Science and Culture
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RESEARCH
Promote increased tax-funding of scientific research in all fields, especially into alternative energy sources. At the same time require increased public scrutiny of all research programs and more opportunity for public input or control of such programs.
- Resume full federal funding to embryonic stem cell research, so the U.S. remains a leading promoter of scientific advancement in this field. For similar reasons grant more latitude to cloning research, though not lifting all restrictions.
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING
Do more to enforce laws against false advertising, in all media, but especially in broadcasting, imposing appropriate penalties on violators. For example:
- Do better policing of ads on radio and TV which promote various investment and "get-rich-quick" schemes, including various "home business" schemes.
- Do more to police advertising of products which promise to reverse the aging process or cure or prevent cancer and other illnesses, also weight-loss and hair re-growth products, and also products which promise fantastic increases in the user's I.Q. or reading speed.
- Grant jurisdiction to the FDA (or appropriate agency) to test vitamin and mineral products to ensure that their labels accurately inform consumers of the product's contents.
- Require the labels of food products to clearly denote health issues associated with modified or engineered ingredients, such as trans fats and corn syrup, that do not appear naturally in foods.
- Do better testing and inspection of bottled water products to ensure the safety of the contents and also to verify the original source of the product.
ANIMAL PROTECTION
Animals serve many roles in our society, providing companionship, entertainment, food, clothing, services, and other products which make our lives better. These uses are a legitimate part of our culture. However, since there are cases of mistreatment of animals, reasonable steps toward minimizing their pain or suffering are called for.
Due to the varied uses and pervasiveness of animals in society, enact animal protection laws mainly at the state and local, rather than federal, level.
PROMOTING ART & CULTURAL GROWTH
- It is important for government to foster cultural growth. While the Federal Government's job should not be to restrict cultural activities unless they run counter to the Constitution, there is the implication that the Federal Government should have a hand in supporting activities that benefit the public at large.
- Commit to fully funding the Public Broadcasting System, as it benefits the public directly.
- Commit to funding the National Endowment for the Arts and other programs that help to keep the United States a world leader in the arts, but reassess the practice of bestowing grants onto selected artists to the exclusion of others.