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______________________________________________________ Proud to be a Democrat by PAULINE CLARK I want people to know why I am proud to be a Democrat. Since its founding by Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic Party's heritage is something everyone can be proud of. It was a Democratic Congress that expressed our country's gratitude to our service men and women with the GI Bill of Rights giving our veterans the opportunity for a college education and homeownership. The Republicans opposed this legislation. It was the Democrats that passed the FHA Mortgage Act, which lowered interest rates and allowed millions of low and middle- income families to purchase their first home. The Republicans opposed this legislation. Democrats passed the Rural Electrification Act that turned on the lights in rural America. The Republicans opposed this legislation. Democrats gave us the Child Labor Law, the 40- hour work week, minimum wage and Family Leave. The Republicans opposed all of these. Democrats gave us Social Security and Medicare. The Democrats also gave us Student Loans and the Voting Rights Act. The Republicans opposed these also. Today many people feel the Democratic Party is too liberal, but it might also have been considered liberal when it was the primary force behind the previously mentioned bills. Without the Democratic progressive visions and willingness to work for a better life, we might very well be a nation of two economic classes, the poor and the rich. We hold strong to the Constitution, believing in equality for all people. We are the Party of compassion and empathy. It is one thing to talk of values and another to act on those values. I am proud to be a Democrat! |