The message of We Still Hold These Truths is even more urgent now than when it was written in 2004. Goaded by Republican demagoguery and caught in an economic malaise, a fierce anger has arisen among much of the public against the Democrat’s progressive agenda, encouraging radical Republicans in Congress and state legislatures to destroy much of the progressive framework enacted by government during the past 100 years. 

The issue is not simply big versus small government, high versus low taxes. The radical Republican conservative movement seeks to fundamentally alter the balance that our nation has historically struck between private rights, the public good, and government.  At risk are America’s middle class, the poor, and the environment.  

The world as the middle class knew it since WWII has been turned upside down.  Small wonder they are scared, angry, and alienated.  Democrats must counter this climate of fear and anger by communicating their policies more effectively, in a way the average voter gets.  And by labeling the Republicans for what they are … hypocrites masquerading as the party of the people. 

And those policies need to clearly establish that Democrats are not just for government of the people and by the people, but for the people.  Democrats are not anti-business - far from it.  A strong economy is essential to the welfare of all Americans.  But the balance between business interests and the public good must be recalibrated.  

Using the Declaration of Independence as a touchstone, We Still Hold These Truths examines nine key areas of government policy to define “an American manifesto,” a cohesive context for Democratic policies that will resonate with mainstream America. Starting from the premise that all men are created equal and that all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it shows why it is the Democratic Party who is the party of the people, the party of America’s historic values.

And it shows why it is the proper role of government to enact such policies.  As stated in the Declaration of Independence, "That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men."  That is the purpose of government.  The mantra started by Ronald Reagan and taken up by the Tea Party Republicans that, “government is not the solution; government is the problem,” is at odds with not just our founding documents but our history. 

Throughout Ron Hirsch’s varied career – as a teacher, legal aid lawyer, survey researcher, nonprofit executive, consultant,  composer, author, and volunteer – he has worked to help others. A graduate of Brown University and the University of Chicago Law School, he has developed position papers on a wide range of social policy issues and seen first hand the devastating powerlessness of the poor and helped create social service projects that involved thousands of lawyers throughout the country. Ron Hirsch grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and resides in New York.