THE Democratic Party Statement of Principles

[drdon326]

kentuck and i had this discussion previously....

The DNC has to have a C L E A R statement of principles.

my list

The Democratic Party statement of principles

1. We believe in 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...never !!
3. we are pro-choice and refuse to return to back alley abortions
4. We strongly believe in a balanced budget
5..We strongly support pro-stem cell reasearch and will only use pre=discarded frozen cells.
6. We respect the right to bear arms but not allow felons to acquire them
7. We respect the rights of all americans incl.glt rights and no one group OF ANY KIND should have special rights.
8. Social Security is for ALL AMERICANS and has helped prevent people from going into poverty and should not be touched.
9. "FAMILY VALUES" include respect for human rights , care about the poor and the environment.

ADD YOUR OWN.


and this should be HAMMERED,HAMMERED,HAMMERED UNTIL JOE SIX-PACK CAN SPEW IT BLIND FOLDED.

Any opinions??

[DebJ]

1. Number Nine needs to be number one, and expanded a bit.

Then everything else flows from the core, simple ideals.

Gotta Keep It Simple, cause People are Stupid and Too Lazy to Think.

[unblock]

2. regarding #1: drop the "but will not burden our future" part

instead, expand #4 to:

4. we strongly believe in a balanced budget and in responsibly paying our debts.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Bare armed felons are a real threat!

All those tatoos.

[drdon326]

7. D'oh

.

[whosinpower]

4. Well - those are good

But how about a more direct, simple, concise MISSION STATEMENT that reflects all of the above.....

The Democratic Party stands for (enriching the lives) of every single American, regardless of their race, religion, age or class.

What are better words other than what is in paragraphs? Something that can be attributed to the statement of principles.....I'm having a brain fart......

[OneBlueSky]

5. "Protecting the Environment" should be a stand-alone item . . . n/t

.

[OneBlueSky]

6. I'd replace the "low taxes" item with something like . . .

"We believe in progressive taxation for individuals, families, and corporations."

[latteromden]

8. NOT EVERY DEMOCRAT IS PRO-CHOICE

And I've said it again, and again, and I'll say it one more time: We are NOT solely a party comprised of those who are pro-choice. Our goal for abortion, and the one that we articulate, should be reducing the number of abortions. Republicans DO NOT want to decrease the number of abortions - they just want to say they are pro-life and get away with it, even though they will NEVER do anything.

I'm pro-choice, but I understand that being pro-life does not make a Democrat any less Democratic, especially when they agree with our basic principles, ideals, and values.

[Crowdance]

14. Denying women their human rights is anti-democratic

and bigotry, in addition. And, what's with the shouting?

[latteromden]

16. What's with the shouting? It's getting incredibly

annoying to hear that an abortion stance is what defines a Democrat, because IT IS NOT. I agree that we should not deny abortions to women who want them, but there are others in our party that DON'T agree with that, but agree with our basic principles - economic prosperity, equal opportunity, strong global alliances and sensible foreign policy - and want to work towards them. The party is not based on social issues such as abortion. We're as bad as the Republicans if we let abortion define our goals.

[Crowdance]

19. WE are defining our goals, and one of them is to preserve

women's human rights. Republicans are threatening those. We shouldn't encourage Democrats to do the same. We should not ignore bigotry and hatred; we need to work against it. Even (or maybe especially) when we find it in our own ranks.

[sampsonblk]

23. Amen - Reduce the number of abortions

That's the one thing we can all agree on. I don't believe the Repubs have any answer for this either.

[blondeatlast]

48. This is a "framing" issue we seriously need to address.

Nobody, but nobody, is pro-abortion, but nobody really wants to eliminate it altogether, either.

We've let the RadRight frame the issue which has put us on the defensive of a general policy the majority believe in.

[Sparkly]

9. Equal opportunity

for healthcare, education, employment.

[OneBlueSky]

10. how about something about corporate personhood . . .

e.g. "We believe that corporations are NOT persons and should not be granted the same rights and privileges as persons."

[blondeatlast]

49. Oh, yes indeed. nt

[mattclearing]

11. It sounds like Republican-Lite. Hammer it into defeat, rinse, and repeat.

Sorry, that's just how I see it. It's responsive. It lets them establish the terms of the debate. And it's a loser.

[drdon326]

12. Wha??...RULE #1 IN POLITICS---DEFINE YOURSELF FIRST !!

whats repub-lite??....specifically, please.

we establish the debate and let the rupugs fight it.

[mattclearing]

15. Exactly why I said that. Read what you wrote.

"1. We believe in LOW taxes as possible-but will not burden our future"

This is a response to Republican accusations that we raise taxes.

"2. we SUPPORT our troops AND will never let down against real terrorism or any threats to our security...never !!"

A response to their accusations that we don't support the troops and are weak on national security.

"3. we are pro-choice and refuse to return to back alley abortions"

This is true, and fine. However, I think this issue is overrated. They use it to call us baby-killers. This is kind of responsive as a result. Framing the debate would require us to call them baby killers for bombing civilians in Iraq. Then they would have to say something to refute it.

"4. We strongly believe in a balanced budget"

Because they spent all the taxes we collected and sank us into this ridiculous debt. We used to promise programs, but we can't do that anymore, thanks to them. Another response.

"5.We strongly support pro-stem cell reasearch and will only use pre=discarded frozen cells."

Another fringe issue not unlike abortion. They use it to call us baby-killers, we respond by saying stuff like this.

"6. We respect the right to bear arms but not allow felons to acquire them"

Because they love their guns. Another response to them calling us gun taker-awayers. :)

"7. We respect the rights of all americans incl.glt rights and no one group OF ANY KIND should have special rights."

You can spell it out. Gay Lesbian and Transgender. No group of any kind should have special rights? This is fine, but the way it's said is off, and makes it sound responsive. Try "Fairness and Equality for all, including Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender people." If you can't stomach spelling it out, then chances are you are not proud of standing up for these people's rights, or are meek about it. People hate meekness when they vote. And what about the B? Are bi-sexuals not worth standing up for?

"8. Social Security is for ALL AMERICANS and has helped prevent people from going into poverty and should not be touched."

Fine, but take out the should not be touched. I would say, "Social Security is America's safety net, and must be preserved." Keep it positive. Saying it shouldn't be touched is a response to those who would touch it.

"9. "FAMILY VALUES" include respect for human rights , care about the poor and the environment."

Do I even have to explain that this is responsive? Family values should either be taken over by us by explaining Kerry's message that family values means valuing families, or abandoned altogether. Family values is a cheap bullshit play on words. There is no such thing as family values.

I'm all for statements of principle, but this is all based on Republican words, phrases, and stigma. We need new words, phrases, and stigma.

[drdon326]

20. Fair enough

but ask joe sixpack what the repuGs stand for and he will spit out all the bullshit fed by el pig boy and all the other assholes.

That is why the dnc stakes out a position , hammers it home so the same joe sixpack knows what we are.

DEFINE YOURSELF BEFORE YOUR OPPOSITION DOES.

[mattclearing]

26. That's why I'm proposing starting from scratch.

We've allowed them to dictate the terms of the debate since Reagan. I'm not saying it's going to be easy or quick, but we need to do it still.

[ColoradoCowboyDem]

35. Fringe Issue?

"5.We strongly support pro-stem cell reasearch and will only use pre=discarded frozen cells."

Another fringe issue not unlike abortion. They use it to call us baby-killers, we respond by saying stuff like this.


I respectfully disagree. E. Stem-cell research is a matter of life and death.

My grandfather had Parkinson's and passed away this summer. His father had it before him, and likely, my father will have it. I might get it as well. My best friend since grade school is a partial quad, (spinal cord injury) and would love nothing more than to be able to play the guitar again. Walking would be nice, but he isn't a demanding person. E. Stem-Cell research absolutely will be able to create a cure for these diseases.

The reason why this is not a fringe issue: it affect millions of people. I am a Democrat because of my values, but I am an activist, organizer, and volunteer because of E. Stem-Cell. If we take a weaker position on it, or don't stress it like Kerry did, you won't LOSE a lot of votes, but you may lose people on the ground such as myself. (And it's not easy to find field organizers)

Also, regarding fringe issues; issues change from election to election. Term limits is a good example. Don't ignore something because "it isn't an issue." Make it an issue, and win on it.

[mattclearing]

44. Not to dis the issue, because it is important.

I guess what I meant to say here is that it is shifting and not something that resonates well with voters.

I think support for government funding of research and a favorable view towards science in general should be a hallmark of the Democratic Party.

Stem cell research would certainly be a part of that.

I just feel like it is a political issue because of its relevance to the abortion issue.

[newyawker99]

47. Hi ColoradoCowboyDem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. How about one simple statement?

"We ARE our brother's, and sister's, keepers".

Covers just about everything I can think of that's important.

Health care
Peace
The Environment
Labor
Civil Rights
Women's Rights
Taxes
Civility
Equal opportunity
Gay rights
Education
Gun Control

Of course, the DLC types can weasel with "compromises".

[HereSince1628]

17. All these r Democratic backed issues but IMHO they fall short

of "principles" because all of them are more or less "derived," and issue specific.

Party principles are the sort of first values that guide and direct thinking and decision making about what issues are going to be supported or not supported by a party.

Name the beliefs and values that underly these 9 issues and you will be getting much closer to principles.

Principles are usually quite simple, yet sweeping statements that in application have tremendous implications.

Here is an example of progressive beliefs which I think border on principles:

1) The United States (the world) is imperfect and can be improved.

2) Improvement can be measured as increases in Liberty, Justice, and Equality.

These 2 beliefs can guide and direct the creation of derivative statements and decisions that address not only the 9 issues you present but much more.

Indeed the 2 statements I present are so basic that the Founders incorporated them into the prelude to the US Constitution.

[mattclearing]

18. Exactly.

Now we're talking.

[sampsonblk]

25. I agree

Principles can be applied to many issues. What we are looking at in this thread is a list of policy points. They are still a good starting point though.

[HereSince1628]

43. Yes as beginnings of self interrogation about their appeal they are fine

They are great issues and Democrats can ask themselves why they have appeal. The answers to why these issues are appealing will take the intellectual side of the party into domains whose exploration will expose fundamental things about Democrats.

DU'ers, being a bit more intellectual than the general population, can probably do that in a more or less successful way. But there are large numbers of people whom we think should support the same ideas that aren't as capable.

I don't want to impose my own values as principles, but I do believe that Democrats need to simplify the definition of Democratic principles and simultaneously broaden the exposure of the appeal of those values.

[Pepperbelly]

21. no, no, no!

Far too complicated,

Freedom. Opportunity. Justice. Security. Equality.

[drdon326]

22. To deep for the average voter

need simple things they can relate to.

[Pepperbelly]

24. deep?

:wow:

The simple, unvarnished bedrock principles. That other stuff is wonk-speak.

[drdon326]

27. "wonk-speak" is what wins elections

esoteric speech for the average voter won't cut it, imho

[Pepperbelly]

28. what elections have you seen won by wonk-speak?

Seriously.

[drdon326]

29. OK...YOU GOT ME ....BUT

chimpy defined himself and gave pseudo-wonk.....and joe sixpack bought it.

We define ourselves with general principles and beliefs so the average voter says..."ohhh...thats what they stand for".

I stand by what i said....

The democrats MUST define themselves before the repugs do.

[Pepperbelly]

30. No, I do not "have" you.

I am making a point. Every one of the items you enumerated are a part of the overarching principles I listed. And many more including electoral reform, economic reform, fiscal policy, monetary policy, welfare policy, SS policy, everything. But we organize our policies to support THESE things, not greed, hatred, and short-sightedness. And of course, there has to be specific policy to support but policy is not principle. It is policy.

And what I am doing is suggesting that these principles are powerful enough to combat the gops' overarching "principles" and can be used to counter their's.

[drdon326]

31. I respectfully disagree

.

[blondeatlast]

52. Have you read George Lakoff? Pepperbelly is on to

something. We need to define our values in order to create ploicy and the accompying language to make it work.

It's not marketing, it's cognitive.

[sampsonblk]

32. Those are slogans

Just speaking for myself, of course.

[drdon326]

46. How about "VALUES". ??

.

[blondeatlast]

53. Precisely--that's what Pepperbelly explicated.

From there we can work out the broad issues and the policies to make them work.

[blondeatlast]

51. Precisely; if we define our VALUES first, policy

becomes much easier to create!

[Clarkie1]

33. #9 on "family values" is the key to all else

If we win that debate we win the whole enchilada.

[drdon326]

34. Try this ?..THE Democratic Party Statement of VALUES.

BETTER?

[blondeatlast]

54. With all due respect, no, because you elucidated ISSUES.

Pepperbelly elucidated our VALUES.

[Zhade]

36. Our foreign policy should be even-handed.

No more blind one-sided support or funding for either Israel or Saudi Arabia, for example. No more willful denial of the atrocities committed by either government, or any government, for that matter.

No more hypocrisy would be nice, too!

[Forkboy]

37. I especially like #9

[drdon326]

38. Thanks,CLINT !!

I WAS hoping you like it all but i will settle for one.

signed, PEE-WEE

[Forkboy]

39. I like it all

especially #9

[drdon326]

40. And this is why.......

I worship you , you big lug.



lol

[Forkboy]

41. As well you should!

Nowhere to go but up!

[drdon326]

42. .

:wow:-----> :headbang:

[drdon326]

45. kick

for other opinions

[blondeatlast]

50. We need to define our VALUES first.

As Lakoff said, values must come first. That means VERY BROAD statements of belief. That way we can begin to work "slippery-slope policy" into gear the way the RadRight has done.

What I see as "big D" Democratic values, in no particular order, just as they come to me:

Clean air and water

Safety and security of every human

Quality education

Equality

Economic protection of every American citizen/Elimination of poverty

Dignity of all humans

Justice

Feel free to add your own. I think we need to define our VALUES, then look to the policy. It's harder to do, but it is really a basic effort, and it prevents us from falling into the opponents' terminology and ideas.

Remember, with values we need to think broadly, then work our values INTO policy. Harder to do at first, but it makes policy making much easier in the long run.