Macabe Keliher, Morgantown
It is not surprising that the Republican Party has transformed itself into a “cold hearted” monster of its conservative past, as the reflective reader from Rochester, N.Y., pointed out (DP-Wednesday).
The underlying principles of the GOP are isolated individualism, unfettered markets and restricted government involvement, which, taken to a logical conclusion, breeds policy that rewards exploitation, manipulation and destruction, where the winner takes all and the rest of us are thrown to the dogs.
Unfortunately, since the 1980s, the alternative has been to embrace the program of the right and add a bit of sweetener. The winners should be chosen fairly, the alternative says, and the losers treated justly.
But this is not an alternative: All it offers is a system of taxes and transfers to address the injustices of the market and the policies that drive it.
Bold new ideas are emerging in this election, however: Ideas that are put forward by Democratic Party’s candidates in West Virginia, many of whom are here in Monongalia County vying for local, state and national office.
These candidates have a vision not of more taxes and greater transfers, but rather of the empowerment of citizens in all aspects of political, social and economic life.
These candidates wish to equip citizens to live greater lives. They are calling to strengthen people through the funding of teachers and education, and with expanded access to quality health care.
They are building strong communities by supporting unions and community groups to fight against economic and environmental injustices. They are working to open the economy and democratize capital so that each and every citizen has equal access to funding and opportunity. They are creating more ways for more people to access more markets.
The underlying principle of these positions is nothing less than democracy, where everyone has a voice in the workplace, the community and the Statehouse. This is deep democracy, where all can aspire to greatness.
