I thought this up for our local democratic party, but I think these themes might resonate nationwide, so I thought I would post here. My thinking is that if we can get these themes out now, when the elections roll around it's easier to explain our positions on issues by fitting them into the broader themes that democrats believe in.
I have organized it as a "flyer" that people could easily print out and distribute.
What exactly do democrats stand for?
A Strong Economy
* Our economy functions best when there is free market competition. Large monopolies keep small businesses from competing. We believe in discouraging monopolistic business practices.
* The possibility for upward mobility is a key part of capitalism. We believe the gap between poverty and self-sufficiency should not be insurmountable.
* American goods and services are more welcome overseas and the American dollar is stronger worldwide when we have good relations with other countries. We believe in strengthening relationships abroad.
Less Government Intrusion
* Ethical decisions are best made by families. The government should not be imposing moral beliefs on individuals. We believe the government should respect the privacy of individuals and the right to make our own ethical decisions.
* The free exchange of ideas has always been a cornerstone of the American ideal. The government should not be in the business of censoring or intimidating people for expressing their opinions. We believe the government's power to stifle debate and impede the flow of information should be kept in check.
Compassion
* A strong and caring country does not let any of its citizens fall by the wayside. We believe in helping and protecting the most vulnerable of our citizens.
* Children have no political voice for themselves and often need others to speak for them. We believe that children should be cared for and protected from harm.
* When people are in desperate situations, they are often faced with difficult and unpleasant decisions. Legislative impositions on these decisions only causes more desperation by placing legal burdens on top of the burdens already faced. We believe in helping people avoid desperate situations that may lead to bad choices.
Fairness
* America should be a place where people from the humblest of backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed if they work hard and maintain their integrity. We believe that education and community support should ensure real opportunity for all.
* Tax loopholes and generous cuts allow many large corporations and multimillionaires to avoid their responsibilities and cause the middle class taxpayer and small businesses to shoulder more of the tax burden. We believe that those who benefit most from our economic system should not be able to shirk their responsibilities for supporting that system.