At one of our formative DFA steering committee meetings, months ago, we had just created our mission statement, which is:
Sonoma County Democracy for America's mission is to develop and sustain a grassroots network to promote and support progressive values at all levels of politics.
When, of course, begs the inevitable question: "So, what are progressive values?".
I took a stab at outlining a short set of Progressive Values... and came up with what I think are 5 fundamental values that most of our positions ultimately come from.
Needless to say, this is meant to be the beginning of a discussion...
Progressives believe in:
Accountable Government - In our democratic society, government needs to be responsive to the needs and interests of all the people, for the people are the source of its authority. Government must be subject to scrutiny and review to insure that it is acting in the public interest.
Personal Liberty - Adults have inviolable rights to make their own decisions about their lives without intrusion or interference by the state, as long as those choices don't interfere with those of others.
Equal Opportunity - We are all equal before the law, and we should strive to maintain a level playing field which enables each of us to develop our skills and capabilities to the full extent of our abilities... and to fully benefit from the fruits of our labor.
Community & Stewardship - As a society, we have a responsibility to one another... to care for the elderly and infirm... and to leave a thriving planet to future generations. We embrace the concept of the commonwealth.
Peace & Justice - We accept that a strong military is an important component of national security, but equally important is diplomacy... and the creation of durable international agreements, organizations and partnerships that are mutually advantageous... and which are consistent with promoting our values as well as our interests.
Here's a partial list of some of the subsidiary values and positions that emerge from these fundamental values. I'm sure you can think of many, many more.
Some of the subsidiary values could easily fit under more than one of the fundamental ones... there's certainly overlap.
Accountable Government
* Transparency
* Fair Elections
* Fiscal Responsibility
* Government Oversight
* Corporate Accountability
Personal Liberty
* Family Planning / Reproductive Rights
* Consumer Privacy
* Religious Freedom
* Right to End-of-Life Decisions
* Medical Privacy
* Civil Liberties
* Due Process
* Freedom from Government Interference on issues of "morals"
Equal Opportunity
* Public Education
* Workers Rights
* Equal Protection Under the Law
* Fair Housing
* Workplace Protection
* Progressive Taxation
* Civil Rights
* Fair Trade
* Support for Small Business
Community and Stewardship
* Environmental Protection
* Strong Local Economy / Keeping Jobs in Our Communities
* Social Security
* Universal Access to Health Care
* Public Health
* Public Land Management
* Public Works Projects
* Planned Development
* Emergency Preparedness
* Investment in Infrastructure
Peace and Justice
* Respect for International Law & Treaties
* Strong, effective military
* Diplomacy
* Principled Foreign Aid, Alliances & Embargoes
* Championing Human Rights (abroad and at home)