Here are reasons I am a Democrat

It is unsettling when the political ideas you believe to be reasonable, moral, and most conducive to prosperity are drowned out by a loud and reactionary political rhetoric. I do not believe the current Republican Party is representative of the wisdom and moral goodness of the majority of Utahns. It advocates a political ideology intent on repealing the 20th century, as one commentator recently suggested. Indeed when you clear away the "talking points" of the Republican Party, you discover a selfish moral philosophy with few genuine solutions.

Yet the Democratic Party sometimes seems unable to give meaningful and simple expression to ideas that could reinvigorate America. So here is my attempt to give expression to the ideals I find within the Democratic Party, and why I believe they represent the values of most Utahns. Here are 21 reasons why, if we want to renew 21st century America, our better choice is the Democratic Party.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the following principles:

I believe in economic security for everyone, not just the top 5 percent of Americans.

I believe that government giving money to the rich doesn't create jobs for the rest of us.

I believe government should reward businesses only after they have created jobs for Americans.

I believe in a free enterprise system for the working and middle classes, not just global corporations.

I believe in both limited government and limited big business.

I believe in free competitive economic markets for local and small businesses, not just distant and monopolistic corporations.

I believe, neither in raising nor lowering taxes, but in a fair tax system — one that promotes innovation and industry, not an imbalanced tax system that rewards greed and excess.

I believe no one should go bankrupt, lose their home and life savings, or die because they can't afford health care and don't have reasonable health insurance.

I believe in the family; specifically in policies that support the family — like paid parental leave, more support for public schools, a safe and sustainable environment, more prenatal health care, better support for working moms, better day care programs for our children and immigration policies that don't punish children or split up families.

I believe only the moral pursuit of political goals can be justified; the end doesn't justify the means.