What are the core values/positions of the Democratic Party?

[ianna_kur]

I'm a life-long Democrat. Lately I must admit that I have become a bit confused as to what the hell our party, and its candidates, stand for. What do you consider to be core values of the Democratic party as they translate to specific issues? As two examples: Can you be a democrat and vote to overturn Roe v. Wade? Can you be a democrat and vote to nullify medical services for low-income families?

Thank you.

[babylonsister]

1. No and no. nt

[TomInTib]

6. Same here.

Personally , I consider the position of the Party in recent years is "Bottom".

[ianna_kur]

8. roflmao - nm

[TomInTib]

12. And welcome to DU!

Fellow Fornicalian.

[ianna_kur]

17. newbie question

What is a Fornicalian? :-)

[TomInTib]

22. Uhh...

I am from Texas, but now live in CA.

My cousin refers to us as "Fornicalians" from the root fornica(te).....

You know.

[ianna_kur]

24. ah :-)

thank you

**chuckling**

[ianna_kur]

7. Agreed, but what to do?

I'm wondering if it is time for a revamp of party principles. Missouri just passed a budget which prohibits state funding for contraceptions for low-income men and women, and also prohibits those same people from being referred to other agencies for those services. In the article (at truthout.org), a "democrat" from Kansas City was mentioned as being an "abortion opponent". I'm just wondering if maybe it is time to purge the party of candidates whose ideology more strongly resembles that of the Republican party. It seems silly to give DNC money to candidates simply because they call themselves Democrats.

btw - I love your user-name :-)

[ingac70]

2. Answer to question one: NO.

To do so would be to declare that there is no right to privacy.
And second... NO. Only an asshole votes such a way and still has the cheek to call themselves a Democrat.

[ianna_kur]

13. Agreed

So would you be comfortable stating that a "right to privacy" is a core value of the Democratic party? Or should we "re-frame the issue" as one of inherent property rights per Locke?

[Warpy]

3. The problem is that the leadership is topsy turvy

and represents the wealthy and the corporate, not the party base.

No, you shouldn't be able to vote to overturn Roe v. Wade and call yourself a Democrat. That very basic right to privacy and self determination should be an absolute core value.

Alas, men, especially rich men, find it all to easy to sell half the party out and into reproductive slavery, calling it "pragmatism."

Pragmatism, my ass! It's just more antiwoman social conservatism and it doesn't belong in the Democratic Party. Ever.

Those woman haters already have a party. It's called the GOP.

[ianna_kur]

14. Organizations are made up of the people in them...

...Or at least they are in theory.

So should we further the split with the DLC?

[Warpy]

20. Hell, I want to march those bastards all the way back to the GOP

They've done enough damage to me, to this country, and to the party.

[BillZBubb]

4. Is that a DLC Democrat? Or a progressive Democrat? Or a

Union Democrat? Or an African-American Democrat? Or...

Ask any Democrat and you'll get a different answer. Best I can figure these days is "anti-Republican--at least some of the time."

[ianna_kur]

10. Is that fragmentation a strength or a weakness?

Throughout the history of the Democratic party our platform has changed repeatedly. The Republicans used to be the party of women etc.. As a party we have a huge number of sub-categories as you pointed out. What is it that unites us? I'm concerned that simply defining ourselves by the opposition is going to lead to the dissolution of the Democratic party, and a fracturing into several smaller political parties. Should we even try to unite the party in a progressive stance? Or should we just allow it to pass away, and hope that a new party arises with enough clout to stand up to the Republicans? Personally I'm not certain. The split between the DNC and the DLC factions is well known, and so I'm trying to figure out a way through it.

[Teaser]

5. Core Principles:

1)Hot Chicks

2)Hot Guys

3)Good Times

4)Party Down!

[Laelth]

9. These aren't my graphics, but ...

I think they describe our core values quite well.

























-Laelth

[ianna_kur]

15. lol

Those rock :-) Is there an online source where they can be captured in high-resolution for printing?

[Laelth]

18. They're copyrighted, and I'm not sure who to contact.

Items with these slogans can be purchased here:

http://www.cafepress.com/branddem/

Must be some way to reach the copyright holder through that site.

-Laelth

[grasswire]

11. Howard Dean articulated the Dem message for 2006...

...to the AMA just this week, as shown on c-span today. He had four major points, but these are the details I remember.

1. Honest, truthful government.

2. Strong defense through proper use of military resources (I'm paraphrasing).

3. Affordable, accessible health care for all.

4. Retirement security.

5. Education

6. Jobs creation through the development of alternative energy sources.

[ianna_kur]

16. A good start

What I'm wondering about is both specific positions such as those, as well as the formation of a well-defined ideological position from which they grow. Any ideas as to the philosophical underpinnings?

[grasswire]

23. do a little googling

searching for "core values democratic party" brings up the party's web site, where we find this:

A Clear Agenda: Working with other party leaders, we have created and begun to communicate a clear agenda for change:

Honest Leadership and Open Government -- We will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a sense of responsibility to elected office, and we will pass fundamental reforms that make government more honest, open, and accountable to the American people than ever before.
Real Security -- We will protect Americans at home by getting serious about homeland security, and address the real threats abroad by capturing or killing Osama bin Laden and focusing on actual (not imagined) nuclear proliferation. We will be prepared for the threats of tomorrow, and we will always tell the truth to our troops and the American people.

Jobs in America that will Stay in America -- We will keep good jobs from leaving and ensure that every job in America is a fair deal. We will balance the budget, ensure that the tax code is simple and fair, and create jobs by making America energy independent.

A Strong Public Education System -- We will strengthen our nation’s public schools to restore opportunity and optimism for every American.

A Health Care System that Works for Everyone -- We will join every other industrialized country by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care. We will change a corrupt, inefficient system into one that makes sure the world’s wealthiest country is also the healthiest.
.........
Those are not the founding principles you seek. But perhaps some reading would help you find what you want. Traditionally, Democrats have fought for many protections for citizens.

[Boomer]

19. Judging them by their recent actions...

Principle #1: Don't rock the boat

[onehandle]

21. I'm the core values of the Democratic party.

I stand for the people. That's the central core value.

The GOP stands for 5% of the people.

[ThomasNewton]

25. I wish the Democratic Party would tell me

what their core values are. And no and no to the other two questions.

I'll never vote republican or green but the Democrats are making it increasing hard to support them too.