Why I'm a Democrat
Culture 4:51 AM
Because I tend to vocally and often challenge the status quo and the 'because we said so' nature of my so-called big-tent party of Democrats, which allege to stand for those who offer varying opinions but actually tend to lynch anyone who happens to disagree with their choice of nominee or something they stand for, I've been challenged to write this blog.
See, I am a blue pariah. I represent an apparently rare and surprisingly dumbfounding juxtaposition of values. It's true - I'll say it. I'm supporting John McCain for president in the year 2008. No, no - you read that right.
I'm supporting John McCain, and I am in fact a Democrat. Is that weird? Joe Lieberman is doing it too, but that's not a terribly compelling example, considering Lieberman's centrism and approval of the war in Iraq. So, for some reason, I'm compelled to explain myself as though I'm some variation on a wolf in sheep's clothing. How is it that I can be a Democrat and support the other guy? What kind of Benedict Arnold could I possibly be? In this 'us vs. them' world, how could I cross lines and put on the other team's jersey for this all-important battle?!
Here is a basic list of what makes me a Democrat:
Equal rights for all: perhaps the most personal of platform topics for me is that of equal so-called 'civil rights' for all. That means you can't tell your neighbor who they can marry, where they can work, or where they can go to school, etc. The Republican party has really dropped the ball on this one over the years.
Protecting the environment: My degree in Meteorology isn't the only reason that I feel secure in saying that we are doing a poor job protecting the world that protects us. We've heard for the past 8 years that many environmental protections would hurt our economy by stagnating productivity and skyrocketing costs, but in this evermore-greening corporate climate, we now see that being green is hip and can be cost effective. I believe in incentives to help reduce our carbon footprints and our damage to the environment, both to the public and corporations.
Protecting workers' rights: Labor Unions sometimes overreach their bounds and hurt the companies for whom they represent workers, but that isn't the only factor. Workers have a right to rely on the pensions that they work their entire lives to build. They have the right to go to work in a safe, positive and protected workplace where they have the opportunity to advance in an equal playing field. This isn't negotiable, and is a principle that harkens back to the glory days of the Democratic party.
Social Security: Thank you, FDR. This new deal program isn't perfect, but it affords many disabled and elderly retired people the ability to live without fear of starving, being forced from their homes, and living in substandard conditions. We cannot privatize - and thereby jeopardize - this vital program, and the futures of our children and ourselves.
Universal Healthcare: I'm a recent convert to the concept of this type of socialized medicine. It was a tough pill to swallow - primarily because we are not in fact a socialist country. However, after seeing decades of health standards in decline coupled with costs ever on the rise, it's obvious that choice and free-markets aren't the only answer. A for-profit health insurance company shouldn't make health decisions for your children, and they shouldn't be able to trump the decision of a doctor about what care is necessary and what care isn't. This isn't negotiable.
Non-intervention abroad: Neoconservatives have advocated intervention abroad to strengthen our alliances and create a deeper coalition of countries to spread democracy and peace. Yet, I'm a strong believer that revolution must come from within and that regardless of whether or not we are the world's last super power, we don't have the right to police the world against their own will. Whether or not we happen to like somebody's brand of government isn't the point.
Appointing a fair Supreme Court: Republicans don't actually mind so-called activist judges. They only mind when the activists legislate for the bench on behalf of the other side. No litmus tests should be administered, and no appointment should be made to create a conservative movement in this country. The Supreme Court should, however, strictly interpret the constitution. It should also disallow the lower courts and the other two branches of goverment from overreaching their constitution-given authority.
A Woman's Right to Choose: Speaking of the Supreme Court, abortion is an important issue with a set precedent. NOBODY is pro-abortion. But should a woman find herself in the terrible position of having to weigh the option of aborting her unborn fetus due to unfortunate circumstance, she must be afforded the right to do so- and she must take this decision seriously, because it does indeed affect a life outside her own. Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.
Control the National Debt: Republicans are often accused of voodoo economics, and in fact they are more guilty of raising the national debt than their Democratic counterparts. This is a continuing problem that we cannot keep passing on to our children and our grandchildren. That national credit card must have a limit.
Support for Public Schools and Post-Secondary Education: Public schools don't get nearly enough money or other resources, aren't given nearly enough freedom to educate, and should not be subject to competition by vouchers. Much much more money should be available for good students to be able to continue to Higher education, which is economically out of reach for far far too many.
Finally, I wear a blue jersey because of overarching themes.
I'm not a Democrat because I like to show off how cosmopolitan I am, or because I come from enough money that I don't care how much of it Uncle Sam wants to take. I'm a Democrat because I feel that we have to stand up and speak out for one another, even when it's hard and even when it doesn't suit our own selfish best interests. I believe in fighting for the very people that [another primary candidate] famously and repeatedly champions, and whom also happen to be the base of the Democratic party. See to me, as to her, the Democratic party isn't about some abstract concept of wealth redistribution or fairness and equality or moral superiority. It's about real people, and giving them a fair shake and even playing field so they can do better for themselves.
I'm a Democrat because my mom worked as many as three jobs at a time when my parents divorced, and she gladly exhausted herself just to bring enough money home so that we could pay the bills and enjoy the occasional movie out together or tickets to the state fair. She never accepted more help than we absolutely needed, and she was always happy to be able to find work, even if it didn't pay much money. All she asked was that the government stood by her side instead of in her way. She counted on public schools to provide a good education for my brother and me. She insisted that we be able to go to college even though she knew she wouldn't be able to afford much financial assistance once we got there. She wanted us to get good jobs and one day be able to live out our dreams and raise families of our own. She taught us that everybody deserved respect and appreciation, and that we can't treat people poorly even if they don't look like us our act like us.
To me, the Democratic Party is more than a platform and a set of talking points. It means more than 'us vs. them' battle cries, and it certainly doesn't mean a big government designed to protect me from personal responsibility or the judgement of others. To me, the Democratic Party is the place where more than one idea is acceptable. It's the place where we are allowed to challenge each other and collaborate our multitude of outlooks and viewpoints to champion real progress. It's people able to look forward rather than backward and forge ahead with hope rather than fear and divisiveness. I can disagree with you on the merits of your argument without being terrified by the idea that you might have a different opinion than me. And you don't have to subscribe to my brand of humor or believe in my God to hold my hand and be my neighbor, my friend.
The principles that guide me are things I hold dear to my heart. They are worth saying aloud and they are worth fighting for. In this country, when you see something wrong, it's your duty to say so. If you can do something about it, you should. If you see something right, now is always the right time to speak out and say 'amen'.
Like so many of my fellow Americans, I will be out at the ballot booth in November 4th, and I will be speaking my mind for what I believe in my heart to be true. I will grin from ear to ear to have my voice heard, and to stand up for the guy that I believe will stand up for me. It just so happens that this year, the guy I have the most faith in happens to be a Republican. He has been called 'old', 'a maverick', 'more of the same', you name it. But with my help, I'm hoping soon I'll be able to call him "Mister President".
See, I am a blue pariah. I represent an apparently rare and surprisingly dumbfounding juxtaposition of values. It's true - I'll say it. I'm supporting John McCain for president in the year 2008. No, no - you read that right.
I'm supporting John McCain, and I am in fact a Democrat. Is that weird? Joe Lieberman is doing it too, but that's not a terribly compelling example, considering Lieberman's centrism and approval of the war in Iraq. So, for some reason, I'm compelled to explain myself as though I'm some variation on a wolf in sheep's clothing. How is it that I can be a Democrat and support the other guy? What kind of Benedict Arnold could I possibly be? In this 'us vs. them' world, how could I cross lines and put on the other team's jersey for this all-important battle?!
Here is a basic list of what makes me a Democrat:
Equal rights for all: perhaps the most personal of platform topics for me is that of equal so-called 'civil rights' for all. That means you can't tell your neighbor who they can marry, where they can work, or where they can go to school, etc. The Republican party has really dropped the ball on this one over the years.
Protecting the environment: My degree in Meteorology isn't the only reason that I feel secure in saying that we are doing a poor job protecting the world that protects us. We've heard for the past 8 years that many environmental protections would hurt our economy by stagnating productivity and skyrocketing costs, but in this evermore-greening corporate climate, we now see that being green is hip and can be cost effective. I believe in incentives to help reduce our carbon footprints and our damage to the environment, both to the public and corporations.
Protecting workers' rights: Labor Unions sometimes overreach their bounds and hurt the companies for whom they represent workers, but that isn't the only factor. Workers have a right to rely on the pensions that they work their entire lives to build. They have the right to go to work in a safe, positive and protected workplace where they have the opportunity to advance in an equal playing field. This isn't negotiable, and is a principle that harkens back to the glory days of the Democratic party.
Social Security: Thank you, FDR. This new deal program isn't perfect, but it affords many disabled and elderly retired people the ability to live without fear of starving, being forced from their homes, and living in substandard conditions. We cannot privatize - and thereby jeopardize - this vital program, and the futures of our children and ourselves.
Universal Healthcare: I'm a recent convert to the concept of this type of socialized medicine. It was a tough pill to swallow - primarily because we are not in fact a socialist country. However, after seeing decades of health standards in decline coupled with costs ever on the rise, it's obvious that choice and free-markets aren't the only answer. A for-profit health insurance company shouldn't make health decisions for your children, and they shouldn't be able to trump the decision of a doctor about what care is necessary and what care isn't. This isn't negotiable.
Non-intervention abroad: Neoconservatives have advocated intervention abroad to strengthen our alliances and create a deeper coalition of countries to spread democracy and peace. Yet, I'm a strong believer that revolution must come from within and that regardless of whether or not we are the world's last super power, we don't have the right to police the world against their own will. Whether or not we happen to like somebody's brand of government isn't the point.
Appointing a fair Supreme Court: Republicans don't actually mind so-called activist judges. They only mind when the activists legislate for the bench on behalf of the other side. No litmus tests should be administered, and no appointment should be made to create a conservative movement in this country. The Supreme Court should, however, strictly interpret the constitution. It should also disallow the lower courts and the other two branches of goverment from overreaching their constitution-given authority.
A Woman's Right to Choose: Speaking of the Supreme Court, abortion is an important issue with a set precedent. NOBODY is pro-abortion. But should a woman find herself in the terrible position of having to weigh the option of aborting her unborn fetus due to unfortunate circumstance, she must be afforded the right to do so- and she must take this decision seriously, because it does indeed affect a life outside her own. Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.
Control the National Debt: Republicans are often accused of voodoo economics, and in fact they are more guilty of raising the national debt than their Democratic counterparts. This is a continuing problem that we cannot keep passing on to our children and our grandchildren. That national credit card must have a limit.
Support for Public Schools and Post-Secondary Education: Public schools don't get nearly enough money or other resources, aren't given nearly enough freedom to educate, and should not be subject to competition by vouchers. Much much more money should be available for good students to be able to continue to Higher education, which is economically out of reach for far far too many.
Finally, I wear a blue jersey because of overarching themes.
I'm not a Democrat because I like to show off how cosmopolitan I am, or because I come from enough money that I don't care how much of it Uncle Sam wants to take. I'm a Democrat because I feel that we have to stand up and speak out for one another, even when it's hard and even when it doesn't suit our own selfish best interests. I believe in fighting for the very people that [another primary candidate] famously and repeatedly champions, and whom also happen to be the base of the Democratic party. See to me, as to her, the Democratic party isn't about some abstract concept of wealth redistribution or fairness and equality or moral superiority. It's about real people, and giving them a fair shake and even playing field so they can do better for themselves.
I'm a Democrat because my mom worked as many as three jobs at a time when my parents divorced, and she gladly exhausted herself just to bring enough money home so that we could pay the bills and enjoy the occasional movie out together or tickets to the state fair. She never accepted more help than we absolutely needed, and she was always happy to be able to find work, even if it didn't pay much money. All she asked was that the government stood by her side instead of in her way. She counted on public schools to provide a good education for my brother and me. She insisted that we be able to go to college even though she knew she wouldn't be able to afford much financial assistance once we got there. She wanted us to get good jobs and one day be able to live out our dreams and raise families of our own. She taught us that everybody deserved respect and appreciation, and that we can't treat people poorly even if they don't look like us our act like us.
To me, the Democratic Party is more than a platform and a set of talking points. It means more than 'us vs. them' battle cries, and it certainly doesn't mean a big government designed to protect me from personal responsibility or the judgement of others. To me, the Democratic Party is the place where more than one idea is acceptable. It's the place where we are allowed to challenge each other and collaborate our multitude of outlooks and viewpoints to champion real progress. It's people able to look forward rather than backward and forge ahead with hope rather than fear and divisiveness. I can disagree with you on the merits of your argument without being terrified by the idea that you might have a different opinion than me. And you don't have to subscribe to my brand of humor or believe in my God to hold my hand and be my neighbor, my friend.
The principles that guide me are things I hold dear to my heart. They are worth saying aloud and they are worth fighting for. In this country, when you see something wrong, it's your duty to say so. If you can do something about it, you should. If you see something right, now is always the right time to speak out and say 'amen'.
Like so many of my fellow Americans, I will be out at the ballot booth in November 4th, and I will be speaking my mind for what I believe in my heart to be true. I will grin from ear to ear to have my voice heard, and to stand up for the guy that I believe will stand up for me. It just so happens that this year, the guy I have the most faith in happens to be a Republican. He has been called 'old', 'a maverick', 'more of the same', you name it. But with my help, I'm hoping soon I'll be able to call him "Mister President".
Posted by Nick Stone
on 4:51 AM.
Filed under
Posts
I just don't get it...you say you're a democrat, so instead you pick the guy who could not be more detached from the daily life of average Americans? Obama was born to a poor, single mother. He went on to achieve greatness.
After being the first black editor for the Harvard Law Review and graduating near the top of his class, he could have taken ANY high-paying Washington or New York job. Instead, he went back to Chicago and tried to help working class families escape poverty.
Your description of why you are a democrat is great, except you're picking the wrong guy.
With respect, Obama went back to Chicago to become a politician.
Some use change to promote their careers.
Others use their careers to promote change.
wow, he went back and was a community organizer for years. then he went into politics. quit watching fox news documentaries and the drudge report for your info. thanks.
You do realize that McCain's ideology does not match up with, oh, ANY of your laudable reasons for being a democrat. Not a one.
Perhaps you should go to his campaign site and realize that the McCain of today is not the "reformer" of yesteryear. Not even close.
You say "It's people able to look forward rather than backward and forge ahead with hope rather than fear and divisiveness."
And McCain represents that to you? Really? Name ONE example from his current ideology.
McCain is exactly the opposite of your quote. He looks back to the past 8 years and likes what he sees. He plays to an America that refuses to acknowledge that the country is changing. And his method of "forging ahead" is to pander to his divisive base, play on terrorism fears, and mudsling accusations that have already been proven false. Even Fox News admits most everything he says in his speeches and ads are false.
you might want to take a look at this McCain article from the (conservative) Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/15/AR2008091502406.html
Based on your ideals, Obama is the candidate who best represents you as an American citizen. You're inability to see this makes it clear that you're even more clueless than John McCain himself.
great article, anon.
You should review your earlier post about Palin being "exactly the right choice." Every poll has her favorability tanking.
This is sure to be amplified, once more people grasp that she has no formal education, got her passport last year and has zero credibility (I mean she fired her brother in law for essentially divorcing her sister).
THIS is the guy you have so much trust in?
From New York Times:
OK, a correspondent directs me to John McCain’s article, Better Health Care at Lower Cost for Every American, in the Sept./Oct. issue of Contingencies, the magazine of the American Academy of Actuaries. You might want to be seated before reading this.
Here’s what McCain has to say about the wonders of market-based health reform:
"Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation."
So McCain, who now poses as the scourge of Wall Street, was praising financial deregulation like 10 seconds ago — and promising that if we marketize health care, it will perform as well as the financial industry!
McCain/palin is the only choice for "Middle of the road" democrats who have been left behind by the Now Far left DNC!!! Obama stands for nobody and will lead this country to the far left and into socialisim!!!