What does the Democratic Party stand for?

[leftofthedial]

The repukes stand for winning elections at all costs, enriching the few at the expense of the many, dismantling the social safety net, high unemployment and lower wages, destroying public education, healthcare only for the wealthy, and waging unending war that exchanges the lives of the poor in return for profits for war-profiteering corporations.

Of course, they call this agenda:

lower taxes
war on terror
no child left behind


But what does the Democratic Party stand for? I worked my ass off for Kerry-Edwards and I don't know. There was a message du jour that required a degree in economics or sociology to understand, but never a clear, consistent theme or appeal to a set of core values (and I don't mean phony "moral" values).

What are the three or four basic, foundational, essential principles of the Democratic Party?

[cruadin]

1. 1.) a living wage for working people

2.) a sane and responsible foreign policy
3.) honoring our commitments to our seniors
4.) business and urban policies that are built on respect for the enviroment.

[leftofthedial]

9. I like the living wage idea

I think that can be a starting place for developing a guiding principle

the repukes can (and do) claim that the neocon agenda is a "Sane and responsible" foreign policy. then you're in a pissing match with no clear differentiation.

honoring our commitments to our seniors is the basic rhetorical argument of the repuke's attacks on social security.

I think you and I probably agree what constitutes "respect for the environment," but repukes think that strip mining and building logging roads is "respect."

[cruadin]

10. I only listed the principles in their broadest forms,...

it will have to be up to the candidates we nominate to convince people that the Democrats are the party that truly values (there's that word) these obligations. Obviously, the Repugs will try to co-opt them, precisely because they're the principles that most rational people think should be guiding our country.
I don't have a pat answer as to how a political campaign, or a specific candidate articulates these principles in a clear, convincing way, but the Democrats inability to do a better job of it than the Repug media machine is a big part of the problem.
In short, it's not our message that's the problem, it's doing a better, more disciplined job conveying that message. And, also, in not allowing the Repugs to successfully masquerade as Democrats when it comes to social issues. I mean, come on--"compassionate conservative"--give me a fucking break.

[scarletwoman]

2. *crickets*

I guess NOBODY knows...

I sure don't, I only know what I USED to think they stood for -- the Party of the People -- but I don't see that being the case anymore.

sw

[leftofthedial]

6. The repukes and their disinformation machine

have done a masterful job at fragmenting "the People" to the point that I'm not sure who that is anymore or how to reach them, much less how to re-unify them.

[mattclearing]

3. In my "Why do we fight the Republicans?" post I said this, and I like it:

I want to talk about poverty, science, government's ability and obligation to help people, our mission to create a better world at home and abroad, and calling people to the higher cause of being better people and accomplishing better things.

That's kinda what the Democratic Party is about in my book.

[leftofthedial]

5. those are good areas to talk about

but do you think "I want to talk about poverty" can really compete with "I want to lower taxes"?

[mattclearing]

8. That's where the higher calling comes in.

This is where the Democrats can win the values debate once and for all. We need to re-embrace JFK1's logic on inspiration. By challenging the American people to do better things through their government, we empower them to believe in their government, and to reluctantly accept its need for taxes.

Bush is working to destroy faith in the government's ability to effectively help people...which is probably the #1 philosophical belief in the Democratic Party.

He is working to make our raison d'etre extinct.

edited for omitted word.

[heidler1]

16. At this point poverty isn't the most burning issue, but if the repugs

screw up the economy enough, and they all ways do. Poverty will move up to the most burning issue.

[UVASAM1]

4. i volunteered for K/E and i dont know

which is the reason we lost. we have no clear message. Thanks, DNC.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Wow that's funny since in another thread you claim we are experiencing

solid economic growth under the current regime...perhaps you forgot to include in those posts that that alleged solid economic growth is solely a result of military spending. I have read many of your posts. Every single one of them either slams Democrats or espouses the fact that the economy is good and therefore restrictions on welfare are fine since people should be able to find work. Amazing.

[drdon326]

7. kentuck and I had this discussion....

The Democratic Party should put out a statement of principles

1. LOW taxes as possible-but will not burden our future
2. we SUPPORT our troops AND will never let down against real terrorism or any threats to our security
3. we are pro-choice and refuse to return to back alley abortions
4. balanced budget
5..pro-stem cell reasearch
6. right to bare arms but not allow felons to acquire them
7. respect the rights of all americans incl.glt rights


etc,etc,etc...add your own

AND POUND THESE REPEATEDLY UNTIL ITS AD NAUSEUM

People should KNOW exactly WHAT THE DNC STANDS FOR.

[Zhade]

20. To nitpick, it's GLBT rights.

Bi people like myself deserve those rights as well (I'm sure this was a mere oversight on your part, so no harm done).

[latteromden]

11. I think we can all agree on a few:

1) Fiscal responsibility and economic prosperity
2) Strong international alliances and sensible foreign policy
3) Equal opportunity for all, including education and healthcare
4) Honesty in government, especially when the Republicans have gotten less and less trustworthy and mislead the American people time and time again
5) Preservation of the basic freedoms set forth in the Constitution and its amendments

All voters can agree on those main points, as can all Democrats. Getting too specific can alienate our moderate or conservative branches of the party (and yes, I'll say it again, pro-life Democrats ARE Democrats, if they believe in our basic values). But, honestly, find a non-wingnut who DOESN'T want economic prosperity. It's pretty difficult.

[mattclearing]

13. I like it.

These are majority issues. It's foolish to oppose them. If this is what we stand for, and we communicate it well, we will command opinion.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. Concern For The Little Guy And Equal Rights For All

nt

[scarletwoman]

14. The problem is, WE can articulate these principles all we want,

but where the rubber meets the road -- how many of our elected Dems are acutally standing up for them and voting accordingly?

sw

[Seabiscuit]

15. Barbara Boxer is, for one.

The best, most recent policy position setting forth where the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party stands is the one set forth in Howard Dean's recent speech.

See transcript at

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005637.html#more

Dean summarized the core issues as follows:

"Let me tell you something: there's only one thing Republican power brokers want more than for us to lurch to the left -- and that's for us to lurch to the right.

What they fear most is that we may really begin fighting for what we believe -- the fiscally responsible, socially progressive values for which Democrats have always stood and fought.

I'll give this to Republicans. They know the America they want. They want a government so small that, in the words of one prominent Republican, it can be drowned in a bathtub.

They want a government that runs big deficits, but is small enough to fit into your bedroom.
They want a government that is of, by, and for their special interest friends.

They want a government that preaches compassion but practices division.

They want wealth rewarded over work.

And they are willing to use any means to get there.

In going from record surpluses to record deficits, the Republican Party has relinquished the mantle of fiscal responsibility.

And now they're talking about borrowing another $2 trillion to take benefits away from our Senior Citizens.

In going from record job creation to record job loss, they have abandoned the mantle of economic responsibility.

In cutting health care, education, and community policing programs... and in failing to invest in America's inner cities, or distressed rural communities... they certainly have no desire to even claim the mantle of social responsibility.

In their refusal to embrace real electoral reform or conduct the business in government in the light of day, they are hardly the model of civic responsibility.

In their willingness to change the rules so that their indicted leaders can stay in power, they have even given up any claim on personal responsibility.

And in starting an international conflict based on misleading information, I believe they have abdicated America's moral responsibility, as well.

There is a Party of fiscal responsibility... economic responsibility.... social responsibility... civic responsibility... personal responsibility... and moral responsibility.

It's the Democratic Party."

[mattclearing]

19. Maybe we need to hold their feet to the fire.

Like go to their offices and talk to them about their commitment to principles, and their willingness to sell us out.

[Clarkie1]

17. I don't know what they are, but this is what I want them to be

1. A commitment to our constitutional environment as well as our natural environment, because we can't survive without either.

2. A commitment to educational opportunity for all and ending poverty through empowerment and respect; every human being has equal worth and value.

3. We are not a nation of rich/poor, black/white, north/south we are a nation of AMERICANS, and "created equal" means promoting equal opportunities for all.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Everything and nothing.

Whatever happens to be popular at the moment. Principles and ethics are no longer thought to be "electable".