What ARE Democratic party values? I need your help on this!!!

[davsand]

Please--no snarkiness, no catty remarks.

All I'm trying to do is to define what are the common principles for the Democratic party. I need a better feel for what other folks are thinking. I am wondering, however, if I am too simplistic in my views or if I have missed something over the years.



I feel the following things are fundamental to the Democratic Party. I try and vote for candidates who agree with me:


We have a moral obligation to care for each other and do all we can to make it possible to live up to the promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Everyone is created equal. Gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status should never play any role in the treatment of people or in the rights they enjoy.

It is my body and I will make the decisions about it. You are free to do the same in respect to your body.



What do you see as a fundamental core value for Democrats? What have I missed? Please tell me!



Laura

[stray cat]

1. People first!

[RDU Socialist]

2. the one thing that is a stark difference between Democrats and Republicans

is which side they take in the business/labor battles. Democrats down the line side with labor and unions. Republicans down the line will side with the owners and executives.

[mattclearing]

3. It is the role of Government to help people in need.

It is the role of Government to use its resources to attain maximum benefit to the maximum number of its citizens.

It is the role of Government to use its influence internationally to help the greatest number of people worldwide.

It is the role of Government to moderate between the needs of corporate interests and the needs of its citizens when and where they differ.

Those are the simplest ways I can think of to explain what the Democratic Party's philosophy is (or should be).

[Kukesa]

4. Read this wonderful book that will set your feet onto the

paths of righteousness:

"Homegrown Democrat: A Few Plain Thoughts From the Heart of America"

by Garrison Keillor

[terrya]

5. To protect the interests of working men and women.

The other party is for the ultra-rich and privleged.

The Democratic Party is the party of you, of me, of working men and women. To insure that jobs are being created. That those jobs aren't merely fast food jobs. That working environments are safe and workers protected on the job. That's where agencies like OSHA come in.

That working men and women are NOT carrying an unfair burden of taxes. The Democratic Party SHOULD beleive that working men and women don't pay a higher share of taxes than the wealthiest 2%.

The Democratic Party core value should be one of protecting ordinary Americans, as well as the less fortunate.

[ewagner]

6. FDR said it best

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our Nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. "Necessitous men are not free men." People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the Nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens. For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world.

[Toots]

13. What a country this could be if only we marched in that direction

If people were healthy and happy just think how productive we could become. Republican Motto is "Beatings will continue until morale improves"

[NAO]

7. Effective (rather than limited) Government

Your question is tough because I don't think that the Democratic Party shares many of my personal political values.

George Lakoff has done invaluable work in this area of "values". I HIGHLY recommend his books, especially "Don't Think of an Elephant". He also leads a progressive think tank - "Rockridge Institute" - that works on values and politics.

Rockridge Institute
http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/

[BOSSHOG]

8. Constitutional liberties for every american citizen

regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation. Tax equity amongst all income levels. Balanced budgets. Strong military. A clearly identified separation of church and state.

Its really quite simple.

[NAO]

9. More core values from Lakoff

Lakoff provides the groundwork for progressives to begin to counter conservatives.

Conservatives call for "strong defense," progressives call for a "stronger America;"

conservatives say "free market," progressives say "broad prosperity;"

conservatives argue for "smaller government," progressives want "effective government;"

etc.

The book provides the tools for progressives to move the debate -- by addressing people's core American values -- from the divisive arguing that reinforces conservatives' positions to a civil discourse that reinforces progressives' positions.

[havocmom]

10. Seems it all starts with RESPECT

For people, genders, races, ethnic groups, age groups, class groups, sexual orientation

Diversity to make us stronger and teach empathy

Environment to sustain us and our progeny while also protecting other species, which we respect

Spirituality in all its many forms and expressions

Education

Differing views as they help us all to grow and become better, also providing for solutions to problems our own view may obscure

Freedom to make decisions about our own lives. Freedom FROM the intrusion of other people's moral or religious valued in our own personal lives

Liberty to speak/act as our Founders intended. No fear of unfair treatments by authority or class. No limits on what we can read, write or think

The acknowledgment that there are some things which are best done collectively for the common good: education, medical care, transportation infrastructure, security/law enforcement, standards and enforcement for safe water, food, working conditions, building, etc.

The willingness to give a little up for ourselves for the greater good of all

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Check out the PEW Research Center website for a little test.

http://typology.people-press.org/

I found it to be pretty interesting.

[davsand]

12. As expected, I qualify as a "liberal" by those standards.

Thanks for the link--I did enjoy finding out that (according to Pew) "Liberals represent 17 percent of the American public, and 19 percent of registered voters."

I doubt that there are too here that stay for long unless they fall on the liberal end of the spectrum. This is pretty much a self selecting group of politically interested folks here at DU. I suspect the general population probably is more conservative (I'm speaking in generalities, here, remember!)

I am a bit surprised that support for organized Labor, or support for working people has not figured more prominently here. It is present, but not as strongly represented as I would have predicted.

Thanks, all, for the feedback.

Anyone else out there willing to chime in?

Thanks!



Laura

[PassingFair]

15. I came up Liberal, too.

If we are the most "secular", I wonder what the reading is
on VERY liberal....

[PhilipShore]

14. Democrats

Democrats, well at least liberal Democrats believe in freedom for all to live, within a true democracy. Repukes believe in War, slavery and hate.

[ulysses]

16. sounds good to me, Laura.

:thumbsup: