21.3.1 Progressive attitude on social and moral issues, including crime

Position: Progressive Attitude on Social and Moral Issues

The Democratic Party has consistently positioned itself as the advocate for progressive change in American society, especially concerning social and moral issues. This approach is deeply rooted in modern liberalism, which emphasizes the government's role in promoting social justice, protecting individual rights, and ensuring equality of opportunity for all citizens.

1. Advocating for Change and Reform

Civil Rights Advocacy:

• The Democratic Party has been instrumental in the advancement of civil rights in the United States. Their advocacy for change was most prominently seen during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, where they were the driving force behind significant legislation aimed at dismantling institutionalized racism.
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a watershed moment in American history, outlawing segregation in public places and banning employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• Similarly, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was another landmark achievement, aimed at overcoming legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote under the 15th Amendment.

The party's 2016 platform also focused on rectifying the racial dimensions of crime, advocating for criminal justice reform to address the disproportionate impact on African American and Hispanic communities.

• Justice in Policing Act:
  • In response to the growing awareness of police brutality and systemic racism, particularly following high-profile cases such as the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the Democratic Party introduced the Justice in Policing Act. This legislation aimed to address the deep-rooted issues of racial bias and lack of accountability within law enforcement. The act proposed several key reforms, including:
  • Banning Chokeholds: This would prohibit the use of chokeholds by federal law enforcement officers and incentivize state and local agencies to do the same.
  • Ending Qualified Immunity: This controversial doctrine has often shielded police officers from being held personally liable for violating an individual's rights. The act sought to reform this to ensure that victims of police misconduct could seek justice.
  • National Police Misconduct Registry: This would create a database to track police officers who have been disciplined for misconduct, preventing them from moving to another jurisdiction without their records being known.

2. Modern Liberalism and Equality of Opportunity

Support for LGBTQ+ Rights:

• The Democratic Party has been a strong advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting their broader commitment to equality of opportunity and social justice. This was highlighted by their historic decision to run the first openly gay candidate, Pete Buttigieg, for the presidency in 2020. His candidacy was not only a milestone for the LGBTQ+ community but also underscored the Democratic Party's belief in a society where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, has the opportunity to succeed.
• The party's platform has consistently supported marriage equality, anti-discrimination protections, and the rights of transgender individuals to serve in the military. The Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision in 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, was strongly supported by Democrats and represented a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights.

Pro-Choice Advocacy:

• The Democratic Party has also been a staunch advocate for women's reproductive rights. Their pro-choice stance is grounded in the belief that women should have the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies.

• The 2016 Democratic Party platform explicitly stated that "every woman should have access to quality reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion." This position reflects the party's commitment to personal freedom and its opposition to efforts to restrict access to abortion services.

• The party has consistently opposed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and other organizations that provide reproductive health services. They argue that access to these services is essential for women's health and equality, and have vowed to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare. Educational and Employment Opportunities:

• The Democratic Party believes in opening up educational and employment opportunities to all members of society, particularly those from minority groups who have historically been marginalized. Their policies aim to create a diverse student body in educational institutions, which promotes not only better learning environments but also fosters ethnic and racial tolerance.

• Examples:

3. Addressing Crime and Its Social Dimensions

• Rectifying Racial Dimensions of Crime:
  • The Democratic Party has long recognized the need to address the racial disparities in the American criminal justice system. Their 2016 platform explicitly highlighted the racial dimensions of crime, noting the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on African American and Hispanic communities. The party has called for reforms to reduce mass incarceration, eliminate racial profiling, and ensure fair sentencing practices.
  • One of the most significant legislative efforts in this area was the introduction of the First Step Act during the Trump administration, which received bipartisan support. This act aimed to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain non-violent offenses and expand early-release programs. While it was a Republican administration that signed it into law, it reflected Democratic priorities in criminal justice reform and showed the influence of their long-standing advocacy on this issue.
• Justice in Policing Act:
  • As part of their broader approach to crime, the Democrats proposed the Justice in Policing Act to address systemic racism and reform law enforcement practices. This act was designed to introduce more stringent accountability measures for police officers, ban chokeholds, and establish a national registry of police misconduct to prevent officers with records of abuse from moving from one department to another.
  • Despite the passage of this act in the House of Representatives, it faced significant opposition in the Senate, reflecting the broader political divide on issues of policing and criminal justice reform. The act remains a central part of the Democratic platform, particularly in the wake of continued incidents of police violence and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Examples of Democratic Progressive Policies

Summary:

The Democratic Party's progressive stance on social and moral issues, including crime, is rooted in modern liberalism and reflects a commitment to equality, justice, and reform. Their advocacy for civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform demonstrates a consistent effort to address systemic inequalities and promote a more just society. Through landmark legislation and ongoing policy initiatives, the Democratic Party continues to push for change that aligns with its values of fairness and equality.