Who are the Democrats and why do they matter? This question is even more important as the midterm elections are approaching. There are a lot of misconceptions of the Democratic Party being a closed group, when in reality, we are a very open group.
We are the party of college students — the party that values funding for higher education and understands that education creates civil citizens. We understand that education needs to be accessible to all to create a vehicle of social mobility. We push for programs like Affirmative Action to help our marginalized communities have access to the great equalizer of education. We must fight for affordable, accessible education.
We are the party of the working class — the party of the single mother working two jobs to keep food on the table for her three kids. We fight for an increase in minimum wage, for a livable wage. We fight to affirm the struggle of waiters, bus drivers, union workers and more. Our blue-collar workers need access to affordable healthcare and we are fighting to expand it.
We are the party of minorities, of the LGBTQA community and of women — the party that organized the Women's March and pushed for marriage equality and landmark civil rights acts. We want to protect polling locations in the south from closure in predominantly poor, black communities. We understand that abortion is a right to choose, even when individuals of our party would not choose to do so.
We are the party of the environment — the party that wants clean air, clean water and a future for our children. We want to see jobs created in the green energy industry and a divestment from fossil fuels. We want to protect the Great Lakes and prevent fracking in The Wayne National Forest.
This November, healthcare is on the ballot. It's isn't a statewide initiative, it's about the candidate who is going to fight for it. Mike DeWine, the Republican candidate for governor, has a very clear voting record that shows his cuts to Medicaid and his stance against affordable healthcare. Richard Cordray, the Democrat candidate for governor, has fought for our healthcare and will continue to fight as governor.
Education is on the ballot. Equality is on the ballot. The future of the environment is on the ballot.
Democrats will fight for all of those and more. Democrats will fight for you because we are the party of the people. Join us in voting on November 6th for change.
Jon Schlosser is a senior studying education policy at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Let Jon know by emailing him js787315@ohio.edu.
