Why I’m a Democrat

In light of the loss for marriage equality in Maine, and the touting by many on the right of the few off-season races won by Republicans, I’d like to take a moment to remind myself, and everyone else, why I am a Democrat and why being a Democrat is a great thing.

REASONS I AM A DEMOCRAT: (not in any particular order)

1) A Commitment to Affordable Quality Universal Health Care. I truly believe Health Care is part of the Locke-esque social contract we make when we establish a government. I’m personally for a single-payer system, because if a government can’t function to protect the lives of its people, what good is a government at all? Also, a healthier people are a more productive people. Democrats and progressives on the whole, agree with me.

2) Fiscal Responsibility. This is often touted as a virtue of the Republicans, but you’d have to call every Republican from Reagan forward a RINO to make the claim valid. It is the classic argument/smear against the ‘tax and spend’ liberals. Clinton was the only modern president to reduce the national debt and balance the budget – actually producing an annual surplus at the end of his two terms. Carter’s terms were roughly debt-neutral. Republicans – Ford, Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II, each caused sharp spikes in the debt and never once had a balanced budget. It is in fact Democrats who truly understand how to achieve fiscal responsibility in the long term, and that is by investing in America.

3) Regulation! I’m for the free market when it comes to consumer goods like shoes and cars and such. However, every industry must be subject to the sort of regulations that ensure their products are SAFE to the individual consumer and SAFE to the economy as a whole. The whole reason we got into the current mess was deregulation. Democrats on the whole are for strengthening regulation to the benefit of consumers and America as a whole. Big corporations should not be able to do things that hurt workers, consumers, or the economy without repercussions.

4) Taking Care of the Little People. Democrats have a long history of social responsibility. That means making sure that seniors, our veterans, the disabled, and the poor are provided for. Keeping these people from descending into abject poverty not only is our moral obligation, but it keeps our economy strong. These people, if given a chance to move up in society, can become productive members of society who contribute to the economy as workers and consumers. This includes the wealthy paying their fair share of the tax burden. If you have become rich in America through honest means, you almost certainly profited from the collective American workforce or consumer base, and you have a duty to give back to your community.

5) Commitments to Science and the Environment. The administration in which I came of age was vehemently anti-science, ignoring data and even silencing government scientists if the data did not fit with their political view or interest. Democrats increase funding for and promote the basic scientific research that keeps America at the forefront of the global community. Democrats also promote measures to protect the environment and our natural resources, for they are our long-term strength.

6) Education. Democrats support education at all levels. They do not attempt to twist curriculum to religious or ideological ends, and make the spending commitments necessary to educate and train the next generation of Americans – those who will lead America into the future as skilled workers, adept technicians, brilliant scientists, and most importantly enlightened citizens – the cornerstone of any democracy.

7) Anti-War. The Democratic party is cautious about exerting economic might around the world, and is fearful of the military-industrial complex. We pursue military options as a last resort, after intense diplomacy has failed. When we do exert our military strength, we do so in a multilateral way, in conjunction with U.N. and NATO forces in accordance with international law. We do not torture or commit war crimes.

Equal Rights. We accept all comers, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, wealth, etc. We believe in equal rights and protections for all people, so long as those rights do not infringe on the rights and protections of others. Our party is not dominated by any one group of people. We are representative of America as a whole. Discrimination will not be tolerated.

9) Reproductive Rights. Democrats support the right of a woman to choose, as well as access to family planning and contraception. Abstinence-only education does not work.

10) Separation of Church and State. Keep God out of the public sector, please.

11) Adhering to the Constitution. This means no Patriot Act, no warrant-less wiretapping, no violations of our civil liberties, no violations of equal protections and no cherrypicking of phrases – that goes for ALL free speech, even if it promotes something not-so-nice.

12) Gun control. While every American has the right to own a firearm, this can and should be limited. Schools, National Parks, and the like should be able to prohibit firearms when they pose a clear danger to the well-being of others. Gun ownership should be limited for ex-criminals, and the mentally unsound. Waiting lists and background checks and permits are a positive thing.

I’m sure there are dozens more, but these are the ones that most readily came to mind. Hooray for Progressivism!