3:5-12)
• Withholding what rightfully belongs to someone else (Proverbs 3:27)

The justice system is not to be used in an ungodly way. It is not to:

• Prejudge a situation (John 9:1-3)
• Acquit the guilty or condemn those who are innocent (Proverbs 17:15; 24:23-25)
• Allow frivolous lawsuits or the taking of revenge (Proverbs 24:28-29)
• Selectively delay justice (Deuteronomy 25:1-2; Ecclesiastes 8:11)
• Execute non-proportional punishment for a crime (Exodus 21:22-25; Leviticus 24:17-22)

Murder uniquely defiles the land (Genesis 4:10; Numbers 35:33), with the murderer subject to capital punishment (Genesis 9:6)

“We will use federal law enforcement tools and resources to address domestic terrorism, and if necessary work with Congress to pass a domestic terrorism law that is consistent with the Constitutional right to free speech and civil liberties” (page 39)

“We will prohibit enforcement actions that deter access to justice at courthouses and repress freedom of speech and assembly … We will also prevent enforcement officials from retaliating against individuals for their political speech or activity” (page 63)

“Democrats believe that the United States should defend freedom of the press. Independent media is not the enemy of the people, but the guardian of democracy. We will push back against erosion of press freedom wherever it occurs and in whatever form—whether through direct intimidation of, and violence against, journalists or legal, regulatory, and financial pressures that smother free speech” (page 63)

“We oppose any effort to unfairly single out and delegitimize Israel …  while protecting the Constitutional right of our citizens to free speech” (page 91)

“Republicans believe the federal government, specifically the IRS, is constitutionally prohibited from policing or censoring speech based on religious convictions or beliefs, and therefore we urge the repeal of the Johnson Amendment” (page 11)

“Freedom of speech includes the right to devote resources to whatever cause or candidate one supports” (page 12)

“We oppose any restrictions or conditions that would discourage citizens from participating in the public square or limit their ability to promote their ideas, such as requiring private organizations to publicly disclose their donors to the government. Limits on political speech serve only to protect the powerful and insulate incumbent officeholders” (page 12)

“We support repeal of federal restrictions on political parties in McCain-Feingold, raising or repealing contribution limits, protecting the political speech of advocacy groups, corporations, and labor unions, and protecting political speech on the internet. We likewise call for an end to the so-called Fairness Doctrine, and support free-market approaches to free speech unregulated by government” (page 12)

“Republicans believe the federal government, specifically the IRS, is constitutionally prohibited from policing or censoring the speech of America’s churches, pastors, and religious lead­ers. We support repeal of the Johnson Amend­ment, which restricts First Amendment freedoms of all nonprofit organizations by prohibiting politi­cal speech” (page 27)

“A student’s First Amendment rights do not end at the schoolhouse gates. Colleges, universities, and trade schools must not infringe on their freedom of speech and association in the name of political correctness” (page 35)

God’s truths will be taught and proclaimed whether man’s laws try to prevent it or not (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29)

Wickedness is to be exposed for what it is (Ephesians 5:11)

Those who lie should rightfully be condemned and shamed (Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 13:5)

Truth, not deceptive or false words are to be spoken to power (Matthew 14:3-4; 2 Samuel 12:1-13)

Laws protecting against knowingly harmful, false accusations and destructive lies (libel and slander) are appropriate (Proverbs 19:5,9) to maintain order (Romans 13:4)

Speaking truth in love is the biblical standard to be encouraged and promoted (Ephesians 4:15)

“We must lead the world in taking on the climate crisis, not deny the science and accelerate the damage. Democrats will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and go further, building a thriving, equitable, and globally competitive clean energy economy that puts workers and communities first, and leaves no one behind” (page 6)

“We will use federal resources and authorities across all agencies to deploy proven clean energy solutions; create millions of family-supporting and union jobs; upgrade and make resilient our energy, water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure; and develop and manufacture next-generation technologies to address the climate crisis right here in the United States. And we will do all this with an eye to equity, access, benefits, and ownership opportunities for frontline
communities—because Democrats believe we must embed environmental justice, economic justice, and climate justice at the heart of our policy and governing agenda” (page 50)

“We will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement” (page 50)

“All jobs in the clean energy economy should provide an opportunity to join a union” (page 50)

“We agree with scientists and public health experts that the United States—and the world—must achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and no later than 2050” (page 51)

“We will set a bold, national goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for all new buildings by 2030, on the pathway to creating a 100 percent clean building sector” (page 51)

“Democrats commit to reducing climate risks and building back better after disasters and climate-fueled catastrophes in a resilient, green, and just manner” (page 53)

“We will fully integrate climate change into our foreign policy and national security strategies, and we will restore U.S. global climate leadership” (page 79)

“Democrats will immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, commit the United States to doing its fair share and lead the world in the effort to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and convene a world summit aimed at new and more ambitious global targets to reduce greenhouse gas pollution” (page 79)

“We will support the protection of species and wildlife habitats around the world, including by advancing the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity, and encourage other countries to join us in conserving 30 percent of the planet by 2030” (page 30)

“We will incorporate climate issues as key priorities at the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and in the Intelligence Community. And we will ensure that America’s service missions abroad, including those executed through the Peace Corps and USAID, expand their calls to action to include reducing carbon pollution, safeguarding Indigenous peoples and vulnerable populations from climate impacts, and guaranteeing a more sustainable planet for all” (page 80)

“Climate change is far from this nation’s most pressing national security issue. This is the triumph of extremism over common sense, and Congress must stop it” (page 20)

“We oppose any carbon tax” (page 20)

“Conservation is inherent in conservatism. As the pioneer of environmentalism a century ago, the Republican Party reaffirms the moral obligation to be good stewards of the God-given natural beauty and resources of our country. We believe that people are the most valuable resources and that human health and safety are the proper measurements of a policy’s success. We assert that private ownership has been the best guarantee of conscientious stewardship, while some of the worst instances of degradation have occurred under government control. Poverty, not wealth, is the gravest threat to the environment, while steady economic growth brings the technological advances which make environmental progress possible” (page 20,21)

“We will likewise forbid the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide, something never envisioned when Congress passed the Clean Air Act” (page 21)

“Information concerning a changing climate, especially projections into the long-range future, must be based on dispassionate analysis of hard data. We will enforce that standard throughout the executive branch, among civil servants and presidential appointees alike” (page 22)

God is the creator and owner of the earth and everything in it (Genesis 1:1-2:3; Job 41:11; Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26; 2 Peter 3:5)

Stewardship of the earth has been delegated by God to man (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15; Psalm 115:16); however, God controls the climate and directs it to fulfill His purposes (Job 37:5-13; Psalm 148:7-8)

The cycles of the earth, and life on it, will continue on until the Lord returns (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 2 Peter 3:4-7)

The Lord will not destroy, or allow this world (or its climate) to be destroyed until the time of the end (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 8:7; 21:1)

To claim to have special knowledge of consequences far into the future based on today’s limited understanding is foolish (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

What is accurately observed from the past should be used to inform our current decisions (Romans 15:4)

Significant scientific claims must be willing to be subject to challenge and not allowed to stand without open debate (Acts 26:26)

Major decisions of any consequence should rely on wise counsel from many advisors (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 19:20-21; 24:6)

All claims must be thoroughly tested to determine the good to be kept and the bad to be rejected (Ecclesiastes 7:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:21)

“Democrats will pursue a trade policy that puts workers first. We will negotiate strong and enforceable standards for labor, human rights, and the environment in the core text of our trade deals. Future trade agreements should build on the pro-labor provisions added to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by Democratic members of Congress” (page 20)

“Democrats will take aggressive action against China or any other country that tries to undercut American manufacturing by manipulating their currencies and maintaining a misaligned exchange rate with the dollar, dumping products like steel and aluminum in our markets, or providing unfair subsidies” (page 20)

“We will not negotiate any new trade deals before first investing in American competitiveness at home. We will aggressively enforce existing trade laws and agreements. And we will insist on strong and enforceable standards for labor, human rights, and the environment in any future trade agreements, so that they build the American middle class, create jobs, raise wages, and strengthen our communities. We will use all tools at our disposal to take action against countries
that steal American intellectual property or manipulate their currencies to get an unfair advantage in international markets” (page 85)

“We will not negotiate any new trade deals before first investing in American competitiveness at home. We will aggressively enforce existing trade laws and agreements” (page 85)

”Democrats will protect the American worker from unfair trade practices by the Chinese government, including currency manipulation and benefiting from a misaligned exchange rate with the dollar, illegal subsidies, and theft of intellectual property. We will rally friends and allies across the world to push back against China or any other country’s attempts to undermine international norms” (page 88)

“We envision a worldwide multilateral agreement among nations committed to the principles of open markets, what has been called a “Reagan Economic Zone,” in which free trade will truly be fair trade for all concerned” (page 2)

“We cannot allow foreign governments to limit American access to their markets while stealing our designs, patents, brands, know-how, and technol­ogy. We cannot allow China to continue its currency manipulation, exclusion of U.S. products from gov­ernment purchases, and subsidization of Chinese companies to thwart American imports” (page 2)

International commerce and trade are signs of a nation’s prosperity (Genesis 37:25; 1 Kings 9:26-28; 10:22,28-29, Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)

Deceptive negotiations are not trustworthy (Proverbs 20:14)

Taking unfair advantage of others is equivalent to deceptively using unequal weights in a transaction ((Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Proverbs 11:1; 20:10,23)

Negotiate and treat others in the same way you want them to treat you (Luke 6:31)

Enter into negotiations with the intent to test (verify) everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

If a trading partner cannot be trusted in small things, they cannot be trusted in bigger transactions (Luke 16:10)

We should not commit to trade agreements with those that are proven to be deceptive and untrustworthy (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Countries are not to steal from other countries (Exodus 20:15)

“Democrats will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and go further, building a
thriving, equitable, and globally competitive clean energy economy that puts workers and communities first, and leaves no one behind” (page 6)
 
“We can and must build a thriving, equitable, and globally competitive clean energy economy that puts workers and communities first and leaves no one behind” (page 49)
 
“The clean energy economy must represent the diversity of America” (page 50)
 
“To reach net-zero emissions as rapidly as possible, Democrats commit to eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 through technology-neutral standards for clean energy and energy efficiency. We will dramatically expand solar and wind energy deployment through community-based and utility-scale systems, including in rural areas” (page 51)
 
“Recognizing the urgent need to decarbonize the power sector, our technology-neutral approach is inclusive of all zero-carbon technologies, including hydroelectric power, geothermal, existing and advanced nuclear, and carbon capture and storage” (page 51)

“coal is an abundant, clean, affordable, reliable domestic energy resource” (page 19)

“We support the development of all forms of energy that are marketable in a free economy without subsidies, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and hydropower” (page 20)

“We encourage the cost-effective development of renewable energy sources — wind, solar, biomass, biofuel, geothermal, and tidal energy — by private capital” (page 20)

“We support lifting restrictions to allow responsible development of nuclear energy, including research into alternative processes like thorium nuclear energy” (page 20)

“We oppose any carbon tax” (page 20)

“American energy producers should be free to export their product to foreign markets” (page 20)

We were created to have dominion over all the earth, and to be responsible, good stewards of all its resources (Genesis 1:28)

Major decisions of any consequence should rely on wise counsel from many advisors (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 19:20-21; 24:6)

All claims must be methodically tested to determine the good to be kept and the bad to be rejected (Ecclesiastes 7:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Significant scientific claims must be willing to be subject to challenge and not allowed to stand without open debate (Acts 26:26)
What is accurately observed from the past should be used to inform our current decisions (Romans 15:4)

To claim to have special knowledge of consequences far into the future based on today’s limited understanding is foolish (Ecclesiastes 3:11; 8:6-7)

The cycles of the earth, and life on it, will continue on until the Lord returns (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 2 Peter 3:4-7)

“As Democrats, we believe that education is a critical public good—not a commodity—and that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every child, everywhere, is able to receive a world-class education that enables them to lead meaningful lives, no matter their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, language status, immigration or citizenship status, household income or ZIP code” (page 64)

“we support K-12 instruction in civics and climate literacy” (page 65)
 
“Democrats believe that all children across the United States should have access to high-quality early childhood education programs” (page 65)

“Democrats also support raising early childhood standards and providing ongoing professional development for early childhood educators, to ensure that children’s academic, social development, behavioral, and cognitive needs are being met” (page 66)

“We will equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand complex scientific issues, counter the rising tide of denialism by promoting environmental and climate literacy” (page 67)

“Democrats believe that education is a public good and should not be saddled with a private profit motive, which is why we will ban for-profit private charter businesses from receiving federal funding.  We support measures to increase accountability for charter schools, including by requiring all charter schools to meet the same standards of transparency as traditional public schools, including with regard to civil rights protections, racial equity, admissions practices, disciplinary procedures, and school finances. We will call for conditioning federal funding for new, expanded charter schools or for charter school renewals on a district’s review of whether the charter will systematically underserve the neediest students. And Democrats oppose private school vouchers and other policies that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from the public school system” (page 67)

“Guns have no place in our schools” (page 67)

“Democrats also believe that all schools should have adequate resources to expand school-based health services and hire guidance counselors, social workers, nurses, and school psychologists to help support students’ mental health needs, address trauma, and promote social and emotional development” (page 67)

“Democrats will make sure schools do not engage in, and appropriately address, discrimination, bullying and harassment related to sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity; race; national origin; immigration or citizenship status; religion; disability; and language status. We will protect the rights of transgender students” (page 67)

“we will make public colleges and universities tuition-free for students whose families earn less than $125,000—roughly 80 percent of the American people” (page 69)

“Democrats support making community colleges and trade schools tuition-free for all students, including Dreamers” (page 69)

“After 20 years, remaining federal student loan debt should be automatically forgiven without tax liability. For those earning less than $125,000, we support forgiving all undergraduate tuition-related federal student debt from two- and four-year public colleges and universities, and we will also apply this benefit to individuals holding federal student loans for tuition from private HBCUs and MSIs” (page 70)

“American education has … been the focus of constant controversy, as centralizing forces from outside the family and community have sought to remake education in order to remake America. They have done immense damage. The federal government should not be a partner in that effort, as the Constitution gives it no role in education” (page 33)

“Parents are a child’s first and foremost educators, and have primary responsibility for the education of their children. Parents have a right to direct their children’s education, care, and upbringing. We support a constitutional amendment to protect that right from interference by states, the federal government, or international bodies such as the United Nations” (page 33)

“A good understanding of the Bible being indispensable for the development of an educated citizenry, we encourage state legislatures to offer the Bible in a literature curriculum as an elective in America’s high schools” (page 33)

“We support options for learning, including home-schooling, career and technical education, private or parochial schools, magnet schools, charter schools, online learning, and early-college high schools” (page 34)

“Congressional Republicans are leading the way forward with major reform legislation advancing the concept of block grants and repealing numerous federal regulations which have interfered with state and local control of public schools” (page 34)

“We renew our call for replacing “family planning” programs for teens with sexual risk avoidance education that sets abstinence until marriage as the responsible and respected standard of behavior” (page 34)

“We oppose school-based clinics that provide referral or counseling for abortion and contraception and believe that federal funds should not be used in mandatory or universal mental health, psychiatric, or socio-emotional screening programs” (page 34)

“We emphatically support the original, authentic meaning of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. That same provision of law is now being used by bureaucrats — and by the current President of the United States — to impose a social and cultural revolution upon the American people by wrongly redefining sex discrimination to include sexual orientation or other categories. Their edict to the states concerning restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities is at once illegal, dangerous, and ignores privacy issues. We salute the several states which have filed suit against it” (page 35)

Biblically, parents have the primary responsibility to train and equip their children, not the government (Deuteronomy 4:9; Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:20-27; 22:6; Ephesians 6:4).

Parental instruction is inside and outside the home, all day, in all life circumstances (Deuteronomy 6:5-7; 11:19), while public school can assist in skills development (Proverbs 22:29)

The purpose of education is to:

• Cultivate a curiosity about the creation around us (Proverbs 25:2)
• See God’s majesty in all the universe (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20)
• Learn to fear (revere) God (Proverbs 9:10) and to obey His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
• Know and be able to correctly handle the truth (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17)
• Gain understanding and wisdom (Psalm 19:7-14) which is better than amassing unproductive knowledge (Ecclesiastes 12:12) or wealth (Proverbs 16:16)
• Develop an ability to think, reason and comprehend correctly (Ecclesiastes 7:27)
• Be able to weigh wise counsel and make decisions (Proverbs 11:14)
• Gain skills to be productive and provide for a family (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Understand the world and the consequences of life’s decisions (Proverbs 9:9; 16:22)
• Equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Biblically, a secular, man-centered education will never lead to righteous living, but will instead lead to destruction (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)

The educational system should have nothing to do with bankrupt worldviews that deny God and His truth (Colossians 2:8)

Sexualization of students (and sexual material) are corrupting to a child’s heart and not appropriate for public education (Psalm 101:3; Job 31:1; Matthew 18:6)