Staying Positive in Politics

As Super PACs work on destroying their enemies a few are longing for the slightly less negative days before "Citizen's United". With Romney's shadow group spending millions on making his opponents look bad and Karl Rove itching to do the same, is there any chance for a peaceful election year? Well, at least you can guarantee you'll have lots of opportunity to witness vitriol; but, maybe we'll also see some powerful positive campaigning.

"... I think they're very wrong! But I don't hate Republican politicians for having their opinions."

Progressives have time to share their values in stark contrast the ever more radical right. In an effort to appeal to the far right base of the Republican Party candidates have fought a race to the bottom. In the crossfire they've hit women, the poor, the elderly, veterans, the middle class and Christians who aren't Conservative enough. But let me be clear, I am not meaning to be "against Republicans". In fact I see them as working (for most part) for the betterment of the country in --what they believe is-- the correct way to proceed. I don't happen to agree with their views, in fact I think they're very wrong! But I don't hate  Republican politicians for having their opinions.

Consider Gandhi, he told the world what he was for -Indian home rule- a positive goal. He did not say that he was against the British, because he wasn't. His vision for India was possible, he just had to show people that it could be done.

A Crash Course in Progressive Values 

In case of Progressives, we need to share our vision and values. In a time of Kings, Americans said that we the people are important. Democracy is motivated by the drive to give more people more freedoms. Progressive core values are based on responsibility for yourself and for others and empathy for their needs. Progressives believe that the moral mission of government is to protect and empower the people. These values are essential. They are informed by our Progressive worldview. This world view is guided by the way we see the ideal family.

The ideal family is very different depending on  whether you are a Conservative or a Progressive. According to George Lakoff, it comes down to two types of families: Conservatives believe that the strict father family is the ideal family; Progressives believe that the nurturing parent family is the ideal family. People's positions on economic growth, education, capital punishment, gun control, contraception, prenatal care, Health Care, taxation, the role of the military, science, religion, and many other areas are strongly influenced by their view of the ideal family. We will try to help share how the core values of America a inherently Progressive. We see this as a call to action to help everyone in America to understand more about this.

"Democrats will share these values openly while proudly heralding the many successes of the past 3 years."

A Positive Vision

My positive vision for this election is that, as Progressives, we'll be able to share our values. When the election happens in November, people will be voting based on their values as well on competence and effectiveness. Democrats will share these values openly while proudly heralding the many successes of the past 3 years. They will tell you why they support various issues based on whether the objective protects and / or empowers the people. And we will come to understand ourselves better as Americans and Progressives.     

I'm very optimistic about this year. I'm looking forward to the opportunity of having this discussion with you.