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August 02, 2004

Democrats don't need a lecture on values

As this presidential campaign develops in the more intense way we all expect, it's a safe assumption that the president's team will play its social issues card. This means a deployment of those wedge issues of gay marriage, opposition to abortion, and so-called faith-based initiatives, all of which they will lump under the word "values." But as Democrats proud to support the Kerry-Edwards ticket, we don't need a lecture about values, and we never have.

Perhaps it's only a difference of definitions, or a more sinister attempt to exploit the high emotions that come when abortion or homosexuality is discussed. Either way, it's a matter of simple dishonesty for the other party to pretend that these issues, and others similar to them, are all that fits under the rubric of "values."

It appears that the word has been separated from the usual phrase, "family values." Our most lasting memory of that phrase is probably connected to Pat Buchanan's now infamous speech at the 1992 Republican convention about a "culture war." The lines he drew were clearly stated. He believed it was his party, and not ours, that fought for family values.

Well, Democrats won't hesitate to make what we believe is an obvious case. The Democratic Party has stood up for values for a long time. Our commitment to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is just one way we show how much we value the dignity of the poor and the elderly in our society. When you seek to help and protect those who need it the most, and to make retirement as worry-free as possible, you are in fact expressing values. It was not by coincidence that John Kerry said, in his acceptance speech, "As president, I will not privatize Social Security." I'm betting that line got a lot of applause from America's senior citizens. They are rightly suspicious of Republican plans to experiment with this program, which may be the most popular social program in the history of the world.

Likewise, Democrats are expressing their values when they fight hard for student loans that will more easily allow those with low incomes to send their children to college. (This one is personal for me; I returned to college at the age of 44 and couldn't have done it without federal student loans.) When we support a higher minimum wage, increased unemployment benefits, and tax breaks for the middle class, we are also making clear our commitment to family values.

If families can't stay afloat economically, it's hard to argue that debates over abortion and homosexuality matter the most to them. Democrats know this, and we've worked hard for decades to help working class Americans feed and educate their families. This basic foundation must first be secure before Americans can do what we love to do: dream of an even better future. So, let's not give an inch to the other side in the values debate. How could we? We've always set the pace.

(Rick Howell is chairman of the Amherst County Democratic Committee, and Host of the Lynchburg Kerry Meet-Ups.)

Posted by rickhowell at August 2, 2004 08:25 PM

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