God, Country, Patriotism and Old-Fashioned Morality

[bluestateguy]

These are the things that we need for the Democratic Party to stand for if we are to win in November. God, Country, Patriotism and Old-Fashioned Morality. We need to be fully in tune with the culture not only of Holloywood, San Francisco and Manhattan, but also places like Branson, Missouri, Greenville, South Carolina and Fort Collins, Colorado. I am a blue state guy, but we need some red state guys to win in November.

God.

Democrats must not be perceived as being hostile to religious Americans. I have always argued that Democrats need to do a better job at explicitly linking liberal principles of governance to Biblical principles. They should do so in their rhetoric and public appeals. There is nothing "Christian" about lowering taxes for the wealthy and starving programs for those in need.

Counnty.

Celebrate the diversity of the nation, but don't assault the values of those who live in the heartland of the country. Respect the rights of people to own firearms. Realize that people in rural Tennessee just don't see guns the same way as people in Boston. Respect the popular culture of the American Heartland, not just the popular culture of California and New York City. Celebrate the America of State Fairs, Parades, NASCAR

Patriotism.

Don't mock this concept, but don't let the other side hijack it either. Stress that patriotism is about more than singing songs, and waving flags, though having said that, don't mock people who do those things. Patriotism must be about the right of a people to openly disagree with their leaders, and if need be to say things that might not be very popular. Martin Luther King and Barry Goldwater were both great patriots because they said things that were unpopular.

Old-Fashioned Morality.

This need not mean the America of Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best. It means showing Americans that you have a clear sense of what is right and wrong. No in between. The gay issue could cost the Democrats some votes, but the other side can lose votes too if they are seen as demagogic and hateful. Stress inclusion, backed my a strong moral code.