Conflict Minerals
Conflict minerals are any kind of minerals that contribute to conflict in the regions from which they are being mined. These minerals include, but are not limited to, gold, tungsten, cobalt, and lithium. The controversy surrounding this issue encompasses whether or not these minerals should continue to be extracted and purchased by companies around the world and whether or not there should be regulation involved when extracting these minerals. The Lunar Mystery Party believes that conflict minerals should continue to be mined and sold under very strict regulation, almost similar to the European Commission's EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, until effective alternatives can replace these minerals. As of right now, these minerals are essential to the production of many manufactured products sold within the U.S. Stricter regulations with conflict minerals will also provide the people mining with the necessary protection as they transport minerals and will decrease any illegal activities with these minerals that contributes to the ongoing conflict in those regions.
$15 Minimum Wage
Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour has been the outcry of many low-income workers for awhile now. Currently, the Raise the Wage Act, which promises to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour over the course of seven years, has passed in the House of Representatives and being discussed in the Senate. The Lunar Mystery Party does believe that raising the federal minimum wage would help these low-income workers; however, increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour would devastate the American economy, especially those low-income workers. With an increased federal minimum wage, the federal deficit, tax rates, unemployment, and prices for manufactured products would all increase. Minorities would be at a disadvantage as making more money would become harder for them, and companies would suffer from financial ruin and may be forced to shut down. On top of that, low-income workers would still have a low income due to the higher tax rates and would be plunged into financial ruin as well. To resolve the issue of minimum wage for low-income workers, the Lunar Mystery Party will propose a policy that will raise the minimum wage of low-income workers to a decent amount, less than $15 an hour, that will provide enough money for themselves and their families.
Education Reform in the United States
Education reform is any change to the way the education system works. In the world of education, a certain issue is being heavily debated: standardized testing. Standardized testing has been required in the United States for decades. Now that the United States has spent so much time and money for standardized testing, it is becoming questionable whether or not the tests are effective in increasing student performance. The Lunar Mystery Party believes that evidence marks standardized testing unnecessary. The tests take up entirely too much teaching time. They also emphasize math and reading while letting other subjects, such as social studies and the arts, be forgotten. Test grades are prioritized over understanding, and the whole process puts extra stress on teachers and students. Other, less stressful testing methods should be used in place of standardized testing.
Venezuelan Economic Crisis
Ever since the mid- to late 1900s, the Venezuelan government has had major problems with leaders and corruption. The Venezuelan people's political voice has been silenced by cruel leaders such Nicolas Maduro, who is the most current president of Venezuela. The country has fallen from rich and prosperous to poor and starving. Most Venezuelans are homeless, jobless, without clean water, without electricity, and so poor that they can't even afford the little food Venezuela imports. Under government mismanagement, the economy has experienced extreme inflation, causing the Venezuelan currency to become almost worthless. After watching the crisis unfold for years, the U.S. has been debating whether or not to send troops to Venezuela. It would make sense for the U.S., as the ultimate promoter of democracy, to free the Venezuelan people and take out the Venezuelan government. However, the Lunar Mystery Party does not encourage intervention. If the U.S. sent troops, it would very costly for both the U.S. and for Venezuela. Lives and money would be lost, and the whole war could spin out of control like in Vietnam and the Middle East. It could also create bitterness between Venezuela and the U.S. and cause a new U.S. enemy to spring up. The Lunar Mystery Party strongly disagrees with intervention in Venezuela.
Anti Muslim Citizenship Law in India
In December of 2019 India passed a citizenship law. This act granted citizenship to illegal immigrants from neighboring countries, this act however did not include Muslims. Outstanding as it is, the Muslim community creates 14.2% of India's population. Not only has this religious minority group been isolated by other citizens, Muslims have faced many dangerous and fatal mobs since 2018. These mobs are led mostly by bigger religious groups and have caused lots of harm. Although America cannot force India to change their law, we can however, send our support to families and people effected by this new law and previous attacks. The Lunar M. Party is working with the United Nations to form support organizations that will be placed in India for families and members of the Muslim community to feel safe and welcomed.
Stem Cell Research Advancement
Medical advancement has been a huge topic since the 1980s. Stem cell research is the door to solving disease and deadly conditions. This research includes using embryonic stem cells (which come from embryos) and assigning them a certain function so they can replace and/or repair diseased tissue and organs. This research can also use adult cells which already have a function and altering them to have the properties of an embryonic stem cell. In 1995, The Dickey Wicker amendment was passed prohibiting federal funds for research dealing with the destruction of embryos. This amendment didn't stop research but created an obstacle for scientists. Instead of using embryonic stem cells, scientists had to find a new way to create and develop stem cells. Even with this setback, scientists succeeded. Up until 2007, the source of embryonic cells came from donated embryos from fertility clinics. In 2009, President Obama signed an executive order reversing pervious federal opposition to embryonic stem cell research. This order overturns President Bush's order in 2001. The order allows federal funding for human embryonic stem cells, not the derivation (stem cells collected from early-stage embryos) of stem cells. The Lunar Mystery Party supports the advancement of medical research and the work done to get there, but will stand by President Obama's order of not founding the derivation of stem cells but the work done to the cells themselves.
The Pink Tax
Our party strongly believes that it will benefit women all over the country to remove the Pink Tax on feminine hygiene products. There are many products needed much less than these feminine products that are exempt from the tax, we believe that items like tampons and pads should also be exempt from the taxation. The tax has already been removed by several states, and we'd like to have it removed all across the USA. This will increase the ability for women to have access these necessities and increase overall women's health.
BLM Movement
Our party is for the Black Lives Matter movement; a movement focused around getting justice for victims of police-brutality and systemic racism. We stand with the families who may have lost family members or friends due to this injustice, and we stand with all people of color. We believe that everyone should be equal in all situations regardless of the color of their skin. We stand against the racism America has tolerated for so long, and we strive and push for people and the world to be better. We will fight for the victims and stand with POC, no matter the cost, because their lives are worth more than our pride.
Free Abortion
In America today, abortion (the termination of a pregnancy before birth) is a common subject of heated debate. Pro-abortionists say that women should be able to abort because their body is their property. They should be able to choose what they want to do with it. Pro-abortionists also argue that pregnancies cause trouble for the mother, who might not be able to afford hospital care. They also might not be able to care for a child or even survive the birthing process. The opposing side says that abortion is the same as taking a life. They argue that birth control and other preventives are better options. Mothers often regret abortions afterwards, so it is beneficial to the mother if the baby is born. The Lunar Mystery Party does respect and understand the concerns of pro-abortionists, but does not support abortion as a whole. Abortion takes lives and that simply cannot be accepted. However, the Lunar Mystery does not believe in leaving soon-to-be mothers to deal with their problems without help. To help support them, the Lunar Mystery Party provides donations to programs who help women with unexpected pregnancies.
Cell-Phone Blockers in Schools and in Cars
In partnership with Comcast, the Lunar Mystery Party encourages Americans to have cell-phone blockers installed in all schools and all vehicles. Cell-phone blockers are devices that stop communication signals in cell-phones. Nowadays, students and drivers find it hard to stay off their phones. When students are distracted by their phones, their performance in school decreases. Fatal or destructive car accidents happen when people use their phones while driving. The Lunar Mystery Party believes that Americans would benefit from no cell-phone use in cars and in schools. It is simply too dangerous to allow distracted driving and too damaging to students to allow phones in schools. Some may be concerned about these blockers because of their ability to disable phone calls. Others may complain because students will likely find a way to slip by the blockers. However, Comcast has agreed to allow access to emergency calls in the cell-phone blockers and to make sure that the blockers are student proof.