The latest missive from the Tennessee Democratic Party:
Tennessee Democrats want dignity, equality and respect for everyone. To achieve that end, we will work tirelessly in our communities to promote initiatives that create good jobs, better schools and a cleaner environment. We are fortunate to live in a prosperous society, but we sometimes forget those who are left behind.
Hubert Humphrey once said, “The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
We agree. We become stronger as a community, as a state and as a nation when we help all segments of society prosper.
This is what can unite progressives of all stripes in Tennessee. Why not focus on these similarities instead of our differences?
Now I’m gonna have the Stones stuck in my head all day. Thanks. ;o)
In all seriousness, one thing that has always bothered me is that progressives always seem to cede the morality argument to Republicans. This needs to stop. Progressives have done, and continue to do, a much better job sticking up for the little guy and for the people who have trouble standing up for themselves. Republicans mistakenly call it socialism — in fact, it’s one of the tenets of basic morality.
But is that the message from the right? No. They seem more concerned with red herrings like gay marriage, “family values” (whatever that means), prayer in schools and display of the Ten Commandments.
It’s very much like the national-defense argument: Republicans claim the higher ground despite the fact Democrats have done the better job. My biggest gripe with our party is that we allow this to happen when the facts don’t support it. It’s like a great football team without the swagger.