LAD #23: Populist Party Platform

In general, the Populist Party Platform is a reaction to big business throughout the industrial age of America.  Similar to Thomas Jefferson's famous document of 1776, the Populist platform adopted a 'Declaration of Independence.'  Following the preamble (which unveils the true status of the slum-stricken cities) the document reveals the true problem of the economic social gaps and growing poverty on big business.  Furthermore, they demand a switch from the traditional gold standard of money to a more acceptable (for them) and attainable silver standard.  To back up this statement, they vocalize that even though agriculture rakes in billions upon billions of dollars for exchange annually, the current currency system fails to successfully implement this process.  Consequently, the workers of these man-made products are forced into poverty which therefore lead to falling prices, and therefore form corruptness within the economy.  Their overall intentions were to restore the government into a true Democracy, leaving the hands in the power of the people.  Their next cause of actions was the declaration of their beliefs of what the true economic standings should be: legal unionizing of labor forces, coinage of silver and gold in currency at a value ration of 16:1, and government ownership and operation of the railroads, telephone, and telegraph. Additionally, monopolization should be outlawed, allowing the rightful owners the right to the land that they rightfully own. Lastly, they resolve for free and fair ballot, fair and liberal pensions for ex-Union soldiers, and stand for an overall sympathy with labor organizations and pleas: shorter workday, better pay, better conditions.