There Are Still Some Little "d" democrats: Why the little "d"?

 There Are Still Some Real democrats: Why the little "d" in democrats?

In the distant past there were democrats. In the recent past there were some democrats. And, there are still some democrats. A democrat might be thought of as one who believes in our ability to learn and to do. I know little about what those who call themselves democrats are doing now. I do have a sharp memory for much of that which democrats have done in the past.

I hope you understand that I am not using the word “democrat” to refer to a member of a political party, but rather to one who holds a certain philosophical position. A Democrat can be a democrat, but she doesn’t have to.

Democrats have tended to promote certain doings. Those doings have tended to be definitive of their beliefs.

Democrats have promoted:

~ improved communications within political organizations and among them.

~ enhancement and protection of democracy among us.

~ the study of legislation affecting democracy.

~ vigorous ongoing education about the use and doing of democracy.

~ development of widespread leadership rather than super-leaders.

~ enhanced education for participation in government.

~ cooperative self-governance.

~ willingness to thoughtfully and promptly change a bad law for the better.

~ strong respect for the law.

~exclusivity and diversity in public life.

~ cooperation within and among groups.

~ knowledge of the history of democracy, including its limitations and advantages.

~ respect for the varieties of democracy around the world.

~ our Constitution at its Bill or Rights.

~ loving care for each and every child.

~ respect and honor for the individual, the family, and the neighborhood.

~ more nearly equal opportunity for access to healthcare for each person.

~ strong support and oversight for our public health systems.

~respect and support for the position of minorities.

~ the practice of better dialogue.

~ wide, ongoing educational opportunities for all.

~ honesty.

This list can be greatly improved. However, there is already enough here to suggests planks for the platform of a present political party or candidate, or, a new party and candidates.

by Richard Sheehan

 

Little "d" democrat

                In the distant past there were democrats. There were democrats in the recent past. There are still some democrats. A democrat might be thought of as a person who believes in people and in their ability to learn and do. I know little about what democrats are doing at the moment. I do have a sharp memory of that which some democrats did in my lifetime.  

                Democrats have tended to promote certain doings. Some of  those doings tended to be definitive of their beliefs.

Democrats have promoted:

~ enhancement and protection of democracy among us. 

~ the study of legislation affecting democracy.

~ vigorous ongoing education about the use and doing of democracy.
~ improved communication among political parties and within them.
~ development of widespread leadership rather than super leaders.
~ enhanced education for participation in governance.
~ cooperative self-governance.
~ willingness to thoughtfully and promptly change a bad law for the better.
~ strong respect for our laws.
~ inclusivity  and diversity in public life.
~ cooperation within and among groups.
~ knowledge of the history of democracy including it's  limitations and advantages.
~ respect for the varieties of democracy around the world.
~ our Constitution and it's Bill of Rights.
~ our national Bill of Rights.
~ loving care of each and every child.
~ respect and honor for the individual, the family, and the neighborhood.
~ more nearly equal opportunity for access to healthcare for each person.
~ strong support for public health.
~ respect for and support of the position of minorities.
~wide, ongoing educational opportunities for all.

                The above could suggest planks for the platform of a present party or candidate.

 

 

                                by Richard Sheehan = RCS