OPINION:
I have a suggestion for the National Democratic Party’s 2018- and 2020-election message. Back in 1987, I heard Bill Clinton give a speech in which he said something I really agreed with. He said people have rights and responsibilities. Yet Democrats, he said, seem to focus too heavily on their own “rights” and seem to believe that they shouldn’t (and don’t) have any “responsibilities.” By contrast, he said, Republicans seem to focus too heavily on their “responsibilities” and seem to believe that they shouldn’t and don’t have any “rights.”
He said the Democrats should say the federal government must help people who struggle financially and in return for that assistance, people should be expected to lead responsible and productive lives. That includes giving something back to the country and taxpayers, even if that only means doing volunteer work if they cannot find jobs. This way, no one is receiving “something for nothing.”
I believe the “rights and responsibilities” message is a winning one and the Democrats ought to use it in 2018 and 2020.
STEWART B. EPSTEIN
Rochester, N.Y.
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