The Case For the Democratic Party

Friends:

First of all, hello. And thank you for taking the time to read this statement.  I know most of you have a pretty good idea of where you stand. If you consider yourself to be a conservative or a Republican, you most likely feel that identification strongly, and I respect that. I'm not writing to win an argument with you.  Consider this a respectful request for a moment of your time.

Abraham Lincoln described America's goal as "to afford all an unfettered start, and a fair chance in the race of life". Franklin Delano Roosevelt believed our goal to be "freedom from want...freedom from fear".  The reason I mention the words of these two great Presidents is because I think each represents one end of a spectrum on which most of us sit.  Abraham Lincoln's ideal was a society that produced equal opportunity. Franklin Roosevelt championed a society that emphasized equal outcome.  These are very different ideals, and they are very much in tension. But as your friend, my hunch is that most of you would agree with one of these two statements. If you agree with neither, you should stop reading here.

However, if your feelings about our country sit anywhere between these two distinct ideals, I humbly request you consider the possibility that you are a Democrat.

I represent to you that we are neither a liberal party or a conservative party. In fact, mostly what we seem to be is a group of people having a vigorous debate about who was right, Lincoln or Roosevelt. But we all agree on one thing---that whichever vision you choose, no one human being can accomplish it alone.   That's why we're such a big tent. We have no need for litmus tests, and we don't excommunicate people, because we know that's no way to achieve anything.  We know we need everyone's help, whether we agree with them or not, to make life better in America.

That's about all there is to it. That's what we are about. That's what we stand for.  I'm not going to spill ink about other parties, because enough ink has already been spilled. 

I only ask you, if you believe you fit somewhere on this spectrum, to ask yourself which party genuinely wants our society to achieve either of these goals. If either of these goals are something you want, please consider your answer carefully as you make your choice on election day.  

Thank you for your time.