One of the problems I have seen is the lack of a clearly stated list of beliefs of the Democratic party. While it's great to have a platform, and work to gobs and gobs of issues and programs and whatnot, there are several core things that I feel that should be itemized.
I put together this list in attempt to work out some anger, frustration, and ignorance in discussions with several Republicans I know.
1. We believe that all men are created equal.
That includes everybody: all races, creeds, sexes, incomes, etc. A wealthy person is no better than a poor person, he just has more money. A gay person is not any less a person than a straight person. Every individual is a unique person, and they all deserve to be treated as such.
2. We believe in religion.
All religions, not just our own. Faith is a personal thing, and it should not be forced upon people who have different beliefs.
3. We believe in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
To the extent that they do not infringe on others rights to the same. Everyone should have an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
4. We believe in justice.
Fair, just, and equal justice. People who break the law should be punished accordingly. We should ensure fairness in all trials by having judges that rule according to the law, not their own convictions or agenda.
5. We believe in the environment.
We all live on this earth. We need the earth to have food to eat, water to drink, and air to breathe. We believe that it is essential to protect the environment, and that given the proper level of commitment it can be done. We believe that if we completely destroy the earth, the extra money made by not using environmentally sound practices is worthless.
6. We believe in education.
We believe that education is the key to having a productive and successful society. We believe that everyone deserves to have access to knowledge. We believe that by sharing ideas with others, we all benefit. We believe that there is room in education for multiple viewpoints. We believe that every point of view has merit and should not be immediately discarded because it conflicts with ours.
7. We believe in freedom of information.
We believe that the public is not stupid. We believe that the government consists of elected officials that serve at the behest of the public. We believe that it is necessary that the public be aware of what its government is doing, and that officials should be held accountable for their actions.
8. We believe in community.
We believe that this is a country made up of individuals, that form communities. We believe that we have a responsibility to that community to make it better. Communities grow because people want to belong in them. We believe that a community works from the ground up, not the top down.
9. We believe in international cooperation.
We are but one large country amongst many. While something we decide may be good for us, it may not be good for the world at large. We believe that while working for the good and betterment of our country, it is also important to work for the good and betterment of the world community. It is vital to ensure cooperation and mutual respect.
10. Above all, we believe in democracy.
We believe that everyone deserves a voice, and to have their voice heard. We believe that those voices should not be stifled, because they disagree. We believe that no single voice should be louder than any other voice. We believe that there are room for different perspectives and opinions. We believe that it is possible to work together with those that do not believe as we do.