If we begin with a clear statement of our values, it can be used as a handout at a local festival where we are registering new voters or incorporated as part of a brochure, leaflet or web site for local Democratic committees to use in recruiting new members. To declare the basis of our beliefs – who we are – I propose we adopt a one-page Statement of Values.
If we include a series of concise statements regarding what we seek to achieve based on those values in important priority areas like healthcare, education, etc they can serve as goal statements we are willing to be held accountable for when we ask for votes for our candidates. To be clear what we want to achieve – what we stand for – I propose we adopt platform planks that clearly establish and focus on the end results – the goals – we are willing to fight for.
Of course, it only matters if we can chart a course to actually achieve those goals and no platform process would be complete if we don’t discuss the specific policies necessary to do that. The challenge in a traditional platform format is that good Democrats may have different ideas on how best to achieve shared goals. Additionally, the circumstances and legislative status around many issues are fluid and changing. A once-every-four-years process is not flexible enough to adjust and remain relevant. To create a continuing process that encourages discussion, debate and organizing around the tactics and strategies to achieve our goals and to keep that process active after the platform is adopted, I propose we take the web-based format (created by BMG’s-own David Kravitz) where we are posting all testimony/input online and use it to encourage Democrats to organize their communities around what they believe and push our elected leaders to enact it.
There may be some who believe that a more traditional platform where we simply enact a list of things we want is preferable. What do you think?
John Walsh, Chair
Massachusetts Democratic Party
As I recall the Young Democrats of America opened their platform in a similar way a few years ago. Inside each point could be expanded with a more specific list of policy proposals.
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p>I’m also wondering what if anything can be done to reconcile what I see as a split personality of the state party. On the one hand you have the liberal activists who attend conventions, especially the off-years and create a very liberal document. On the other hand you have a rather large chunk of Democrats in the General Court that are more conservative. Is there any way to have some accountability without forcing lockstep thinking? We should, I think, at least publicize the platform more. In the UK, for example, each party issues a Manifesto, which is similar to a platform, but both party leaders and voters actually expect candidates to adhere to it if their party becomes the government.
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p>As for the timeliness issue of four-year cycles, we should consider adopting two-year platform cycles since after all, elections are biennial. We could either make every off-year convention a platform convention, or better yet do this every even year along with endorsements and scrap the odd-year conventions entirely.
While what David has done is a great start we need to do a lot more. What we really need is a platform for the platform to turn that document into an action agenda for people. “Ideas in Action” as the slogan goes.
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p>Here is what I pledge to do this year. Take the document and create a platform for people to use it to make a difference.
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p>Each item on the platform will have related news, related legislation, means to contact your rep/senator and the gov, lists of organizations that are working to better that goal, a place for folks to suggest changes in the language and lots more that will develop. I’ve spent enough time talking about it.
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p>Anyone interested in helping?
We’ve all done enough talking to each other I think.
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p>You’ve got a good plan. Now all we have to do is make it happen.
That would be a one stop resource for information and action!
I especially like the idea of lists of organizations working on each goal, and having ‘living’ document.
the existing preamble is really quite nice and simply put.
I think it is time to make “fairer taxation and smart spending” a part of OUR values. (in other words, explain more fully the “sound fiscal policies” part of the preamble.)I love the last paragraph where it states…
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p>”While the Platform reflects our common commitment, we are also a party of individuals with personal and private beliefs. In joining together to pursue our Democratic agenda, we recognize and respect individual points of view. As Democrat, we embrace one another and the essential tenets of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.”
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p>The one thing that drew me to the Democratic Party when I was forming my opinions was the fact that the Democrats ARE a diverse group, and we do embrace each others differences. The preamble we currently have is an excellent statement of who we are. It is something to be proud of and something that should be shouted from every corner of the state and country. Creating a handout is a great idea. I would definitely carry some with me and share. It would be a great idea to mail them out from time to time too. Websites are a great forum for educating people, but there are mass amounts of people who do not use this resource. Television is also a “catch me if you can” resource. There has to be another way and I think a handout is a great way to get our message out.
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