Values

Introduction

The Democratic Party was founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson. For more than 200 years, it has represented the interests of working families, fighting for equal opportunities and justice for all Americans. Democrats maintain a firm commitment to strong economic growth, affordable health care, a clean environment, a better education for our children, and a secure nation that leads in the world. The following is an overview of the main values of the Democratic Party.

1. Honest Leadership & Open Government

The Democratic Party is committed to real ethics reform and meaningful campaign finance reform that protects our rights and ensures that elected officials act ethically - not just within the law, but within the spirit of the law. We are committed to making certain our federal, state, and local leaders serve the people's interests, not special interests. For us, this commitment spans our lifetime, as we were elected to represent the people, not the powerful.

Our goal is to restore accountability, honesty, and openness at all levels of government. To do so, we will create and enforce rules that demand the highest ethics from every public servant, sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish clear standards that prevent the trading of official business for gifts. We know that proper governing begins with good representation.

2. Homeland Security

The Democratic Party believes in a strong national defense that is both tough and smart, recognizing that homeland security begins with hometown security. Democrats led the fight to create the Department of Homeland Security, and continue to fight to ensure that our ports, nuclear and chemical plants, and other sensitive facilities are secured against attack. We want to close the remaining gaps in our security by enacting the 9/11 Commission recommendations. We know that protection of our liberties against terrorism is a fundamental purpose of our government.

Democrats understand that our nation must be prepared to effectively handle natural disasters in addition to acts of terrorism. We support increased funding for first responders and other programs to keep our local communities safe. We have worked to provide our law enforcement officials with the resources and training to arrest drug dealers and remove gangs from our streets. We know that hate crimes are an assault on America itself, and should be punished with extra force.

3. Energy Independence

The Democratic Party knows that a sensible energy policy is key to a strong economy, our national security, and a clean environment. We support conservation efforts, increasing research into renewable alternative energy sources, and providing relief for consumers in the wake of rising energy costs. We want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and eliminate billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies.

4. Economic Prosperity

The Democratic Party believes that the most effective way to increase opportunity for our families is high quality, good paying employment. Democrats support fair trade agreements that raise standards for all workers here and abroad, while making American businesses more competitive. We do not believe in tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.

We believe in balanced budgets and in paying down our soaring national debt. We want to restore the budget discipline of the 1990s that helped eliminate deficits and spur record economic growth. Democrats have proposed immediate tax relief for middle and lower income workers, the people most likely to put the money back into the economy. We have also proposed tax relief for businesses to spur job creation and capital investment. We believe in helping laid off workers and families struggling to make ends meet.

5. Educational Excellence

The Democratic Party knows that one of the keys to expanding opportunity is to provide every child with a strong foundation of education. We believe that a college education should be as universal as high school is today, training America's students for a fast-moving, fast-changing economy. We will help to expand educational opportunities for college by making college tuition tax deductible, expanding Pell Grants, and cutting student loan interest rates.

Democrats are dedicated to building on the class size reduction initiative by hiring thousands of additional teachers each year. We want to make sure students have safe, modern facilities in which to learn. It is unacceptable that almost one third of our nation's public schools are in a serious state of disrepair.

We are committed to fully funding the federal government's share of special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The act mandates that states provide an appropriate education to students with special needs and requires the federal government to provide 40 percent of the funding.

6. Health Care Reform

The Democratic Party is committed to reforming our expensive, increasingly exclusive health care system. In the wealthiest nation in the world, no one should have to choose between taking their child to a doctor and paying the bills. We hope to join 36 other industrialized nations in making sure every single American has access to affordable, quality health care coverage, as well as affordable prescription medication coverage.

We believe that patients' medical decisions should be made with their physicians, and not by insurance company accountants and bureaucrats. We also believe in investing in lifesaving stem cell and other medical research that offers real hope for cures and treatment for millions of Americans.

7. Retirement Security

The Democratic Party believes that after a lifetime of hard work, one earns a secure retirement. Our commitment to protecting the promise of Social Security is absolute. Democrats also recognize that Americans rely on more than just Social Security for a secure and dignified retirement. Democrats will continue to fight for genuine pension reform that protects employees' financial security. We will develop new ways to help hardworking Americans create retirement savings.

8. Environmental Stewardship

The Democratic Party believes that it is our responsibility to protect America's extraordinary natural resources. The health of our families and the well being of future generations depend on our proper stewardship of the environment. Far too many Americans live with unhealthy air or water quality. Democrats will fight to strengthen the laws that ensure we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. We will make sure these laws are enforced.

Democrats are committed to finding ways to combat global climate change. The resulting droughts, floods, and severe storms threaten agriculture, infrastructure, and our economy. We reject the false choice between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. New technologies that protect the environment will spur job creation.

9. Election Reform

A fundamental tenet of our democracy is the right to vote and have that vote counted. The Democratic Party is committed to reforming the voting system so that it includes verification, accountability, and accuracy. It is imperative that we modernize election equipment, and guarantee access to polls with common sense reforms such as election day registration. Democrats will fight for federal standards that restore confidence in our voting process.

10. Civil Rights

The Democratic Party is unwavering in our support of equal opportunity for all Americans. We have worked to pass and vigorously enforce every one of our nation's civil rights laws, and every law that protects workers. Most recently, Democrats stood together to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act.

11. Veterans & Military Families

The Democratic Party appreciates and respects the service given to our country by veterans of the armed forces, and will continue to ensure that the different needs of veterans are met. We remain committed to supporting current members of the military and their families as they help protect our country and serve our national interests.