Build sustainability into Dem platform
As many of you clearly understand, the Democratic Party is extraordinarily proficient in shooting itself in the foot. Instead of countering Republican claims and actions with strong messages proclaiming, “Here are our goals and why they’re important to you,” fossilized leadership seems to be in a permanent “react” mode, and no matter the phrasing, their uninspiring messages are really no deeper than, “We’re not Trump.”
I truly don’t know what the priorities of Democratic Party leaders are today. They vacillate on important issues. They seem to be most concerned about staying in office versus doing what needs to be done for their constituents and the country (no different than what Republicans are doing). But historically there has been a platform, leadership and progress through communication and compromise. I’m beyond sick of politicians swearing they’ll fight for me. Fighting is all they’re doing. Here’s a thought — how about working for all of us?
One of my concerns has been the utter nonexistence of reminders regarding legislation and regulation Democrats have championed over past decades, through compromise and support of many Republicans. Millions of voters today weren’t around in the 1950s and have no real concept of the difference between life then and now (at least prior to the Trump administration). They hear about issues such as relaxing regulations, but they weren’t around to see why those regulations were implemented and don’t understand the implications of relaxing or dropping those standards. No one is shedding light on that side of the issues.
As I began to look at key environmental and social changes achieved through law or regulation since the 1950s, I realized everything had roots in a single concept — sustainability. Sustainability — a foundational belief integrated into everything we do. Everything is interconnected in some manner. Human actions can have a lasting impact on the planet. Actions today must consider future generations. Sustainability means continually moving forward, making changes and improvements to enrich and enhance our quality of life on this planet in a balanced manner.
The term is most often heard regarding the environment. Fundamentally, that is where it all starts and ends. But sustainability flows to affect the orientation of technology; our economy and employment; our educational, scientific, medical, manufacturing and regulatory institutions; and ultimately, quality of life.
There is no planet B. Either we value this planet as a gift and sustain it and ourselves; or, shortsightedly, we ambivalently and callously doom ourselves and future generations for the sake of today’s personal gain and greed by a minuscule number of individuals.
Education is crucial. Since the Democratic Party has no clear platform, give it one — a history of sustainability. Thanks to laws and regulations championed by Democrats, you can no longer set the Cuyahoga River on fire. Women have legal autonomy over their economics and their bodies. We elected an African-American to the presidency for two consecutive terms. And so much more. We certainly aren’t “there” yet. But until the current fearmongering, divisive, emotionof-the moment-based, wing nut administration came into office, we were at least continuing — albeit too slowly — to build sustainability into our practices.
This message won’t come from party leadership, so it must start at grassroots, local levels. Write to local newspapers and other media; participate in the local Democratic Party; write to the Democratic Party leadership; meet with active members. Urge candidates to remind voters what Democrats have historically prioritized, accomplished and, hopefully, to clearly re-engage in sustainability going forward. It’s a campaign that needed to start long ago.
Millions of voters today weren’t around in the 1950s and have no real concept of the difference between life then and now (at least prior to the Trump administration).