Abraham Lincoln drew the line in the sand when he said that America stands to create “a more perfect union.” 

That’s the essence of Democratic Core Values. 

Perfecting the promises of freedom made at the country’s founding.

What are those values?

Freeing All Americans, Making All Americans Free.

On paper, we all share the same rights. But in reality some Americans have enjoyed more rights than other Americans.

It is our duty then as lovers of freedom to balance the scales of justice to make sure that all Americans enjoy equal freedoms.

That’s why Democrats have always been the party of Black Americans, Latino/a Americans, Native Americans, Muslim Americans, and Americans of any origin that falls outside the box of what’s considered traditional. 

Because we recognize that in order to do justice to the promise of freedom in America, we must do justice to Americans who have yet to be free.

Black Americans, for example, are still more likely to be incarcerated for petty crimes, face discrimination when buying a home, meet greater obstacles when applying for jobs, and disproportionately feel the effects of racist voting policies.

As Democrats we recognize the gaping holes of injustice that our country’s past represents for many Americans. We aim to fill those holes.

Fairness Means Opportunity, and Opportunities Should Be Fair.

All over the world people with dreams in their eyes and passion in their hearts look to America the Land of Opportunity. 

We ought to be proud of that. We do live in the land of opportunity.

But we should be even prouder the day we can say that Americans themselves have equal opportunities at home.

The day that men and women have equal pay.

The day that Americans of all racial backgrounds can compete fairly for the same jobs.

The day that all Americans of any background can count on their home to educate them fairly, care for their kids fairly, keep them healthy fairly without unfairly costing them.

The day that the U.S.A. can mete out opportunities in a way free of even the suspicion of unfairness. That will be the day America makes good on its promise of fairness, justice, and equality.

Rights Come with Responsibilities.

No one in America goes it alone.

The age of the “rugged individualist” is over. It is over because it never existed.

Americans have always depended on one another, have benefited from society working together as a whole, and have given as good as they’ve gotten.

The true can-do spirit of America is the can-help spirit, the can-aid spirit, the can-care spirit.

Though we all have the God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the guarantee for those rights come from our willingness to protect those rights.

Rights may be God-given, but our responsibilities make sure those rights are taken care of.