It seems to me that Democrats are not stating positively what they stand FOR, and therefore they allow themselves to be labeled as the “takers”. They should declare what they are FOR - simply, FAIRNESS, as affirmed in the Preamble to the Constitution - "in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."
Democrats want fairness in economic opportunity, fairness in the tax system, and fairness in access to education. This should be stated by the national DCCC and DNC organizations, not just at the local level. How this fairness should be enacted comes after the main point. Sure, right wingers may scoff at this, but thinking people in the middle will “get it.”
It is never stated that, when it comes to voting, our economic fate is more important than social issues, because economic issues affect everyone, whereas social issues, such as religion, gay rights, birth control, and reproductive rights are really personal decisions, not to be decided by someone else. Social and personal issues can be heartfelt, but when it comes time to vote, they should not surpass economic issues.
Democrats can win on fairness in economic matters. So working class people, that is, all people who live on wages, not dividends, interest, or capital gains, should vote based on their economic status, not on issues that do not affect them personally. Republican economic policies can only affect them negatively. Remind the younger generations that Democrats brought us the 40 hour work week, allowing a new phenomenon called the “weekend”.
But Republicans push the social issues, to disguise their real goal of favoring the wealthy. They say that “class warfare” only goes one way - against the wealthy, while in fact Republicans, ever since Reagan, have been waging warfare against the middle class.
So my suggestion for a national motto is RESTORE FAIRNESS.
It is sad to state that many Democratic politicians are busy pursuing donations more than advocating principles, so they avoid these issues. But they need to counter all the right wing talking points on Fox so called News, as Thom Hartmann would say, and talk radio and religious stations. Main stream media are notably absent when it comes to covering political issues, such as the record number of filibusters by Republicans. Guess they are afraid of Fox so called News.
I hereby relinquish all rights to the motto RESTORE FAIRNESS.