============ Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 16:35:49 -0500 To: fight-censorship@vorlon.mit.edu From: declan@well.com (Declan McCullagh) Subject: Republican and Democratic party platforms on technology Sender: owner-fight-censorship@vorlon.mit.edu Attached is an excerpt from the GOP's 1996 platform, provided by a Republican Senate staffer. All keystroking errors mine -- this plank doesn't seem to have been nailed into the rnc.org web site yet. While the Republicans certainly are no fast friends of online liberties -- recall Dole cosponsored an "anti-cyberporn" bill worse than the CDA -- they've been moving in the right direction on crypto. This plank shows that as a party, they're starting to take online privacy seriously. Let's see what the Democrats do at their convention. I've attached relevant excerpts from the platform committee's report, but the only coherent theme I found is increased government spending. (Contrast both parties with the Libertarians, which have a sterling commitment to online civil liberties, reflected in the platform approved at their convention last month.) -Declan --- [The rest of the platform is at http://www.rnc.org/hq/platform96/] The 1996 Republican Party Platform Excerpt: Science, Technology, and Innovation in the 21st Century Our goal is to empower the American people by using the benefits of advanced science to improve their quality of life without undue restraint from government. Our bottom line is more jobs, better jobs, and a higher standard of living for the families of America. We believe the marketplace, not bureaucrats, can determine which technologies best meet the needs of the public. [...] The communications revolution empowers individuals, enhances health care, opens up opportunity for rural areas, and strengthens families and institutions. A Dole-led Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to promote the full and open competition and freedom of choice in the telecommunications marketplace. In contrast, the Clinton-Gore Administration repeatedly defended big-government regulation. This micromanagement of the Information Age is contrary to America's Information Super Highway. We support the broadest access to telecommunications networks and services, based upon marketplace capabilties. ***The Internet today is the most staggering example of how the Information Age can and will enhance the lives of Americans everywhere. To further this explosion of new-found freedoms and opportunities, privacy, through secured communications, has never been more important. Bob Dole and the Republican Party will promote policies that ensure that the U.S. remains the world leader in science, technology, and innovation.*** [Emphasis mine. --Declan] --- http://www.democrats.org/party/convention/pltdft96-2.html The Report of the Platform Committee to the 1996 Democratic National Convention Today's Democratic Party: Meeting America's Challenges, Protecting America's Values THE 1996 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PLATFORM [...] Technology. We know investments in technology drive economic growth, generate new knowledge, create new high-wage jobs, build new industries, and improve our quality of life. In the face of Republican efforts to undermine America's dedication to innovation, President Clinton and the Democratic Party have fought to maintain vital investments in science and technology. We remember that government investment in technology is responsible for the computer, for jet aircraft, and for the Internet -- no investments have ever paid off better, in jobs, in opportunity, or in growth. [...] Technology in the classroom. We must bring the 21st century into every classroom in America. There is a vast realm of knowledge waiting for our children to tap into. Computers are powerful tools to teach students to read better, write better, and understand math. President Clinton and Vice President Gore understand that technological literacy is essential to success in the new economy. The only way to achieve that for every student is to give them all access to a computer, good software, trained teachers, and the Internet -- and President Clinton and Vice President Gore have launched a partnership with high-tech companies, schools, state, and local governments to wire every classroom and library to the Information Superhighway by the year 2000. [...] The Clinton Administration is working to put wanted lists of parents who owe child support in the post office and on the Internet. President Clinton and Democrats in Congress insisted that the toughest possible child support enforcement be part of the new welfare reform plan -- including the President's plan to deny drivers licenses and professional licenses to people who do not pay their child support. ###