"Traditional Democratic Values" according to DU'ers.

[Writer]

The following is a list of, well, us. Who we are. What we believe. I found reading everyone's responses truly remarkable, as I believe you will.

What struck me hardest was everyone's unique take on similar issues. Even if we share the same values, each person has his or her own take on it. In my opinion, NOTHING could be more Democratic (big D) than this!

I also added some of my own thoughts, as well.

Enjoy!

Writer.


Help for those in need.

Equal rights for all – in everything.

Do what's good for the people, not for corporations, like Medicare, Rural electrification, etc.

A strong working class, support of trade unions, a strong middle class.

An economy that creates jobs and opportunity.

Social benefits and opportunity investment in education for the poor and disadvantaged.

Encourage those who need encouragement.

Help those who need help.

Adequate shelter, health care, food, job for the people, not the corporations.

Don't hurt people or the world.

It is the role of government to use the nation's resources to lift the lot of the common citizen, to provide free public education a safety net of social security to protect the elderly from want in their later years, to protect working men and women from the hazards that might exist in the workplace, to lift the wage basis which directly impacts the well being of the American family, and to regulate the markets to preclude speculators and greedy charlatans from manipulating stocks and other financial instruments so that investors can be protected

It is also a Democratic 'tradition' to defend the nation in times of war.

A foreign policy that respects and nurtures its alliances, leads the rest of the world towards democracy, peace and prosperity. Leading by example and diplomacy rather than bullying.

To protect the average citizen against the caprice of the rich and powerful.

To treat every citizen, regardless of whatever inborn trait or appearance, as equal before the law. To fight and destroy prejudice and discrimination in every form.

To provide the best possible education to our young and to promote education and growth as a life long pursuit.

To uphold the separation of church and state without exception and protect the rights of the minority.

To ensure that military strength for the sake of our safety and sovereignty as a nation does not deteriorate into imperialism at the behest of the rich and powerful.

To make sure that the decisions made by our leaders are guided by common sense, scientific knowledge and hope, not by religious dogma, prejudice and fear.

Working for the good of all - not just a select group - of Americans

Freedom of choice, equal rights for all, helping those in need.

They boil down to freedom, opportunity, prosperity, fairness along with community building, cooperation, and open and honest two-way communication.

A respect for the environment and a desire to protect all creatures great and small

Democrats are the arch enemies of poverty and the lack of opportunity for everyone to live the American dream.

To me, the Democratic party is about honesty, decency and rule for the people.

Equal rights for all anti-discrimination, women's rights, right to privacy, take care of the needy and the poor, truthlulness, count every vote, real diplomacy.

Fairness.

A foreign policy that reflects American values.

To make the world a better place for all to live in.

Do not think short term, and think about how your decisions will affect society.

Truman first proposed universal health care that remained as a part of the national party platform until 1996.

RESPONSIBILITY and EMPATHY. Below those blanket values come broad prosperity, mutual responsibility, effective government, a better future, and a stronger nation.

Strong military and a willingness to use it.

Civil rights.

Free trade, or at least "Fair" trade.

Sensible laws concerning issues of safety (firearms.)

Rights of privacy.

The willingness to fight for what you say are your principles. Saying what you believe in is all very well; upholding what you say you believe in is another thing altogether.

Sticking up for "the little guy."

Populism -- Plain and simple. On any given issue, you can expect (or rather SHOULD expect) Democrats to stand up for the working PEOPLE.

At the Dem booth at our State Fair, some seemed to think FDR and going all the way back to the New Deal populism was the ticket.

Civil rights,national security,a fair chance for individual prosperity, maintaining a strong and knowledgeable citizenry. All of these work together to the benefit of all, no matter how lucky or unlucky you have been in life. And all of the others contribute to the all too essential national security.

Commitment to labor should be issue #1.

The core Democratic value is optimism about the future.

Family, honesty, helping those that are less fortunate, volunteerism, community, having a conscience, knowing in your gut when something is wrong, love with pride of our Country, strong convictions, tender hearted.

Democrats stand for family values, values like believing in the importance of having real employment, values like education, family values like health care, that those who are more advantaged in life should reach out and help those who aren't so advantaged, and a strong national security.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

Living wage.

Pragmatism. Acceptance. Civil rights. The GOLDEN RULE and the GOLDEN MEAN. To me, that makes one a Democrat.