COLUMN: What I stand for
The Democratic Party I believe in is an organization of prestige and honor.
A party that fought for sweeping, landmark laws that truly work to establish liberty and justice for all. I believe in the party that enacted the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, bringing women closer to equality in the workforce.
I believe in the party that got American men to first land on the moon. I stand with the party that supports unions and created the weekend, that supports the family and assists the poor.
I am a member of the Democratic Party, and I have grave concerns for its future.
I fear the effect money and party politics will have on it.
I fear that its followers will adapt to the concept of “don’t ask, just accept."
It is worrisome that party loyalty is now to remain politically correct and stay silent when a leader of the party is not acting on core ideologies. I think it is imperative to keep party members in check, so they can truly represent their constituents.
I will question the motives of distinguished members of the Democratic Party, including Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin when they vote for dangerous bills like the National Defense Authorization Act that threaten to exhaust my inalienable rights that the Democratic Party has long stood for. I will also address concern when the most powerful Democrat in the world, the president, signs liberty-smearing bills into office.
These are not Democratic ideals, and they cannot be met with respect or adoration within the Democratic Party. Blind allegiance is threatening the very core of the Democratic Party, and it is important that we Democrats remember what we stand for. We cannot let our party allegiance lead us to ignorance.
The Party is supposed to defend the underdogs, protect civil liberties and uphold the Constitution, and what is being observed now is not the Democratic Party I believe in.
John F. Kennedy once said, “I look forward to a great future for America — a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.”
I hope Democrats will learn that to question Democratic Party members is not treason. A politician can easily be corrupted but ideas, however, never die. Our duty is to remind them of their allegiance to ideals, not politicking.
To be told to stay silent and look upon my elected officials in glory and adoration is something I cannot do.
It is especially important to be vocal now, in a time where money is at the center of all elections. We as Democrats cannot ignore or refuse to question what they are doing up on the Hill, for apathy and faith is how bills like the NDAA are signed into law. Simply having a “D” next to a Congressman or Senator’s name on CSPAN does not mean their blood bleeds blue.
Brynn McDonnell is a member of College Democrats. This column does not reflect the views of that organization.
