I’ve seen endless discussions about the Democrats’ failure of imagination. It is deeper than that. It is not about some small group of individuals who might or might not maintain Democratic leadership.
We need to jump forward, and inspire the American people to think about a political party that can build a bridge to the second half of the century...not a new one, but a renewed and re-energized one.
To that end, I want to make a very serious proposal for a “plank” that would be the unifying and inspiring theme for the majority of voters moving forward. Its virtue is that it fits not only on billboards and short ads, but on bumper stickers and even the palms of our hands. It is:
PRIVACY
The most important change we could make to our constitution moving forward would be an amendment guaranteeing the privacy of American citizens. Like a Tiffany lamp, this amendment has many facets—and would appeal to both sides of the aisle. (OK, all you members of the community who continually argue we should not bother with “them.” Just force yourself to keep reading.)
The idea of a citizen’s privacy dates back to the Revolutionary years. In that time, patriots shouted “No quartering of troops.” Every political movement must be considered in the context of its time. In Revolutionary years the government could send troops to your front porch and effectively say: “Put your daughters in the basement (if you can.) The army is moving in.” From that travesty came the idea that a citizen’s front door is his/her line of demarcation from the government’s control.
My front door is sacred, too.
A PRIVACY amendment would guarantee:
- The right to any relationship I would like between consenting adults (not children)
- The right to any medical treatment I would like (or lack thereof), including abortion, birth control, or the right to die when the time comes.
- The right to own a weapon in my own home, yard or areas totally in my responsibility (OH, NOs emoticon here.) This comes with responsibility and the willingness to give up “privacy” for a background check.
- The right to protection for my online data and persona from all potential invaders.
- The obligation of any company (banks, stores) to take only what they need and protect it.
- The obligation of all medical and insurance companies to guard my information
- The obligation of the government to maintain ONLY the voter databases they require and protect those with all the force of their authority and ability.
- Limitations on policing based on real threats to others and others’ property.
- The obligation of the government to defend America’s data from outside enemies.
And this amendment should have wording that is prescient, to protect us from the future.
I live in Northern Michigan, thought to be very conservative but really Libertarian. I can assure you that a very clear constitutional change with these ideas would attract even those for whom abortion is the “only issue.”
I can just predict the comments. Many in this community are very well intentioned, but believe that we don’t need or even want a consensus. We do.
Moving more broadly, I believe that the Progressive movement must leave the past and truly excite the electorate with the idea that government can actually be valuable to citizens today and tomorrow.