The Democratic Agenda (3/30/05)
by Dean Hartwell
In the debate over Social Security and other issues, the Democratic Party must not let the Bush Administration back them into a corner. They can either let the Administration define them through their silence or they can fight back with a solid, credible message.
The Party needs a theme with which to connect its ideas on issues. Interestingly, the Terry Schiavo situation, which some Republicans want to use to their advantage, provides an opportunity.
They should let the GOP talk about its “culture of life.” They should make them explain their advocacy of the death penalty and their lack of concern for those without health care.
Then they should tell the political world what Democrats stand for – human rights.
Ever since Franklin Roosevelt, the Democratic Party has championed the cause of the minorities and the underprivileged. Roosevelt dedicated much of his legislative proposals to help the elderly, the disabled and the unemployed. President Truman, his successor, desegregated the troops. President Kennedy sent federal troops to the South to enforce laws protecting the rights of blacks to attend college. President Johnson signed several civil rights laws. President Carter respected the rights of the Panamanians by returning control of the Panama Canal to them. President Clinton allowed gays to serve in the military.
With human rights as the theme, the Party can then begin to talk about important issues. When a nation respects basic human rights, it includes the right of everyone to adequate health care. Human rights also mean the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water. It also allows a person the right to die. The Democrats have stood for these ideals.
Concern for human rights does not extend merely to those living in the United States, but also to people in other nations. The U.S. must respect the right of every nation of self-determination and the right of every person to be free from tyranny. Instead of invading other nations to uphold these principles, as the Bush Administration has done, the Democratic Party should call for the withdrawal of support for nations that do not practice them. Democracy, as noble an ideal as it is, should never be imposed upon anyone.
Back home and in our dealings with other nations, the Democrats should respect the rule of law. This respect means upholding the Geneva Convention, which, among other things, forbids torture. This respect also requires tolerance of judicial decisions it does not agree with. The result will be an even-handed foreign policy fair and independent judiciary at home.
Once it establishes the need for these basic human rights, the Party can talk about other rights, like the right to an affordable education and Social Security. And it can talk about the responsibilities that go along with them, like the responsibility to pay taxes and to obey the law. Then we will live in a safer, cleaner and more peaceful nation and world. That’s a message the Republicans cannot beat.