Rather than asking Democratic candidates what they stand for many reports, even in the allegedly "left-wing" media are falling back on the stock narrative that the Dems "dont't stand for anything": Examples
here,
here,
here, and
here.
Ouch. I thought WaPo and the Times were in the pocket of the left. They sure have a funny way of showing it. That fact of the matter is that the Dems do need to show that they have an alternative vision. Below the fold: Why I'm a Democrat.
If I were running for Congress and knocked on your door to ask for your vote, here's how I would explain why I'm a Democrat.
- Cautious multi-lateral interventionism: The Democratic Party will not shy from a fight when America is truly threatened and will support multi-lateral humanitarian and democracy spreading missions. We will not be eager to take up battles for democracy where ethnic divisions make that an uphill climb, however. True Democracy spreads gradually over time by winning hearts and minds, not immediately at the point of a gun.
- Sound social investment and fiscal responsibility: Democrats are willing to invest in programs that grow the American economy and help American workers. This includes investment in fundamental scientific research like stem cell research and alternative energy sources, communication and transportation infrastructure, health, education, and job retraining and unemployment insurance. We don't believe in massive borrowing to pay for these basic social services. Since Republicans took the House in 94, spending on federal earmarks tripled. Meanwhile they've run up huge deficits to pay for bridges to nowhere, benefitting only their contractor cronies. The deficit is a $36,000/child Bush Birth Tax and they've got nothing to show for it. The Republicans are the party of borrow and waste. We'll be the party of balance and invest.
- Social norms aren't imposed from above: We don't think it's big government's job to define social institutions like marriage. That's up to individuals. We don't think that medical decisions between a husband and a wife should be made in Washington by Bill Frist. We think that when you give birth and when you die are personal decisions. We believe in taking a clinical approach to potentially beneficial derivatives of marijuana.
- Liberty and the rule of law: Big brother is un-American. We believe in checks and balances and in the constitution. The President is not above the law even in a time of war. If he needs a law changed he goes to Congress. If Congress changes the law it's subject to judicial review for constitutionality.
- Competent governance: The Department of Homeland Security budget is not a slush fund for Republican patronage. DHS grants should be applied where they are needed most. Democrats believe in appointing competent managers to agencies like FEMA and the Federal Election Regulation Commission, not cronies like the one's that failed New Orleans and, during the blackouts, California, when the FERC Commissioner appointed by W at the behest of Ken Lay refused to stop Enron from creating false energy shortages.
- One role of government is to regulate externalities: The function of a corporation is to make money. One way they do this is by externalizing costs. For example, they externalize the cost of waste disposal by polluting. Government should regulate industry to prevent negative externalities like pollution or to recoup costs to society.
- Fair trade: My party has work to do in this area but we are ahead of our opponents. American industry shouldn't have to compete with overseas industry that is free to pollute. American workers shouldn't have to compete with low labor costs in countries without basic labor rights like collective bargaining and child labor laws. I believe that the way to make progress in this area is to support progressive candidates in the Democratic Party. The DPW deal showed how the "free" traders have thrown national security under the truck, but they've been throwing economic fairness, labor rights, human rights and the environment under the truck for years. Unless we stand up to them our interests and values will be left in a polluted ditch.