As I write this, I’m about to press ‘Submit’ on Cambridge’s testimony to the MassDems Platform Drafting Committee. Over the past few months, I’ve attended and organized almost a dozen Platform Committee Meetings in Cambridge and across the Commonwealth in an effort to solicit feedback from MassDems near and far about the future values, ideals, and aspirations of our party. Yesterday was the day testimony was due and to mark the occasion I wanted to reflect with you on what’s stuck with me. I wanted to highlight the common themes I’ve heard repeatedly raised by people in different rooms, communities, and contexts.
It’s my hope that the Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform will find its way into the national platform. As a Commonwealth, we have realized so much change that Democrats throughout the rest of the country are still hoping for. We have the opportunity and responsibility to lead our nation, but if we want to lead then we need to be articulate about what we stand for and why. If we want to influence the debate, we need to be clear and concise about the choices that we face. If we want to see the advancements we’ve achieved take root elsewhere, we need to give others the language and inspiration to succeed in their own communities.
The platform itself is comprehensive and wonky at times; but I think it stems from these beliefs:
- We are the government. The idea of an oppressive, independent, dysfunctional government somewhere out there is patently false. We may feel personally disappointed with some of the conclusions of our collective consciousness, but we are the system and the system is us.
- Government can be a force for good. I have personally experienced this. Many have seen it in the lives of others. Those who disbelieve may still want to help those with less. Ultimately, we believe that if we as individuals are capable of good, then so is our government.
- But people are still capable of doing evil and harming others in pursuit of their own self-interest. So we must hold constant vigil to ensure that our collective intent never becomes a tool for the powerful, but remains a defender of the powerless. A special interest may try to divide our attention, or capture our passion, or confuse us with false logic; we must be ready and engaged.
- Our most sacred vigil is that All Americans be equal in the eyes of the law. All people – regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, zip code, etc. – should be promised the same rights, treatment, and access to opportunity. We accept that there have been times of ignorance or malice when we were not our best selves, so action is needed to correct that. We accept and respect our differences, so believe our Government should not intrude in on the personal choices people make in their private lives.
- Beyond equal treatment, we believe that all persons are entitled to the American Dream, not just the lucky few. We do not believe that prosperity should be limited only to those who were born in the right place, or born with the right name, or born to be the beneficiary of chance. As an extension of that, we believe in expanding access to the American Dream to all immigrants who would seek it. To expand attainment of the American Dream, we believe in investing in our collective selves through education, infrastructure, and research.
- We recognize that equal access to opportunity requires equal access to education. The primary responsibility of a society is to educate the next generation. That education should be affordable and accessible to all if it is to enable the social mobility and economic independence necessary to afford everyone access to the American Dream.
- Failure to attain the American Dream must not mean damnation to poverty and destitution. It is just that we render aid to those who live in want – the impoverished, the unfortunate, the sick, the elderly, etc. It is more than a moral imperative; we are all connected, so helping others helps ourselves. The broader and stronger the floor people have the land on, the higher we are all lifted.
- We believe that taxes are the costs of liberty, justice, and opportunity. We believe in the common good; we believe in a government that expands access to opportunity and catches people when they fall; we believe that investment in our collective future is investment in our own children’s future. Taxes are what make all of the above possible. And inequality in outcome must be progressively taxed if we believe in creating equal opportunity for subsequent generations. We must ask all to pay their fair share because we all benefit from the bountiful majesty that is America.
On the national level it is our beliefs, values, and priorities that distinguish us from the opposition. Those who don’t share our beliefs can do their best to paint us as proponents of big government that overtax and overspend. It is our platform, however, that articulates the core tenants of our party and outlines why our values make sense. At the MassDems convention this summer, we will have the opportunity to build a platform that will lead Democrats across the Commonwealth and, in many ways, across the nation.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Leland Cheung
Cambridge City Councillor
Mass Dems Executive Committee Member
