While the American people's freeing Congress from Trump and Republican Party dominance is important to saving our democracy, it is only the first step. Now the Democratic Party must use the opportunity to re-dedicate itself as the Party of the people. Spiraling inflation, wage stagnation, and unaffordable housing have created a crisis for most Americans. I thus urge the Democratic Party members of the next Congress to proclaim the following Manifesto to the American people.
DEMOCRATIC MANIFESTO
It is fitting and proper that Congress in the 250th year after our nation's birth rededicate itself to the principles stated in the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men . . .”
That, in Lincoln's words, "we here highly resolve ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
To that end, we, the Democratic Party members of the 120th Congress, commit ourselves to the following:
Our mission shall be to build a country of greater opportunity where:
- each and every American has a real chance to experience the promises made in the Declaration of Independence: "that all men [persons] are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness";
- government meets its responsibility as set forth in the Declaration—"to secure these rights"; and
- all citizens have a shared responsibility to support the government’s efforts to secure these rights and promote the public good, each according to their ability.
This will be our litmus test. All policies we advocate must be consistent with this mission statement and any proposed policy that is antagonistic to it will be dropped.
The war in Iran is antagonistic to our mission—we will vote to stop it. Spiraling inflation is antagonistic to our mission—we will act to foster lower prices. Tax cuts which benefit mainly the rich are antagonistic to our mission and we will vote to reverse them. An unleashed AI is antagonistic to our mission—we will act to regulate it so that its positive values are harnessed and its destructive risks are either controlled or eliminated. Corruption in government officials is antagonistic to our mission—we will root it out.
The government's role in securing equality: What does "equality" mean? It means equal opportunity; that everyone should have an equal chance to pursue happiness. This means regulations relating to employment, housing, health care, and finance that insure equal treatment and equal opportunity. Part of this process includes programs that encourage diversity, equality, and inclusion. No person should be left out of the American dream, and that dream must once more become a reality. Our nation will be stronger when each person, regardless of background, is encouraged to make the most of themselves, their skills and talent, and thus contribute both to their own and the nation's well-being.
However, in pursuing equality, no person regardless of sex or color should by virtue of that attribute be given preference over others; that would be replacing one inequality with another. The saying, "May the best person win," should be the rule that is applied and that everyone should accept. If the decision is that a man or woman who is Black is the best person for the job or for admission to a school, then the White person must accept that; and vice versa.
The government's relationship with industry: Government should support industry and commerce insofar as they support this mission. But if industry interests do not further this mission, if they seek power and riches for themselves without corresponding benefit to the people, then we should not support those interests.
For example, business regulations that protect the interests of the people—whether in breathing clean air, drinking clean water, or being treated fairly in financial transactions—impact the profits of industry. But the interests of the people must come first. Industry should not be asked to carry burdens that would ruin them, but reasonable burdens necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of the public and consumer interests they will have to accept. With regard to free trade agreements, the globalization which they fostered certainly helped American multi-national corporations grow richer, but the American worker and public have suffered. The answer to this problem isn't clear, but one must be found.
The Democratic position on cultural issues: Regarding cultural issues that are of concern to many Americans, we state unequivocally that:
* We have no desire to deprive law-abiding citizens of guns for sport and self-defense. But because guns do kill people, the sale of guns must be carefully controlled, and guns that have no role in sport or self-defense should be outlawed.
* We revere life and are not pro-abortion. We will do everything we can to insure that no child is conceived that is not wanted so that abortion becomes rare, except when the mother's health is threatened. After birth, we will strive to ensure that all children receive the support they deserve to grow into strong adults.
* We believe that everyone has the right to pursue his or her life as they wish, so long as they do not thereby interfere with another person's rights. Differing approaches to lifestyle do not interfere with another person's rights. We thus support the rights of free speech and religion as well as the rights that have been granted LGBTQ persons, including the right to marry. And we support the right of trans individuals to receive the medical and other care they need to pursue their lives and to be accepted in their gender identity.
All American men, women, and children are owed the support of government policies in education, health care, civil rights, security, the economy, the environment, and taxation that provide a foundation of equal opportunity for all to pursue their right to life, liberty, and happiness. That is the American social contract.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are all about the people. We must never lose sight of that fact and work for their wellbeing.
Ronald L. Hirsch is a teacher, legal aid lawyer, survey researcher, nonprofit executive, consultant, composer, author, and volunteer. He is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Chicago Law School and the author of We Still Hold These Truths. Read more of his writing at www.PreservingAmericanValues.com
